阅读说明：本技术 温热感调整装置 (Warming induction adjusting device ) 是由 伊藤功治 新美康彦 本村博久 竹田弘 于 2020-04-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：温热感调整装置具备：构成为对乘员的多个身体部位施加温热刺激并能够变更不同身体部位的温热刺激的分布的温热刺激部(5、6、7、8)；从使精神安静化的模式和活跃化的模式、使身体安静化的模式和活跃化的模式中的两个以上的模式中选择一个模式的选择部(S110)；及基于与所选择的模式对应的目标温热感分布控制温热刺激部的刺激控制部(S170),各个目标温热感分布是表示以多个身体部位的每一个身体部位为对象的多个温热感的目标值的数据,目标温热感分布的以多个身体部位中的指定的身体部位为对象的温热感的目标值彼此不同,刺激控制部控制温热刺激部,以使在选择了任意模式的情况下对指定的身体部位施加的温热刺激与在通过选择部选择了其他模式的情况下对指定的身体部位施加的温热刺激不同。(The warming sensation adjusting device is provided with: thermal stimulation units (5, 6, 7, 8) configured to apply thermal stimulation to a plurality of body parts of the occupant and to be capable of changing the distribution of thermal stimulation in different body parts; a selection unit (S110) for selecting one mode from two or more modes selected from a mode for calming the mind and a mode for activating the mind, and a mode for calming the body and a mode for activating the body; and a stimulus control unit (S170) for controlling the thermal stimulation unit on the basis of a target thermal distribution corresponding to the selected mode, the target thermal distribution being data indicating target values of a plurality of thermal sensations for each of the plurality of body parts, the target values of the thermal sensations for a specified body part of the plurality of body parts being different from each other in the target thermal sensation distribution, the stimulus control unit controlling the thermal stimulation unit so that the thermal stimulation applied to the specified body part when the arbitrary mode is selected is different from the thermal stimulation applied to the specified body part when the other mode is selected by the selection unit.)

1. A thermal sensation adjustment device that adjusts the thermal sensation of an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:

thermal stimulation units (5, 6, 7, 8) configured to apply thermal stimulation to a plurality of body parts of the occupant and to be capable of changing the distribution of the thermal stimulation in different body parts;

a selection unit (S110) that selects one mode from at least two modes among a mode for calming the mind of the occupant, a mode for activating the mind of the occupant, a mode for calming the body of the occupant, and a mode for activating the body of the occupant; and

a stimulus control unit (S170) that controls the thermal stimulus unit on the basis of a target thermal sensation profile corresponding to the mode selected by the selection unit,

the target warming sensation profiles corresponding to the at least two patterns are data representing target values of a plurality of warming sensations targeting each of the plurality of body parts, respectively,

target values of the thermal sensations targeted for the specified body part among the plurality of body parts of the respective target thermal sensation profiles are different from each other,

the stimulation control unit controls the thermal stimulation unit so that the thermal stimulation applied to the designated body part when any of the at least two modes is selected by the selection unit is different from the thermal stimulation applied to the designated body part when the other of the at least two modes is selected by the selection unit.

2. A warming sensation adjusting apparatus according to claim 1,

the specified body part is a head of an occupant, and the stimulation control unit controls the thermal stimulation unit so that the thermal stimulation applied to the head when the arbitrary mode is selected by the selection unit is different from the thermal stimulation applied to the head when the other mode is selected by the selection unit.

3. The warming sensation adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the stimulation control unit applies a thermal stimulation to the specified body part so that a value of the thermal sensation for the specified body part approaches a target value of the thermal sensation for the specified body part, based on a current value of the thermal sensation for the specified body part.

4. The thermal sensation adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

a storage unit (402) that, when a first mode of the at least two modes is selected by the selection unit, stores linkage data in accordance with a change operation performed by the occupant when the occupant has performed a change operation on a target thermal sensation profile of the first mode; and

a changing unit (S128) that changes a target warming sensation profile of the first pattern based on the linkage data when the first pattern is selected by the selecting unit,

when a second pattern different from the first pattern of the at least two patterns is selected by the selection section, the changing section changes the target warming sensation profile of the second pattern in conjunction with the changing operation of the target warming sensation profile of the first pattern, based on the linkage data.

5. A warming sensation adjusting apparatus according to claim 4,

when a change operation to select a designated one of the body parts is performed as the change operation, the changing unit changes only the target value of the sensation of warmth of the one of the body parts based on the change operation.

6. A warming sensation adjusting apparatus according to claim 4,

when a change operation is performed as the change operation without selecting a designated body part, the changing unit changes the target value of the sensation of warmth in two or more body parts based on the change operation.

7. The thermal sensation adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:

a season determination unit (S124) that determines a season; and

and a season correspondence unit (S126) that applies a change corresponding to the season determined by the season determination unit to the target thermal sensation distribution of the pattern selected by the selection unit.

8. The warming sensation adjusting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the disclosed vehicle occupant warming control device is provided with a display control unit (S205, S210) that displays the current value and the target value of the occupant' S warmth for each body part, changes the display mode when the current value reaches the target value and before the current value reaches the target value, and displays the time until the current value reaches the target value for each body part.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a warming sensation adjusting device.

Background

Patent document 1 describes a control device that controls the operation of a thermal sensation imparting device that imparts thermal sensations to a plurality of portions of the body of an occupant of a vehicle independently of one another. The control means determines, for each of the plurality of portions, whether it is a insufficient warming sensation portion or a sufficient warming sensation portion in which a warming sensation is sufficient. Then, in the case of the insufficient thermal sensation portion, the control means controls the operation of the thermal sensation imparting means so that the insufficient thermal sensation portion is imparted with the thermal sensation preferentially over the sufficient thermal sensation portion.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-62297

In patent document 1, there is no mention of both the mental state of the occupant and the physical state of the occupant. The inventors have found that the distribution of the different portions of the feeling of warmth that the occupant feels comfortable when the occupant is in a state of being calm and when the occupant is in an active state is different. Further, according to the study of the inventors, it has been found that the distribution of each part of the body of the occupant is different between the resting state and the active state.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to adjust the distribution of the sensation of warmth in a plurality of body parts of an occupant according to the mental state or physical state of the occupant to be achieved.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a thermal sensation adjustment device that adjusts a thermal sensation of an occupant of a vehicle includes: a thermal stimulation unit configured to apply thermal stimulation to a plurality of body parts of the occupant and to be capable of changing the distribution of the thermal stimulation in different body parts; a selection unit that selects one mode from at least two modes of a mode in which the mind of the occupant is calmed, a mode in which the mind of the occupant is activated, a mode in which the body of the occupant is calmed, and a mode in which the body of the occupant is activated; and a stimulus control section that controls the thermal stimulus section based on a target thermal sensation profile corresponding to the mode selected by the selection section, the target thermal sensation profiles corresponding to the at least two patterns are data indicating target values of a plurality of thermal sensations for each of the plurality of body parts, the target values of the thermal sensations for the designated body parts of the plurality of body parts being different from each other, respectively, the stimulation control section controls the thermal stimulation section, so that the thermal stimulation applied to the specified body part in a case where any of the at least two modes is selected by the selection portion is different from the thermal stimulation applied to the specified body part in a case where the other of the at least two modes is selected by the selection portion.

The parenthesized reference numerals for each component and the like are examples of correspondence relationships between the component and the like and specific components and the like described in the embodiments described later.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a vehicle interior in a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning casing and peripheral devices thereof.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the thermal sensation adjustment device.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the air-conditioning ECU.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing four modes.

Fig. 6 is a graph of a target warming sensation profile corresponding to a relaxation mode.

Fig. 7 is a graph of the target warming sensation distribution corresponding to the concentration mode.

Fig. 8 is a graph of a target warming sensation profile corresponding to a sleep pattern.

Fig. 9 is a graph of a target warming sensation profile corresponding to a vitality pattern.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the correlation between the target value of the thermal sensation and the target SET.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the thermal sensation adjustment device and its surroundings in the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the process of determining the target SET.

Fig. 13 is a graph of a target warming sensation profile corresponding to the relaxation mode.

Fig. 14 is a graph of the target warming sensation distribution corresponding to the concentration mode.

Fig. 15 is a graph of a target warming sensation profile corresponding to a sleep pattern.

Fig. 16 is a graph of a target warming sensation profile corresponding to a vitality pattern.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart of a display process executed by the air-conditioning ECU.

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart of a display process executed by the air-conditioning ECU in the third embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the display device.

Detailed Description

(first embodiment)

The first embodiment will be explained below. The thermal sensation adjustment device of the present embodiment adjusts the thermal sensation of the occupant 3 seated in the driver seat 2 in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 1 shown in fig. 1. The warming sensation adjusting device is provided with: an air conditioning unit 5 disposed inside the baffle 4, a waist heater 6, a thigh heater 7, a shank heater 8, and a thermal imager 9 mounted on the driver seat 2. Hereinafter, up, down, left, and right refer to up, down, left, and right in a vehicle.

The air conditioning unit 5 is a device that blows air whose temperature has been adjusted into the vehicle interior from a defroster air outlet 41, a face air outlet 42, and a foot air outlet 43 attached to the surface of the baffle 4.

The lumbar heater 6 is an electric heater provided on the front surface side of the seat back of the driver's seat 2 below the vertical center portion of the seat back. The waist heater 6 mainly heats the waist 36 of the occupant 3.

The thigh heater 7 is an electric heater provided on the upper surface side of the seat cushion at the seat cushion of the driver seat 2. The thigh heater 7 mainly heats the left and right thighs 37 of the occupant 3.

The lower leg portion heater 8 is an electric heater provided on the front surface side of the seat cushion at the seat cushion of the driver seat 2. The lower leg heater 8 mainly heats the left and right lower legs 38 of the occupant 3.

The air conditioning unit 5, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, the calf heater 8, and the thermal imager 9 as a whole correspond to one thermal stimulation portion that applies thermal stimulation to the occupant 3. The thermal stimulation means a stimulation that the occupant 3 can feel that the thermal stimulation is applied to the skin.

The thermal imager 9 is a sensor as follows: the infrared rays emitted from a predetermined imaging range are acquired, and an image in which the surface temperature at each position in the imaging range is expressed as a pixel value is generated and output based on the acquired infrared rays. The entire body of the occupant 3 is included in the imaging range of the thermal imaging.

The air conditioning unit 5 includes an air conditioning casing 11, an inside/outside air switching door 12, a centrifugal fan 131, an evaporator 14, a heater core 15, an air mix door 16, a face door 17, and a foot door 18. The air conditioning unit 5 includes a face duct 51, a foot duct 52, a defrost duct 53, and an airflow direction adjustment plate 110. The air conditioning unit 5 includes a fan actuator 131a, an air mixing actuator 16a, an air blowing mode actuator 17a, an inside/outside air mode actuator 12a, an airflow direction actuator 110a, and the like.

The air conditioning casing 11 surrounds an air passage 111, and the air passage 111 allows air whose temperature has been adjusted to be blown into the vehicle interior to pass therethrough. The inside/outside air switching door 12 is a member for adjusting the opening area of the inside air introduction port 112 and the opening area of the outside air introduction port 113. The inside/outside air switching door 12 is rotated to open one of the inside air inlet 112 and the outside air inlet 113 and close the other. Thus, the inside/outside air switching door 12 can adjust the ratio of the inside air volume to the outside air volume (i.e., the inside/outside air ratio) introduced into the ventilation duct 111. Here, the inside air is vehicle interior air, and the outside air is vehicle exterior air. The inside/outside air mode actuator 12a is an actuator for driving the inside/outside air switching door 12, and as shown in fig. 3, the inside/outside air mode actuator 12a is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 40. The air conditioner ECU40 is also a constituent element of the thermal sensation adjustment device.

When the inner air inlet 112 is open, the centrifugal fan 131 rotates to introduce the inner air from the inner air inlet 112 into the ventilation passage 111, and when the outer air inlet 113 is open, the centrifugal fan 131 rotates to introduce the outer air from the outer air inlet 113 into the ventilation passage 111, and the centrifugal fan 131 sends the introduced air to the airflow downstream side of the centrifugal fan 131 in the ventilation passage 111. The fan actuator 131a is an actuator for driving the centrifugal fan 131, and as shown in fig. 3, the fan actuator 131a is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 40.

The evaporator 14 is disposed downstream of the centrifugal fan 131 in the air flow path 111. The evaporator 14 cools the air sent from the centrifugal fan 131. The evaporator 14 constitutes a known refrigeration cycle together with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and the like, which are not shown. The refrigeration cycle is also a structural element of the warming sensation adjusting device. When the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle flows through the evaporator 14, the refrigerant exchanges heat with air. By this heat exchange, the refrigerant evaporates and the air is cooled.

The heater core 15 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 14 in the air flow path 111. The heater core 15 heats the air after passing through the evaporator 14. In the heater core 15, engine cooling water flows, and the engine cooling water exchanges heat with air to heat the air. In addition, the heater core 15 may replace the air having passed through the evaporator 14 with a heating electric heater.

An air mix door 16 is provided between the evaporator 14 and the heater core 15. The air mix door 16 is a door that adjusts an air mix ratio, which is a ratio of an air volume of the cool air flowing around the heater core 15 after passing through the evaporator 14 to an air volume of the warm air passing through the heater core 15 after passing through the evaporator 14. The air mix actuator 16a is an actuator that drives the air mix door 16, and as shown in fig. 3, the air mix actuator 16a is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 40.

As shown in fig. 2, a face opening 114, a foot opening 115, and a defroster opening 116 for blowing air from the air passage 111 into the vehicle interior are formed on the downstream side of the air passage 111 in the air flow direction of the air-conditioning case 11. The air flows from an air mixing space in the ventilation path 111, in which the air bypassing the heater core 15 is mixed with the air passing through the heater core 15, to the face opening 114, the foot opening 115, and the defroster opening 116.

Face opening 114, foot opening 115, and defrost opening 116 are provided with mode switching doors for opening and closing the respective openings. The mode switching door is constituted by a face door 17, a foot door 18, and a defroster door 19. The face door 17 opens and closes the face opening 114. The foot door 18 opens and closes the foot opening 115. The defroster door 19 opens and closes the defroster opening 116.

The air-blowing mode actuator 17a is an actuator that drives the face door 17, the foot door 18, and the defroster door 19, and as shown in fig. 3, the air-blowing mode actuator 17a is controlled by the air-conditioning ECU 40. The air outlet mode is controlled by the air mix actuator 16 a. The air outlet mode includes, for example, a face mode, a foot mode, and a defrost mode. The face mode is an air outlet mode in which the face door 17 is open and the foot door 18 and the defroster door 19 are closed. The foot mode is an air outlet mode in which the foot door 18 is open and the face door 17 and the defroster door 19 are closed. The defrost mode is an air outlet mode in which the defrost door 19 is opened and the face door 17 and the foot door 18 are closed.

One end of the face duct 51 is connected to the face opening 114, and the face air outlet 42, which is the other end, opens at a position facing the seat back of the driver's seat 2 in the air conditioning unit 5. The air passing through the face opening 114 from the air passage 111 passes through the face duct 51 and is then blown out into the vehicle interior from the face air outlet 42. The air blown out from the face air outlet 42 flows toward the upper body of the passenger 3 seated in the driver seat 2 or the periphery thereof.

One end of the foot duct 52 is connected to the foot opening 115, and the foot blow-out port 43, which is the other end, is opened in the flap 4 so as to face the foot space in front of the seat cushion of the driver's seat 2. The air passing through the foot opening 115 from the ventilation path 111 passes through the inside of the foot duct 52, and is then blown out into the vehicle interior from the foot blowing-out port 43. The air blown out from the foot blow-out port 43 flows toward the left and right feet of the occupant 3 seated in the driver seat 2 and the surroundings thereof.

One end of the defroster duct 53 is connected to the defroster opening 116, and the defroster air outlet 41 is opened in the baffle 4 so as to face the windshield. The air passing through the defroster opening 116 from the air passage 111 passes through the defroster duct 53 and is then blown out into the vehicle interior from the defroster air outlet 41. The air blown out from the defroster air outlet 41 flows toward the windshield or its surroundings.

In this way, the defroster air outlet 41, the face air outlet 42, and the foot air outlet 43 are opened at different positions in the vehicle interior. Among the body parts of the occupant 3, the body part belonging to the upper body is most strongly influenced by the air blown out from the face air outlet 42. Further, the left and right feet of the body part of the occupant 3 are most strongly influenced by the air blown out from the foot blowing-out port 43.

As shown in fig. 2, an airflow direction adjustment plate 110 is attached to the face outlet 42. The airflow direction adjustment plate 110 adjusts the direction of air blown out into the vehicle interior from the face outlet 42. Specifically, by changing the posture of the airflow direction adjustment plate 110, the direction of the flow of air blown out from the face outlet 42 changes in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction. The airflow direction actuator 110a is an actuator that drives the airflow direction adjustment plate 110, and as shown in fig. 3, the airflow direction actuator 110a is controlled by the air conditioning ECU 40.

As shown in fig. 3, the temperature sensation adjustment device includes an outside air temperature sensor 22, an inside air temperature sensor 23, a solar radiation sensor 24, and a state setting unit 21. The outside air temperature sensor 22 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment (i.e., outside air). The interior air temperature sensor 23 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of the air (i.e., interior air) in the vehicle interior. The insolation sensor 24 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of insolation into the vehicle compartment.

The state setting unit 21 is a device that receives an input operation of the occupant 3. Specifically, the state setting unit 21 includes four switches 211, 212, 213, and 214 that can be operated individually.

The air conditioner ECU40 has a processing unit 401, a storage unit 402, and the like. The storage unit 402 includes various memories such as a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory. RAM is a writable, volatile storage medium. ROM is a non-writable, non-volatile storage medium. Flash memory is a writable, non-volatile storage medium. The processing unit 401 corresponding to the CPU executes a program, not shown, stored in the ROM or the flash memory, and realizes various processes described later by using the RAM as a work area during execution. RAM, ROM, and flash memory are all non-transitory physical storage media. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the processing performed by the processing unit 401 will be described as the processing performed by the air conditioner ECU 40.

The thermal stimulation unit including the air conditioning unit 5, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8 is configured to be able to change the distribution of different body parts to which thermal stimulation is applied to the occupant 3. Actually, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8 can be output-adjusted independently of each other by the air conditioner ECU 40. The temperature and the air volume of the air sent into the vehicle interior by the air conditioning unit 5 can also be adjusted by the air conditioning ECU40 independently of the operation of the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8. The air-conditioning ECU40 can switch between blowing air out from the face air outlet 42 and blowing air out from the foot air outlet 43 by changing the air outlet mode. The air-conditioning ECU40 can control the direction of the air blown out from the face outlet 42 by controlling the orientation of the airflow direction adjustment plate 110. Thus, for example, the distribution of different body parts of the thermal stimulation can be adjusted so that the strongest thermal stimulation is applied to any one of the plurality of body parts 30 to 39 of the occupant 3.

The operation of the thermal sensation adjustment device configured as described above will be described below. The air conditioning ECU40 gives the feeling of warmth to a plurality of body parts of the occupant 3 as necessary in order to guide the mental state or physical state of the occupant 3 to the state to be achieved.

Therefore, the air conditioner ECU40 executes the processing shown in fig. 4. The air conditioning ECU40 executes the process of fig. 4 with the main switch of the vehicle 1 turned on. The main switch is a switch for switching on and off of a main power supply of the vehicle 1. When the main switch is turned on, the main power supply of the vehicle 1 becomes on. When the processing of fig. 4 is executed, the vehicle 1 may be traveling, and the vehicle 1 may be stopped.

In the processing of fig. 4, first, in step S110, the air-conditioning ECU40 selects one mode from among four modes. Here, the pattern means a pattern indicating a mental or physical state that the occupant 3 intends to achieve. Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, the four modes are a relaxation mode M1, a concentration mode M2, a sleep mode B1, and a vitality mode B2.

The relaxation mode M1 is a mode for calming the mind of the occupant. As will be described later, in the relaxation mode M1, the thermal sensation adjustment device applies a thermal stimulus to the occupant 3 so that the occupant 3 can relax. For example, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, or when the vehicle 1 performs automatic driving in which the driving operation of the occupant 3 is not required at all, the relaxation mode M1 can be selected.

The concentration mode M2 is a mode for activating the mind of the occupant. As will be described later, in the concentration mode M2, the thermal sensation adjustment device applies a thermal stimulus to the occupant 3 so that the occupant can concentrate on the mental work such as the driving operation of the vehicle 1.

The sleep mode B1 is a mode for calming the body of the occupant. As will be described later, in the sleep mode B1, the thermal sensation adjustment device applies a thermal stimulus to the occupant 3 so that the occupant 3 can take a nap. For example, when the vehicle 1 is stopped, or when the vehicle 1 performs automatic driving in which the driving operation of the occupant 3 is not required at all, the sleep mode B1 can be selected.

The active pattern B2 is a pattern for activating the body of the occupant and eliminating the feeling of fatigue. As will be described later, in the active mode B2, the thermal sensation adjustment device applies a thermal stimulus to the occupant 3 so that the occupant 3 can concentrate on the driving operation of the vehicle 1.

As described above, the relaxation mode M1 and the concentration mode M2 indicate the mental state that the occupant 3 is expected to reach, and the sleep mode B1 and the energy mode B2 indicate the physical state that the occupant 3 is expected to reach. In addition, the relaxation mode M1 and the sleep mode B1 represent a quiet state or a settled state, and the concentration mode M2 and the activity mode B2 represent an active state or an awake state.

The air conditioning ECU40 selects one of these four modes based on the operation content of the occupant 3 to the state setting portion 21. Specifically, when the switch 211 is operated by the occupant 3, the relaxation mode M1 is selected. When the occupant 3 operates the switch 212, the concentration mode M2 is selected. When the occupant 3 operates the switch 213, the sleep mode B1 is selected. When the occupant 3 operates the switch 214, the active mode B2 is selected. By doing so, the occupant 3 can adjust the environment in the vehicle interior to guide to his or her desired mental state or physical state.

Next, in step S120, the air conditioning ECU40 determines a target SET for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant 3 based on the mode determined in step S110. Here, as shown in fig. 1, the plurality of body parts of the occupant 3 include a head 30, a neck 31, a chest 32, left and right upper arms 33, left and right forearms 34, left and right hands 35, a waist 36, left and right thighs 37, left and right lower legs 38, and left and right feet 39.

Specifically, first, as shown in fig. 6, 7, 8, and 9, the air conditioning ECU40 sets the target thermal sensation profile according to the mode determined in step S110. The target thermal sensation distribution is data indicating target values of a plurality of thermal sensations for each of the plurality of body parts 30 to 39. The target warming sensation profiles of the respective patterns are stored in advance as standard warming sensation profiles in the storage section 402 such as a ROM or a flash memory of the air-conditioning ECU 40. The air conditioner ECU40 sets the target warming sensation profile by reading the target warming sensation profile corresponding to the determined pattern from the storage unit 402.

Fig. 6, 7, 8, and 9 show the distribution of the target warming sensation corresponding to the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the energy mode B2, respectively. In fig. 6 to 9, the vertical axis represents a body part, and the horizontal axis represents a target value of the thermal sensation of the corresponding body part. The greater the target value of the warming sensation, the warmer the warming sensation at the corresponding body part. The smaller the target value of the warming sensation, the cooler the warming sensation at the corresponding body part.

The target distribution of the warming sensation corresponding to each pattern is made to be a distribution that assumes that the occupant 3 feels comfortable in the mental state or the physical state of the pattern. These distributions are determined experimentally so that a non-specific majority of occupants feel satisfied on average. By being configured in this way, as long as the target distribution of the feeling of warmth for a certain pattern is achieved, the state of the occupant 3 is guided so as to achieve the mental state or the physical state of the pattern.

The target value distributions of the four patterns of the warming sensation over the plurality of body parts 30-39 are different from each other. In any of the four modes, the target values of the thermal sensation at the left and right thigh portions 37, 38, and 39 are larger than the target values of the thermal sensation at the head portion 30 and the neck portion 31.

In addition, the target values of the thermal sensation of the head 30 are different from each other regardless of which two of the four modes are taken. Specifically, the target value of the thermal sensation of the head 30 increases in the order of the sleep mode B1, the relaxation mode M1, the vitality mode B2, and the concentration mode M2. The target value of the sensation of warmth in the body parts 30 to 39 in the sleep mode B1 is the same as or greater than the target value of the sensation of warmth in the same body part in the other modes.

In addition, the target value of the sensation of warmth is larger in each body part other than the left and right feet 39 in the concentration mode M2 than in the relaxation mode M1. In addition, the target value of the sensation of warmth in each body part in the vital pattern B2 is larger than that in the sleep pattern B1. This is because, in order to activate the spirit and body, it is desirable to lower the sensible temperature as compared with the case of making the mind and body calm.

Further, in step S120, the air conditioning ECU40 specifies SET values of a plurality of body parts using the correspondence table shown in fig. 10, based on the target values of the thermal sensations of the plurality of body parts included in the target thermal sensation distribution determined as described above. Then, the designated SET is used as a target SET. That is, the ten target SET factors are specified based on the target values of the ten warming sensations. In fig. 10, the horizontal axis represents SET and the vertical axis represents the target value of the sensation of warmth in the body part. The correspondence table used in the air conditioner ECU40 is stored in advance in the storage unit 402 such as a ROM or a flash memory of the air conditioner ECU 40.

Now, SET will be explained. SET is a temperature indicator known as the standard new effective temperature. SET is obtained by taking into account six factors of air temperature, humidity, radiation, air flow on the environment side, metabolic flux on the human body side, and dressing amount. The standard environment for ASHRAE is defined in SET. When a person in the actual environment moves to the standard environment, the air temperature of the standard environment when the person feels the same feeling as the actual environment is SET in the actual environment. Since SET is a known technique, description thereof will be omitted. The SET corresponds to the warming sensation shown by the distribution of the target warming sensation one-to-one. Therefore, SET is also an index indicating a sensation of warmth.

Next, in step S130, the air conditioning ECU40 calculates SET items for each of the plurality of body parts 30 to 39 of the occupant 3. The ten SET values calculated here are the current values, i.e., the current SET values, and not the target values.

The method of calculating the SET value is well known, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted. For example, the air conditioning ECU40 calculates the current SET in each of the body parts 30 to 39 of the occupant 3 based on various sensors. The various sensors include the thermal imager 9, the outside air temperature sensor 22, the inside air temperature sensor 23, the insolation sensor 24, temperature sensors, not shown, that detect the temperatures of the air blown out from the face air outlet 42 and the foot air outlet 43, humidity sensors, not shown, and the like. The air conditioning ECU40 may use information on the operation contents of various actuators in order to calculate the current SET value for each of the body parts 30 to 39. The various actuators include a fan actuator 131a, an air mix actuator 16a, an air blowing mode actuator 17a, an inside/outside air mode actuator 12a, and an airflow direction actuator 110 a. In the calculation of the SET, the clothing amount and the metabolic rate of each body part of the passenger 3 may be SET in advance fixedly or may be SET by the passenger 3.

Next, in step S140, the air conditioning ECU40 calculates the difference between the target SET of the body parts 30 to 39 calculated in step S120 and the SET of the body parts 30 to 39 calculated in step S130. The difference is calculated by subtracting SET from the target SET for the same body part. As a result, the difference between the target SET and SET is calculated for each of the body parts 30 to 39.

Next, in step S150, the air conditioner ECU40 selects the one having the largest absolute value from the differences calculated in step S140.

Next, in step S160, the air conditioner ECU40 determines whether or not the absolute value of the difference selected in step S150 is within the allowable range. The allowable range is a range that is considered not to particularly reduce the absolute value of the difference. Therefore, the allowable range is a range of zero or more and a reference value or less. If it is determined that the range is within the allowable range, the air conditioner ECU40 returns to step S110.

When step S110 is executed subsequent to step S160, if the occupant 3 operates the state setting unit 21 after the previous step S110, the air-conditioning ECU40 selects the mode corresponding to the switch operated among the switches 211, 212, 213, and 214. If no operation is performed, the same mode as the mode selected in the previous step S110 is selected.

If it is determined in step S160 that the range is not within the allowable range, the air conditioner ECU40 proceeds to step S170. In step S170, the air conditioning ECU40 selects, as the target body part, the body part corresponding to the absolute value of the difference selected in step S150, that is, the body part whose absolute value of the difference between the target SET and SET is the largest. Then, a thermal stimulus is applied separately to the subject's body region. The separate application of the thermal stimulation to the body part of the subject means that the thermal stimulation is mainly applied to the body part of the subject so that the SET peak of the body part of the subject is largely changed compared with the other body parts of the body parts 30 to 39.

For example, the target body part is any one of the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right forearms 34, and the left and right hands 35. In this case, the air conditioner ECU40 controls the air outlet mode actuator 17a to set the air outlet mode to the face mode. Further, the air conditioning ECU40 controls the airflow direction actuator 110a to change the posture of the airflow direction adjustment plate 110 so that the air blown out from the face outlet 42 mainly contacts the target body part.

Further, the air conditioning ECU40 mainly applies thermal stimulation to the subject body part by adjusting the temperature of the air blown out from the face air outlet 42 toward the subject body part. For example, if the difference between the target SET and SET at the target body part is positive, the target air temperature TAO is SET to a temperature higher than the temperature in the vehicle interior detected by the interior air temperature sensor 23 to increase the SET. When the difference between the target SET and SET at the target body part is a negative value, the target air-blowing temperature TAO is SET to a temperature higher than the temperature in the vehicle interior detected by the interior air temperature sensor 23 to reduce SET.

Posture data indicating the posture of how the airflow direction adjustment plate 110 is set when the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right forearms 34, and the left and right hands 35 are each a target body part is recorded in advance in the air conditioning ECU 40. Specifically, the information is recorded in the storage unit 402 such as a ROM or a flash memory of the air conditioner ECU 40. The air conditioner ECU40 determines the posture of the airflow direction adjustment panel 110 using the posture data. The value of the posture data may be corrected by a setting operation of the occupant 3. The values of the posture data may be corrected according to the positions of the body parts 30 to 35 imaged by the thermal imager 9.

The air conditioning ECU40 determines the air blowing amount, the air mixing ratio, and the ratio of the air inside and outside of the centrifugal fan 131 by a known method based on the target outlet air temperature TAO. Then, the fan actuator 131a, the air-mixing actuator 16a, and the inside/outside air mode actuator 12a are controlled to achieve the determined amounts. As the target outlet air temperature TAO is higher, the condition of the supply air is adjusted to provide a feeling of warmth that the occupant feels warmer. Further, as the target outlet air temperature TAO is lower, the state of the blown air is adjusted to provide a feeling of warmth that the occupant feels cooler.

For example, when the target body part is any one of the waist 36, the left and right thighs 37, and the left and right thighs 38, the air conditioning ECU40 mainly applies thermal stimulation to the target body part by adjusting the output of the heater corresponding to the target body part.

Specifically, when the difference between the target SET and the SET at the target body part is a positive value, the output of the corresponding heater is increased to increase the SET. If the difference between the target SET and the SET at the body part of the subject is negative, the output of the corresponding heater is reduced to reduce the SET. The heaters corresponding to the waist portion 36, the left and right thigh portions 37, and the left and right shank portions 38 are the waist portion heater 6, the thigh portion heater 7, and the shank portion heater 8, respectively.

At this time, the air conditioning ECU40 may control the fan actuator 131a to stop the centrifugal fan 131 so that air does not flow from the defroster air outlet 41, the face air outlet 42, and the foot air outlet 43 to the occupant 3.

For example, when the target site is the left and right feet 39, the air conditioning ECU40 controls the air outlet mode actuator 17a to set the air outlet mode to the foot mode. Further, the air conditioning ECU40 mainly applies thermal stimulation to the left and right feet 39 by adjusting the temperature of the air blown out from the foot air outlet 43 to the left and right feet 39. The target outlet air temperature TAO when the thermal stimulation is applied is set to the same value as when the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right forearm 34, and the left and right hands 35 are the subject body parts.

After step S170, the air conditioner ECU40 returns to step S110. When step S110 is executed subsequent to step S170, when the occupant 3 operates the state setting unit 21 after the previous step S110, the air-conditioning ECU40 selects the mode corresponding to the switch operated among the switches 211, 212, 213, and 214. If no operation is performed, the same mode as the mode selected in the previous step S110 is selected.

By such processing, the air conditioning ECU40 individually applies thermal stimulation to a body part where the absolute value of the difference between the target SET and SET is the largest at each time point, thereby reducing the absolute value of the difference. By repeating this operation, the body part in which the absolute value of the difference between the target SET and SET is the largest changes from moment to moment. Therefore, the absolute value of the difference between the target SET and the target SET is individually reduced in each of the body parts 30 to 39. As a result, the absolute value of the difference between the target SET and the SET is limited to an allowable range for any body part. That is, the distribution of different body parts of the SET and the distribution of different body parts of the target SET become more similar. As a result, the occupant 3 is guided to the mental state or the physical state corresponding to the mode decided by step S110.

In this case, since the target distribution of warming sensation is different depending on the mode determined in step S110, the distribution of SET of the body parts 30 to 39 by the thermal stimulation in step S170 is also different.

In particular, the target values of the warming sensation of the head 30 are different from each other regardless of which two of the four modes are taken. Therefore, in the same in-vehicle environment, if the pattern selected in step S110 is different, the thermal stimulation applied to the head 30 is different. The same applies to the other body parts 31 to 39. That is, the target value of the sensation of warmth is set to be different for a certain body part in a certain mode or another mode. In this case, in the same in-vehicle environment, the thermal stimulation applied to the head 30 is different between when the mode selected in step S110 is the certain mode and when the mode is the different mode.

In this way, the air conditioning ECU40 can control the air conditioning unit 5, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8 so as to detect the thermal sensation of each body part of the occupant 3 in different patterns and target a target thermal sensation that is different for each pattern and for each body part.

As described above, the air conditioner ECU40 selects one mode from the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the activity mode B2. Then, the operations of the air conditioning unit 5, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the calf heater 8 are controlled based on one target warming sensation profile corresponding to the selected one mode. Then, if the selected mode is different, the air conditioning ECU40 applies different thermal stimuli to at least one body part. Thus, the distribution of the feeling of warmth of the body parts 30 to 39 of the occupant 3 can be adjusted according to the mental state or the physical state of the occupant 3 to be achieved.

Specifically, the air conditioning ECU40 applies different thermal stimuli to at least the body part of the head 30 regardless of the selected mode. The state of the brain of the occupant 3 is strongly correlated with both mental and physical activities. Therefore, by applying different thermal stimuli to the head 30 at different selected patterns, the distribution of the feeling of warmth at a plurality of portions of the body of the occupant 3 can be adjusted to be more suitable for the mental state or the physical state of the occupant 3 to be achieved.

Of course, if the selected pattern is different, a thermal stimulation different from the thermal stimulation applied to at least the body part of the head 30 may be applied to any body part other than the head 30.

The air conditioning ECU40 applies the thermal stimulus to the one body part so that the value of the thermal sensation for the one body part approaches the target value of the thermal sensation for the one body part, based on the current value of the thermal sensation for the one body part. In this way, by bringing the value of the thermal sensation closer to the target value based on the current value of the thermal sensation, the occupant 3 can be more effectively guided to the mental state or the physical state of the occupant that is intended to be achieved.

The air conditioner ECU40 corresponds to the selection unit by executing step S110, and corresponds to the stimulation control unit by executing step S170.

(second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment will be explained. As shown in fig. 11, the present embodiment is added with a display device 60 and a touch panel 61 to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The display device 60 is a device that allows an occupant of the vehicle to see an image. The display device 60 may be mounted on the dashboard or dashboard of the vehicle, or may be mounted on the steering wheel. Alternatively, the display device 60 may be a head-up display that allows the occupant to see an image as a virtual image in front of the windshield by reflection of light in the windshield of the vehicle.

Alternatively, the display device 60 may be a terminal carried by an occupant of the vehicle. In this case, the air conditioner ECU40 controls the display content of the display device 60 by wireless communication with the display device 60.

The touch panel 61 is an operation device that is operated by the occupant according to the content of the image displayed on the display device 60. When the occupant operates a predetermined portion of the touch panel 61, the image displayed on the display device 60 changes in conjunction therewith. The touch panel 61 is disposed so as to overlap the display screen of the display device 60.

The air conditioner ECU40 of the present embodiment changes the processing content of step S120 in the processing of fig. 4 shown in the first embodiment. In step 120 following step S110, the air conditioning ECU40 determines a target SET for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant 3 based on the mode determined in step S110. Although this point is the same as the first embodiment, the details of step S120 are different.

Specifically, the air conditioner ECU40 performs the process shown in fig. 12 in step S120. In the processing of fig. 12, first, the air conditioning ECU40 determines a target value of the sensation of warmth for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant 3 based on the pattern determined in step S110, in accordance with the pattern determined in step S110. In the present embodiment, the plurality of body parts of the subject passenger 3 include the back, the hip, and the inner thighs, in addition to the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right front arms 34, the left and right hands 35, the waist 36, the left and right upper legs 37, the left and right lower legs 38, and the left and right feet 39 shown in fig. 1. That is, the number of body parts of the subject occupant 3 is thirteen.

Specifically, first, in accordance with the mode determined in step S110, the air conditioning ECU40 sets a target warming sensation profile, which is a profile of target values of the warming sensation, as shown in fig. 13, 14, 15, and 16. The target warming sensation profiles of the respective patterns are stored in advance as standard warming sensation profiles in the storage portion 402 of the air-conditioning ECU 40. The air conditioner ECU40 sets the target warming sensation profile by reading the target warming sensation profile corresponding to the determined pattern from the storage unit 402.

The diamond marks in fig. 13 to 16 are the target warming sensation profiles (i.e., default values) of the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the vitality mode B2, respectively, determined in step S122. Fig. 13 to 16 show the same form as fig. 6 to 9. The target values of the thermal sensations of the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right front arms 34, the left and right hands 35, the waist 36, the left and right upper legs 37, the left and right lower legs 38, and the left and right feet 39 in the respective modes M1, M2, B1, and B2 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The back, buttocks, and inner thighs are different from the other body parts 31 to 39, and are body parts located on the contact surface with the driver seat 2.

Next, in step S124, the air conditioner ECU40 makes a season determination. That is, it is determined whether the current season is a summer season, a winter season, or an intermediate period that is neither a summer nor a winter season.

For example, the season determination may be made based on the season input by the occupant 3 using an input device, not shown. Alternatively, the air conditioner ECU40 may read calendar data defining whether each date belongs to summer, winter or an intermediate period from the storage unit 402, and apply the current date to the read calendar data to determine the current season. Alternatively, the air conditioning ECU40 may determine the current season using, for example, a map of the correspondence between the outside air temperature and the season stored in the storage unit 402, based on the information from the outside air temperature sensor 22.

Next, in step S126, the air conditioner ECU40 corrects the target value of the thermal sensation of each body part determined in step S122, if necessary, in accordance with the season determined in step S124. Specifically, if the season determined in step S124 is the intermediate season, no correction is performed.

When the season determined in step S124 is summer, a target distribution of warmth is set as a result of changing the default values of the diamond marks in the graphs corresponding to the pattern determined in step S110 in fig. 13 to 16 as shown by the triangular marks in the graphs.

For example, as shown in fig. 13, when the relaxation mode is determined in step S110, the target values of the warming sensation on the back, buttocks, and inner thighs are corrected from "warm" to "neutral" in two stages of cooling, with respect to the default values of the diamond marks. At this time, the target values of the warmth sensation in the body parts other than the back, buttocks, and inner thighs are maintained without being corrected.

For example, as shown in fig. 15, when the sleep mode is determined in step S110, the target values of the warmth sensation on the back, buttocks, and inner thighs are corrected from "warm" to "slightly warm" that is one step cooler than the default values of the diamond marks.

This is because the contact portion pressed against the driver seat 2 is likely to sweat when seated in summer, as opposed to the intermediate period. In order to prevent the warm feeling from being largely impaired by sweating, the target values of the warmth feeling on the back, buttocks, and inner thighs are set to be cool for the middle period.

The feeling of comfort is greatly affected by the stuffiness caused by sweating. Therefore, in the above-described contact portion, the feeling of warmth against perspiration is set as the upper limit in the mode setting closely related to the comfort for relaxation, concentration, and nap. In addition, in the above-described contact portion, when activation is intended for the purpose of being active, an upper limit of warmth that allows perspiration and ensures minimum comfort is set, with priority being given to activation.

As shown in fig. 14 and 16, when the concentration mode and the activity mode are set in step S110, the target values of the warmth sensation on the back, the buttocks, and the inner thighs may not be corrected even if the season determined in step S124 is summer. Alternatively, the target values of the sensations of warmth may be corrected in the same manner as in the relaxation mode and the sleep mode.

For example, when the season determined in step S124 is summer and the focus mode is determined in step S110, the target value of the thermal sensation of the head is corrected from the default value of the diamond mark as shown in fig. 14. That is, the "cool" is modified from the default value to a "slightly cool" that is one step cool. At this time, the target value of the thermal sensation of the body part other than the head is maintained without being corrected. This is done because the head receives radiant heat of sunlight passing through the window during driving, and the comfort of the occupant 3 is greatly affected by heat generation or the like. Thus, the target value of the warming sensation of the head can be changed to compensate for the effect of sunlight on the comfort.

For example, when the season determined in step S124 is summer and the sleep mode is determined in step S110, the target values of the thermal sensations of the plurality of body parts 31 to 39 are corrected to the default values of the diamond marks to be cool as shown in fig. 15. At this time, the target value of the thermal sensation of the body part of the head 30 is maintained without being corrected. This is done because in the sleep mode, the occupant 3 is likely to largely tilt the seat back of the driver seat 2 to assume the supine posture. In such a posture, the head is less likely to be exposed to sunlight than in the driving posture. Accordingly, the body part other than the head is subjected to the radiant heat of the sunlight passing through the window, and the comfort of the occupant 3 is greatly affected. Thus, the target value of the warming sensation of the head can be changed to compensate for the effect of sunlight on the comfort.

For example, even if the season determined in step S124 is summer, the target value of the thermal sensation of any body part is maintained without being corrected when the activity mode is determined in step S110.

This is done to prevent excessive sweating from causing the person to sweat cold. In the active mode in summer, the body of the occupant 3 is activated and tends to sweat. In such a case, the sweat may be more than allowable by further correcting the warm side, and if the sweat becomes cold, the comfort of the occupant may be impaired.

When the season determined in step S124 is winter, a target distribution of warmth is set as a result of changing the default values of the diamond marks in the drawings corresponding to the pattern determined in step S110 in fig. 13 to 16 in the same manner as the circle marks in the drawings.

For example, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, when the relaxation mode or the concentration mode is determined in step S110, the target values of the thermal sensations of the left and right hands 35 and the left and right feet 39, which are the distal parts of the human body, are corrected to the values of the first degree of warming, with respect to the default values of the diamond marks.

The reason why the target value of the sensation of warmth in the human body erase part is corrected in this way is that in winter, the erase part is cooled because the flow of erased blood is reduced in order to maintain the body temperature of the trunk. By heating the periphery of the erasing portion as the center, discomfort due to cold in the erasing portion can be improved. By so doing, it is possible to ensure thermal comfort and make a thermal distribution suitable for the purpose.

As shown in fig. 15 and 16, when the sleep mode is set in step S110, the target values of the sensations of warmth of the left and right hands 35 and the left and right feet 39 may not be corrected even if the season determined in step S124 is in the winter season. Alternatively, the target values of the sensations of warmth may be corrected in the same manner as in the relaxation mode and the sleep mode.

In addition, since sweat is not likely to be produced in winter, when the activity mode is set in step S110, the target value of the sensation of warmth for the body part that is set to be cooler than "warm" by default is corrected to a value that is one-step warmer than the default value. The body parts that are set to be cooler than "warm" by default are parts other than the contact parts (i.e., the back, buttocks, and inner thighs) where the feeling of warmth is not excessive.

In this way, information on how to correct the target value of the thermal sensation with respect to the default value in summer and winter is recorded in the storage unit 402 as a season correspondence table for each mode and for each body part. The air conditioner ECU40 reads out the season correspondence table from the storage unit 402 and uses it for correction of the target warming sensation distribution corresponding to the season determined by the season determination.

In step S128 following step S126, the air conditioner ECU40 corrects the target warming sensation profile based on the linkage data. The linkage data is data indicating the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation in each of the plurality of body parts, and is set based on the correction operation of the occupant 3 in the processing of fig. 17 to be described later, and is recorded in the storage unit 402 of the air-conditioning ECU 40. The initial value of the linkage data before being set by the processing of fig. 17 may be zero in all body parts, or may be other values. The linkage data is data that can specify a value after the change of the target thermal sensation distribution of each pattern.

For example, the linkage data indicates a case where the target value of the thermal sensation of the head 30 is corrected to be cool by one step and the target value of the thermal sensation of the other body part is maintained. In this case, the air conditioning ECU40 corrects the target value of the thermal sensation of the head 30 by one cool step without correcting the target values of the thermal sensations of the other body parts with respect to the target thermal sensation distribution determined in step S122 and corrected as necessary in step S126.

Next, the air conditioner ECU40 proceeds to step S129. Then, using the correspondence table shown in fig. 10, SET of the plurality of body parts is specified based on the target values of the thermal sensations of the plurality of body parts included in the target thermal sensation distribution determined in step S122 and corrected as necessary in steps S126 and S128. Then, the specified SET is SET as the target SET. That is, thirteen target SET factors are specified based on the thirteen target values of the thermal sensation. Here, the correspondence table used by the air conditioner ECU40 is stored in advance in the storage unit 40 of the air conditioner ECU 40. After step S129, the process of fig. 12 ends, and the air conditioner ECU40 proceeds to step S130.

In addition, the air conditioner ECU40 executes the processing shown in fig. 17 while performing the processing of fig. 4 by multitasking in addition to the processing of fig. 4. In the process of fig. 17, the air conditioner ECU40 first displays the target warming sensation profile, the current warming sensation profile, and the like on the display screen of the display device 60 in step S205.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 18, the air conditioning ECU40 displays a mode display image 501, a human body image 502, a batch decrement button 503a, a batch plus button 503b, a batch slide bar 503c, and a batch slider 503d on the display screen of the display device 60.

As shown in fig. 18, the air conditioning ECU40 displays a plurality of body part controls on the display screen. Each body part control includes a minus button 504a at a different position, a plus button 504b at a different position, a slide bar 504c at a different position, a slider 504d at a different position, and a presence indicator 504 e.

The mode display image 501 is an image showing a mode currently selected in the processing of fig. 4 among the four modes. In the example of fig. 18, selection of the relaxation mode is indicated by reversing the name of the display of the relaxation mode.

The human body image 502 is an image indicating to which body part of the occupant 3 each of the plurality of body part controls corresponds. For this purpose, the human body image 502 has a shape imitating a human body.

The batch down button 503a and the batch up button 503b are images in which the occupant 3 can perform a selection operation using the touch panel 61. The batch slide bar 503c is a bar-shaped image extending from the batch minus button 503a in the direction of the batch plus button 503 b.

The batch slider 503d is an image disposed to overlap the batch slide bar 503 c. The batch slider 503d is movable along the extending direction of the batch slide bar 503c in accordance with the operations of the batch decrement button 503a and the batch plus button 503b by the occupant 3.

The different-portion minus button 504a and the different-portion plus button 504b are images that enable the occupant 3 to perform selection operations using the touch panel 61. The different part slide bar 504c is a bar-shaped image extending from the different part minus button 504a belonging to the same body part control in the direction of the different part plus button 504 b.

The different part slider 504d is an image arranged to overlap with a different part slide bar 504c belonging to the same body part control. The different-part slider 504d is movable in the extending direction of the different-part slide bar 504c in accordance with the operation of the different-part minus button 504a and the different-part plus button 504b belonging to the same body-part control by the occupant 3.

The present indicator 504e is an image which is arranged so as to overlap with the different part slide bar 504c belonging to the same body part control, and whose position can be changed along the extending direction of the different part slide bar 504c in accordance with the current SET value calculated in step S130.

The plurality of body part controls are arranged next to the human body image 502 in the up-down direction of the human body image 502. Such an arrangement represents the correspondence between a plurality of body part controls and the body part targeted for the body part controls.

In the example of the display screen of fig. 18, six body part controls are shown, which are targeted for representative six body parts among thirteen body parts for which the target value of the target thermal sensation is set in the present embodiment. For example, the body part controls from the uppermost layer to the lowermost layer may be targeted to the head, chest, left and right hands, waist, left and right thighs, and left and right feet, respectively. The display screen may include thirteen body part controls each targeting thirteen body parts.

In step S205, the air conditioning ECU40 controls the display positions of the batch slider 503d, the different part sliders 504d, and the current indicators 504e as follows.

The air conditioning ECU40 determines the position of the batch slider 503d on the batch slide bar 503c based on the batch correction data recorded in the storage section 402. The batch correction data is data having a correction value (for example, a value of one step warmer) with respect to the warming sensation. Specifically, the air conditioning ECU40 determines the position of the batch slider 503d such that the batch slider 503d approaches the batch plus button 503b as the correction value of the thermal sensation included in the batch correction data increases. For example, when the correction value is zero, the position of the batch slider 503d may be determined to be a position equidistant from the batch minus button 503a and the batch plus button 503 b. As described later, the batch correction data is updated as necessary in step S230 of fig. 17.

The air conditioning ECU40 also determines the positions of the plurality of different-part sliders 504d along the extending direction of the different-part slide bars 504c belonging to the same body part control, as described below.

First, the air conditioning ECU40 determines the target value of the sensation of warmth in each body part by the same processing as steps S122, S124, S126, and S128 in fig. 12, and further corrects it as necessary. Then, the position of the corresponding different-part slider 504d is determined based on the target value of the thermal sensation of each body part obtained as a result. At this time, the position of the different-part slider 504d is determined so as to be closer to the different-part plus button 504b for the same body part as the target value of the thermal sensation is higher. As described above, the positions of the plurality of different part sliders 504d along the extending direction of the different part slide bar 504c belonging to the same body part control are determined.

The air conditioning ECU40 determines the position of the current indicator 504e along the extending direction of the slide bar 504c belonging to the same body part control based on the latest current SET value calculated in step S130 of fig. 4.

Specifically, the value of the current thermal sensation is specified for each different part block 504d for each body part using the correspondence table shown in fig. 10, based on the latest current SET value of the body part. Then, the position of the present indicator 504e is determined so that the higher the value of the designated thermal sensation, the closer the position is to the different-part plus-sign button 504b for the body part.

In step S215 following step S205, the air conditioner ECU40 determines whether or not an operation for changing the target value of the thermal sensation on the touch panel 61 has been performed within a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, a period from the execution opportunity of step S215 previous to this time to the present time. Note that, when the execution opportunity of step S215 is the first time this time since the start of the process of fig. 17, the period from the start of the process of fig. 17 to the present time is a predetermined period.

The operation of changing the target value of the thermal sensation is an operation of selecting one of the batch minus button 503a, the batch plus button 503b, the plurality of different-portion minus buttons 504a, and the plurality of different-portion plus buttons 504b using the touch panel 61.

If the operation of changing the target value of the thermal sensation on the touch panel 61 is not performed within the predetermined period, the process returns to step S205. When the operation of changing the target value of the thermal sensation on the touch panel 61 is performed within the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S218.

In step S218, it is determined whether the changed layer determined in step S215 is a batch operation. The batch operation is to operate any one of the batch decrement button 503a and the batch plus button 503 b. The operation other than the batch operation is a different-portion operation in which either one of the different-portion minus button 504a and the different-portion plus button 504b is operated. If it is determined not to be a batch operation, the process proceeds to step S220, and if it is determined to be a batch operation, the process proceeds to step S225.

In step S220, the value of the linkage data described in step S128 of the processing of fig. 12 is changed according to the content of the different-site operation, and the linkage data is overwritten and recorded in the storage unit 402, and the process returns to step S205. As a result, the values of the interlocking data used in step S128 of the process of fig. 12 and step S205 of the process of fig. 17 executed thereafter change.

Specifically, when it is determined in step S215 that there is a change operation because the different-location minus button 504a is selected, the linked data is updated. That is, only the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation of the body part corresponding to the different part minus button 504a in the linkage data is changed in the direction of cooling by one step and recorded in a covering manner.

When it is determined in step S215 that a change operation is performed because the different-portion plus-sign button 504b is selected, the linked data is updated. That is, only the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation of the body part corresponding to the different part plus button 504b in the linkage data is changed in the direction of warming by one step and recorded in a covering manner.

The linkage data thus changed is used in step S128 of the processing of fig. 12 to be executed later as described above. The thus-changed linkage data is used in step S205 of the process of fig. 17 to be executed later as described above.

That is, the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation corresponding to the operation of the occupant 3 is updatably stored in the storage section 402 as a learning value, and is used for the thermal sensation control and display. The linkage data is common to any of the four modes.

In step S225, the value of the interlocking data is changed according to the content of the batch operation, and the value is recorded in the storage unit 402 in an overwriting manner, and the process proceeds to step S230. This changes the value of the interlocking data used in step S128 of the process of fig. 12 and step S205 of the process of fig. 17, which are executed later.

Specifically, when it is determined in step S215 that there is a change operation due to selection of the batch decrement button 503a, the correction amounts of the target values of the thermal sensation of all the body parts in the linkage data are changed in a direction toward a cooling direction by one step and recorded in an overlaid manner. When it is determined in step S215 that there is a change operation because the batch plus button 503b is selected, the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation of all the body parts in the linkage data is changed in the direction of warming by one step and recorded in a covering manner.

In these specific examples, the air conditioning ECU40 may overwrite the record with only the correction amounts of the target values of the thermal sensations of all the body parts displayed on the display screen of the display device 60 in step S205, without changing the correction amounts of the target values of the thermal sensations of all the body parts in the linkage data.

The linkage data thus changed is used in step S128 of the processing of fig. 12 to be executed later as described above. The thus-changed linkage data is used in step S205 of the process of fig. 17 to be executed later as described above.

That is, the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation corresponding to the operation of the occupant 3 is updatably stored in the storage section 402 as a learning value, and is used for the thermal sensation control and display. The linkage data is common to any of the four modes.

In step S230 following step S225, the air conditioner ECU40 overwrites the storage unit 402 with the value of the batch correction data changed in accordance with the content of the batch operation, and returns to step S205. Thereby, the value of the batch correction data used in step S205 executed later changes.

Specifically, when it is determined in step S215 that there is a change operation because the batch number reduction button 503a is selected, the record is overwritten by changing the correction value included in the batch correction data by one step in the direction of cooling. When it is determined in step S215 that there is a change operation because the batch plus button 503b is selected, the correction value included in the batch correction data is changed to the warming direction by one step, and the record is overwritten.

The batch correction data thus changed is used in step S205 of the process of fig. 17 to be executed later as described above. That is, the correction amount of the batch of the target values of the thermal sensation corresponding to the operation of the occupant 3 is updatably stored in the storage section 402 as the learning value, and is used for the display of the thermal sensation. The linkage data is common to any of the four modes.

Here, an example will be described in which an operation of changing the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation is performed only on a specified body part. For example, when the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation in all the body parts in the linkage data is zero, the occupant 3 selects the different-part minus button 504a in the uppermost body-part control in the display screen using the touch panel 61. The different-part minus button 504a is directed to the head 30. In addition, the relaxation mode M1 is selected at this time. In this example, the relaxation mode M1 corresponds to the first mode.

In this case, the air conditioner ECU40 determines that there is a change operation at step S215 in fig. 17, and proceeds from step S218 to step S220 to record in the storage unit 402 the linkage data in a state in which only the correction amount of the head 30 is changed by one step in the direction of cooling. Thereby, only the correction amount of the head 30 in the linkage data is updated.

Next, in step S205, as shown in fig. 19, the different part slider 504d belonging to the body part control of the head 30 is moved in the direction of cooling by one step on the display screen of the display device 60 based on the correction amount of only the head 30 updated in this way. In this way, the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation at different portions of the occupant 3 is reflected on the display. In fig. 19, the broken line 92 extending from the slider 504d at a different position is a line which is virtually represented to indicate a difference between the target value before the update and the target value after the update, and is not actually displayed on the display screen of the display device 60.

Further, in step S128 of fig. 12, the air conditioning ECU40 corrects the target value of the thermal sensation of the head 30 based on the correction amount of the head 30 in the updated linkage data, and further performs control of the thermal stimulus in which the updated correction amount of the head 30 is reflected in steps S130 to S170 of fig. 4. The same applies to the case where the correction amount of the body part other than the head part 30 is updated, except that the target body part is different.

For example, after updating the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation of the head 30 as described above, the occupant 3 operates the state setting unit 21, and as a result, the air conditioning ECU40 selects a mode different from the mode in step S110. Thereby, for example, the selected mode is changed from the relaxation mode M1 to the sleep mode B1. In this example, the sleep mode B1 corresponds to the second mode.

In this case, the linkage data is also applied to all modes in common. Therefore, as shown in fig. 20, in step S205 of fig. 17, the air conditioner ECU40 displays the correction amount of the head 30 based on the linkage data set to the level of cooling even in the changed sleep mode B1. That is, the different-portion slider 504d is displayed to indicate that the target value of the warming sensation of only the head 30 is corrected to the target warming sensation profile of the level of cooling with respect to the standard warming sensation profile of the sleep mode B1. In fig. 20, the broken line 91 extending from the slider 504d at different positions is a line which is assumed to indicate the difference between the target value in the standard thermal distribution and the target value after correction, and is not actually displayed on the display screen of the display device 60.

Next, an example of a case where an operation of changing the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation is performed in a batch manner for a plurality of body parts will be described. For example, when the correction amount of the target value of the thermal sensation in all the body parts in the linkage data is zero, the occupant 3 selects the batch decrement button 503a on the display screen using the touch panel 61. At this time, the relaxation mode M1 is selected. In this example, the relaxation mode M1 corresponds to the first mode.

In this case, the air conditioner ECU40 determines that the change operation is performed in step S215 of fig. 17, and proceeds from step S218 to step S225. Then, the correction amounts of all the body parts in the linkage data or the correction amounts of all the body parts displayed on the display screen are changed by one step in the direction of cooling and are stored in the storage unit 402 in an overlaid manner. Thereby, the correction amount of each body part in the linkage data is updated. Then, in step S230, the air conditioner ECU40 changes the value of the correction value in the batch correction data to be one level cooler than the current value, and overwrites and records the changed value in the storage unit 402.

Next, in step S205, as shown in fig. 21, the different part sliders 504d belonging to all the displayed body part controls are moved in the display screen by one step in the direction of cooling based on the correction amounts of the respective body parts updated in this manner. At the same time, the position of the batch slider 503d is moved one step in the cooling direction based on the batch correction data. At this time, as shown in fig. 21, a default position indicator 503e fixedly indicating the position of the batch slider 503d at the start of the processing of fig. 17 may be displayed on the display screen.

In this way, the correction amount of the target value of the batch of the thermal sensation of the occupant 3 over a plurality of portions is reflected on the display. The dashed line 90 in fig. 21 is a virtual line indicating the difference between the target value before update and the target value after update, and is not actually displayed on the display screen of the display device 60.

Further, in step S128 of fig. 12, the air conditioning ECU40 corrects the target value of the thermal sensation of each body part based on the updated linkage data, and further, in steps S130 to S170 of fig. 4, controls the thermal stimulation reflecting the corrected amount of each body part after the update.

For example, after updating the correction amount of the target value for each body part in accordance with the operation of the batch slider 503d as described above, the occupant 3 operates the state setting unit 21, and as a result, the air conditioning ECU40 selects a mode different from the mode in the past in step S110. Thereby, for example, the selected mode is changed from the relaxation mode M1 to the sleep mode B1. In this example, the sleep mode B1 corresponds to the second mode.

In this case, the linkage data is also applied to all modes in common. Therefore, as shown in fig. 22, in step S205 of fig. 17, the air conditioner ECU40 displays the correction amounts of the respective body parts based on the linked data set to the cooling step even in the changed sleep mode B1. That is, the different-part slider 504d is displayed so that the target value of the warming sensation of each body part is corrected to the target warming sensation profile of the level of cooling with respect to the standard warming sensation profile of the sleep mode B1. The broken line 90 in fig. 22 is a line that is assumed to indicate the difference between the target value in the standard thermal sensation distribution and the target value after correction, and is not actually displayed on the display screen of the display device 60.

The inventors of the present application studied a so-called learning technique in which the occupant's change operation is continuously reflected in the target thermal sensation distribution adjustment thereafter, in the thermal sensation adjustment device, for the purpose of finely controlling the thermal sensation stimulus in accordance with the preference of each occupant for the thermal sensation.

In the thermal sensation control device according to the first embodiment, when a conventional learning technique is simply applied, a target value of a thermal sensation of a specified body part (for example, a head) is learned at a time of a certain purpose (for example, a desire to calm down the mind). However, for other purposes (for example, to activate the body), the learning is not reflected in the target value of the sensation of warmth in the body part. According to the studies by the present inventors, when the thermal stimulation of a certain target body part is changed by the occupant, the thermal stimulation of the target body part tends to be changed similarly for other targets. Therefore, the change of the target warmth distribution cannot be learned effectively by simply referring to the conventional learning technique.

In order to effectively reflect the preference of the occupant for the feeling of warmth in each distribution of warmth, the present embodiment introduces the interlocking data.

Specifically, when the first mode is selected, the storage unit stores the linkage data in accordance with a change operation for changing the target distribution of the thermal sensation in the first mode. Then, when the first pattern is selected, the changing unit changes the target thermo-sensation profile of the first pattern based on the linkage data. When the second mode is selected, the changing unit changes the target thermal sensation profile of the second mode in conjunction with a change operation for the target thermal sensation profile of the first mode based on the linkage data. In this way, the change of the occupant to the target thermal sensation distribution can be effectively learned.

When a change operation to select a designated one of the body parts is performed as the change operation by the occupant 3, the air conditioning ECU40 changes the target value of the thermal sensation of the one of the body parts based on the change operation. The operation of changing the selected one body part corresponds to the operation of the different part minus button 504a and the different part plus button 504 b. By doing so, it is possible to perform detailed learning for different body parts.

When a change operation is performed as the change operation of the occupant 3 without selecting a designated body part, the air conditioning ECU40 changes the target values of the sensations of warmth in two or more body parts based on the change operation. The operation of changing the body part not selected corresponds to the operation of the batch minus button 503a and the batch plus button 503 b. By doing so, the complexity is reduced compared to fine adjustment of different body parts, enabling easy adjustment.

The air conditioning ECU40 applies a change corresponding to the determined season to the target warming sensation profile of the selected pattern. By doing so, it is possible to adjust the appropriate thermal stimulus according to the variation of the season.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner ECU40 functions as a change unit by executing step S128 of fig. 12, functions as a season determination unit by executing step S124, and functions as a season correspondence unit by executing step S126.

In the present embodiment, the peltier element provided at the center portion in the vertical direction and the center portion in the horizontal direction of the seat back and configured to heat the back portion when the back portion is present and cool the back portion when the back portion is not present may be a device configured to apply thermal stimulation to the back portion. The peltier element provided on the rear side of the seat cushion with respect to the center in the front-rear direction and configured to heat when there is a hip and cool when there is another may be a device configured to apply thermal stimulation to the hip. The peltier element, which is provided on the front side of the seat cushion with respect to the center in the front-rear direction and heats the inside of the thighs when there is the inside of the thighs and cools the inside of the thighs at other times, may be a device that applies thermal stimulation to the inside of the thighs.

(third embodiment)

Next, a third embodiment will be explained. In contrast to the second embodiment, the air conditioner ECU40 of the present embodiment executes the processing shown in fig. 23 instead of the processing of fig. 17. The other is the same as the second embodiment.

In the processing of fig. 17 and the processing of fig. 23, steps having the same processing contents are denoted by the same step numbers. The process of fig. 23 is the process of fig. 17 with the addition of step S210. Hereinafter, the description will be given mainly on differences from the second embodiment, and the description of the same portions as those of the second embodiment will be omitted.

In the process of fig. 23, the air conditioner ECU40 executes step S210 next to step S205, and executes step S215 next to step S210. In step S210, the air conditioning ECU40 calculates the target required arrival time for each body part targeted for each body part control. The target arrival time is a predicted value of the time until the actual sensation of warmth of the target body part reaches the target value of warmth. The target required time to reach is calculated based on a predetermined calculation formula stored in advance in the storage unit 402.

In this calculation formula, each target required time is defined such that the larger the difference between the current value of the thermal sensation of the target body part and the target value, the larger the target required time. In this calculation formula, each target required time is defined such that the target required time is zero when the difference between the current value of the thermal sensation of the target body part and the target value is zero. In this calculation formula, the target required time is defined such that the larger the output value (e.g., power consumption) of the device that applies the thermal stimulation to the target site in the thermal stimulation unit, the smaller the target required time.

In the same step S210, the air conditioning ECU40 displays information corresponding to the calculated required arrival time for each target on the display screen of the display device 60. Specifically, as shown in fig. 24, information corresponding to the time required for the target to reach a certain body part is displayed in the vicinity of the body part control for the certain body part.

At this time, the air conditioner ECU40 switches the type of information corresponding to the target required time to arrive between a case where the former is smaller than the latter and a case where the former is larger than the latter, based on the comparison between the target required time to arrive and a predetermined threshold value.

Here, the prescribed threshold value may be a time (e.g., one hour) determined to be fixed in advance. Alternatively, the predetermined threshold may be a time taken for the vehicle 1 to reach the destination. The time required for the destination to arrive can be acquired from a navigation device not shown. In this case, the navigation device calculates a predetermined route from the departure point of the vehicle 1 to the destination when the destination is input, and guides the vehicle 1 to travel along the predetermined route. While the vehicle 1 is moving forward, the navigation device calculates the time taken for the destination to arrive based on the travel distance of each section in the predetermined route from the current position of the vehicle 1 to the destination and the predicted vehicle speed value of each section. Then, the navigation device outputs the calculated destination arrival desired time to the air conditioner ECU 40.

When the target required time to reach is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the air conditioning ECU40 displays a numeral indicating the target required time to reach on the display screen of the display device 60. Thus, the occupant 3 can understand that the thermal sensation adjustment device is operating although the target value of the thermal sensation deviates from the current value.

When the required target arrival time is longer than the predetermined threshold value, the air conditioning ECU40 displays an image such as a horizontal line indicating that the temperature sensation of the arriving target is slow, instead of displaying the numeral indicating the required target arrival time on the display screen.

When the required target arrival time is equal to the predetermined threshold value, the air conditioning ECU40 may display a numeral indicating the required target arrival time on the display screen, or may display an image such as a horizontal line indicating that the target arrival time is slow in warmth.

When the required target arrival time has changed from a value greater than zero to zero, the air conditioning ECU40 may erase information corresponding to the required target arrival time from the display screen, or may display a numeral of zero as the required target arrival time on the display screen. In the former, the display manner of the time required for the target to arrive is changed. In addition, since the ECU40 displays the target required arrival time itself as information corresponding to the target required arrival time when the target required arrival time changes from a value greater than zero to zero, an icon indicating a predetermined pattern of target arrival may be displayed. By doing so, it can be understood that the feeling of warmth can be achieved as the target value.

The display of the information corresponding to the time required for the target to arrive changes with the passage of time. For example, when time elapses without changing the mode after the display as shown in fig. 24 is performed, the current indicator 504e approaches the different-portion slider 504d as shown in fig. 25. This allows the occupant 3 to visually recognize the approach of the thermal sensation to the target value from the display screen as well as from the sensory perception of the approach of the thermal sensation to the target value.

In addition, the air conditioning ECU40 displays the current value and the target value of the sensation of warmth of the occupant 3 in accordance with different body parts, and changes the display manner in the case where the current value reaches the target value and before it reaches. Further, the air conditioning ECU40 displays the time until the current value reaches the target value for each body part. By doing so, it is possible to visually confirm the difference between the body part where the target warmth sensation distribution has been achieved and the body part where it has not been achieved, not only in the sense of body.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner ECU40 functions as a change unit by executing step S128 of fig. 12, functions as a season determination unit by executing step S124, and functions as a season correspondence unit by executing step S126. The air conditioner ECU40 functions as a display control unit by executing steps S205 and S210 in fig. 23.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate. The above embodiments are not independent of each other, and may be combined as appropriate except when the combination is obviously not possible. In the above-described embodiments, elements constituting the embodiments are not essential except for cases where they are specifically and clearly indicated to be essential and cases where they are considered to be obviously essential in principle. In the above-described embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, number, and range of the constituent elements of the embodiments are mentioned, the number is not limited to the specific number except for a case where the numerical values are specifically and clearly indicated as necessary and a case where the numerical values are obviously limited to the specific number in principle. In particular, when a plurality of values are illustrated for a certain amount, values between the plurality of values may be adopted except for a case where it is specifically noted and a case where it is obviously impossible in principle. In the above-described embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, and the like of the constituent elements and the like, the shape, positional relationship, and the like are not limited to those unless explicitly stated otherwise or limited to a predetermined shape, positional relationship, and the like in principle. In the above-described embodiment, when it is described that the external environment information (for example, the humidity outside the vehicle) of the vehicle 1 is acquired from the sensor, the sensor may be eliminated and the external environment information may be received from a server or cloud outside the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the sensor may be eliminated, the related information related to the external environment information may be acquired from a server or cloud outside the vehicle 1, and the external environment information may be estimated from the acquired related information. The present invention also allows the following modifications and equivalent variations to the above-described embodiments. In addition, the following modifications can be selectively applied or not applied to the above-described embodiments independently. That is, any combination other than the apparently contradictory combination in the following modification examples can be applied to the above embodiment.

The air conditioner ECU40 and the method thereof according to the present invention can be realized by a special purpose computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the air conditioner ECU40 and the method thereof described in the present invention may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by a processor including one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the air conditioner ECU40 and the method thereof described in the present invention may be realized by one or more special purpose computers that are configured by combining a processor and a memory that are programmed to execute one or more functions with a processor that is configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may be stored in a non-transitory tangible storage medium that can be read by a computer as instructions to be executed by the computer.

(modification 1)

In each of the above embodiments, the thermal stimulation of the body parts 30 to 39 of the occupant 3 by the thermal stimulation units is adjusted based on the difference between the current value and the target value of the thermal sensation distribution of the body parts 30 to 39 of the occupant 3 seated in the driver seat 2. That is, the object of adjustment of the distribution of the thermal sensation is the occupant 3 seated in the driver seat 2.

However, the adjustment target of the distribution of the thermal sensation may be an occupant seated in the front passenger seat or an occupant seated in the rear seat. The object of adjustment of the distribution of the thermal sensation may be not only one occupant but also a plurality of occupants seated in different seats. In these cases, the arrangement, structure, and operation of the thermal stimulation unit and the various sensors are changed according to the seat position of the occupant to be adjusted.

(modification 2)

In the above embodiments, the air conditioning unit 5 is exemplified as a device for applying thermal stimulation to the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right forearm parts 34, and the left and right feet 39 individually. Further, as devices for applying thermal stimulation to the waist 36, the left and right thighs 37, and the left and right lower legs 38, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8 are illustrated. However, the device for applying the thermal stimulation to the body parts 30 to 39 alone is not limited to these components.

For example, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8 may be replaced with air blowers having a function of cooling the target body part. For example, the waist heater 6, the thigh heater 7, and the lower leg heater 8 may be replaced with devices including peltier elements that can heat or cool the target body part. The thermal stimulation may be applied to the waist 36, the left and right thighs 37, and the left and right lower legs 38 by the air conditioning unit 5.

When the outside air temperature is higher than the reference temperature, the energy efficiency of the air conditioning unit 5 using the vapor refrigeration cycle is higher than that of the electric heater. When the outside air temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the relationship is reversed. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is higher than the reference temperature (for example, -2 ℃), the thermal stimulation may be applied to the waist 36, the left and right thighs 37, and the left and right thighs 38 by the air conditioning unit 5, and when the outside air temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the thermal stimulation may be applied by the electric heater.

In each embodiment, ten devices for individually applying thermal stimulation to ten sites of the head 30, the neck 31, the chest 32, the left and right upper arms 33, the left and right forearms 34, the left and right hands 35, the waist 36, the left and right thighs 37, the left and right lower legs 38, and the left and right feet 39 may be provided.

In this case, the head outlet provided in the headrest and mainly blowing air toward the head 30 may be a device that applies thermal stimulation to the head 30. Further, a neck outlet provided at the upper end of the seat back and blowing out air mainly toward the neck 31 serves as a device for applying thermal stimulation to the neck 31. The chest blow-out port provided in the baffle plate 4 and blowing out air mainly to the chest 32 serves as a device for applying thermal stimulation to the chest 32. The left and right upper arm outlets, which are provided at the left and right armrests of the driver's seat 2 so as to open upward and blow out air mainly to the left and right upper arm portions 33, serve as devices for applying thermal stimulation to the left and right upper arm portions 33. The left and right forearm blowing outlets, which are provided in the steering wheel and blow air mainly toward the left and right front arms 34, serve as devices for applying thermal stimulation to the left and right forearm portions. The peltier element, which is provided in the steering wheel and heats when there is a grip portion of the steering wheel and cools when there is another time, serves as a device for applying thermal stimulation to the left and right hands. The left and right thigh air outlets, which are provided at the left and right armrests of the driver's seat 2 so as to be open downward and blow air mainly toward the left and right thighs 37, serve as devices for applying thermal stimulation to the left and right thighs 37. The heating and cooling device provided in the portion of the baffle 4 surrounding the foot space, which heats when there are the left and right lower leg portions 38 and cools at other times, is a device that applies thermal stimulation to the left and right lower leg portions 38. The heating and cooling device may be a peltier element, for example, or a combination of a radiant heater and a foot outlet for blowing out cool air. The peltier elements, which are provided in the bottom plate portion of the foot space and which heat the left and right feet 39 when present and cool the left and right feet 39 when not present, serve as devices for applying thermal stimulation to the left and right feet 39.

Further, the air blown out from these five types of air outlets, i.e., the head air outlet, the neck air outlet, the chest air outlet, the left and right upper arm air outlets, the left and right front arm air outlets, and the left and right thigh air outlets, may be independently temperature-adjusted. In this case, the air conditioning casing 11 may have five partitioned air passages dedicated to the air outlets, and air mix doors for independently adjusting the ratio of the amounts of cold air and warm air may be provided in the air passages.

(modification 3)

The target values of the body parts 30 to 39 in the target distribution of the thermal sensation in each mode are not limited to those in the above embodiments.

(modification 4)

In each of the above embodiments, the air conditioning ECU40 applies the thermal stimulus alone to the body region where the absolute value of the difference between the current value and the target value of the sensation of warmth is the largest. However, the subject to which the thermal stimulus is applied alone may be selected based on factors other than the difference between the current value and the target value of the thermal sensation. For example, a predetermined fixed order may be assigned to a plurality of body parts, and the air conditioning ECU40 may apply the thermal stimuli individually according to the order.

(modification 5)

In each of the above embodiments, the air conditioning ECU40 preferentially applies thermal stimulation to a body part where the absolute value of the difference between the target SET and SET is the largest. However, the priority of the thermal stimulation to each body part may be determined based on the difference in the effects of the thermal stimulation units, in addition to the absolute value of the difference between the target SET and SET.

For example, when the difference between the absolute values of a certain body part and another body part is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the priority of the thermal stimulation between these body parts may be determined based on the difference in the effects of the thermal stimulation part. For example, in heating, the body part to which the thermal stimulation is applied by the steering heater or the seat heater which is in contact with or close to the human body and can effectively perform the thermal stimulation may be prioritized over the body part to which the thermal stimulation is applied by the heater provided on the interior wall surface of the vehicle 1. Moreover, the body part to which the thermal stimulation is applied by the heater provided on the interior wall surface of the vehicle 1 may be prioritized over the body part heated by the air conditioner that blows out warm air.

(modification 6)

In each of the above embodiments, the application of the separate thermal stimulation is performed simultaneously to only one body part. However, it is also possible to simultaneously perform individual thermal stimulation of a plurality of body parts.

(modification 7)

In the above embodiments, SET is used as an index showing the sensation of warmth. However, instead of SET, a thermal environment evaluation index PMV (Predicted Mean volume) may be used as an index indicating the sensation of warmth.

(modification 8)

In each of the above embodiments, in step S110, the air conditioning ECU40 selects one mode from the four modes based on the operation of the state setting unit 21 by the occupant 3. However, the air conditioner ECU40 may select one mode from four modes based on operations other than the operation of the occupant 3. For example, the air conditioner ECU40 may specify the behavior of the occupant by image recognition technology based on the image obtained from the thermal imager 9, and select one mode from four modes based on the specified behavior. That is, the air conditioner ECU40 may select one mode from the four modes based on the occupant biological information acquired from the in-vehicle sensor.

For example, in the case where the occupant is performing a driving operation, the concentration mode M2 may be selected. In addition, for example, when the occupant falls asleep with his or her hands separated from the steering wheel, the sleep mode B1 may be selected.

(modification 8)

In the above embodiments, four standard thermal sensation distributions are recorded in the storage unit 402 in correspondence with the four modes of the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the energy mode B2. Also, the air conditioner ECU40 selects one mode from the four modes in step S110. That is, the options of the modes are four of the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the energy mode B2.

However, the number of options of the mode may be two or three. In this case, at the time of manufacturing or designing the thermal adjustment device, the mode to enter the option may be arbitrarily determined from among the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the active mode B2. In this case, the standard thermal distribution stored in the storage unit 402 records only the contents corresponding to two or three patterns determined in the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the vitality mode B2.

(modification 9)

In the above embodiment, the processing performed in fig. 4 is the air conditioning ECU 40. However, the processing of fig. 4 may be executed by a processing device provided separately from the air conditioner ECU 40. In this case, the processing device corresponds to the selection unit by executing step S110, and corresponds to the stimulation control unit by executing step S170.

(modification 10)

In the above embodiment, the ventilation passage 111 of the air-conditioning unit 5 is a single passage, but the ventilation passage 111 may be divided into a plurality of small ventilation passages by partitions. For example, the ventilation passage 111 may be divided into an inside air passage that guides inside air to the foot air outlet 43 and an outside air passage that guides outside air to the defroster air outlet 41 and the face air outlet 42 by a partition plate.

A plurality of defroster air outlet 41, face air outlet 42, and foot air outlet 43 may be provided, one of which is disposed on the driver seat side and the other of which is disposed on the passenger seat side. In this case, the above-described internal air passage may be divided into a driver seat side internal air passage that guides the internal air to the foot air outlet 43 on the driver seat side and a passenger seat side internal air passage that guides the internal air to the foot air outlet 43 on the passenger seat side by a partition plate. The outside air passage may be divided by a partition plate into a driver-side outside air passage for guiding outside air to the driver-side defroster air outlet 41 and the face air outlet 42, and a passenger-side outside air passage for guiding outside air to the passenger-side defroster air outlet 41 and the face air outlet 42.

(modification 11)

In each of the above embodiments, the memory unit 402 mounted on the vehicle 1 stores standard thermal inductance distribution, linkage data, batch correction data, and the like. However, this need not be the case. Only a part or all of these standard thermal inductance distribution, linkage data, and batch correction data may be stored in one or more servers (for example, cloud) installed in a place other than the vehicle 1. In this case, the air conditioning ECU40 reads and writes data in the server among the standard thermal inductance distribution, the linkage data, and the batch correction data by communicating with the server.

Alternatively, the air conditioning ECU40 may be provided in one or more servers provided in places other than the vehicle 1. In this case, the air conditioner ECU40 communicates with the devices in the vehicle by communication, thereby realizing the above-described processing.

(modification 12)

In the second and third embodiments, the air conditioning ECU40 changes the linkage data in step S220 in fig. 17 and 23, but may change the standard target warmth sensation distribution in the entire mode. In this case, the standard target thermal sensation profile of the entire pattern recorded in the storage unit 402 corresponds to the linkage data that can specify the changed value of the target thermal sensation profile of each pattern.

(modification 13)

In the second and third embodiments, the air conditioner ECU40 may reset the additional mode different from the relaxation mode M1, the concentration mode M2, the sleep mode B1, and the active mode B2 in accordance with the operation of the occupant 3 on the touch panel 61 or the like. The distribution of the reference feeling of warmth in this mode can be determined in accordance with the setting operation of the occupant 3 on the touch panel 61 or the like. When the additional mode set in this way is set in step S110, the correction is performed based on the interlocking data and the season, as in the other modes. By so doing, the occupant 3 can reset and enjoy the favorable distribution of warmth sensation.

(modification 14)

In the second and third embodiments, the air conditioner ECU40 may invalidate the linkage data when a predetermined operation is performed on the touch panel 61. When the linkage data is invalidated, the correction in step S128 is not performed. When the linkage data is invalidated, the air conditioner ECU40 may validate the linkage data based on a predetermined operation on the touch panel 61. When the linkage data is validated, the correction of step S128 is executed.

The predetermined operation on the touch panel 61 may be, for example, pressing the predetermined position of the touch panel 61 for a predetermined time or longer, that is, pressing the predetermined position of the touch panel 61 for a long time. Alternatively, the predetermined operation on the touch panel 61 may be a double-click of the predetermined position on the touch panel 61, in which the predetermined position on the touch panel 61 is pressed twice within a predetermined period.

(modification 15)

In the second and third embodiments, the interlocking data is changed based on the operation of the touch panel 61. However, the linkage data may be changed based on the voice of the occupant 3 acquired from a microphone, not shown, by a voice recognition device, not shown. That is, the linkage data can be changed by the voice operation of the occupant 3.

(modification 16)

In the above-described embodiment, the relaxation mode M1 is exemplified as the first mode, and the sleep mode B1 is exemplified as the second mode. However, the combination of the first mode and the second mode is not limited to these modes. The combination of the first mode and the second mode may be any combination as long as the modes are different from each other.

(modification 17)

In the above-described embodiment, the operation of the batch decrement button 503a or the batch plus button 503b is exemplified as the operation for moving the batch slider 503d to change the batch correction data. However, as an operation for moving the batch slider 503d to change the batch correction data, for example, an operation for selecting the drag of the batch slider 503d may be used. In the above embodiment, the operations of the different-part minus button 504a and the different-part plus button 504b are exemplified as the operations for moving the different-part slider 504d to change the interlocking data. However, as an operation for changing the linked data by moving the different-part slider 504d, for example, an operation for selecting a drag of the different-part slider 504d may be used.

(conclusion)

According to a first aspect showing a part or all of the embodiments described above, a thermal sensation adjustment device that adjusts a thermal sensation of an occupant of a vehicle includes: a thermal stimulation unit configured to apply thermal stimulation to a plurality of body parts of the occupant and to be capable of changing the distribution of the thermal stimulation in different body parts; a selection unit that selects one mode from at least two modes of a mode in which the mind of the occupant is calmed, a mode in which the mind of the occupant is activated, a mode in which the body of the occupant is calmed, and a mode in which the body of the occupant is activated; and a stimulus control section that controls the thermal stimulus section based on a target thermal sensation profile corresponding to the mode selected by the selection section, the target thermal sensation profiles corresponding to the at least two patterns are data indicating target values of a plurality of thermal sensations for each of the plurality of body parts, the target values of the thermal sensations for the designated body parts of the plurality of body parts being different from each other, respectively, the stimulation control section controls the thermal stimulation section, so that the thermal stimulation applied to the specified body part in a case where any of the at least two modes is selected by the selection portion is different from the thermal stimulation applied to the specified body part in a case where the other of the at least two modes is selected by the selection portion.

Further, according to a second aspect, the specified body part is a head of an occupant, and the stimulation control unit controls the thermal stimulation unit so that the thermal stimulation applied to the head when the arbitrary mode is selected by the selection unit is different from the thermal stimulation applied to the head when the other mode is selected by the selection unit.

The state of the occupant's brain is strongly correlated with both mental and physical activity. Therefore, by applying different thermal stimuli to the head when the modes selected by the selection unit are different, it is possible to adjust the distribution of the feeling of warmth in the plurality of portions of the body of the occupant so as to be more suitable for the mental state or the physical state of the occupant to be achieved.

In addition, according to a third aspect, the stimulation control unit applies the thermal stimulation to the one body part so that the value of the thermal sensation addressed to the one body part approaches the target value of the thermal sensation addressed to the one body part, based on the current value of the thermal sensation addressed to the one body part.

In this way, by bringing the value of the thermal sensation closer to the target value based on the current value of the thermal sensation, it is possible to more effectively guide the occupant to the mental state or the physical state of the occupant that is intended.

In addition, according to a fourth aspect, the thermal sensation adjustment device includes: a storage unit that stores linkage data in accordance with a change operation when the occupant has performed a change operation to a target thermal sensation profile of the first mode when the first mode of the at least two modes is selected by the selection unit; and a changing unit that changes a target thermal sensation profile of the first pattern based on the linkage data when the first pattern is selected by the selecting unit. Further, when a second pattern different from the first pattern among the at least two patterns is selected by the selection unit, the changing unit changes the target thermal sensation profile of the second pattern in conjunction with the changing operation of the target thermal sensation profile of the first pattern, based on the linkage data.

The inventors of the present application studied a so-called learning technique in which the occupant changing operation is continuously reflected in the target thermal sensation distribution adjustment thereafter, in the thermal sensation adjustment device, for the purpose of finely controlling the thermal sensation stimulus in accordance with the preference of the thermal sensation of each occupant.

In the thermo-sensation control device, when a conventional learning technique is simply applied, a target value of the thermal sensation of a specified body part (for example, the head) is learned for a certain purpose (for example, to calm down the mind). However, for other purposes (for example, to activate the body), the learning is not reflected in the target value of the sensation of warmth in the body part. According to the studies by the present inventors, when the thermal stimulation of a certain target body part is changed by the occupant, the thermal stimulation of the target body part tends to be changed similarly for other targets. Therefore, the change of the target warmth distribution cannot be learned effectively by simply referring to the conventional learning technique.

Then, the linkage data is introduced so as to effectively reflect the preference of the occupant for the feeling of warmth in each of the feeling distribution. This makes it possible to effectively learn the change of the occupant to the target thermal sensation distribution.

Further, according to a fifth aspect, when a change operation of selecting a designated one of the body parts is performed as the change operation, the changing unit changes only the target value of the thermal sensation of the one of the body parts based on the change operation. By doing so, it is possible to perform detailed learning for different body parts.

In addition, according to a sixth aspect, when a change operation is performed as the change operation without selecting a designated body part, the changing unit changes the target value of the thermal sensation of two or more body parts based on the change operation. By doing so, the complexity is reduced compared to fine adjustment of different body parts, enabling easy adjustment.

In addition, according to a seventh aspect, the thermal sensation adjustment device includes: a season determination unit that determines a season; and a season correspondence unit that applies a change corresponding to the season determined by the season determination unit to the target thermal sensation distribution of the pattern selected by the selection unit. By doing so, it is possible to adjust the appropriate thermal stimulus according to the variation of the season.

In addition, according to an eighth aspect, the thermal sensation adjustment device includes a display control unit that displays a current value and a target value of the thermal sensation of the occupant for each body part, changes a display mode when the current value reaches the target value and before the current value reaches the target value, and displays a time until the current value reaches the target value for each body part. By doing so, it is possible to visually confirm the distinction between the body part in which the target warmth sensation distribution is achieved and the body part which is not achieved, not only in the sense of body.