Vehicular air conditioning device

Abstract

In order to curb erroneous sensing of an occupant and control the supply of conditioned air on the basis of an accurate determination that an occupant is seated, this invention is provided with: an inside temperature detection unit (141) for detecting an inside temperature (Tin) of a vehicle (2); a control unit (12) for controlling an air conditioning unit (11) on the basis of the inside temperature (Tin) detected by the inside temperature detection unit (141); an occupant sensing unit (144) for sensing that an occupant is seated in a seat; and an occupant temperature detection unit (143) for detecting a temperature (Thum) of the seated occupant. The control unit (12) corrects control of the air conditioning unit (11) on the basis of the temperature (Thum) of the occupant detected by the occupant temperature detection unit (143) if the occupant sensing unit (144) has sensed that the occupant is seated in the seat.

Description

Vehicle air conditioning system

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system for a vehicle.

[0002] One known method for detecting whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat is a vehicle air conditioning system that utilizes the difference in heat capacity between the seat and the person (see Patent Document 1). This vehicle air conditioning system uses an infrared sensor to measure the degree of temperature change at the measurement target seat as a result of blowing test air conditioning air onto the seat, and determines that an occupant is seated if the temperature change is large. This is because a person has a smaller heat capacity than the seat, and blowing test air conditioning air onto the seat results in a large temperature change.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-114942

[0004] However, when using an infrared sensor to detect the presence or absence of an occupant as in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the infrared sensor also reacts to sunlight and other disturbances, so there is a risk that it will make a false detection even when no occupant is actually seated, and will operate the air conditioning system based on the incorrect judgment that an occupant is seated.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that can suppress erroneous detection of an occupant and control the supply of conditioned air based on an accurate determination that an occupant is seated.

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by detecting that an occupant is seated in a seat using an occupant detection unit, and when it is detected that an occupant is seated in the seat, correcting the control of the air conditioning unit based on the occupant's temperature detected by an occupant temperature detection unit.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of an occupant and control the supply of conditioned air based on an accurate determination that an occupant is seated.

[0008] It is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention. It is an interior perspective view illustrating an all-seat air conditioning mode of the vehicle air conditioner of Figure 1. It is an interior perspective view illustrating an individual air conditioning mode of the vehicle air conditioner of Figure 1. It is a flowchart showing an operation example of the vehicle air conditioner of Figure 1. It is a time chart showing an operation example of the vehicle air conditioner of Figure 1.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the main configuration of a vehicle air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment includes an air conditioning unit 11, a control unit 12, an operation panel 13, and a group of sensors 14.

[0010] The air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment is an air conditioning device for blowing temperature-controlled air (hereinafter also referred to as conditioned air) into the interior of the vehicle 2. The air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment controls the air inlet actuator 111 to drive the inside / outside air switching door, circulating the air inside the room and introducing air (outside air) outside the vehicle 2. In the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment, the actuators 111 to 117 and the blower fan 118 are controlled based on control signals received from the control unit 12.

[0011] The air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment constitutes a cooling system and a heating system. Although not shown, the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment includes a cooling cycle including, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and functions as a cooling system. In the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment, a refrigerant compressed by the compressor and heated to a high temperature is liquefied by heat radiation cooling in the condenser. When this pressurized and liquefied refrigerant is released into the evaporator through the expansion valve, it absorbs heat of vaporization and exchanges heat with air circulating in the evaporator, thereby cooling the air. After heat exchange in the evaporator is completed, the refrigerant is compressed again by the compressor.

[0012] Although not shown, the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment includes, for example, a heater core, a PTC heater (PTC: Positive Temperature Coefficient), a pump, and the like, and functions as a heater system. Some or all of the air taken in through the intake port and passed through the evaporator is supplied to the heater core and heated. The pump circulates hot water between the heater core and the PTC heater. In a vehicle equipped with an engine (internal combustion engine), engine coolant may be circulated through the heater core instead of the PTC heater.

[0013] 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of a vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 of this embodiment includes a driver's seat 21, a passenger seat 22, and a rear seat 23. An instrument panel 24 is provided in front of the driver's seat 21 and the passenger seat 22, and a center console box 25 is provided between the driver's seat 21 and the passenger seat 22. Of the cooling cycle described above, the compressor and condenser are installed in the engine compartment (motor compartment in the case of an electric vehicle) of the vehicle, and the expansion valve, evaporator, and heater core are installed in cases below the instrument panel 24 inside the interior.

[0014] Although not shown, the chamber downstream of the heater core of the case of the air conditioning unit 11 in this embodiment is provided with a vent opening and a vent door for opening and closing the vent opening, a foot opening and a foot door for opening and closing the foot opening, and a defroster opening and a defroster door for opening and closing the defroster opening. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2 , a driver's seat outlet 26 is provided on the left and right sides of the driver's seat in the instrument panel 24 of the vehicle 2, a passenger seat outlet 26 is provided on the left and right sides of the passenger seat in the instrument panel 24, and a rear seat outlet 28 is provided at the rear of the center console box 25. Note that the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the rear seat outlet 28 may be provided in the ceiling of the cabin. In this case, for example, a rear air conditioning unit may be provided above either the left or right rear wheel well, and a duct may be provided from this rear air conditioning unit in either the left or right rear pillar. This duct may branch in four directions in the ceiling, and conditioned air may be blown out from four rear seat outlets 28 (two for each of the second-row rear seats and the third-row rear seats).

[0015] The vent opening is connected to a driver's seat outlet 26, a passenger seat outlet 27, and a rear seat outlet 28 via ducts, and the conditioned air from the vent opening is guided to all or some of the driver's seat outlet 26, passenger seat outlet 27, and rear seat outlet 28 and blown into the cabin. More specifically, the conditioned air guided to the driver's seat outlet 26 is blown toward the driver's seat (or a passenger seated in the driver's seat), the conditioned air guided to the passenger seat outlet 27 is blown toward the passenger seat (or a passenger seated in the passenger seat), and the conditioned air guided to the rear seat outlet 28 is blown toward the rear seat (or a passenger seated in the rear seat).

[0016] Although not shown, the foot openings open toward the driver's and passenger's feet and further open toward the rear seat's feet via ducts. Conditioned air (e.g., warm air) from the foot openings is blown toward all or part of the driver's, passenger's, and rear seat's feet. The defroster openings are connected via ducts to defroster outlets (not shown) provided near the front windshield of the instrument panel 24. Conditioned air from the defroster openings is guided to the defroster outlets and blown toward the inner surface of the front windshield.

[0017] The air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment includes a driver's seat outlet actuator 112, a passenger seat outlet actuator 113, and a rear seat outlet actuator 114 to select an air outlet. The driver's seat outlet actuator 112, the passenger seat outlet actuator 113, and the rear seat outlet actuator 114 are actuators that adjust the opening degree of the doors that open and close the respective air outlets. That is, the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment controls the driver's seat outlet actuator 112 and uses the blower fan 118 to blow conditioned air from the driver's seat outlet 26 toward the driver's seat 21. Similarly, the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment controls the passenger seat outlet actuator 113 and uses the blower fan 118 to blow conditioned air from the passenger seat outlet 27 toward the passenger seat 22. Similarly, the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment controls the rear seat outlet actuator 114 and uses the blower fan 118 to blow conditioned air from the rear seat outlet 28 toward the rear seat 23.

[0018] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment adjusts the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from each of the air outlets by controlling the driver's seat temperature adjustment actuator 115, the passenger seat temperature adjustment actuator 116, and the rear seat temperature adjustment actuator 117. These driver's seat temperature adjustment actuator 115, the passenger seat temperature adjustment actuator 116, and the rear seat temperature adjustment actuator 117 are actuators that adjust the opening degree of a mix door, which adjusts the mixture ratio between the amount of air passing through the heater core and the amount of air bypassing the heater core. By adjusting the mixture ratio between the warm air that has passed through the heater core and the cool air that has bypassed the heater core, the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the driver's seat air outlet 26, the passenger seat air outlet 27, and the rear seat air outlet 28, respectively, is adjusted.

[0019] The air conditioning unit 11 of this embodiment has two air conditioning modes: an all-seat air conditioning mode and an individual air conditioning mode. The all-seat air conditioning mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown out from the driver's seat outlet 26, the passenger seat outlet 27, and the rear seat outlet 28, as shown in Fig. 2. In contrast, the individual air conditioning mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown out from at least one of the driver's seat outlet 26, the passenger seat outlet 27, and the rear seat outlet 28, as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, the all-seat air conditioning mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown out to occupants in all seats in the vehicle cabin, while the individual air conditioning mode is a mode in which conditioned air is blown out to occupants in some of all seats in the vehicle cabin.

[0020] In this embodiment, the individual air conditioning mode is described as a mode in which the temperature of at least one of the driver's seat outlet 26, the passenger seat outlet 27, and the rear seat outlet 28 is individually adjusted, but is not limited to this. For example, the individual air conditioning mode may be a mode in which the temperature of at least one of the driver's seat outlet 26, the passenger seat outlet 27, and the rear seat outlet 28 is individually adjusted, or the temperature of at least one of the driver's seat outlet 26, the passenger seat outlet 27, and the rear seat outlet 28 is individually adjusted.

[0021] The operation panel 13 of this embodiment is a device provided in the interior of the vehicle 2, for example, in the center of the front of the instrument panel 24, and is a device for receiving selection of the air conditioning unit 11 by the occupant. The operation panel 13 of this embodiment is provided with a main switch 131, an automatic air conditioning switch 132, a mode switch 133, a temperature control switch 134, an air volume control switch 135, and a defroster switch 136. Note that the switches provided on the operation panel 13 are not limited to these. The operation panel 13 is also provided with lighting devices such as LEDs that indicate the operating status of each switch. Signals related to the state of the switches set by the occupant via the operation panel 13 are read by the control unit 12.

[0022] The main switch 131 is a switch that switches on and off the air conditioning unit 11. When the ignition switch of the vehicle 2 (or the power switch of an electric vehicle) is turned on and the occupant turns on the main switch 131, the air conditioning unit 11 operates, and when the occupant turns off the main switch 131, the air conditioning unit 11 stops.

[0023] The automatic air conditioning switch 132 is an ON / OFF switch for automatically controlling the supply of conditioned air by the air conditioning unit 11. When the occupant turns on the automatic air conditioning switch 132 and inputs the desired set temperature, the air conditioning unit 11 detects various environmental information such as the current indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, and amount of solar radiation, automatically controls the various actuators 111 to 117 and the blower fan 118 so that the current indoor temperature becomes the set temperature, and automatically selects the optimal air outlet or air outlet mode based on the current indoor temperature and the set temperature.

[0024] The air conditioning mode switch 133 is a switch that switches the air conditioning mode of the air conditioning unit 11 between all-seat air conditioning mode and individual air conditioning mode. When an occupant presses the air conditioning mode switch 133 and selects all-seat air conditioning mode, the air conditioning mode switches to all-seat air conditioning mode, and when an occupant presses the air conditioning mode switch 133 and selects individual air conditioning mode, the air conditioning mode switches to individual air conditioning mode.

[0025] The temperature adjustment switch 134 is a switch for adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air. When the passenger inputs the desired temperature using the temperature adjustment switch 134, the air conditioning unit 11 controls the temperature adjustment actuators 115 to 117 and the blower fan 118 so that the temperature set by the passenger is reached.

[0026] The air volume adjustment switch 135 is a switch for manually adjusting the volume of air blown into the cabin from each air outlet. When the occupant inputs the desired air volume, the air conditioning unit 11 controls the blower fan 118 so that the air volume set by the occupant is achieved.

[0027] The defroster switch 136 is a switch for turning on / off a defroster, which has a defrosting function. When a passenger turns on the defroster switch 136, the air conditioning unit 11 blows conditioned air from the defroster outlet toward the inner surface of the front windshield.

[0028] These switches may be of either a push-button type or a dial type. Also, instead of the air conditioning mode switch 133, an all-seat air conditioning mode switch and an individual air conditioning mode switch may be provided separately.

[0029] The sensor group 14 of this embodiment includes an interior temperature detection unit 141, an exterior temperature detection unit 142, an occupant temperature detection unit 143, and an occupant detection unit 144. The sensors included in the sensor group 14 are not limited to these, and may include a solar radiation amount sensor that detects the amount of solar radiation. Information detected by these sensors 14 is read out by the control unit 12.

[0030] The interior temperature detection unit 141 detects the temperature T ｉｎ (Hereinafter, indoor temperature T ｉｎ The interior temperature detection unit 141 of the present embodiment is a temperature sensor that detects the interior temperature T ｉｎ In addition to detecting the indoor temperature T ｉｎ This also includes estimates of the following.

[0031] The outdoor temperature detection unit 142 detects the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ (Hereinafter, outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ The outdoor temperature detection unit 142 of this embodiment is a temperature sensor that detects the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ In addition to detecting the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ This also includes estimates of the following.

[0032] The passenger temperature detection unit 143 detects the temperature T ｈｕｍThe occupant temperature detection unit 143 of this embodiment is, for example, an infrared sensor, and detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ When no passenger is seated, the passenger temperature detection unit 143 of this embodiment detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ When the occupant is seated, the temperature of the occupant's face T ｈｕｍ That is, regardless of whether an occupant is seated or not, the temperature at that position is detected as the temperature T ｈｕｍ The passenger temperature detection unit 143 of this embodiment detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ In addition to detecting the temperature T ｈｕｍ It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to detecting the temperature at the position of the occupant's face, and the occupant's temperature may be detected from a part other than the face.

[0033] The occupant detection unit 144 is a sensor that detects whether an occupant is seated in a seat, and is not particularly limited to a sensor, such as a seat belt fastening sensor or a seat occupancy sensor. The occupant detection unit 144 in this embodiment is installed in the driver's seat 21, the passenger seat 22, and each of the three rear seats 23, and detects information about which seat an occupant is seated in.

[0034] For example, when a seat belt fastening sensor is used as the occupant detection unit 144, the seat belt fastening sensor is provided on each of the three seat belt buckles: the seat belt buckle of the driver's seat 21, the seat belt buckle of the passenger seat 22, and the rear seat 23, and detects that an occupant is seated in that seat by detecting that the tongue is fastened to the buckle. Also, when a seat occupancy sensor is used as the occupant detection unit 144, the seat occupancy sensor is provided on each of the three seats: the seat surface of the driver's seat 21, the seat surface of the passenger seat 22, and the rear seat 23, and detects that an occupant is seated in that seat by detecting that a weight equal to or greater than a threshold value has acted on the seat surface. Note that the occupant temperature detection unit 143 of this embodiment not only detects a seated occupant but also includes a sensor that estimates the seated occupant.

[0035] The control unit 12 is a controller that receives various signals and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the received signals. In this embodiment, the control unit 12 is a general-purpose microcomputer equipped with a CPU, memories such as ROM and RAM, and an interface. A computer program for controlling the air conditioning unit 11 is installed in the ROM of this microcomputer. When the CPU executes the computer program using the RAM and the interface, the microcomputer functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the automotive air conditioner 1. Note that, although an example is shown here in which the multiple information processing circuits provided in the automotive air conditioner 1 are realized by software, the information processing circuits may also be configured by providing dedicated hardware for executing each information processing. Furthermore, the multiple information processing circuits may also be configured by individual hardware.

[0036] When the automatic air conditioner switch 132 is turned on, the control unit 12 of this embodiment detects the indoor temperature T ｉｎ (The outdoor temperature T detected by the outdoor temperature detection unit 142 is ｏｕｔ The amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor may be added to the temperature T ０The control unit 12 calculates a target blow-out temperature and a target blow-out air volume based on the calculated target blow-out temperature and target blow-out air volume. The control unit 12 outputs the calculated target blow-out temperature and target blow-out air volume to the air conditioning unit 11. The air conditioning unit 11 controls the temperature adjustment actuators 115 to 117 and the blower fan 118 so that the temperature and air volume of the conditioned air blown out from each of the air outlets 26 to 28 become the target blow-out temperature and target blow-out air volume received from the control unit 12.

[0037] In particular, when it is detected that an occupant is seated in the seat, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ The correction unit 121 of this embodiment is a part of the control program constituting the control unit 12, and is installed in the ROM of the microcomputer.

[0038] The correction unit 121 detects that an occupant is seated in a seat by reading a detection signal from the occupant detection unit 144. The occupant detection units 144 are installed in the driver's seat 21, the passenger seat 22, and each of the three rear seats 23, so the correction unit 121 can detect (or estimate) information about which seat the occupant is seated in. The occupant detection unit 144 of this embodiment includes a seat belt fastening sensor or a seat occupancy sensor, so erroneous detection of an occupant can be reduced compared to conventional technology that uses an infrared sensor to detect an occupant.

[0039] The correction unit 121 of this embodiment calculates the temperature T ｈｕｍ The control of the air conditioning unit 11 is corrected based on the outdoor temperature T detected by the outdoor temperature detection unit 142 after detecting that an occupant has sat in the seat. ｏｕｔ is the predetermined temperature T １ or above a predetermined temperature T ２ It is more preferable to start the process in the following cases. Although not particularly limited, to make it easier to understand, for example, T １ = 30 ° C., T ２ = 5°C. The correction by the correction unit 121 is particularly necessary to automatically make the interior of the vehicle comfortable when a passenger who has been in a hot environment where the outdoor temperature is 30°C or higher or a cold environment where the outdoor temperature is 5°C or lower gets in the vehicle.

[0040] After detecting that an occupant is seated, the correction unit 121 of this embodiment corrects the detected outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ is the predetermined temperature T １ or above a predetermined temperature T ２ When the indoor temperature T detected by the indoor temperature detection unit 141 is equal to or less than the ｉｎ The correction for controlling the air conditioning unit 11 is started based on the indoor temperature T ｉｎ The correction of the control of the air conditioning unit 11 based on the indoor temperature T ｉｎ For example, if the driver is seated only in the driver's seat 21 and the air conditioning unit 11 is operating in the individual air conditioning mode in which conditioned air is blown out only from the driver's seat outlet 26 as shown in Figure 3, when another person gets into the rear seat 23, the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is corrected so that conditioned air is blown out from the rear seat outlet 28, which had not been blowing out conditioned air until then.

[0041] The correction unit 121 of this embodiment detects that an occupant is seated and then corrects the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ The correction of the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is started based on the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down. ｈｕｍ It is more preferable to set the correction time t based on the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down. ｈｕｍ The temperature T detected by the passenger temperature detection unit 143 before the passenger sits in the seat is ｈｕｍ１ and the temperature T detected by the occupant temperature detection unit 143 after the occupant sits in the seat. ｈｕｍ２ The temperature difference (T ｈｕｍ２ -T ｈｕｍ１ ) or its absolute value.

[0042] The passenger temperature detector 143 continuously stores the temperature detected at predetermined time intervals in a memory, and sequentially overwrites the detected temperature with new temperatures. ｈｕｍAs shown on the horizontal axis, when the occupant detection unit 144 detects that an occupant is seated, the correction unit 121 reads the detected temperatures from the time t1 before the time the occupant is detected and calculates the average temperature, median, etc. of these temperatures. The correction unit 121 also reads the detected temperatures from the time t2 after the time the occupant is detected and calculates the average temperature, median, etc. of these temperatures. Note that these times t1 and t2 are not particularly limited, but since time t1 corresponds to the background temperature before the occupant gets in the vehicle, it is preferable to set a relatively long time, whereas time t2 corresponds to the temperature of the occupant's face immediately after getting in the vehicle and may fluctuate in a short period of time, it is preferable to set a relatively short time.

[0043] The temperature T detected by the passenger temperature detection unit 143 before the passenger sits in the seat ｈｕｍ１ is the indoor temperature T ｉｎ Therefore, the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down is ｈｕｍ is the interior temperature T felt by passengers immediately after getting in. ｉｎ Therefore, the correction unit 121 calculates the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down. ｈｕｍ It is preferable to set the correction time t longer as t is larger. Although there is no particular limitation, to make it easier to understand, t is, for example, 30 to 200 seconds.

[0044] The correction unit 121 of this embodiment detects that an occupant is seated and calculates the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ is the predetermined temperature T １ or above a predetermined temperature T ２ If the temperature difference ΔT before and after the passenger sits down is less than the threshold value, the temperature difference ΔT before and after the passenger sits down is calculated. ｈｕｍ In addition, the correction unit 121 sets the correction time t based on the occupant temperature T ｈｕｍ As shown on the horizontal axis of ２ At the time when the temperature of the passenger's face has elapsed, ｈｕｍ２ is detected, the temperature T ｈｕｍ２ is the predetermined value T ３ or above a predetermined temperature T ４It is more preferable to increase the airflow rate of the air conditioning unit 11 in the following cases: ３ In a hot environment where the temperature exceeds ℃ or T ４ This is especially necessary to quickly make the cabin comfortable when passengers get in after being in a cold environment with temperatures below 100°C. There are no particular restrictions on the amount of airflow to be increased, but for ease of understanding, an example would be 3 to 20%.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the airflow rate of the air conditioning unit 11 is increased, the correction unit 121 corrects the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down. ｈｕｍ The times t3 and t4 for increasing the airflow rate are changed according to the temperature difference ΔT ｈｕｍ If the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or greater than the predetermined value ΔT, the time for increasing the airflow rate is set to time t3, and the temperature difference ΔT ｈｕｍ If ΔT is less than the predetermined value ΔT, the time for increasing the air volume is set to time t4 (<t3).

[0046] When increasing the air volume of the air conditioning unit 11, it is more preferable to increase the air volume of conditioned air supplied to the rear seat 23 compared to the air volume of conditioned air supplied to the driver's seat 21 or the passenger seat 22. This is because the distance between the passenger seated in the rear seat 23 and the rear seat air outlet 28 is relatively long, and so increasing the air volume makes the time it takes to create a comfortable space the same as for the driver's seat 21 or the passenger seat 22. There are no particular limitations on the ratio of the increased air volume, but to give an example for ease of understanding, the rear seat 23 is 1.5 to 3 times that of the driver's seat 21 and the passenger seat 22.

[0047] Next, an example of the operation of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4 and the time chart of Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents by the correction unit 121 of the control unit 12, and Fig. 5 is a time chart mainly showing the processing contents by the correction unit 121 of the control unit 12.

[0048] At time X0 in Fig. 4, the ignition switch of the vehicle 2 is turned on, the driver is seated in the driver's seat 21, there are no passengers seated in the passenger seat 22 or the rear seat 23, and the driver presses the automatic air conditioning switch 132 to select automatic air conditioning control and the air conditioning mode switch 133 to select individual air conditioning mode. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, at time X0, conditioned air is blown out from the driver's seat outlet 26 toward the driver's seat 21, but no conditioned air is blown out from the passenger seat outlet 27 or the rear seat outlet 28.

[0049] In this state, the operation of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment is started. In step S1 of FIG. 4, the passenger temperature detection unit 143 detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ is continuously stored in the memory and is sequentially overwritten with new detected temperatures. This temperature detection is continuously performed from time X0 to time X3 in FIG.

[0050] In step S2, the correction unit 121 detects whether or not an occupant is seated in the passenger seat 22 or the rear seat 23 using the occupant detection unit 144. If the occupant detection unit 144 detects that an occupant is seated in the passenger seat 22 or the rear seat 23, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process returns to step S1.

[0051] Here, if it is assumed that it is detected in step S2 that a person other than the driver is seated in the rear seat 23, in step S3, the correction unit 121 corrects the indoor temperature T detected by the indoor temperature detection unit 141. ｉｎ and the outdoor temperature T detected by the outdoor temperature detection unit 142. ｏｕｔ Then, in the next step S4, the correction unit 121 reads the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ is the predetermined temperature T １ or above a predetermined temperature T ２ It is determined whether the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ is the predetermined temperature T １ or above a predetermined temperature T ２ If it is equal to or less than this, proceed to step S5, otherwise return to step S1.

[0052] In step S5, correction unit 121 starts correcting the control of air conditioning unit 11 by blowing conditioned air from rear seat outlet 28 to rear seat 23 where it has detected the presence of a person other than the driver. That is, when correction unit 121 detects the presence of a passenger in rear seat 23 at time X2 in Figure 5, correction unit 121 calculates a target blowing temperature and a target blowing air volume based on the indoor temperature Tin detected by indoor temperature detection unit 141 and read in step S3, and starts automatic air conditioning control based on these target blowing temperature and target blowing air volume at time X2.

[0053] In step S6, the correction unit 121 calculates the temperature difference ΔT before and after the passenger sits in the rear seat 23. ｈｕｍ That is, the passenger temperature T ｈｕｍ As shown on the horizontal axis of the figure, when the occupant detection unit 144 detects that an occupant is seated in the rear seat 23, the correction unit 121 reads out the detected temperatures from the time X2 when the occupant is detected to the time t1 before (X1), calculates the average temperature, median value, etc., of the detected temperatures, and also reads out the detected temperatures from the time X2 when the occupant is detected to the time t2 after (X3), calculates the average temperature, median value, etc., of the detected temperatures, and calculates the difference temperature (T ｈｕｍ２ -T ｈｕｍ１ ) is calculated.

[0054] In step S7, the correction unit 121 calculates the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits in the rear seat 23 calculated in step S6. ｈｕｍ The correction time t for the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is set based on the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down. ｈｕｍ The correction time t is set relatively longer as the value of t increases, using a predetermined control table or the like.

[0055] In step S7, the correction unit 121 calculates the temperature at the position of the occupant's face detected by the occupant temperature detection unit 143 in step S1, that is, the detected temperature T ｈｕｍ２ However, the predetermined temperature T ３ or above a predetermined temperature T ４ It is determined whether the temperature T ｈｕｍ２ However, the predetermined temperature T ３or above a predetermined temperature T ４ If it is equal to or less than this, the process proceeds to step S9, otherwise the process proceeds to step S13.

[0056] In step S9, the correction unit 121 increases the air volume of the conditioned air currently blown out from the rear seat air outlet 28 at time X3 in Fig. 5. In addition, in step S10, the correction unit 121 increases the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down, which was calculated in step S6. ｈｕｍ It is determined whether the absolute value of the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down is equal to or greater than a predetermined value ΔT. ｈｕｍ If the absolute value of is equal to or greater than the predetermined value ΔT, the process proceeds to step S11, and the time for increasing the airflow rate is set to t3. ｈｕｍ If the absolute value of is less than the predetermined value ΔT, the process proceeds to step S12, where the increase time for the air volume is set to t4 (<t3), which is less than t3. As a result, the air volume of the conditioned air blown out from the rear seat outlet 28 toward the rear seats 23 increases only during the time t3 or t4. At time X4, when time t3 or t4 has elapsed since time X3 in FIG. 5, the air volume of the conditioned air blown out from the rear seat outlet 28 toward the rear seats 23 returns to the original air volume, i.e., the indoor temperature T ｉｎ The target airflow volume for automatic air conditioning control based on the above is returned to.

[0057] In step S13, the correction unit 121 determines whether the correction time t set in step S7 has elapsed, and continues correcting the control of the air conditioning unit 11 until the correction time t has elapsed. Once the correction time t has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S14, where the correction of the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is terminated at time X5 in FIG. 5. However, if the indoor temperature T ｉｎ Automatic air conditioning control based on this will continue.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described assuming that, at time X0 in Fig. 4, the ignition switch of the vehicle 2 is turned on, the driver is seated in the driver's seat 21, no passengers are seated in the passenger seat 22 or the rear seat 23, the driver presses the automatic air conditioning switch 132 to select automatic air conditioning control, and presses the air conditioning mode switch 133 to select individual air conditioning mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a situation in which the driver, who was outside at time X0 in Fig. 4, sits in the driver's seat, and the control of the air conditioning unit 11 for the driver's seat outlet 26 may be corrected.

[0059] As described above, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment adjusts the interior temperature T ｉｎ and an indoor temperature detection unit 141 that detects the indoor temperature T ｉｎ a control unit 12 that controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the temperature T ｈｕｍ and an occupant temperature detection unit 143 that detects the temperature T of the occupant when the occupant detection unit 144 detects that the occupant is seated in the seat. ｈｕｍ Since the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is corrected based on this, erroneous detection of an occupant can be suppressed, and the supply of conditioned air can be controlled based on an accurate determination that an occupant is seated.

[0060] In addition, in the vehicle air conditioning device 1 of this embodiment, after the occupant detection unit 144 detects that an occupant has sat down, the temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sat down, which is detected by the occupant temperature detection unit 143, is ｈｕｍ Since the correction time t for the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is set based on the above, when a new person gets in, an appropriate air-conditioned environment according to the temperature of the person is provided.

[0061] In addition, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment detects that an occupant is seated by the occupant detection unit 144, and then detects the outdoor temperature T ｏｕｔ The outdoor temperature T detected by the outdoor temperature detection unit 142 ｏｕｔ is the predetermined temperature T １or above a predetermined temperature T ２ In the following cases, the control of the air conditioning unit 11 is corrected, so that a comfortable air-conditioned environment is automatically provided simply by getting in the vehicle, regardless of whether the outdoor environment is hot or cold.

[0062] In addition, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ is the predetermined value T ３ or above a predetermined temperature T ４ In the following cases, the air volume of the air conditioning unit is increased, so that when a new person gets in, an appropriate air-conditioned environment according to the temperature of the person can be provided in a short time.

[0063] Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment increases the volume of conditioned air supplied to the rear seats of the vehicle 2 compared to the volume of conditioned air supplied to the front seats, so that even the rear seats 23, which are relatively far from the rear seat outlet 28, can be provided with an appropriate air-conditioned environment in the same amount of time as the front seats.

[0064] In addition, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of this embodiment detects the temperature T ｈｕｍ The temperature difference ΔT before and after the occupant sits down ｈｕｍ The time t3 for increasing the airflow rate of the air conditioning unit when the absolute value of the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or greater than a predetermined value ΔT ｈｕｍ is set relatively longer than the time t4 when is less than the predetermined value ΔT (t3>t4), so that when a new person gets in, an appropriate air-conditioned environment according to the temperature of the person is provided in a short time.

[0065] Furthermore, in the vehicle air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the occupant detection unit 144 includes a seat belt fastening sensor or a seat occupancy sensor, which further reduces false detection of occupants and allows the supply of conditioned air to be controlled based on an accurate determination that an occupant is seated.

[0066] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Vehicle air conditioning device 11...Air conditioning unit 12...Control unit 121...Correction unit 13...Operation panel 14...Sensor group 141...Indoor temperature detection unit 142...Outdoor temperature detection unit 143...Occupant temperature detection unit 144...Occupant detection unit 2...Vehicle 21...Driver's seat 22...Passenger seat 23...Rear seat 24...Instrument panel 25...Center console box 26...Driver's seat outlet 27...Passenger seat outlet 28...Rear seat outlet

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning system comprising: an interior temperature detection unit that detects the interior temperature of a vehicle; a control unit that controls an air conditioning unit based on the interior temperature detected by the interior temperature detection unit; an occupant detection unit that detects when an occupant is seated in a seat; and an occupant temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the seated occupant, wherein when the occupant detection unit detects that the occupant is seated in the seat, the control unit corrects the control of the air conditioning unit based on the temperature of the occupant detected by the occupant temperature detection unit.

2. A vehicle air conditioning system as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit, after detecting that the occupant has sat down by the occupant detection unit, sets a correction time for the control of the air conditioning unit based on the temperature difference before and after the occupant sat down, detected by the occupant temperature detection unit.

3. A vehicle air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an outdoor temperature detection unit that detects the outdoor temperature of the vehicle, and wherein the control unit, after detecting that the occupant has sat in the vehicle by the occupant detection unit, starts correcting the control of the air conditioning unit when the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature detection unit is above a predetermined temperature or below a predetermined temperature.

4. A vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit increases the airflow of the air conditioning unit when the temperature of the occupant detected by the occupant temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value or equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

5. A vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle has front and rear seats, and the control unit increases the volume of conditioned air supplied to the rear seats compared to the volume of conditioned air supplied to the front seats.

6. A vehicle air conditioning system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit increases the airflow rate of the air conditioning unit when the absolute value of the temperature difference between before and after the occupant sits down in the temperature of the occupant detected by the occupant temperature detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, relatively longer than when the temperature difference is less than the predetermined value.

7. A vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the occupant detection unit includes a seat belt fastening sensor or a seat occupancy sensor.

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