JP2008174127A - Air conditioner for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to achieve both energy saving traveling such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction and heating performance.
Air conditioning control is performed with an air conditioner setting C set as a driver setting (100 to 102), and an air conditioner setting in which the air conditioning capability is set higher than the driver setting when the distance to the descending slope is shorter than a predetermined time. When air conditioning is controlled at A (106 to 112) and the vehicle enters a downhill road, air conditioning control is performed at the air conditioning setting B in which the engine start required water temperature is set lower than normal and the air conditioning capacity is set lower than the driver setting (114). ~ 116). When the downhill road is completed, the air conditioner setting C is restored (118 to 120).
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and more particularly to a vehicle air conditioner mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle that runs on a motor or a hybrid vehicle that stops an engine when the vehicle is stopped.

  In a vehicle that travels using an engine as a power source, the vehicle air conditioner uses the heat of engine coolant to heat the vehicle. For example, a so-called hybrid vehicle having not only an engine but also a motor as a power source similarly performs heating using the heat of engine coolant.

  In a hybrid vehicle, for the purpose of saving fuel and reducing exhaust gas, it has been proposed to perform control so as to extend the time for stopping the engine.

For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is proposed that when traveling on a downhill road, the engine is stopped so that the vehicle can travel with inertia.
JP 2000-104578 A

  However, in the hybrid vehicle, when the engine is stopped, the cooling water temperature of the engine is lowered and the heating capacity is deteriorated. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the engine cooling water temperature is lowered and the heating performance is deteriorated by stopping the engine on the downhill road, there is room for improvement in air conditioning control.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to achieve both energy saving traveling such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction and heating performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an air conditioning unit that air-conditions the vehicle interior in accordance with an air-conditioning state in the vehicle interior and an air-conditioning condition preset by a passenger, and a heat source during heating of the air-conditioning unit. When the state quantity acquisition means for acquiring the state quantity corresponding to the temperature of the heat source heated by the heating means for heating the state quantity acquired by the state quantity acquisition means is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, Based on the acquisition result obtained by the acquisition means, the acquisition means for acquiring the slope information of the travel destination, the request means for making a request for heating the heat source to the heating means, it is determined that the downhill road of the travel destination is within a predetermined range. In the case where the approach to the downhill road is detected based on the control means for controlling the air conditioning means so that the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioning means is higher than the current air conditioning capacity, and the acquisition result of the acquisition means , The state quantity is characterized by comprising a changing means for changing at least one of the state quantity and the threshold value so that the frequency of equal to or less than the threshold value is lowered.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air-conditioning means air-conditions the vehicle interior according to the air-conditioning condition in the vehicle interior and the air-conditioning conditions set in advance by the passenger. At this time, the heating source of the air conditioning means is heated by the heating means.

  The state quantity acquisition unit acquires a state quantity corresponding to the temperature of the heat source heated by the heating unit. For example, an engine or a heat pump can be applied as the heating means. When an engine is applied as the heating means, the engine cooling water can be applied as a heat source during heating of the air conditioning means, and the engine cooling water temperature or the like can be applied as the state quantity. Further, when a heat pump is applied as the heating means, a heat exchanger or the like can be applied as a heat source during heating of the air conditioning means, and a heat radiation temperature or the like from the heat exchanger or the like can be applied as a state quantity. it can.

  In the requesting unit, when the state quantity acquired by the state quantity acquiring unit is equal to or less than a predetermined state quantity threshold, a request for heating the heat source is made to the heating unit in order to maintain the heating capacity.

  In the acquisition means, the slope information of the travel destination is acquired. For example, the acquisition unit can acquire map information and position information of the own vehicle as slope information from a navigation device or the like. Further, the traveling state such as the vehicle speed may be acquired as slope information. In this case, a traveling state such as a vehicle speed or an accelerator operation amount may be acquired as slope information from an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like.

  Then, the control unit controls the air conditioning unit to increase the air conditioning capability of the air conditioning unit from the current air conditioning capability when it is determined that the downhill road of the travel destination is within a predetermined range based on the acquisition result of the acquisition unit. In the change means, when the approach to the downhill road is detected based on the acquisition result of the acquisition means, the state quantity corresponding to the temperature of the heat source is reduced so that the frequency at which the state quantity falls below the threshold decreases. At least one of the thresholds for making a request to heat the heat source is changed.

  That is, on the downhill road, the changing means is changed so that the frequency of the state quantity being equal to or lower than the threshold value is decreased, so that it becomes difficult to make a heating source heating request to the heating means. For example, the engine is applied as the heating means. In this case, it is difficult to start the engine, so that energy-saving driving such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction can be performed. On the other hand, although it becomes difficult to make a heating request for the heat source on the downhill road, the heating performance deteriorates.However, if the destination downhill road is within the predetermined range, that is, immediately before the downhill road, the air conditioning capacity is controlled by the control means by the control means. Since it is controlled to be higher than the state, it is possible to compensate for a decrease in heating performance on the downhill road. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both energy saving traveling such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction and heating performance.

  For example, the changing means changes the state quantity so that the state quantity becomes larger than the current value or the threshold value becomes smaller than the current value, as in the invention described in claim 2. It is possible to reduce the frequency at which becomes less than or equal to the threshold threshold value.

  The change means further controls the air-conditioning means so that the air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning means is lowered from the current state when at least one of the state quantity and the threshold is changed as in the invention described in claim 3. It may be. As a result, the temperature drop of the heat source can be suppressed, so that the duration of the heating capacity can be extended.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 4, the changing means further detects the end of the downhill road from the acquisition result of the acquiring means, and returns the state before the change when the end of the downhill road is detected. It may be.

  Further, as in the invention according to claim 5, the control means determines whether or not the time to the destination downhill road is within a predetermined time based on the acquisition result of the acquisition means or the distance to the destination downhill road. It is also possible to determine whether or not the destination downhill road is within a predetermined range by determining whether or not the vehicle is within a predetermined distance for each vehicle speed. That is, it is possible to achieve both energy saving traveling and heating performance by appropriately setting time and distance thresholds.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the downhill road is within the predetermined range, the air conditioning capacity is controlled to be higher than the current state, and after entering the downhill road, the temperature corresponds to the temperature of the heating heat source. Deterioration of heating performance due to heat radiation of the heating source on the downhill road by changing at least one of the state quantity and the threshold value so that the frequency of the state quantity falling below the threshold for requesting heating of the heating heat source decreases. As well as being able to compensate for energy saving travel on downhill roads, it is possible to achieve both energy-saving travel such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction and heating performance.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a vehicle air conditioner mounted on a hybrid vehicle will be described.

  In the vehicle air conditioner 10, a refrigerant cycle including a compressor 14, a condenser 16, an expansion valve 18, and an evaporator 20 constitutes a refrigeration cycle.

  The evaporator 20 cools the air passing through the evaporator 20 (hereinafter referred to as air after the evaporator) by vaporizing the compressed and liquefied refrigerant. At this time, the evaporator 20 cools the passing air so as to condense moisture in the air, thereby dehumidifying the air after the evaporator 20.

  The expansion valve 18 provided on the upstream side of the evaporator 20 supplies the liquefied refrigerant in a mist form to the evaporator by abruptly reducing the pressure, whereby the refrigerant in the evaporator 20 is supplied. Vaporization efficiency is improved.

  As the compressor 14 of the vehicle air conditioner 10, various types of compressors can be applied. For example, a conventionally known variable capacity compressor can be applied. The variable capacity compressor can change the suction pressure of the refrigerant by controlling the solenoid by changing the current value of the energization current to the solenoid or changing the duty ratio and changing the stroke of the piston. .

  The evaporator 20 of the vehicle air conditioner 10 is provided inside the air conditioning duct 38. The air conditioning duct 38 is open at both ends, and air intake ports 40 and 42 are formed at one opening end. Further, a plurality of air outlets 44 (44A, 44B, and 44C are shown as an example in the present embodiment) that are opened toward the vehicle interior are formed at the other opening end.

  The air inlet 42 communicates with the outside of the vehicle and can introduce outside air into the air conditioning duct 38. Further, the air intake port 40 communicates with the vehicle interior, and air (inside air) in the vehicle interior can be introduced into the air conditioning duct 38. Examples of the air outlet 44 include a defroster outlet that blows air toward the windshield glass, a side and center register outlet, and a foot outlet.

  A blower fan 46 is provided in the air conditioning duct 38 between the evaporator 20 and the air intake ports 40 and 42. A mode switching damper 48 is provided in the vicinity of the air intake ports 40 and 42. The mode switching damper 48 opens and closes the air intake ports 40 and 42 by the operation of an actuator such as the mode switching damper motor 24.

  The blower fan 46 is rotated by driving the blower motor 22, sucked into the air conditioning duct 38 from the air intake port 40 to the air intake port 42, and further sends this air toward the evaporator 20. At this time, outside air or inside air is introduced into the air conditioning duct 38 in accordance with the open / close state of the air intake ports 40 and 42 by the mode switching damper 48. That is, the mode switching damper 48 switches between the inside air circulation mode and the outside air introduction mode.

  An air mix damper 50 and a heater core 52 are provided downstream of the evaporator 20. The air mix damper 50 is rotated by driving the air mix damper motor 36 to adjust the amount of air after the evaporator 20 that passes through the heater core 52 and the amount that bypasses the heater core 52. The heater core 52 heats the air guided by the air mix damper 50.

  The air after the evaporator 20 is guided to the heater core 52 according to the opening degree of the air mix damper 50 and heated, and further mixed with the air not heated by the heater core 52 and then sent to the air outlet 44. Is done. In the vehicle air conditioner 10, the air mix damper 50 is controlled to adjust the amount of air heated by the heater core 52, thereby adjusting the temperature of the air blown out from the air blowing port 44 toward the vehicle interior.

  In the vicinity of the air outlet 44, an outlet switching damper 54 is provided. In the vehicle air conditioner 10, the air outlets 44 </ b> A, 44 </ b> B, and 44 </ b> C are opened and closed by the outlet switching damper 54, so that the temperature-adjusted air can be blown from a desired position into the vehicle interior. The operation of the outlet switching damper 54 may be performed by driving the outlet switching damper motor 34 in accordance with the operation mode in which the vehicle air conditioner 10 is set. The air blowing port 44 may be opened and closed.

  The vehicle air conditioner 10 also includes an air conditioner ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12 for performing various controls of the vehicle air conditioner 10. The air conditioner ECU 12 includes a blower motor 22, a mode switching damper motor 24, an air mix damper motor 36, an outlet switching damper motor 34, a compressor 14, an evaporator post-temperature sensor 33, an outside air temperature sensor 32, and an inside air temperature sensor 30. And the solar radiation sensor 28 are connected, and an operation unit 15 for setting the temperature of the air conditioner 10 for the vehicle, selection of the outlet, etc. is connected, and an outside air temperature sensor 32, an inside air temperature sensor 30, and The detection value of the solar radiation sensor 28 is input to the air conditioner ECU 12, and various controls according to the setting of the operation unit 15 and the like are performed based on the detection value of each sensor.

  The air conditioner ECU 12 operates and operates the blower fan 46, the outlet switching damper 54, the air mix damper 50, and the mode switching damper 48 based on the air conditioning conditions set by the operation unit 15 to achieve air conditioning in the passenger compartment. At this time, the air conditioner ECU 12 sets the target temperature and the air volume of the air blown out from the air outlet 44 into the vehicle interior according to the set temperature, the temperature inside the vehicle interior, the temperature outside the vehicle and the solar radiation state, and the set air volume is obtained. Thus, the drive voltage of the blower motor 22 is determined, and the blower fan 46 is rotationally driven.

  In the air conditioner ECU 12, during normal air conditioning operation, when air conditioning conditions including temperature (set temperature) are set, a target blowout for setting the vehicle interior to a set temperature based on the air conditioning conditions, the outside air temperature, and the temperature in the vehicle interior. A temperature is calculated, and a target post-evaporator temperature (hereinafter referred to as a target post-evaporator temperature) is set based on the calculation result. Then, the suction pressure of the compressor 14, that is, the capacity of the compressor 14 is controlled so that the set target post-evaporator temperature is obtained, and the blower motor 22 and various damper motors are controlled to air-condition the vehicle interior. The target blowing temperature TAO is generally expressed by the following equation from the set temperature TSET, the vehicle interior temperature TR, the outside air temperature TAM outside the vehicle interior, and the solar radiation amount TS.

TAO = k1, TSET-k2, TR-k3, TAM-k4, TS + C
(Where k1, k2, k3, k4, and C are preset constants)
Further, an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 60 is connected to the air conditioner ECU 12 so that the detection result of the engine water temperature input to the engine ECU 60 can be acquired, and the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment. Is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, so that when the engine is turned off when the motor is running or stopped, and the engine cooling water temperature decreases, the amount of heat released from the heater core 52 decreases and the heating effect is reduced. Therefore, when the engine water temperature falls below a predetermined threshold value, an engine start request or an engine stop request is made to the engine ECU 60. The threshold value may be a threshold value map set according to the situation as appropriate.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the navigation device 26 is connected to the air conditioner ECU 12, and the position information and map information of the own vehicle detected by the navigation device 26 are input to the air conditioner ECU 12. Specifically, map information such as terrain information of the destination of the host vehicle is input from the navigation device 26 to the air conditioner ECU 12. The air conditioner ECU 12 detects the destination slope from the map information input from the navigation device 26, determines the downhill road from the on / off detection result of the accelerator, and the like. The engine start request is made by changing the set value of the coolant temperature at which the engine start request is made to a value smaller than the current value. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to maintain the air conditioning capability, control is performed so as to increase the air conditioning capability before a predetermined distance on the downhill road, and control is performed so as to decrease the air conditioning capability when entering the downhill road.

  Specifically, three types of predetermined air conditioner settings are stored in the air conditioner ECU 12, and three types are selected to control the air conditioning. In this embodiment, an example in which three types of air conditioner settings are stored in advance will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the settings may be changed as appropriate. You may make it memorize | store an air-conditioner setting previously.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner settings A, B, and C of the three types of air conditioner settings of the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment are stored in the air conditioner ECU 12 in advance. Air conditioner setting A is temperature setting is + 3 ° C with respect to driver setting (setting value set by occupant by operation section 15), air volume setting is maximum (Max), inside air circulation / outside air introduction mode is inside air circulation, engine start request The water temperature is set to 80 ° C, the air conditioner setting B is -3 ° C with respect to the driver setting, the air volume setting is minimum (Min), the inside air circulation / outside air introduction mode is the inside air circulation mode, and the engine start required water temperature is The air conditioner setting C is set such that the temperature setting, the air volume setting, and the inside air circulation / outside air introduction mode are driver settings, and the engine start required water temperature is 80 degrees C.

  In the present embodiment, immediately before the downhill road, the air conditioning setting A is set to increase the air conditioning capacity, the vehicle interior is warmed to accumulate the heating capacity, and the air conditioning setting B is entered when entering the downhill road. While reducing the cooling water temperature by reducing the capacity, the engine start required water temperature is lowered from the normal (80 ° C.) to make it difficult to start the engine, thereby performing energy saving running. Further, after the downhill road is finished, control is performed so that the air conditioner setting C is set as the driver setting. This makes it possible to achieve both energy-saving running such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction and heating performance.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the temperature setting of the air conditioner setting A is set to the driver setting + 3 ° C. and the air volume setting is set to Max. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the temperature setting is set to Max. The air volume setting may be a setting in which the air conditioning capacity is increased more than the driver setting (for example, a 20% air conditioning capacity increase setting with respect to the driver setting). As for the air conditioner setting B, the temperature setting is the driver setting −3 ° C. and the air volume setting is Min. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting is such that the air conditioning capacity is lower than the driver setting (for example, the driver setting). For example, a 20% air conditioning capacity reduction setting may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by the air conditioner ECU 12 of the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart may be started, for example, when an air conditioner switch is turned on, or when the operation unit 15 has a power saving mode (so-called eco mode) switch or the like. It may be started when instructed.

  First, in step 100, the detection result of each sensor is input to the air conditioner ECU 12, and the process proceeds to step 102. That is, detection results of various sensors such as the outside air temperature sensor 32, the inside air temperature sensor 30, the solar radiation sensor 28, and the post-evaporator temperature sensor 33 are input to the air conditioner ECU 12.

  In step 102, air conditioning is controlled by the air conditioner setting C by the air conditioner ECU 12, and the routine proceeds to step 104. That is, the air conditioner ECU 12 controls the compressor 14, the blower motor 22, various damper motors, and the like so as to perform air conditioning so that the set value is set by the passenger operating the operation unit 15.

  In step 104, map information is input from the navigation device 26, and the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, it is determined by the air conditioner ECU 12 whether or not there is a downhill road from the map information input from the navigation device 26. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 104 and the above processing is repeated. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, the distance L to the next downhill road is calculated by the air conditioner ECU 12, and the routine proceeds to step 110. That is, the air conditioner ECU 12 obtains the distance from the navigation device 26 to the next downhill road from the map information and the position of the host vehicle.

  In step 110, it is determined by the air conditioner ECU 12 whether the distance L to the next downhill road is shorter than a predetermined distance L0. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 112. Returning to step 104, the above-described processing is repeated. In this embodiment, in order to determine whether or not it is immediately before the downhill road, it is determined whether or not the distance L to the downhill road is shorter than the predetermined distance L0. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined whether the time to the downhill road (which can be calculated from the distance between the vehicle speed and the map information) is shorter than a predetermined time, or the distance to the downhill road is a predetermined distance for each vehicle speed. It may be determined whether or not it is shorter.

  In step 112, air conditioning is controlled by the air conditioner setting A by the air conditioner ECU 12, and the routine proceeds to step 114. That is, air conditioning is performed with a temperature setting of + 3 ° C., a maximum air volume, an inside air circulation mode, and an engine start required water temperature of 80 ° C. with respect to the driver setting. As a result, the temperature in the passenger compartment is air-conditioned to 3 ° C. higher than the driver setting.

  In step 114, it is determined by the air conditioner ECU 12 whether or not a downhill road is started. In this determination, for example, it is determined whether or not the accelerator is off from the detection result of the throttle position sensor or the like input from the engine ECU 60, and it is determined whether or not traveling on the downhill road is started by determining that the accelerator is off. . If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 104 and the above processing is repeated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116. In the present embodiment, the start of the downhill road is determined by determining whether or not the accelerator is off. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the map information obtained from the navigation device 26 or the host vehicle The start of the downhill road may be determined from the position information and the like.

  In step 116, the air conditioner is controlled by the air conditioner setting B by the air conditioner ECU 12, and the process proceeds to step 118. That is, on the downhill road, air conditioning is performed with a temperature setting of −3 ° C., Min air volume, internal air circulation, and engine start required water temperature of 70 ° C. with respect to the driver setting. As a result, the engine start required water temperature is changed to a setting lower than normal (80 ° C.), so that it is difficult to make an engine start request, and it is possible to perform energy-saving running such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction. On the other hand, since the temperature setting is −3 ° C. with respect to the driver setting, the air conditioning capability decreases, but it can be compensated by increasing the air conditioning capability immediately before the downhill road and increasing the air conditioning control (increasing the temperature in the passenger compartment). In addition, by setting the Min air volume, it is possible to suppress the release of heat from the heater core 52 and increase the sustainability of the heating performance. Therefore, both energy saving traveling and heating performance can be achieved.

  In step 118, it is determined by the air conditioner ECU 12 whether or not it is an end of a downhill road. The determination is made by the air conditioner ECU 12 determining whether or not the vehicle has moved from the information obtained from the navigation device 26 to the end of the downhill road. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 116 and the air conditioner setting B is performed. When the air conditioning is continued and the determination is affirmed, the routine proceeds to step 120. In the present embodiment, the end point of the downhill road is determined based on the information obtained from the navigation device 26. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the accelerator is turned on from the traveling state obtained from the engine ECU 60. If detected, the end point of the downhill road may be determined, or the downhill road may be determined as the end point of the downhill road when the shift position of the transmission is shifted up because the engine brake is used.

  In step 120, the air conditioner is controlled by the air conditioner setting C by the air conditioner ECU 12, and the process proceeds to step 122. In other words, the temperature setting and air volume setting inside air circulation / outside air introduction is returned to the driver setting, and the engine start request water temperature is returned to the normal 80 ° C. to perform air conditioning control.

  In step 122, it is determined by the air conditioner ECU 12 whether the air conditioning is off. The determination is performed by determining whether or not an instruction to turn off the air conditioning is given by the operation unit 15. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 104 and the above processing is repeated, and the determination is affirmed. The series of processing ends.

  That is, in the vehicle air-conditioning apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the air-conditioner setting C that is a driver setting that is a general air-conditioning control while the host vehicle is traveling on a flat road as shown in FIG. The air conditioning is controlled by this.

  Further, when traveling downhill as shown in the position of FIG. 4C, the air conditioner setting B is set so that the air conditioning capability is lowered as compared to when traveling on a flat road, and the engine start required water temperature is 80 ° C. to 70 ° C. Is lowered. That is, by lowering the air conditioning capacity, it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the engine cooling water and extend the heating possible time. Further, by lowering the engine start required water temperature, it becomes difficult to start the engine, and energy saving traveling such as fuel saving and exhaust gas reduction can be realized. However, by lowering the engine start request water temperature, the cooling water temperature as a heat source for heating becomes lower than the normal 80 ° C., and thus the heating capacity is lowered. In view of this, the distance L to the downhill road shown in FIG. 4B is shorter than L0, that is, the position immediately before the downhill road, by increasing the air conditioning capacity as the air conditioner setting A to prepare for a decrease in the heating capacity. Thereby, it is possible to compensate for a decrease in heating capacity when traveling on a downhill road. Therefore, both energy saving traveling and heating performance can be achieved.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4D, at the end of the downhill road, the air conditioner C returns to the original state, that is, the air conditioner setting C set to the driver setting, so that normal air conditioning is possible.

  In the above embodiment, when changing from a flat road to a downhill road, the air conditioner setting C is changed to the air conditioner setting A after the air conditioner setting C is changed to the air conditioner setting B. The setting may be changed depending on the uphill road. That is, when the road just before the downhill road is an uphill road, the engine load is large, and it is easy to drive with the engine as power, and heat is likely to accumulate in the cooling water or cooling water path. You may do it. Alternatively, other air conditioner settings are provided. For example, the air conditioner setting D (temperature setting of + 3 ° C., 20% increase air volume setting, internal air circulation, engine start required water temperature 70 ° C., etc. with respect to the driver setting) Alternatively, when the uphill road is just before the downhill road, the air conditioner setting D may be set before the air conditioner setting B is controlled on the downhill road.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the normal temperature of the engine cooling water is set to 80 ° C. has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a thermostat or the like provided in the engine cooling water path is used. The engine coolant temperature corresponding to the setting of the temperature adjusting means can be set to a normal temperature.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engine cooling water is used as a heat source when air-conditioning the vehicle interior and the engine is used as a heating means for heating the heat source, and the engine-on request control is performed to secure the heat source. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a heat pump that circulates a refrigerant compressed by a compressor driven according to the supplied power is used as a heating means, and a heat exchanger of the heat pump or the like is used as a heat source. Instead, the compressor operation request control (compressor on request, compressor rotation speed change request, etc.) may be performed by detecting the temperature of the heat exchanger or the like of the heat pump. In this case, since the power of the compressor of the heat pump is driven by electric power, it is possible to save power. Further, when the heat pump is applied, it can be applied not only to a hybrid vehicle but also to a vehicle air conditioner mounted on various vehicles such as an electric vehicle.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engine is made difficult to start by changing the set value of the coolant temperature at which the engine start request to the engine ECU 60 is set to a value smaller than the current value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by changing the coolant temperature input from the engine ECU 60 to a value larger than the value of the actually detected water temperature, the engine may be made difficult to start, or the set value may be set to a small value. You may make it combine the case where it changes to the value which changes the value of the detected water temperature to a large value. For example, when the cooling water temperature is changed to a value larger than the actually detected water temperature value, the detected water temperature is corrected so as to be increased by 10% with respect to the actually detected water temperature value. It is possible to make it difficult to start.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the air-conditioner setting of the vehicle air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the air-conditioner ECU of the vehicle air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the air-conditioning control of the vehicle air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle Air Conditioner 12 Air Conditioner ECU
22 Blower motor 26 Navigation device 28 Solar radiation sensor 30 Internal air temperature sensor 32 External air temperature sensor 33 Evaporator post-temperature sensor 52 Heater core 60 Engine ECU

Claims (5)

Air-conditioning means for air-conditioning the vehicle interior according to the air-conditioning state in the vehicle interior and the air-conditioning conditions preset by the passenger
State quantity acquisition means for acquiring a state quantity corresponding to the temperature of the heat source heated by the heating means for heating the heat source during heating of the air conditioning means;
Request means for making a request for heating the heat source to the heating means when the state quantity acquired by the state quantity acquisition means is not more than a predetermined threshold value;
Acquisition means for acquiring the slope information of the destination;
Control means for controlling the air-conditioning means so that the air-conditioning capacity of the air-conditioning means is higher than the current air-conditioning capacity when it is determined that the downhill road of the travel destination is within a predetermined range based on the acquisition result of the acquisition means;
Changing means for changing at least one of the state quantity and the threshold value so that the frequency of the state quantity being equal to or less than the threshold value is reduced when entry to a downhill road is detected based on the acquisition result of the acquisition means. When,
A vehicle air conditioner comprising   The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes the state quantity so as to be larger than a current value or changes the threshold value so as to be smaller than a current value.   The said changing means further controls the said air-conditioning means so that the air-conditioning capability by the said air-conditioning means is lowered from the current state when at least one of the state quantity and the threshold value is changed. Item 3. The vehicle air conditioner according to Item 2.   The said change means further detects the end of a downhill road from the acquisition result of the said acquisition means, and when the end of a downhill road is detected, it returns to the state before a change. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of the above.   The control means determines whether the time to the destination downhill road is within a predetermined time based on the acquisition result of the acquisition means, or whether the distance to the destination downhill road is within a predetermined distance for each vehicle speed. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it is determined whether or not the downhill road of the travel destination is within a predetermined range.

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