JPH0725219A - Air conditioner for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To embody an air conditioner for automobile which closely follows the hot/cold feeling of a driver by using a skin temperature detecting sensor. CONSTITUTION:A skin temperature sensor 50 at a front seat and a skin temperature sensor 52 at a rear seat detect each skin temperature of the drivers at the front seat and rear seat. Further, each target hot/cold feeling at the front and rear seats is set by each switch panel 21, 22. A controller 4 treats the signal supplied from the sensors 5, and controls the blowers 7 and 15 and air mixing dampers 10 and 53 which are installed in the air conditioner units 2 and 3 for the front and rear seats so that each target hot/cold feeling set by the switch panels 21 and 22 is obtained. In order to obtain the set value of the switch panel 21 for the front seat, the number of revolution of the blower 7 of the air conditioner unit 2 for a front seat and the opening degree of the air mixing damper 10 are controlled. Similarly, in order to obtain the set temperature due to the switch panel 22 for a rear seat, the blower 15 and the air mixing damper 53 are controlled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for an automobile which automatically controls by using an infrared skin temperature sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a conventional automobile air conditioner equipped with two air conditioning units for front seats and rear seats, and FIG. 11 shows a vehicle installation diagram of this automobile air conditioner. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1 denotes an automobile air conditioner, and the automobile air conditioner 1 includes a front seat air conditioning unit 2 installed in the front part of the vehicle, a rear seat air conditioning unit 3 installed in the rear part of the vehicle,
It is composed of a controller 4 and sensors 5.

The front seat air conditioning unit 2 comprises an inside / outside air switching device 6, a blower 7, a refrigerant evaporator 8, an expansion valve 9, an air mix damper 10, a heater core 11, and a temperature control air outlet switching damper 12. The heater core 11 is connected to the running engine 13.

The rear seat air conditioning unit 3 comprises an inside / outside air switching device 14, a blower 15, a refrigerant evaporator 16, and an expansion valve 17. The sensors 5 are composed of an outside air temperature sensor 18 for detecting an outside air temperature, an insolation sensor 19 for detecting an insolation amount, and an inside air temperature sensor 20 for detecting a temperature at a representative point in the vehicle interior. 4 is supplied. In addition to the sensors 5 described above, a front seat switch panel 21 and a rear seat switch panel 22 are also connected to the control device 4.

The control device 4 employs a control system in which the proportional control based on the detected value from the inside air temperature sensor 20 and the predictive control based on the detected values from the outside air temperature sensor 18 and the solar radiation sensor 19 are added to the front seat air conditioner. Blower 7 installed in unit 2
And the opening degree of the air mix damper 10 and the rotation speed of the blower 15 installed in the rear seat air conditioning unit 3,
Automatic control is performed so that the temperature of the passenger is set from the front seat switch panel 21 or the rear seat switch panel 22.

Refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 and expansion valves 9 and 17
Is the refrigerant compressor 23, the refrigerant condenser 24, the refrigerant receiver 2
5. The electromagnetic switching valve 26 constitutes a refrigerant circuit. Here, the refrigerant evaporator 16 in the rear seat air conditioning unit 3 acts as a refrigerant evaporator only when the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 26 is open.
As shown in FIG. 11, the opening / closing of the electromagnetic on-off valve 26 is performed only by manually operating a switch on the front seat switch panel 21 by the front seat occupant 32 or by a rear seat occupant 33 on the rear seat switch panel 22. Be done.

Normally, an automobile air conditioner having two air conditioning units for front seats and rear seats as shown in FIG. 10 has a large interior space like a 1BOX car called a bongo car. It is often installed in vehicles with a large cooling load.

FIG. 12 shows a system configuration in which an automobile air conditioner including two air conditioning units is mounted on a 1BOX vehicle. As shown in the figure, in the vehicle 35, seats 36 to 38, a refrigerant compressor 40 driven by an engine 39, a refrigerant condenser 41, and a refrigerant condenser blower 4 are provided.
2, first cooler unit 43, second cooler unit 44
Is installed.

The cooler units 43 and 44 include the blowers 45 and 46 for the refrigerant evaporator and the refrigerant evaporators 47 and 4 respectively.
It is composed of 8. In the 1BOX vehicle, a large number of people can board the vehicle as shown in FIG.
When riding on the rear seat 38 of No. 5, the cooling sensation is insufficient only by driving the first cooler unit 43. Therefore, by operating the switch provided in the driver seat of the seat 36, the second cooler unit 44 is operated. Is driven. If the occupant 49 is not on the rear seat 38, generally, the second cooler unit 44 is not operated. Therefore, in this case, the cool air of the first cooler unit 43 also flows toward the rear part like S ₁ , and as a result, it is extraly cooled down to the seats 37 and 38 behind the front seat 36.

[0010]

The thermal comfort perceived by humans does not depend only on the air temperature, but in addition to the environmental conditions such as air flow velocity, radiation, humidity, etc.
It also changes depending on the amount of activity.

Therefore, in the conventional automobile air conditioner, a system for controlling the representative air temperature in the vehicle compartment detected by the inside air temperature sensor to approach the temperature set by the front seat switch panel or the rear seat switch panel. Therefore, even if the temperature detected by the inside air temperature sensor is almost the same as the set temperature that was felt comfortable when the direct sunlight did not hit, the occupant's face would be hot. May be felt.

Further, since the electromagnetic on-off valve for controlling the refrigerant flowing to the refrigerant evaporator in the rear seat air-conditioning unit is opened and closed by the occupant's manual operation, the front occupant is required each time when there is no rear occupant. However, there is the annoyance that the electromagnetic switch valve must be closed by operating the rear seat switch panel. Further, if the occupant forgets to perform the switch operation and leaves the electromagnetic opening / closing valve open, the passenger compartment may be additionally cooled, and the power of the refrigerant compressor may increase to deteriorate the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Further, there is a safety problem in operating such a switch while the driver is driving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by utilizing the fact that human's thermal sensation has a close correlation with the skin temperature of the face, a skin temperature is detected using a sensor. By controlling the temperature so that it is comfortable, it is possible to faithfully control the thermal sensation of passengers in the front seats and rear seats. The presence or absence of passengers in the vehicle can be automatically detected, the supply of refrigerant to the rear seat air conditioning unit can be stopped, and the refrigerant discharge capacity of the refrigerant compressor can be changed according to the cooling load. The object is to provide a harmony device.

[0014]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) An air conditioner for a vehicle according to the present invention generates a target skin temperature of an occupant by inputting a warm / cold sensation setting unit that sets the occupant's thermal sensation and a set value of the warm / cold sensation setting unit. With the means and the target skin temperature as an input,
At least one of the solar radiation amount detecting means, the air flow velocity detecting means in the passenger compartment, the relative humidity detecting means in the passenger compartment, the human clothing amount setting means, and the human activity amount setting means is used as an input, and the air temperature of the passenger compartment is changed. In order to match the detection value of the vehicle interior air temperature with the means for generating the target value and the target value of the vehicle interior air temperature, the outside air temperature detection value and the solar radiation amount detection value are input, and the first blowing air temperature correction is performed. Means for generating a value, a skin temperature detecting means for detecting a skin temperature of an occupant, and a means for generating a second blowing air temperature correction value for making the detected value of the skin temperature detecting means coincide with the target skin temperature. And a means for generating a target blown air temperature by inputting the first blown air temperature correction value and the second blown air temperature correction value, and a temperature of the blown air and an air volume based on the target blown air temperature. ,Wind Characterized by comprising a means for controlling at least one of. (2) The automobile air conditioner according to the above item (1) is provided with an air conditioning unit for front seats and an air conditioning unit for rear seats. Also, the skin temperature detecting means is provided, and each unit is independently controlled based on the warm / cool sensation setting means and the skin temperature detecting means. (3) In the automobile air conditioner of the above item (2), when the value detected by the skin temperature detecting means of the rear seat air conditioning unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator of the rear seat air conditioning unit. And a means for closing a solenoid valve for controlling the. (4) In the automobile air conditioner of the above item (3), when the value detected by the skin temperature detecting means in the rear seat air conditioning unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the evaporator is not passed and the front seat area and the rear seats are not passed. It is characterized in that a damper for blowing the circulating air is provided between the area and the area.

[0015]

In the above item (1), when the warm / cold sensation is set by the warm / cold sensation setting device, the skin temperature target value is calculated. Next, using this skin temperature target value as input, further, the fan input voltage for indirectly obtaining the solar radiation sensor detection value, the humidity sensor detection value, the clothing amount setting value, the activity amount setting value, and the air flow velocity in the passenger compartment. The target value of the vehicle interior air temperature is calculated by inputting at least one of the values. The target value of the vehicle interior air temperature is input together with the outside air temperature supplied from the outside air temperature sensor and the amount of solar radiation supplied from the solar radiation sensor, and the first correction value of the blown air temperature is calculated. Further, the skin temperature target value is subtracted from the value output from the skin temperature detecting means, for example, the infrared skin temperature sensor in the subtracter, and the second correction value of the blowing temperature is calculated through the proportional gain.
Then, the sum of the first blow-out temperature correction value and the second blow-out temperature correction value is taken to calculate the blow-out temperature target value, and based on this blow-out temperature target value, at least one of the temperature, the air volume, and the wind direction of the blow-out air is calculated. Control one or the other.

Therefore, in order to control the facial skin temperature, which is closely related to the human thermal sensation, to a comfortable temperature, the ambient environmental conditions such as insolation, humidity, and air flow velocity, the amount of clothing of the human, and the activity. Even if conditions such as quantity change, it is possible to constantly control the human thermal sensation to a comfortable state according to individual taste.

In the above item (2), a control signal that provides a target temperature sensation set by the switch panels installed in the front seat and the rear seat is used to detect the skin temperature provided in the front seat and the rear seat. Based on the skin temperature of the front and rear seat occupants detected by the means, the temperature is output to the front and rear seat air conditioning units, respectively. For the setting by the front seat switch panel, the rotation speed of the blower installed in the front seat air conditioning unit and the opening degree of the air mix damper are controlled, and for the setting by the rear seat switch panel, The rotation speed of the blower installed in the seat air conditioning unit and the opening of the air mix damper are controlled independently.

Therefore, since the occupant's skin temperature is detected and controlled, the occupant's warm and cold feeling can be controlled faithfully. Further, the occupant can be released from the troublesomeness of the conventional switch operation.

In the above item (3), when the detection signal from the skin temperature detecting means installed in the rear seat is lower than the temperature that the human body can take (for example, 30 ° C. or lower), it is determined that there is no passenger in the rear seat. The electromagnetic on-off valve that controls the flow of the refrigerant in the evaporator of the rear seat air conditioning unit is closed to stop the operation of the rear seat air conditioning unit.

Therefore, by performing such control, the cooling load for the rear seats is reduced, the discharge capacity of the capacity-controlled refrigerant compressor is reduced, and the power consumption is consequently reduced. In the above item (4), when the output of the skin temperature detecting means installed in the rear seat is smaller than a predetermined value, the supply of the refrigerant to the rear seat air conditioning unit is stopped and the switching damper is switched to circulate. It becomes a mode. In the circulation mode, the air blown from the blower for the refrigerant evaporator in the air conditioning unit for the rear seats forms a circulating flow between the front seat area and the rear seat area without passing through the refrigerant evaporator and A kind of air curtain blocks the air blown from the air conditioning unit. When there is no occupant in the rear seat, or when cooling is not necessary (when the facial skin temperature of the occupant in the rear seat is low), only the vicinity of the front seat is cooled (so-called by the air curtain effect of the circulating air). Zone air conditioning).

Therefore, a sufficient cooling sensation can be secured in the front seat, and at the same time, fuel economy can be realized. Further, since the acceleration of the vehicle can be improved and the engine water temperature can be prevented from rising excessively, the drivability and the durability can be improved.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an automobile air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the vehicle 35 is equipped with an air conditioning unit including a capacity control refrigerant compressor (not shown), an outside air temperature sensor 18 for detecting the outside air temperature, and solar radiation for detecting the amount of solar radiation. A sensor 19, an inside air temperature sensor 20 that detects the temperature at a representative point in the vehicle compartment, a skin temperature sensor 50 that detects the skin temperature of the face of the occupant 32 in the front seat, a humidity sensor 51 that measures the relative humidity in the vehicle, and the like are provided. . The capacity-controlled refrigerant compressor is driven by a running engine, and is, for example, a CF.
Compress a refrigerant such as C-12 or HFC-134a.

The skin temperature sensor 50 is an infrared sensor that collects infrared rays emitted from the face of the occupant 32 and measures the amount of heat. The signals detected by the sensors 18 to 20, 50, 51 are input to the control device 68. The control device 68 is configured so that each of the sensors 18 to 20, 50, 51
The fan 7 and the air mix damper 10 are controlled by processing the detection signal from the fan. Further, in the figure, 8 is a refrigerant evaporator (evaporator), and 11 is a heater.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the details of the control device 68. The control device 68 controls the function elements 82, 85, 8
7, 89, 90, gain 86, 88, hot and cold feeling setting device 8
1, a clothing amount setting device 83 and an activity amount setting device 84 are mainly configured.

The warm / cold feeling setting device 81 sets the warm / cool feeling of the occupant 32 such as "a little cool" or "not warm or cool". And this warm / cold feeling setting device 81
Is a function element 8 that outputs the skin temperature target value T _{sk set} based on the set value S set by the hot and cold sensation setter 81.
2 are connected.

The correlation between the skin temperature target value T _skset and the set value S can be expressed by the following linear expression. T _skset = a · S + b (1) where a and b are constants.

The skin temperature target value T _skset which is the output of the function element 82 is supplied to the function element 85 and the value T _sk output from the skin temperature sensor 50 in the subtractor 92.
_Is supplied to the proportional gain [K ₂ ] 88 as ε _sk .

The proportional gain [K ₂ ] 88 receives ε _sk as an input, calculates a correction value T _MS2 of the blowout temperature according to the following equation, and outputs it to the adder 94. T _MS2 = K ₂ × ε _sk (2) where K ₂ is a proportional gain.

The clothing amount setting device 83 is set to an appropriate value I _CO according to the seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, and the activity amount setting device 84 is set.
_Are set to appropriate values I _MT based on the standard amount of activity of the driver or passenger and are supplied to the function elements 85, respectively.

The function element 85 is a skin temperature target value T _skset ,
Detection value I _SN of solar radiation sensor 19, detection value φ of humidity sensor 51, set value I _CO of clothing amount setting device 83, activity amount setting device 84
The room temperature target value T _iset is output based on the set value I _MT and the fan voltage V _F. Where fan voltage V _F
Is detected to indirectly obtain the air flow velocity around the occupant in the passenger compartment.

The function element 85 models the heat balance of the human body to obtain the relationship between the facial skin temperature and the room temperature, the amount of solar radiation, the relative humidity, the air flow velocity, the amount of clothing, and the amount of activity in advance by experiments and simulations. It has been transformed.

The room temperature target value T _iset which is the output of the function element 85 is supplied to the function element 87 and the subtractor 9
In 1, the room temperature detection value T _i from the inside air temperature sensor 20 is subtracted, and then the result is supplied to the proportional gain [K ₁ ] 86 as ε _i . The proportional gain [K ₁ ] 86 receives ε _i as an input and calculates a correction value T _MS1a of the blowout temperature according to the following equation.

T _MS1a = K ₁ × ε _i (3) where K ₁ is a proportional gain. Function element 87 is obtained by modeling the heat balance of the passenger compartment, the outside air temperature T _a to be supplied from the room temperature target value T _iset, outside air temperature sensor 18,
With the solar radiation amount I _SN supplied from the solar radiation sensor 19 as an input, the correction value T _MS1b of the blowout temperature is calculated based on the following equation.

T _MS1b = T _iset + K _a × (T _iset −T _a ) −K _SN × I _SN + C (4) However, K _a , K _SN , and C are calculation constants. Function element 87
_Outputs the correction value T _MS1b of the blowing temperature to the adder 93.

The adder 93 has a blowout temperature correction value T _MS1b supplied from the function element 87 and a proportional gain [K ₁ ] 86.
The sum of the outlet air temperature correction value T _MS1a supplied from T _MS1
Is output to the adder 94. The adder 94 calculates the target value T _MS of the outlet temperature by taking the sum of the outlet temperature correction values T _MS1 and T _MS2 .

[0037] _{T MS1 = T MS1a + T MS1b} ... (5) T MS = T MS1 + T MS2 ... (6) target value T _MS of the outlet air temperature is the air mix damper 1
It is supplied to the function element 89 for calculating the opening degree θ of 0 and the function element 90 for calculating the input voltage V _F of the blower 7.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the target value T _MS of the blowout temperature in the function element 89 and the opening θ of the air mix damper 10. The opening degree θ of the air mix damper 10 changes from fully closed to fully open as the target value T _MS of the blowout temperature increases.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the target value T _MS of the blowing temperature in the function element 90 and the input voltage V _F of the blower 7.
When the target value T _MS of the blowout temperature is low, the input voltage V _F of the blower 7 is H _i , which is in the cooling region. Then, in accordance with the target value T _MS blowout temperature becomes higher, the input voltage V _F of the blower 7 is continue to decrease, the input voltage V _F of the blower 7 becomes L _o. Further, when the target value T _MS of the blowout temperature becomes higher, the heating area is reached, and the input voltage V _F of the blower 7 rises to H _i .

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a description will be given of the operation in the case where a person who is outside the vehicle and is exposed to sunlight while in the summer air conditioning board the vehicle and operates the vehicle and the air conditioner.

When the air conditioner is started, step 101
In, the temperature setting value S, clothing amount setting value I _CO , activity amount setting value I _MT , skin temperature sensor detection value T _sk , inside air temperature sensor detection value T _i , outside air temperature sensor detection value T _a , solar radiation sensor detection The value I _SN , the humidity sensor detection value φ, and the fan input voltage V _F are read.

At this time, since the occupant 32 is in a state immediately after the face is exposed to the sun outside the vehicle, the skin temperature sensor detection value T _sk is as high as about 36 ° C. as shown in FIG. Next, in step 102, the warm / cold sensation set value S
Based on, the function element 82 calculates the skin temperature target value T _skset . The skin temperature target value T when the warm / cold sensation set value S is set to a value that is neither warm nor cool
_{The skset} is about 33 ° C. according to the equation (1).

Next, at step 103, the skin temperature target value T _skset , the solar radiation sensor detected value I _SN , the humidity sensor detected value φ, the clothing amount set value I _CO , is calculated by the function element 85.
A room temperature target value T _iset is calculated based on the activity amount setting value I _MT and the fan input voltage V _F.

At this time, the room temperature target value T _iset is about 23 ° C. under the influence of the solar radiation sensor detection value I _SN . In the case where there is no solar radiation, if the skin temperature target value T _skset is 33 ° C., the room temperature target value T _iset is usually about 25 ° C.

Next, at step 104, the difference ε _i between the target value T _iset of the room temperature and the detected value T _{i of the} room temperature is input, and the proportional gain [K ₁ ] 86 is used to _adjust the outlet temperature correction value T _MS1a.
To calculate.

Next, at step 105, the function element 87 calculates the outlet temperature correction value T _MS1b based on the outside air temperature sensor detection value T _a and the insolation sensor detection value I _SN .
Next, at step 106, the outlet temperature correction value T
_The outlet temperature correction value T _MS1 is calculated as the sum of _MS1a and T _MS1b . The outlet temperature correction value T _MS1 is the room temperature detection value T
_This is the blowout temperature of the air conditioner required for _i to reach the room temperature target value T _iset of about 23 ° C.

Next, at step 107, the blowing temperature correction value T _MS2 is calculated by the proportional gain [K ₂ ] 88 with the difference ε _sk between the target skin temperature T _skset and the detected skin temperature T _sk as an input. . Air temperature correction value T _MS1 is the air temperature required to obtain a room temperature target value T _iset the steady state corresponding to skin temperature target value T _Skset, and, to obtain the prediction control skin temperature target value T _Skset On the other hand, the blowing temperature correction value T _MS2 is a transient blowing temperature correction value based on the current skin temperature detection value T _sk , and the skin temperature target value T _skset is proportionally controlled. It is a correction value for obtaining.

Next, at step 108, the sum of the blowout temperature correction values T _MS1 and T _MS2 is taken to calculate the blowout temperature target value T _MS . At this time, immediately after a person gets into the vehicle, the skin temperature T _sk is as high as about 36 ° C., so that the blowing temperature correction value T _MS2 becomes a negative value. Therefore, the outlet temperature target value T _MS becomes a value lower than the outlet temperature correction value T _MS1 .

Next, at step 109, the opening degree θ of the air mix damper 10 is calculated by the function element 89 based on the outlet temperature target value T _MS . At this time, the target value T _{MS of the} blowout temperature becomes a low value, so the air mix damper 1
The opening degree θ of 0 is fully closed.

Next, at step 110, the blower 7 is caused by the function element 90 on the basis of the blow-out temperature target value T _MS.
Of the input voltage V _F. At this time, the blow-out temperature target value T _MS becomes a low value, so that the blower 7 is set to H _{i in the} cooling region.
It will be driving.

Next, at step 111, the opening degree θ of the air mix damper 10 and the manipulated variable of the fan input voltage V _F are output to control the air mix damper 10 and the blower 7. As a result, the air conditioner has the maximum air volume without the heater reheating, and the cooling operation is performed with the maximum capacity.

Therefore, as shown in the experimental result of FIG. 6, the room temperature is lower than the target value of 23 ° C. in the steady state, and drops to almost 21 ° C. After that, the skin temperature is 3
When the temperature decreases from 6 ° C and approaches the target value of 33 ° C, the outlet temperature correction value T _MS2 approaches a zero from a relatively large negative value, so the outlet temperature target value T _MS rises. Then, the opening degree θ of the air mix damper 10 is opened from the fully closed state, the input voltage V _F of the blower 7 is also decreased in the direction from H _i to _Lo , and the air volume of the air conditioner is decreased. As a result, the room temperature rises from around 21 ° C as it approaches the steady state, and reaches about 23 ° C during the steady state.

Therefore, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the skin temperature sensor detection value T _sk quickly reaches the target value 33 ° C. after the start and is maintained at this value. . On the other hand, since the conventional air conditioner controls only the room temperature, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, after the skin temperature T _sk reaches the comfortable value of 33 ° C., the air mix damper is started. 10 starts to open from fully closed, and again
The input voltage VF to the blower 7 also drops from H _i , the air volume starts to decrease, and the cooling capacity of the air conditioner starts to decrease from the maximum value. As a result, the room temperature drops to 25 ° C., then stabilizes at about 25 ° C., which is about 2 ° C. higher than the room temperature of 23 ° C. in the case of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

Further, the decrease in the human facial skin temperature T _sk is
It becomes gentle from the middle, and does not reach the comfortable value of 33 ° C, and stabilizes at about 34 ° C. Here, in the case of the conventional air conditioner, the skin temperature T _{sk in} the steady state is about 34 ° C., which is about 1 ° C. higher than that of the air conditioner according to the present invention, because the effect of radiant heat due to solar radiation cannot be sufficiently corrected. It is due to that.

In this embodiment, the control of the temperature of the blown air by the air mix damper 10 and the control of the air volume by the blower 7 have been described, but it is possible to change the direction of the wind by changing the blowout opening and changing the position, direction and blowout angle of the blowout grill. Control may be added.

Therefore, rather than the conventional air-conditioning control of only the indoor air temperature, the facial skin temperature, which is closely related to the human sensation of warming and cooling, is controlled to a comfortable temperature. Even if the surrounding environmental condition such as the flow velocity and the conditions such as the amount of clothes and the amount of activity of the human change, the human warming / cooling sensation can always be controlled to a comfortable state according to the individual preference.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The second embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an automobile air conditioner (dual air conditioner) equipped with two air conditioning units for front seats and rear seats. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of an automobile air conditioner in this embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which this air conditioner is mounted on a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 7, an automobile air conditioner 1A
Is a front seat air conditioning unit 2 installed at the front of the vehicle, a rear seat air conditioning unit 3 installed at the rear of the vehicle, a control device 4,
It is composed of sensors 5 and the like.

The front seat air conditioning unit 2 includes an inside / outside air switching device 6, a blower 7, a refrigerant evaporator 8, an expansion valve 9, an air mix damper 10, a heater 11, and a temperature control air outlet switching damper 12.
It consists of

The rear seat air-conditioning unit 3 comprises an inside / outside air switching device 14, a blower 15, a refrigerant evaporator 16, an expansion valve 17, an air mix damper 53, a heater core 54, and a temperature control air outlet switching damper 55. , 54 are connected to the traveling engine 13.

The sensors 5 include an outside air temperature sensor 18 for detecting an outside air temperature, an insolation sensor 19 for detecting an insolation amount, an inside air temperature sensor 20 for detecting a temperature at a representative point in the passenger compartment, a front seat infrared skin temperature sensor 50, It is composed of a rear seat infrared skin temperature sensor 52, and its detection signal is supplied to the control device 4.

In addition to the above sensors, a front seat switch panel 21 and a rear seat switch panel 22 for setting a target warm / cool feeling are connected to the control device 4. The refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 and the expansion valves 9 and 17 form a refrigerant circuit by the capacity control refrigerant compressor 56, the refrigerant condenser 24, the refrigerant receiver 25, and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 26.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
The capacity control refrigerant compressor 56 is driven by the traveling engine 13 and compresses a refrigerant such as CFC-12 or HFC-134a. In the capacity-controlled refrigerant compressor 56, when the cooling load decreases and both the suction pressure and the discharge pressure decrease,
The power consumption is reduced by automatically controlling the discharge capacity so as to keep the suction pressure constant. The refrigerant condenser 24 condenses the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the capacity-controlled refrigerant compressor 56 into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant to liquefy it. At this time, heat is dissipated from the refrigerant side to the air side. The refrigerant receiver 25 stores the high-pressure liquid refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant condenser 24 and allows only the liquid refrigerant to pass through. This high-pressure liquid refrigerant is decompressed into low-pressure liquid refrigerant by the expansion valves 9 and 17,
When the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 26 is closed, it is connected to the refrigerant evaporator 8, and when the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 26 is opened, it is connected to the refrigerant evaporator 8 and the refrigerant evaporator 16 of the rear seat air conditioning unit 3 connected in parallel with the refrigerant evaporator 8. Supplied. The electromagnetic on-off valve 26 is opened and closed only by the occupant manually operating the switch of the front seat switch panel 21 or the rear seat switch panel 22.

The refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 evaporate the supplied low pressure liquid refrigerant into low pressure gas refrigerant. At this time, the refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 exchange heat with the air blown from the blowers 7 and 15 to generate cold air. The heat absorbed by the refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 is radiated outside the vehicle compartment in the refrigerant condenser 24.

The inside / outside air switching devices 6 and 14 have such a structure that the air taken into the air conditioning units 2 and 3 can be selected to be either the inside air or the outside air. This is performed by the rear seat switch panel 22.

The blowers 7 and 15 blow the air taken into the front seat air conditioning unit 2 and the rear seat air conditioning unit 3 to the refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16, respectively. Hot water for cooling water circulates between the heaters 11 and 54 with the running engine 13, and cold air blown from the blowers 7 and 15 through the refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 passes through the heaters 11 and 16. It becomes warm air by passing through.

The air mix dampers 10 and 53 respectively introduce the cool air generated in the refrigerant evaporators 8 and 16 into the heaters 11 and 54 in the air conditioning units 2 and 3, and the air volume that bypasses the heaters 11 and 54. The temperature of the air blown from the air conditioning units 2 and 3 is adjusted by adjusting the opening ratio of the air conditioning units 2 and 3.

The temperature adjusting air outlet switching dampers 12 and 55 switch the air outlets adjusted in the air conditioning units 2 and 3 to, for example, FACE, FOOT, DEF and the like. This operation is performed by the front seat switch panel 21 and the rear seat switch panel 22.

The outside air temperature sensor 18 detects the temperature outside the vehicle, the solar radiation sensor 19 detects the amount of solar radiation, the inside air temperature sensor 20 detects the temperature inside the vehicle, and outputs a signal to the control device 4. The front seat infrared skin temperature sensor 50 and the rear seat infrared skin temperature sensor 52 are respectively provided in the front seat occupant 32 and the rear seat occupant 3.
By detecting the radiant energy emitted from the skin 3 according to the temperature, the skin temperature of the occupant is detected and a signal is output to the control device 4.

Further, by the front seat occupant 32, the target warm / cool feeling of the front seat (for example, "warm", "slightly warm", "normal", "slightly cool", "cool") is given to the front seat. It is set by the switch panel 21, and the rear seat occupant 33 sets the target warm / cool feeling of the rear seat by the rear seat switch panel 22. Then, the set signal is output to the control device 4.

The control device 4 is equipped with a microcomputer (not shown), processes and calculates signals from the sensors 5 to obtain a target warm / cold sensation set by the switch panels 21 and 22. Thus, the control signal is output to the blower 7 and the air mix damper 10 installed in the front seat air conditioning unit 2, and the blower 15 and the air mix damper 53 installed in the rear seat air conditioning unit 3. For the setting by the front seat switch panel 21, the rotation speed of the blower 7 and the opening degree of the air mix damper 10 installed in the front seat air conditioning unit 2 are controlled, and the setting by the rear seat switch panel 22 is performed. On the other hand, the rotation speed of the blower 15 and the opening degree of the air mix damper 53 installed in the rear seat air conditioning unit 3 are controlled.

Further, when the detection signal supplied from the rear seat infrared skin temperature sensor 52 to the control device 4 is lower than the temperature that the human body can take (for example, 30 ° C. or lower), the control device 4 judges that there is no passenger in the rear seat. Then, the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 26 is closed.

Therefore, since the skin temperature of the occupant is detected and the control is performed, it is possible to perform the control faithful to the sensation of the occupant. Further, since the rear seat infrared skin temperature sensor 52 is used upstream for control as a human body detection sensor and the presence or absence of a person in the rear seat is detected, the electromagnetic on-off valve 26 is automatically opened and closed. The occupant can be released from the hassle. Further, by performing such control, the cooling load for the rear seats is reduced, the discharge capacity of the capacity control refrigerant compressor 56 is reduced, and as a result, the power consumption is reduced.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows the structure of an automobile air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows another example of a vehicle air conditioner (dual air conditioner) equipped with two air conditioning units for front seats and rear seats.

As shown in the figure, a vehicle 35 is a 1BOX vehicle, and seats 36 to 38, a refrigerant compressor 40 driven by an engine 39, a refrigerant condenser 41, a refrigerant condenser blower 42, a first vehicle 35 are provided in the vehicle 35. A cooler unit 43 and a second cooler unit 44 are installed.

The first cooler unit 43 comprises a refrigerant evaporator blower 45 and a refrigerant evaporator 47. The second cooler unit 44 includes a refrigerant evaporator blower 46, a refrigerant evaporator 48, and a switching damper 102 for switching the air passage between the circulation mode and the cooling mode. And
A skin temperature sensor 101 for detecting the face surface temperature of the occupant 49 is installed in the second cooler unit 44. The skin temperature sensor 101 is a non-grounded type that detects infrared rays and the like.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. The skin temperature sensor 101 is installed so as to be oriented mainly toward the face of the occupant 49 of the rear seat 38 (sometimes the face of the occupant of the central seat 37). Then, the output of the skin temperature sensor 101 is supplied to a control device (not shown). The control device controls the switching damper 102 and the like based on the output of the skin temperature sensor 101 and the like.

When the output of the skin temperature sensor 101 is larger than a predetermined value, the control device automatically operates the second cooler unit and switches the switching damper 102 to the point A to set the cooling mode. In this case, the air blown from the refrigerant evaporator blower 46 is sent to the refrigerant evaporator 48 and becomes the cool air S ₂ which is blown toward the rear seat 38. Skin temperature sensor 101
When the output of is less than the predetermined value, the supply of the refrigerant to the second cooler unit 44 is stopped, and the switching damper 102 is switched to the point B to enter the circulation mode. In this case, there is also a method of stopping the operation of the second cooler unit 44.

In the circulation mode, the wind S ₃ blown from the refrigerant evaporator blower 46 forms a circulating flow in the vicinity of the central seat 37 without passing through the refrigerant evaporator 48, and
The air S ₁ blown from the cooler unit 43 is blocked by a kind of air curtain. When there is no occupant in the rear seat 38 or when cooling is not required (when the skin temperature of the face of the occupant 49 in the rear seat 38 is low), the air curtain effect of the circulating wind S ₃ causes the front seat. 36
Only the vicinity is cooled (so-called zone air conditioning).

Therefore, a sufficient cooling sensation can be secured in the front seat 36, and at the same time, fuel saving can be realized. Further, since the acceleration of the vehicle can be improved and the engine water temperature can be prevented from rising excessively, the drivability can be improved and the durability of the vehicle can be improved.

[0081]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, since the facial skin temperature, which is closely related to the human thermal sensation, is controlled to a comfortable temperature, the occupant's thermal sensation can be controlled faithfully. Can be done. In addition, even if the surrounding environmental conditions such as solar radiation, humidity, and air flow velocity, and conditions such as the amount of clothing and the amount of activity of a person change, the human sense of heat and cold should always be controlled to a comfortable state according to the individual's taste. You can Furthermore, the rear seat infrared skin temperature sensor is used as a human body detection sensor upstream of the control, and by detecting the presence or absence of a person in the rear seat, the electromagnetic on-off valve and the switching damper are automatically controlled, which makes the switch operation troublesome. As a result, the occupant can be released, the cooling load for the rear seats is reduced, the discharge capacity of the capacity-controlled refrigerant compressor is reduced, and as a result, the power consumption is reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automobile air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a relationship between a target value of blown air temperature and an air mix damper opening degree according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a target value of blown air temperature and a fan input voltage according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing experimental results of changes in room temperature and skin temperature in the same example.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an automobile air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vehicle-mounted view of the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an automobile air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a conventional vehicle air conditioner.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a conventional vehicle air conditioner mounted on a vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a conventional air conditioner for a vehicle having a dual cooler unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A ... Automotive air conditioner, 2 ... Front seat air conditioning unit, 3 ... Rear seat air conditioning unit, 4 ... Control device, 5 ... Sensors, 6 ... Inside / outside air switching device, 7 ... Blower, 8 ... Refrigerant evaporation Device, 9 ... Expansion valve, 10 ... Air mix damper, 11 ... Heater, 12 ... Temperature control air outlet switching damper, 13 ... Running engine, 14 ... Inside / outside air switching device, 15 ... Blower, 16 ...
Refrigerant evaporator, 17 ... Expansion valve, 18 ... Outside air temperature sensor, 19
... solar radiation sensor, 20 ... inside air temperature sensor, 21 ... front seat switch panel, 22 ... rear seat switch panel, 24 ... refrigerant condenser, 25 ... refrigerant receiver, 26 ... electromagnetic on-off valve, 32, 33
... occupant, 35 ... vehicle, 36 to 38 ... seat, 39 ... engine, 40 ... refrigerant compressor, 41 ... refrigerant condenser, 42 ... blower for refrigerant condenser, 43 ... first cooler unit, 44 ... second cooler unit, 45, 46 ... Blower for refrigerant evaporator,
47, 48 ... Refrigerant evaporator, 49 ... Occupant, 50 ... Front seat infrared skin temperature sensor, 51 ... Humidity sensor, 52 ... Rear seat infrared skin temperature sensor, 53 ... Air mix damper, 54 ... Heater, 55 ... Temperature control wind blow Outlet switching damper, 56 ... Capacity control refrigerant compressor, 68 ... Control device, 81 ... Hot / cold feeling setting device, 8
2 ... Function element, 83 ... Clothing amount setting device, 84 ... Activity amount setting device, 85 ... Function element, 86 ... Gain, 87 ... Function element,
88 ... Gain, 89, 90 ... Function element, 91, 92 ... Subtractor, 93, 94 ... Adder, 101 ... Skin temperature sensor, 1
02 ... Switching damper.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location B60H 1/00 X 1/32 L (72) Inventor Katsunari Shiroyama Asahi, Nishibiwajima-cho, Nishikasugai-gun, Aichi 3-chome, Machi Air Conditioner Works, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideo Sugano 1 Takamichi, Iwazuka-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Nagoya Research Institute (72) Ryosaku Akimoto Nishi Kasugai-gun, Aichi Prefecture Nishi-Biwajima-cho, Asahi-cho 3-chome No. 1 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Air Conditioning Factory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A warm / cold sensation setting unit for setting a warm / cool sensation of an occupant, a unit for generating a occupant target skin temperature by inputting a set value of the warm / cold sensation setting unit, and the target skin temperature is input. In addition, solar radiation amount detection means,
Air flow velocity detection means in the passenger compartment, relative humidity detection means in the passenger compartment,
A means for generating a target value of the vehicle interior air temperature by inputting at least one value of the human clothing amount setting means and the human activity amount setting means, and the vehicle interior air temperature as the target value of the vehicle interior air temperature. In order to match the detected values of, the external air temperature detected value and the solar radiation amount detected value are input, a means for generating a first blown air temperature correction value, a skin temperature detecting means for detecting the skin temperature of the occupant, and Means for generating a second blown air temperature correction value for making the detected value of the skin temperature detection means coincide with the target skin temperature, the first blown air temperature correction value and the second blown air temperature correction value And a means for generating a target outlet air temperature, and a means for controlling at least one of the outlet air temperature, the air volume, and the wind direction based on the target outlet air temperature. Automotive air-conditioning apparatus that. 2. The vehicle air conditioner includes a front seat air conditioning unit and a rear seat air conditioning unit, and the warm and cold sensation setting means and the skin are respectively corresponding to these units. The air conditioner for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein temperature detecting means is provided and each unit is independently controlled based on the warm / cold feeling setting means and the skin temperature detecting means. 3. A solenoid valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator of the rear seat air conditioning unit is closed when the value detected by the skin temperature detecting means of the rear seat air conditioning unit is below a predetermined value. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising means. 4. The circulating air is blown between the front seat area and the rear seat area without passing through the evaporator when the value detected by the skin temperature detecting means in the rear seat air conditioning unit is below a predetermined value. A vehicle air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising a damper.