Seat air conditioning control method, seat air conditioning control device

Abstract

A controller (12) executes processing for determining whether or not an occupant is seated on a seat of a vehicle, and for controlling an air conditioning device (21) provided to the seat and thereby performing seat air conditioning when it is determined that the occupant is seated. When the controller (12) determines that an occupant is seated, the controller executes processing for performing seat air conditioning by continuing to use the same air conditioning settings from the last time an occupant was determined to be seated.

Description

Seat air conditioning control method and seat air conditioning control device

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat air conditioning control method and a seat air conditioning control device.

[0002] In the vehicle seat air conditioning device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the seat air conditioning is activated when it is detected that an occupant is seated.

[0003] JP 2009-234461 A

[0004] Suppose an occupant who feels that seat air conditioning is unnecessary turns off the seat air conditioning. If the occupant leaves the seat and then returns, the seat air conditioning will be activated against the occupant's will when the occupant's presence is detected. The object of the present invention is to perform seat air conditioning that reflects the occupant's will.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a controller executes a process of determining whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat, and a process of controlling an air conditioning device provided in the seat to perform seat air conditioning when it is determined that an occupant is seated. When it is determined that an occupant is seated, the controller executes a process of performing seat air conditioning by taking over the air conditioning setting used the previous time that it was determined that an occupant was seated.

[0006] According to the present invention, the air conditioning settings from the previous time the occupant was seated are carried over, so that seat air conditioning can be performed in accordance with the occupant's wishes.

[0007] 1 is a diagram showing a seat air-conditioning control device 11. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a seat air-conditioning control process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a pre-air-conditioning process. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of an operation. FIG.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. Furthermore, the following embodiments exemplify devices and methods for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the configuration to those described below. In other words, the technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0009] 1 is a diagram showing a seat air conditioning control device 11. The seat air conditioning control device 11 includes a controller 12, a seat occupancy sensor 13, a selector switch 14, a start switch 15, an air conditioning operation unit 16, a pre-air conditioning setting unit 17, an air conditioning device 21, and a display 22. The controller 12 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer, and executes the seat air conditioning control process described below. The seat occupancy sensor 13 is provided on the seat surface or backrest of each seat and detects the presence of an occupant in the seat by pressure. A signal from the seat occupancy sensor 13 is input to the controller 12.

[0010] The changeover switch 14 is provided near the instrument panel and is capable of determining whether an occupant is seated and switching the seat air conditioning function between enabled and disabled. The signal from the changeover switch 14 is input to the controller 12. The start switch 15 is an ignition switch or power switch provided near the driver's seat and switches the power on and off. The signal from the start switch 15 is input to the controller 12. The air conditioning operation unit 16 is provided individually for each of the vehicle's multiple seats and is a switch that allows the occupant to set the seat air conditioning. The air conditioning settings include manual operation, automatic operation, and stop of the seat air conditioning. The manual operation includes cooling / heating of the seat air conditioning and its strength. The air conditioning settings for the seat air conditioning are input to the controller 12.

[0011] The pre-air conditioning setting unit 17 accepts pre-air conditioning settings that are remotely operated by the occupant before getting in the vehicle. The seat air conditioning settings for pre-air conditioning are input via a user terminal such as a smartphone. The pre-air conditioning settings are input to the controller 12. The air conditioning device 21 is a heater, Peltier module, blower, etc. provided on the seat cushion or backrest of each seat, and can heat or cool each seat individually. The air conditioning device 21 is driven and controlled by the controller 12. The display 22 is provided, for example, in the center of the instrument panel, and displays a notification that the seat air conditioning has been switched on in response to the occupant's seating and the operating status of the seat air conditioning. The display 22 is driven by the controller 12.

[0012] Next, the seat air-conditioning control process executed by the controller 12 will be described. The seat air-conditioning control process is executed for each seat equipped with an air conditioner 21 when pre-air-conditioning is not requested by the occupant. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the seat air-conditioning control process. In step S101, it is determined whether pre-air-conditioning is requested. If pre-air-conditioning is requested, the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if pre-air-conditioning is not requested, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S102, pre-air-conditioning is executed according to the subroutine in FIG. 3, and then the process returns to the predetermined main program.

[0013] In step S103, it is determined whether or not the occupant is operating the air conditioning operating unit 16. If the occupant is not operating the air conditioning operating unit 16, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the occupant is operating the air conditioning operating unit 16, the process proceeds to step S115 to give priority to the occupant's manual operation. In step S104, it is determined whether or not the changeover switch 14 is enabled. If the changeover switch 14 is enabled, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the changeover switch 14 is disabled, the process proceeds to step S115 to give priority to the occupant's manual operation. In step S105, it is determined whether or not the occupant is seated in the seat. If the occupant is seated in the seat, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the occupant is not seated in the seat, i.e., has left the seat, the process proceeds to step S111.

[0014] In step S106, the air conditioning settings from the previous time when it was determined that an occupant was seated are retained, and the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, it is determined whether this is the first time that an occupant has sat in a previously vacant seat. If it is the first time, the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is not the first time, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S108, a notification is issued on the display 22 that seat air conditioning will be implemented because an occupant has sat in the seat, and the process proceeds to step S109. Specifically, the notification is issued only when the seat air conditioning is switched from off to on. Therefore, no notification is issued if the seat air conditioning remains off.

[0015] In step S109, the air conditioning device 21 is driven and controlled according to the air conditioning setting to perform seat air conditioning. In step S110, the status of the seat air conditioning is displayed on the display 22, and then the process returns to the predetermined main program. In step S111, it is determined whether or not time T1 has elapsed since the seated occupant left the seat. Time T1 is, for example, about 3 to 10 seconds. If time T1 has not elapsed since the occupant left the seat, it is determined that the occupant may have temporarily left the seat to reseat, and the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if time T1 has elapsed since the occupant left the seat, it is determined that the occupant has not temporarily left the seat to reseat, and the process proceeds to step S112.

[0016] In step S112, it is determined whether this is the first time the seated occupant has left the seat. If this is the first time, the process proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, if this is not the first time, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S113, a notification is sent on the display 22 to inform the occupant that the seat air conditioning will be stopped due to the occupant leaving the seat. Specifically, this notification is sent only when the seat air conditioning is switched from on to off. Therefore, no notification is sent if the seat air conditioning remains off. In the following step S114, the seat air conditioning is stopped and the process returns to the specified main program. In step S115, the air conditioning setting in the air conditioning operation unit 16 is read and the process proceeds to step S109.

[0017] Next, the pre-air conditioning process executed as a subroutine of step S102 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the pre-air conditioning process. In step S121, the air conditioner 21 is controlled and driven in accordance with the air conditioning setting requested by the occupant, thereby executing pre-air conditioning. In the following step S122, it is determined whether the engine has been started by the start switch 15. If the engine has been started by the start switch 15, the process proceeds to step S123. On the other hand, if the engine has not been started by the start switch 15, the process returns to the predetermined main program.

[0018] In step S123, it is determined whether an occupant is seated in the seat that is the target of pre-air conditioning. If an occupant is seated in the seat, the process proceeds to step S124. On the other hand, if no occupant is seated in the seat, the process proceeds to step S125. In step S124, the request for pre-air conditioning is canceled and the process returns to the predetermined main program. In step S125, pre-air conditioning is stopped and the process proceeds to step S124. As described above, the processes of steps S105 and S123 correspond to the process of determining whether an occupant is seated, and the processes of steps S109 and S115 correspond to the process of performing seat air conditioning. The process of step S104 corresponds to the process of determining the state of the selector switch 14. The process of step S121 corresponds to the process of performing pre-air conditioning, and the process of step S122 corresponds to the process of determining the state of the starter switch 15.

[0019] Next, the main operation of this embodiment will be described. When an occupant deactivates the seat air conditioning because they no longer need it (the determination in step S103 is "No"), the air conditioning system 21 is deactivated according to the air conditioning settings (steps S115 and S109). When the occupant subsequently leaves the seat and returns (the determination in step S105 is "Yes"), the seat air conditioning is activated using the air conditioning settings established the previous time the occupant was determined to be seated (steps S106 and S109). That is, the seat air conditioning is deactivated again, reflecting the occupant's previous decision to deactivate the seat air conditioning. This allows the seat air conditioning to be performed in accordance with the occupant's wishes. However, when the selector switch 14 is disabled (the determination in step S104 is "No"), the occupant can always manually adjust the air conditioning settings (steps S115 and S109).

[0020] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of operation. First, assume that the passenger seat is vacant and the seat air conditioning is off. Then, at time t11, the driver turns on the seat air conditioning (step S103 returns "No"), and at time t12, a passenger sits in the passenger seat (step S105 returns "Yes"). At this time, the air conditioning settings manually set by the driver are retained (step S106). This allows the passenger to stay comfortable. Then, at time t13, the passenger leaves the seat (step S105 returns "No"), and the seat air conditioning is stopped (step S114). Then, at time t14, the same passenger returns and sits in the passenger seat again (step S105 returns "Yes"). At this time, the air conditioning settings from the previous time the passenger sat in the seat are retained (step S106). This allows seat air conditioning to be performed in accordance with the passenger's wishes.

[0021] Even when it is determined that an occupant has left their seat, it is possible that the occupant has simply reseated themselves. Therefore, when it is determined that an occupant has left their seat (the determination in S105 is "No"), the seating determination process is repeated and the system waits until time T1 has elapsed (the determination in step S111 is "No"). Then, when time T1 has elapsed (the determination in S111 is "Yes"), it is determined that the occupant has left their seat, not simply reseated themselves, and the seat air conditioning is stopped (S114). This improves the accuracy of determining whether the occupant has left their seat.

[0022] Even if pre-air conditioning is performed, power consumption will be wasted if no passenger is seated. Therefore, when pre-air conditioning is being performed (step S121), the start switch 15 is turned on (the determination in step S122 is "Yes") and it is detected that no passenger is seated (the determination in step S123 is "No"). At this time, the pre-air conditioning is stopped and the request for pre-air conditioning is canceled (steps S125 and S124). However, it is possible that a passenger may get in and sit down after pre-air conditioning is stopped. Therefore, even after the request for pre-air conditioning is canceled (the determination in step S101 is "Yes"), when a passenger sits down (the determination in step S105 is "Yes"), pre-air conditioning is performed by continuing the air conditioning settings that were in place when pre-air conditioning was requested (steps S106 and S109).

[0023] FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an example of operation. First, assume that the passenger seat is vacant and the pre-air conditioning is on. Then, at time 21, the driver enters the vehicle and turns on the start switch 15 at time 22 (step S122 returns "Yes"). However, because the passenger seat remains vacant (step S123 returns "No"), the pre-air conditioning is stopped and the request for pre-air conditioning is canceled (steps S125 and S124). This reduces unnecessary power consumption. Then, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat at time 23 (step S105 returns "Yes"), the pre-air conditioning is performed using the air conditioning settings set when the pre-air conditioning was requested (steps S106 and S109). This allows seat air conditioning to be performed in accordance with the passenger's wishes.

[0024] <Effects> Next, the main effects of the embodiment will be described. (1) The controller 12 executes a process of determining whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat, and a process of controlling the air conditioning device 21 provided in the seat to perform seat air conditioning when it is determined that an occupant is seated. When it is determined that an occupant is seated, the controller 12 executes a process of performing seat air conditioning by inheriting the air conditioning settings used the last time it was determined that an occupant was seated. In this way, because the air conditioning settings used the last time an occupant was seated are inherited, seat air conditioning that reflects the occupant's intentions can be performed.

[0025] (2) The air conditioning settings include manual operation, automatic operation, and stop. This allows the seat air conditioning to be performed in a way that reflects the occupant's intention. (3) Manual operation includes adjusting the strength of the seat air conditioning. This allows the seat air conditioning to be performed in a way that reflects the occupant's intention. (4) The function of determining whether an occupant is seated and performing seat air conditioning can be switched between enabled and disabled by the selector switch 14. The controller 12 executes a process to determine whether the selector switch 14 has been activated by the occupant. When the controller 12 determines that the selector switch 14 is activated and that an occupant is seated, it executes a process to perform seat air conditioning. This allows the seat air conditioning to be performed in a way that reflects the occupant's intention.

[0026] (5) When the controller 12 determines that an occupant has left the seat, it executes a process to continue the determination that an occupant is seated for a predetermined period of time. This improves the accuracy of determining whether an occupant has left the seat. (6) When an occupant remotely requests seat pre-conditioning before getting into the vehicle, the controller 12 executes a process to control the air conditioning device 21 to perform pre-conditioning and a process to determine whether the vehicle start switch 15 is turned on. When the controller 12 determines that the vehicle start switch 15 is turned on while pre-conditioning is being performed and that an occupant is not seated, it executes a process to stop pre-conditioning. This reduces unnecessary power consumption.

[0027] (7) After stopping the pre-air conditioning, when the controller 12 determines that an occupant is seated, the controller 12 executes a process to perform pre-air conditioning by taking over the air conditioning settings used when the occupant remotely requested pre-air conditioning before getting in. This allows seat air conditioning to be performed in accordance with the occupant's wishes. (8) The seat air conditioning control device 11 includes a controller 12. The controller 12 executes a process to determine whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat, and, when it determines that an occupant is seated, controls the air conditioning device 21 provided in the seat to perform seat air conditioning. When it determines that an occupant is seated, the controller 12 executes a process to perform seat air conditioning by taking over the air conditioning settings used the last time it was determined that an occupant was seated. This allows seat air conditioning to be performed in accordance with the occupant's wishes.

[0028] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to a limited number of embodiments, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, and modifications of the embodiments based on the above disclosure will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0029] 11: Seat air conditioning control device, 12: Controller, 13: Seat occupancy sensor, 14: Changeover switch, 15: Start switch, 16: Air conditioning operation unit, 17: Pre-air conditioning setting unit, 21: Air conditioning unit, 22: Display

Claims

1. A seat air conditioning control method comprising: causing a controller to execute a process for determining whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat; and, when it is determined that an occupant is seated, a process for controlling an air conditioning device provided in the seat to perform seat air conditioning; and, when it is determined that an occupant is seated, the controller executes a process for performing seat air conditioning by inheriting the air conditioning settings used the previous time it was determined that an occupant was seated.

2. The seat air conditioning control method according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning settings include manual operation, automatic operation, and stop.

3. The seat air conditioning control method according to claim 2, wherein the manual operation includes adjusting the strength of the seat air conditioning.

4. The seat air conditioning control method according to claim 1, characterized in that the function of determining whether an occupant is seated and performing the seat air conditioning can be switched on or off by a selector switch, the controller executes a process of determining whether the selector switch has been enabled by the occupant, and when the controller determines that the selector switch has been enabled and that an occupant is seated, it executes the process of performing the seat air conditioning.

5. The seat air conditioning control method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the controller determines that an occupant has left the seat, it executes a process to continue determining that the occupant is seated for a predetermined period of time.

6. The seat air conditioning control method according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller executes a process of controlling the air conditioning device to perform pre-air conditioning when an occupant remotely requests pre-air conditioning of the seat before getting in, and a process of determining whether the vehicle start switch is turned on, and when the controller determines that the vehicle start switch is turned on while the pre-air conditioning is being performed and that no occupant is seated, it executes a process of stopping the pre-air conditioning.

7. The seat air conditioning control method according to claim 6, characterized in that when the controller determines that an occupant has sat down after stopping the pre-air conditioning, it executes a process to perform the pre-air conditioning by taking over the air conditioning settings that were in place when the occupant remotely requested the pre-air conditioning before getting in.

8. A seat air conditioning control device comprising a controller that executes a process for determining whether an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat, and a process for controlling an air conditioning device provided in the seat to perform seat air conditioning when it is determined that an occupant is seated, wherein when it is determined that an occupant is seated, the controller executes a process for performing seat air conditioning by inheriting the air conditioning settings used the previous time it was determined that an occupant was seated.

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