Movable body

A movable body has a monitoring device that monitors a surrounding environment of the movable body through a window member. The movable body includes a heating device that heats a portion of the window member within a monitoring area of the monitoring device, an air conditioning device, and a control device. The monitoring device includes a detector that detects the surrounding environment, and a base member that faces an inner wall of the window member and is disposed such that a detection surface of the detector is located within a space between the base member and the window member. The space is in communication with the inside of the movable body, and the control device sets the driving force of the air conditioning device to be greater when a decrease in heating performance of the heating device is detected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-240011 filed on Dec. 21, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention particularly relates to a movable body that is provided with a monitoring device.

Description of the Related Art

Some vehicles are provided with a camera inside the vehicles, which serves as a monitoring device that can monitor the surrounding environment (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-206098). Such a camera is provided on the side of the inner wall of the windshield, and makes it possible to monitor the outside of the vehicle through the windshield. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-206098 discloses that a heater that is constituted by an electric heating wire is provided as a heating device together with a camera, in order to remove fog on the windshield, such as condensation, frost, or ice.

The above-described configuration is desired to be further improved in terms of controllability, in order to effectively remove fog (fog removal) or prevent fog from being generated (fog prevention). The same applies not only to terrestrial vehicles, but also to ships, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention makes it possible to effectively and relatively easily realize fog removal and fog prevention.

One of the aspects of the present invention provides a movable body comprising a monitoring device configured to monitor a surrounding environment of the movable body through a window member that is light-transmissive and defines the inside and the outside of the movable body, a heating device configured to heat a portion of the window member within a monitoring area of the monitoring device, an air conditioning device configured to perform air conditioning in the movable body, and a control device configured to perform drive control on the heating device and the air conditioning device, wherein the monitoring device includes a detector configured to detect the surrounding environment, and a base member that faces an inner wall of the window member and is disposed such that a detection surface of the detector is located within a space between the base member and the window member, the space is in communication with the inside of the movable body, and when a decrease in heating performance of the heating device is detected, the control device sets the driving force of the air conditioning device to be greater than when a decrease in the heating performance is not detected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that each of the drawings is a schematic diagram showing a structure or a configuration of the embodiment, and each of the members in the drawings is not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, in each of the drawings, the same members or the same constituent elements are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions of duplicate contents are omitted. Also, the content of each of the embodiments described below may be applied to other embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle1according to an embodiment. In order to facilitate understanding of a structure, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other are shown in the drawings (the same applies to the other drawings described below). The X direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the Y direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the vehicle body, or the vehicle width direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle body. In the present description, expressions such as front/rear, left/right (side), top/bottom, and inside/outside of the vehicle body (vehicle interior/exterior) indicate a positional relationship relative to a vehicle body10.

The vehicle1is a four-wheeled vehicle that is provided with a pair of left and right front wheels11F and a pair of left and right rear wheels11R, but the number of wheels is not limited to four. Also, the vehicle1is an electric vehicle that is provided with a battery BT, but may be additionally provided with an internal-combustion engine. A secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery is used as the battery BT, and the battery BT stores electric power that is to be supplied to elements corresponding thereto in the vehicle1.

The vehicle1also includes window members12F and12R that define the inside and the outside of the vehicle. The window members12F and12R may be constituted by a light-transmissive material (such as glass or resin). In the drawing, the window member12F is shown as a windshield, a front window, or a front glass, and the window member12R is shown as a rear window or a rear glass. However, other window members such as a side window or a side glass may also be provided. In this example, a seat SH is shown in the cabin as a driver's seat in order to simplify the drawing. However, other seats may be additionally provided in the cabin.

An operation unit19that is used by a user (in particular, a driver) to input a predetermined operation is provided in a cabin front structure13that includes a dashboard panel and so on. In the drawing, a steering wheel is shown as a typical example of the operation unit19. However, the concept of operation that is to be input to the operation unit19includes, in addition to a driving operation, related operations that directly/indirectly accompany the driving operation. An example of the related operations is an air conditioning management operation in the cabin.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 1, the vehicle1also includes an air conditioning device14, an electronic component15, and a control device16. A well-known configuration may be applied to the air conditioning device14. For example, the air conditioning device14includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a pipe that connects them and provides a refrigerant flow path, various valves that are provided on the flow path, and so on. The air conditioning device14also includes a blower fan that generates a predetermined airflow as conditioned air, a fan motor that drives the blower fan, a heater core that heats the conditioned air, and so on.

The air conditioning device14also includes an air conditioner duct141, a defroster duct142, and a door mechanism (e.g. a plate door or a rotary door) for switching between them to send out the conditioned air from one of them. The defroster duct142is an outlet via which conditioned air is sent out toward the window member12F/conditioned air is blown against the window member12F, and a main objective thereof is to perform fog removal/fog prevention on the window member12F. The air conditioner duct141in this example is an outlet other than the above-described defroster duct142, and a main objective thereof is to perform air conditioning management in the cabin. Therefore, it can be expressed that the air conditioning device14includes a cabin blower for sending out air from the air conditioner duct141, and a fog removal/fog prevention blower (a defroster device) for sending out air from the defroster duct142. Although the drawing shows a single air conditioner duct141that is provided in the cabin front structure13, a plurality of air conditioner ducts141are typically provided so as to be able to send out conditioned air to the user or the surroundings of the user (e.g. rearward or rearward and downward).

The user can activate/deactivate the air conditioning device14by inputting an operation to the operation unit19. The user can select one of the ducts141and142in the air conditioning device14in an active state, from which conditioned air is to be sent out, by inputting an operation to the operation unit19. For example, the user can input a predetermined operation to the operation unit19so that conditioned air is sent out from one or both of the ducts141and142. Also, the driving force of the air conditioning device14(the amount of conditioned air) can be adjusted by the user inputting an operation to the above-described operation unit19, and can also be adjusted by the control device16executing a predetermine program, the details of which will be described below.

FIG. 2Ais a front view showing a configuration of the electronic component15.FIG. 2Bis a cross-sectional view of the electronic component15taken along a cutting line di-di inFIG. 2A. The electronic component15includes a monitoring device151that can monitor the surrounding environment of the self-vehicle through the window member12F and a heating device152that can heat the window member12F, and the electronic component15is provided in the vicinity of the inner wall (the surface inside the vehicle) of the window member12F.

A camera that can capture an image of the above-described surrounding environment can be used as the monitoring device151. In the present embodiment, the monitoring device151includes a device body1510, a detector1511, and a base member1512. A well-known imaging sensor such as a CCD/CMOS image sensor is used as the detector1511, and the detector1511makes it possible to detect or capture an image of the above-described surrounding environment (in the present embodiment, the environment in front of the vehicle1). A processor that processes the result of detection performed by the detector1511is built into the device body1510, and the result of processing performed by the processor is output to the control device16described below as image data.

The base member1512is a bracket for fixing the above-described device body1510and detector1511to the vehicle body10, and fixing the heating device152described below. The base member1512includes an abutting portion1512aand a recessed portion1512b. The abutting portion1512aabuts against the inner wall of the window member12F, and is fixed to the window member12F using an adhesive, for example.

The recessed portion1512bis recessed in the abutting portion1512a, and has a substantially triangular or trapezoidal shape in a top view or a front view thereof. An opening is provided at the rear end of the recessed portion1512b, through which the detection surface of the detector1511is exposed to the outside. That is to say, the recessed portion1512bof the base member1512faces the inner wall of the window member12F, a space SP1is formed between the base member1512and the window member12F. The detection surface of the detector1511is located in the space SP1. As can be seen fromFIG. 2B, the space SP1is formed so as to narrow in a direction from the rear side to the front side in side view.

With such a configuration, and the monitoring device151can monitor the surrounding environment (in the present embodiment, the environment in front of the vehicle1) through the window member12F. Note that surface treatment may be applied to the upper surface of the recessed portion1512bin order to prevent light reflection.

A portion of the window member12F located in the monitoring area (and the neighboring area thereof) of the monitoring device151is referred to as a portion12F1. In the present embodiment, the portion12F1corresponds to a portion that is forward of, and upward of, the above-described space SP1. Here, as described above, an opening, through which the detection surface of the detector1511is exposed to the outside, is provided in a rear portion of the recessed portion1512b. Also, as can be seen fromFIG. 2B, a gap (approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 1.0 cm) is formed between the front end of the recessed portion1512band the window member12F. Therefore, the above-described space SP1is substantially not sealed, and is in communication with the inside of the vehicle.

However, the space SP1is surrounded by the window member12F and the base member1512, and therefore, in such a space SP1, a gas (air) is likely to stop flowing, and fog may be likely to be generated on the above-described portion12F1, depending on the environment (in particular, the temperature and the humidity in the vehicle1). Typically, such fog is generated as a result of water droplets or the like adhering to the portion12F1when the humidity in the cabin is relatively high and the temperature of the window member12F is relatively low.

The heating device152is provided on the recessed portion1512bof the base member1512, and heats the above-described portion12F1via the gas (air) in the space SP1. Additionally, when the air conditioning device14is in an active state, a gas that flows into the space SP1through the gap between the front end of the recessed portion1512band the window member12F is heated by the heating device152, and thus heats the above-described portion12F1. In this way, the heating device152removes fog on the above-described portion12F1, and/or prevents fog from being generated on the above-described portion12F1(this may be simply referred to as “fog removal/prevention” in the present description). The heating device152need only be configured to be able to generate a desired amount of heat. In the present embodiment, an electric heating wire that is built into the recessed portion1512b, and a heater driver that energize the electric heating wire to generate heat, are used. The heater driver supplies the electric heating wire with a current that is based on electric power from the battery BT.

Here, if the driving force of the air conditioning device14(the amount of conditioned air) is increased, the amount of gas flowing into the space SP1increases. Also, if the driving force of the heating device152(the amount of heat generation) is increased, the above-described portion12F1of the window member12F is quickly heated via the space SP1. Therefore, from the viewpoint of fog removal/fog prevention, it can be summarized that fog removal/fog prevention can be more effectively realized by increasing the driving force of the air conditioning device14and/or the heating device152.

The control device16in the present embodiment is an ECU (electronic control unit) that includes a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, and an external communication interface, and performs drive control on each element of the vehicle1based on a predetermined program. In another embodiment, a semiconductor device such as a PLD (programmable logic device) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) may be used as the control device16. That is to say, the functions of the control device16described in the present description can be realized by either hardware or software.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing a portion of the system configuration of the vehicle1. The control device16transmits/receives signals to/from several elements included in the vehicle1, and performs drive control on the elements based on an operation input by the user to the operation unit19, for example.

For example, the control device16performs drive control on the air conditioning device14. This drive control includes adjustment of the driving force of the air conditioning device14(the amount of conditioned air), for example. The drive control is performed based on an operation input by the user to the operation unit19, and is also performed based on a predetermined program described below. Note that adjustment of the driving force can be realized by changing the number of rotations of the blower fan, for example.

Also, the control device16receives information (image data in the present embodiment) indicating the above-described surrounding environment from the monitoring device151, and performs predetermined driving assistance based on the information. Driving assistance mentioned above is a concept that includes not only the provision of necessary/useful information for driving to the driver, but also so-called automated driving, i.e. at least one of the drive operations (typically, acceleration, braking, and steering) is performed by the control device16, not by the driver.

Also, the control device16performs drive control on the heating device152. The heating device152is driven by the control device16upon predetermined conditions being satisfied. However, the heating device152may be additionally driven based on an operation input by the user to the operation unit19.

Although details will be described later, the control device16can also evaluate whether or not the heating performance of the heating device152satisfies a criterion, and receives a signal indicating the result of the evaluation from the heating device152. The above-described evaluation of heating performance is performed by driving the heating device152, for example, and may be performed in response to a request from the control device16, or performed at predetermined intervals.

To simplify this description, the control device16is illustrated as a single unit inFIG. 3. However, in many cases, the control device16is constituted by a plurality of ECUs that are provided so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the plurality of ECUs may be provided at their respective positions in the vehicle body10. Also, each ECU may be constituted by one or more electrical components mounted on a mounting board.

FIG. 4is a flowchart showing an example of the content of control that is performed by the control device16. In short, in this flowchart, the heating device152is driven based on the result of the evaluation regarding the degree of fogging on the window member12F, and if a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device152is detected, the driving force of the air conditioning device14is increased. These operations are mainly performed by the CPU in the control device16, executing a predetermined program.

In step S1010(hereinafter simply referred to as “S1010”. The same applies to the other steps.), the degree of fogging on the portion12F1of the window member12F is evaluated. This evaluation includes not only an evaluation of the degree of actual fogging present at the time of the evaluation (whether or not fog is actually present), but also an evaluation or prediction of the degree of fogging in the relatively near future (whether or not there will be fog in the relatively near future). These evaluations may be realized using a well-known method. For example, the degree of fogging can be evaluated by performing a predetermined image analysis on image data that is the result of monitoring performed by the monitoring device151. Also, the degree of fogging in the relatively near future can be evaluated based on the temperature outside the vehicle and/or the humidity in the vehicle.

In S1020, whether or not the result of the evaluation in S1010satisfies predetermined conditions is determined. If it has been determined that there is the possibility that fog is actually present/fog may be present in the relatively near future based on the result of the evaluation in S1010, processing proceeds to S1030. On the other hand, if it has not been determined that fog is actually present/fog may be present in the relatively near future, the flowchart is terminated.

In S1030, whether or not the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased is determined. If the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased, processing proceeds to S1040, and the driving force of the air conditioning device14(the amount of conditioned air) is increased in S1040. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1050. On the other hand, if the heating performance of the heating device152has not decreased, processing proceeds to S1050without change.

Here, evaluation of the heating performance of the heating device152is performed by the heating device152as described above, and the result of the evaluation is transmitted from the heating device152to the control device16. This evaluation may be performed using a well-known method. In the present embodiment in which the heating device152is constituted by an electric heating wire built into the recessed portion1512b, one example of the evaluation method is to supply a predetermined current to the electric heating wire and determine whether or not the amount of heat accordingly generated by the electric heating wire is greater than a reference value. Another example of the evaluation method is to supply a predetermined voltage to the above-described electric heating wire and determine whether or not the current flowing at the time is greater than a reference value.

In S1050, the heating device152is driven. As a result, the space SP1is heated, the portion12F1of the window member12F is accordingly heated, and thus fog removal/fog prevention is performed. Here, if the driving force of the air conditioning device14has been increased in S1040, a large amount of air flows into the space SP1, and therefore fog removal/fog prevention is more effectively performed.

In S1060, whether or not fog removal/fog prevention has been completed is determined. This determination may be performed using the same method as in the above-described S1010, for example, or performed based on the time elapsed after the driving of the heating device152has been started. The elapsed time may be a constant value, or a variable value that is based on the temperature outside the vehicle/the humidity in the vehicle. If fog removal/fog prevention has been completed, processing proceeds to S1070, and otherwise processing returns to S1030.

In S1070, whether or not the driving force of the air conditioning device14has been changed in S1030to S1040is determined. If the driving force of the air conditioning device14has been changed, processing proceeds to S1080, and the driving force is returned to the original. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1090. On the other hand, if the driving force of the air conditioning device14has not been changed, processing proceeds to S1090without change.

In S1090, the heating device152is stopped (is restricted from driving), and the flowchart is terminated. Generally, the window member12F may include a heat-insulating layer as an intermediate layer, and therefore, once the inner wall of the window member12F has been heated, the above-described fog is unlikely to be generated. Therefore, S1080(returning the driving force to the original) and S1090(stopping the heating device152) may be performed immediately after fog removal/fog prevention has been completed.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, S1090may be omitted after fog removal/fog prevention has been completed (the heating device152may be kept in a driving state). As a result, the effect of fog prevention by the heating device152continues.

Note that the above-described flowchart may be partially modified so as not to depart from the spirit thereof. For example, another step may be added, or the order of the steps may be changed.

According to the above-described control, if a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device152is detected, the driving force of the air conditioning device14(the amount of conditioned air), and thus the amount of air flowing to the space SP1is increased. As a result, the retention of air in the space SP1is resolved, and even if the heating performance of the heating device152decreases to a value that is lower than or equal to a reference value, fog removal/fog prevention can be effectively and relatively easily performed on the window member12F. Also, during a period in which the heating performance of the heating device152satisfies a criterion, there is no possibility that the air conditioning device14is unnecessarily driven. Therefore, the occupant will feel virtually no discomfort. If the driving force of the air conditioning device14has been changed, the driving force is returned to the original upon fog removal/fog prevention being complete (S1080), and therefore it is possible to perform air conditioning without causing the user discomfort.

In many cases, operation modes of the air conditioning device14may include an internal air circulation mode (a mode in which the air conditioning device14circulates the air inside the vehicle to perform air conditioning) and an external air introduction mode (a mode in which the air conditioning device14takes the air outside the vehicle into the vehicle to perform air conditioning). Although the above-described control performed by the control device16in the present embodiment may be employed in either the internal air circulation mode or the external air introduction mode, the external air introduction mode is preferably employed to more effectively realize the above-described fog removal/fog prevention.

In the embodiment, a camera is given as a preferable example of the monitoring device151. However, the content of the embodiment is also applicable to other devices that are provided with a monitoring function. For example, fog on the window member12F (such as water droplets adhering to the inner wall) changes the refraction index, which may cause a change in the monitoring area of the monitoring device151. Therefore, the monitoring device151may be a radar (millimeter wave radar) or a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). Also, the monitoring device151may be configured to monitor an area on the rear side or lateral side of the vehicle1. For example, the content of the embodiment is also applicable to fog removal/fog prevention that is performed on the window member12R.

Second Embodiment

It is stated in the above first embodiment that the driving force of the air conditioning device14(the amount of conditioned air) is increased if a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device152is detected. As described above (seeFIG. 1), the air conditioning device14includes the air conditioner duct141and the defroster duct142. The effect of fog removal/fog prevention performed on the window member12F can be improved by increasing the amount of air from either the duct141or142. However, generally, air from the defroster duct142more effectively realizes fog removal/fog prevention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in that the air conditioning device14is controlled so as to send out air from the defroster duct142when fog removal/fog prevention is to be performed (see S1010to S1020inFIG. 4).

In the following description, an operation mode in which conditioned air is sent out from the duct141of the above-described ducts141and142is expressed as “an A/C mode”, and an operation mode in which conditioned air is sent out from the duct142is expressed as “a defroster mode”. In order to simplify this description, the following describes the aforementioned two modes as examples. However, there may be a mode in which conditioned air is sent out from both of the ducts141and142as another mode.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare portions of a flowchart that shows an example of the content of control that is performed by the control device16according to the present embodiment. S1020and the preceding steps are the same as those in the first embodiment (seeFIG. 4).

As shown inFIG. 5A, if it is determined in S1020that fog is actually present/there is the possibility of fog being generated in the relatively near future, processing proceeds to S1025. In S1025, whether or not the operation mode of the air conditioning device14is the defroster mode is determined. If the operation mode is not the defroster mode, processing proceeds to S1026, and the operation mode of the air conditioning device14is changed to the defroster mode in S1026. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1030. Note that if the air conditioning device14is in an inactive state when the determination is performed, the air conditioning device14transitions to an active state in the defroster mode. On the other hand, if the operation mode is already the defroster mode, processing proceeds to S1030without change.

In S1030, whether or not the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased is determined. If the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased, processing proceeds to S1040′, and the amount of air from the defroster duct142is increased in S1040′. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1050. On the other hand, if the heating performance of the heating device152has not decreased, processing proceeds to S1050without change. S1050to S1060are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 5B, if it is determined in S1060that fog removal/fog prevention has been completed, processing proceeds to S1070′. In S1070′, whether or not the operation mode has been changed in S1025to S1026and whether or not the amount of air from the defroster duct142has been changed in S1030to S1040′ are determined. If either one or both of the operation mode and the amount of air has/have been changed, processing proceeds to S1080′, and the one or both of them is/are returned to the original(s) in S1080′. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1090. On the other hand, if none of them has been changed, processing proceeds to S1090without change. S1090is the same as that in the first embodiment.

Through such control, when fog removal/fog prevention is to be performed, the air conditioning device14is set to the defroster mode regardless of which operation mode the air conditioning device14is in, and air is sent out from the defroster duct142. If a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device152is detected, the amount of air from the defroster duct142is increased, and thus the amount of air flowing into the space SP1is increased. In the defroster mode, conditioned air from the defroster duct142is sent out toward the window member12F. Therefore, the conditioned air can travel along the inner wall of the window member12F and reach the electronic component15, and a larger amount of air flows into the space SP1compared to when the operation mode is the A/C mode. Therefore, the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as, or a greater effect than, the first embodiment. Also, if either one or both of the operation mode of the air conditioning device14and the amount of air has/have been changed, the one or both of them is/are returned to the original(s) (S1080′). Therefore, it is possible to perform air conditioning without causing the user discomfort.

In the present embodiment, two operation modes, namely the A/C mode and the defroster mode, are described as examples of the operation modes of the air conditioning device14. However, as described above, there may be a mode in which conditioned air is sent out from both of the ducts141and142as another mode. In such a case, in S1025, whether or not the operation mode of the air conditioning device14is closer to the defroster mode relative to a criterion may be determined. In S1040, the operation mode is changed such that the proportion of the amount of air from the defroster duct142to the amount of air from the air conditioner duct141after the change will be greater than that before the change. That is to say, the operation mode is to be changed such that the operation mode after the change will be closer to the defroster mode than the operation mode before the change is.

Third Embodiment

It is stated in the above second embodiment that the air conditioning device14is set to the defroster mode to realize fog removal/fog prevention. However, air from the defroster duct142may cause the occupant discomfort due to noise or the like caused by the air. Therefore, in the case where it is determined in S1010(seeFIG. 4) that fog removal/fog prevention needs to be performed, if the user does not use/permit the defroster mode, the operation mode is changed to the defroster mode under the condition that the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased. That is to say, if a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device152has not been detected (if the heating performance satisfies a criterion), the defroster duct142is restricted from sending out air.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare portions of a flowchart that shows an example of the content of control that is performed by the control device16according to the third embodiment. Note that, in the present embodiment, the air conditioning device14may be in an inactive state or in the A/C mode, but is at least not in the defroster mode. S1020and the preceding steps are the same as those in the first embodiment (seeFIG. 4).

As shown inFIG. 6A, if it is determined in S1020that fog is actually present/there is the possibility of fog being generated in the relatively near future, processing proceeds to S1030. In S1030, whether or not the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased is determined. If the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased, processing proceeds to S1040″, and the operation mode of the air conditioning device14is changed to the defroster mode in S1040″. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1050. On the other hand, if the heating performance of the heating device152has not decreased, processing proceeds to S1050without change. S1050to S1060are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 6B, if it is determined in S1060that fog removal/fog prevention has been completed, processing proceeds to S1070″. In S1070″, whether or not the operation mode of the air conditioning device14has been changed in S1030to S1040″ is determined. If the operation mode has been changed, processing proceeds to S1080″, and the operation mode is returned to the original mode in S1080″. Thereafter, processing proceeds to S1090. On the other hand, if the operation mode of the air conditioning device14has not been changed, processing proceeds to S1090without change. S1090is the same as that in the first embodiment.

Through such control, in the case where it is determined in S1010that fog removal/fog prevention needs to be performed, if the user does not use/permit the defroster mode, the operation mode of the air conditioning device14is changed to the defroster mode under the condition that the heating performance of the heating device152has decreased. If a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device152has not been detected, the defroster duct142is restricted from sending out air. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, air from the defroster duct142causes the occupant virtually no discomfort, and it is possible to achieve the same effect as, or a greater effect than, the first embodiment while providing the occupant with a comfortable space in the vehicle.

Others

Although some preferable embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to them, and may be partially modified within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. For example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with another embodiment according to the purpose and so on. Also, the terms that indicate the elements in the present description are only used to illustrate the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the exact meanings of the terms, and includes equivalents thereof as well. For example, although the present description shows the vehicle1as a typical example, the content of each embodiment is applicable to vehicles that are not provided with wheels (e.g. ships), i.e. to various movable bodies.

Summary of Embodiments

A first aspect pertains to a movable body (e.g.1), the movable body including: a monitoring device (e.g.151) configured to monitor a surrounding environment of the movable body through a window member (e.g.12F) that is light-transmissive and defines the inside and the outside of the movable body; a heating device (e.g.152) configured to heat a portion (e.g.12F1) of the window member within a monitoring area of the monitoring device; an air conditioning device (e.g.14) configured to perform air conditioning in the movable body; and a control device (e.g.16) configured to perform drive control on the heating device and the air conditioning device. The monitoring device includes: a detector (e.g.1511) configured to detect the surrounding environment; and a base member (e.g.1512,1512b) that faces an inner wall of the window member, and is disposed such that a detection surface of the detector is located within a space (e.g. SP1) between the base member and the window member, the space is in communication with the inside of the movable body, and when a decrease in heating performance of the heating device is detected, the control device sets the driving force of the air conditioning device to be greater than when a decrease in the heating performance is not detected.

As a result, it is possible to let conditioned air to flow into the above-described space, and it is possible to effectively and relatively easily realize fog removal and fog prevention. Also, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily driving air conditioning device and causing the occupant to feel discomfort.

According to a second aspect, a defroster duct (e.g.142) is provided in the movable body as a part of the air conditioning device, and when a decrease in the heating performance of the heating device is detected, the control device increases the amount of air from the defroster duct.

Air from the defroster duct may cause the occupant discomfort. Therefore, according to the second aspect, the air is sent out when the heating performance of the heating device has decreased. Thus, it is possible to provide a comfortable space in the vehicle.

According to a third aspect, when the heating performance of the heating device satisfies a criterion, the control device sets the amount of air from the defroster duct to be smaller than when the heating performance does not satisfy the criterion.

With this configuration, it is possible to provide more comfortable space in the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect, the control device evaluates the degree of fogging on the portion of the window member (e.g. S1010), performs driving control on the heating device and the air conditioning device based on the result of the evaluation (e.g. S1040, S1050).

With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately realize the above-described fog removal/fog prevention.

According to a fifth aspect, the monitoring device is a camera (e.g.1511) for monitoring an environment in front of the movable body, and the window member is a windshield (e.g.12F).

That is to say, each of the above-described aspects is desirably applicable to a movable body (typically a vehicle) that is provided with a driving assistance function.