U.S. patent application number 10/689364 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-29 for vehicle air conditioning system having non-contact temperature sensors.
Invention is credited to Ichishi, Yoshinori, Ito, Tatsuya, Kumada, Tatsumi.
Application Number | 20040079099 10/689364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32064283 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040079099 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kumada, Tatsumi ; et
al. |
April 29, 2004 |
Vehicle air conditioning system having non-contact temperature
sensors
Abstract
when a front-passenger seat occupant detecting sensor indicates
absence of an occupant in a front-passenger seat, an air
conditioning control ECU adjusts a temperature measurement measured
with a non-contacting temperature sensor for measuring a surface
temperature of the occupant in the front-passenger seat and
controls air conditioning state around the front-passenger seat
based on the adjusted temperature measurement associated with the
front-passenger seat.
Inventors: |
Kumada, Tatsumi;
(Gamagori-city, JP) ; Ichishi, Yoshinori;
(Kariya-city, JP) ; Ito, Tatsuya; (Obu-city,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
32064283 |
Appl. No.: |
10/689364 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/244 ; 165/203;
62/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00742
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/244 ;
062/208; 165/203 |
International
Class: |
B60H 001/00; F25B
041/00; B60H 001/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2002 |
JP |
2002-305868 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An air conditioning system for a vehicle that includes a first
seat and a second seat, the air conditioning system comprising: a
first discharge opening for discharging conditioning air around the
first seat; a second discharge opening for discharging conditioning
air around the second seat; a first non-contacting temperature
sensor for measuring a surface temperature of an occupant seated in
the first seat without contacting the occupant in the first seat; a
second non-contacting temperature sensor for measuring a surface
temperature of an occupant seated in the second seat without
contacting the occupant in the second seat; an occupant detecting
means for detecting presence of the occupant in one of the first
and second seats; and an air conditioning control means for
independently controlling air conditioning state around the first
seat and air conditioning state around the second seat according to
a first target discharge air temperature determined for the
conditioning air to be discharged from the first discharge opening
and a second target discharge air temperature determined for the
conditioning air to be discharged from the second discharge
opening, wherein: the air conditioning control means determines the
first target discharge air temperature based on a temperature
measurement of the first non-contacting temperature sensor and a
desired preset temperature of air around the first seat and also
determines the second target discharge air temperature based on a
temperature measurement of the second non-contacting temperature
sensor and a desired preset temperature of air around the second
seat; and when the occupant detecting means indicates absence of
the occupant in the one of the first and second seats, the air
conditioning control means adjusts one of the temperature
measurement, the preset temperature and the target discharge air
temperature associated with the one of the first and second seats
and controls the air conditioning state around the one of the first
and second seats based on the adjusted one of the temperature
measurement, the preset temperature and the target discharge air
temperature associated with the one of the first and second
seats.
2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein when
the occupant detecting means indicates the absence of the occupant
in the one of the first and second seats, the air conditioning
control means adjusts the temperature measurement associated with
the one of the first and second seats to a value, which is equal to
the temperature measurement associated with the other one of the
first and second seats or is closer to the temperature measurement
associated with the other one of the first and second seats than
the temperature measurement associated with the one of the first
and second seats, and controls the air conditioning state around
the one of the first and second seats based on the adjusted
temperature measurement associated with the one of the first and
second seats.
3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein when
the occupant detecting means indicates the absence of the occupant
in the one of the first and second seats, the air conditioning
control means adjusts the temperature measurement associated with
the one of the first and second seats to a predetermined value and
controls the air conditioning state around the one of the first and
second seats based on the adjusted temperature measurement
associated with the one of the first and second seats.
4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein when
the occupant detecting means indicates the absence of the occupant
in the one of the first and second seats, the air conditioning
control means adjusts the one of the temperature measurement, the
preset temperature and the target discharge air temperature
associated with the one of the first and second seats in such a
manner that the air conditioning state around the one of the first
and second seats is adjusted to air conditioning state, which
substantially coincides with the air conditioning state around the
other one of the first and second seats or is closer to the air
conditioning state around the other one of the first and second
seats than the air conditioning state around the one of the first
and second seats.
5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein when
the occupant detecting means indicates the absence of the occupant
in the one of the first and second seats, the air conditioning
control means adjusts the target discharge air temperature
associated with the one of the first and second seats to a value,
which is equal to the target discharge air temperature associated
with the other one of the first and second seats or is closer to
the target discharge air temperature associated with the other one
of the first and second seats than the target discharge air
temperature associated with the one of the first and second seats,
and controls the air conditioning state around the one of the first
and second seats based on the adjusted target discharge air
temperature associated with the one of the first and second
seats.
6. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein when
the occupant detecting means indicates the absence of the occupant
in the one of the first and second seats, the air conditioning
control means controls the air conditioning state around the one of
the first and second seats in such a manner that the temperature
measurement associated with the one of the first and second seats
substantially coincides with a predetermined temperature value.
7. The air conditioning system according to claim 6, further
comprising an outside air temperature sensor for measuring an
temperature of air outside a passenger compartment of the vehicle,
wherein the air conditioning control means determines the
predetermined temperature value based on the outside air
temperature measured with the outside air temperature sensor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on and incorporates herein by
reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-305868 filed on Oct.
21, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioning
system for controlling air conditioning state of a vehicle based on
a temperature measurement of a non-contacting temperature
sensor.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] One type of previously proposed vehicle air conditioning
system uses a non-contacting temperature sensor (e.g., infrared
sensor) to measure a surface temperature of an occupant seated in a
vehicle seat and controls air conditioning state of the passenger
compartment (e.g., the temperature and the flow rate of air
discharged from a discharge opening of the air conditioning system)
based on the measured surface temperature of the occupant. One such
an air conditioning system is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined
Patent publication No. 2002-172926. This air conditioning system
will be referred to as a first type air conditioning system.
[0006] Another type of previously proposed air conditioning system
controls air conditioning state around a driver seat and air
conditioning state around a front-passenger seat independently of
each other. One such an air conditioning system is disclosed in
Japanese Unexamined Patent publication No. 2002-144839. This air
conditioning system will be referred to as a second type air
conditioning system.
[0007] It is conceivable to combine the first type air conditioning
system and the second type air conditioning system in such a manner
that the surface temperature of the driver seated in the driver
seat and the surface temperature of the occupant seated in the
front-passenger seat are measured with non-contacting temperature
sensors, and the air conditioning state around the driver seat and
the air conditioning state around the front-passenger seat are
controlled independently of each other based on the measured
surface temperature of the driver in the driver seat and the
measured surface temperature of the occupant in the front-passenger
seat.
[0008] However, in such an air conditioning system, when the
occupant is absent in the front-passenger seat, the surface
temperature of the front-passenger seat is measured instead of the
surface temperature of the occupant in the front-passenger seat.
Thus, when the air conditioning state around the front-passenger
seat is controlled based on the surface temperature of the
front-passenger seat, the air conditioning state around the driver
seat and the air conditioning state around the front-passenger seat
substantially differ from one another. In such a case, an air flow
will be supplied from the front-passenger seat air conditioning
zone to the driver seat air conditioning zone, resulting in
uncomfortable feeling of the driver. Furthermore, in the case where
the air conditioning control operation is performed without
considering presence or absence of the occupant in the seat, when
the occupant returns the seat after a predetermined period of
absence, the occupant may feel uncomfortableness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention addresses the above disadvantage.
Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a
vehicle air conditioning system, which controls air conditioning
state based on presence or absence of an occupant(s) in a
corresponding seat(s) through use of a non-contacting sensor(s) and
provides comfortable air conditioning state to the vehicle
occupant(s). It is another objective of the present invention to
provide a vehicle air conditioning system, which controls air
conditioning state based on presence or absence of an occupant(s)
in a corresponding seat(s) through use of a non-contacting
sensor(s) and provides comfortable air conditioning state to the
vehicle occupant(s) who has just returned to his seat.
[0010] To achieve the objectives of the present invention, there is
provided an air conditioning system for a vehicle that includes a
first seat and a second seat. The air conditioning system includes
a first discharge opening for discharging conditioning air around
the first seat, a second discharge opening for discharging
conditioning air around the second seat, a first non-contacting
temperature sensor for measuring a surface temperature of an
occupant seated in the first seat without contacting the occupant
in the first seat, a second non-contacting temperature sensor for
measuring a surface temperature of an occupant seated in the second
seat without contacting the occupant in the second seat, an
occupant detecting means for detecting presence of the occupant in
one of the first and second seats, and an air conditioning control
means for independently controlling air conditioning state around
the first seat and air conditioning state around the second seat
according to a first target discharge air temperature determined
for the conditioning air to be discharged from the first discharge
opening and a second target discharge air temperature determined
for the conditioning air to be discharged from the second discharge
opening. The air conditioning control means determines the first
target discharge air temperature based on a temperature measurement
of the first non-contacting temperature sensor and a desired preset
temperature of air around the first seat and also determines the
second target discharge air temperature based on a temperature
measurement of the second non-contacting temperature sensor and a
desired preset temperature of air around the second seat. When the
occupant detecting means indicates absence of the occupant in the
one of the first and second seats, the air conditioning control
means adjusts one of the temperature measurement, the preset
temperature and the target discharge air temperature associated
with the one of the first and second seats and controls the air
conditioning state around the one of the first and second seats
based on the adjusted one of the temperature measurement, the
preset temperature and the target discharge air temperature
associated with the one of the first and second seats.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention, together with additional objectives, features
and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a vehicle air
conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a structure of the
vehicle air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of a passenger
compartment of a vehicle showing a sensing area of a non-contacting
temperature sensor of the air conditioning system shown in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is another partial schematic view of the passenger
compartment showing a sensing area of another non-contacting
temperature sensor of the air conditioning system shown in FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control operation of a control
unit of the air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a graph showing operation of the control unit of
the air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 7 is another graph showing the operation of the control
unit;
[0019] FIG. 8 is another graph showing the operation of the control
unit;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operation of a control unit of
an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modification of the second
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operation of a control unit
of an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operation of a control unit
of an air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0024] A vehicle air conditioning system according to a first
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0025] First, the vehicle air conditioning system will be outlined
with reference to FIG. 1. The vehicle air conditioning system
includes a face-side discharge opening 100Dr for discharging
conditioning air toward an upper-half body of an occupant in a
driver seat 101, a face-side discharge opening 100Pa for
discharging conditioning air toward an upper-half body of an
occupant in a front-passenger seat (abbreviated as "F-PASS. SEAT"
in FIG. 2) 102, and face-side discharge openings 100Rr for
discharging conditioning air toward an upper-half body of an
occupant(s) in a rear seat 103.
[0026] The state (e.g., the temperature, the flow rate) of
conditioning air discharged from the face-side discharge opening
100Dr, the state of conditioning air discharged from the face-side
discharge opening 100Pa and the state of conditioning air
discharged from the face-side discharge openings 100Rr are
independently controlled, as described later. Thus, the air
conditioning state of a front seat side air conditioning zone 104a
and the air conditioning state of a rear seat side air conditioning
zone 104b are independently controlled. Furthermore, air
conditioning state of a driver seat air conditioning zone 101a and
air conditioning state of a front-passenger seat air conditioning
zone 102a of the front seat side air conditioning zone 104a are
independently controlled.
[0027] Next, an entire structure of the vehicle air conditioning
system will be schematically described with reference to FIG. 2. As
shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle air conditioning system includes a
front seat air conditioning unit 1 and a rear seat air conditioning
unit 2. The front seat air conditioning unit 1 performs air
conditioning of the driver seat air conditioning zone 101a and the
front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a. The rear seat air
conditioning unit 2 performs air conditioning of a driver seat rear
side air conditioning zone 103a and a front-passenger seat rear
side air conditioning zone 103b. The front seat air conditioning
unit 1 is arranged inside an instrument panel 104, and the rear
seat air conditioning unit 2 is arranged in a rear side of a
passenger compartment 100 (FIG. 1).
[0028] The front seat air conditioning unit 1 includes a duct 10,
which supplies air into the passenger compartment 100. An inside
air intake opening 10a for taking inside air from the passenger
compartment 100 and an outside air intake opening 10b for taking
outside air located outside the passenger compartment 100 are
arranged in the duct 10. Furthermore, the front seat air
conditioning unit 1 includes an inside/outside air switching door
11, a blower 12, an evaporator 13 and a heater core 14. The
inside/outside air switching door 11 opens one of the inside air
intake opening 10a and the outside air intake opening 10b and
closes the other one of the inside air intake opening 10a and the
outside air intake opening 10b. The blower 12 generates an air flow
directed toward the passenger compartment 100. The evaporator 13
cools air through heat exchange between the air and refrigerant of
a refrigeration cycle (not shown). The heater core 14 heats air
through heat exchange between the air and hot fluid (engine coolant
for cooling an engine).
[0029] A separation wall 17 is provided in the duct 10 at a
location downstream of the evaporator 13. The separation wall 17
separates the duct 10 into a driver seat side passage 10c and a
front-passenger seat side passage 10d. The driver seat side passage
10c conducts air to the face-side discharge opening 100Dr located
near the driver seat 101. The front-passenger seat side passage 10d
conducts air to the face-side discharge opening 100Pa located near
the front-passenger seat 102.
[0030] An air mix door 15 and a discharge opening switching door 16
are provided in each of the driver seat side passage 10c and the
front-passenger seat side passage 10d. The air mix door 15 adjusts
the temperature of air discharged into the passenger compartment
100. The discharge opening switching door 16 switches a discharge
opening mode (described later) for discharging air toward the front
seat side air conditioning zone 104a (i.e., 101a, 102a).
[0031] It should be understood that although not illustrated in
FIG. 2, a foot-side discharge opening and defroster discharge
openings are provided in each of the driver seat side passage 10c
and the front-passenger seat side passage 10d and are opened and
closed by a corresponding discharge opening switching door.
[0032] The rear seat air conditioning unit 2 includes a duct 20,
which conducts air to the passenger compartment 100. A blower 22,
an evaporator 23, a heater core 24, an air mix door 25 and a
discharge opening switching door 26 are provided in the duct 20.
The blower 22 generates an air flow directed toward the passenger
compartment 100. The evaporator 23 cools air through heat exchange
between the air and refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle (not
shown). The heater core 24 heats the air. The air mix door 25
adjusts the temperature of air discharged into the passenger
compartment 100. The discharge opening switching door 26 switches a
discharge opening mode for discharging air toward the rear seat
side air conditioning zone 104b (i.e., 103a, 103b).
[0033] The front seat air conditioning unit 1 and the rear seat air
conditioning unit 2 are controlled by a common air conditioning
control unit (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioning ECU)
3, which serves as an air conditioning control means of the present
invention.
[0034] The air conditioning ECU 3 receives signals indicative of an
outside air temperature TAMdisp measured with an outside air
temperature sensor 31, a coolant temperature Tw of the engine
measured with a coolant temperature sensor 32, an amount of solar
radiation TsDr of the driver seat side measured with a solar
radiation sensor (solar radiation sensing means) 33, an amount of
solar radiation TsPa of the front-passenger seat side measured with
the solar radiation sensor 33, a post-evaporator air temperature
TeFr of the evaporator 13 measured with a post-evaporator air
temperature sensor 36, a post-evaporator air temperature TeRr of
the evaporator 23 measured with a post-evaporator air temperature
sensor 37, a desired preset temperature TSETPa for the
front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a outputted from a
temperature setting device (a left and right control value setting
means) 105, a desired preset temperature TSETDr for the driver seat
air conditioning zone 101a outputted from a temperature setting
device (the left and right control value setting means) 106, and a
desired preset temperature TSETRr for the rear seat air
conditioning zone 104b outputted from a temperature setting device
(the left and right control value setting means) 107.
[0035] The air conditioning ECU 3 further receives a seat occupant
detection signal outputted from a front-passenger seat occupant
detecting sensor 38 for detecting presence of an occupant in the
front-passenger seat 102, a measurement signal outputted from a
non-contacting temperature sensor 34a for measuring a surface
temperature of the upper-half body of the driver in the driver seat
101, a measurement signal outputted from a non-contacting
temperature sensor 34b for measuring a surface temperature of the
upper-half body of the occupant in the front-passenger seat 102,
and a measurement signal outputted from a non-contacting
temperature sensor 35 for measuring the surface temperature of the
upper-half body of the occupant in the rear seat 103.
[0036] In this embodiment, a pressure sensor, which is embedded in
the front-passenger seat 102 and senses the pressure applied from
the occupant present in the front-passenger seat 102, is used as
the front-passenger seat occupant detecting sensor 38, which serves
as an occupant detecting means of the present invention.
Furthermore, an infrared sensor, which generates electromotive
force that corresponds to the infrared inputted thereto, is used as
each non-contacting temperature sensor 34a, 34b. A display (a
preset temperature displaying means) 105a, 106a, 107a for
displaying the desired preset temperature set by the occupant is
provided adjacent the corresponding temperature setting device
(temperature setting means) 105, 106, 107.
[0037] The air conditioning ECU 3 executes predetermined arithmetic
processes based on the various input signals and outputs various
control signals. Accordingly, a servo-motor 11a drives the
inside/outside air switching door 11 based on the control signal
outputted from the air conditioning ECU 3. Furthermore, drive
motors 12a, 22a drive the corresponding blowers 12, 22 based on the
control signals outputted from the air conditioning ECU 3. Also,
servo-motors 15a, 25a drive the corresponding air mix doors 15, 25
based on the control signals outputted from the air conditioning
ECU 3. Furthermore, servo-motors 16a, 26a drive the discharge
opening switching doors 16, 26 based on the control signals
outputted from the air conditioning ECU 3.
[0038] Next, control operation performed by the air conditioning
ECU 3 for controlling the front seat air conditioning unit 1 will
be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 5. After
turning on of a corresponding power supply, the air conditioning
ECU 3 executes a control program (a computer program) stored in a
memory to perform the air conditioning control operation according
to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.
[0039] Each cycle of the control operation starts at step S100. At
step S100, it is determined whether an occupant is absent in the
front-passenger seat 102 based on the measurement signal outputted
from the front-passenger seat occupant detecting sensor 38.
Specifically, when the pressure applied to the front-passenger seat
occupant detecting sensor 38 is equal to or greater than a
predetermined value, it is determined that the occupant is present
in the front-passenger seat 102, and control proceeds to step
S103.
[0040] At step S103, the surface temperature of the upper-half body
of the driver (hereinafter referred to as the measured surface
temperature TIRDR), which is measured with the non-contacting
temperature sensor 34a, is obtained. Then, the last fifteen
measurements of the surface temperature TIRDR each obtained at step
S103 in each cycle and the current measurement of the surface
temperature TIRDR are averaged, so that the latest sixteen
measurements are averaged. The averaged surface temperature will be
referred to as the average temperature TIRDR(16).
[0041] Also, at step S103, the surface temperature of the
upper-half body of the occupant in the front-passenger seat 102
(hereinafter referred to as the measured surface temperature
TIRPA), which is measured with the non-contacting temperature
sensor 34b, is obtained. Then, the last fifteen measurements of the
surface temperature TIRPA each obtained at step S103 in each cycle
and the current measurement of the surface temperature TIRPA are
averaged, so that the latest sixteen measurements are averaged. The
averaged surface temperature will be referred to as the average
temperature TIRPA(16).
[0042] Then, the averaged temperature TIRDR(16) is applied to the
following first equation to obtain a driver seat side target
discharge air temperature TAODr, and the averaged temperature
TIRPA(16) is applied to the following second equation to obtain a
front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
In the following first and second equations, Kset (=7.0) is a
coefficient for the preset temperature, KIR (=5.1) is an IR
coefficient, Kam (=1.0) is an outside air temperature coefficient,
and C (=-45) is a correction coefficient. Furthermore, a unit of
each of the desired preset temperatures TSETDr, TSETPa, the
measured surface temperatures TIRDR, TIRPA, the measured outside
air temperature TAMdisp is degrees Celsius.
[0043] (First Equation)
[0044]
TAODr=Kset.times.TSETDr-KIR.times.TIRDR(16)-Kam.times.TAMdisp+C
[0045] (Second Equation)
[0046]
TAOPa=Kset.times.TSETPa-KIR.times.TIRPA(16)-Kam.times.TAMdisp+C
[0047] Upon computation of the driver seat side target discharge
air temperature TAODr and the front-passenger seat side target
discharge air temperature TAOPa, an average value of the driver
seat side target discharge air temperature TAODr and the
front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature TAOPa is
obtained, and an inside/outside air mode is determined based the
average value and a characteristic diagram shown in FIG. 6.
Specifically, when the average value is increased, the
inside/outside air mode is switched from a inside air mode to an
outside air mode.
[0048] Here, at the time of inside air mode, the inside/outside air
switching door 11 is driven by the servo-motor 11a, so that the
inside air intake opening 10a is fully opened, and the outside air
intake opening 10b is fully closed. Alternatively, at the time of
outside air mode, the inside/outside air switching door 11 is
driven by the servo-motor 11a, so that the inside air intake
opening 10a is fully closed, and the outside air intake opening 10b
is fully opened.
[0049] Next, based on the average value of TAODr and TAOPa and a
characteristic diagram shown in FIG. 7, a blower voltage (V), which
is applied to the drive motor 12a of the blower 12 of the front
seat air conditioning unit 1, is determined. In other words, a
target air flow rate is determined. Specifically, when the average
value (hereinafter referred to as an average target value) of TAODr
and TAOPa is in an intermediate range, the blower voltage is
constant. Also, when the average target value is increased from the
intermediate range, the blower voltage is increased. Furthermore,
when the average target value is decreased from the intermediate
range, the blower voltage is increased.
[0050] A target degree of opening .theta.Dr of the air mix door 15
on the driver seat side and a target degree of opening .theta.Pa of
the air mix door 15 on the front-passenger seat side are computed
through the following third equation based on the computed TAODr
and TAOPa.
[0051] (Third Equation)
[0052] .theta.(i)={(Tao(i)-TeFr)/(Tw-TeFr)}.times.100(%)
[0053] In the third equation, (i) is selected from Dr or Pa.
[0054] Upon computation of the target degree of opening .theta.Dr
and the target degree of opening .theta.Pa, the servo-motor 15a is
controlled, so that the actual degree of opening of each air mix
door 15 is adjusted to the corresponding target degree of opening
.theta.Dr, .theta.Pa.
[0055] Next, the driver seat side discharge opening mode and the
front-passenger seat side discharge opening mode of the front seat
air conditioning unit 1 are determined according to a
characteristic diagram of FIG. 8 based on TAODr and TAOPa.
Specifically, when TAODr is increased, the driver seat side
discharge opening mode is shifted from a face mode, a bi-level
(B/L) mode and a foot mode in this order. When TAOPa is increased,
the front-passenger seat side discharge opening mode is shifted
from the face mode, the bi-level (B/L) mode and the foot mode in
this order.
[0056] Here, when the face mode is set as the driver seat side
discharge opening mode, the servo-motor 16a is driven, so that the
face-side discharge opening 100Dr on the driver seat side is opened
by the corresponding discharge opening switching door 16 driven by
the servo-motor 16a. In this way, the conditioning air is blown
from the face-side discharge opening 100Dr on the driver seat side
toward the upper-half body of the driver.
[0057] When the foot mode is set as the driver seat side discharge
opening mode, conditioning air is blown from the foot side
discharge opening on the driver seat side toward the feet of the
driver. When the bi-level mode is set as the driver seat side
discharge opening mode, conditioning air is blown from the
face-side discharge opening 100Dr on the driver seat side toward
the upper-half body of the driver and is also blown from the foot
side discharge opening on the driver seat side toward the feet of
the driver.
[0058] Furthermore, when the face mode is set as the
front-passenger seat side discharge opening mode, the servo-motor
16a is driven, so that the face-side discharge opening 100Pa on the
front-passenger seat side is opened by the corresponding discharge
opening switching door 16 driven by the servo-motor 16a. In this
way, the conditioning air is blown from the face-side discharge
opening 100Pa on the front-passenger seat side toward the
upper-half body of the occupant in the front-passenger seat
102.
[0059] When the foot mode is set as the front-passenger seat side
discharge opening mode, conditioning air is blown from the foot
side discharge opening on the front-passenger seat side toward the
feet of the occupant in the front-passenger seat 102. When the
bi-level mode is set as the front-passenger seat side discharge
opening mode, conditioning air is blown from the face-side
discharge opening 100Pa on the front-passenger seat side toward the
upper-half body of the occupant in the front-passenger seat 102 and
is also blown from the foot side discharge opening on the
front-passenger seat side toward the feet of the occupant in the
front-passenger seat 102.
[0060] As described above, when the above control operation of the
front seat air conditioning unit 1 is completed, control returns to
step S100 in FIG. 5. Unless the absence of the occupant is
determined, the occupant presence determination process (S100), the
temperature obtaining and averaging process (S103) and the target
discharge air temperature computing process (S104) are
repeated.
[0061] Thereafter, when the occupant in the front-passenger seat
102 exits the vehicle, and thus the occupant is absent in the
front-passenger seat 102, the pressure applied to the
front-passenger seat occupant detecting sensor 38 becomes less than
the predetermined value. As a result, YES is returned at step S100
in FIG. 5.
[0062] Then, control proceeds to step S101. At step S101, the
measured surface temperature TIRDR of the driver, which is measured
with the non-contacting temperature sensor 34a, is obtained. Then,
the last fifteen measurements of the surface temperature TIRDR each
obtained at step S101 in each cycle and the current measurement of
the surface temperature TIRDR are averaged, so that the latest
sixteen measurements are averaged to obtain the average temperature
TIRDR(16) at step S101.
[0063] Next, control proceeds to step S102. At step S102, the
average temperature TIRDR(16) is applied to the following fourth
and fifth equations to obtain the driver seat side target discharge
air temperature TAODr and the front-passenger seat side target
discharge air temperature TAOPa.
[0064] (Fourth Equation)
[0065]
TAODr=Kset.times.TSETDr-KIR.times.TIRDR(16)-Kam.times.TAMdisp+C
[0066] (Fifth Equation)
[0067]
TAOPa=Kset.times.TSETPa-KIR.times.TIRDR(16)-Kam.times.TAMdisp+C
[0068] The driver seat side target discharge air temperature TAODr
and the front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature
TAOPa are computed based on the same measured surface temperature
TIRDR and thus should be close to each other or should coincide
with each other in some cases.
[0069] Then, similar to step S104, the inside/outside air mode is
determined based on TAODr and TAOPa, and the inside/outside air
switching door 11 is driven by the servo-motor 11a in a manner that
corresponds to the determined mode. Furthermore, the blower voltage
applied to the drive motor 12a of the blower 12 of the front seat
air conditioning unit 1 is determined based on TAODr and TAOPa. The
determined blower voltage is then applied to the drive motor 12a to
generate the air flow from the blower 12 at the target air flow
rate.
[0070] Then, the target degree of opening .theta.Dr of the air mix
door 15 on the driver seat side and the target degree of opening
.theta.Pa of the air mix door 15 on the front-passenger seat side
are computed based on TAODr and TAOPa. Upon computation of the
target degree of opening .theta.Dr and the target degree of opening
.theta.Pa, the servo-motor 15a is controlled, so that the actual
degree of opening of each air mix door 15 is adjusted to the
corresponding target degree of opening .theta.Dr, .theta.Pa. Next,
the driver seat side discharge opening mode and the front-passenger
seat side discharge opening mode are determined based on TAODr and
TAOPa. Then, the servo-motor 16a is driven based on each determined
discharge opening mode to drive the discharge opening switching
door 16 to open or close each corresponding face-side discharge
opening 100Dr, 100Pa.
[0071] Next, more specific operation of the front seat air
conditioning unit 1 will be described with reference to the case
where the face mode (or alternatively the bi-level mode) is set on
both the driver seat side and the front-passenger seat side.
[0072] First, the servo-motors 11a, 15a, 16a and the drive motor
12a are controlled based on the inside/outside air mode, the target
air flow rate, each target degree of opening .theta.Dr, .theta.Pa,
and each discharge opening mode.
[0073] Here, when the blower 12 is driven, air is drawn into the
duct 10 through one of the inside air intake opening 10a and the
outside air intake opening 10b. When the drawn air passes through
the evaporator 13, the drawn air is cooled through heat exchange
between the drawn air and refrigerant supplied to the evaporator
13. The cooling capacity of the evaporator 13 is adjusted by the
air conditioning ECU 3, which adjusts the flow rate of refrigerant
in the refrigeration cycle and in the evaporator 13 through
operation of a compressor based on the measurement of the
post-evaporator air temperature TeFr.
[0074] The cooled air cooled by the evaporator 13 flows through
each of the driver seat side passage 10c and the front-passenger
seat side passage 10d. In the driver seat side passage 10c, the air
is divided into a portion, which is conducted to the heater core
14, and another portion, which bypasses the heater core 14. A ratio
(hereinafter referred to as a driver seat side ratio) of the air
conducted to the heater core 14 and the air bypassed the heater
core 14 is adjusted by controlling a degree of opening of the air
mix door 15 on the driver seat side.
[0075] When the air conducted to the heater core 14 passes the
heater core 14, the air is heated through heat exchange between the
air and the engine coolant (hot coolant). Then, the heated air is
mixed with the air bypassed the heater core 14, and the mixed air
is discharged through the discharge opening 100Dr on the driver
seat side.
[0076] Similar to the driver seat side passage 10c, in the
front-passenger seat side passage 10d, the air is divided into a
portion, which is conducted to the heater core 14, and another
portion, which bypasses the heater core 14. A ratio (hereinafter
referred to as a front-passenger seat side ratio) of the air
conducted to the heater core 14 and the air bypassed the heater
core 14 is adjusted by controlling a degree of opening of the air
mix door 15 on the front-passenger seat side. When the air
conducted to the heater core 14 passes the heater core 14, the air
is heated. Then, the heated air is mixed with the bypassed air,
which has bypassed the heater core 14, and the mixed air is
discharged through the discharge opening 100Pa on the
front-passenger seat side.
[0077] As described above, when the occupant is present in the
front-passenger seat 102, the ratio of the air conducted to the
heater core 14 and the air bypassed the heater core 14 is adjusted
independently by controlling the degree of opening of the air mix
door 15 in each of the driver seat side passage 10c and the
front-passenger seat side passage 10d. Thus, the ratio of the air
heated by the heater core 14 and the air bypassed the heater core
14 is adjusted independently. As a result, the temperature of air
discharged through the discharge opening 100Dr on the driver seat
side and the temperature of air discharged through the discharge
opening 100Pa on the front-passenger seat side are adjusted
independently of each other.
[0078] On the other hand, when the occupant is absent in the
front-passenger seat 102, the front-passenger seat side target
discharge air temperature TAOPa substantially coincides with or
becomes closer to the driver seat side target discharge air
temperature TAODr. Thus, the degree of opening of the air mix door
15 on the front-passenger seat side substantially coincides with or
becomes closer to the degree of opening of the air mix door 15 on
the driver seat side. As a result, the temperature of air
discharged through the discharge opening 100Pa on the
front-passenger seat side substantially coincides with or becomes
closer to the temperature of air discharged through the discharge
opening 100Dr on the driver seat side.
[0079] In addition, the flow rate of air discharged through the
discharge opening 100Pa on the front-passenger seat side
substantially coincides with or becomes closer to the flow rate of
air discharged through the discharge opening 100Dr on the driver
seat side. Thus, the air conditioning state of the front-passenger
seat air conditioning zone 102a substantially coincides with or
becomes closer to the air conditioning state of the driver seat air
conditioning zone 101a. As a result, it is possible to limit or
reduce flow of uncomfortable air, which is uncomfortable to the
driver, from the front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a
into the driver seat air conditioning zone 101a. Therefore, the
comfortable air conditioning can be provided to the driver.
Second Embodiment
[0080] In the first embodiment, when the occupant is absent in the
front-passenger seat 102, a value of the measured surface
temperature TIRDR of the driver, which is measured with the
non-contacting temperature sensor 34a, is used to compute the
front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
In the second embodiment, alternatively, a value of the driver seat
side target discharge air temperature TAODr is used as a value of
the front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature
TAOPa.
[0081] Specifically, the air conditioning ECU 3 performs the air
conditioning control operation according to a flowchart shown in
FIG. 9 in place of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. Steps S100, S101,
S103, S104 of FIG. 9 are substantially the same as steps S100,
S101, S103, S104, respectively, of FIG. 5.
[0082] In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the
occupant is absent in the front-passenger seat 102 at step S100,
control proceeds to step S101. Then, the average temperature
TIRDR(16) is obtained at step S101 and is applied to the
above-described fourth equation to obtain the driver seat side
target discharge air temperature TAODr at step S102a. Then, at step
S102a, a value of the driver seat side target discharge air
temperature TAODr is used as a value of the front-passenger seat
side target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
[0083] In this way, the same control operation is performed for the
target degree of opening .theta.Dr, .theta.Pa and the discharge
opening mode in each of the driver seat side and the
front-passenger seat side. Thus, the air conditioning state of the
front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a and the air
conditioning state of the driver seat air conditioning zone 101a
substantially coincide with one another. As a result, it is
possible to limit flow of uncomfortable air, which is uncomfortable
to the driver, from the front-passenger seat air conditioning zone
102a into the driver seat air conditioning zone 101a. Therefore,
the comfortable air conditioning can be provided to the driver.
[0084] In the above embodiment, the air conditioning control
operation is performed by the air conditioning ECU 3 according to
the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, the air conditioning
control operation can be performed by the air conditioning ECU 3
according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 10. In this case, at the
time of computing the front-passenger seat side target discharge
air temperature TAOPa, a value of the preset temperature TSETDr for
the driver seat air conditioning zone 101a is used as a value of
the preset temperature TSETPa for the front-passenger seat air
conditioning zone 102a, and a value of the measured surface
temperature TIRDR of the driver is used as a value of the measured
surface temperature TIRPA of the occupant in the front-passenger
seat 102. Thus, the driver seat side target discharge air
temperature TAODr and the front-passenger seat side target
discharge air temperature TAOPa substantially coincide with one
another.
Third Embodiment
[0085] In the first embodiment, when the occupant is absent in the
front-passenger seat 102, the front-passenger seat side target
discharge air temperature TAOPa is computed using a value of the
measured surface temperature TIRDR of the driver measured with the
non-contacting temperature sensor 34a. Alternatively, in the third
embodiment, a predetermined value is used as a value of the
measured surface temperature of a non-existing occupant in the
front-passenger seat 102 to be measured with the non-contacting
temperature sensor 34b in computation of the front-passenger seat
side target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
[0086] The air conditioning ECU 3 of the present embodiment
performs the air conditioning control operation according to a
flowchart shown in FIG. 11 in place of the flowchart shown in FIG.
5. Steps S100, S101, S103, S104 of FIG. 11 are substantially the
same as steps S100, S101, S103, S104, respectively, of FIG. 5.
[0087] In the third embodiment, when it is determined that the
occupant is absent in the front-passenger seat 102 at step S100,
control proceeds to step S101 where the average temperature
TIRDR(16) is obtained. Then, control proceeds to step S102c. At
step S102c, the average temperature TIRDR(16) obtained at step S101
is applied to the above-described fourth equation to obtain the
driver seat side target discharge air temperature TAODr. Then, at
step S102c, the predetermined value (34 degrees Celsius in the
present embodiment) is used as the surface temperature of the
upper-half body of the non-existing occupant in the front-passenger
seat 102 to compute the front-passenger seat side target discharge
air temperature TAOPa according to the following sixth
equation.
[0088] (Sixth Equation)
[0089] TAOPa=Kset.times.TSETPa-KIR.times.34-Kam.times.TAMdisp+C
[0090] The target degree of opening .theta.Pa of the air mix door
15 and the discharge opening mode of the front-passenger seat side
are controlled based on the thus computed front-passenger seat side
target discharge air temperature TAOPa to substantially coincide
with or becomes closer to those of the driver seat side. In this
way, the air conditioning state of the front-passenger seat air
conditioning zone 102a substantially coincide with or becomes
closer to the air conditioning state of the driver seat air
conditioning zone 101a. As a result, it is possible to limit or
reduce flow of uncomfortable air, which is uncomfortable to the
driver, from the front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a
into the driver seat air conditioning zone 101a. Therefore, the
comfortable air conditioning can be provided to the driver.
Fourth Embodiment
[0091] In the first embodiment, the way of providing the
comfortable air conditioning to the driver at the time of absence
of the occupant in the front-passenger seat 102 is described. In
the fourth embodiment, there is described a way of immediately
providing comfortable air conditioning to the occupant when the
occupant gets into the vehicle and is seated in the seat.
[0092] In the fourth embodiment, the air conditioning ECU 3
performs the air conditioning operation according to a flowchart
shown in FIG. 12 in place of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. Step
S100 of FIG. 12 is the same as step S100 of FIG. 5.
[0093] When the power supply is turned on, the air conditioning ECU
3 executes or starts a control program stored in a memory and
performs the air conditioning operation according to the flowchart
shown in FIG. 12.
[0094] First, when it is determined that the occupant is absent in
the front-passenger seat 102 based on the measurement signal
outputted from the front-passenger seat occupant detecting sensor
38 at step S100, control proceeds to step S105. At step S105, a
desired preset temperature SEATTSETDr of a surface of the driver
seat 101 and a desired preset temperature SEATTSETPa of a surface
of the front-passenger seat 102 are determined based on the outside
air temperature measured with the outside air temperature sensor
31. Specifically, when the outside air temperature increases, the
preset temperatures (predetermined temperature values) SEATTSETDr,
SEATTSETPa are decreased accordingly.
[0095] Next, control proceeds to step S103a. At step S103a, a
surface temperature SEATTIRDR (indicating the surface temperature
of the driver), which is measured with the non-contacting
temperature sensor 34a, is obtained. Then, the last fifteen
measurements of the surface temperature SEATTIRDR and the current
measurement of the surface temperature SEATTIRDR are averaged, so
that the latest sixteen measurements are averaged. The averaged
surface temperature will be referred to as the average temperature
SEATTIRDR(16).
[0096] Then, a surface temperature SEATTIRPA of the front-passenger
seat (indicating the surface temperature of the front-passenger
seat), which is measured with the non-contacting temperature sensor
34b, is obtained. Then, the last fifteen measurements of the
surface temperature SEATTIRPA and the current measurement of the
surface temperature SEATTIRPA are averaged, so that the latest
sixteen measurements are averaged. The averaged surface temperature
will be referred to as the average temperature SEATTIRPA(16).
[0097] The thus obtained average temperatures SEATTIRDR(16),
SEATTIRPA(16) and the preset temperatures SETTSETDr, SEATTSETPa are
applied to the following seventh and eighth equations to obtain the
driver seat side target discharge air temperature TAODr and the
front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
In the following seventh and eighth emodiments, SEATKset(=7.0) is a
coefficient for the preset temperature, SEATKIR (=5.1) is an IR
coefficient, SEATKam (=1.0) is a coefficient for the outside air
temperature, and SEATC (=-45) is a correction coefficient.
Furthermore, a unit of each of the desired preset temperatures
SEATTSETDr, SEATTSETPa, the surface temperatures SEATTIRDR,
SEATTIRPA and the measured outside air temperature TAMdisp is
degrees Celsius.
[0098] (Seventh Equation)
[0099]
TAODr=SEATKset.times.SEATTSETDr-SEATKIR.times.SEATTIRDR(16)-SEATKam-
.times.TAMdisp+SEATC
[0100] (Eighth Equation)
[0101]
TAOPa=SEATKset.times.SEATTSETPa-SEATKIR.times.SEATTIRPA(16)-SEATKam-
.times.TAMdisp+SEATC
[0102] Upon computation of the driver seat side target discharge
air temperature TAODr and the front-passenger seat side target
discharge air temperature TAOPa, control operation of the target
degree of opening .theta.Dr, .theta.Pa of each air mix door 15 and
the discharge opening mode of each of the front-passenger seat side
and the driver seat side is performed based on the driver seat side
target discharge air temperature TAODr and the front-passenger seat
side target discharge air temperature TAOPa Thus, the air
conditioning state of the front-passenger seat air conditioning
zone 102a is controlled, so that the seat temperature of the
front-passenger seat 102 (thermal sensation of the occupant induced
by the seat) substantially coincides with the SEATTSETPa. In this
way, when the occupant is seated in the front-passenger seat 102,
comfortable air conditioning is immediately provided to the
occupant.
[0103] Returning to step S100, when it is determined that the
occupant is present in the front-passenger seat 102, control
proceeds to step S103a and then to step S104a. At step S104a, the
preset temperature SEATTSETDr of the seat surface temperature of
the driver seat 101 and the preset temperature SEATTSETPa of the
seat surface temperature of the front-passenger seat 102 are not
determined based on the outside air temperature. Rather, a value of
the preset temperature TSETDr is used as a value of the preset
temperature SEATTSETDr, and a value of the preset temperature
TSETPa is used as a value of the preset temperature SEATTSETPa.
Then, the driver seat side target discharge air temperature TAODr
and the front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature
TAOPa are obtained in the manner described above using the preset
temperatures TSETDr, TSETPa as the preset temperatures SEATTSETDr,
SEATTSETPa, respectively. Control operation of the target degree of
opening .theta.Dr, .theta.Pa of each air mix door 15 and the
discharge opening mode of each of the front-passenger seat side and
the driver seat side is performed based on the driver seat side
target discharge air temperature TAODr and the front-passenger seat
side target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
[0104] (Modifications)
[0105] In the fourth embodiment, the temperature (seat temperature)
of the front-passenger seat 102 is adjusted to the predetermined
temperature when the occupant is absent in the front-passenger seat
102. The same principal can be applied to the driver seat 101. That
is, when the driver is absent in the driver seat 101, the
temperature of the driver seat 101 can be controlled to a
predetermined temperature. Also, the same principal can be applied
to the rear seat 103. That is, when the occupant is absent in the
rear seat 103, the temperature of the rear seat 103 can be
controlled to a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, in the
fourth embodiment, in order to control the temperature (seat
temperature) of the seat, it is preferred to provide a discharge
opening in a ceiling of the passenger compartment 100 to discharge
conditioning air to the seat.
[0106] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the conditioning air
discharged from the discharge opening is used to control the
surface temperature (seat temperature) of the seat to the
predetermined temperature. Alternatively, the seat can be provided
with a seat air conditioning system to control the surface
temperature (seat temperature) of the seat to a predetermined
temperature. That is, like a seat air conditioning system disclosed
in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-234332, a
plurality of discharge openings or holes can be provided in a cover
of the seat, and warm air or cold air can be discharged from the
openings to control the surface temperature (seat temperature) of
the seat to the predetermined temperature. In such a case, the
conditioning air supplied to the seat can be generated from the air
conditioning unit 1 shown in FIG. 1.
[0107] In the first to third embodiments, the air conditioning
control operation is performed such that the air conditioning state
of the front-passenger seat side substantially coincides with or
becomes closer to the air conditioning state of the driver seat
side to limit or reduce the flow of uncomfortable air from the
front-passenger seat side to the driver seat side. The present
invention is not limited to this. For example, when the occupant is
absent in the rear seat 103, the air conditioning control operation
can be performed such that the air conditioning state of the rear
seat side substantially coincides with or becomes closer to the air
conditioning state of the driver seat side to limit or reduce the
flow of uncomfortable air from the rear seat side to the driver
seat side.
[0108] In the first embodiment, when the occupant is absent in the
front-passenger seat 102, the value of TIRDR(16) is used in place
of TIRPA(16) in computation of the TAOPa at step S102 in FIG. 5.
Alternatively, in the computation of the TAOPa at step S102 in FIG.
5, any value, which is closer to the value of TIRDR(16) than the
value of TIRPA(16) obtained from the temperature measurements of
the empty front-passenger seat 102 with no occupant, can be used in
place of the value of TIRDR(16). Even when the air conditioning of
the front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a is performed
using the thus obtained target discharge air temperature TAOPa, the
degree of uncomfortableness of the air flow from the
front-passenger seat side to the driver seat side can be
alleviated.
[0109] Also, in the first embodiment, when the preset temperature
TSETPa for the front-passenger seat air conditioning zone 102a
differs from the preset temperature TSETDr for the driver seat air
conditioning zone 101a, the preset temperature TSETPa can be
adjusted to a value, which coincides with or is closer to the
preset temperature TSETDr. This adjustment of the preset
temperature TSETPa can be performed alternative to the adjustment
of the TIRPA(16) performed at step S102 in FIG. 5 in computation of
the target discharge air temperature TAOPa.
[0110] In the second embodiment, the value of the driver seat side
target discharge air temperature TAODr is used as a value of the
front-passenger seat side target discharge air temperature TAOPa at
step S102a in FIG. 9. Alternatively, in computation of TAOPa at
step S102a in FIG. 9, any value, which is closer to the value of
TAODr than the value of TAOPa obtained from the above-described
fifth equation using the TIRPA(16) of the empty front-passenger
seat 102 with no occupant, can be used as the value of TAOPa at
step S102a in FIG. 9.
[0111] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader terms is
therefore not limited to the described specific details.
* * * * *