JP2002127728A - Vehicle air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a vehicle air conditioner that performs air conditioning control by estimating a passenger's thermal sensation, a passenger's thermal sensation can always be accurately estimated, thereby realizing comfortable air conditioning control. SOLUTION: A surface temperature sensor 31 for detecting a surface temperature of an occupant's clothing portion and outputting a clothing portion temperature signal is provided, and a thermal sensation estimated value which is an estimated value of the occupant's thermal sensation is based on the clothing portion temperature signal. Calculate and perform air conditioning control of the vehicle cabin based on the estimated value of thermal sensation. According to this, the clothing part has a larger area than the face part, and the amount of movement in the sitting state is smaller than that of the face part, so that the clothing part has the surface temperature sensor 31 regardless of the occupant's movement, physique, sitting posture, and the like. Is extremely low, and the temperature can be accurately and stably detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular air conditioner for controlling the air conditioning in a vehicle cabin by estimating a warm feeling of a passenger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-103426 discloses an infrared sensor (surface temperature sensor) for detecting the occupant's face skin temperature, estimating the occupant's thermal sensation from the face skin temperature, and estimating the temperature. An air conditioner that performs air conditioning control based on a sense of warmth is described.

[0003]

However, in the conventional apparatus described above, it is important how to accurately detect the temperature of the occupant's face skin. However, in practice, the face direction of the occupant changes, Because the occupant's face moves back and forth, left and right, the occupant's face may be out of the temperature detection range of the infrared sensor, and the occupant's face skin temperature cannot be accurately and stably detected. However, it has been difficult to always accurately estimate the thermal sensation of the occupant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in a vehicle air conditioner for performing air conditioning control by estimating a passenger's thermal sensation, a passenger's thermal sensation can always be accurately estimated to provide a comfortable vehicle. The purpose is to realize air conditioning control.

[0005]

It is known that the thermal sensation and the facial skin temperature have a strong correlation. However, as described above, it is necessary to always accurately detect the occupant's facial skin temperature. Because of the difficulty, it was difficult to estimate the thermal sensation from the skin temperature of the face.

The present inventor conducted a sensory evaluation test on a large number of subjects. As shown in FIG. 1, a representative example of the results of the sensory evaluation test shows that the surface temperature of the occupant's clothes (hereinafter referred to as the clothes surface). Temperature is also strongly correlated with the feeling of warmth. In addition, it was found that it is possible to more accurately estimate the feeling of warmth by distinguishing the presence or absence of solar radiation.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the results of the sensory evaluation test, and in order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the surface temperature of the clothing part of the occupant is detected and the clothing part temperature signal is detected. A surface temperature sensor (31) that outputs an estimated temperature of the passenger, calculates an estimated value of the thermal sensation that is an estimated value of the thermal sensation of the occupant based on the clothing part temperature signal, and performs air conditioning control of the passenger compartment based on the estimated value of the thermal sensation. It is characterized by the following.

[0008] According to this, the clothing part has a larger area than the face part and the amount of movement in the sitting state is smaller than that of the face part, so that the clothing part has a surface regardless of the occupant's movement, physique, sitting posture and the like. The possibility of deviating from the temperature detection range of the temperature sensor is extremely low, and the temperature can be accurately and stably detected. Therefore, it is possible to always accurately estimate the thermal sensation and perform air conditioning control based on the thermal sensation.

[0009] Further, since the change in the surface temperature with respect to the change in the thermal sensation is greater in the clothing surface temperature than in the facial skin temperature, there is the advantage that the clothing surface temperature is easier to handle as a control signal.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surface temperature sensor (31) for detecting a surface temperature of the occupant's clothing portion and outputting a clothing portion temperature signal, wherein the thermal sensation is an estimated value of the occupant's thermal sensation. The estimated value is calculated based on the clothing part temperature signal, and the thermal sensation target value and the thermal sensation estimated value are adjusted so that the thermal sensation target value, which is the estimated value of the thermal sensation that the occupant feels comfortable, matches the thermal sensation estimated value. The air conditioning control of the vehicle interior is performed based on the difference between the air conditioner and the air conditioner.

According to this, since the estimated value of the thermal sensation is calculated based on the clothing temperature signal, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained. Further, since the air conditioning control is performed so that the thermal sensation target value matches the thermal sensation estimated value, it is possible to realize air conditioning control that the occupant feels comfortable.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the surface temperature sensor (31) is provided.
Are characterized by detecting the surface temperature of the clothing portion and the skin temperature of the occupant.

According to this, since the temperature change of the occupant's skin temperature is more gradual than that of the clothing part, the estimated thermal sensation value is more stable than when the estimated thermal sensation value is calculated using only the clothing part surface temperature. As a result, the air conditioning control is stabilized.

As in the invention of claim 7, when calculating the estimated value of thermal sensation, it is possible to use the vehicle environment information which affects the thermal sensation of the occupant together with the clothing part temperature signal.
When the amount of solar radiation is used as the vehicle environment information as in the invention according to claim 8, the thermal sensation can be more accurately determined based on the clothing part surface temperature and the solar radiation, which have a particularly strong correlation with the thermal sensation. Can be estimated.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is calculated by the following equation (5).

[0016]

Ss = Cclo × (Tir−T) + Cs where Cclo is a coefficient related to the amount of clothing, Tir is the surface temperature of the clothing part detected by the surface temperature sensor, and T is the clothing temperature under the reference condition. The surface temperature and Cs are values determined from the amount of solar radiation.

The amount of change in the clothing surface temperature Tir with respect to the amount of change in the thermal sensation varies depending on the amount of clothing.
The degree of sunlight causes a difference between the clothing surface temperature Tir and the thermal sensation. In contrast, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is calculated using the coefficient Cclo related to the amount of clothing and the value Cs determined from the amount of solar radiation, so that the thermal sensation is more accurately estimated. be able to.

The coefficient Cclo relating to the clothing amount in claim 9 is based on the clothing amount information from the clothing amount setting means (41) in which the occupant inputs the clothing amount as in the invention of claim 10. According to this, since the occupant inputs the amount of clothing of the occupant, the information is accurate, and therefore, the thermal sensation can be more accurately estimated based on the accurate information.

Further, since the outside air temperature and the amount of clothing are substantially correlated, the coefficient Cclo related to the amount of clothing can be determined based on the outside air temperature as in the invention of claim 11. The clothing amount setting means of the tenth aspect is unnecessary.

Since there is a correlation between the amount of clothing and the rate of change of the temperature of the clothing part, the heat capacity of the clothing is estimated from the rate of change of the surface temperature of the clothing part and the heat capacity is estimated. The coefficient Cclo relating to the amount of clothing can be determined based on the determined amount of clothing, and according to this, the clothing amount setting means of the invention of claim 10 is unnecessary.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the second aspect, the thermal sensation target value is calculated based on vehicle environment information that affects the thermal sensation of the occupant and thermal sensation information determined by the occupant's preference. It is characterized by doing.

By the way, the warm feeling that the occupant feels comfortable is:
Varies depending on vehicle environmental conditions and passenger preferences. On the other hand, according to the invention of claim 13, since the thermal sensation target value is calculated in accordance with the vehicle environment condition, the occupant's preference, and the like, the air conditioning control that the occupant feels comfortable is realized.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the thermal sensation target value is changed according to the occupant's clothing amount.

By the way, the clothing surface temperature differs depending on the clothing amount, even if the internal temperature and the amount of solar radiation are the same. That is, in a normal state where the inside air temperature is lower than the body temperature of the occupant, the lighter the clothes, the higher the clothing surface temperature Tir becomes due to the influence of the body temperature. Therefore, the thermal sensation estimated value obtained from the clothing surface temperature differs depending on the clothing amount even if the internal temperature and the amount of solar radiation are the same. Therefore, a difference may occur between the actual sensation of the occupant and the estimated value of the sensation of the occupant, and the air conditioning control that the occupant feels comfortable may not be realized.

On the other hand, in the invention of claim 15, by changing the thermal sensation target value in accordance with the occupant's clothing amount,
The difference between the actual thermal sensation of the occupant and the estimated value of the thermal sensation due to the influence of the amount of clothing can be canceled, and the air conditioning control that the occupant feels comfortable can be realized.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated by the following equation (6).

[0027]

TAO = K × (St−Ss) + C where K is a control coefficient, St is a thermal sensation target value, Ss is a thermal sensation estimated value, and C is a constant.

According to this, since the target blown air temperature is calculated based on the difference between the thermal sensation target value St and the thermal sensation estimated value Ss, the air conditioning is performed so that the thermal sensation estimated value Ss matches the thermal sensation target value St. The control is executed, and the air conditioning control that the occupant feels comfortable is realized.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated by the following equation (7).

[0030]

Equation 7 TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kt × ∫ (St
−Ss) dt + C where K is a control coefficient, Kt is an integral term coefficient, St is a thermal sensation target value, Ss is a thermal sensation estimated value, and C is a constant.

According to this, the so-called PI control is performed by adding an integral term to the TAO calculation formula, thereby improving control stability.

[0032] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated by the following equation (8).

[0033]

Equation 8 TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kt × ∫ (St
−Ss) dt−Kd × d (St−Ss) / dt + C where K is a control coefficient, Kt is an integral term coefficient, Kd is a differential term coefficient, St is a thermal sensation target value, and Ss is a thermal sensation estimated value. , C are constants.

According to this, the so-called PID control is performed by adding the integral term and the differential term to the TAO calculation formula, so that the control stability can be improved and the control convergence time can be reduced.

According to the nineteenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect,
In any one of (1) to (18), the control coefficient K is varied.

According to this, for example, by setting the control coefficient K large until the predetermined time elapses from the start of the air conditioning, the control at the beginning of the air conditioning start is made more responsive, and the immediate effect is improved. When the room temperature becomes stable after the lapse of time, by setting the control coefficient K small, it is possible to make the control dull after the room temperature is stabilized, thereby preventing the fluctuation of the control.

According to a twentieth aspect, in the second aspect, the maximum value of the estimated thermal sensation value and the maximum value of the thermal sensation target value are limited to predetermined values or less.

According to this, it is possible to eliminate abnormal values of the estimated value of thermal sensation and the target value of thermal sensation, thereby preventing abnormal control (extremely overcooling or vice versa).

According to the twenty-first aspect, in the twenty-second aspect,
In the method, the maximum value of the thermal sensation target value is limited to a first predetermined value or less, the maximum value of the thermal sensation estimated value is limited to a second predetermined value or less, and the second predetermined value is set to be smaller than the first predetermined value. It is set to be large, the minimum value of the thermal sensation target value is limited to a third predetermined value or more, the minimum value of the thermal sensation estimated value is limited to a fourth predetermined value or less, and the fourth predetermined value is set to be larger than the third predetermined value. It is characterized in that the value is set large.

According to this, at the time of transition, the cooling capacity or the heating capacity is set higher, and the sense of immediate effect is improved.

The reference numerals in parentheses of the above-mentioned means indicate the correspondence with the concrete means described in the embodiments described later.

[0042]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a ventilation system and a control system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a so-called air conditioning unit in an air duct 5 disposed in a front part of a passenger compartment 3, and is arranged in order from the air flow upstream of the air duct 5. The internal / external air switching damper 7, the blower 9, the evaporator (cooling heat exchanger) 11, the air mix damper 13, the heater core (heating heat exchanger) 15, and the outlet switching damper 17 are provided.

Here, the inside / outside air switching damper 7 is switched to a first switching position (a position shown by a solid line in the drawing) under the drive of the servo motor 19, and the outside air is introduced into the air duct 5 from the outside air introduction port 5a. On the other hand, it is switched to the second switching position (the position shown by the broken line in the figure), and the air (inside air) in the vehicle interior 3 flows into the air duct 5 from the inside air inlet 5b.

The blower 9 blows the outside air from the outside air introduction port 5a or the inside air from the inside air introduction port 5b to the evaporator 11 as an air flow in accordance with the rotation speed of the blower motor 23 driven by the drive circuit 21. 11
Cools the airflow from the blower 9 with the refrigerant circulating by the operation of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner. Here, the drive circuit 21 and the blower motor 23 constitute an air volume adjusting means for adjusting the amount of air blown into the vehicle interior 3.

Next, the air mix damper 13 is driven by a servo motor 25 to allow the cooling air flow from the evaporator 11 to flow into the heater core 15 in accordance with the degree of opening, and to allow the remaining cooling air flow to flow through the heater core 15. The gas is bypassed to flow toward the outlet switching damper 17. Here, the air mix damper 13 and the servo motor 25 constitute a temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle interior 3.

On the other hand, the air outlet switching damper 17 is switched to the first switching position (the position shown by the dashed line in the figure) in the face mode of the device under the drive of the servomotor 27, and the air duct 5 blows. Air is blown out from the outlet 5c toward the upper body of the occupant of the passenger compartment 3, and is switched to the second switching position (the position shown by a broken line in the drawing) when the device is in the foot mode. Air is blown toward the feet of the occupant, and the third switching position (the position indicated by the solid line in the figure) when the device is in the bi-level mode.
And air is blown out from both outlets 5c and 5d.

Next, a servo motor 19 for driving the inside / outside air switching damper 7, the blower 9, the air mix damper 13, and the air outlet switching damper 17, a drive circuit 21, and servo motors 25 and 27 are each provided with an electronic control unit (hereinafter, referred to as an electronic control unit). Each of the above-described units is driven in response to a control signal from an ECU 30.

The ECU 30 calculates the surface temperature Tir of the test object.
Temperature sensor 32 for detecting the temperature Tw of the engine cooling water, the evaporator outlet temperature sensor 33 for detecting the temperature (exit temperature) Te of the cool air immediately after passing through the evaporator 11, and the servomotor 25. A built-in air mix damper opening sensor (hereinafter, referred to as an A / M opening sensor) 34 for detecting the actual opening θ of the air mix damper 13, and the occupant sets a set temperature Tset in the vehicle compartment according to his / her preference. Setter 35 for passenger compartment 3
Output signals from the solar radiation sensor 37 for detecting the amount of solar radiation Ts entering the inside, the external air temperature sensor 38 for detecting the external air temperature Tam, and the like are read via the A / D converter 30e.

Further, the ECU 30 operates the air conditioner,
The signal of the operation switch 36 for controlling the stop and the signal of the clothing amount setting switch (clothing amount setting means) 41 for inputting the occupant's clothing amount (thick or light) are read.

The ECU 30 is for executing air-conditioning control based on the above-mentioned various signals, and receives a variety of signals to calculate an operation amount of each of the above-mentioned parts.
PU 30a), a ROM 30b for storing a flow chart execution instruction to be described later, an output unit 30c for outputting a control signal corresponding to the operation amount calculated by the CPU 30a to each of the above units, and oscillating a reference clock of several MHz. And CPU
And a quartz oscillator 30d that causes the digital arithmetic processing 30a to execute digital arithmetic processing of software.

When the ignition switch IG is turned on, the ECU 30 becomes operable by receiving power from the battery B, and the air conditioner control is started when the operation switch 36 is turned on.

Next, the surface temperature sensor 31 will be described in detail. Surface temperature sensor 31 of the present embodiment
Is an infrared sensor that generates an electric signal corresponding to the amount of infrared radiation radiated from the test object, and more specifically, a thermopile type sensor that generates an electromotive force proportional to the amount of infrared light radiated from the test object. This is an infrared sensor using a detection element.

As shown in FIGS.
In 1, a detection unit (detection element) 31 a for detecting infrared rays is provided on a base 31 b, and the detection unit 31 a is covered by a cup-shaped metal case 31 c. A square window 31d is opened at the bottom of the case 31c, and a silicon cover 31e is fitted into the window 31d. Then, the length L1 of the side of the detection unit 31a, the length L2 of the side of the window 31d,
The angle range (viewing angle) α at which the temperature can be detected is adjusted by appropriately setting the interval S between the detection unit 31a and the window 31d.

FIG. 5 shows an installation position of the surface temperature sensor 31, which is installed on the ceiling 3b near the room mirror 3a in front of the occupant M. The surface temperature sensor 31 is attached to the upper body of the occupant M excluding the face, and the upper body of the occupant M (more specifically, the chest and abdomen)
Of the clothing part is detected. Note that the surface temperature sensor 31 may be installed on the A pillar 3c.

An operation panel 3e of an air conditioner is installed at the center of the instrument panel 3d shown in FIG. 5 in the left-right direction of the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel 3e is provided with a temperature setting device 35, an operation switch 36, a clothing amount setting switch 41, and the like. The temperature setting device 35, the operation switch 36, and the clothing amount The setting switch 41 is set to
Is operated by

Next, the air conditioning control executed by the ECU 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the air conditioning control is started as shown in FIG.
At 00, after executing the initialization processing for initializing the counters and flags used for the execution of the subsequent processing, the flow shifts to step S110 to set the set temperature Tset input by the temperature setting device 35, and the amount of clothes. The clothing amount input by the setting switch 41 is read.

In the following step S120, the clothing surface temperature Tir detected by the surface temperature sensor 31 and the signals of the other sensors 32-34, 37 and 38 are read. Here, step S110 and step S120
Form a signal input means for inputting an information signal necessary for control.

Next, in step S130, the thermal sensation that the occupant M is currently feeling is estimated based on the clothing surface temperature Tir and vehicle environment information (in this example, the amount of solar radiation Ts) that affects the occupant's thermal sensation. Digitize. That is, the thermal sensation estimated value Ss obtained by digitizing the thermal sensation of the occupant is calculated using the following mathematical expression 9 stored in advance in the ROM 30b. here,
Step S130 forms a thermal sensation estimated value calculating unit that calculates the thermal sensation estimated value Ss.

The detailed control processing in step S130 is shown in FIG.
Since the amount of change in the clothing surface temperature Tir with respect to the amount of change in the thermal sensation varies depending on the amount of clothing, a clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo is obtained from the amount of clothing read in step S110 in order to correct the variation. The difference between the clothing surface temperature Tir and the thermal sensation due to the degree of
To correct this, a solar radiation correction value Cs is obtained from the solar radiation Ts read in step S120, and a correction coefficient Ccl is calculated.
The thermal sensation estimated value Ss is calculated using o, the correction value Cs, and the clothing surface temperature Tir.

[0061]

Ss = Cclo × (Tir−T) + Cs Here, the constant T is the clothing surface temperature when the feeling of warmth is insensitive under the reference vehicle environment conditions, for example, when the outside air temperature is 20 ° C. The temperature is about 27 ° C without solar radiation.

When the estimated value Ss of thermal sensation calculated using Equation 9 is 0, it is estimated that the occupant M has no thermal sensation (neither hot nor cold).

When the estimated value of thermal sensation Ss is positive (+), the thermal sensation of the occupant M changes from warm to hot as the value increases. Specifically, it is estimated that when Ss is +1, the temperature is slightly warm, when Ss is +2, it is warm, when Ss is +3, it is slightly hot, when Ss is +4, it is hot, and when Ss is +5, it is very hot.

On the other hand, when the estimated value of thermal sensation Ss is negative (-), the occupant M's thermal sensation changes from cool to cold as the value increases. Specifically, it is estimated that Ss is slightly cooler at -1, Ss is cooler at -2, Ss is cooler at -3, Ss is lower at -4, Ss is lower at -4, and Ss is lower at -5.

In step S135, vehicle environment information (in this example, outside temperature Tam and solar radiation Ts) which affects the thermal sensation of the occupant, and thermal sensation information determined in accordance with the occupant's preference (in this example, the set temperature Tset) ), The thermal sensation that the occupant M feels comfortable under various vehicle environment conditions is quantified. That is, the thermal sensation target value St in which the thermal sensation that the occupant feels comfortable is quantified is calculated using the following equation 10 stored in advance in the ROM 30b. Here, step S135 forms a thermal sensation target value calculation unit that calculates the thermal sensation target value St.

The detailed control processing in step S135 is shown in FIG.
In order to reflect the temperature desired by the occupant M, a set temperature correction value Sset is determined from the set temperature Tset read in step S110, and the thermal sensation that feels comfortable changes according to the outside temperature Tam. Step S12
From the outside temperature Tam read at 0, the outside air temperature correction value Sam
Further, since the thermal sensation that feels comfortable changes according to the amount of solar radiation Ts, a solar radiation correction value Ssun is obtained from the solar radiation Ts read in step S120, and these correction values Sset, Sam, and Ssun are used. Thermal sensation target value S
Calculate t.

[0067]

St = Sset + Sam + Ssun Then, if the thermal sensation target value St calculated using Equation 10 is positive (+) and the numerical value is small, the occupant M feels comfortable when warm air conditioning control is performed, When the sensation target value St is positive (+) and the numerical value is large, the occupant M feels comfortable when performing the air conditioning control in the hot weather.

On the other hand, when the thermal sensation target value St is negative (-) and the numerical value (absolute value) is small, the occupant M feels comfortable when the cooling air conditioning is controlled, and the thermal sensation target value St is negative (-). If-) and the numerical value (absolute value) is large, the occupant M feels comfortable when performing the cold air conditioning control.

Next, in step S140 (see FIG. 10), the following equation (11) stored in the ROM 30b in advance is used.
, The thermal sensation target value St obtained in step S135
Then, based on the difference or the like with the estimated thermal sensation Ss obtained in step S130, a target blow-off air temperature TAO, which is a control target value of the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle interior, is calculated. Here, step S140 forms a target outlet air temperature calculating means for calculating the target outlet air temperature TAO.

[0070]

[Expression 11] TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kam × Ta
m−Ks × Ts + C Here, K is a control coefficient, Kam is a coefficient of an outside temperature correction term, Ks is a coefficient of a solar radiation correction term, and C is a constant.

Then, the following control is performed based on the target blow-off air temperature TAO obtained by Expression 11, so that the estimated thermal sensation value Ss matches the desired thermal sensation target value St, that is, the occupant M feels comfortable. Air conditioning control is performed in the direction in which the user feels. In addition, in order to stabilize the control, in Equation 11, the correction term of the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts is included, that is, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated in consideration of the vehicle heat load.

Next, in step S150, step S1
Based on the target outlet air temperature TAO obtained in step 40, the ROM
An application voltage (blower voltage) to the blower motor 23 corresponding to the target air volume is determined from the characteristic diagram of FIG. 11 stored in advance in 30b.

In step S160, based on the target blow-off air temperature TAO obtained in step S140, the engine cooling water temperature Tw and the outlet temperature Te read in step S120, the following equation 12 stored in the ROM 30b in advance. Is used to calculate the target opening degree θo of the air mix damper 13.

[0074]

## EQU12 ## θo = ｛(TAO−Te) / (Tw−T)
e)｝ × 100 (%) Next, in step S170, based on the target outlet air temperature TAO, the suction port mode is set to the inside air introduction, the outside air introduction, and the inside / outside from the characteristic diagram of FIG. 12 stored in the ROM 30b in advance. Decide whether to use a combination of air (semi-inside air).

Next, in step S180, based on the target outlet air temperature TAO, the outlet mode is changed from the face mode (FACE) to the bi-level mode (B / B) based on the characteristic diagram of FIG. L) and foot mode (FOOT).

Next, in step S190, according to the calculation results in steps S150 to S180,
Drive circuit 21, servo motor 25, servo motor 19,
And a blower voltage control signal, an air mix damper opening control signal, an inside / outside air introduction mode control signal, and a blowout mode control signal to the servo motor 27, respectively.

Next, the routine proceeds to step S200, where the cycle time t
It is determined whether or not seconds have elapsed, and if NO, step S2
Wait at 00, and if YES, return to step S110.

Then, based on the control signal output in step S190, each part of the air conditioner 1 is operated, and the air conditioning control is executed so that the estimated thermal sensation value Ss matches the desired thermal sensation target value St. Air conditioning control that feels comfortable is realized.

In the present embodiment, based on the clothing surface temperature Tir having a strong correlation with the thermal sensation of the occupant M, the thermal sensation is estimated from the clothing surface temperature Tir. The clothing section has a larger area than the face section, and the amount of movement in the seated state is smaller than that of the face section.
Regardless of the sitting posture, etc., the clothing part is the surface temperature sensor 31.
Is very low.

Therefore, by estimating the thermal sensation of the occupant M from the clothing surface temperature Tir, the thermal sensation can always be accurately estimated, and thus comfortable air-conditioning control can always be realized.

The change in the surface temperature with respect to the change in the thermal sensation has the advantage that the clothing surface temperature Tir is easier to handle as a control signal because the clothing surface temperature Tir is larger than the face skin temperature. .

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a clothing amount setting switch 41 is provided to allow the occupant M to input clothing amount information, and the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo is obtained from the clothing amount information.
However, in the second embodiment, the outside air temperature Tam
To determine the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo ′.

In the second embodiment, the clothing amount setting switch 41 of the first embodiment is abolished, and step S130 of the first embodiment is changed to step S130A in FIG. This is the same as the first embodiment.

Then, based on the assumption that the higher the outside air temperature Tam, the lighter the clothes, the lower the outside air temperature Tam as shown in FIG.
From the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo ', and from the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo', etc., the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is calculated using the following Expression 13 stored in advance in the ROM 30b, thereby obtaining the thermal occupant temperature of the occupant M. Feeling can be estimated.

[0085]

Ss = Cclo ′ × (Tir−T) + Cs In the second embodiment, the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo ′ is changed linearly when the outside temperature Tam is between 10 ° C. and 30 °. The clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo ′ may be changed stepwise.

In the second embodiment, the outside air temperature Ta
Although the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo 'is a constant value in a temperature range where m is 10 ° C or less and 30 ° or more, the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo' is appropriately set in a temperature range where the outside air temperature Tam is 10 ° C or less and 30 ° or more. It may be changed.

In the first and second embodiments, the clothing amount correction coefficient is obtained from the clothing amount or the outside temperature Tam. However, the heat capacity of the clothing is estimated from the rate of change of the clothing surface temperature Tir, The clothing amount may be determined, and the clothing amount correction coefficient may be determined from the clothing amount. Specifically, based on the assumption that the larger the heat capacity, the thicker the clothes, the smaller the clothing capacity (thick clothes), the smaller the clothing amount correction coefficient Cclo ′.

(Third Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the occupant's favorite temperature is set by the temperature setting device 35. However, in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 43 (see FIGS. 15 and 16), the passenger's favorite thermal sensation (thermal sensation information) is set. Accordingly, step S135 of the first embodiment is changed to step S135A of FIG. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

The thermal sensation setting device 43 of this embodiment can set a multi-stage thermal sensation from cold to hot. And
As shown in FIG. 17, the set hot sensation correction value Sset ′ according to the desired hot sensation set by the occupant using the hot sensation setting device 43.
Is calculated as follows. The outside air temperature correction value Sam and the insolation correction value S
sun, and these correction values Sset ′, Sam, S
From the sun, the thermal sensation target value St is calculated using the following Expression 14 stored in the ROM 30b in advance.

[0090]

## EQU14 ## St = Sset '+ Sam + Ssun According to the present embodiment, comfortable air conditioning control that matches the occupant's favorite thermal sensation can be realized by performing control reflecting the occupant's favorite thermal sensation.

In the third embodiment, the multi-stage thermal sensation is set by the thermal sensation setting device 43.
A plurality of thermal sensation selection switches (for example, selection switches for cold eyes, cool eyes, warm eyes, hot eyes, etc.) are provided, and any one of these selection switches is selected to select a desired heat sensation (heat sensation information). May be set.

(Fourth Embodiment) The step S140 (see FIG. 10) for calculating the target outlet air temperature TAO in the first embodiment is the same as the step S140 in FIG. 18 showing the fourth embodiment.
You may change it like A. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated using the following equation 15 stored in advance in the ROM 30b. The outside air temperature in the TAO calculation equation of the first embodiment is calculated. The correction term of Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts is deleted to simplify the TAO calculation formula.

[0094]

TAO = K × (St−Ss) + C Also, according to the fourth embodiment, the thermal sensation estimated value S
The air conditioning control is performed such that s matches the thermal sensation target value St, and the air conditioning control that the occupant M feels comfortable is realized.

(Fifth Embodiment) The step S140 (see FIG. 10) for calculating the target outlet air temperature TAO in the first embodiment is the same as the step S140 in FIG. 19 showing the fifth embodiment.
You may change it like B. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated by using the following equation (16) stored in advance in the ROM 30b. The integral term is added to the TAO calculation equation of the fourth embodiment. In addition, the so-called PI control is performed to improve control stability.

[0097]

(16) TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kt × ∫ (S
t-Ss) dt + C Here, Kt is a coefficient of an integral term.

(Sixth Embodiment) The step S140 (see FIG. 10) of calculating the target blow-off air temperature TAO of the first embodiment is the same as the step S140 of FIG. 20 showing the sixth embodiment.
You may change it like C. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated using the following equation 17 stored in advance in the ROM 30b. The differential term is added to the TAO calculation equation of the fifth embodiment. In addition, by performing so-called PID control, control stability is improved and control convergence time is reduced.

[0100]

(17) TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kt × ∫ (S
t−Ss) dt−Kd × d (St−Ss) / dt + C Here, Kd is a coefficient of a differential term.

Seventh Embodiment In the first embodiment, when calculating the thermal sensation target value St, the set temperature Tset, the outside air temperature Tam, and the amount of solar radiation Ts are taken into consideration. Therefore, humidity information may be input as vehicle environment information that affects the thermal sensation of the occupant, and the thermal sensation target value St may be calculated in consideration of the humidity. Specifically, the humidity correction value Shum is obtained from the characteristic diagram of FIG. 21 stored in advance in the ROM 30b, and St = Sset + S
am + Ssun + Sum using the thermal sensation target value S
Calculate t.

(Eighth Embodiment) The clothing surface temperature Tir is
Even if the inside temperature and the amount of solar radiation are the same, they differ depending on the amount of clothes. That is, in a normal state where the inside air temperature is lower than the body temperature of the occupant, the lighter the clothes, the higher the clothing surface temperature Tir becomes due to the influence of the body temperature. Therefore, in the first embodiment,
Thermal sensation estimated value Ss including clothing surface temperature Tir in the calculation formula
However, even if the inside air temperature and the amount of solar radiation are the same, they differ depending on the amount of clothes.

In the first embodiment, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated based on the difference between the thermal sensation target value St and the thermal sensation estimated value Ss, and the like. In some cases, the air conditioning control that the occupant M feels comfortable is not realized.

Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, the ROM 30b
The clothing amount correction value Sclo is obtained from the characteristic diagram of FIG. 22 stored in advance, and St = Sset + Sam + Ssun
The thermal sensation target value St is calculated using the equation of + Sclo. As a result, it is possible to cancel the change in the estimated thermal sensation value Ss due to the influence of the amount of clothing, appropriately set the target outlet air temperature TAO, and realize air conditioning control in which the occupant M feels comfortable.

(Other Embodiments) (a) In each of the above embodiments, the surface temperature sensor 31 detects the surface temperature of only the clothes of the occupant M, but the surface temperature sensor 31 detects the surface of the clothes of the occupant M. The temperature and the skin temperature of a part of the face may be detected, and the estimated thermal sensation Ss may be calculated using the clothing surface temperature and the face skin temperature.

According to this, since the temperature change is more gradual at the face than at the clothing, the estimated thermal sensation Ss is more stable than when the estimated thermal sensation Ss is calculated using only the clothing surface temperature. As a result, the air conditioning control is stabilized. In addition, when the face is out of the temperature detection range of the surface temperature sensor 31, the occupant M's thermal sensation can be more accurately estimated than the conventional method of estimating the thermal sensation based only on the face skin temperature. .

It is also possible to detect the skin temperature of the hand and calculate the estimated value of thermal sensation Ss using the clothing surface temperature and the skin temperature of the hand.

(B) In the above embodiments, when calculating the thermal sensation target value St, the set temperature Tset and the outside temperature Ta
Although m and the amount of solar radiation Ts are taken into consideration, vehicle speed information may be further input as vehicle environment information that affects the thermal sensation of the occupant, and the thermal sensation target value St may be calculated in consideration of the vehicle speed. Specifically, when the vehicle speed is low, the thermal sensation target value St that matches the thermal sensation of the occupant M can be calculated by making the thermal sensation target value St cooler than that when the vehicle speed is high.

(C) In each of the above embodiments, Equation 1
The control coefficient K in the target blowing air temperature TAO calculation formula of 1 and Expressions 15 to 17 may be changed according to the elapsed time from the start of air conditioning. Specifically, the value of K from the start of air conditioning to the elapse of a predetermined time is set to be larger than the value of K after the elapse of the predetermined time. As a result, the control can be made too sensitive at the beginning of the air conditioning to improve the sense of immediate effect, and when the room temperature becomes stable after a predetermined period of time, the control can be dulled to prevent the control from fluctuating.

(D) In each of the above-described embodiments, the expression 1
Even if the control coefficient K in the target blowing air temperature TAO calculation formula of 1 and Expressions 15 to 17 is changed by the amount of change in the thermal sensation estimated value Ss per unit time or the amount of change in the clothing surface temperature Tir per unit time. Good. Specifically, the value of K when the amount of change is equal to or more than a predetermined value is made larger than the value of K when the amount of change is less than the predetermined value. according to this,
Usually, the amount of change tends to be large at the beginning of the air conditioning, and therefore, the same effect as in the above c can be obtained.

(E) In each of the above embodiments, Equation 1
The control coefficient K of the control in the target blowing air temperature TAO calculation formula of 1 and Expressions 15 to 17 may be changed by the difference between the thermal sensation target value St and the thermal sensation estimated value Ss. Specifically, the value of K when the difference (absolute value) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is
It is made larger than the value of K when the difference is less than a predetermined value. According to this, normally, the above-mentioned difference tends to be large in the initial stage of the air conditioning, and therefore, the same effect as the above-mentioned c can be obtained.

(F) In each of the above embodiments, Equation 1
The control coefficient K in the target air temperature TAO calculation equation of 1 and Equations 15 to 17 may be changed according to the difference between the set temperature Tset and the inside air temperature. Specifically, the value of K when the difference (absolute value) is equal to or more than a predetermined value is made larger than the value of K when the difference is less than the predetermined value. According to this,
At the beginning of the air conditioning, the above difference tends to be large, and therefore, the same effect as in the above c can be obtained.

(G) In each of the above embodiments, when the estimated value of thermal sensation Ss calculated based on the mathematical formula is large,
The value may be limited to a predetermined value or less. That is, for example, in the first embodiment, when the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is +5, it is estimated that the temperature is very hot, and when the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is -5, it is estimated that it is extremely cold. When the calculated absolute value of the estimated thermal sensation Ss exceeds 5, the absolute value of the calculated estimated thermal sensation Ss may be regarded as 5. Also, the thermal sensation target value St may be similarly limited to a predetermined value or less.

Thus, abnormal values of the estimated thermal sensation value Ss and the thermal sensation target value St can be eliminated, and abnormal control (extremely cold or vice versa) can be prevented.

In addition, the maximum value of the estimated thermal sensation value Ss is limited to a first predetermined value or less, and the maximum value of the thermal sensation target value St is limited to a second predetermined value or less. By setting the predetermined value to a large value, the cooling capacity or the heating capacity is set to be high during a transition, and the sense of immediate effect is improved.

Further, the minimum value of the thermal sensation target value Ss is
In addition to limiting the temperature to a predetermined value or more, the minimum value of the estimated thermal sensation value St may be limited to a value equal to or less than a fourth predetermined value, and the fourth predetermined value may be set to be larger than the third predetermined value.

(H) The solar radiation sensor 37 in the first embodiment may be omitted. In this case, TA in Equation 11
The O calculation formula is: TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kam × T
am + C. The equation for calculating the thermal sensation estimated value Ss in Equation 9 is Ss = Cclo × (Tir-T), and Equation 1
The formula for calculating the thermal sensation target value St of 0 is St = Sset + Sa
m.

(I) The outside air temperature sensor 38 in the first embodiment may be omitted. In this case, T
The AO calculation formula is: TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Ks × T
s + C. Further, the equation for calculating the thermal sensation target value St of Expression 10 is St = Sset + Ssun.

(J) In the first embodiment, the target outlet air temperature TAO is calculated based on the difference between the thermal sensation target value St and the thermal sensation estimated value Ss, but the TA in the first embodiment is calculated.
The thermal sensation target value St in the O calculation formula may be deleted. According to this, the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is controlled to be 0, that is, the thermal sensation of the occupant M is insensitive.

(K) In the above embodiment, an infrared sensor using a thermopile type detection element was exemplified as the surface temperature sensor 31. However, an infrared sensor using a bolometer type detection element constituted by a resistor having a large temperature coefficient, or the like. Alternatively, other types of infrared sensors can be used. Further, not limited to the infrared sensor, another type of surface temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the temperature-measuring object in a non-contact manner may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a correlation between a clothing surface temperature and a thermal sensation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the surface temperature sensor of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the surface temperature sensor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle cabin showing an installation position of the surface temperature sensor of FIG. 2;

6 is an enlarged front view of the operation panel 3e of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an air-conditioning control process executed by the ECU of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control process in step S130 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control process in step S135 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process in step S140 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a control characteristic diagram of a blower.

FIG. 12 is a control characteristic diagram of a suction port mode.

FIG. 13 is a control characteristic diagram in the outlet mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view of an operation panel according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a characteristic diagram for obtaining a humidity correction value in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a characteristic diagram for obtaining a clothing amount correction value in the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30: electronic control unit, 31: surface temperature sensor.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Oga 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Denso Corporation (72) Inventor Yuichi Kajino 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Denso Corporation Inside

Claims (21)

[Claims] A surface temperature sensor for detecting a surface temperature of an occupant's clothing portion and outputting a clothing portion temperature signal, wherein a thermal sensation estimated value that is an estimated value of the occupant's thermal sensation is provided to the clothing portion. An air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein the air conditioner is calculated based on a temperature signal, and performs air conditioning control of a vehicle interior based on the estimated value of thermal sensation. 2. A surface temperature sensor (31) for detecting a surface temperature of a clothing part of an occupant and outputting a clothing part temperature signal, wherein a thermal sensation estimated value which is an estimated value of the thermal sensation of the occupant is provided to the clothing part. The thermal sensation target value and the thermal sensation estimated value are calculated based on the temperature signal, so that the thermal sensation target value and the thermal sensation estimated value, which are estimated values of the thermal sensation that the occupant feels comfortable, match. An air conditioner for a vehicle, which controls the air conditioning of the vehicle interior based on the difference between the two. 3. The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the surface temperature sensor (31) detects a surface temperature of a clothing portion of the upper body of the occupant. 4. The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the surface temperature sensor detects only a surface temperature of the clothing portion. 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the surface temperature sensor detects a surface temperature of the clothing and a skin temperature of the occupant. apparatus. 6. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the occupant's skin temperature is at least one of a face skin temperature and a hand skin temperature. 7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, when calculating the estimated thermal sensation value, vehicle environment information that affects the thermal sensation of the occupant is used together with the clothing part temperature signal. Air conditioner. 8. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle environment information is solar radiation. 9. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the thermal sensation estimated value Ss is calculated by the following equation (1). Ss = Cclo × (Tir−T) + Cs where Cclo is a coefficient relating to the amount of clothing, Tir is the surface temperature detected by the surface temperature sensor, T is the surface temperature of the clothing under the reference condition, Cs is a value determined from the amount of solar radiation. 10. A coefficient Cclo related to the amount of clothes.
10. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the air conditioner is determined based on clothing amount information from the clothing amount setting means (41) input by the occupant. 11. A coefficient Cclo related to the amount of clothes.
10. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein is determined based on an outside air temperature. 12. The clothing heat capacity is estimated from the rate of change of the surface temperature of the clothing part, and a coefficient Cclo related to the clothing quantity is determined based on the clothing capacity estimated from the heat capacity. Item 10. The vehicle air conditioner according to item 9. 13. The thermal sensation target value is calculated based on vehicle environment information affecting the thermal sensation of the occupant and thermal sensation information determined by the occupant's preference. A vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1. 14. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle environment information is at least one of a solar radiation amount, an outside temperature, a humidity, and a vehicle speed. 15. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the thermal sensation target value is changed according to the amount of clothing of the occupant. 16. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a target blow-off air temperature TAO of the air blown into the vehicle compartment is calculated by the following equation (2). TAO = K × (St−Ss) + C where K is a control coefficient, St is a thermal sensation target value, Ss is a thermal sensation estimated value, and C is a constant. 17. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a target blow-off air temperature TAO of the air blown into the vehicle compartment is calculated by the following equation (3). ## EQU3 ## TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kt × ∫ (St
−Ss) dt + C where K is a control coefficient, Kt is an integral term coefficient, St is a thermal sensation target value, Ss is a thermal sensation estimated value, and C is a constant. 18. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a target blow-off air temperature TAO of the air blown into the vehicle compartment is calculated by the following equation (4). ## EQU4 ## TAO = K × (St−Ss) −Kt × ∫ (St
−Ss) dt−Kd × d (St−Ss) / dt + C where K is a control coefficient, Kt is an integral term coefficient, Kd is a differential term coefficient, St is a thermal sensation target value, and Ss is a thermal sensation estimated value. , C are constants. 19. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 16, wherein the control coefficient K is varied. 20. The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a maximum value of the estimated value of the thermal sensation and a maximum value of the target value of the thermal sensation are limited to predetermined values or less. 21. A maximum value of the thermal sensation target value is limited to a first predetermined value or less, and a maximum value of the thermal sensation estimated value is limited to a second predetermined value or less. Also, the second predetermined value is set to be large, and the minimum value of the thermal sensation target value is limited to a third predetermined value or more, and the minimum value of the thermal sensation estimated value is limited to a fourth predetermined value or less. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 20, wherein the fourth predetermined value is set to be larger than the third predetermined value.