JPH0361114A - Operation control device for vehicle air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of switches to facilitate the installation by sequentially switching the selected operation modes being displayed by operating a select switch, and thereafter changing a specified selected operation mode to an execution operation mode by operating a set switch. CONSTITUTION:In operation mode such as step-wise set air quantity, set temperature, etc., operation modes in execution and selected operation modes are displayed on an indicator 1. The change in operation modes is indicat-ed by a select switch 2. Further, the selected operation modes are switch-ed sequentially by an indication switching means 3 in the specified order, depending on output of the select switch 2. On the other hand, the operat-ions in the selected operation modes being displayed are indicated by a set switch 4. Execution operation modes of an air conditioning device 5 are changed by a mode changing means 6 to the selected operation modes be-ing displayed, depending on output of the set switch 4. Thus, various types of operation modes are operated using only the minimum number of switches 2, 4 required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation control device for a vehicle air conditioner that switches and controls operating modes such as air volume and set temperature of the vehicle air conditioner based on operations by a passenger.

Conventional technology In vehicles that carry a relatively large number of passengers at the rear of the vehicle, such as one-box cars and microbuses, in addition to the front air conditioning system installed in front of the driver's seat, that is, in the dash panel, air conditioning systems are installed mainly toward the rear of the vehicle. Some vehicles are equipped with an independent rear air conditioner that blows cold or warm air.

This type of rear air conditioning system focuses on the comfort of rear seat passengers, so its operation panel is usually placed on the side of the vehicle on the rear seat side, for example, to make it easier for rear seat passengers to operate. ing. That is, it is generally located at a position that cannot be operated from the driver's seat.

In some cases, the vehicle is configured to be remotely controlled from the rear seat side using a wireless remote control transmitter (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 14506/1983).

Here, on the operation panel and remote control transmitter mentioned above, there are many switches for selecting the cooler and heater, switching the air volume between "strong", "medium-1", "low J", rAUTOJ, setting the target temperature, etc. There are several types of
Naturally, a fairly large panel area is required.

Therefore, even if it is attempted to arrange a similar operation panel on the driver's seat side, it is extremely difficult to secure space for it. Therefore, as mentioned above, the operation panel is usually provided only on the rear seat side.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, arranging the operation panel of the rear air conditioner only on the rear seat side as described above is very inconvenient when no passenger is in the rear seat. Note that even if remote control is possible using a remote control transmitter, the operation cannot be performed unless the transmitter is at hand to hear the operating sound.

Therefore, the present invention has been developed so that the air volume, temperature setting, etc. of the lj dual-purpose air conditioner can all be controlled with a very small number of switches, specifically two switches, so that, for example, the rear air conditioner can be operated from the front seat. This is intended to enable the placement of switches in a small space when operating them.

Furthermore, the purpose is to avoid the complication of operation when the number of switches is reduced in this way, and to enable operation in the optimum operating mode with a one-touch operation when the desired mode is not particularly requested. .

Means for Solving the Problems An operation control device for a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes a first
As shown in the figure, there is a display I that displays the current operating mode and selected operating mode among the operating modes such as air volume and set temperature that are set in stages, and a display I that displays the operating mode that is being selected and the operating mode that is being selected. A select switch 2, a display switching means 3 for sequentially switching selected operating modes in a predetermined order based on the output signal of the select switch 2, and a set switch 4 for instructing operation in the currently displayed selected operating mode. and a mode changing means 6 for changing the operating mode of the air conditioner 5 to the currently selected operating mode based on the output signal of the set switch 4.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, as shown in FIG.
Detecting the driving environment such as inside temperature, outside temperature, or solar radiation 1
one or more sensors 7 and the select switch 2
When the output signal of the set switch 4 is input before the selection of the operation mode by the automatic mode selection means 8 which selects the optimum operation mode based on the detection signal of the sensor 7, and after a predetermined time, The automatic mode changing means 9 is provided for instructing a change to the automatically selected selected operation mode.

Function: The display 1 displays the operating mode currently in progress, but the select switch 2 may be operated to change this operating mode.

An operation mode is selected by operating the select switch 2 and displayed as the selected operation mode. This selected operation mode is sequentially switched in a predetermined order by further operating the select switch 2. At this mode selection stage, the actual operating mode of the air conditioner 5 does not change, so regardless of the order in which the displays change,
No unnecessary blowing of hot or cold air.

When the set switch 4 is operated at a desired position, the execution operation mode is changed to the selected operation mode at that time.

The above operation modes include, for example, switching the cooler and heater, and changing the air volume to "strong", "medium", "weak", "ΔUTOj, rO
You can set any necessary settings according to the type of air conditioner, such as FFJ or set temperature such as ``24℃'' or ``25℃''. When only the set switch 4 is operated, the optimum operating mode is automatically selected based on the detection signals of the various sensors 7, and is displayed as the selected operating mode. If the occupant leaves this as it is, the actual operating mode is changed to the optimal selected operating mode after a predetermined period of time.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is configured as an operation control device for a rear air conditioner of a one-box vehicle will be described in detail.

First, the mechanical configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. The rear air conditioner of this embodiment has a cooler system and a heater system that are configured independently of each other, and a cooler evaporator 11 that extends in the width direction of the vehicle is mounted on the roof of the vehicle behind the driver's seat. A pair of cooler fans 12 are arranged in front of the cooler. Note that 13 is a refrigerant pipe, and 14 is a refrigerant flow rate adjustment solenoid valve that adjusts the refrigerant flow rate to control the outlet temperature (the cooler duct, which has an air inlet and an outlet and houses the fan 12, evaporator 11, etc., is not shown). (omitted). Further, a heater core 15 and a heater fan 16 constituting the heater system are provided on the side of the vehicle body or disposed within a heater duct 17. still,
The rear heater duct 17 is provided with an air intake port and an air outlet. 18 is a hot water passage connected to the heater core 15, 19 is a water valve that controls the amount of hot water circulated, and 20 is an actuator thereof. - The actuator 20 and the refrigerant flow rate adjustment solenoid valve 14 are appropriately controlled based on a set temperature, etc., which will be described later.

Above the windshield glass, which is a position visible from both the driver's seat and the rear seat, that is, the front roof rail part 2
A display unit 22 is attached to I. The display unit 22 has a display section for displaying an operation mode, which will be described later, on the 114th surface, and has a built-in control circuit for the rear air conditioner comprising a microcomputer system. Furthermore, this display unit 22 also has a function as a light receiving unit for an infrared remote control transmitter 23.

A relatively large operation panel 24 for controlling the front air conditioner is arranged on the front of the dash panel, and a seesaw switch 25 for operating the rear air conditioner is arranged adjacent to this. In addition, as sensors for detecting the driving environment, an inside temperature sensor 26 and an outside temperature sensor 27 are installed inside and outside the vehicle, and a solar radiation sensor 2 is installed on the upper surface of the dash board.
8 are arranged.

The two-part seesaw switch 25 is a two-contact type that doubles as a select switch and a set switch.As shown in Figure 4, pressing the bottom part turns on the select switch, and pressing the second part turns on the set switch. It becomes ON.

Also, in the free state, the internal spring returns to the neutral position and both are turned off. Of course, both switches may be provided independently.

Next, the operation mode of the rear air conditioner will be explained. In this rear air conditioner, the cooler system and heater system are independent as mentioned above, so they can be operated separately or both can be operated at the same time. There are three types: the air volume and set temperature of the heater fan 12 and the air volume and set temperature of the heater fan I6. This operation mode directly corresponds to the configuration of the display section on the front surface of the display unit 22 shown in FIG. 2”, 1-31, r
It can be switched in 5 ways: OFFj,
- Indicators 3I each consisting of a character display with a light-emitting element on the back surface are arranged in the display section corresponding to each operation mode. Here, r AUT Oj is a mode in which the air volume is controlled to the optimum air volume calculated from the relationship between the set temperature and the internal temperature.

rlJ to "31" are modes in which the motor is driven at a predetermined rotation speed, and correspond to "weak-1", "medium 1", and "strong". still,
In the rOFFj mode, the cooler fan 12 stops, the refrigerant flow tll regulating solenoid valve 14 closes, and the circulation of the refrigerant is stopped. Also, the air volume of the heater fan 16 is exactly the same as that of the cooler system, rAUTOJ, rlJ,
It can be switched in five ways: "2", "3", and rOFFJ, and indicators 32 corresponding to these are arranged on the display section. Note that in the r OF F J state, the circulation of hot water to the heater core I5 is also stopped.

Further, the set temperature is divided into nine modes centered around the standard room temperature of 25°C, and an indicator 33 consisting of nine rectangular segments is arranged on the display section correspondingly. .

The center segment corresponding to 25°C is vertically elongated to distinguish it from the others, and each segment on the low temperature side is arranged on the left side of this, and each segment on the high temperature side is arranged on the right side. There is.

Further, in FIG. 5, reference numeral 34 denotes a light receiving section that receives an infrared signal transmitted by the remote control transmitter 23.

The indicators 31.3233 in the display unit illuminate to indicate the operating mode being executed by the air conditioner at that time. For example, at a salinity setting of 25°C, the cooler fan I2 is set to r AUT OJ, and the heater fan I6 is set to rAUT.
If OJ, indicator 3I and indicator 3
2, the character display rAUTOJ lights up,
In addition, the center segment of the indicator 33 lights up. Even when the cooler or heater is rOFFj, the rOFFj is displayed by lighting in the same way.

The indicators 31, 32, and 33 also flash to indicate an operating mode arbitrarily selected by a select switch or fully automatically selected as described later, that is, a selected operating mode. Here, by suppressing the select switch, the blinking selected operation mode moves one by one, but the scanning order at that time is first rAUTOJ → rlJ → "2" on the cooler side.
"→"3"→r OF F j, then r on the heater side
AUTo" → "l" - "2" → "3" - 1 "OFF",
Furthermore, the order is from the low temperature side segment of the set temperature to the high temperature side segment one by one. Of course, after the last segment of the set temperature, it will return to rAUTOJ on the cooler side.

Next, an outline of the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

The rear air conditioner is remotely controlled by a rear seat passenger using a remote control transmitter 23.

This remote control transmitter 23 includes, for example, rAUTOJ, rlJ, . . . rOFF of the aforementioned cooler system.
J and heater system rAUTOJ, rlJ...rO
A group of switches and temperature settings that individually correspond to FFJ.
``up'' and ``down'' switches are provided.

On the other hand, on the driver's seat side, there is one seesaw switch 2.
It is operated only by a select switch and a set switch consisting of 5. That is, if a select switch is depressed while a certain operating mode is being executed, one selected operating mode will be displayed blinking on the display unit 22, and if the select switch is further depressed multiple times, the selected operating mode will be displayed blinking. That is, the selected operating modes are sequentially switched according to the scanning order as described above. In the display -, the blinking position of the indicator moves sequentially to the right.

However, at this stage, the operating mode actually executed does not change. Therefore, even if the selected operation mode is sequentially switched from the AUTOJ side of the cooler system to change the set temperature, unnecessary changes in air volume etc. will not occur during the process. After confirming that the desired operating mode has been reached, press the set switch at that position to change the actual operating mode to the selected operating mode.In other words, operation will be performed according to the selected operating mode at that time. be exposed.

Along with this, the indicator that had been flashing on the display changes to a lit display. Note that this air conditioner operates according to three combinations: the cooler system mode, the heater system mode, and the set temperature mode, so if any one of them is changed by two-part operation. However, the other two species will not be affected and will continue in their previous mode. For example, when the cooler is rAUTOJ, the heater is rAU'I'OJ, and the set temperature is 25℃,
If you operate the select switch to change the set temperature and make the other set temperature segments blink, and then press the set switch, only the set temperature will be changed to the specified mode, and the cooler and heater r A U TO
The J state does not change at all.

In this way, with the above configuration, all necessary operations can be performed only by operating the select switch and the set switch.

On the other hand, if the driver operates only the set switch to suppress, depending on the relationship between the inside temperature, outside temperature, or amount of solar radiation at that time and the set temperature, it is necessary to operate the cooler, the heater, or Either operation of both at the same time is automatically selected, and optimal operation is performed toward the set temperature.

Therefore, even if the driver does not know the operating procedures using both the select switch and the set switch, he can easily obtain a comfortable air conditioning effect by simply pressing only the set switch.

5 Next, the flowcharts in FIGS. 6 and 7 show an outline of the control program executed by the control circuit in the display unit 22. Hereinafter, with reference to these flowcharts, the above-mentioned rear air conditioning The operation control of the device will be explained in more detail.

Fig. 6 shows a main flowchart for controlling the operating mode of the air conditioner mainly based on the pressing operation of the set switch, and Fig. 7 shows the main flowchart for controlling the operating mode to be selected mainly based on the pressing operation of the select switch. Flowchart 1 of selection control is shown. Note that these are executed in parallel.

First, to explain the flow of the main flowchart, the actual control starts when the ignition key switch (not shown) is turned on (step 1), and the air conditioner starts operating according to the last operating mode of the previous operation ( Step 2). This operating mode is written in the memory backed up by the on-board battery, and if the cooler or heater was in R OF F J during the previous operation, it will restart in the I-OF F J state. be done.

In addition, this and 6 The current execution mode is displayed by lighting as described above.

Next, in step 3, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the set switch has been pressed. If the set switch is not pressed, the currently executed operating mode is maintained (step 4). At the same time, the ON/OFF state of the ignition key switch is repeatedly determined (step 5), and when the switch is turned OFF, the immediately preceding operating mode is used as data for the next time the operation is restarted. stored in memory (switch 7).

The indicator then goes out and the entire air conditioner stops operating (step 6.8).

If the set switch is suppressed, step 3
The process then proceeds to step 9, where it is determined whether or not the indicator is blinking, that is, whether or not there is an operation mode that is being displayed blinking as the selected operation mode. Here, if the select switch has been suppressed prior to the suppressing operation of the set switch, one of the operating modes will be displayed blinking as the selected operating mode according to the flowchart of FIG. 7, which will be described later. In this case, since the suppression operation of the set switch is based on the operation sound's intention to drive in the blinking selected operation mode, the execution operation mode is immediately changed (step 11) and driving is performed accordingly. It will be done. At the same time, the blinking indicator is switched to a lit display (step 10).

Therefore, by repeating the selection operation of the operation mode using the select switch and the operation of determining the operation mode using the set switch, the fan air volume and temperature can be arbitrarily set.

On the other hand, if the indicator is not blinking when the set switch is suppressed, in other words, if the set switch is suppressed even though the indicator on the display is not blinking, the operator Since it is assumed that the user wants to perform air conditioning without selecting a particularly preferred mode, the process proceeds to step 12 and subsequent steps, where automatic selection of the operating mode is performed.

This automatic selection of the operating mode is performed based on the value E related to the amount of heat inside the vehicle at that time, but if both the cooler and heater are in the rOFFJ state when the set switch is pressed. In order to let the operator confirm the set temperature, an indicator corresponding to the previous set temperature (the set temperature that was stored in the memory immediately after the start of operation) is displayed blinking (steps 12, 13, and 14).
．． ).

Then, in step 15, the above value E is compared with a first predetermined value, and if E>K, rAUTOJ is selected as the cooler operating mode, and if E≦, rAUTOJ is selected.
OFFJ is selected respectively. In other words, the selected operation mode is "AUTO-J" or "OFF".
is displayed blinking (steps 16 and 17). Here, the above E is the inside temperature ti, the outside temperature ta, and the set temperature tp.
, is calculated using the following equation using the amount of solar radiation Is.

E=ati+bta4-ctp+dls+e-1-f However, a=f is an appropriate constant.

In addition, in step 18, the above value E is compared with a second predetermined value (where L>K), and if E<L, the heater operation mode is changed to "AU'rO-I".
If E≧L, r OF F J is selected, and the corresponding indicator is also displayed blinking (step 19.20). In short, if the value of E is within the range of L-, then both the cooler and the heater, if it is below K, only the heater, and if it is 7 or more, only the cooler.
Each of them is selected to operate in the rAUTOj mode.

At this point, the timer TI starts (step 2I) and waits for 5 seconds with the automatically selected mode indicator blinking (step 26). If there is no other voluntary operation within 5 seconds, it is assumed that the operator has no intention of switching to another operating mode, so the indicator that was currently blinking is displayed as being lit (step 27); After another two seconds (step 28), the active operating mode is changed to the automatically selected operating mode (step II).

Therefore, no matter what operating mode you are operating in, including the l-OF FJ state, simply pressing the 0 set switch will set the cooler and heater to Operation will be performed using either rAUTOJ for both, rAUTOJ for only the cooler, or rAUTOJ for only the heater, and the operation of manually selecting the operating mode can be omitted, resulting in an extremely simple operation.

Furthermore, even if the operating mode is automatically selected by operating the set switch as described above, if necessary, it is possible to change the set temperature, etc. to another operating mode by operating the select switch while the indicator is flashing. (Step 23). In this case, timer TI is reset (step 30) and normal operation control is resumed. Similarly, 5
If there is an operation input from the remote control transmitter 23 while the indicator is flashing for seconds, the operation mode is switched according to the operation input, and then normal operation control is resumed (steps 22, 29 and 30). Note that during normal operation (state where the indicator is not blinking), it is possible to directly switch to each operation mode using the remote control transmitter 23. Further, if the ignition key switch is turned off while the indicator is blinking for 5 seconds (step 24), the operating mode being executed immediately before is stored (step 7).

As mentioned above, by setting a 5-second standby time with the indicator flashing after automatically selecting the operating mode, it is possible to prevent the system from suddenly entering the rAUTO state due to incorrect operation, and It is possible to provide sufficient room for changing the mode according to the operator's preference.

In addition, if you press the set switch again during the 5-second standby time in Part 2, operation in the automatically selected operating mode (i.e., the flashing rAUTOJ mode) will be started early and actively. (Step 25)
．． 31-34.11).

That is, the indicator switches to a lit display, and two seconds after the indicator lights up, the execution mode is changed.

Therefore, immediately after starting operation, simply press the set switch 2.
If the suppression operation is performed twice, the change to the optimal mode can be completed quickly.

Next, to explain the flowchart of FIG. 7 for performing selection control, first, in step 51, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the selection switch has been pressed, and if the suppression operation is detected, the selected switch is activated. The mode is switched to the next mode according to the scanning order described above (step 54).

That is, on the display, the blinking display position moves to the next position. If the select switch is pressed a plurality of times, the selected operation mode will be sequentially switched by the number of times. Also, when the select switch is held down, the selected operating mode changes at regular intervals. Note that it may be configured such that a certain mode (for example, rAUTOJ of the cooler, which is the first in the scanning order) always blinks first in response to the first press operation when there is no blinking indicator. Alternatively, the mode that was last selected at the time of the previous mode change may be stored, and the mode may be configured to blink first.

- If the select switch is operated as described in -1-, the indicator blinks, and the switch enters the set switch input waiting state, the remote control transmitter assumes that the driver's side operation has priority. 23 is once prohibited (step 52), and timer T2 is started. In other words, the two-part timer T2 indicates the elapsed time since the select switch was last operated.

Further, at a timing when the select switch is not suppressed, the process proceeds to step 55 and subsequent steps, and it is determined whether or not another operation has been performed. Normally, the set switch is pressed following the operation of the select switch, so the timer T2 is reset at that point (step 55.
56). For this set switch pressing operation, steps 3.9 to 3 of the main flowchart are performed as described above.
11 is performed, the execution operation mode is changed to the selected operation mode that was flashing at that time. Of course, if the indicator is not flashing,
Automatic selection of operating mode is initiated.

4 In addition, when there is an operation input from the remote control transmitter 23 (step 57), if the indicator is blinking, the operation input is ignored as described above, but at that time, the timer T2 is set to 10. If it is longer than 1 second, the blinking state of the indicator is canceled (step 60).
), remote control by the remote control transmitter 23 is permitted (step 61). Then, the timer T2 is reset (step 59). In other words, once the select switch is operated, priority is given to operating the driving sound (input via the set switch), but if the driver leaves the select switch unattended for more than 10 seconds, , the selection state of the operating mode is canceled, the blinking display disappears, and remote control by the lodging crew becomes possible.

Furthermore, when the ignition key switch is turned OFF (step 62), the control ends;
77 As described above, the immediately previous execution mode in the main flowchart is stored.

Then, in step 63, the timer T2? +430 seconds or more”
It is determined whether or not the timer has reached 2, and if it is longer than 30 seconds, the blinking state of the indicator is canceled (step 64) and timer 2 is reset (step 65).
. However, if the driver operates the select switch to select an operating mode and leaves the set switch unoperated for 30 seconds or more, the selected operating mode will be automatically canceled and the indicator will start flashing. The display will disappear and the state will return to the state before the select switch was operated. Therefore, for example, if the driver operates the select switch once and then gets distracted by driving the vehicle and forgets to operate the next seso I switch, the driver will naturally return to the state before operating the select switch. Since the setting switch returns to normal, there is no problem such as an unexpected operating mode being immediately executed when the set switch is touched afterwards.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of this invention has been described in detail.
It is not limited to devices. It is of course also possible to control, for example, the selection of the air outlet, the opening degree of the air mix door, etc. using the operating motor.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the operation control device for a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, various operation modes of the air conditioner can be operated with only two switches. This is very suitable for use when operating the air conditioner from the driver's seat.

After selecting an operating mode with one select switch, that operating mode is executed by operating the other set switch, so while selecting the required operating mode, the actual operating mode of the air conditioner There are no problems such as unnecessary changes.

Furthermore, since operation in the optimal operating mode is possible with just one-touch operation of the set switch, the operation is extremely simple if a favorite mode is not particularly requested. Furthermore, there is no need to separately provide a switch for this purpose, and the switch installation space can be minimized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a claim correspondence diagram showing the structure of the invention according to claim I, Fig. 2 is a claim correspondence diagram showing the structure of the invention according to claim 2, and Fig. 3 is a mechanical structure of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of the seesaw switch, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of the front of the display unit, and FIGS. 6 and 7 do not show the control program of this embodiment.
1- It is a chart. l...Display device, 2...Select switch, 3...Display switching means, 4...Set switch, 5...Air conditioner, 6...Mode changing means, 7...Sensor, 8...・・・
automatic mode selection means, 9... automatic mode change means;

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A display that displays the current operating mode and selected operating mode among the operating modes such as air volume and set temperature that are set in stages, and a select switch that instructs to change the operating mode; A display switching means for sequentially switching the selected operating mode in a predetermined order based on the output signal of the select switch, a set switch for instructing operation in the selected operating mode being displayed, and an output signal of the set switch. 1. An operation control device for a vehicle air conditioner, comprising: mode changing means for changing the execution mode of the air conditioner to the selected operation mode being displayed based on the operation mode of the air conditioner. (2) One or more sensors that detect the operating environment such as temperature, and when the output signal of the set switch is input before the selection switch selects the operating mode, Claim 1 characterized by comprising: automatic mode selection means for selecting an optimal operating mode; and automatic mode changing means for instructing a change to the automatically selected selected operating mode after a predetermined period of time.
The operation control device for the vehicle air conditioner described above.