Air-conditioning device for vehicle

Abstract

This air-conditioning device for vehicle comprises an air-volume control unit that controls an air volume of air blown into a vehicle cabin on the basis of at least a set temperature set by a temperature setting means and a temperature in the vehicle cabin acquired by a temperature detection means, in which the air-volume control unit includes, as a plurality of selectively executable control modes, a first control mode in which a relationship between the set temperature and the temperature in the vehicle cabin and a degree of the air volume is defined, and a second control mode in which the relationship between the set temperature and the temperature in the vehicle cabin and the degree of the air volume is defined to be different from that in the first control mode.

Description

Vehicle air conditioner

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automotive air conditioner that includes an automatic air volume control mode and a manual fixed mode, an automatic air volume selection switch and a fixed air volume selection switch for selecting each mode, and the fixed air volume selection switch is composed of an air volume increase switch and an air volume decrease switch.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-38222

[0004] By the way, in a vehicle air conditioner, the preferred air volume may vary among passengers. In such a case, the passenger needs to operate the switch many times until the air volume is set according to their preference, and may feel annoyed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that can easily set an air volume according to a passenger's preference.

[0006] The vehicle air conditioner according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air volume control unit that controls the air volume of the air blown into the vehicle interior based on at least the set temperature set by the temperature setting means and the temperature inside the vehicle interior acquired by the temperature detection means. The air volume control unit includes, as a plurality of selectable and executable control modes, a first control mode that defines the relationship between the set temperature, the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and the degree of air volume, and a second control mode that defines the relationship between the set temperature, the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and the degree of air volume to be different from the first control mode.

[0007] According to the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, an air volume according to a passenger's preference can be easily set.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the operation and display form of an AUTO setting operator. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the cooling demand value or heating demand value and the air volume in each control mode.

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a vehicle air conditioning system according to the embodiment, its modified forms, embodiments, or specific examples to which such modified forms are applied will be described. Furthermore, components having the same function as those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] As illustrated in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 includes an airflow control unit 11 that controls the amount of air blown into the vehicle cabin based on a set temperature T1 set by a temperature setting means A and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle cabin obtained by a temperature detection means 21.

[0011] As illustrated in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a temperature setting control (hereinafter referred to as temperature setting control A) provided on the input unit 41 as a temperature setting means A. The occupant can set the target temperature T1 by operating the temperature setting control A. The input unit 41 is, for example, various switches and buttons provided on the center cluster, or an operable display panel such as a navigation system installed in the vehicle. The occupant can set the target temperature T1 by operating the temperature setting control A, such as a switch, button, or touch-operable icon on the input unit 41. The means of operating the temperature setting control A are not limited to switching switches, pressing buttons, or touch operations, but may also be input means such as voice or body movements. The AUTO setting control B and silent mode setting control C, which will be described later, may also be input means similar to those described above.

[0012] As illustrated in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a sensor (hereinafter referred to as sensor 21) as a temperature detection means 21. The sensor 21 is installed inside the vehicle and detects the temperature T2 inside the vehicle. Note that multiple sensors 21 may be provided, and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle may be detected based on the temperature detected by each sensor 21. Alternatively, the airflow control unit 11 may acquire the temperature detected by each sensor 21 and calculate the temperature T2 inside the vehicle.

[0013] The vehicle air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a fan 31 that blows air into the vehicle cabin. The airflow control unit 11 can control the airflow volume of the air blown into the vehicle cabin by controlling the operation of the fan 31.

[0014] The airflow control unit 11 is configured, for example, as part of a controller that controls the operation of the vehicle air conditioning system 1. The airflow control unit 11 can acquire the set temperature T1 set by the temperature setting operator A. The airflow control unit 11 can also acquire the temperature T2 inside the vehicle detected by the sensor 21. Based on the acquired set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, the airflow control unit 11 can control the airflow volume of air blown into the vehicle by controlling the operation of the fan 31.

[0015] The controller constituting the airflow control unit 11 is composed of a computer having a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The memory is connected to the hardware processor via a bus. By having the hardware processor execute the program stored in the memory, the controller realizes various functions.

[0016] The airflow control unit 11 has multiple control modes. Each control mode is, for example, an automatic airflow control mode that automatically controls the airflow, and the degree of airflow blown out from the fan is predetermined according to the set temperature T1 and the temperature inside the vehicle T2. As illustrated in Figure 3, the airflow control unit 11 has a first control mode M1, a second control mode M2, and a third control mode M3 as multiple control modes. For example, in the second control mode M2, a relatively larger airflow than that of the first control mode M1 is predetermined according to the set temperature T1 and the temperature inside the vehicle T2. In the third control mode M3, a relatively smaller airflow than that of the first control mode M1 is predetermined according to the set temperature T1 and the temperature inside the vehicle T2. In the following description, a configuration having a first control mode M1, a second control mode M2, and a third control mode M3 as multiple control modes is described, but a configuration having two control modes or four or more control modes is also possible. Furthermore, a second control mode M2 ​​may be defined with an airflow rate that is relatively smaller than that of the first control mode M1, and a third control mode M3 may be defined with an airflow rate that is relatively larger than that of the first control mode M1.

[0017] As illustrated in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 is equipped with an AUTO setting operator B provided on the input unit 41 as a control mode setting means. The occupant can set the air conditioning to HIGH, MEDIUM, or LOW by operating the AUTO setting operator B. For example, the MEDIUM setting corresponds to the first control mode M1. The HIGH setting corresponds to the second control mode M2. The LOW setting corresponds to the third control mode M3. In other words, the occupant can select each of the control modes M1-M3 by operating the AUTO setting operator B. Therefore, the occupant can easily set the control modes M1-M3 to have the airflow according to their preference. The airflow control unit 11 can execute any of the control modes M1-M3 selected by operating the AUTO setting operator B.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates the operation and display modes of the AUTO setting control B. The AUTO setting control B has three display modes, for example, B1, B2, and B3. B1, B2, and B3 correspond to MEDIUM, HIGH, and LOW, respectively. That is, B1, B2, and B3 correspond to the first control mode M1, the second control mode M2, and the third control mode M3, respectively. As illustrated in Figure 2, the right side of the AUTO setting control B displays upward-facing gauges that light up according to each air conditioning setting (each control mode). That is, when two gauges are lit, it corresponds to MEDIUM; when three gauges are lit, it corresponds to HIGH; and when one gauge is lit, it corresponds to LOW. In addition, alternative display modes corresponding to HIGH, MEDIUM, and LOW may be provided, and the crew may select one of these to choose between the first control mode M1, the second control mode M2, and the third control mode M3.

[0019] As illustrated in Figure 2, when the crew operates the AUTO setting control B, B1 is displayed. When the AUTO setting control B is operated again, B2 is displayed. When the AUTO setting control B is operated again, B3 is displayed. When the AUTO setting control B is operated yet again, B1 is displayed. Thereafter, the above displays are repeated by operating the AUTO setting control B. In other words, the crew can easily select each control mode M1-M3 by operating the AUTO setting control B (B1, B2, B3).

[0020] Figure 3 shows an example of the airflow rate specified for each control mode M1-M3. The horizontal axis in Figure 3 represents the cooling or heating requirement; the larger the cooling or heating requirement, the further to the left or right on the horizontal axis it moves, and the smaller the cooling or heating requirement, the closer it moves to the center of the horizontal axis. The cooling or heating requirement can be calculated by a calculation based on predetermined parameters. As an example, the cooling or heating requirement can be set to increase as the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature inside the vehicle T2 increases.

[0021] Let's explain the case where the set temperature T1 is lower than the temperature T2 inside the vehicle. In this case, it is necessary to lower the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, and the vehicle air conditioning system 1 should operate in cooling mode. Therefore, a cooling request value is generated. At this time, the larger the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, the more urgently it is necessary to lower the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, and the vehicle air conditioning system 1 should operate in cooling mode with a larger airflow. Therefore, the larger the difference D, the larger the cooling request value. If the set temperature T1 is higher than the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, it is necessary to raise the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, and the vehicle air conditioning system 1 should operate in heating mode. Therefore, a heating request value is generated. At this time, the larger the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, the more urgently it is necessary to raise the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, and the vehicle air conditioning system 1 should operate in heating mode with a larger airflow. Therefore, the larger the difference D, the larger the heating request value.

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 3, in each control mode M1-M3, the respective airflow rates for the cooling requirement or heating requirement are predetermined. As mentioned above, the cooling requirement or heating requirement is calculated based on the set temperature T1 and the temperature inside the vehicle T2. As illustrated in Figure 3, in each control mode M1-M3, when the cooling requirement is relatively large, the airflow rate is set to be relatively larger than when the cooling requirement is relatively small. In each control mode M1-M3, when the cooling requirement is relatively small, the airflow rate is set to be relatively smaller than when the cooling requirement is relatively large. In each control mode M1-M3, when the heating requirement is relatively large, the airflow rate is set to be larger than when the heating requirement is relatively small. In each control mode M1-M3, when the heating requirement is relatively small, the airflow rate is set to be smaller than when the heating requirement is relatively large.

[0023] The vehicle air conditioning system 1 includes a storage means, which may store the relationship between the cooling request value or heating request value and the airflow rate in each control mode M1-M3 as a control map. In this case, the airflow control unit 11 can refer to each control map corresponding to the selected control mode M1-M3 from the storage means and control the airflow rate based on the control map. The vehicle air conditioning system 1 also includes a calculation means, which may calculate the airflow rate from the cooling request value or heating request value in each control mode M1-M3 based on a predetermined calculation formula. In this case, the airflow control unit 11 can perform control in each control mode M1-M3 based on the calculated airflow rate. The cooling request value or heating request value may also be calculated by the calculation means based on a predetermined calculation formula.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 3, the first control mode M1, the second control mode M2, and the third control mode M3 each have defined airflow rates. In this case, each control mode M1-M3 has its own set maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3. That is, appropriate maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3 are predetermined for each control mode M1-M3.

[0025] As illustrated in Figure 3, the maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3 defined in each control mode M1-M3 are set to different values. That is, the maximum airflow value F1 in the first control mode M1 is smaller than the maximum airflow value F2 in the second control mode M2. Also, the maximum airflow value F1 in the first control mode M1 is larger than the maximum airflow value F3 in the third control mode M3. In other words, the relationship is F2 > F1 > F3. Therefore, appropriate maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3 are predetermined for each control mode M1-M3. The occupant can select any of the control modes M1-M3, each having maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3, according to their preference. Note that the relationship is not limited to the above, and may include cases where F2 = F1, for example, F2 ≥ F1 > F3.

[0026] As illustrated in Figure 3, the maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3 defined in each control mode M1-M3 are set to be below a predetermined value. In other words, upper limits are set for the maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3. The predetermined value (upper limit) can be determined, for example, by the performance of the fan 31, the amount of power used by the vehicle's air conditioning system, the sensory evaluation of the occupants, etc. Therefore, appropriate maximum airflow values ​​F1, F2, and F3 can be achieved in each control mode M1-M3.

[0027] As illustrated in Figure 3, in each control mode M1-M3, the larger the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, the larger the respective airflow rate is specified to be. When the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle deviate and the difference D becomes large, it is necessary to rapidly cool or rapidly heat the inside of the vehicle. In other words, in such cases, the cooling requirement or heating requirement becomes large. Therefore, as illustrated in Figure 3, when the cooling requirement or heating requirement is relatively large, the respective airflow rates in each control mode M1-M3 are specified to be larger than when the cooling requirement or heating requirement is relatively small.

[0028] As illustrated in Figure 3, each control mode M1-M3 has minimum airflow values ​​F4, F5, and F6, respectively. In this case, the minimum airflow value F4 in the first control mode M1 is set to a different value from the minimum airflow value F5 in the second control mode M2. Therefore, even when the cooling or heating requirements are small, it is possible to set a minimum airflow value to suit your preference. In the example in Figure 3, the minimum airflow value F4 in the first control mode M1 is set to the same value as the minimum airflow value F6 in the third control mode M3, but the minimum airflow value F6 may be set to a value smaller than the minimum airflow value F4.

[0029] As illustrated in Figure 1, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 is equipped with a silent mode setting control C as a silent mode setting means provided in the input section 41. The occupant can set the silent mode S by operating the silent mode setting control C. As illustrated in Figure 3, in silent mode S, the maximum airflow value FS in silent mode is set in order to suppress the volume of air blown out from the vehicle air conditioning system 1.

[0030] When silent mode S is set, the airflow control unit 11 determines whether the airflow specified in each control mode M1-M3 is greater than the maximum silent airflow value FS based on the cooling or heating request value at that time. If the airflow specified in each control mode M1-M3 is greater than the maximum silent airflow value FS, the airflow control unit 11 executes the maximum silent airflow value FS instead of the airflow specified in each control mode M1-M3. In other words, when silent mode S is set, the airflow control unit 11 sets the maximum silent airflow value FS as the upper limit of the airflow specified in each control mode M1-M3. If the airflow specified in each control mode M1-M3 is less than or equal to the maximum silent airflow value FS, the airflow control unit 11 executes the airflow specified in each control mode M1-M3.

[0031] (1) The vehicle air conditioning system 1 according to the embodiment includes an airflow control unit 11 that controls the amount of air blown into the vehicle cabin based on a set temperature T1 set by a temperature setting means A and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle cabin obtained by a temperature detection means 21. The airflow control unit 11 includes, as a plurality of selectable control modes, a first control mode M1 that defines the relationship between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle cabin and the degree of airflow, and a second control mode M2 ​​that defines the relationship between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle cabin and the degree of airflow to be different from that of the first control mode M1. With the above configuration, the airflow control unit 11 can execute a plurality of control modes M1 and M2, each defined with different amounts of airflow. That is, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can select and execute a plurality of control modes M1 and M2 that have airflow according to the occupant's preference.

[0032] (2) In this embodiment, maximum airflow values ​​F1 and F2 are set for the first control mode M1 and the second control mode M2, respectively. As a result, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can implement appropriate maximum airflow values ​​F1 and F2 in each of the control modes M1 and M2.

[0033] (3) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maximum airflow value F1 in the first control mode M1 is different from the maximum airflow value F2 in the second control mode M2. As a result, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can set the maximum airflow values ​​F1 and F2 according to the occupant's preference in each of the control modes M1 and M2. Note that the relationship between the maximum airflow values ​​F1 and F2 may include the case where F2 = F1, such as F2 ≥ F1.

[0034] (4) In this embodiment, the maximum airflow value F1 in the first control mode M1 and the maximum airflow value F2 in the second control mode M2 ​​are set to be less than or equal to predetermined values. As a result, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can perform appropriate maximum airflow values ​​F1 and F2 in each of the control modes M1 and M2 according to the occupant's preference.

[0035] (5) Furthermore, in the embodiment, in the first control mode M1 and the second control mode M2, the greater the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle, the greater the degree of each airflow. That is, when the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle is large and the cooling requirement or heating requirement is relatively large, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can quickly cool or heat the inside of the vehicle.

[0036] (6) In this embodiment, the first control mode M1 and the second control mode M2 ​​each include minimum airflow values ​​F4 and F5, respectively, and the minimum airflow value F4 in the first control mode M1 is different from the minimum airflow value F5 in the second control mode M2. As a result, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can perform appropriate minimum airflow values ​​F4 and F5 according to the occupants' preferences, even when the difference D between the set temperature T1 and the temperature T2 inside the vehicle is small, and the cooling requirement or heating requirement is relatively small.

[0037] (7) Furthermore, in this embodiment, when silent mode S is set, the airflow control unit 11 determines whether the amount of airflow defined in the first control mode M1 or the second control mode M2 ​​to be executed is greater than the maximum silent airflow value FS defined in silent mode S. If the amount of airflow defined in the first control mode M1 or the second control mode M2 ​​is greater than the maximum silent airflow value FS, the maximum silent airflow value FS is executed. As a result, when silent mode S is set, the maximum silent airflow value FS is set as the upper limit of the airflow, so that the volume of air blown out from the vehicle air conditioning system 1 can be suppressed regardless of which control mode is selected.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0039] 1. Vehicle air conditioning system 11. Air volume control unit 21. Sensor (temperature detection means) A. Temperature setting operator (temperature setting means) D. Difference F1, F2 Maximum air volume value F4, F5 Minimum air volume value FS Maximum air volume value in silent mode M1 First control mode M2 ​​Second control mode S Silent mode T1 Set temperature T2 Temperature inside the vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning system comprising an airflow control unit that controls the amount of air blown into the vehicle interior based at least on a set temperature set by a temperature setting means and the temperature inside the vehicle interior obtained by a temperature detection means, wherein the airflow control unit comprises, as a plurality of selectable control modes: a first control mode that defines the relationship between the set temperature, the temperature inside the vehicle interior and the degree of airflow; and a second control mode that defines the relationship between the set temperature, the temperature inside the vehicle interior and the degree of airflow to be different from that of the first control mode.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein a maximum airflow value is set for the first control mode and the second control mode, respectively.

3. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the maximum airflow value in the first control mode is different from the maximum airflow value in the second control mode.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the maximum airflow value in the first control mode and the maximum airflow value in the second control mode are each set to a predetermined value or less.

5. In the first control mode and the second control mode, the degree of each airflow is specified to increase as the difference between the set temperature and the temperature inside the vehicle increases.

6. The vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first control mode and the second control mode each have a minimum airflow value, and the minimum airflow value in the first control mode is different from the minimum airflow value in the second control mode.

7. The airflow control unit, when silent mode is set, determines whether the degree of airflow defined in the first control mode or the second control mode to be executed is greater than the maximum silent airflow value defined in the silent mode, and if the degree of airflow defined in the first control mode or the second control mode is greater than the maximum silent airflow value, executes the maximum silent airflow value, as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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