Vehicle air conditioning device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle air conditioning device that has good fast-heating properties or fast-cooling properties. [Solution] Provided is a vehicle air conditioning device 1 comprising: a thermal energy generation unit 50 that generates heating energy or cooling energy; an HVAC unit 70 that has an HVAC internal space 73 in which temperature control units 71, 72 for controlling, using the thermal energy generated by the thermal energy generation unit 50, the temperature of air to be supplied to the inside of a vehicle cabin are disposed; a duct that is for supplying, to the inside of the vehicle cabin, the air in the HVAC internal space 73 the temperature of which has been controlled by the temperature control units 71, 72; a heat medium circuit 60 that causes a heat medium to circulate between the thermal energy generation unit 50 and the temperature control units 71, 72; and a control device 10, wherein the control device 10 is capable of executing an air conditioning preparation mode in which, before an air conditioning turn-on timing, in the state where the air conditioning is turned off, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circuit 60 is controlled and the temperatures inside the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct are controlled in advance.

Description

Vehicle air conditioning device

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

[0002] Conventionally, as a vehicle air conditioning device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, a HVAC unit in which a heat generation unit and a temperature control unit for temperature-controlling the air supplied into the vehicle interior with the heat generated by the heat generation unit are arranged in its HVAC internal space, a duct unit for supplying the air in the HVAC internal space temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit into the vehicle interior, a heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium between the heat generation unit and the temperature control unit, and a control device are known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 120271 [[ID=ll]]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioning device having good quick heating or quick cooling performance.

[0005] The present invention is a vehicle air conditioning device including a heat generation unit that generates heat or cold, a HVAC unit in which a temperature control unit for temperature-controlling the air supplied into the vehicle interior with the heat generated by the heat generation unit is arranged in its HVAC internal space, a duct unit for supplying the air in the HVAC internal space temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit into the vehicle interior, a heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium between the heat generation unit and the temperature control unit, and a control device. The control device can perform temperature control of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circuit before the air conditioning ON timing in the air conditioning OFF state, and can execute an air conditioning preparation mode for pre-temperature-controlling the inside of the HVAC internal space and the inside of the duct unit, thereby solving the above problems. [[ID=lv]]

[0006] According to the present invention, a vehicle air conditioning device having good quick heating or quick cooling performance can be provided.

[0007] An explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle air conditioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart showing an example of control of the vehicle air conditioning device. An explanatory diagram schematically showing temperature changes in the vehicle interior temperature, the temperature in the HVAC internal space, and the heat medium temperature.

[0008] A vehicle air conditioning system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the upstream or downstream direction in the flow direction of the refrigerant, heat transfer medium, or air.

[0009] [Configuration of the vehicle air conditioning system] First, the vehicle air conditioning system 1 is installed in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle and provides air conditioning for the vehicle interior. As shown in Figure 1, it comprises a control device 10, a refrigerant circuit 50, a heat transfer medium circuit 60, an HVAC unit 70, and a duct section (not shown).

[0010] The following describes each component of the vehicle air conditioning system 1 based on the drawings.

[0011] First, the control device 10 is configured as a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, various memories, storage units, input / output interfaces, etc., and is connected to each part of the vehicle air conditioning system 1. It is configured to control the operation of each part of the vehicle air conditioning system 1 and to perform various calculation processes.

[0012] The control device 10 is connected via a communication bus to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a navigation device (not shown) installed in the vehicle. The control device 10 can send and receive various data with the navigation device, such as estimated arrival time data, driving route data, and weather information data. The control device 10 can acquire necessary data from other ECUs via the communication bus. For example, the control device 10 can also acquire data such as vehicle speed. In addition to information obtained from the vehicle's ECU, the control device 10 can also acquire detailed route information such as terrain and traffic congestion information from the cloud, other vehicles, infrastructure equipment, etc., via V2X communication, etc. Furthermore, the control device 10 can acquire detection signals from each sensor in the sensor group and obtain various information. The sensor group may include sensors that measure the temperature and humidity of the air inside the vehicle, sensors that detect the temperature and humidity outside the vehicle, sensors that measure the temperature inside the HVAC internal space 73 (and duct section) described later, sensors that detect the conditions of sunlight, sensors that detect the number of passengers and their body surface temperature, etc. Furthermore, the sensor group may include cameras or image sensors that acquire images of the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

[0013] The refrigerant circuit 50 is configured as a heat pump that circulates a refrigerant such as hydrofluoroolefin and repeatedly compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates it, functioning as a heat generation unit that generates heat or cold. As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerant circuit 50 includes a compressor 51 that compresses gaseous refrigerant to high temperature and pressure before discharge, a high-temperature side heat exchanger 52 downstream of the compressor 51 that condenses the compressed gaseous refrigerant to release heat, a pressure reducing device 53 such as an expansion valve that expands liquid refrigerant to low pressure downstream of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 52, a low-temperature side heat exchanger 54 downstream of the pressure reducing device 53 that evaporates the liquid refrigerant that has been reduced to low temperature and low pressure to absorb heat, an accumulator 55 capable of storing refrigerant, and a flow path connecting the above parts. Heat exchange takes place between the heat transfer medium of the heat transfer medium circuit 60 and the refrigerant in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 52 and the low-temperature side heat exchanger 54.

[0014] The heat transfer medium circuit 60 is a circuit that circulates a heat transfer medium such as coolant to heat or cool various parts, or to transfer heat from one part to another. As shown in Figure 1, the heat transfer medium circuit 60 includes a motor temperature control unit 81, a battery temperature control unit 82, a heat transfer medium heating device 83, and an outdoor heat exchanger 84. The motor temperature control unit 81 is configured so that the heat transfer medium flowing through it can exchange heat with the motor. The motor is heated or cooled by the heat transfer medium flowing through the motor temperature control unit 81. The battery temperature control unit 82 is configured so that the heat transfer medium flowing through it can exchange heat with the battery. The battery is heated or cooled by the heat transfer medium flowing through the battery temperature control unit 82. Note that a configuration similar to that of the battery temperature control unit 82 can be applied not only to batteries but also to on-board equipment temperature control units for temperature control of other on-board equipment that similarly requires temperature control. The heat transfer medium heating device 83 is configured to generate heat using electricity and heat the heat transfer medium. The heating of the heat transfer medium by the heat transfer medium heating device 83 allows for the heating of a battery or the like, for example, even when there is no other heat source available. The outdoor heat exchanger 84 is configured so that the heat transfer medium flowing through it can exchange heat with the outside air. In the outdoor heat exchanger 84, the heat transfer medium can radiate heat to the outside air or absorb heat from the outside air.

[0015] The HVAC unit 70 is configured as an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) for circulating air inside the vehicle cabin. As shown in Figure 1, it has a heater core 71 and a cooler core 72, which are located within the internal space 73 of the HVAC (and also constitute part of the heat transfer medium circuit 60), as a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the air supplied to the vehicle cabin using heat (warming or cooling) generated by the heat generation unit (refrigerant circuit 50). The heater core 71 is configured to circulate a heat transfer medium heated by the high-temperature side heat exchanger 52. The heater core 71 is configured to heat the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. The heater core 71 can be used when heating the vehicle cabin. The cooler core 72 is configured to circulate a heat transfer medium cooled by the low-temperature side heat exchanger 54. The cooler core 72 is configured to cool the air supplied to the vehicle cabin. The Cooler Core 72 can be used to cool the interior of a vehicle.

[0016] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the HVAC unit 70 includes an internal / external air switching device 75 that takes in outside air or inside air, and a blower 76 that supplies the air taken in from the internal / external air switching device 75 to various parts of the HVAC internal space 73, which is the space inside the HVAC case 74. A cooler core 72 is installed on the upstream side of the HVAC internal space 73. A heater core 71 is installed in the heater core passage 78 on the downstream side of the HVAC internal space 73. In addition, a bypass passage 79 is formed in parallel with the heater core passage 78 in which the heater core 71 is installed. The airflow to the heater core passage 78 or the bypass passage 79 in the HVAC internal space 73 is regulated by an air mix damper 77. With this configuration, the air that has been heated or cooled and regulated after passing through the heater core 71 or cooler core 72 is sent into the vehicle interior through a duct (not shown). The duct section (not shown) is a piping section for supplying air from the HVAC internal space 73, which has been temperature-controlled by the temperature control section (heater core 71 and cooler core 72), to the vehicle interior.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, each component, such as the heater core 71, cooler core 72, motor temperature control unit 81, battery temperature control unit 82, heat transfer medium heating device 83, and outdoor heat exchanger 84, is connected to a flow path through which the heat transfer medium flows. These flow paths are connected to eight-way valves 61, four-way valves 62, three-way valves 63, etc. By switching the connections of the flow paths using the eight-way valves 61, four-way valves 62, three-way valves 63, etc., the heat transfer medium circuit 60 can form various circulation circuits. Multiple pumps 64 are provided in these flow paths. The pumps 64 can circulate the heat transfer medium in the formed circulation circuits through their operation.

[0018] [Operation of the Vehicle Air Conditioning System] Next, an example of the operation of the vehicle air conditioning system 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 show examples of operation and temperature changes at various temperatures in situations where cooling operation is required.

[0019] Furthermore, T1a, T1b, T2a, T2b, T3a, and T3b shown in Figure 3 represent the following temperatures: T1a: Interior temperature when the air conditioning preparation mode is not activated T1b: Interior temperature when the air conditioning preparation mode is activated T2a: Temperature inside the HVAC internal space 73 and duct when the air conditioning preparation mode is not activated T2b: Temperature inside the HVAC internal space 73 and duct when the air conditioning preparation mode is activated T3a: Heat transfer medium temperature when the air conditioning preparation mode is not activated T3b: Heat transfer medium temperature when the air conditioning preparation mode is activated

[0020] First, in step 101, the control device 10 predicts the timing for turning on the air conditioning, which is when it receives a command from the user to start the air conditioning while the air conditioning is OFF. Specifically, the control device 10 analyzes at least one of the following factors to predict the timing for turning on the air conditioning: the temperature or humidity inside or outside the vehicle, the vehicle's speed, images inside and outside the vehicle, the conditions of sunlight, the vehicle's route information, the current or expected weather, the date and time, the number of passengers, the user's status, the user's behavioral trends accumulated to date, and the user's history of operating the air conditioning.

[0021] To explain step 101 in more detail, for example, based on weather information, information from sensors that detect solar radiation, image information, route information, time information, etc., an inference result such as whether sunlight will continue to hit the vehicle can be derived, and based on such information, it can be inferred that the air conditioning will be turned on in 10 minutes. Alternatively, based on an image of the vehicle interior, it can be detected that the user has taken off their jacket, and the user's tendencies can be referenced to infer that the air conditioning will be turned on in 5 minutes. Alternatively, if the user tends to turn on the heating at a specific location on their commute route during a particular season, it can be inferred that the heating will be turned on in 5 minutes based on that timing. In addition, for example, the user's clothing may be analyzed based on an image, the user's body surface temperature may be obtained as a measure of the user's state, or it may be estimated that the user has just exercised based on the user's schedule information or boarding location information, or other information may be used.

[0022] Next, if it is determined in step 101 that the timing for turning on the air conditioning can be predicted, in step 102 the control device 10 acquires information on the set temperature of the air conditioning, the temperature inside and outside the vehicle, the current outlet temperature (the current temperature inside the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct), and the vehicle speed. This information is acquired by the various sensors mentioned above.

[0023] Next, in step 103, the control device 10 estimates the target discharge temperature (target temperature for air conditioning, target value for the discharge temperature into the vehicle cabin) and the target heat transfer medium temperature (in this example, the target value for the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the cooler core 72) by calculation processing based on the information acquired in step 2.

[0024] Next, in step 104, the control device 10 determines whether the current time is one minute before the air conditioning ON timing predicted in step 101. If the current time is one minute before the air conditioning ON timing predicted in step 1, in step 105, it notifies the user that the air conditioning preparation mode will be started. Here, the air conditioning preparation mode is a mode in which, with the air conditioning OFF, the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit (in this example, the circuit in which the heat transfer medium flowing through the cooler core 72 circulates within the heat transfer medium circuit 60) is controlled in advance (before the air conditioning ON timing), and the temperature inside the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section is controlled in advance.

[0025] Furthermore, the specific method of notifying the user that the air conditioning preparation mode will be started may be any method, such as displaying the above information on the navigation device's display or providing an audible notification. In addition, although the above explanation describes notifying the user that the air conditioning preparation mode will be started one minute before the air conditioning is turned ON, the specific timing of notifying the user that the air conditioning preparation mode will be started is not limited to one minute before the air conditioning is turned ON and can be set arbitrarily. Moreover, the timing of the notification may be made variable, for example, by determining the timing of the notification based on the difference between the target heat transfer medium temperature and the current heat transfer medium temperature.

[0026] Next, in step 106, if the user refuses to start the air conditioning preparation mode, the series of processes is terminated. If the user does not refuse to start the air conditioning preparation mode, in step 107, the control device 10 operates the refrigerant circuit 50 and the heat transfer medium circuit 60 as heat generation units, as shown in Figure 3, to start temperature control (cooling in this example) of the heat transfer medium (heat transfer medium flowing through the cooler core 72 in this example).

[0027] Here, in step 106, the user's refusal to start the air conditioning preparation mode can be accepted, for example, through the operation of the navigation device. Also, in the graph shown in Figure 3, the heat transfer medium is temperature-controlled (cooled in this example) so that its temperature reaches the target heat transfer medium temperature 10 seconds before the air conditioning ON timing when the blower 76 is turned on, as described later. However, the degree of temperature control of the heat transfer medium is not limited to this, and the heat transfer medium may be temperature-controlled so that its temperature reaches the target heat transfer medium temperature before or after turning on the blower 76.

[0028] Next, in step 108, the control device 10 determines whether the current time is 10 seconds before the air conditioning ON timing predicted in step 101. When the current time is 10 seconds before the air conditioning ON timing predicted in step 101, in step 109, the blower 76 is turned on, and air that has been temperature-controlled (cooled in this example) by the temperature control unit (cooler core 72 in this example) is sent into the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section, thereby controlling the temperature (cooling in this example) inside the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section as shown in Figure 3, temperature T2b.

[0029] At step 109, the amount of air blown by the blower 76 is set to a small amount such that the air that has been temperature-controlled (cooled in this example) by the temperature control unit (cooler core 72 in this example) is sent into the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section, but is not sent into the passenger compartment (or is sent into the passenger compartment only in small amounts). Furthermore, considering that the amount of outside air taken in increases when the vehicle speed is high, the opening size of the opening for taking in outside air may be adjusted according to the vehicle speed in order to keep the amount of air blown by the blower 76 within a predetermined range. Also, when the blower 76 sends air in S109, the control device 10 may control the internal / external air switching device 75 in the air conditioning preparation mode to take in air that is close to the target outlet temperature (target temperature for air conditioning) from among the internal and external air. Specifically, as in this example, when cooling operation is required, the internal / external air switching device 75 is controlled to take in outside air when the outside air is cool and the outside air temperature is lower than the internal air temperature, and to take in internal air when the outside air is warm and the internal air temperature is lower than the outside air temperature. Furthermore, although the above explanation describes turning on the blower 76 10 seconds before the air conditioning ON timing, the specific timing for turning on the blower 76 is not limited to 10 seconds before the air conditioning ON timing and can be set arbitrarily.

[0030] Next, in step 110, the control device 10 determines whether the current time is the air conditioning ON timing predicted in step 101. If the current time is the air conditioning ON timing predicted in step 101, in step 111, it automatically turns on the air conditioning and starts the air conditioning (cooling in this example) inside the vehicle, as shown by the temperature T1b in Figure 3.

[0031] The above example of operation describes a situation requiring cooling operation, but in situations requiring heating operation, a heater core 71 can be used instead of the cooler core 72 as the temperature control unit.

[0032] The vehicle air conditioning system of this embodiment, obtained in this way, has a control device 10 that, while the air conditioning is OFF, controls the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit 60 before the timing of turning on the air conditioning, and can also execute an air conditioning preparation mode that pre-temperatures the inside of the HVAC internal space 73 and the inside of the duct. As a result, when the air conditioning is turned on by the user, the temperature inside the vehicle can be adjusted immediately, thereby improving the rapid heating and cooling performance of the air conditioning.

[0033] To explain in more detail, as can be seen from the temperatures T3a and T3b in Figure 3, the control device 10 controls the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit 60 before the timing of turning on the air conditioning when the air conditioning is OFF, and also pre-temperatures the inside of the HVAC internal space 73 and the inside of the duct section, as can be seen from the temperatures T2a and T2b in Figure 3. As a result, as can be seen from the temperatures T1a and T1b in Figure 3, it is possible to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle immediately when the air conditioning is turned on by the user, thereby improving the rapid heating and cooling performance of the air conditioning.

[0034] Furthermore, because the control device 10 is capable of executing the above-described air conditioning preparation mode, even when using a refrigerant circuit 50 that does not have very good rapid heating and cooling properties as the heat generation unit, the vehicle interior temperature can be adjusted immediately when the air conditioning is turned on by the user.

[0035] Furthermore, the control device 10 is configured to control the temperature inside the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section using the blower 76 after starting temperature control of the heat transfer medium in the air conditioning preparation mode. This allows for early and reliable temperature control inside the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section by the air supplied by the blower 76.

[0036] Furthermore, since the control device 10 is configured to control the internal / external air switching device 75 to take in air that is close to the target temperature for air conditioning from among the internal and external air in the air conditioning preparation mode, it is possible to reduce the amount of heat required for temperature control within the HVAC internal space 73 and the duct section, thereby shortening the time required for the air conditioning preparation mode and improving thermal efficiency.

[0037] Furthermore, since the control device 10 is configured to notify the user that the air conditioning preparation mode will be started before it is started, it is possible to alleviate the anxiety of occupants caused by the air conditioning system operating before the air conditioning is turned ON, and it is also possible to save energy by giving the user the opportunity to refuse to start the air conditioning preparation mode.

[0038] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims, such as configuring the vehicle air conditioning system 1 by arbitrarily combining the above or below embodiments, control examples, and modified configurations.

[0039] For example, in the embodiment described above, the heat generation unit that generates heat or cold was described as a refrigerant circuit 50. However, the specific form of the heat generation unit can be anything that generates heat or cold. For example, a motor (motor temperature control unit 81), a battery (battery temperature control unit 82), or a heat transfer medium heating device 83 mounted on a vehicle may be used as the heat generation unit that generates heat.

[0040] 1 ... Vehicle air conditioning system 10 ... Control device 50 ... Refrigerant circuit (heat generation section) 51 ... Compressor 52 ... High-temperature side heat exchanger 53 ... Pressure reducing device 54 ... Low-temperature side heat exchanger 55 ... Accumulator 60 ... Heat transfer medium circuit 61 ... Eight-way valve 62 ... Four-way valve 63 ... Three-way valve 64 ... Pump 70 ... HVAC unit 71 ... Heater core (temperature control section) 72 ... Cooler core (temperature control section) 73 ... HVAC internal space 74 ... HVAC case 75 ... Indoor / outdoor air switching device 76 ... Blower 77 ... Air mix damper 78 ... Heater core passage 79 ... Bypass passage 81 ... Motor temperature control section 82 ... Battery temperature control section 83 ... Heat transfer medium heating device 84 ... Outdoor heat exchanger

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a heat generating unit that generates heat or cold; a temperature control unit that controls the temperature of the air supplied to the vehicle interior using the heat generated by the heat generating unit, the HVAC unit having a temperature control unit arranged within its internal HVAC space; a duct section for supplying the air from the internal HVAC space, which has been temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit, to the vehicle interior; a heat transfer medium circuit for circulating a heat transfer medium between the heat generating unit and the temperature control unit; and a control device, wherein the control device is capable of controlling the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit before the timing of turning on the air conditioning when the air conditioning is OFF, and can also execute an air conditioning preparation mode that pre-temperatures the internal HVAC space and the duct section.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat generation unit is a refrigerant circuit.

3. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the air conditioning preparation mode, the control device performs temperature control in the HVAC internal space and the duct section using a blower after starting temperature control of the heat transfer medium.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 3, characterized in that the control device controls the internal / external air switching device to take in internal air and external air that is close to the target temperature for air conditioning in the air conditioning preparation mode.

5. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device notifies the user that the air conditioning preparation mode is about to start before starting the air conditioning preparation mode.

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