JP7533239B2 - Vehicle equipment control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle equipment control device having a sound output unit that can output sound within a power source room of a vehicle, and a control unit that can execute sound output control to output sound from the sound output unit.

Vehicles such as automobiles are provided with a room that houses the power source (hereinafter referred to as the "power source room" as necessary). Generally, when the power source is an engine, the power source room is called an engine room, and when the power source is a motor, the power source room is called a motor room. In such power source rooms, there is a gap between the power source and other auxiliary machinery, and small animals such as cats, mice, squirrels, etc. can get into this gap.

If a small animal has entered a gap in the power source room like this, and the power source, accessories, and other equipment in the power source room starts to operate, there is a risk that the operating equipment will come into contact with the small animal, which is undesirable. For this reason, various vehicle equipment control devices have been proposed to expel small animals from the power source room.

One example of a vehicle equipment control device is an animal repellent device for a vehicle that has a sound wave generator that is installed in the engine room of the vehicle and generates sound waves of a predetermined frequency, and a control unit that monitors the opening and closing of the vehicle door and radiates sound waves of the predetermined frequency into the engine room using the sound wave generator when it detects that the door has been opened before the engine is started. (See, for example, Patent Document 1.)

JP 2016-140267 A

However, there tends to be a short time between when an occupant opens the door and when the occupant issues a command from within the vehicle cabin to start operating the equipment in the power source room, such as the power source and auxiliary machinery. Due to this tendency, in a configuration in which sound waves are emitted by a sound output unit, such as a sound wave generator, when the opening of the door is detected before the start of a power source, such as an engine, as in the example of the vehicle equipment control device described above, there is a risk that the operation of the equipment will start before the small animal is expelled from the power source room to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, in the example of the vehicle equipment control device described above, there is still a risk that it is impossible to prevent the equipment in the power source room that is operating from coming into contact with a small animal.

In light of this situation, it is desirable for a vehicle equipment control device to reliably remove small animals from the power source room before the equipment in the power source room begins to operate.

In order to solve the problem, a vehicle equipment control device according to one embodiment is a vehicle equipment control device including a sound output unit configured to be able to output sound in a power source room that houses a power source for driving the vehicle, and a control unit configured to be able to execute sound output control that outputs sound from the sound output unit, and includes a clock measurement unit configured to be able to measure time, and a receiving unit configured to receive a signal including a remote operation command transmitted from the terminal device, the signal having an auxiliary control instruction for controlling an auxiliary of the vehicle based on the operation of a terminal device disconnected from the vehicle and a control start time for starting control of the auxiliary based on the auxiliary control instruction, the control unit is configured to be able to execute auxiliary control that controls the auxiliary according to the auxiliary control instruction of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiving unit, and the control unit is also configured to start the sound output control at a pre-control time that is a predetermined time before the control start time of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiving unit, based on the time measured by the clock measurement unit.

In one embodiment of the vehicle equipment control device, small animals can be reliably expelled from the power source room before the equipment in the power source room starts operating.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle equipment control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view, with a portion of the hood omitted, that illustrates a state in which a cat has entered an engine compartment at the front of a vehicle that includes a vehicle equipment control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the first half of a control method of the vehicle equipment control system in one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the latter half of the control method of the vehicle equipment control system in one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control method for the vehicle equipment control device according to the embodiment.

A vehicle equipment control system according to one embodiment will be described. The vehicle equipment control system includes a vehicle equipment control device. Hereinafter, as necessary, the vehicle equipment control system will be referred to simply as the "equipment control system" and the vehicle equipment control device will be referred to simply as the "equipment control device."

The vehicle equipment control system includes a vehicle equipped with an equipment control device, and a server and terminal devices used to remotely control the equipment control device. The vehicle is an automobile or the like having a power source room that houses a power source such as an engine or a motor. The small animals are assumed to be animals such as cats, mice, squirrels, etc. that are large enough to fit into the power source room.

"Outline of Vehicle Equipment Control System"
An outline of the vehicle equipment control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. That is, the vehicle equipment control system according to the present embodiment is generally configured as follows. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle equipment control system includes a vehicle 10 and a vehicle equipment control device 20 as described above.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 has a power source 11 for driving the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 also has a power source room 12 that houses the power source 11. In this embodiment, the power source 11 is an engine 11, in which case the power source room 12 is an engine room 12. However, the power source can also be a power source other than an engine. For example, the power source can be a motor, in which case the power source room is a motor room.

As shown in FIG. 1, the equipment control device 20 has a sound output unit 21 configured to be able to output sound within the engine room 12. The equipment control device 20 has a control unit 22 configured to be able to execute sound output control that outputs sound from the sound output unit 21. The equipment control device 20 has a clock measurement unit 23 configured to be able to measure time.

The vehicle 10 has an auxiliary machine 30 arranged in the engine room 12. The equipment control system also has a terminal device 40 that is separated from the vehicle 10. The equipment control device 20 has a receiving unit 24a that is configured to be able to receive a remote operation command signal transmitted from the terminal device 40. The remote operation command includes an auxiliary machine control instruction for controlling the auxiliary machine 30 of the vehicle 10 based on the operation of the terminal device 40. The remote operation command includes a control start time for starting control of the auxiliary machine 30 based on the auxiliary machine control instruction.

The control unit 22 is configured to be able to execute auxiliary control to control the auxiliary 30 in accordance with the auxiliary control instruction of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiving unit 24a. The control unit 22 is also configured to start sound output control at a pre-control time that is a predetermined time before the control start time of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiving unit 24a, based on the time measured by the clock measurement unit 23.

Furthermore, the vehicle equipment control system according to this embodiment can be generally configured as follows. The vehicle equipment control device 20 has a room temperature detection unit 25 configured to be able to detect the room temperature in the engine room 12. The vehicle equipment control device 20 has an outside air temperature detection unit 26 configured to be able to detect the outside air temperature of the vehicle 10.

The control unit 22 is configured to start sound output control at the pre-control time when the receiver 24a receives a signal including a remote operation command and the calculated temperature difference C (=A-B) obtained by subtracting the detection value B of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 26 from the detection value A of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature difference threshold C1.

Furthermore, the control unit 22 is configured to start sound output control at the pre-control time when the calculated temperature change value E (=A-D) obtained by subtracting the room temperature detection value D immediately before control detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the pre-control time from the room temperature detection value A at the time of reception is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature change threshold value E1.

"Details of Vehicle Equipment Control System"
1, the vehicle equipment control system according to the present embodiment can be specifically configured as follows: The vehicle equipment control system has a server 50 configured to receive a remote operation command transmitted from a terminal device 40 and transmit the received remote operation command as a signal to the equipment control device 20 of the vehicle 10.

In other words, in the equipment control system, a remote operation command signal transmitted from the terminal device 40 is sent as a signal to the equipment control device 20 of the vehicle 10 via the server 50. Communication between the terminal device 40 and the server 50, and communication between the server 50 and the equipment control device 20 are wireless communications.

"Vehicle Details"
1 , the vehicle 10 can be configured in detail as follows. The vehicle 10 has an air conditioner 13. The air conditioner 13 is configured to be capable of adjusting the temperature and humidity in a vehicle compartment (not shown) and to send air toward the vehicle compartment. The accessories 30 of the vehicle 10 include a compressor 31, a condenser 32, a receiver 33, and an evaporator 34 of the air conditioner 13. The compressor 31, the condenser 32, the receiver 33, and the evaporator 34 are disposed in the engine compartment 12.

The accessories 30 of the vehicle 10 also include an oil pump 35, a water pump 36, a generator 37, an injection pump 38, and a power steering pump 39. The oil pump 35, the water pump 36, the generator 37, the injection pump 38, and the power steering pump 39 are also disposed in the engine compartment 12.

"Details of vehicle equipment control device"
1 and 2, the vehicle equipment control device 20 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, in the vehicle equipment control device 20, the sound output unit 21 is a speaker. As shown in Fig. 2, the sound output unit 21 and the room temperature detection unit 25 can be disposed in an upper area in the vertical direction of the vehicle of the engine room 12 where small animals P are likely to enter. However, at least one of the sound output unit and the room temperature detection unit can also be disposed in a lower area in the vertical direction of the vehicle of the engine room.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device control device 20 includes a communication unit 24 configured to enable communication with the outside. The communication unit 24 includes the above-mentioned receiving unit 24a and a transmitting unit 24b configured to enable transmission of signals including various information such as various commands. The receiving unit 24a is also capable of receiving signals including various information such as various commands. The device control device 20 has a memory unit 27 configured to enable storage of the results of the calculation processing of the control unit 22.

The control unit 22 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 27 may be a RAM (Random Access Memory). In the equipment control device 20, the control unit 22 is electrically connected to the engine 11, the air conditioning device 13, and the sound output unit 21.

The control unit 22 can execute a reception determination to determine whether the receiving unit 24a has received a signal including a remote operation command. The memory unit 27 can store the control start time included in the remote operation command. The control unit 22 can execute a time acquisition to acquire the time measured by the clock measurement unit 23. The control unit 22 can execute a time calculation to calculate a pre-control time a predetermined time before the control start time stored in the memory unit 27, based on the time measured in the time acquisition. The memory unit 27 can store the pre-control time calculated in the time calculation.

The control unit 22 can execute a first room temperature acquisition to acquire a time-of-reception detection value A of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the timing when the receiving unit 24a receives a signal including a remote operation command. The memory unit 27 can store the time-of-reception detection value A of the room temperature acquired in the first room temperature acquisition. The control unit 22 can execute an outside air temperature acquisition to acquire a time-of-reception detection value B of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 26 at the timing when the receiving unit 24a receives a signal including a remote operation command. The memory unit 27 can store the time-of-reception detection value B of the outside air temperature acquired in the outside air temperature acquisition.

The control unit 22 can execute a temperature difference calculation to calculate the temperature difference by subtracting the detected value B of the outside air temperature at the time of reception from the detected value A of the room temperature at the time of reception stored in the memory unit 27. The memory unit 27 can store the calculated temperature difference C (= A-B) calculated by the temperature difference calculation. The control unit 22 can execute a temperature difference determination to determine whether the calculated temperature difference C stored in the memory unit 27 is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature difference threshold C1.

The control unit 22 can execute a second room temperature acquisition to acquire a detection value D of the room temperature immediately before control detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the pre-control time stored in the memory unit 27. The memory unit 27 can store the detection value D of the room temperature immediately before control acquired in the second room temperature acquisition.

The control unit 22 can execute a temperature change calculation to calculate the temperature change by subtracting the room temperature detection value D immediately before control stored in the memory unit 27 from the room temperature detection value A at the time of reception stored in the memory unit 27. The memory unit 27 can store the calculated temperature change value E (= A-D) stored in the temperature change calculation. The control unit 22 can execute a temperature change determination to determine whether the calculated temperature change value E stored in the memory unit 27 is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature change threshold value E1.

The control unit 22 can execute a first time determination to determine whether the current time measured by the clock measurement unit 23 has reached the pre-control time stored in the memory unit 27. The control unit 22 can execute a second time determination to determine whether the current time measured by the clock measurement unit 23 has reached the control start time stored in the memory unit 27.

The control unit 22 can end the sound output control when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control unit 22 can start air conditioning control that controls the air conditioner 13 to adjust the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control unit can also end the air conditioning control when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The transmission unit 24b can transmit a signal including information on the start or end of air conditioning control.

"Terminal Equipment Details"
1, the terminal device 40 can be specifically configured as follows: The terminal device 40 has an input unit 41 configured to enable a user to input an auxiliary operation instruction and a control start time of a remote operation command. The terminal device 40 has a communication unit 42 configured to enable communication with the outside.

The communication unit 42 has a transmission unit 42a configured to be able to transmit signals including various information such as various commands. The transmission unit 42a is configured to be able to transmit signals including remote operation commands having auxiliary operation instructions and control start times inputted by the input unit 41 to a reception unit 51 of the server 50 described later.

The communication unit 42 also has a receiving unit 42b configured to be able to receive signals including various information such as various commands. The receiving unit 42b is also configured to be able to receive signals transmitted from a transmitting unit 51b of the server 50, which will be described later. The signals transmitted from the transmitting unit 51b of the server 50 include information on starting or ending air conditioning control.

The communication unit 42 has an output unit 43 configured to be capable of outputting various information contained in the signal received by the receiving unit 42b. The output unit 43 is configured to be capable of performing at least one of audio output and display output. The output unit 43 can output air conditioning control start information or end information contained in the signal received by the receiving unit 42b.

When the output unit 43 is capable of display output, it can be a touch panel combined with the input unit 41. The terminal device 40 has a control unit 44 that enables various calculation processes for generating the above-mentioned signals. The control unit 44 can perform reception determination to determine whether the receiving unit 42b has received a signal including air conditioning control start information or end information.

The terminal device 40 may be a smartphone. However, the terminal device is not limited to a smartphone. For example, the terminal device may be a wearable computer, a mobile computer, etc.

Server Details
1, the server 50 can be configured in detail as follows: The server 50 has a communication unit 51 configured to enable communication with the outside. The communication unit 51 has a receiving unit 51a configured to enable reception of signals including various information such as various commands.

The receiving unit 51a is configured to be able to receive a signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 42a of the terminal device 40. The signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 42a of the terminal device 40 includes a remote operation command. The receiving unit 51a is also configured to be able to receive a signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 24b of the equipment control device 20. The signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 24b of the equipment control device 20 includes air conditioning control start information or end information.

The server 50 has a control unit 52 that enables various calculation processes for generating signals, etc. The control unit 52 can execute a reception determination to determine whether the receiving unit 51a has received a signal including a remote operation command. The control unit 52 can also execute a reception determination to determine whether the receiving unit 51a has received a signal including air conditioning control start information or end information.

The communication unit 51 has a transmission unit 51b configured to be able to transmit signals including various information such as various commands. The transmission unit 51b is configured to be able to transmit a signal including the remote operation command to the reception unit 24a of the device control device 20. The transmission unit 51b is configured to be able to transmit a signal including air conditioning control start information or end information to the reception unit 42b of the terminal device 40.

"Control method for vehicle equipment control system"
A control method of the vehicle equipment control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. As shown in Figure 3, first, an accessory operation instruction and a control start time of a remote operation command are input to the input unit 41 of the terminal device 40 (step S11). A signal including the remote operation command inputted to the input unit 41 is transmitted to the receiving unit 51b of the server 50 (step S12).

As shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether the receiver 42b of the terminal device 40 has received a signal including information to start air-conditioning control (step S13). If the receiver 42b has not received a signal including information to start air-conditioning control (NO), this step S13 is executed again. If the receiver 42b has received a signal including information to start air-conditioning control (YES), the output unit 43 of the terminal device 40 outputs information to start air-conditioning control (step S14).

Furthermore, it is determined whether the receiver 42b of the terminal device 40 has received a signal including information on the end of air conditioning control (step S15). If the receiver 42b has not received a signal including information on the start of air conditioning control (NO), this step S15 is executed again. If the receiver 42b has received a signal including information on the start of air conditioning control (YES), the output unit 43 of the terminal device 40 outputs information on the end of air conditioning control (step S16).

As shown in FIG. 3, in the server 50, it is determined whether the receiver 51a has received a signal including a remote operation command (step S21). If the receiver 51a has not received a signal including a remote operation command (NO), this step S21 is executed again. If the receiver 51a has received a signal including a remote operation command (YES), the signal including the remote operation command is transmitted to the receiver 24a of the device control device 20 (step S22).

As shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether the receiver 51a of the server 50 has received a signal including information on starting air-conditioning control (step S23). If the receiver 51a has not received a signal including information on starting air-conditioning control (NO), this step S23 is executed again. If the receiver 51a has received a signal including information on starting air-conditioning control (YES), the transmitter 51b of the server 50 transmits a signal including information on starting air-conditioning control to the receiver 42b of the terminal device 40 (step S24).

Furthermore, it is determined whether the receiving unit 51a of the server 50 has received a signal including information on the end of air conditioning control (step S25). If the receiving unit 51a has not received a signal including information on the start of air conditioning control (NO), this step S24 is executed again. If the receiving unit 51a has received a signal including information on the start of air conditioning control (YES), the transmitting unit 51b of the server 50 transmits a signal including information on the end of air conditioning control to the receiving unit 42b of the terminal device 40 (step S26).

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, in the vehicle equipment control device 20, it is determined whether the receiver 24a has received a signal including a remote operation command (step S31). If the receiver 24a has not received a signal including a remote operation command (NO), step 31 is executed again. As shown in Figure 5, if the receiver 24a has received a signal including a remote operation command (YES), at this timing, a detection value A of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the time of reception is obtained (step S32). Furthermore, at the same timing, a detection value B of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 26 at the time of reception is obtained (step S33).

The temperature difference is calculated by subtracting the outside air temperature detection value B at the time of reception from the room temperature detection value A at the time of reception (step S34). It is determined whether the calculated temperature difference value C is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature difference threshold C1 (step S35). If the calculated temperature difference value C is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature difference threshold C1 (YES), it is determined whether the current time has reached the pre-control time, which is a predetermined time before the control start time (step S36). If the current time has not reached the pre-control time (NO), step 36 is executed again. If the current time has reached the pre-control time (YES), sound output control is started to output sound from the sound output unit 21 (step S37).

It is determined whether the current time has reached the control start time (step S38). If the current time has not reached the control start time (NO), step S38 is executed again. If the current time has reached the control start time (YES), sound output control is ended (step S39). As shown in Figures 3 and 5, air conditioning control is started (step S40). As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a signal including information on the start of air conditioning control is sent to the receiving unit 51a of the server 50 (step 41). Thereafter, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, air conditioning control is ended (step 42). A signal including information on the end of air conditioning control is sent to the receiving unit 51a of the server 50 (step 43).

As shown in FIG. 5, if the calculated temperature difference C is less than the predetermined temperature difference threshold C1 in step S34 (NO), it is determined whether the current time has reached the pre-control time, which is a predetermined time before the control start time (step S44). If the current time has not reached the pre-control time (NO), step 44 is executed again. If the current time has reached the pre-control time (YES), the detected value D of the room temperature immediately before control detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 is obtained (step S45). The temperature change is calculated by subtracting the detected value A of the room temperature at the time of reception from the detected value D of the room temperature immediately before control (step S46). It is determined whether the calculated temperature change E (= A-D) is less than or equal to the temperature change threshold E1 (step S47).

If the calculated temperature change value E is equal to or less than the temperature change threshold E1 (YES), proceed to step S37 to start sound output control. If the calculated temperature change value E is greater than the temperature change threshold E1 (NO), determine whether the current time has reached the control start time (step S48). If the current time has not reached the control start time (NO), execute step S48 again. If the current time has reached the control start time (YES), proceed to step S40 to start air conditioning control.

As described above, the vehicle equipment control device 20 according to this embodiment is a vehicle equipment control device 20 including a sound output unit 21 configured to be able to output sound within a power source room 12 that houses a power source 11 for driving the vehicle 10, and a control unit 22 configured to be able to execute sound output control that outputs sound from the sound output unit 21, and a clock measurement unit 23 configured to be able to measure time, and a control start time for starting control of the auxiliary equipment 30 of the vehicle 10 based on the operation of a terminal device 40 that is disconnected from the vehicle 10, and a control start time for starting control of the auxiliary equipment 30 based on the auxiliary equipment control instruction. and a receiver 24a configured to receive a signal including a remote operation command transmitted from the terminal device 40, the control unit 22 is configured to be able to execute auxiliary control for controlling the auxiliary 30 according to the auxiliary control instruction of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiver 22, and the control unit 22 is also configured to start the sound output control at a pre-control time that is a predetermined time before the control start time of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiver 24a, based on the time measured by the clock measurement unit 23.

In such an equipment control device 20, there is sufficient time between the output of sound from the sound output unit 21 at the pre-control time and the start of control of the auxiliary equipment 30 at the control start time. Therefore, if a small animal P such as a cat, mouse, or squirrel invades the power source room 12, the small animal P can be reliably driven out of the power source room 12 between the output of sound from the sound output unit 21 and the start of control of the auxiliary equipment 30. In other words, the small animal P can be reliably driven out of the power source room 12 before the equipment in the power source room 12 starts operating.

The vehicle equipment control device 20 according to this embodiment includes a room temperature detection unit 25 configured to detect the room temperature in the power source room 12, and an outside air temperature detection unit 26 configured to detect the outside air temperature of the vehicle 10. The control unit 22 is configured to start the sound output control at the pre-control time when, at the timing when the receiving unit 24a receives the signal including the remote operation command, the calculated temperature difference C (=A-B) obtained by subtracting the detection value B of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 26 from the detection value A of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the time of reception is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature difference threshold C1.

Generally speaking, when the outside air temperature is low enough that small animals feel cold, and the room temperature in the power source room is higher than the outside air temperature so that small animals feel warm, the possibility of a small animal having entered the power source room increases. On the other hand, when the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature in the power source room is small enough that small animals do not feel the difference in temperature, the possibility of a small animal having entered the power source room decreases. Also, it is not desirable to increase the output frequency of the sound that is set to be capable of driving small animals out of the power source room.

In the vehicle equipment control device 20 according to this embodiment, the temperature difference threshold C1 is set taking these possibilities into consideration, and sound output control can be started at the pre-control time if the calculated temperature difference C obtained by subtracting the outside air temperature detection value B at the time of reception from the room temperature detection value A at the time of reception is equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold C1 at the timing when the receiver 24a receives a signal including a remote operation command. Therefore, sound can be output from the sound output unit 21 only when there is a high possibility that a small animal P has entered the power source room 12. Therefore, while suppressing unnecessary sound output, it is possible to reliably drive out the small animal P from the power source room 12 before the equipment in the power source room 12 starts operating.

The vehicle equipment control device 20 according to this embodiment includes a room temperature detection unit 25 configured to detect the room temperature in the power source room 12, and the control unit 22 is configured to start the sound output control at the pre-control time when a calculated temperature change value E (=A-D) obtained by subtracting a detection value D of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the pre-control time from a detection value A of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit 25 at the reception timing when the receiving unit 24a receives the signal including the remote operation command is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature change threshold value E1.

In such an equipment control device 20, if the calculated value E of the temperature change obtained by subtracting the detected value D of the room temperature immediately before control from the detected value A of the room temperature at the time of reception is small, it is highly likely that the room temperature in the power source room 12 is maintained at a high state so that the small animal P feels warm, or the time from the reception timing to the pre-control time is short. In this case, it is highly likely that the small animal P has entered the power source room 12. On the other hand, if the calculated value E of the temperature change is large, it is highly likely that the room temperature in the power source room 12 has dropped at the pre-control time so that the small animal P feels cold, or the time from the reception timing to the pre-control time is long. In this case, it is low that the small animal P has entered the power source room 12. In addition, it is not preferable to increase the output frequency of the sound set to be able to drive the small animal P out of the power source room 12.

In the vehicle equipment control device 20 according to this embodiment, the temperature change threshold E1 is set taking these possibilities into consideration, and sound output control can be started at the pre-control time if the calculated temperature change value E is equal to or less than the temperature change threshold E1. Therefore, sound can be output from the sound output unit 21 only when there is a high possibility that a small animal P has entered the power source room 12. Therefore, while suppressing the output of unnecessary sound, it is possible to reliably drive out the small animal P from the power source room 12 before the equipment in the power source room 12 starts operating.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the present invention can be modified and changed based on its technical concept.

10...vehicle, 11...power source, engine, 12...power source room, engine room 20...vehicle equipment control device (equipment control device), 21...sound output unit, 22...control unit, 23...clock measurement unit, 24a...receiving unit, 25...room temperature detection unit, 26...outside air temperature detection unit 30...auxiliary equipment 40...terminal device A...room temperature detection value at time of reception, B...outside air temperature detection value at time of reception, C...temperature difference calculation value, C1...temperature difference threshold, D...room temperature detection value immediately before control, E...temperature change calculation value, E1...temperature change threshold

Claims (3)

a sound output unit configured to be able to output sound within a power source room that accommodates a power source for driving a vehicle;
A control unit configured to execute sound output control for outputting sound from the sound output unit,
A clock measurement unit configured to be able to measure time;
a receiving unit configured to receive a signal including an auxiliary control instruction for controlling an auxiliary of the vehicle based on an operation of a terminal device separated from the vehicle and a control start time for starting control of the auxiliary based on the auxiliary control instruction, the receiving unit being configured to be capable of receiving a signal including a remote operation command transmitted from the terminal device;
The control unit is configured to execute auxiliary control to control the auxiliary in accordance with an auxiliary control instruction of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiving unit,
The control unit is also configured to start the sound output control at a pre-control time that is a predetermined time before the control start time of the remote operation command in the signal received by the receiving unit, based on the time measured by the clock measurement unit. a room temperature detection unit configured to detect a room temperature in the power source room;
an outside air temperature detection unit configured to detect an outside air temperature of the vehicle,
2. The vehicle equipment control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to start the sound output control at the pre-control time when, at the timing when the receiving unit receives the signal including the remote operation command, a calculated value of a temperature difference obtained by subtracting the detection value of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit from the detection value of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit at the time of reception is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature difference threshold. a room temperature detection unit configured to detect a room temperature in the power source room,
3. The vehicle equipment control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to start the sound output control at the pre-control time when a calculated value of temperature change obtained by subtracting a detection value of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit at the pre-control time just before control from a detection value of the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection unit at the reception timing when the receiving unit receives the signal including the remote operation command is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature change threshold.