JP3758924B2 - Air conditioner for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that can improve the operability of an operation panel for setting an operation mode of an air conditioner main body and can set an air conditioning environment according to a user's preference as a standard.
[0002]
[Related background]
An air conditioner mounted on a vehicle is usually provided with an automatic mode, and a comfortable air conditioning environment is set by setting the automatic mode. Further, the automatic mode is canceled so that the air conditioning environment according to the user's preference and various situations can be manually set. Such automatic mode setting of the air conditioner and manual setting of the operation mode are generally performed by operating a switch of an air conditioning operation panel incorporated in a center panel or the like.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, this type of air conditioner incorporates a function for generating a predetermined operation sound such as “beep” at the time of operation in order to confirm the switch operation of the operation panel by the blind touch. However, depending on the user, the operation sound may be troublesome. Even if the automatic mode is set, the air-conditioning environment adjusted by this automatic mode may not suit the user's preference, leading to misunderstandings such as the automatic mode not functioning effectively and distrusting the user. There is also concern about giving.
[0004]
However, the function of such an air conditioner is a basic function set internally, and it is difficult for the user to change it without permission. Therefore, in order not to generate the operation sound, for example, a measure such as remodeling the internal device is required. In order to adjust the air conditioning environment in the automatic mode to the user's preference, for example, measures such as changing control parameters for the air conditioner main body are required, and a large-scale work is required.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to easily change and set the internal function that operates according to the switch operation of the operation panel under specific work conditions. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that can be used.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, an air conditioner for a vehicle according to the present invention is provided with an operation panel having a plurality of switches for setting an operation mode of an air conditioner main body mounted on the vehicle, and according to the switch operation of the operation panel. A control device that controls the operation of the air conditioner body by operating the function,
Focusing on a failure diagnosis tester that is selectively connected to the electronic device in order to check the operating state of various electronic devices (ECUs) incorporated in the vehicle, the switch operation can be performed using this failure diagnosis tester. The internal function that operates in response to this can be changed and set.
[0007]
In particular, the internal function set to operate according to the switch operation is changed in accordance with information input via a failure diagnosis tester selectively connected to the control device main body. providing the means for that feature a.
[0008]
Ability to operate in response to specific the switch operation is made from the function of controlling the operation of the air conditioner main body with the control center value corresponding to the operation path Ne control center index displayed on Le, Information for changing the control center value associated with the control center index using the failure diagnosis tester, for example, shift information for raising and lowering the set temperature in the automatic mode can be input and displayed on the operation panel It is characterized in that the control condition of the air conditioner main body is changed and set without changing the index.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment. Reference numeral 10 denotes an operation panel including a plurality of switches for setting an operation mode of the air conditioner body 1. The switch provided on the operation panel 10 includes, for example, an air conditioner switch 11 that controls the operation of an air conditioner (not shown) in the air conditioner main body 1, an on / off control of an air blowing fan, and an increase / decrease control of the air volume A fan switch 12, a plurality of mode switches 13 for selectively setting air blowing modes from a plurality of air outlets, a temperature setting switch 14 for setting an air conditioning temperature, and the like. Further, the operation panel 10 is provided with an operation display unit 15 that displays an image of an air conditioning control mode set using the switches 11 to 14 and an index such as an air conditioning temperature as a control target.
[0010]
Then, by selectively operating a plurality of switches 11 to 14 provided on the operation panel 10, the operation information is given to an air conditioning control device to be described later, and the operation mode and operation of the air conditioning device body 1 are controlled. It has become so. Specifically, for example, the automatic mode of the air conditioning control is set and canceled by operating the “automatic” switch 13 a in the mode switch 13. Further, by operating the blowing mode switch 13b and the front DEF switch 13c in the mode switch 13, the blowing mode corresponding to the switch is set, and the blowing of air from a plurality of air blowing ports is switched. Furthermore, the operation of the inside / outside air switching switch 13d switches between the introduction of outside air and the circulation of inside air. Further, the operation of the rear DEF 13e activates the anti-fogging function of the rear glass.
[0011]
On the other hand, the control device 20 that detects the switch operation of the operation panel 10 plays a role of controlling the operation of the air conditioner body 1 by activating a function set in advance in accordance with the switch operation. Specifically, the functions of the control device 20 include a temperature control function 21 that controls the air temperature according to the temperature inside the vehicle detected by the temperature sensor 31, and the operation of the fan motor to control the air volume. Detected by an air volume control function 22 to be performed, an air discharge control function 23 for switching and controlling air blowing from a plurality of air outlets, an outside air / inside air control function 24 for controlling selective introduction of outside air and inside air, and a solar radiation sensor 32 There is a solar radiation control function 25 for controlling the air conditioning conditions according to the solar radiation environment. Each of these control functions 21 to 25 operates individually or in association with each other according to the switch operation of the operation panel 10 as described above, and controls the operation of the air conditioner body 1 according to predetermined control conditions. To do. In particular, when the automatic mode is set by operating the switch on the operation panel 10, the functions 21 to 25 operate in association with each other so that the air conditioning environment in the passenger compartment becomes a preset environment. Control the operation of
[0012]
The operation confirmation function 26 provided in the control device 20 detects a switch operation of the operation panel 10 and generates an operation sound such as “beep” via the speaker 33 to clearly indicate that the switch operation has been performed. Take on. Generation of this operation sound notifies the operator (driver) that the switch operation has been performed even when the switch operation is performed by a so-called blind touch at the time of driving operation.
[0013]
Basically, in the vehicle air conditioner configured to include the operation panel 10, the control device 20, and the air conditioner body 1 described above, the present invention is characterized by various electronic devices mounted on the vehicle. A failure diagnosis tester (MUT) 40 used for confirming the operating state of the ECU is provided with a connector 41 for selectively connecting to the control device 20, and using the MUT 40, as described above, the control device 20 is provided. The function that operates according to the switch operation set internally is changed. Incidentally, the MUT 40 is prepared in a vehicle service factory or the like and handled by a specific (specialized) worker. Moreover, the connector 41 for connecting such MUT40 is provided in the lower part of the instrument panel ahead of the driver's seat in which the said operation panel 10 was integrated, for example.
[0014]
Then, in the control device 20, under the specific work condition to which the MUT 40 is connected, according to information input using a key switch or the like (not shown) provided in the MUT 40, the procedure described below is performed. Below, the function which is operated according to the switch operation of the operation panel 10 set in the control device 20 is changed.
[0015]
Specifically, setting switching (change) as to whether or not to activate the operation confirmation function 26 that generates an operation sound in response to a switch operation on the operation panel 10 is executed in accordance with, for example, a schematic processing procedure shown in FIG. . That is, this setting change is performed under the working condition in which the MUT 40 is connected to the control operation 20 via the connector 41 [Step S1], and whether or not an operation sound is output to the control device 20 using the key switch of the MUT 40 ( Enter information that determines whether or not there is an operation sound. In the control device 20, it is determined whether or not generation of an operation sound is requested or unnecessary by examining the contents of the input information [step S2].
[0016]
If generation of an operation sound is requested (with operation sound), the current setting status is determined [step S3], and if it is set without operation sound, it is changed to a setting with operation sound. [Step S4]. On the other hand, if the current setting state is that there is an operation sound [step S3], the setting change process is not performed because it is not necessary to perform the setting again (step S5).
[0017]
On the other hand, when the information input from the MUT 40 makes it unnecessary to generate an operation sound (no operation sound), the current setting status is similarly determined [step S6]. If the current setting state is that there is an operation sound, the operation sound is not set [step S7]. That is, the operation setting of the operation confirmation function 26 corresponding to the switch operation is canceled and the operation is prohibited. However, if the current setting state is no operation sound [Step S6], it is not necessary to perform the setting again, so the setting change process is not performed [Step S5].
[0018]
In this way, by setting (changing) a condition as to whether or not to operate the operation confirmation function 26 according to the switch operation under the above-described processing procedure in accordance with the input of information regarding the operation sound from the MUT 40, Whether or not an operation sound is generated is controlled. Actually, a flag for controlling the generation of an operation sound is provided in the operation program of the control device 20, and an operation sound is generated in response to a switch operation by setting [1] or [0] to this flag. It is only necessary to control whether or not the operation confirmation function 26 is activated.
[0019]
On the other hand, when changing the control center value of the temperature control in the automatic mode, the setting may be changed in accordance with, for example, the processing procedure shown in FIG. In this case, in the work condition in which the MUT 40 is connected to the control operation 20 via the connector 41 [Step S11], information for shifting the control center value is given to the control device 20 using the key switch of the MUT 40. input. Specifically, [Low], [Medium], and [High] information are input as shift information. Then, the control device 20 determines this input information. If it is [Low], the control center value is lowered by one level. If it is [Medium], the control center value is returned to the specified value (initial value) below. If it is [High], it is determined that the control center value is raised by one level [Step S12].
[0020]
Next, based on the determination result of the input information, the current setting status is checked [steps S13, S14, S15]. When it is confirmed that the current setting state is not the lowest level that can be taken as the control center value under the condition that the information of [Low] is input [Step S13], the control center value is determined from the current setting level under this condition. Set it lower by one level [step S16]. However, when the current setting state is set to the lowest level that can be taken as the control center value [Step S13], the control center value setting control is ended without changing the setting [Step S17]. ].
[0021]
On the other hand, when the information “high” is input from the MUT 40 and it is confirmed that the current setting state is not set to the highest level that can be taken as the control center value [step S14], Under this condition, the control center value is set one level higher than the current set level [step S18]. At this time, if the current setting state has already been set to the maximum level that the control center value can take, the control center value setting control is similarly terminated without changing the setting [step. S17].
[0022]
When the information input from the MUT 40 is “middle”, it is confirmed that the current setting state is not the initially set control center value [step S15], and the control center value is set in advance under this condition. The initial value obtained as the standard value is set [step S19]. If the control center value has already been set to the initial value, the control center value setting control is terminated without changing the setting [step S17].
[0023]
Thus, according to the control device 20 configured to change the control center value for the air conditioner main body 1 based on the information input from the MUT 40 in this manner, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 10 without changing the air-conditioning control index A displayed on the control unit 20, the control center value serving as a reference for control of the air-conditioning device body 1 is internally changed and set in the control functions 21 to 25 of the control device 20. Is possible.
[0024]
Specifically, when the air-conditioning temperature is controlled by the temperature control function 21 in a situation where the automatic mode is set, the control center index [N] which generally means “normal” in the index A displayed on the operation panel 10. The air conditioner main body 1 is controlled by the temperature control function 21 so that a comfortable air-conditioning environment in which the air-conditioning temperature is managed can be obtained by adjusting the setting to. However, depending on the user's preference, the air environment can be felt warm or conversely cool. In this case, generally, the index setting is shifted to the [C] side, which means [cool eyes], or the [W] side, which means [warm eyes]. Since the center value is shifted, an air environment suitable for the user's preference can be obtained. However, it is unavoidable for the user to ask why a comfortable air-conditioning environment cannot be obtained at the [normal] index position.
[0025]
In this regard, as described above, the control center value change information is directly input to the control device 20 using the MUT 40, and is associated with the index A displayed on the operation panel 10, particularly the control center index. If the control center index is changed, the temperature control is executed internally under the changed control center value in the state where the [normal] index position is set in the index A. A comfortable air-conditioning environment suitable for the user's preference can be obtained. That is, by inputting information for changing the control center value for air-conditioning control associated with the control center index, and simply shifting the correspondence between the control center index and the control center value, An operation panel that can shift the control width (control center value) corresponding to the index (control center value) A to B1, B2, B3, and can realize air conditioning control that suits the user's preference without any discomfort. Ten operating environments can be constructed.
[0026]
As a result, the operability of the operation panel 10 is enhanced, and a great practical effect is achieved such that the air-conditioning environment according to the user's preference can be set as standard. In addition, it is possible to easily change the setting by only inputting information using the MUT 40 by a specific (specialized) operator without unintentionally modifying the operation panel 10 or its internal device. An effect is produced.
[0027]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Here, the switching setting for the presence or absence of operation sound and the change of the control center value of the air conditioning temperature have been described as examples. However, temperature control for solar radiation executed based on sensing information from the solar radiation sensor 32, introduction of outside air, The same can be applied to a change in switching timing of a control function for automatically controlling the inside air circulation. In the embodiment, the association of the control center value with the index displayed on the operation display unit 15 has been described as being changed. However, the control for the index (dial memory) attached around the dial type operation knob is described. The same can be applied to the case of changing the value association. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the function that operates according to the switch operation of the operation panel is changed and set using the failure diagnosis tester, for example, whether or not operation sound for confirming the switch operation is generated, The control center value of the air conditioning control can be easily changed. As a result, the operability of the operation panel for setting the air conditioning conditions can be improved, and a great practical effect can be obtained such as the air conditioning environment according to the user's preference can be set as standard.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic processing procedure for changing and setting whether or not an operation sound for confirming switch operation is executed in the vehicle air conditioner shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic processing procedure for changing and setting a control center value for temperature control executed in the vehicle air conditioner shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a setting change of a control center value and a correspondence relationship between the changed control center and a control index.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air-conditioner main body 10 Operation panel 11, -14 Switch 15 Operation display part 20 Control apparatus 21, -25 Control function 26 Operation confirmation function 31,32 Sensor 40 Fault diagnosis tester (MUT)

Claims (1)

An air conditioner body mounted on the vehicle;
An operation panel provided with a plurality of switches for setting the operation mode of the air conditioner body,
A control device that controls the operation of the air conditioner body according to the switch operation of the operation panel using a control center value associated with the control center index displayed on the operation panel ;
The control device inputs information for changing the control center value associated with the control center index via a failure diagnosis tester selectively connected to the control device, and according to the switch operation A vehicle air conditioner comprising means for changing a function to be operated.

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