CN108430814A - Air conditioner for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of effort for the cleaning to dust sensor that can either save occupant, and it is able to maintain that the air conditioner for vehicles of the detectability of dust sensor.Air conditioner for vehicles (1) has：Air-conditioning duct (10), it is formed with air flue (11) in the inside of the air-conditioning duct (10), the air flue (11) will be guided into the car room via blow-off outlet carrying out the air-conditioner wind of air conditioning in car room；Air-conditioning unit (20), the air-conditioning unit (20) are configured at the air flue, and the air-conditioner wind is generated using from the external air for introducing the air flue of the air-conditioning duct；Control unit (80), the control unit (80) control the air-conditioning unit；Dust sensor (70), the dust sensor (70) has the access for being connected to the inside of the air-conditioning duct with outside, and detects the dust concentration in the air that the access flows.There is the control unit control model to control the air-conditioning unit in the control model, and the dust that will be piled up in the access removes.

Description

Vehicle air conditioner

Cross-reference of related applications

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-222042 filed on November 12, 2015 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-199989 filed on October 11, 2016, and claims priority. References are incorporated into this specification.

technical field

The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.

Background technique

Conventionally, a vehicle air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the vehicle air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, air inside or outside the vehicle is introduced into the air conditioning duct. An evaporator and a heater core are arranged in the air-conditioning duct. The air introduced into the air conditioning duct is cooled by the evaporator and heated by the heater core. This vehicle air conditioner adjusts the temperature in the vehicle interior to a set temperature by blowing cooled or heated air into the vehicle interior through an air outlet in the air conditioning duct. The set temperature is a temperature set by an occupant of the vehicle.

prior art literature

patent documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-24032

In recent years, since dust such as particulate matter (PM; Particulate Matter) in the air can affect health, there is a need to know the concentration of dust in the vehicle interior. In order to realize this requirement, for example, a method of providing a dust sensor in an air-conditioning duct of a vehicle air conditioner and displaying the dust concentration detected by the dust sensor on a display unit in a vehicle interior is conceivable.

However, the dust sensor has a characteristic that when dust accumulates in its detection portion, the output signal changes due to the detection of dust. Therefore, in the dust sensor, it is necessary to regularly perform cleaning to remove dust from the detection portion. On the other hand, air-conditioning ducts are usually arranged in the dashboard of a vehicle. Therefore, when the dust sensor is installed in the air-conditioning duct, the dust sensor is also arranged inside the instrument panel. In this case, periodic cleaning of the dust sensor becomes difficult, and as a result, the detection capability of the dust sensor may not be maintained.

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner capable of saving the time and effort of cleaning a dust sensor by an occupant while maintaining the detection capability of the dust sensor.

A vehicle air conditioner according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air conditioning duct, an air conditioning unit, a control unit, and a dust sensor. An air passage is formed inside the air-conditioning duct, and the air passage guides air-conditioning air for air-conditioning the vehicle interior to the vehicle interior through the outlet. The air-conditioning unit is arranged in the air passage, and generates air-conditioning wind by using the air introduced into the air passage from the outside of the air-conditioning duct. The control unit controls the air conditioning unit. The dust sensor has a communication path that communicates the inside and outside of the air-conditioning duct, and detects the concentration of dust in the air flowing through the communication path. The control unit has a control mode in which the air conditioning unit is controlled so as to remove dust accumulated in the communication passage.

With this configuration, when the control unit executes the control mode, since the air volume of the air flowing through the communication passage of the dust sensor is increased, dust deposited on the communication passage can be removed. Thereby, it is possible to save the labor of cleaning the dust sensor and maintain the detection capability of the dust sensor.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing an enlarged configuration of the dust sensor of the first embodiment.

3 is a graph showing an output example of the dust sensor of the first embodiment.

4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU of the first embodiment.

5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU according to the second modified example of the first embodiment.

6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU of the second embodiment.

7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by an ECU according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU of the third embodiment.

9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU according to the first modified example of the third embodiment.

10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU according to the second modified example of the third embodiment.

11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU according to the second modification of the third embodiment.

12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU of the fourth embodiment.

13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the ECU of the fifth embodiment.

Detailed ways

<First Embodiment>

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the vehicle air conditioner will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a vehicle air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment includes an air conditioning duct 10 and an air conditioning unit 20 . The vehicle air conditioner 1 is installed inside the dashboard of the vehicle.

Inside the air-conditioning duct 10 is formed an air passage 11 for introducing air-conditioning wind for air-conditioning the vehicle interior into the vehicle interior. In the air passage 11, air flows in a direction indicated by an arrow A in the figure.

In the upstream portion of the air-conditioning duct 10 in the air flow direction A, an outside-air inlet 12 and an inside-air inlet 13 are formed as portions for introducing air from the outside of the air-conditioning duct 10 into the air passage 11 . Specifically, the outside air inlet 12 is a portion that draws outside air, which is air outside the vehicle, into the air passage 11 . The interior air intake port 13 is a portion for introducing interior air, which is the air in the vehicle interior, into the air passage 11 .

A defroster outlet 14 , a face outlet 15 , and a foot outlet 16 are formed in a portion on the downstream side in the air flow direction A of the air-conditioning duct 10 . The defroster outlet 14 blows the air flowing along the inside of the air-conditioning duct 10 toward the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle. The face air outlet 15 blows the air flowing along the air-conditioning duct 10 toward the driver or the occupant of the passenger seat. The foot outlet 16 blows the air flowing along the inside of the air-conditioning duct 10 toward the driver's or passenger's feet.

The air conditioning unit 20 generates conditioned wind using the air introduced into the air passage 11 from the outside air inlet 12 or the inside air inlet 13 . The air-conditioning air is air used for air-conditioning the interior of the vehicle. The air conditioning unit 20 has a blower fan 21 , an evaporator 22 , and a heater core 23 .

The blower fan 21 is arranged on the downstream side in the air flow direction A of the outside air inlet 12 and the inside air inlet 13 . The blower fan 21 rotates upon energization, thereby generating air flow in the air passage 11 . By adjusting the energization amount of the blower fan 21 , the air volume of the air flowing along the air passage 11 is adjusted, in other words, the air volume of the air-conditioning air is adjusted.

The evaporator 22 is arranged on the downstream side in the air flow direction A of the blower fan 21 . The evaporator 22 is a component of a refrigeration cycle not shown. The refrigeration cycle is composed of a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve in addition to the evaporator 22 . In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant circulates through the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator 22 in this order. In the evaporator 22 , the refrigerant is evaporated and gasified by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air in the air passage 11 . The evaporator 22 has a function of cooling the air in the air passage 11 using heat of vaporization when the refrigerant is vaporized, and a function of dehumidifying the air in the air passage 11 .

The heater core 23 is arranged on the downstream side in the air flow direction A of the evaporator 22 . The heater core 23 is connected to an unillustrated engine via piping. Engine cooling water is circulated between the engine and the heater core 23 through the piping. The heater core 23 heats the air in the air passage 11 using the engine cooling water flowing inside as a heat source.

The air conditioning unit 20 has an inside and outside air switching door 24 , an air mixing door 25 , and outlet switching doors 26 , 27 , and 28 .

The inside and outside air switching door 24 opens and closes the outside air inlet 12 and the inside air inlet 13 . When the inside and outside air switching door 24 is located at the inside air introduction position indicated by the solid line in the figure, the outside air suction port 12 is closed and the inside air suction port 13 is opened. In this case, the vehicle air conditioner 1 is in an air circulation mode in which indoor air is drawn into the air passage 11 from the air inlet 13 . On the other hand, when the inside and outside air switching door 24 is located at the outside air introduction position shown by the dotted line in the drawing, the inside air inlet 13 is closed and the outside air inlet 12 is opened. In this case, the vehicle air conditioner 1 is in an outside air introduction mode in which outside air is drawn into the air passage 11 from the outside air inlet 12 .

The air mix door 25 adjusts the ratio of the volume of air flowing into the heater core 23 to the volume of air bypassing the heater core 23 . Specifically, the position of the air mix door 25 can be adjusted between a maximum heating position indicated by a solid line in the figure and a maximum cooling position indicated by a dotted line in the figure. When the position of the air mix door 25 is the maximum heating position, since almost all the air passing through the evaporator 22 passes through the heater core 23, the temperature of the air-conditioning air rises the most. When the position of the air mix door 25 is the maximum cooling position, almost all the air passing through the evaporator 22 bypasses the heater core 23 . In this case, since the air cooled by the evaporator 22 flows as it is to each of the air outlets 14 to 16, the temperature of the conditioned air drops the most. In the vehicle air conditioner 1 , the temperature of air-conditioning air is adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the air mix door 25 between the maximum heating position and the maximum cooling position.

The air outlet switching doors 26 to 28 switch the opening and closing states of the defroster air outlet 14 , the face air outlet 15 , and the foot air outlet 16 . By opening at least one of the air outlet switching doors 26 to 28 , air-conditioning air is blown into the vehicle interior from the opened air outlet.

Next, the electrical configuration of the vehicle air conditioner 1 will be described.

Vehicle air conditioner 1 includes an operation unit 60 , a display unit 61 , a dust sensor 70 , and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit: Electronic Control Unit) 80 . In the present embodiment, ECU 80 corresponds to a control unit.

The operation unit 60 is a part operated by the driver when adjusting the air volume, temperature, and the like of the air-conditioning air. The operation unit 60 is arranged, for example, on a dashboard of a vehicle. In the operation part 60, for example, either one of the external air introduction mode and the internal air circulation mode can be selected. Moreover, in the operation part 60, the air volume of air-conditioning air, the temperature of air-conditioning air, the outlet of air-conditioning air, etc. can be set. Operation unit 60 outputs these operation information to ECU 80 .

The display unit 61 is a unit that displays various information of the vehicle air conditioner 1 . In this embodiment, the display unit of the car navigation device of the vehicle is replaced by the display unit 61 of the vehicle air conditioner 1 . In addition, the display unit 61 may be configured exclusively for the vehicle air conditioner 1 .

The dust sensor 70 is provided on the outer wall of the air-conditioning duct 10 at a position between the blower fan 21 and the evaporator 22 . The dust sensor 70 detects the concentration of dust in the air flowing along the air passage 11 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the dust sensor 70 is provided with a communication path 700 that communicates the inside and the outside of the air-conditioning duct 10 . Dust sensor 70 includes, for example, a light emitting element that irradiates light to communication path 700 , and a light receiving element that receives light irradiated from the light emitting element. The light receiving element outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the received light. The dust sensor 70 outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the output voltage of the light receiving element as a detection signal Vd. The amount of light received by the light receiving element changes according to the dust concentration in the air passing through the communication path 700 . That is, the detection signal Vd of the dust sensor 70 changes according to the dust concentration in the air passing through the communication path 700 , in other words, the dust concentration in the air in the air passage 11 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the detection signal Vd of the dust sensor 70 represents the reference voltage Voc when the dust concentration is 0 [μg/m ³ ]. In addition, the detection signal Vd of the dust sensor 70 increases with the increase of the dust concentration, and becomes a constant value when the dust concentration becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration.

In addition, detection signals of various sensors and switches for detecting the state of the vehicle are input to the ECU 80 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , detection signals of the seating sensor 71 and the ignition switch 72 are input to the ECU 80 . The seating sensor 71 detects whether an occupant is seated on the seat of the vehicle, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detection result. The ignition switch 72 is operated by the driver when starting the engine of the vehicle. When the ignition switch 72 is turned on and turned off by the driver, it outputs a detection signal corresponding to the operation.

The ECU 80 is configured mainly around a microcomputer including a CPU, a memory, and the like. ECU 80 acquires operation information from operation unit 60 , and drives air-conditioning unit 20 based on the acquired operation information. As a result, the air-conditioning wind corresponding to the operation information of the operation unit 60 is generated by the air-conditioning unit 20 . That is, ECU 80 controls air-conditioning unit 20 so as to generate air-conditioning wind corresponding to the operation information of operation unit 60 . Hereinafter, the control mode of the ECU 80 is referred to as "air conditioning mode".

A detection signal Vd of the dust sensor 70 is input to the ECU 80 . ECU 80 calculates the dust concentration based on detection signal Vd of dust sensor 70 , and displays the calculated dust concentration on display unit 61 .

However, in the dust sensor 70, dust accumulates in the communication path 700 over time. When the dust is detected by the dust sensor 70 , the reference voltage Voc of the dust sensor 70 rises by a predetermined voltage ΔV corresponding to the accumulated dust as shown by the dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 3 . Under such circumstances, it may not be possible to accurately detect the dust concentration in the air.

Here, ECU 80 of the present embodiment temporarily stops the air-conditioning function of vehicle air-conditioning apparatus 1 and executes a sensor cleaning mode for removing dust from communication passage 700 . Specifically, the sensor cleaning mode is a control mode in which dust in the communication path 700 is removed by controlling the air conditioning unit 20 so that the volume of air flowing through the communication path 700 is increased compared to the air conditioning mode. In the present embodiment, the sensor cleaning mode corresponds to a control mode for removing dust accumulated on dust sensor 70 .

On the other hand, while the ECU 80 is executing the sensor cleaning mode, the air conditioning function of the vehicle air conditioner 1 is temporarily stopped. That is, since the air conditioning in the vehicle interior is not performed, the temperature in the vehicle interior may deviate from the set temperature, or the window glass may be fogged. Such a phenomenon may cause discomfort to the driver. Here, the ECU 80 detects the presence or absence of an occupant in the vehicle interior based on the detection signal from the seating sensor 71 , and executes the sensor cleaning mode on the condition that no occupant exists in the vehicle interior.

Next, a specific procedure of the sensor cleaning mode executed by the ECU 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . The process shown in FIG. 4 is executed when the ignition switch 72 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 4 , first, as the process of step S10 , the ECU 80 determines whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle interior. Specifically, the ECU 80 determines that no occupant of the vehicle exists in the vehicle interior when it detects that no occupant is seated on the seat of the vehicle based on the detection signal of the seating sensor 71 . In this case, the ECU 80 makes a negative determination based on the processing of step S10. When the ECU 80 makes a negative determination in the process of step S10 , it changes the air-conditioning mode and switches to the sensor cleaning mode. The ECU 80 switched to the sensor cleaning mode executes the processing shown in steps S11 to S14.

Specifically, as the process of step S11 , the ECU 80 moves the inside and outside air switching door 24 to the inside air introduction position regardless of the operation information of the operation unit 60 . When the inside and outside air switching door 24 is already at the inside air introduction position, the ECU 80 maintains the position of the inside and outside air switching door 24 as it is. Thereby, compared with the case where outside air is introduced into the air passage 11 from the outside air inlet 12 , the air is easily introduced into the air passage 11 , and thus the volume of the air flowing through the communication passage 700 can be increased.

As the process of step S12 subsequent to step S11 , ECU 80 moves air mix door 25 to the maximum heating position regardless of the operation information of operation unit 60 . When the air mix door 25 is already at the maximum heating position, the ECU 80 maintains the position of the air mix door 25 as it is. Accordingly, since the air volume flowing into the heater core 23 is the maximum air volume, the heater core 23 acts as a ventilation resistance for the air flowing through the air passage 11 to increase the air pressure in the air passage 11 . Therefore, it is possible to increase the air volume of the air flowing through the communication path 700 .

As the process of step S13 subsequent to step S12, regardless of the operation information of the operation part 60, the ECU 80 sets the air outlet switching doors 26 to 28 to the defroster air outlet 14, the face air outlet 15, and the foot air outlet 16. The closed position of the closed state moves. As a result, the outlet of air on the downstream side in the air flow direction A of the air passage 11 is blocked, so that the air in the air passage 11 easily flows through the communication passage 700 . That is, it is possible to increase the air volume of the air flowing through the communication passage 700 .

As the process of step S14 subsequent to step S13 , ECU 80 sets the air volume of blower fan 21 to the maximum air volume regardless of the operation information of operation unit 60 . In addition, the maximum air volume here is an air volume larger than the upper limit set value of the air volume of the blower fan 21 which can be set in the air-conditioning mode. Thereby, since the air volume of the air in the air passage 11 increases, the air volume of the air flowing through the communication passage 700 can be increased.

According to the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, the operations and effects shown in the following (1) to (6) can be obtained.

(1) As a control mode of the air conditioning unit 20 , the ECU 80 has a sensor cleaning mode in addition to the air conditioning mode for controlling the air conditioning unit 20 that generates air conditioning air. The sensor cleaning mode is a control mode in which the air conditioning unit 20 is controlled so that the volume of air flowing through the communication path 700 of the dust sensor 70 is increased compared to the air conditioning mode. By increasing the air volume of the air flowing through the communicating passage 700 , dust accumulated in the communicating passage 700 can be removed. Thereby, it is possible to save the crew's time for cleaning the dust sensor 70 and maintain the detection ability of the dust sensor 70 .

(2) When the sensor cleaning mode is executed, the ECU 80 adjusts the air volume of the blower fan 21 so that the air volume of the air flowing through the communication path 700 is increased compared to when the air conditioning mode is executed. Specifically, ECU 80 sets the air volume of blower fan 21 to the maximum air volume regardless of the operation information of operation unit 60 . Thereby, since the air can easily flow into the communication path 700, the dust accumulated in the communication path 700 can be more reliably removed.

(3) When the sensor cleaning mode is executed, the ECU 80 switches the opening and closing states of the outlet switching doors 26 to 28 so that the volume of air flowing through the communication path 700 is increased compared to when the air conditioning mode is executed. Specifically, ECU 80 moves outlet switching doors 26 to 28 to closed positions where defroster outlet 14 , face outlet 15 , and foot outlet 16 are fully closed regardless of the operation information of operation unit 60 . As a result, air can easily flow into the communication path 700 , so dust accumulated on the communication path 700 can be more reliably removed.

(4) When the sensor cleaning mode is executed, the ECU 80 adjusts the opening of the air mix door 25 so that the volume of air flowing through the communicating passage 700 is increased compared to when the air conditioning mode is executed. Specifically, the ECU 80 moves the air mix door 25 to the maximum heating position regardless of the operation information of the operation unit 60 . In other words, the ECU 80 adjusts the position of the air mix door 25 so that the air volume flowing into the heater core 23 becomes the maximum air volume. Thereby, since the air can easily flow into the communication path 700, the dust accumulated in the communication path 700 can be more reliably removed.

(5) The ECU 80 executes the sensor cleaning mode on the condition that there is no occupant in the vehicle interior. Thereby, the dust accumulated in the communication passage 700 can be removed without causing discomfort to the occupant.

(6) The ECU 80 detects the seating state of the occupant on the seat of the vehicle using the seating sensor 71 , and determines whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle cabin based on the seating state of the occupant. Thereby, it is possible to easily detect whether or not an occupant is present in the vehicle interior.

(first modified example)

Next, a first modified example of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

In the ECU 80 of this modified example, the detection signal of the door opening/closing sensor 73 is input as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 . The door opening/closing sensor 73 detects the opening/closing state of the vehicle door, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected opening/closing state of the vehicle door. In the process of step S10 shown in FIG. 4 , the ECU 80 determines whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle interior based on the detection signal of the door opening/closing sensor 73 . Specifically, the ECU 80 monitors the opening and closing state of the vehicle doors based on the detection signal of the door opening/closing sensor 73 after detecting the OFF operation of the ignition switch 72 . Then, when the ECU 80 detects that the vehicle door is in the closed state after being in the open state, it determines that there is no occupant in the vehicle interior, and makes a negative determination in the process of step S10 . In the structure as described above, it is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of an occupant in the vehicle interior.

(second modified example)

Next, a second modified example of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5 , when the ECU 80 of this modified example makes a negative determination in the process of step S10 , as the process of step S15 , it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since it was detected that there is no occupant in the vehicle interior. T1. When the ECU 80 makes a negative judgment in the processing of step S15, it returns to the processing of step S10. When the ECU 80 makes an affirmative judgment in the process of step S15 , that is, after the predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the detection of no occupant in the vehicle interior, the process of steps S11 to S14 is executed as the sensor cleaning mode. According to the configuration as described above, since the sensor cleaning mode is easily executed when there is no occupant in the vehicle interior, the occupant's sense of discomfort can be more reliably avoided.

<Second Embodiment>

Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle air conditioner 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

As indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 , a detection signal of the shift sensor 74 is input to the ECU 80 of the present embodiment. The shift sensor 74 detects a shift position that is an operating position of a shift lever of the vehicle, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected shift position. The shift gear can be switched to any gear in the parking gear, neutral gear, driving gear and reverse gear.

Next, a specific procedure of the sensor cleaning mode executed by the ECU 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , the ECU 80 first determines whether or not the vehicle is running as the process of step S20 . Specifically, the ECU 80 determines that the vehicle is not running when it detects that the current shift position is the parking position based on the detection signal from the shift sensor 74 . When the ECU 80 determines that the vehicle is not running, it makes a negative determination in the process of step S20, and executes the processes of steps S11 to S14 as the sensor cleaning mode.

According to the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, in addition to the actions and effects shown in (1) to (5) of the first embodiment, the action and effect shown in (7) below can be obtained.

(7) The ECU 80 executes the sensor cleaning mode on the condition that the vehicle is not running. Accordingly, since the sensor cleaning mode can be avoided while the vehicle is running, the dust accumulated in the communication path 700 can be removed without causing discomfort to the occupants.

(Modification)

Next, a modified example of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7 , when the ECU 80 of this modification makes a negative determination in the process of step S20 , as the process of step S21 , it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the detection of the vehicle not running. When the ECU 80 has made a negative judgment in the process of step S21, it returns to the process of step S20. When the ECU 80 makes an affirmative judgment in the processing of step S21 , that is, after the predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the detection of the vehicle not running, the ECU 80 executes the processing of steps S11 to S14 as the sensor cleaning mode. With the configuration as described above, since the sensor cleaning mode is easily executed in a state where the vehicle is not running, it is possible to further reliably avoid the occupant's sense of discomfort.

<Third Embodiment>

Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle air conditioner 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the ECU 80 of the present embodiment first determines whether or not the ignition switch 72 has been turned off as the process of step S30 . When the ECU 80 determines that the ignition switch 72 has been turned off, it makes an affirmative determination in the processing of step S30, and executes the processing of steps S11 to S14 as the sensor cleaning mode.

According to the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, in addition to the actions and effects shown in (1) to (5) of the first embodiment, the action and effect shown in (8) below can be obtained.

(8) The ECU 80 executes the sensor cleaning mode on the condition that the ignition switch 72 is turned off. As a result, since the sensor cleaning mode can be avoided while driving, the dust accumulated in the communication path 700 can be removed without causing discomfort to the occupant.

(first modified example)

Next, a first modified example of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9 , when the ECU 80 of this modified example makes a negative determination in the process of step S30, as the process of step S31, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the time point when the ignition switch 72 was detected to be turned off. Time T3. When the ECU 80 has made a negative judgment in the process of step S31, it returns to the process of step S30. When the ECU 80 makes an affirmative judgment in the processing of step S31 , that is, after the predetermined time T3 has elapsed since the ignition switch 72 was detected to be turned off, the processing of steps S11 to S14 is executed as the sensor cleaning mode. According to the configuration as described above, since the sensor cleaning mode can be easily executed in a situation where the vehicle is not being driven, it is possible to more reliably avoid giving the occupant a sense of discomfort.

(second modified example)

Next, a second modified example of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment will be described.

As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 , a detection signal of the start switch 75 of the vehicle is input to the ECU 80 of the present embodiment. The start switch 75 is operated when starting and stopping the vehicle in a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like. The starter switch 75 is usually provided in the vehicle instead of the ignition switch 72 .

As shown in FIG. 10 , the ECU 80 of this modified example determines whether or not the start switch 75 has been operated to stop the vehicle as the process of step S30 . As long as it is configured as described above, even in a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle provided with a start switch 75 , the same functions and effects as those of the vehicle air conditioner 1 according to the third embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 11 , ECU 80 according to the first modified example of the third embodiment may determine whether or not a predetermined time T3 has elapsed since the detection of the off operation of the vehicle start switch as the process of step S31 .

<Fourth Embodiment>

Next, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle air conditioner 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

The ECU 80 according to the present embodiment has a timer 81 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 . Regardless of whether the air-conditioning mode is being executed, ECU 80 executes the processing shown in FIG. 12 in a predetermined calculation cycle based on the time measured by timer 81 .

As shown in FIG. 12 , ECU 80 firstly starts measurement by timer 81 as a process of step S40 , and then determines whether or not the measurement time of timer 81 has reached a preset predetermined time T4 as step S41 . In addition, the predetermined time T4 is set to be sufficiently longer than the calculation cycle of the ECU 80 . The predetermined time T4 is set to correspond to one month, for example.

When the ECU 80 makes an affirmative judgment in step S41 , that is, when the measurement time of the timer 81 has reached the predetermined time T4 set in advance, the processing of steps S11 to S14 is executed. After executing the process of step S14, the ECU 80 resets the measurement time of the timer 81 to zero as the process of step S42, and then temporarily terminates a series of processes. Then, when the ECU 80 performs the process shown in FIG. 12 after a predetermined calculation cycle has elapsed, the ECU 80 restarts the measurement of the time of the timer 81 as the process of step S40. Thereby, ECU80 executes the control mode corresponding to steps S11-S14, ie, the control mode of controlling the air-conditioning unit 20 which removes the dust accumulated in the communication path 700, in the cycle of predetermined time T4.

According to the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, the action and effect shown in (9) below can be obtained.

(9) Regardless of whether the air-conditioning mode is being executed, the ECU 80 executes the control mode for controlling the air-conditioning unit 20 at a predetermined cycle so as to remove the dust accumulated in the communicating passage 700 . Thereby, the dust accumulated in the communication passage 700 can be removed regardless of whether the air-conditioning mode is being executed.

<Fifth Embodiment>

Next, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle air conditioner 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13 , ECU 80 of the present embodiment firstly determines whether or not the air volume of blower fan 21 is set to an upper limit setting value as step S50 . The upper limit setting value is an upper limit value of the air volume of the blower fan 21 that can be set in the air-conditioning mode. When the ECU 80 makes an affirmative judgment in the processing of step S50 , that is, when the air volume of the blower fan 21 is set to the upper limit setting value, the ECU 80 executes the processing of steps S11 to S13 .

According to the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, the action and effect shown in (10) below can be obtained.

(10) The ECU 80 moves the air outlet switching doors 26 to 28 to the defroster air outlet 14, the face air outlet 15, and The foot outlets 16 are all in the closed position of the fully closed state, and the air mix door 25 is moved to the maximum heating position. Thus, when the driver operates the operation unit 60 to set the air volume of the blower fan 21 to the upper limit setting value, the process of removing the dust accumulated in the communication path 700 is automatically performed, so that the dust accumulated in the communication path 700 can be removed more reliably. The dust in the communication path 700 is removed.

<Other Embodiments>

In addition, each embodiment can be implemented in the following aspects.

The ECU 80 of the first embodiment may determine whether or not an occupant exists in the vehicle compartment by a method different from the method using the seating sensor 71 and the door opening/closing sensor 73 . For example, when the ECU 80 detects that the ignition switch 72 is turned off and locks all the doors of the vehicle, it determines that there is no occupant in the vehicle interior.

The ECU 80 of the second embodiment may determine whether or not the vehicle is running by a method different from the method using the shift sensor 74 . For example, ECU 80 may determine that the vehicle is not running when the vehicle's running speed is 0 [km/h] for a predetermined period of time.

When the ECU 80 executes the process of step S14 in FIGS. 4 to 9 , the air volume of the blower fan 21 may be set to a different air volume from the maximum air volume. In short, the ECU 80 only needs to adjust the air volume of the blower fan 21 so that the air volume of the air flowing through the communication passage 700 is increased when the sensor cleaning mode is executed, compared to when the air-conditioning mode is executed.

The ECU 80 may execute at least one of steps S11 to S14 in the sensor cleaning mode or the control mode.

The ECU 80 may execute the sensor cleaning mode at predetermined intervals. That is, the ECU 80 may execute the processing of steps S11 to S14 shown in FIG. 4 at a predetermined cycle. The predetermined cycle is set in advance through experiments or the like so that the detection capability of the dust sensor 70 can be maintained.

The mechanism and/or functions provided by the ECU 80 can be provided by software stored in a physical storage device and a computer executing the software, only software, only hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, when the ECU 80 is provided by an electronic circuit as hardware, the ECU 80 can be provided by a digital circuit or an analog circuit including a plurality of logic circuits.

The present invention is not limited to the above specific examples. That is, appropriate design changes made by those skilled in the art to the above specific examples are included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included. For example, each element having each of the above-mentioned specific examples, their arrangement, conditions, and the like are not limited to the illustrated configurations, and can be appropriately changed. In addition, each element of the above-mentioned embodiment can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and a structure obtained by combining them is included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

Claims (19)

1. An air conditioner for a vehicle, characterized in that it has: An air-conditioning duct (10), an air passage (11) is formed inside the air-conditioning duct (10), and the air passage (11) guides the air-conditioning air for air-conditioning the interior of the vehicle to the interior of the vehicle through the outlet ; An air-conditioning unit (20), the air-conditioning unit (20) is configured in the air passage, and generates the air-conditioning wind by using air introduced into the air passage from the outside of the air-conditioning duct; a control part (80) that controls the air conditioning unit; and a dust sensor (70), the dust sensor (70) has a communication path (700) connecting the inside of the air-conditioning duct with the outside, and detects the concentration of dust in the air flowing through the communication path, The control unit has a control mode for controlling the air conditioning unit so as to remove dust accumulated in the communication path. 2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The control mode is a sensor cleaning mode provided independently of the air conditioning mode for controlling the air conditioning unit to generate the air conditioning wind, and in the sensor cleaning mode, the air conditioning unit is controlled so that the air flowing in the communication path The air volume is increased than when performing the air conditioning mode. 3. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein: The air-conditioning unit has a blower fan (21) for adjusting the air volume of the air-conditioning air, The control unit may adjust an air volume of the blower fan so that an air volume of the air flowing through the communication path is increased when the sensor cleaning mode is executed, compared to when the air conditioning mode is executed. 4. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The air conditioning unit has an air outlet switching door (26, 27, 28) for switching the opening and closing state of the air outlet, When the sensor cleaning mode is executed, the control unit switches the opening and closing state of the air outlet switching door so that the volume of air flowing through the communication path is increased compared to when the air conditioning mode is executed. 5. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The air conditioning unit has: a heater core (23) that heats the air flowing in the air passage; and an air mix door (25) that adjusts the volume of air flowing into the heater core and the volume of air bypassing the heater core, The control unit adjusts the position of the air mix door so that the volume of the air flowing through the communication passage increases when the sensor cleaning mode is executed, compared to when the air conditioning mode is executed. 6. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The air-conditioning unit has a blower fan (21) for adjusting the air volume of the air-conditioning air, The control unit sets the air volume of the blower fan to a maximum air volume when executing the control mode. 7. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1 or 6, wherein: The air conditioning unit has an air outlet switching door (26, 27, 28) for switching the opening and closing state of the air outlet, The control unit moves the outlet switching door to a closed position where the outlet is fully closed when the control mode is executed. 8. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1, 6, and 7, wherein: The air conditioning unit has: a heater core (23) that heats the air flowing in the air passage; and an air mix door (25) that regulates the flow into the heater core the volume of air and the volume of air that bypasses the heater core, The control unit adjusts the position of the air mix door to a maximum heating position at which an air volume flowing into the heater core becomes a maximum when the control mode is executed. 9. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode on the condition that no occupant is detected in the vehicle interior. 10. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: The control unit determines whether or not an occupant exists in the vehicle interior based on a seating state of an occupant on a seat of the vehicle. 11. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: The control unit determines whether or not an occupant is present in the vehicle interior based on an open and closed state of a vehicle door. 12. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode after a predetermined time has elapsed from a time point when no occupant is detected in the vehicle interior. 13. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode on condition that it is detected that the vehicle is not running. 14. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode after a predetermined time elapses from a time point when it is detected that the vehicle is not running. 15. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode on condition that an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off. 16. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 15, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode after a predetermined time has elapsed from a time point when an OFF operation of the ignition switch is detected. 17. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode at a predetermined cycle. 18. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The control unit executes the control mode on the condition that a start switch (75) operated to start and stop the vehicle is operated to stop the vehicle. 19. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The air conditioning unit has: A blower fan (21), the blower fan (21) adjusts the air volume of the air-conditioning air; outlet switching doors (26, 27, 28), the outlet switching doors (26, 27, 28) switch the opening and closing states of the outlets; a heater core (23) that heats the air flowing in the air passage; and an air mix door (25) that adjusts the volume of air flowing into the heater core and the volume of air bypassing the heater core, As the control mode, the control unit performs the following on the condition that the air volume of the blower fan is set to an upper limit setting value that can be set in an air-conditioning mode that controls the air-conditioning unit to generate the air-conditioning air. At least one of the parties dealing with: a process of moving the outlet switching door to a closed position where the outlet is fully closed; and A process of adjusting the position of the air mix door to a maximum heating position where the air volume flowing into the heater core becomes the maximum air volume.