U.S. patent application number 10/946509 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for temperature detection device and vehicle air conditioner using the same.
Invention is credited to Ichishi, Yoshinori, Kumada, Tatsumi.
Application Number | 20050098640 10/946509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34554826 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ichishi, Yoshinori ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Temperature detection device and vehicle air conditioner using the
same
Abstract
In a vehicle air conditioner, a non-contact temperature sensor
is used as a temperature detecting device. The non-contact
temperature sensor has a plurality of temperature detection
elements for detecting surface temperatures of a plurality of
temperature detection ranges in a vicinity of at least one of seats
of a passenger compartment in non-contact. The non-contact
temperature sensor is provided in a ceiling portion of the
passenger compartment in an arrangement area of the ceiling portion
between a front end and a rear end of the one seat in a vehicle
front-rear direction. Accordingly, even when the size and seated
height of the passenger are changed, the temperature detection
ranges can contain the passenger, and a passenger's temperature can
be stably detected by using the non-contact temperature sensor.
Inventors: |
Ichishi, Yoshinori;
(Kariya-city, JP) ; Kumada, Tatsumi;
(Gamagori-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
34554826 |
Appl. No.: |
10/946509 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/49.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00742 20130101;
B60H 1/00792 20130101; G01K 2201/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/049.3 |
International
Class: |
F24F 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 10, 2003 |
JP |
2003-379551 |
Apr 15, 2004 |
JP |
2004-120337 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A temperature detection device for a vehicle having a plurality
of seats in a passenger compartment, the temperature detection
device comprising: a non-contact temperature sensor having a
plurality of temperature detection elements for detecting surface
temperatures of a plurality of temperature detection ranges in a
vicinity of at least one of the seats in non-contact, wherein: the
non-contact temperature sensor is disposed to detect a surface
temperature of a passenger seated on the one seat and to send a
detected temperature signal to an air conditioner; and the
non-contact temperature sensor is provided in a ceiling portion of
the passenger compartment in an arrangement area of the ceiling
portion between a front end and a rear end of the one seat in a
vehicle front-rear direction.
2. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein:
the arrangement area is an area of the ceiling portion between a
frontmost end of a seat cushion portion of the one seat to a
rearmost end of a seat back portion of the one seat; and the
non-contact temperature sensor has a sight center line that is
substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction.
3. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein
the arrangement area is an area of the ceiling portion between a
frontmost end and a rearmost end of a seat cushion portion of the
one seat.
4. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein
the temperature detection elements of the non-contact temperature
sensor are arranged to detect surface temperatures of at least the
shoulder portion and the thigh portion of a passenger on the one
seat.
5. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein
the temperature detection elements of the non-contact temperature
sensor are arranged to detect a surface temperature of a passenger
on the one seat, a surface temperature of a side window adjacent to
the passenger, and a surface temperature of a trim panel between
the passenger and the side window.
6. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein:
the one seat is a front seat having right and left seat portions or
a rear seat having right and left seat portions in the passenger
compartment; and the non-contact temperature sensor includes a
right matrix IR sensor having a plurality of right temperature
detection elements which are arranged such that temperature
detection ranges of the right temperature detection elements
include at least a passenger on the right seat portion of the one
seat, and a left matrix IR sensor having a plurality of left
temperature detection elements which are arranged such that
temperature detection ranges of the left temperature detection
elements include at least a passenger on the left seat portion of
the one seat.
7. The temperature detection device according to claim 6, wherein:
the right matrix IR sensor is provided in the ceiling portion above
the right seat portion; and the left matrix IR sensor is provided
in the ceiling portion above the left seat portion.
8. The temperature detection device according to claim 7, wherein:
the right matrix IR sensor is provided in the ceiling portion at a
position shifted from a center of the right seat portion to a side
window adjacent to the right seat portion.
9. The temperature detection device according to claim 6, wherein:
the right matrix IR sensor is provided in the ceiling portion above
a cushion portion of the right seat portion; and the left matrix IR
sensor is provided in the ceiling portion above a cushion portion
of the left seat portion.
10. The temperature detection device according to claim 6, wherein
the right matrix IR sensor and the left matrix IR sensor are
arranged in the ceiling portion adjacent to each other in an
approximate center position in a vehicle right-left direction.
11. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein
the air conditioner including an air conditioning unit which
adjusts an air conditioning state in the passenger compartment, and
a control unit for controlling operation of the air conditioning
unit; and wherein the control unit calculates a target temperature
of air to be blown into the passenger compartment based on a
surface temperature of a passenger detected by the non-contact
temperature sensor, and controls the air conditioning unit based on
the target temperature.
12. The temperature detection device according to claim 11,
wherein: the control unit calculates a passenger's temperature on
the one seat by a weighting calculation of the surface temperature
of the passenger on the seat, a surface temperature of a side
window adjacent to the passenger, and a surface temperature of a
trim panel between the passenger and the side window, which are
detected by the non-contact temperature sensor; and the control
unit calculates the target temperature based on the passenger's
temperature.
13. The temperature detection device according to claim 12,
wherein: the weighting calculation has a first weighting
coefficient relative to the surface temperature of the passenger, a
second weighting coefficient relative to the surface temperature of
the side window, and a third weighting coefficient relative to the
surface temperature of the trim panel; and the first weighting
coefficient is the largest value among the first, second and third
weighting coefficients, and the second coefficient is the smallest
value among the first, second and third weighting coefficients.
14. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein:
the non-contact temperature sensor is provided above a passenger's
seating position of the one seat at a side of a side window
adjacent to the passenger's seating position from a center of the
passenger's seating position; the non-contact temperature sensor
has a predetermined temperature detection range which includes at
least an upper portion of the shoulder of the passenger on the side
of the side window; and the air conditioner has a control unit
which controls an air conditioning state of the passenger
compartment based on the temperature detected by the non-contact
temperature sensor.
15. The temperature detection device according to claim 14, wherein
the non-contact temperature sensor is provided above the
passenger's seating position of the one seat at a front side in the
passenger's seating position.
16. The temperature detection device according to claim 14, wherein
the non-contact temperature sensor is provided above the
passenger's seating position of the one seat at a rear side in the
passenger's seating position.
17. The temperature detection device according to claim 14, wherein
the temperature detection range of the non-contact temperature
sensor includes the upper portion of the shoulder adjacent to the
side window and a trim panel portion around the side window.
18. The temperature detection device according to claim 14, wherein
the temperature detection range of the non-contact temperature
sensor includes the upper portion of the shoulder adjacent to the
side window and the side window.
19. The temperature detection device according to claim 14, wherein
the temperature detection range of the non-contact temperature
sensor includes the upper portion of the shoulder at a side end of
the face portion of the passenger in the temperature detection
range.
20. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein:
the non-contact temperature sensor includes a right sensor portion
that is provided above a right passenger's seating portion of the
one seat at a side of a right side window from a center of the
right passenger's seating portion, a left sensor portion that is
provided above a left passenger's seating portion of the one seat
at a side of a left side window from a center of the left
passenger's seating portion; the right sensor portion has a
predetermined temperature detection range which includes at least
an upper portion of the shoulder of a passenger on the right
passenger's seating portion; and the left sensor portion has a
predetermined temperature detection range which includes at least
an upper portion of the shoulder of a passenger on the left
passenger's seating portion.
21. The temperature detection device according to claim 14, wherein
the air conditioning control unit calculates a target temperature
of air to be blown to the passenger compartment based on the
temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor, and
controls the air conditioning state in the temperature detection
range based on the target temperature.
22. The temperature detection device according to claim 1, wherein
the temperature detection ranges to be used are changed in
accordance with positions of the seats in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
23. An air conditioner for a vehicle having a front right seat, a
front left seat, a rear right seat and a rear left seat in a
passenger compartment, the air conditioner comprising: an air
conditioning unit for respectively independently adjusting air
conditioning states of first and second air conditioning zones
positioned at right and left sides of a front seat in the passenger
compartment, and third and fourth air conditioning zones positioned
at right and left sides of a rear seat in the passenger
compartment; a front non-contact temperature sensor having a front
right matrix IR sensor for detecting a temperature of a passenger
on the front right seat, and a front left matrix IR sensor for
detecting a temperature of a passenger on the front left seat; a
rear non-contact temperature sensor having a rear right matrix IR
sensor for detecting a temperature of a passenger on the rear right
seat, and a rear left matrix IR sensor for detecting a temperature
of a passenger on the rear left seat; and a control unit for
controlling the air conditioning unit by using the temperatures
detected by the front right matrix IR sensor, the front left matrix
IR sensor, the rear right matrix IR sensor and the rear left matrix
IR sensor, wherein: the front non-contact temperature sensor is
provided in a ceiling portion of the passenger compartment in an
arrangement area of the ceiling portion between a front end and a
rear end of the front right and left seats in a vehicle front-rear
direction; and the rear non-contact temperature sensor is provided
in the ceiling portion of the passenger compartment in an
arrangement area of the ceiling portion between a front end and a
rear end of the rear right and left seats in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
24. The air conditioner according to claim 23, wherein: the front
right matrix IR sensor is disposed in the ceiling portion above the
front right seat; the front left matrix IR sensor is disposed in
the ceiling portion above the front left seat; the rear right
matrix IR sensor is disposed in the ceiling portion above the rear
right seat; the rear left matrix IR sensor is disposed in the
ceiling portion above the rear left seat; the control unit
calculates a first target temperature of air to be blown to the
first air conditioning zone based on a temperature of a passenger
detected by the front right matrix IR sensor, and controls the air
conditioning state in the first air conditioning zone based on the
first target temperature; the control unit calculates a second
target temperature of air to be blown to the second air
conditioning zone based on a temperature of a passenger detected by
the front left matrix IR sensor, and controls the air conditioning
state in the second air conditioning zone based on the second
target temperature; the control unit calculates a third target
temperature of air to be blown to the third air conditioning zone
based on a temperature of a passenger detected by the rear right
matrix IR sensor, and controls the air conditioning state in the
third air conditioning zone based on the third target temperature;
and the control unit calculates a fourth target temperature of air
to be blown to the fourth air conditioning zone based on a
temperature of a passenger detected by the rear left matrix IR
sensor, and controls the air conditioning state in the fourth air
conditioning zone based on the fourth target temperature.
25. An air conditioner for a vehicle having a plurality of seats,
the air conditioner comprising: a non-contact temperature sensor
having a plurality of temperature detection elements for detecting
surface temperatures of a plurality of temperature detection ranges
in a vicinity of at least one of the seats in non-contact; an air
conditioning unit for adjusting an air conditioning state of a
passenger compartment; and a control unit for controlling the air
conditioning unit based on a temperature detected by the
non-contact temperature sensor, wherein the non-contact temperature
sensor is provided in a ceiling portion of the passenger
compartment in an arrangement area of the ceiling portion between a
front end and a rear end of the one seat in a vehicle front-rear
direction.
26. The air conditioner according to claim 25, wherein: the
arrangement area is an area of the ceiling portion between a
frontmost end of a seat cushion portion of the one seat to a
rearmost end of a seat back portion of the one seat; and the
non-contact temperature sensor has a sight center line that is
substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction.
27. The air conditioner according to claim 25, wherein the
arrangement area is an area of the ceiling portion between a
frontmost end and a rearmost end of a seat cushion portion of the
one seat.
28. The air conditioner according to claim 25, wherein the
temperature detection elements of the non-contact temperature
sensor are arranged to detect a surface temperature of at least the
shoulder portion of a passenger on the one seat.
29. The air conditioner according to claim 25, wherein the control
unit calculates a target temperature of air to be blown into the
passenger compartment based on a surface temperature of a passenger
detected by the non-contact temperature sensor, and controls the
air conditioning unit based on the target temperature.
30. The air conditioner according to claim 29, wherein: the control
unit calculates a passenger's temperature on the one seat by a
weighting calculation of the surface temperature of the passenger
on the seat, a surface temperature of a side window adjacent to the
passenger, and a surface temperature of a trim panel between the
passenger and the side window, which are detected by the
non-contact temperature sensor; and the control unit calculates the
target temperature based on the passenger's temperature.
31. The air conditioner according to claim 30, wherein: the
weighting calculation has a first weighting coefficient relative to
the surface temperature of the passenger, a second weighting
coefficient relative to the surface temperature of the side window,
and a third weighting coefficient relative to the surface
temperature of the trim panel; and the first weighting coefficient
is the largest value among the first, second and third weighting
coefficients, and the second coefficient is the smallest value
among the first, second and third weighting coefficients.
32. The air conditioner according to claim 25, wherein the control
unit selects the temperature detection ranges to be used in
accordance with positions of the seats in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications
No. 2003-379551 filed on Nov. 10, 2003, and No. 2004-120337 filed
on Apr. 15, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a temperature detection
device and a vehicle air conditioner having a non-contact
temperature sensor which detects a surface temperature of a
passenger of a passenger compartment in non-contact. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle air
conditioner which controls an air conditioning state in the
passenger compartment in accordance with the surface temperature
detected by the non-contact temperature sensor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a conventional air conditioning system described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,550,686, a matrix IR sensor is arranged in a passenger
compartment to detect a temperature distribution on the face
portion of a driver or a passenger. However, in this system,
because the matrix IR sensor is attached to a ceiling portion
around a rearview mirror, the surface temperature of the passenger
is slantingly detected from a front upper side. In this case, a
temperature detection range of the IR matrix sensor may be offset
from a passenger's area to be detected.
[0004] In a system described in JP-A-2-158412, a rear IR sensor
used as a non-contact temperature sensor is disposed at a back
portion of a front seat to detect a surface temperature of a
passenger on a rear seat. However, in this case, the rear IR sensor
may not stably detect the surface temperature of the passenger on
the rear seat in accordance with a front seat position or the
passenger's seating position on the rear seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a temperature detection device and
a vehicle air conditioner having a non-contact temperature sensor
(IR sensor), which can prevent a target object to be
temperature-detected from being shifted from a temperature
detection range of the non-contact temperature sensor.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
temperature detection device and a vehicle air conditioner having a
non-contact temperature sensor which can stably detect a surface
temperature of a passenger regardless a seat position or a
passenger's seating position.
[0007] According to the present invention, a temperature detection
device for a vehicle air conditioner includes a non-contact
temperature sensor having a plurality of temperature detection
elements for detecting surface temperatures of a plurality of
temperature detection ranges in a vicinity of at least one of seats
of a passenger compartment in non-contact. Generally, the
non-contact temperature sensor is disposed to detect a surface
temperature of a passenger seated on the one seat and to send a
detected temperature signal to the air conditioner. In the
temperature detection device, the non-contact temperature sensor is
provided in a ceiling portion of the passenger compartment in an
arrangement area of the ceiling portion between a front end and a
rear end of the one seat in a vehicle front-rear direction. That
is, the arrangement area of the non-contact temperature sensor on
the ceiling portion is a vertically projecting area of the one seat
between the front end and the rear end in the vehicle front-rear
direction. Accordingly, the temperature detection elements of the
non-contact temperature sensor detect the surface temperature
downwardly from a direct upper side of the passenger. Thus, a
position change of the shoulder portion and the thigh port of the
passenger on the temperature detection range of the non-contact
temperature sensor can be made smaller. As a result, each position
of the passenger can be stably detected by using the non-contact
temperature sensor.
[0008] Preferably, the arrangement area is an area of the ceiling
portion between a frontmost end of a seat cushion portion of the
one seat to a rearmost end of a seat back portion of the one seat,
and the non-contact temperature sensor has a sight center line that
is substantially perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction.
Generally, the sight center line of the non-contact temperature
sensor is in a range -2.degree. and +2.degree. of a vertical line
perpendicular to the front-rear direction.
[0009] More preferably, the arrangement area is an area of the
ceiling portion between a frontmost end and a rearmost end of the
seat cushion portion of the one seat. In this case, because the
non-contact temperature sensor views the passenger on the seat
downwardly from a direct upper side of the passenger, the
temperature detection ranges of the non-contact temperature sensor
readily contain the passenger on the one seat.
[0010] For example, the temperature detection elements of the
non-contact temperature sensor are arranged to detect surface
temperatures of at least the shoulder portion and the thigh portion
of the passenger on the one seat. Alternatively, the temperature
detection elements of the non-contact temperature sensor are
arranged to detect a surface temperature of a passenger on the one
seat, a surface temperature of a side window adjacent to the
passenger, and a surface temperature of a trim panel between the
passenger and the side window.
[0011] The one seat can be a front seat having right and left seat
portions or a rear seat having right and left seat portions in the
passenger compartment. In this case, the non-contact temperature
sensor includes a right matrix IR sensor having a plurality of
right temperature detection elements which are arranged such that
temperature detection ranges of the right temperature detection
elements include at least a passenger on the right seat portion of
the one seat, and a left matrix IR sensor having a plurality of
left temperature detection elements which are arranged such that
temperature detection ranges of the left temperature detection
elements include at least a passenger on the left seat portion of
the one seat. More preferably, the right matrix IR sensor is
provided in the ceiling portion above the right seat portion, and
the left matrix IR sensor is provided in the ceiling portion above
the left seat portion. Still more preferably, the right matrix IR
sensor is provided in the ceiling portion at a position shifted
from a center of the right seat portion to a side window adjacent
to the right seat portion in a vehicle width direction.
[0012] Further, the right matrix IR sensor can be provided in the
ceiling portion above a seat cushion portion of the right seat
portion, and the left matrix IR sensor can be provided in the
ceiling portion above a seat cushion portion of the left seat
portion. Alternatively, the right matrix IR sensor and the left
matrix IR sensor can be arranged in the ceiling portion adjacent to
each other in an approximate center position in the vehicle width
direction.
[0013] When the temperature detection device is used for a vehicle
air conditioner including an air conditioning unit which adjusts an
air conditioning state in the passenger compartment and a control
unit for controlling operation of the air conditioning unit, the
control unit calculates a target temperature of air to be blown
into the passenger compartment based on the surface temperature of
a passenger detected by the non-contact temperature sensor, and
controls the air conditioning unit based on the target temperature.
In this case, an air conditioning operation comfortable to the
passenger can be performed.
[0014] More preferably, the control unit calculates a passenger's
temperature on the one seat by a weighting calculation of the
surface temperature of the passenger on the seat, a surface
temperature of a side window adjacent to the passenger, and a
surface temperature of a trim panel between the passenger and the
side window, which are detected by the non-contact temperature
sensor. Further, the control unit calculates the target temperature
based on the passenger's temperature obtained by the weighting
calculation. Therefore, the target temperature, in which the solar
radiation reflected to the passenger from the side window is also
considered, can be calculated, and comfortable air-conditioning can
be provided.
[0015] More preferably, the weighting calculation has a first
weighting coefficient relative to the surface temperature of the
passenger, a second weighting coefficient relative to the surface
temperature of the side window, and a third weighting coefficient
relative to the surface temperature of the trim panel. In this
case, the first weighting coefficient is the largest value among
the first, second and third weighting coefficients, and the second
coefficient is the smallest value among the first, second and third
weighting coefficients.
[0016] According to the present invention, the non-contact
temperature sensor is provided above a passenger's seating position
of the one seat at a side of a side window adjacent to the
passenger's seating position from a center of the passenger's
seating position, the non-contact temperature sensor has a
predetermined temperature detection range which includes at least
an upper portion of the shoulder of the passenger on the side of
the side window, and the air conditioner has a control unit which
controls an air conditioning state of the passenger compartment
based on the temperature detected by the non-contact temperature
sensor. Here, the shoulder portion includes the portion of the
clavicle on the front of the body and the portion of the scapula on
the rear of the body. Accordingly, the surface temperature of the
passenger can be stably detected regardless a seat position or a
passenger's seating position.
[0017] In this case, the non-contact temperature sensor can be
provided above the passenger's seating position of the one seat at
a front side in the passenger's seating position. Alternatively,
the non-contact temperature sensor can be provided above the
passenger's seating position of the one seat at a rear side in the
passenger's seating position.
[0018] Further, the temperature detection range of the non-contact
temperature sensor can include the upper portion of the shoulder
adjacent to the side window and a trim panel portion around the
side window. Alternatively, the temperature detection range of the
non-contact temperature sensor includes the upper portion of the
shoulder adjacent to the side window and the side window.
Alternatively, the temperature detection range of the non-contact
temperature sensor includes the upper portion of the shoulder at a
side end of the face portion of the passenger. That is, the
temperature detection range of the non-contact temperature sensor
is set to include the upper portion of the shoulder while without
including the face portion of the passenger.
[0019] Preferably, the temperature detection ranges to be used are
shifted in accordance with positions of the seats in the vehicle
front-rear direction. Accordingly, even when the seat positions are
shifted in the vehicle front-rear direction, the surface
temperature of the passenger can be always stably detected.
[0020] Further, the present invention can be suitably used for an
air conditioner having an air conditioning unit for respectively
independently adjusting air conditioning states of first and second
air conditioning zones positioned at right and left sides of a
front seat in the passenger compartment, and third and fourth air
conditioning zones positioned at right and left sides of a rear
seat in the passenger compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air blowing-out
port arrangement and a seat arrangement in a passenger compartment
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an entire structure of
a vehicle air conditioner according to the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view showing a structure of a matrix IR sensor
(non-contact temperature sensor) according to the first
embodiment;
[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B are a side view and a top view showing
arrangement positions of right and left matrix IR sensors,
according to the first embodiment;
[0026] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing temperature
detection ranges of the right and left matrix IR sensors, according
to the first embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a view showing the temperature detection range of
the right matrix IR sensor, according to the first embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 7A is a flow diagram for performing a front air
conditioning control of an air conditioning controller, and FIG. 7B
is a flow diagram for performing a rear air conditioning control of
the air conditioning controller;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a graph showing a control map for determining an
inside/outside air introduction mode in the front air conditioning
control in FIG. 7A;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a graph showing a control map for determining an
air outlet mode in the front air conditioning control in FIG. 7A
and in the rear air conditioning control in FIG. 7B;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a graph showing a control map for determining a
blower voltage in the front air conditioning control in FIG. 7A and
in the rear air conditioning control in FIG. 7B;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a non-contact
temperature sensor having right and left matrix IR sensors
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIGS. 12A and 12B are a side view and a top view showing an
arrangement position of the non-contact temperature sensor having
the right and left matrix IR sensors, according to the second
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a view showing the temperature detection range of
the right matrix IR sensor, according to the second embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining arrangement
areas of matrix IR sensors, according to a third preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIGS. 15A and 15B are a side view and a top view showing
arrangement positions of the matrix IR sensors, according to the
third embodiment;
[0037] FIGS. 16A and 16B are a side view and a top view showing
arrangement positions of front and rear non-contact temperature
sensors each having right and left matrix IR sensors, according to
a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an entire structure
of a vehicle air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a disassembled perspective view showing a
structure of an IR sensor (non-contact temperature sensor)
according to the fifth embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the
non-contact temperature sensor according to the fifth
embodiment;
[0041] FIGS. 20A and 20B are a top view and a side view showing
arrangement positions of the non-contact temperature sensors
according to the fifth embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing an example
of a temperature detection range of the non-contact temperature
sensor according to the fifth embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 22 is a graph showing a correction map of correction
coefficients (CFrDr, CFrPa, CRrDr, CRrPa) in accordance with an
outside air temperature (Tam), according to the fifth
embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 23 is a view showing a shifted temperature detection
range of a non-contact temperature sensor according to a
modification of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram showing a control operation for
selecting temperature detection areas in accordance with a seat
position in a vehicle front-rear direction, according to the
modification;
[0046] FIGS. 25A and 25B are a top view and a side view showing
arrangement positions of non-contact temperature sensors according
to another modification of the fifth embodiment;
[0047] FIGS. 26A and 26B are a top view and a side view showing
arrangement positions of non-contact temperature sensors according
to a further another modification of the fifth embodiment;
[0048] FIGS. 27A and 27B are a top view and a side view showing
arrangement positions of non-contact temperature sensors according
to a further another modification of the fifth embodiment; and
[0049] FIGS. 28A and 28B are a top view and a side view showing
arrangement positions of non-contact temperature sensors according
to a further another modification of the fifth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] (First Embodiment)
[0051] The first embodiment of the present invention will be now
described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. In the first embodiment,
the present invention is typically applied to an air conditioner
for a vehicle for independently controlling each of
air-conditioning operations of air conditioning zones 1a, 1b, 1c,
1d located leftward and rightward on the front seat side and
located leftward and rightward on the rear seat side within a
vehicle compartment interior 1 (passenger compartment).
[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the
air conditioning zones 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. The air conditioning zone 1a
is located on the right-hand side in the front seat air
conditioning zone. The air conditioning zone 1b is located on the
left-hand side in the front seat air conditioning zone. The air
conditioning zone 1c is located on the right-hand side in the rear
seat air conditioning zone. The air conditioning zone 1d is located
on the left-hand side in the rear seat air conditioning zone. The
arrows of FIG. 1 show front, rear, left and right directions of the
vehicle. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a vehicle state having a right steering
wheel. Therefore, the air conditioning zone 1a is a driver's seat
side zone, and the air conditioning zone 1b is a front-passenger's
seat side zone. A front right seat 1as, a front left seat 1bs, a
rear right seat 1cs and a rear left seat 1ds are placed in the air
conditioning zones 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, respectively.
[0053] Further, in FIG. 1, Lr0 indicates a rear seat moving range
in a vehicle front-rear direction (vehicle forward-backward
direction). Seat position adjusting mechanisms are provided in the
front right seat 1as and the front left seat 1bs to change seat
positions in a accordance with a passenger's frame. In addition, as
shown in FIG. 2, seat position detection units 1ap, 1bp and 1cp are
disposed to detect fixed positions of the seats 1as, 1bs, 1cs and
1ds after being moved.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the rear seat includes a seat cushion
portion 30 for supporting the buttock portion of the passenger on
the rear seat, and a seat back portion 31 for supporting the back
portion of the passenger on the rear seat. The seat cushion portion
30 contacting the buttock portion of the passenger includes right
and left seat cushions 30c, 30d, and the seat back portion 31
contacting the back portion of the passenger includes right and
left seat backs 31c, 31d.
[0055] FIG. 2 is an entire constructional view showing the entire
construction of the vehicle air conditioner in this embodiment.
This vehicle air conditioner is constructed with a front seat air
conditioning unit 5 for respectively independently air-conditioning
the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b, and a rear seat air conditioning
unit 6 for respectively independently air-conditioning the air
conditioning zones 1c, 1d.
[0056] The front seat air conditioning unit 5 is arranged inside an
instrument panel 7 (dashboard). The rear seat air conditioning unit
6 is arranged most backward in the passenger compartment 1. The
front seat air conditioning unit 5 has a duct 50 for sending and
blowing air to the passenger compartment 1. An inside air
introducing inlet 50a for introducing inside air (i.e., air inside
the passenger compartment) from the passenger compartment 1 and an
outside air introducing inlet 50b for introducing outside air
(i.e., air outside the passenger compartment) from the vehicle
compartment exterior are provided in this duct 50.
[0057] Further, an inside-outside air switching door 51 for
selectively opening and closing the outside air introducing inlet
50b and the inside air introducing inlet 50a is arranged in the
duct 50. A servo motor 510a as a driving means is connected to this
inside-outside air switching door 51.
[0058] Further, a centrifugal type blower 52 for generating an air
flow toward the passenger compartment 1 is arranged on an air
downstream side of the outside air introducing inlet 50b and the
inside air introducing inlet 50a within the duct 50. The
centrifugal type blower 52 is constructed with a vane wheel and a
blower motor 52a for rotating this vane wheel. In FIG. 2, an axial
vane wheel is indicated to simplify the drawing. However, actually,
a centrifugal vane wheel is used in the blower 52.
[0059] Furthermore, an evaporator 53 as an air cooling means for
cooling the air is arranged on an air downstream side of the
centrifugal type blower 52 within the duct 50. A heater core 54 as
an air heating means is arranged on an air downstream side of this
evaporator 53 within the duct 50.
[0060] A partition plate 57 is arranged on an air downstream side
of the evaporator 53 within the duct 50. This partition plate 57
partitions the interior of the duct 50 into a driver seat side
passage 50c and an assistant driver seat side passage 50d
(front-passenger's seat side passage).
[0061] Here, a bypass passage 51a is formed on a one side of the
heater core 54 in the driver seat side passage 50c. Through the
bypass passage 51a, cool air cooled by the evaporator 53 bypasses
the heater core 54 in the driver seat side passage 50c.
[0062] A bypass passage 51b is formed on the other side of the
heater core 54 in the assistant driver seat side passage 50d.
Through the bypass passage 51b, cool air cooled by the evaporator
53 bypasses the heater core 54 in the assistant driver seat side
passage 50d.
[0063] Air mix doors 55a, 55b are arranged on an air upstream side
of the heater core 54. The air mix door 55a adjusts the ratio of an
air amount passing through the heater core 54 and an amount passing
through the bypass passage 51a in the driver seat side passage 50c,
in accordance with an open degree of the air mix door 55a.
Therefore, conditioned air to be blown to the front right side
air-conditioning zone 1a can be adjusted.
[0064] Further, the air mix door 55b adjusts the ratio of an air
amount passing the heater core 54 and an air amount passing the
bypass passage 51b in the assistant driver seat side passage 50d,
in accordance with an open degree of the air mix door 55b.
Therefore, conditioned air to be blown to the front left side
air-conditioning zone 1a can be adjusted.
[0065] Here, servo motors 550a, 550b as driving means are
respectively connected to the air mix doors 55a, 55b. The open
degrees of the air mix doors 55a, 55b are respectively adjusted by
the servo motors 550a, 550b.
[0066] Further, the evaporator 53 is a cooling heat exchanger
constituting a well-known refrigerating cycle together with a
compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver and a pressure reducing
device that are unillustrated. In the evaporator 53, low-pressure
refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from an evaporation
latent heat from air flowing in the duct 50, so that air flowing
through the evaporator 53 in the duct 50 is cooled.
[0067] The compressor is connected to an engine of the vehicle
through an unillustrated electromagnetic clutch. The operation of
this compressor is stopped and controlled by controlling connection
and disconnection of the electromagnetic clutch.
[0068] The heater core 54 is a heat exchanger using engine cooling
water (hot water) of the vehicle as a heat source. This heater core
54 heats the cool air after being cooled by the evaporator 53.
[0069] Further, a driver seat side face blowing-out port 2a is
opened on an air downstream side of the heater core 54 in the duct
50. The driver seat side face blowing-out port 2a blows out the
conditioned air toward the upper half of the body of a driver
sitting on the driver seat from the driver seat side passage
50c.
[0070] Here, a blowing-out port switching door 56a for opening and
closing the face blowing-out port 2a is arranged at an air upstream
portion of the face blowing-out port 2a in the duct 50. This
blowing-out port switching door 56a is opened and closed by a servo
motor 560a as a driving means.
[0071] A driver seat side foot blowing-out port for blowing-out the
conditioned air to the lower half of the body of the driver from
the driver seat side passage 50c and a driver seat side defroster
blowing-out port for blowing-out the conditioned air to a driver
seat side area on the inner surface of a front windshield are
arranged in the duct 50 although these blowing-out ports are
omitted in the drawings.
[0072] Blowing-out port switching doors for opening and closing the
respective blowing-out ports are arranged in air upstream portions
of the driver seat side foot blowing-out port and the driver seat
side defroster blowing-out port. The respective blowing-out port
switching doors are opened and closed by the servo motors.
[0073] Further, a front-passenger's seat side face blowing-out port
2b is opened on an air downstream side of the heater core 54 in the
duct 50. The front-passenger's seat side face blowing-out port 2b
blows out the conditioned air toward the upper half of the body of
a passenger sitting on the front-passenger's seat from the
front-passenger's seat side passage 50d.
[0074] Here, a blowing-out port switching door 56b for opening and
closing the face blowing-out port 2b is arranged at an air upstream
portion of the face blowing-out port 2b in the duct 50. This
blowing-out port switching door 56b is opened and closed by a servo
motor 560b as a driving means.
[0075] Further, the face blowing-out ports 2a, 2b are arranged on a
dashboard 7 to be divided into a center face air outlet at a center
area in a vehicle right-left direction (vehicle width direction)
and a side face air outlet at right and left sides.
[0076] A front-passenger's seat side foot blowing-out port for
blowing-out the conditioned air to the lower half of the body of
the front passenger from the front-passenger's seat side passage
50d, and a front-passenger's seat side defroster blowing-out port
for blowing-out the conditioned air to a front-passenger's seat
side area on the inner surface of the front windshield are arranged
in the duct 50 although these blowing-out ports are omitted in the
drawings.
[0077] Blowing-out port switching doors for opening and closing the
respective blowing-out ports are arranged in air upstream portions
of the front-passenger's seat side foot blowing-out port and the
front-passenger's seat side defroster blowing-out port. The
blowing-out port switching doors are operatively linked by a servo
motor 560b.
[0078] Further, the rear seat air conditioning unit 6 has a duct 60
for sending and blowing air to the rear seat area in the passenger
compartment 1. Only the inside air is introduced from the passenger
compartment 1 into an inside air introducing duct 60b through an
inside air introducing inlet 60a.
[0079] Here, a centrifugal type blower 62 for generating an air
flow toward the passenger compartment 1 is arranged on an air
downstream side of the inside air introducing duct 60b. The
centrifugal type blower 62 is constructed with a vane wheel and a
blower motor 62a for rotating this vane wheel. The vane wheel of
the blower 62 is indicated in FIG. 2 as an axial vane wheel.
However, actually, the vane wheel of the blower 62 is a centrifugal
vane wheel.
[0080] Further, an evaporator 63 as an air cooling means for
cooling the introduced air is arranged on an air downstream side of
the centrifugal type blower 62 within the duct 60. A heater core 64
as an air heating means for heating the air is arranged on an air
downstream side of this evaporator 53.
[0081] A partition plate 67 is arranged on a downstream portion of
the evaporator 63 within the duct 60. This partition plate 67
partitions the interior of the duct 60 into a rear right side
passage 60a (i.e., driver's seat side passage) and a rear left side
passage 60d (i.e., front-passenger's seat side passage).
[0082] Here, a bypass passage 61a is formed on a one side of the
heater core 64 in the rear right side passage 60c. Through the
bypass passage 61a, cool air cooled by the evaporator 63 bypasses
the heater core 64 in the rear right side passage 60c.
[0083] A bypass passage 61b is formed on the other side of the
heater core 64 in the rear left seat side passage 60d. Through the
bypass passage 61b, the cool air cooled by the evaporator 63
bypasses the heater core 64 in the rear left seat side passage
60d.
[0084] Air mix doors 65a, 65b are arranged on an air upstream side
of the heater core 64. The air mix door 65a adjusts the ratio of an
air amount passing through the heater core 64 and an air amount
passing through the bypass passage 61a in the cool air circulated
in the rear right seat side passage 60c, in accordance with an open
degree of the air mix door 65a.
[0085] The air mix door 65b adjusts the ratio of an air amount
passing through the heater core 64 and an air amount passing
through the bypass passage 61b in the cool air passing the rear
left seat side passage 60d, in accordance with an open degree of
the air mix door 65b.
[0086] Servo motors 650a, 650b as a driving means are respectively
connected to the air mix doors 65a, 65b. The open degrees of the
air mix doors 65a, 65b are respectively adjusted by the servo
motors 650a, 650b.
[0087] Here, the evaporator 63 is piped and connected in parallel
with the above evaporator 53, and is a heat exchanger constituting
one constructional element of the above well-known refrigerating
cycle.
[0088] The heater core 64 is a heat exchanger using the engine
cooling water (warm water) of the vehicle as a heat source. The
heater core 64 is connected to the above heater core 54 in parallel
therewith, and heats the cool air after being cooled by the
evaporator 63.
[0089] Further, a rear right face blowing-out port 2c is opened on
an air downstream side of the heater core 64 in the rear right air
passage 60c within the duct 60. The rear right face blowing-out
port 2c blows out the conditioned air toward the upper half of the
body of a passenger sitting on the right-hand side (i.e., the rear
side of the driver seat) of a rear seat from the rear right side
passage 60d.
[0090] A rear left face blowing-out port 2d is opened on an air
downstream side of the heater core 64 in the rear left side passage
60d within the duct 60. This face blowing-out port 2d blows out the
conditioned air toward the upper half of the body of a passenger
sitting on the left-hand side (i.e., the rear side of the assistant
driver seat) of the rear seat from the rear left side passage
60d.
[0091] Here, a blowing-out port switching door 66a for opening and
closing the rear right face blowing-out port 2c is arranged in an
air upstream portion of the rear right face blowing-out port 2c.
This blowing-out port switching door 66a is opened and closed by a
servo motor 660a as a driving means.
[0092] Similarly, a blowing-out port switching door 66b for opening
and closing the rear left face blowing-out port 2d is arranged in
an air upstream portion of the rear left face blowing-out port 2d.
This blowing-out port switching door 66b is opened and closed by a
servo motor 660b as a driving means.
[0093] A rear right side foot blowing-out port for blowing out the
conditioned air to the lower half of the body of the rear seat
right-hand side passenger from the rear right side passage 60d is
arranged in the duct 60 although this rear right side foot
blowing-out port is omitted in the drawings.
[0094] Further, a blowing-out port switching door for opening and
closing this foot blowing-out port is arranged in an air upstream
portion of the rear right side foot blowing-out port. This
blowing-out port switching door is opened and closed by the servo
motor.
[0095] Similarly, a rear left side foot blowing-out port for
blowing out the conditioned air to the lower half of the body of
the rear seat left-hand side passenger from the rear left side
passage 60d is arranged in the duct 60 although this foot
blowing-out port is omitted in the drawings. A blowing-out port
switching door for opening and closing this rear left side foot
blowing-out port is arranged in an air upstream portion of this
rear left side foot blowing-out port. This foot blowing-out port
switching door is opened and closed by the servo motor.
[0096] Further, an electronic controller (hereinafter called an air
conditioning ECU 8) for controlling each of the air conditioning
operations of the front seat air conditioning unit 5 and the rear
seat air conditioning unit 6 is provided in the vehicle air
conditioner.
[0097] An outside air temperature sensor 81, a cooling water
temperature sensor 82, a solar radiation sensor 83, inside air
temperature sensors 84, 85, evaporator temperature sensors 86, 87
and the seat position detection units 1ap, 1bp, 1cp are connected
to the air conditioning ECU 8.
[0098] The outside air temperature sensor 81 detects an outside air
temperature Tam outside the passenger compartment. The cooling
water temperature sensor 82 detects a cooling water temperature Tw
of the engine. The solar radiation sensor 83 is disposed an inner
side of the front windshield at an approximate center in the
vehicle right-left direction. Generally, the solar radiation sensor
83 is a two-dimension type. The solar radiation sensor 83 detects
each of a solar radiation amount irradiated to the front right air
conditioning zone 1a and a solar radiation amount irradiated to the
front left air conditioning zone 1b, and outputs solar radiation
signals TsDr and TsPa corresponding to the detected solar radiation
amount to the air conditioning ECU 8.
[0099] The inside air temperature sensor 84 detects an air
temperature in the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b, and outputs an
inside air temperature signal TrFr corresponding to the detected
inside air temperature to the air conditioning ECU 8. Similarly,
the inside air temperature sensor 85 detects an air temperature in
the air conditioning zones 1c, 1d, and outputs an inside air
temperature signal TrRr corresponding to the detected inside air
temperature to the air conditioning ECU 8.
[0100] The evaporator temperature sensor 86 detects an air
temperature blown immediately after passing through the evaporator
53, and output an evaporator temperature signal TeFr corresponding
to the detected temperature of the evaporator 86 to the air
conditioning ECU 8. The evaporator temperature sensor 87 detects an
air temperature blown immediately after passing through the
evaporator 63, and output an evaporator temperature signal TeRr
corresponding to the detected temperature of the evaporator 87 to
the air conditioning ECU 8.
[0101] Temperature setting switches 9, 10, 11, 12 are provided for
setting desirable temperatures TsetFrDr, TsetFrPa, TsetRrDr,
TsetRrPa of the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d,
respectively, by a passenger. The temperature setting switches 9-12
are connected to the air-conditioning ECU 8. Displays 9a, 10a, 11a,
12a as desirable temperature display means for displaying the
setting contents of the desirable temperatures, etc. are
respectively arranged in the vicinity of the temperature setting
switches 9, 10, 11, 12.
[0102] As the non-contact temperature sensors 70a, 70b, matrix IR
sensors are used. The matrix IR sensor 70a is disposed to detect a
surface temperature of the rear right side air-conditioning zone
1c, and the matrix IR sensor 70b is disposed to detect a surface
temperature of the rear left side air-conditioning zone 1d.
[0103] Each of the matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b is constructed with a
thermopile detection element which detects an electromotive force
change corresponding to a change of inputted infrared rays as a
temperature change. Next, structure of the right and left matrix IR
sensor 70a, 70b will be now described with reference to FIGS. 3-5B.
Both the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a and 70b have the same
structure.
[0104] Hear, the structure of the right matrix IR sensor 70a will
be now described with reference to FIG. 3 as an example. The matrix
IR sensor 70a (70b) includes a detection portion 71. The detection
portion 71 has a substrate 71a, a sensor chip 72 arranged on the
substrate 71a, and an infrared ray absorbing film 73 disposed to
cover the sensor chip 72. The detection portion 71 is disposed on a
seat 71c, and is covered by a cup-shaped case 71b. A square window
71d is provided in a bottom portion of the case 71b, and a lens 71e
is provided in the square window 71d. The infrared-ray absorbing
film 73 absorbs infrared rays radiated through the lens 71e from a
detecting object, and converts it to heat.
[0105] On the sensor chip 72, sixteen thermoelectric couple
portions Dr1-Dr16 are arranged in a matrix shape with vertical four
rows and horizontal four lines. The thermoelectric couple portions
Dr1-Dr16 are temperature detecting elements each of which converts
heat generated from the infrared ray absorbing film 73 to electric
voltage (i.e., electric energy). In this embodiment, the matrix IR
sensor 70a, 70b is attached to the ceiling portion to be pointed
downwardly such that a sight center line of the matrix IR sensor
70a, 70b is substantially perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear
direction. More specifically, the slight center line of the matrix
IR sensor 70a, 70b can be positioned in a range between a position
shifted from the vertical direction to a vehicle front side by
2.degree. to a position shifted from the vertical direction to a
vehicle rear side by 2.degree..
[0106] FIGS. 4A and 4B show arrangement positions of the matrix IR
sensors 70a, 70b and temperature detection ranges 700a, 700b to be
temperature-detected. FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the
temperature detection range 700a, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view
of the temperature detection range 700b. FIG. 6 shows corresponding
positions of a rear right passenger, the vehicle rear right side
door and window, on the thermoelectric couple portions
Dr1-Dr16.
[0107] The right matrix IR sensor 70a is disposed in the ceiling
portion of the passenger compartment such that the infrared ray
absorbing film 73 is arranged approximately horizontally.
Therefore, the temperature detection range 700a is formed on a
direct vertical lower side of the right matrix IR sensor 70a.
Similarly, the left matrix IR sensor 70b is disposed in the ceiling
portion of the passenger compartment such that the infrared-ray
absorbing film 73 is arranged approximately horizontally.
Therefore, the temperature detection range 700b is formed on a
direct vertical lower side of the right matrix IR sensor 70b.
[0108] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the right matrix IR sensor 70a
is arranged at a position Ra in a rear right arrangement area on
the vehicle ceiling portion. That is, the rear right arrangement
area is a projection area of the range Lr0 (see FIG. 1) from the
frontmost end of the seat cushion portion 30c to the rearmost end
of the seat back portion 31c, projected vertically on the ceiling
portion. The range Lr0 corresponds to the rear seat range in the
vehicle front-rear direction. Further, the arrangement position Ra
in the ceiling portion is provided in the rear right arrangement
area to be offset from a center of the rear right seat in the
vehicle width direction (vehicle right-left direction) to a rear
right window side. Similarly, the left matrix IR sensor 70b is
arranged at a position Rb in a rear left arrangement area on the
vehicle ceiling portion. That is, the rear left arrangement range
is a projection area of the range Lr0 (see FIG. 1) from the
frontmost end of the seat cushion portion 30d to the rearmost end
of the seat back portion 31d, projected vertically on the ceiling
portion. The range Lr0 corresponds to the rear seat range in the
vehicle front-rear direction. Further, the arrangement position Rb
in the ceiling portion is provided in the rear left arrangement
area to be offset from a center of the rear left seat in the
vehicle width direction (vehicle right-left direction) to a rear
left window side. When the rear seat slides by the seat position
adjustment mechanism, the range Lr0 can be enlarged.
[0109] Specifically, the right matrix IR sensor 70a is arranged so
that at least the shoulder portion and the thigh portion of a rear
seat passenger are positioned on the temperature detection range
700a. Similarly, the left matrix IR sensor 70b is arranged so that
at least the shoulder portion and the thigh portion of a rear seat
passenger are positioned on the temperature detection range 700b.
That is, the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b are
non-contact temperature sensors for detecting the surface
temperatures of passengers on the right and rear left seats,
respectively. The air conditioning ECU 8 calculates a surface
temperature of each portion of the passenger compartment based on
output signals from the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a,
70b.
[0110] Each of the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a and 70b can
be position within an upper projection area of a range Lr1 (see
FIG. 1) that is a range between the front end and the rear end of
the seat cushion portion 30c, vertically projected on the ceiling
portion. In this case, it can more effectively restrict the
positions of the shoulder portion and the thigh portion of the
passenger from being offset from the temperature detection range
700a, 700b.
[0111] In the first embodiment, the right matrix IR sensor 70a can
be arranged so that the temperature detection range 700a includes
at least the right side surfaces of the right shoulder portion of
the passenger on the rear right seat, and a trim panel portion and
a window portion of the rear right door. To obtain the temperature
detection range 700a, the right matrix IR sensor 70a is preferably
arranged at a window side on the ceiling portion Ra, with respect
to the center of the rear right seat or the rear left seat. When
the right matrix IR sensor 70a is positioned at the right window
side more than the center of the right seat position of the
passenger, the right side surface of the passenger and the trim
panel portion and the window portion of the rear right door can be
easily contained in the temperature detection range 700a.
Generally, the right side surface of the passenger and the trim
panel portion and the window portion of the rear right door are
easily affected by solar radiation from the right side.
[0112] Similarly, the left matrix IR sensor 70b can be arranged so
that the temperature detection range 700b includes at least the
left side surfaces of the left shoulder portion of the passenger on
the rear left seat, a trim panel portion and a window portion of
the rear left door. To obtain the temperature detection range 700b,
the left matrix IR sensor 70b is preferably arranged at a window
side on the ceiling portion Rb, with respect to the center of the
rear right seat or the rear left seat. When the left matrix IR
sensor 70b is positioned at the left window side more than the
center of the left seat position of the passenger, the left side
surface of the passenger and the trim panel portion and the window
portion of the rear left door can be easily contained in the
temperature detection range 700b. Generally, the left side surface
of the passenger and the trim panel portion and the window portion
of the rear left door are easily affected by solar radiation from
the left side.
[0113] As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B, the temperature
detection ranges 700a, 700b indicated in the matrix shape
correspond to radiation ranges of infrared rays collected on
temperature detection elements by the lends 71e of the matrix IR
sensors 70a, 70b on the same sight. In FIG. 5A, the temperature
detection areas of the temperature detection range 700a indicated
by the Dr1-Dr16 correspond to the temperature detection areas of
the thermoelectric couple portions Dr1-Dr16 that are the
temperature detection elements of the right matrix IR sensor 70a.
In FIG. 5B, the temperature detection areas of the temperature
detection range 700b indicated by the Pa1-Pa16 correspond to the
temperature detection areas of the thermoelectric couple portions
Pa1-Pa16 that are the temperature detection elements of the left
matrix IR sensor 70b. The temperature detection ranges 700a, 700b
indicated in FIGS. 4B, 5A and 5B are the general flat shapes when
being viewed from a vehicle top side.
[0114] FIG. 6 shows a detail example of the temperature detection
range 700a in the rear right air-conditioning zone 1c, due to the
right matrix IR sensor 70a. The temperature detection range 700b in
the rear left air-conditioning zone 1d is substantially symmetrical
to the temperature detection range 700a with respect to a center
line in the vehicle width direction.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 6, the surface temperature of the rear
right window is mainly detected by the thermoelectric couple
portions Dr2 and Dr3 among the rightmost thermoelectric couple
portions Dr1-Dr4. The surface temperatures of trim panels of the
rear right window and the passenger compartment on the rear right
side are generally detected by the thermoelectric couple portions
Dr6 and Dr7. That is, the surface temperatures of the trim panel
portions of the rear right doors and the rear right pillar portion
are generally detected by the thermoelectric couple portions Dr6
and Dr7. The surface temperature of the upper portion of a rear
right passenger RrDr including the head portion and the shoulder
portion of a rear right passenger RrDr are generally detected by
the thermoelectric couple portions Dr9 and Dr13, among the inside
two lines of the thermoelectric couple portions Dr9-Dr12 and
Dr13-Dr16. The surface temperature of the stomach portion of the
rear right passenger RrDr is generally detected by the
thermoelectric couple portions Dr10 and Dr14, among the inside two
lines of the thermoelectric couple portions Dr9-Dr12 and Dr13-Dr16.
Further, the surface temperature of the right thigh portion of the
rear right passenger RrDr is generally detected by the
thermoelectric couple portions Dr11 and Dr12, and the surface
temperature of the left thigh portion of the rear right passenger
RrDr is generally detected by the thermoelectric couple portions
Dr15 and Dr16, among the inside two lines of the thermoelectric
couple portions Dr9-Dr12 and Dr13-Dr16. That is, the surface
temperature of the rear right passenger RrDr including the upper
portion and the thigh portion of the rear right passenger RrDr can
be detected by the inside two lines of the thermoelectric couple
portions Dr9-Dr12 and Dr13-Dr16.
[0116] The right half body of the rear right passenger RrDr is
readily affected by the solar radiation, as compared with the left
half body of the rear right passenger RrDr. In this embodiment,
because the right matrix IR sensor 70a is disposed in the ceiling
portion at the arrangement position Ra on the side of the window
above the rear right seat cushion 30c, the thermoelectric couple
portions Dr9-Dr12 can readily detect the surface temperature of the
right half body of the rear right passenger RrDr.
[0117] Similarly, the surface temperature of the rear left window
is mainly detected by the thermoelectric couple portions Pa2 and
Pa3 among the leftmost thermoelectric couple portions Pa1-Pa4. The
surface temperatures of trim panels of the rear right window and
the passenger compartment on the rear left are generally detected
by the thermoelectric couple portions Pa6 and Pa7. That is, the
surface temperatures of the trim panel portions of the rear left
doors and the rear left pillar portion are generally detected by
the thermoelectric couple portions Pa6 and Pa7. The surface
temperature of the upper portion of a rear lest passenger RrPa
including the head portion and the shoulder portion of the rear
left passenger RrPa are generally detected by the thermoelectric
couple portions Pa9 and Pa13, among the inside two lines of the
thermoelectric couple portions Pa9-Pa12 and Pa13-Pa16. The surface
temperature of the stomach portion of the rear right passenger RrPa
is generally detected by the thermoelectric couple portions Pa10
and Pa14, among the inside two lines of the thermoelectric couple
portions Pa9-Pa12 and Pa13-Pa16. Further, the surface temperature
of the right thigh portion of the rear left passenger RrPa is
generally detected by the thermoelectric couple portions Pa11 and
Pa12, and the surface temperature of the left thigh portion of the
rear left passenger RrPa is generally detected by the
thermoelectric couple portions Pa15 and Pa16, among the inside two
lines of the thermoelectric couple portions Pa9-Pa12 and Pa13-Pa16.
That is, the surface temperature of the rear left passenger RrPa
including the upper portion and the thigh portion of the rear left
passenger Rrpa can be detected by the inside two lines of the
thermoelectric couple portions Pa9-Pa12 and Pa13-Pa16.
[0118] In this embodiment, because the left matrix IR sensor 70b is
disposed in the ceiling portion at the arrangement position Rb on
the side of the window above the rear left seat cushion 30d, the
thermoelectric couple portions Pa9-Pa12 can readily detect the
surface temperature of the left half body of the rear right
passenger RrPa.
[0119] Thus, the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b can
stably detect surface temperatures of the rear right passenger RrDr
and the rear left passenger RrPa from the upper sides of the rear
right passenger RrDr and the rear left passenger RrPa.
[0120] Accordingly, even when the frame and the seated height of
the passenger on the rear seat are changed, the position of the
shoulder portion of a passenger on the rear seat in each
temperature detection range of the matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b is
not largely changed. Accordingly, even when the temperature
detection range is fixed relative to the rear seat position, the
surface temperature of at least the shoulder portion of the
passenger can be stably detected. Further, a position of the thigh
portion of the passenger on each of right and rear left seats,
relative to the temperature detection range, is almost constant
regardless of the frame change of the body of the passenger. Thus,
the thigh portion of the passenger on the rear seat can be also
stably detected. Accordingly, the surface temperature of the
passenger on the rear seat can be accurately detected regardless of
the front seat position and the front seat cover.
[0121] Further, the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b are
arranged in the ceiling portion at the sides of the right and rear
left windows from the seat centers in the vehicle width direction.
Therefore, surface temperatures of the trim panels of the rear door
windows and the trim panels between the rear door windows and a
passenger on the rear seat can be also detected by the matrix IR
sensors 70a, 70b.
[0122] The air conditioning ECU 8 is a well-known device
constructed with an analog/digital converter, a microcomputer, etc.
The air conditioning ECU 8 is constructed such that output signals
respectively outputted from sensors 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and
switches 9, 10, 11, 12 are analog/digital-converted by the
analog/digital converter and are inputted to the microcomputer.
[0123] The microcomputer is a well-known microcomputer constructed
with a memory such as a ROM, a RAM, etc., and a CPU (central
processing unit), etc. When an ignition switch is turned on,
electric power is supplied from an unillustrated battery to the
microcomputer.
[0124] The operation of this embodiment will next be described with
reference to FIGS. 7A to 10. FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts
showing front and rear automatic air conditioning controls of the
air conditioning ECU 8. When electrical power is supplied to the
air conditioning ECU 8, the microcomputer of the air conditioning
ECU 8 executes a computer program stored to the memory in
accordance with the flow charts shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The
execution of this computer program is generally started when the
ignition switch is turned on.
[0125] First, a front air conditioning control will be now
described.
[0126] At step S121 in FIG. 7A, front right and left set
temperature signals TsetFrDr, TsetFrPa from the temperature setting
switch 8, 10 are input. Then, at step S122, an outside air
temperature signal Tam from the outside air temperature sensor 81,
solar radiation signals TsDr, TsPa from the solar radiation sensor
83 and an inside air temperature signal TrFr from the inside air
temperature sensor 84 are input.
[0127] Next, at step S123, a target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr
of air blown out to the air conditioning zone 1a in the passenger
compartment is calculated in accordance with the formula (1) by
using the set temperature signal TsetFrDr, the outside air
temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr and the
inside air temperature signal TrFr. The target blowing-out
temperature TAOFrDr is a necessary target temperature for
maintaining the temperature of the front right air conditioning
zone 1a (driver's seat air conditioning zone) at the set
temperature TsetFrDr.
TAOFrDr=KsetFrDr.times.TsetFrDr-KrFr.times.TrFr-Kam.times.Tam-KsDr.times.T-
sDr+CFrDr (1)
[0128] wherein, KsetFrDr is a front right temperature setting gain,
KrFr is a front inside air temperature gain, Kam is an outside air
temperature gain, KsDr is a right solar radiation gain, and CFrDr
is a front right correction constant.
[0129] Further, a target blowing-out temperature TAOFrPa of air
blown out to the air conditioning zone 1b in the passenger
compartment is calculated in accordance with the formula (2) by
using the set temperature signal TsetFrPa, the outside air
temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsPa and the
inside air temperature signal TrPa. The target blowing-out
temperature TAOFrPa is a necessary target temperature for
maintaining the temperature of the front left air conditioning zone
1b (front passenger's seat air conditioning zone) at the set
temperature TsetFrPa.
TAOFrPa=KsetFrPa.times.TsetFrPa-KrFr.times.TrFr-Kam.times.Tam-KsPa.times.T-
sPa+CFrPa (2)
[0130] wherein, KsetFrPa is a front left temperature setting gain,
KrFr is a front inside air temperature gain, Kam is an outside air
temperature gain, KsPa is a left solar radiation gain, and CFrPa is
a front left correction constant.
[0131] Next, at step S124, one of an inside air circulation mode
and an outside air introduction mode is selected as an
inside/outside air introducing mode based on the control map shown
in FIG. 8, in accordance with an average front target blowing-out
temperature TAOFr. The average front target blowing-out temperature
TAOFr is an average value of the TAOFrPa and TAOFrDr. In the inside
air circulation mode, the inside/outside air switching door 51
fully closes the outside air introduction port 50b and fully opens
the inside air introduction port 50a, so that inside air of the
passenger compartment is introduced only from the inside air
introduction port 50a. In the outside air introduction mode, the
inside/outside air switching door 51 fully opens the outside air
introduction port 50b and fully closes the inside air introduction
port 50a, so that outside air of the passenger compartment is
introduced from the outside air introduction port 50b.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the average front target
blowing-out temperature TAOFr is lower than a first predetermined
temperature, the inside air introduction mode is set. When the
average front target blowing-out temperature TAOFr is higher than a
second predetermined temperature that is higher than the first
predetermined temperature, the outside air introduction mode is
set. When the average front target blowing-out temperature TAOFr is
between the first predetermined temperature and the second
predetermined temperature, an inside/outside air mixing mode can be
set. In the inside/outside air mixing mode, both the inside air and
the outside air are introduced.
[0132] Next, at step S125, an air outlet mode for the front right
air conditioning zone and an air outlet mode for the front left air
conditioning zone are respectively independently determined in
accordance with the graph in FIG. 9 based on the TAOFrDr (TAO) and
the TAOFrPa (TAO). As shown in FIG. 9, the air outlet mode for the
air conditioning zone 1a is automatically changed in this order of
a face mode (FACE), a bi-level mode (B/L) and a foot mode (FOOT) as
the TAOFrDr (TAO) increases. Similarly, the air outlet mode for the
air conditioning zone 1b is automatically changed in this order of
the face mode (FACE), the bi-level mode (B/L) and the foot mode
(FOOT) as the TAOFrPa (TAO) increases. In the face mode,
conditioned air is blown only from the face air outlet 2a (2b)
toward an upper side of a passenger on the front seat in the
passenger compartment. In the foot mode, the foot air outlet is
fully opened so that conditioned air is blown only from the foot
air outlet. Further, in the bi-level mode, conditioned air is blown
from both the face air outlet 2a (2b) and the foot air outlet.
[0133] When the air outlet is determined for each air conditioning
zone 1a or 1b, the servomotors of the air outlet port switching
doors are controlled so that the determined air outlet mode is set
for each air conditioning zone 1a or 1b.
[0134] Next, at step S126, a blower voltage applied to the blower
motor 52a is determined in accordance with control map shown in
FIG. 10, based on the average front target blowing-out temperature
TAOFr (TAO) that is the average value between the TAOFrDr and the
TAOFrPa.
[0135] As shown in FIG. 10, when the average front target
blowing-out temperature TAOFr (TAO) is in a middle temperature
area, the blower voltage is set at a constant value so that the air
amount blown from the blower 52 is set at a constant amount. When
the average front target blowing-out temperature TAOFr (TAO) is
larger than the middle temperature area, the blower voltage is set
larger as the average front target blowing-out temperature TAOFr
(TAO) becomes larger. In contrast, when the average front target
blowing-out temperature TAOFr (TAO) is smaller than the middle
temperature area, the blower voltage is set larger as the average
front target blowing-out temperature TAOFr (TAO) becomes
smaller.
[0136] Next, at step S127, target open degrees .theta.1, .theta.2
of the air mix doors 55a, 55b are calculated in accordance with
formula (3) and formula (4).
.theta.1=[(TAOFrDr-TeFr)/(Tw-TeFr)].times.100 (%) (3)
.theta.2=[(TAOFrPa-TeFr)/(Tw-TeFr)].times.100 (%) (4)
[0137] In the formulas (3) and (4), TeFr is an evaporator air
temperature detected by the evaporator temperature sensor 86, and
Tw is a water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor
82. When .theta.1=0% and .theta.2=0%, the air mix doors 55a, 55b
are operated at the maximum cooling position so that all air after
passing through the front evaporator 53 in the air passages 50c,
50d flows through the bypass passages 51a, 51b. In contrast, when
.theta.1=100% and .theta.2=100%, the air mix doors 55a, 55b are
operated at the maximum heating position so that all air after
passing through the front evaporator 53 in the air passages 50c,
50d flows through the heater core 54.
[0138] Then, at step S128, the control signals of the blower
voltage, the target open degrees .theta.1, .theta.2, the
inside/outside air mode and the air outlet mode determined above
are output to the servomotors 510a, 550a, 550b, 560a and 560b and
the blower motor 52a, so as to control operation of the
inside/outside air switching door 51, the air mix doors 55a, 55b,
the air outlet mode switching doors 56a, 56b and the blower 52.
[0139] After a predetermined time "t" passes at step S129, the
control program returns to step S121, and the automatic control of
the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b are performed by repeating the
above control operation.
[0140] Next, a rear air conditioning control will be now
described.
[0141] At step S221 in FIG. 7B, rear right and left set temperature
signals TsetRrDr, TsetRrPa from the temperature setting switch 11,
12 are input. Then, at step S222, the outside air temperature
signal Tam from the outside air temperature sensor 81, solar
radiation signals TsDr, TsPa from the solar radiation sensor 83 and
an inside air temperature signal TrRr from the inside air
temperature sensor 85 are input. In addition, at step S222, a rear
right temperature Tiric and a rear left temperature Tir1d are
input.
[0142] The rear right temperature Tir1c is calculated in accordance
with the following formula (5) by using a rear right window surface
temperature TirWRrDr, a rear right trim panel temperature TirINRrDr
and a rear right passenger's temperature TirRrDr. As shown in the
formula (5), relative to the parameters TirWRrDr, TirINRrDr and
TirRrDr, weightings 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 are added, respectively, and
the rear right Tir1c is calculated.
Tir1c=0.2.times.TirWRrDr+0.3.times.TirINRrDr+0.5.times.TirRrDr
(5)
[0143] Further, the rear right window surface temperature TirWRrDr,
the rear right trim panel temperature TirINRrDr and the rear right
passenger's temperature TirRrDr in formula (5) are calculated by
using average calculations shown in formulas (6), (7) and (8).
TirWRrDr=(TDr2+TDr3)/2 (6)
TirINRrDr=(TDr6+TDr7)/2 (7)
TirRrDr=(TDr9+TDr10+TDr11+TDr12+TDr13+TDr14+TDr15+TDr16)/8 (8)
[0144] In formulas (6), (7) and (8), TDr2, TDr3, TDr6, TDr7, TDr9,
TDr10, TDr11, TDr12, TDr13, TDr14, TDr15 and TDr16 are detected
temperatures of the thermoelectric couple portions Dr2, Dr3, Dr6,
Dr7, Dr9, Dr10, Dr11, Dr12, Dr13, Dr14, Dr15 and Dr16,
respectively.
[0145] Next, at step S223, a rear right target blowing-out
temperature TAORrDr of air blown out to the air conditioning zone
1c in the passenger compartment is calculated in accordance with
the formula (9) by using the set temperature signal TsetRrDr, the
outside air temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr
and the inside air temperature signal TrRr. The rear right target
blowing-out temperature TAORrDr is a necessary target temperature
for maintaining the temperature of the rear right air conditioning
zone 1c at the set temperature TsetRrDr.
TAORrDr=KsetRrDr.times.TsetRrDr-KirRrDr.times.Trir1c-KrRr.times.TrRr-KsDr.-
times.TsDr-Kam.times.Tam+CRrDr (9)
[0146] wherein, KsetRrDr is a rear right temperature setting gain,
KrRr is a rear inside air temperature gain, Kam is the outside air
temperature gain, KsDr is a right solar radiation gain, and CRrDr
is a rear right correction constant.
[0147] Similarly, the rear left temperature Tir1d is calculated in
accordance with the following formula (10) by using a rear left
window surface temperature TirWRrPa, a rear left trim panel
temperature TirINRrPa and a rear left passenger's temperature
TirRrPa. As shown in formula (10), relative to the parameters
TirWRrPa, TirINRrPa and TirRrPa, weightings 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 are
added, respectively, and the rear left Tirld is calculated.
Tir1d=0.2.times.TirWRrPa+0.3.times.TirINRrPa+0.5.times.TirRrPa
(10)
[0148] Further, the rear left window surface temperature TirWRrPa,
the rear left trim panel temperature TirINRrPa and the rear left
passenger's temperature TirRrPa in formula (10) are calculated by
using average calculations shown in formulas (11), (12) and
(13).
TirWRrPa=(TPa2+TPa3)/2 (11)
TirINRrPa=(TPa6+TPa7)/2 (12)
TirRrPa=(TPa9+TPa10+TPa11+TPa12+TPa13+TPa14+TPa15+TPa16)/8 (13)
[0149] In formulas (11), (12) and (13), TPa2, TPa3, TPa6, TPa7,
TPa9, TPa10, TPa11, TPa12, TPa13, TPa14, TPa15 and TPa16 are
detected temperatures of the thermoelectric couple portions Pa2,
Pa3, Pa6, Pa7, Pa9, Pa10, Pa11, Pa12, Pa13, Pa14, Pa15 and Pa16,
respectively.
[0150] Next, at step S223, a rear left target blowing-out
temperature TAORrPa of air blown out to the air conditioning zone
1d in the passenger compartment is calculated in accordance with
the formula (14) by using the set temperature signal TsetRrPa, the
outside air temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsPa
and the inside air temperature signal TrRr. The rear left target
blowing-out temperature TAORrPa is a necessary target temperature
for maintaining the temperature of the rear left air conditioning
zone 1d at the set temperature TsetRrPa.
TAORrPa=KsetRrPa.times.TsetRrPa-KirRrPa.times.Trir1d-KrRr.times.TrRr-KsPa.-
times.TsPa-Kam.times.Tam+CRrPa (14)
[0151] wherein, KsetRrPa is a rear right temperature setting gain,
KrRr is the rear inside air temperature gain, Kam is the outside
air temperature gain, KsPa is a left solar radiation gain, and
CRrPa is a rear left correction constant.
[0152] Next, at step S225, an air outlet mode for the rear right
air conditioning zone 1c and an air outlet mode for the rear left
air conditioning zone 1d are respectively independently determined
in accordance with the graph in FIG. 9 based on the TAORrDr (TAO)
and the TAORrPa (TAO). As shown in FIG. 9, the air outlet mode for
the air conditioning zone 1c is automatically changed in this order
of a face mode (FACE), a bi-level mode (B/L) and a foot mode (FOOT)
as the TAORrDr (TAO) increases. Similarly, the air outlet mode for
the air conditioning zone 1d is automatically changed in this order
of the face mode (FACE), the bi-level mode (B/L) and the foot mode
(FOOT) as the TAORrPa (TAO) increases.
[0153] In the rear face mode, the face air outlet 2c (2d) is opened
by the switching door 66a (66b) so that conditioned air is blown
only from the face air outlet 2c (2d) toward an upper side of a
passenger on the rear seat in the passenger compartment. In the
foot mode, the foot air outlet is fully opened so that conditioned
air is blown only from the rear foot air outlet toward the lower
side of the passenger on the rear seat in the passenger
compartment. Further, in the bi-level mode, both the face air
outlet 2c (2d) and the foot air outlet are opened so that
conditioned air is blown from both the face air outlet 2c (2d) and
the foot air outlet toward the upper and lower sides of the
passenger on the rear seat in the passenger compartment.
[0154] Next, at step S226, a blower voltage applied to the blower
motor 62a is determined in accordance with control map shown in
FIG. 10, based on the average rear target blowing-out temperature
TAORr (TAO) that is the average value between the TAORrDr and the
TAORrPa.
[0155] As shown in FIG. 10, when the average rear target
blowing-out temperature TAORr (TAO) is in a middle temperature
area, the blower voltage is set at a constant value so that the air
amount blown from the blower 62 is set at a constant amount. When
the average rear target blowing-out temperature TAORr (TAO) is
larger than the middle temperature area, the blower voltage is set
larger as the average front target blowing-out temperature TAORr
(TAO) becomes larger. In contrast, when the average front target
blowing-out temperature TAORr (TAO) is smaller than the middle
temperature area, the blower voltage is set larger as the average
front target blowing-out temperature TAORr (TAO) becomes
smaller.
[0156] Next, at step S227, target open degrees .theta.3, .theta.4
of the air mix doors 65a, 65b are calculated in accordance with
formula (15) and formula (16).
.theta.3=[(TAORrDr-TeRr)/(Tw-TeRr)].times.100 (%) (15)
.theta.4=[(TAORrPa-TeRr)/(Tw-TeRr)].times.100 (%) (16)
[0157] In the formulas (15) and (16), TeRr is an evaporator air
temperature detected by the evaporator temperature sensor 87, and
Tw is the water temperature detected by the water temperature
sensor 82. When .theta.3=0% and .theta.4=0%, the air mix doors 65a,
65b are operated at the maximum cooling position so that all air
after passing through the rear evaporator 63 in the air passages
60c, 60d flows through the bypass passages 61a, 61b. In contrast,
when .theta.3=100% and .theta.4=100%, the air mix doors 65a, 65b
are operated at the maximum heating position so that all air after
passing through the rear evaporator 63 in the air passages 60c, 60d
flows through the heater core 64.
[0158] Then, at step S228, the control signals of the blower
voltage, the target open degrees .theta.3, .theta.4, the
inside/outside air mode and the air outlet mode determined above
are output to the servomotors 650a, 650b, 660a and 660b and the
blower motor 62a, so as to control operation of the air mix doors
65a, 65b, the air outlet mode switching doors 66a, 66b and the
blower 62.
[0159] After a predetermined time "t" passes at step S229, the
control program returns to step S221, and the automatic control of
the air conditioning zones 1c, 1d are performed by repeating the
above control operation.
[0160] As described above, in the first embodiment, the surface
temperature of the rear seat passenger on the rear seat and the
surface temperatures of the rear right and left windows and trim
panels of the rear right and left doors are detected by the matrix
IR sensors 70a, 70b which are arranged in the ceiling portion above
the seat cushion portion and the seat back portions of the rear
seat. Therefore, the shoulder portion and the thigh portion of the
passenger on the rear seat can be stably detected without depending
on the frame of the passenger's body.
[0161] Furthermore, because the matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b are
disposed in the ceiling portion above the right and rear left seats
at right and rear left window sides, the matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b
can easily detect the surface temperatures of the rear windows and
the trim panels around the rear doors in the same detection range
as the surface temperature of the passenger on the rear seat.
[0162] In the calculation of the rear right target blowing-out
temperature TAORrDr of air blown to the rear right air conditioning
zone 1c, the influence of the side solar radiation from the rear
right window is corrected by weighting calculation due to the rear
right window surface temperature TirWRrDr and the rear right trim
panel temperature TirINDr. In addition, a temperature increase of
the thigh portion of the rear seat passenger relative to the side
solar radiation from the rear right window is also corrected.
Accordingly, the influence of the solar radiation to the rear right
passenger can be accurately estimated.
[0163] Similarly, in the calculation of the rear left target
blowing-out temperature TAORrPa of air blown to the rear left air
conditioning zone 1d, the influence of the side solar radiation
from the rear left window is corrected by weighting calculation due
to the rear left window surface temperature TirWRrPa and the rear
left trim panel temperature TirINPa. In addition, a temperature
increase of the thigh portion of the rear seat passenger relative
to the side solar radiation from the rear left window is also
corrected. Accordingly, the influence of the solar radiation to the
rear left passenger can be accurately estimated.
[0164] Because the rear right and left target blowing-out
temperatures TAORrDr and TAORrPa are detected respectively
independently. Therefore, comfortable air conditioning performance
for the passengers on the rear right seat and the rear left seat of
the passenger compartment can be improved.
[0165] (Second Embodiment)
[0166] The second embodiment of the present invention of the
present invention will be now described with reference to FIGS.
11-13. In the second embodiment, the structure of matrix sensors
70a, 70b that are a non-contact temperature sensor 70 is different
from that of the above-described first embodiment.
[0167] As shown in FIG. 11, the non-contact temperature sensor 70
of the second embodiment includes the right matrix IR sensor 70a
arranged to face toward the rear right passenger RrDr, and the left
matrix IR sensor 70b arranged to face toward the rear left
passenger RrPa. The right matrix IR sensor 70a and the left matrix
IR sensor 70b are arranged on the ceiling portion adjacent to each
other. The matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b are contained in a single
package (casing), and the package is arranged at a suitable
position in the passenger compartment. Both the matrix IR sensors
70a, 70b have the same structure.
[0168] Infrared rays, radiated from a detecting subject of a
temperature detection range on the same sight of the rear right air
conditioning zone 1c, enters to the right matrix IR sensor 70a
through a right lens 71e. Further, infrared rays, radiated from a
detecting subject of a temperature detection range on the same
sight of the rear left air conditioning zone 1d, enters to the left
Matrix IR sensor 70b through the left lens 71e.
[0169] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the non-contact temperature
sensor 70 is arranged in the ceiling portion approximately at a
center position Rc in the vehicle right-left direction within an
area Lr0 (see FIG. 1) between the front end of the seat cushion
portion 30 of the rear seat and the seat back portion 31 of the
rear seat. More preferably, the non-contact temperature sensor 70
is arranged in the ceiling portion approximately at the center
position Rc in the vehicle right-left direction in an area Lr1 (see
FIG. 1) between the front end of the seat cushion portion 30 of the
rear seat and the rear end of the seat cushion portion 30 of the
rear seat. Accordingly, the non-contact temperature sensor 70 is
positioned to view the passengers on the rear right and left seats
from an upper side of the passengers directly above the rear seat.
Therefore, it can restrict positions of the shoulder portion and
the thigh portions of the rear seat passengers from being offset
from the temperature detection range of the right and left matrix
IR sensors 70a, 70b.
[0170] Further, a sensor chip 72 and the right lens 71e of the
right matrix IR sensor 70a of the non-contact temperature sensor 70
are arranged to face to the rear right passenger and to be tilted
to a right outside by a predetermined angle .phi. relative to the
center line A of FIG. 11 perpendicular to the vehicle right-left
direction. Similarly, a sensor chip 72 and the left lens 71e of the
left matrix IR sensor 70b of the non-contact temperature sensor 70
are arranged to face to the rear left passenger and to be tilted to
a left outside by a predetermined angle .phi. relative to the
center line A of FIG. 11 perpendicular to the vehicle right-left
direction. That is, the center line of the non-contact temperature
sensor 70 is set to be substantially perpendicular to the vehicle
front-rear direction.
[0171] As shown in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B, infrared rays are entered
in a range of the predetermined angle .phi. (e.g., 70.degree.) from
the vicinities of the rear right passenger and the rear left
passenger, with respect to the surface of the right sensor chip 72
of the right matrix IR sensor 70a and the surface of the left
sensor chip 72 of the left matrix IR sensor 70b. The surface of the
right sensor chip 72 is the detection surface of the right matrix
IR sensor 70a, and the surface of the left sensor chip 72 is the
detection surface of the left matrix IR sensor 70b.
[0172] Similarly to the temperature detection portion 71 of the
matrix IR sensor of the above-described first embodiment, each of
the right matrix IR sensor 70a and the left right matrix IR sensor
70b is constructed with 16 temperature detection elements. The 16
temperature detection elements include the infrared ray absorbing
film 73, and the thermoelectric couple portions Dr1-Dr16,
Pa1-Pa16.
[0173] Electrical signals generated from the temperature detection
elements of the right matrix IR sensor 70a and the left matrix IR
sensor 70b are input to a sensor process circuit 71f shown in FIG.
11. As shown in FIG. 11, the sensor process circuit 71f is
connected to an input side of the air conditioning ECU 8 through a
connector 71g.
[0174] Next, the temperature detection range of the non-contact
temperature sensor 70 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention will be now described. FIG. 13 shows a
temperature detection range 700a of the right matrix IR sensor 70
in the non-contact temperature sensor 70. As shown in FIG. 13, the
16 temperature detection elements of the right matrix IR sensor 70a
facing toward the rear right passenger RrDr are arranged in four
rows and four lines. Specifically, the thermoelectric couple
portions of the right matrix IR sensor 70a are arranged in four
lines of Dr1-Dr4, Dr5-Dr8, Dr9-Dr12 and Dr13-Dr16 in this order
from the rightmost portion of the rear right window side to a
center portion (inner side) in the vehicle right-left direction.
Further, in each line of the thermoelectric couple portions, Dr1,
Dr2, Dr3 and Dr4 are arranged in this order from a vehicle rear
side to a vehicle front side, Dr5, Dr6, Dr7 and Dr8 are arranged in
this order from the vehicle rear side to the vehicle front side,
Dr9, Dr10, Dr11 and Dr12 are arranged in this order from the
vehicle rear side to the vehicle front side, and Dr13, Dr14, Dr15
and Dr16 are arranged in this order from the vehicle rear side to
the vehicle front side.
[0175] The temperature detection range 700b of the left matrix IR
sensor 70b arranged to face the rear left passenger RrPa is set
symmetrically to the temperature detection range 700a of FIG. 13,
with respect to the center line in the vehicle right-left
direction. Similarly to the right matrix IR sensor 70a, 16
temperature detection elements of the left matrix IR sensor 70b
facing toward the rear left passenger RrPa are arranged in four
rows and four lines. Specifically, the thermoelectric couple
portions are arranged in four lines of Pa1-Pa4, Pa5-Pa8, Pa9-Pa12
and Pa13-Pa16 in this order from the rightmost portion of the rear
left window side to the center portion (inner side) in the vehicle
right-left direction.
[0176] Temperatures TDr3, TDr4 corresponding to the surface
temperature of the rear right window are detected by the
thermoelectric couple portions Dr3, Dr4 positioned right side among
the thermoelectric couple portions Dr1, Dr2, Dr3, Dr4. Then, a rear
right window surface temperature TirWRrDr is calculated in
accordance with the formula (17).
TirWRrDr=(TDr3+TDr4)/2 (17)
[0177] Further, temperatures TDr7, TDr8 corresponding to the
surface temperature of the trim panel of the rear right door are
detected by the thermoelectric couple portions Dr7, Dr8. Then, a
surface temperature TirINRrDr of the rear right trim panel is
calculated in accordance with the formula (18).
TirINRrDr=(TDr7+TDr8)/2 (18)
[0178] In addition, temperatures TDr9-TDr16 corresponding to the
surface temperature of the rear right passenger RrDr are detected
by the thermoelectric couple portions Dr9-Dr16. Then, a surface
temperature TirRrDr of the rear right side passenger is calculated
in accordance with the formula (19).
TirRrDr=(TDr9+TDr10+TDr11+TDr12+TDr13+TDr14TDr15+TDr16)/8 (19)
[0179] Similarly, temperatures TPa3, TPa4 corresponding to the
surface temperature of the rear right window are detected by the
thermoelectric couple portions Pa3, Pa4 positioned at left side
among the thermoelectric couple portions Pa1, Pa2, Pa3, Pa4. Then,
a rear left window surface temperature TirWRrPa is calculated in
accordance with the formula (20).
TirWRrPa=(TPa3+TPa4)/2 (20)
[0180] Further, temperatures TPa7, TPa8 corresponding to the
surface temperature of the trim panel of the rear left door are
detected by the thermoelectric couple portions Pa7, Pa8. Then, a
surface temperature TirINRrPa of the rear left trim panel is
calculated in accordance with the formula (21).
TirINRrPa=(TPa7+TPa8)/2 (21)
[0181] In addition, temperatures TPa9-TPa16 corresponding to the
surface temperature of the rear left passenger RrPa are detected by
the eight thermoelectric couple portions Pa9-Pa16. Then, a surface
temperature TirRrPa of the rear left side passenger is calculated
in accordance with the formula (22).
TirRrPa=(TPa9+TPa10+TPa11+TPa12+TPa13+TPa14 TPa15+TPa16)/8 (22)
[0182] In the second embodiment, because the non-contact
temperature sensor 70 is arranged in the ceiling portion
approximately at the center position Rc so that the right and left
matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b face toward the rear right and left
passengers. Accordingly, even when the frame of the passenger body
on the rear seat is changed, a position change of the shoulder
portion and the thigh portion of the rear passenger in the
temperature detection range 700a, 700b can be made smaller.
[0183] Furthermore, the sensor process circuit 71f for processing
the detection signals of both the right and left matrix IR sensors
70a, 70b is used in common for both the right and left matrix IR
sensors 70a, 70b. Therefore, the structure of the non-contact
temperature sensor 70 can be made simple.
[0184] The control operation of the second embodiment will be now
described. Similarly to the above-described first embodiment, air
conditioning control is performed in accordance with the flow
charts shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and control maps shown in FIGS.
8-10. Specifically, at steps S123 in FIG. 7A and step S223 in FIG.
7B, a rear right target blowing-out temperature TAORrDr and a rear
left target blowing-out temperature TAORrPa are calculated in
accordance with the above formulas (5) and (10). In formulas (5)
and (10), the calculations of the rear right temperature Tir1c and
the rear left temperature Tir1d are similar to that of the
above-described first embodiment. However, in the second
embodiment, the rear right and left window surface temperatures
TirWRrDr, TirWRrPa, the trim panel surface temperatures TirINRrDr,
TirINRrPa of the rear doors and the passenger's surface
temperatures TirRrDr, TirRrPa are calculated as described above in
formulas (17)-(19) and (20)-(22). The other control operations are
similar to those of the above-described first embodiment.
[0185] In the second embodiment, similarly to the matrix IR sensor
70a, 70b of the first embodiment, the matrix IR sensor 70a, 70b can
be attached to the ceiling portion to be pointed downwardly such
that a sight center line of the non-contact temperature sensor 70
including the right and left matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b is
substantially perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction.
More specifically, the slight center line of the matrix IR sensor
70 can be positioned in a range between a position shifted from the
vertical direction to a vehicle front side by 2.degree. to a
position shifted from the vertical direction to a vehicle rear side
by 2.degree..
[0186] (Third Embodiment)
[0187] The third embodiment of the present invention will be now
described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15A and 15B.
[0188] In the above-described first embodiment, the air
conditioning control for each front air conditioning zone 1a, 1b is
performed without using the detected surface temperature of the
non-contact temperature sensor. However, matrix IR sensors 70c, 70d
having the same structure as the matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b of the
first embodiment can be used for the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b.
In this case, an air conditioning control for the air conditioning
zone 1a and an air conditioning control for the air conditioning
zone 1b can be respectively independently performed by using the
surface temperatures detected by the matrix IR sensors 70c,
70d.
[0189] As shown in FIGS. 14, 15A and 15B, the matrix IR sensor 70c
is disposed in the ceiling portion at a position Rcf above the
front right passenger in a range Lf0, on a front right window side
from the center portion of the front right seat. Here, the range
Lf0 is a range between the front end of the seat cushion portion
30a, 30b and the rear end of the seat back portion 31a, 31b of the
front seat. More preferably, the matrix IR sensor 70c is arranged
in the ceiling portion in a range Lf1 between the front end and the
rear end of the seat cushion portion 30a, 30b of the front seat. In
this case, the matrix IR sensor 70c readily detects the surface
temperature of the passenger on the front right seat, the surface
temperatures of the trim panel portion and window portion of the
front right door. That is, the temperature detecting range 700c of
the matrix IR sensor 70c readily contains the surface temperature
of the passenger on the front right seat, the surface temperatures
of the trim panel portion and window portion of the front right
door.
[0190] Similarly, the matrix IR sensor 70d is disposed in the
ceiling portion at a position Rdf above the front left passenger in
the range Lf0, on a front left window side from the center portion
of the front left seat. More preferably, the matrix IR sensor 70d
is arranged in the ceiling portion in the range Lf1 (see FIG. 14).
In this case, the matrix IR sensor 70d readily detects the surface
temperature of the passenger on the front left seat, the surface
temperatures of the trim panel portion and window portion of the
front left door. That is, the temperature detecting range 700d of
the matrix IR sensor 70d readily contains the surface temperature
of the passenger on the front left seat, the surface temperatures
of the trim panel portion and window portion of the front left
door.
[0191] The thermoelectric couple portions of the front matrix IR
sensors 70c, 70d are indicated by the same reference numbers
Dr1-Dr16, Pa1-Pa16 of the rear matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b indicated
in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the above-described first embodiment.
[0192] Further, the front target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr
for the front air conditioning zone 1a and the front target
blowing-out temperature TAOFrPr for the front air conditioning zone
1b are calculated similarly to the TAORrDr and TAORrPa of the
above-described first embodiment.
[0193] The front right target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr of
air blown out to the air conditioning zone 1a in the passenger
compartment is calculated in accordance with the formula (23) by
using the set temperature signal TsetFrDr, the outside air
temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr, the inside
air temperature signal TrRr and a front right surface temperature
Tir1a of the matrix IR sensor 70c. The target blowing-out
temperature TAOFrDr is a necessary target temperature for
maintaining the temperature of the front right air conditioning
zone 1a at the set temperature TsetFrDr.
TAOFrDr=KsetFrDr.times.TsetFrDr-KirFrDr.times.Tir1a-KrFr.times.TrFr-KsDr.t-
imes.TsDr-Kam.times.Tam+CFrDr (23)
[0194] wherein, KsetFrDr is a front right temperature setting gain,
KrFr is a front inside air temperature gain, Kam is the outside air
temperature gain, KsDr is a right solar radiation gain, and CFrDr
is a front right correction constant.
[0195] Here, the front right surface temperature Tirla is
calculated in accordance with the following formula (24) by using a
front right window surface temperature TirWFrDr, a front right trim
panel temperature TirINFrDr and a front right passenger's
temperature TirFrDr.
Tir1a=0.2.times.TirWFrDr+0.3.times.TirINFrDr+0.5.times.TirFrDr
(24)
[0196] The front right window surface temperature TirWFrDr, the
front right trim panel temperature TirINFrDr and the front right
passenger's temperature TirFrDr can be calculated by using the
average calculation shown in the formulas (17), (18) and (19).
[0197] The front left target blowing-out temperature TAOFrPr of air
blown out to the air conditioning zone 1b in the passenger
compartment is calculated in accordance with the formula (25) by
using the set temperature signal TsetFrPr, the outside air
temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr, the inside
air temperature signal TrFr and a front left surface temperature
Tirlb of the matrix IR sensor 70d. The target blowing-out
temperature TAOFrPr is a necessary target temperature for
maintaining the temperature of the front left air conditioning zone
1b at the set temperature TsetFrPr.
TAOFrPa=KsetFrPa.times.TsetFrPa-KirFrPa.times.Tir1b-KrFr.times.TrFr-KsPa.t-
imes.TsPa-Kam.times.Tam+CFrPa (25)
[0198] wherein, KsetFrPa is a front left temperature setting gain,
KrFr is a front inside air temperature gain, Kam is the outside air
temperature gain, KsPa is a left solar radiation gain, and CFrPa is
a front left correction constant.
[0199] Here, the front left surface temperature Tirlb is calculated
in accordance with the following formula (26) by using a front left
window surface temperature TirWFrPa, a front left trim panel
temperature TirINFrPa and a front left passenger's temperature
TirFrPa.
Tir1d=0.2.times.TirWFrPa+0.3.times.TirINFrPa+0.5.times.TirFrPa
(26)
[0200] The front left window surface temperature TirWFrPa, the
front left trim panel temperature TirINFrPa and the front left
passenger's temperature TirFrPa can be calculated by using the
average calculation shown in the formulas (20), (21) and (22).
[0201] The other front air conditioning controls using the front
target blowing-out temperatures TAOFrDr, TAOFrPa are similar to
those of the above-described first embodiment.
[0202] In the third embodiment, the temperatures of the driver and
front passenger on the front seats and the temperatures of the trim
panels and windows of the front right and left doors are detected,
and the target air temperatures for the air conditioning zones 1a,
1b are calculated to consider both the passenger's temperatures and
the solar radiation. Therefore, comfortable air conditioning can be
provided for each of the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b.
[0203] In the third embodiment, the rear air conditioning operation
is similar to that of the above-described first embodiment.
[0204] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0205] The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be now
described with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.
[0206] In the above-described second embodiment, the air
conditioning control for each air conditioning zone 1a, 1b is
performed without using the detected surface temperature of the
non-contact sensor. However, a non-contact temperature sensor 70f
having the same structure as the non-contact temperature sensor 70
of the second embodiment can be used for the air conditioning zones
1a, 1b. In this case, an air conditioning control for the air
conditioning zone 1a and an air conditioning control for the air
conditioning zone 1b can be respectively independently performed by
using the surface temperature detected by the non-contact
temperature sensor 70f.
[0207] As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the non-contact temperature
sensor 70f is disposed in the ceiling portion at a center position
Rcf in the vehicle right-left direction on a vehicle front seat
side within the range Lf0. More preferably, the non-sensor 70f is
arranged in the ceiling portion in the range Lf1 between the front
end and the rear end of the seat cushion portion 30a, 30b. In this
case, the non-contact temperature sensor 70f readily detects the
surface temperature of the passenger on each front seat, the
surface temperatures of the trim panel portion and window portion
of the front door, similarly to the above-described second
embodiment. That is, the non-contact temperature sensor 70f has
right and left matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b, similarly to those of
non-contact temperature sensor 70 of the above-described second
embodiment. Therefore, the temperature detection range 700a of the
front right matrix IR sensor 70a of the non-contact temperature
sensor 70f readily contains the shoulder portion and the thigh
portion of the driver on the front right seat, the surface
temperatures of trim panel portion and window portion of the front
right door. Similarly, the temperature detection range 700b of the
front left matrix IR sensor 70b of the non-contact temperature
sensor 70f readily contains the shoulder portion and the thigh
portion of the front passenger on the front left seat, the surface
temperatures of trim panel portion and window portion of the front
left door.
[0208] The thermoelectric couple portions of the front matrix IR
sensors 70a, 70b of the non-contact temperature sensor 70f are
indicated by the same reference numbers Dr1-Dr16, Pa1-Pa16 of the
rear matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b of the non-contact temperature
sensor 70 of the above-described second embodiment.
[0209] Further, the front target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr
for the front air conditioning zone 1a and the front target
blowing-out temperature TAOFrPr for the front air conditioning zone
1b are calculated similarly to the TAORrDr and TAORrPa of the
above-described second embodiment.
[0210] The target blowing-out temperature TAORrDr of air blown out
to the air conditioning zone 1a in the passenger compartment is
calculated in accordance with the formula (23) by using the set
temperature signal TsetFrDr, the outside air temperature signal
Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr, the inside air temperature
signal TrRr and a front right surface temperature Tir1a of the
matrix IR sensor 70a of the non-contact temperature sensor 70f. The
target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr is a necessary target
temperature for maintaining the temperature of the front right air
conditioning zone 1a at the set temperature TsetFrDr.
[0211] The target blowing-out temperature TAOFrPr of air blown out
to the air conditioning zone 1b in the passenger compartment is
calculated in accordance with the formula (25) by using the set
temperature signal TsetFrPr, the outside air temperature signal
Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr, the inside air temperature
signal TrFr and a front left surface temperature Tir1b of the
matrix IR sensor 70b of the non-contact temperature sensor 70f. The
target blowing-out temperature TAOFrPr is a necessary target
temperature for maintaining the temperature of the front left air
conditioning zone 1b at the set temperature TsetFrPr.
[0212] The other front air conditioning controls using the front
target blowing-out temperatures TAOFrDr, TAOFrPa are similar to
those of the above-described first embodiment.
[0213] In the fourth embodiment, the temperatures of the driver and
front passenger on the front seats and the temperatures of the trim
panels and windows of the front right and left doors are detected
by using the non-contact temperature sensor 70f, and the target air
temperatures for the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b are calculated
to consider both the passenger's temperatures and the solar
radiation. Therefore, comfortable air conditioning can be provided
for each of the air conditioning zones 1a, 1b.
[0214] In the fourth embodiment, the rear air conditioning
operation is same as the that of the above-described second
embodiment.
[0215] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0216] The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be now
described with reference to FIGS. 17-22. In the above-described
first and second embodiments, the front air conditioning control is
performed without using a surface temperature detected by the
non-contact temperature sensor. However, in the third embodiment,
the front right and left air conditioning controls are performed
also using surface temperature detected by a non-contact
temperature sensor.
[0217] In the fifth embodiment, IR sensors 70a, 70b, 70c and 70d
used as the non-contact temperature sensors are disposed to detect
the surface temperatures of the air conditioning zones 1a-1d.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 20A, 20B, the non-contact
temperature sensor 70a is disposed to detect the surface
temperature of the rear right air conditioning zone 1c, the
non-contact temperature sensor 70b is disposed to detect the
surface temperature of the rear left air conditioning zone 1d, the
non-contact temperature sensor 70c is disposed to detect the
surface temperature of the front right air conditioning zone 1a,
and the non-contact temperature sensor 70d is disposed to detect
the surface temperature of the front left air conditioning zone
1b.
[0218] The IR sensors 70a-70d have the same structure shown in
FIGS. 18 and 19. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, each of the IR
sensors 70a-70b includes a square detection portion 71a (detection
element) disposed on a substrate 71c. The detection portion 71a is
disposed to detect infrared rays and is covered by a cup-shaped
case 71b. A square window 71d is provided in a bottom portion of
the case 71b, and a cover 71e is provided in the window 71d.
Further, the detection portion 71a is disposed to be separated from
the window 71d by a suitable distance S so that a temperature
detecting angle .alpha. (sight angle) can be adjusted. Accordingly,
the temperature detection range (sight range) of each IR sensor
70a, 70b, 70c, 70d can be set to a predetermined shape by adjusting
the shape of the window 71d and the distance S. In FIG. 19. L1
indicates a length of the temperature detection portion 71c, L2 is
a length of the window 71d.
[0219] FIGS. 20A and 20B show the arrangement positions of the IR
sensors 70a-70d. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the IR sensors
70a-70d are arranged in the ceiling portion at window sides more
than position centers (body centers of passengers) of the seats in
the air conditioning zones 1a-1d. Furthermore, the IR sensors 70a,
70b are disposed in the ceiling portion above the area Lr0 between
the front end of the seat cushion portion 30c, 30d and the rear end
of the seat back portion 31c, 31d. More preferably, the IR sensors
70a, 70b are disposed in the ceiling portion above the area Lr1
between the front end of the seat cushion portion 30c, 30d and the
rear end of the seat cushion portion 30c, 30d. Similarly, the IR
sensors 70c, 70d are disposed in the ceiling portion above an area
Lf0 between the front end of the seat cushion portion 30a, 30b and
the rear end of the seat back portion 31a, 31b. More preferably,
the IR sensors 70c, 70d are disposed in the ceiling portion above
the area Lf1 between the front end of the seat cushion portion 30a,
30b and the rear end of the seat cushion portion 30a, 30b.
[0220] Further, in the fifth embodiment, the IR sensors 70a-70d are
arranged so that each of the temperature detection ranges (sight
ranges) 700a-700d of the IR sensors 70a-70d faces toward the upper
surface of the shoulder portion of a passenger on the window
side.
[0221] FIG. 21 is an example showing the sight range (temperature
detection range) of the rear right IR sensor 70a. As shown in FIG.
21, the upper portion of the rear right shoulder portion of the
rear right passenger adjacent to the rear right window is mainly
contained in the temperature detection range of the rear right IR
sensor 70a.
[0222] In the fifth embodiment, each of the IR sensors 70a-70d is
disposed to view the shoulder portion adjacent to the side window
from the vehicle ceiling portion downwardly in a vertical
direction. Accordingly, even when the position of the shoulder
portion of the passenger is changed in the vertical direction due
to a change of the seated height or the posture of the passenger,
it can restrict the shoulder portion of the passenger from being
offset from the temperature detection range. Thus, the surface
temperature of the shoulder portion of the passenger on each seat
can be stably detected.
[0223] In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, detected
surface temperatures of the IR sensors 70a-70d are also input to
the air conditioning ECU 8.
[0224] Next, calculations of right and left target blowing-out
temperatures TAOFrDr, TAOFrPa for performing front air conditioning
control will be now described. In the fifth embodiment, the surface
temperatures detected by the IR sensors 70c, 70d are used instead
of the inside air temperature TrFr, as compared with the
above-described first embodiment.
[0225] The target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr of air blown out
to the air conditioning zone 1a in the passenger compartment is
calculated in accordance with the formula (27) by using the set
temperature signal TsetFrDr, the outside air temperature signal
Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr and the surface temperature
signal TirFrDr. The target blowing-out temperature TAOFrDr is a
necessary target temperature for maintaining the temperature of the
front right air conditioning zone 1a (driver's seat air
conditioning zone) at the set temperature TsetFrDr. Here, the
surface temperature signal TirFrDr is sent from the IR sensor 70c
(non-contact temperature sensor).
TAOFrDr=KsetFrDr.times.TsetFrDr-KirFrDr.times.TirFrDr-Kam.times.Tam-KsDr.t-
imes.TsDr+CFrDr (27)
[0226] wherein, KsetFrDr is a front right temperature setting gain
(e.g., KsetFrDr=7.0), KirFrDr is a front right surface temperature
gain (e.g., KirFrDr=3.0), Kam is an outside air temperature gain
(e.g., Kam=1.1), KsDr is right solar radiation gain (e.g.,
KsDr=0.42), and CFrDr is a front right correction constant. In this
embodiment, the CFrDr is set to be corrected based on the graph of
FIG. 22. Generally, the correction constant is set so that the
target air temperature TAO becomes lower as the outside air
temperature Tam increases.
[0227] The target blowing-out temperature TAOFrPa of air blown out
to the air conditioning zone 1b in the passenger compartment is
calculated in accordance with the formula (28) by using the set
temperature signal TsetFrPa, the outside air temperature signal
Tam, the solar radiation signal TsPa and the surface temperature
signal TirFrPa. The target blowing-out temperature TAOFrPa is a
necessary target temperature for maintaining the temperature of the
front left air conditioning zone 1b (front passenger's seat air
conditioning zone) at the set temperature TsetFrPa. Here, the
surface temperature signal TirFrPa is sent from the IR sensor 70d
(non-contact temperature sensor).
TAOFrPa=KsetFrPa.times.TsetFrPa-KirFrPa.times.TirFrPa-Kam.times.Tam-KsPa.t-
imes.TsPa+CFrPa (28)
[0228] wherein, KsetFrPa is a front left temperature setting gain
(e.g., KsetFrPa=7.0), KirFrPa is a front left surface temperature
gain (e.g., KirFrDr=3.0), Kam is an outside air temperature gain
(e.g., Kam=1.1), KsPa is left solar radiation gain (e.g.,
KsDr=0.42), and CFrPa is a front left correction constant. In this
embodiment, the CFrPa is also set to be corrected based on the
graph of FIG. 22.
[0229] The other front air-conditioning control operations using
the target blowing-out temperatures TAOFrDr, TAOFrPa are similar to
those of the above-described first embodiment.
[0230] Next, calculations of right and left target blowing-out
temperatures TAORrDr, TAORrPa for performing rear air conditioning
control will be now described. In this embodiment, the surface
temperatures detected by the IR sensors 70a, 70b are also used.
[0231] The target blowing-out temperature TAORrDr of air blown out
to the air conditioning zone 1c in the passenger compartment is
calculated in accordance with the formula (29) by using the set
temperature signal TsetRrDr, the outside air temperature signal
Tam, the solar radiation signal TsDr and the surface temperature
signal TirRrDr. The target blowing-out temperature TAORrDr is a
necessary target temperature for maintaining the temperature of the
rear right air conditioning zone 1c at the set temperature
TsetRrDr. Here, the surface temperature signal TirRrDr is sent from
the IR sensor 70a (non-contact temperature sensor).
TAORrDr=KsetRrDr.times.TsetRrDr-KirRrDr.times.TirRrDr-Kam.times.Tam-KsDr.t-
imes.TsDr+CRrDr (29)
[0232] wherein, KsetRrDr is a rear right temperature setting gain
(e.g., KsetRrDr=7.0), KirRrDr is a rear right surface temperature
gain (e.g., KirRrDr=3.0), Kam is an outside air temperature gain
(e.g., Kam=1.1), KsDr is right solar radiation gain (e.g.,
KsDr=0.42), and CRrDr is a rear right correction constant. In this
embodiment, the CRrDr is set to be corrected based on the graph of
FIG. 22.
[0233] Further, the target blowing-out temperature TAORrPa of air
blown out to the air conditioning zone 1d in the passenger
compartment is calculated in accordance with the formula (30) by
using the set temperature signal TsetRrPa, the outside air
temperature signal Tam, the solar radiation signal TsPa and the
surface temperature signal TirRrPa. The target blowing-out
temperature TAORrPa is a necessary target temperature for
maintaining the temperature of the rear left air conditioning zone
1d at the set temperature TsetRrPa. Here, the surface temperature
signal TirRrPa is sent from the IR sensor 70b (non-contact
temperature sensor).
TAORrPa=KsetRrPa.times.TsetRrPa-KirRrPa.times.TirRrPa-Kam.times.Tam-KsPa.t-
imes.TsPa+CFrPa (30)
[0234] wherein, KsetRrPa is a rear left temperature setting gain
(e.g., KsetRrPa=7.0), KirRrPa is a rear left surface temperature
gain (e.g., KirRrPa=3.0), Kam is an outside air temperature gain
(e.g., Kam=1.1), KsPa is left solar radiation gain (e.g.,
KsPa=0.42), and CRrPa is a rear left correction constant. In this
embodiment, the CRrPa is also set to be corrected based on the
graph of FIG. 22.
[0235] The other rear air-conditioning control operations using the
target blowing-out temperatures TAORrDr, TAORrPa are similar to
those of the above-described first embodiment.
[0236] According to the fifth embodiment, the IR sensor 70c is
arranged above the right-window side shoulder portion of the
passenger on the front right seat, and the IR sensor 70d is
arranged above the left-window side shoulder portion of the
passenger on the front left seat, the IR sensor 70a is arranged
above the right-window side shoulder portion of the passenger on
the rear right seat, the IR sensor 70d is arranged above the
left-window side shoulder portion of the passenger on the rear left
seat. Accordingly, even if the shoulder position of the passenger
is changed in the vertical direction, it can restrict the upper
portion of the passenger's shoulder portion of the temperature
detecting object from being offset from the temperature detection
range of each IR sensor 70a-70d. Therefore, the temperature of the
shoulder portion of the passenger can be accurately detected.
[0237] Because the target blowing-out temperature of air to be
blown to the passenger compartment is calculated using the detected
temperatures of the IR sensors 70a-70d, and is corrected by
estimating a clothing amount of each passenger in accordance with
the outside air temperature Tam. Therefore, air conditioning
operation comfortable for each passenger in the passenger
compartment can be performed.
[0238] (Other Embodiments)
[0239] Although the present invention has been fully described in
connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to
the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes
and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0240] In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
5A, the temperature detection range 700a to be detected is fixed
and is divided by 16 ranges Dr1-Dr16. However, the temperature
detection range 700a to be detected can be expanded and can be
divided into Dr1-Dr16 and DrE1-DrE4 in accordance with seat
positions detected by the seat position detection units 1ap, 1bp,
1cp (see FIG. 2). For example, when the seat position of the rear
right seat of the passenger compartment is normal, the air
conditioning control is performed in accordance with the ranges
Dr1-Dr16 of the temperature detection range 700a. In contrast, for
example, when the seat position of the rear right seat is detected
to be shifted to a vehicle rear side from the normal position, the
temperature detection range 700a is shifted to the vehicle rear
side so that air conditioning control is performed by also using
the ranges DrE1-DrE4 as the temperature detection range 700a.
[0241] FIG. 24 shows a control process for determining a using area
of the temperature detection range 700a when the seat (e.g., rear
right seat) is shifted in a vehicle front-rear direction from the
normal position. At step S300, it is determined whether or not the
position of the seat (e.g., rear right seat) detected by the seat
position detection unit 1ap, 1bp and 1cp is in the normal position.
When the detected seat position is in the normal position, air
conditioning control is performed using the general ranges Dr1-Dr16
of the temperature detection range 700a at step S310. In contrast,
when the seat position is determined to be shifted to the vehicle
rear side, the ranges DrE1, DrE2, DrE3 and DrE4 are used instead of
the ranges Dr4, Dr8, Dr12 and Dr16 in the temperature detection
range 700a. That is, the temperature detection range to be used in
the air conditioning control can be selected in accordance with the
seat position in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[0242] Similarly to the temperature detection range 700a, the
temperature detection range 700b, 700c, 700d can be shifted in
accordance with the seat position in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
[0243] In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the
matrix IR sensors 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d each having plural
thermoelectric couple portions arranged in the matrix shape are
used as the non-contact temperature sensor. However, a non-contact
temperature sensor having a single temperature detection element
can be used. In this case, the passage of the infrared rays can be
scanned in the second dimension along the temperature detection
range. For example, the structure of the non-contact temperature
sensor described in JP-9-159531 can be used.
[0244] In the above-described embodiments, a passenger's seating
state such as a presence or an absence of a passenger, and a
passenger's position can be determined based on a temperature
distribution of the temperature detection range of the IR sensor
70a, 70b, 70c, 70d. Further, this determination can be also used in
other devices except to the air conditioning device.
[0245] In the above-described fifth embodiment, the IR sensor 70a,
70b, 70c, 70d (non-contact temperature sensors) is arranged in the
ceiling portion above the shoulder portion on the side-window side
of each passenger. However, in the fifth embodiment, the
arrangement position of each IR sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d can be
changed. Even when the arrangement position of each IR sensor 70a
is changed, the other parts can be made similarly to those of the
above-described fifth embodiment.
[0246] For example, as shown in FIGS. 25A, 25B, each of the IR
sensors 70a-70d can be arranged in the ceiling portion on a side of
the side window from a center portion of a passenger on each seat
in the vehicle width direction, at a vehicle front side from the
center portion of the passenger on each seat. In this case, the IR
sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d detects the passenger slanting-downwardly
from the vehicle front side. Accordingly, even when the position of
the shoulder portion of the passenger in the vertical direction is
changed, the temperature of the upper portion of the shoulder
portion of the passenger can be accurately detected without being
offset from the temperature detection range 700a, 700b, 700c,
700d.
[0247] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 26A, 26B, each of the IR
sensors 70a-70d can be arranged in the ceiling portion on the side
of the side window from a center portion of a passenger on each
seat in the vehicle width direction, at a vehicle rear side from
the center portion of the passenger on each seat. In this case, the
IR sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d detects the passenger
slanting-downwardly from the vehicle rear side. Accordingly, even
when the position of the shoulder portion of the passenger in the
vertical direction is changed, the temperature of the upper portion
of the shoulder portion of the passenger can be accurately detected
without being offset from the temperature detection range 700a,
700b, 700c, 700d. Further, in this case, the IR sensor 70a, 70b,
70c, 70d is positioned to be separated from the sight range of the
passenger. Therefore, a passenger's feeling to be watched by the
sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d can be removed.
[0248] Further, in the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 27A,
27B, the temperature detection range 700a, 700b, 700c, 700d of the
IR sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d can be made to include not only the
upper portion of the shoulder portion of the passenger but also the
trim panel and the side window. In this case, the temperature
detection range 700a, 700b, 700c, 700d of the IR sensor 70a, 70b,
70c, 70d can be arranged at an end side of the face portion of the
passenger to not include the face portion of the passenger.
Accordingly, the temperature of the passenger can be stably
detected without being affected by an individual difference of the
passenger' face portion, such as the here state and here
length.
[0249] When the distance S between the detection portion 71a and
the window portion 71d of the IR sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d shown in
FIG. 19 is set shorter, the temperature detection range (i.e.,
sight range) of the IR sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d becomes larger.
Alternatively, in FIG. 19, the sight direction of the IR sensors
70a, 70b, 70c, 70d can be set to be tilted toward the side window.
In this case, the target blowing-out temperature can be calculated
in accordance with the passenger's temperature and the temperature
of the trim panel. Further, by setting the distance between the
detection portion 71a and the window portion 71d of the IR sensor
70a, 70b, 70c, 70d shown in FIG. 19 to be shorter, or by setting
the sight direction of the IR sensors 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d to be
tilted toward the side window, the temperature detection range
700a, 700b, 700c, 700d of the IR sensor 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d can be
set to include not only the shoulder portion of the passenger but
also the trim portion and the window portion of the side door, as
shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B.
[0250] Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being
within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
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