DE102016120960A1 - Model-based automatic climate control system for improved thermal passenger comfort - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of providing automatic climate control. A setpoint temperature input can be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior, calculated real time, can be compared with the target temperature. A control value can be determined in order to adapt the homogeneous temperature of the setpoint temperature corresponding to the interior space.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The disclosure generally pertaining to this technical field includes climate monitoring systems, in particular automatic climate control in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

BACKGROUND

Heated, ventilated and / or air-conditioned spaces are available in a variety of environments and may be occupied by people or used for storage of other things. These spaces can be located in mobile applications such as land, air and water vehicles, or in stationary applications such as buildings and containers. In certain applications, the spaces may include a compartment or "interior" in which a person may be accommodated or transported. In other applications, "interior space" generally refers to a closed space. An interior may be equipped with a ventilation system which supplies the outside air to the interior, a heating system which delivers heated air to the interior, and an air conditioner which supplies cooled air to the interior. The aim of these systems is to offer the occupants of the interior a thermal comfort.

It is a challenge to determine how much heating, ventilation or cooling is required to maintain an optimal thermal environment or thermal comfort for all items contained therein, such as occupants. Thermal sources may include the structure or its components, the occupants or contained objects, outside air temperature and solar load, each of which may be variable. Within this environment, stratification, heat storage in items such as the dashboard of a vehicle, and venting of nearby HVAC vents may reduce the accuracy of temperature measurement of an indoor temperature sensor on which the controller may be based.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A number of variations may include a method of providing automatic climate control. A setpoint temperature input could be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be compared with the target temperature. A control value can be determined to compensate for the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior and the setpoint temperature.

A number of additional variations may include methods of providing automatic climate control of a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system. A setpoint temperature input can be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be calculated. The homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be compared with the target temperature. A control value can be generated to compensate for the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior and the setpoint temperature.

Various other variations may include a method of controlling an HVAC system. A setpoint temperature input can be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be obtained. The homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be compared with the target temperature. A control error based on the difference between the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the internal space and the target temperature can be generated. A control value can be determined based on the control error. The HVAC system can be adjusted based on the control value.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided herein. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Selected examples of variations within the scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

1 Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an automatic climate control system according to a number of variations.

2 illustrates a method of automatic climate control according to a number of variations.

3 shows a comfort curve plotted graphically as comfort rating versus EHT according to a number of variations.

4 shows a calibration curve graphically represented as EHT versus ambient temperature according to a number of variations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE

EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.

In a number of variations, such as in 1 a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) 10 with a mobile or stationary application, such. As an air, land or water vehicle, a building or container, or another application can be connected, which may be an automatic climate control system. The system 10 may be an ambient air temperature sensor 12 for measuring the temperature of the external ambient air (T _a ). An indoor air temperature sensor 14 can be provided for measuring the air temperature inside the interior (T _c ). A control device 16 can be provided, such. In the instrument panel of the vehicle or at another location suitable for the application, to specify a temperature set by the occupants, such as the driver and front passenger of a vehicle, which should be the target temperature (T _sp ). The inputs T _a T _c and T _sp can a control 20 to be provided.

Procedures, algorithms, or parts thereof, including instructions or calculations may be included in a computer software product for control 20 which are stored on a computer-readable medium and executed using one or more processors to implement one or more method steps or instructions. A computer software product may include one or more software programs comprising program instructions in source code, object code, executable code, or another format; one or more firmware programs; or files of a hardware description language (HDL); and other data concerning the software. The data may include data structures, lookup tables, or data in any other suitable format. The program instructions may include program modules, routines, programs, objects, components, and / or the like. The computer program may be executed by one or more processors in communication.

In a number of variations, the software may be executed on computer-readable media, which may include one or more storage media, articles of manufacture, or the like. Illustratively, as computer-readable media, computer system memories, e.g. RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory); Semiconductor memory, z. EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), flash memory; magnetic or optical disks or tapes; and / or the like can be used. A computer-readable medium may also include computer-to-computer connections when, for example, transmitting or providing data over a network or over another communication link (wired, wireless, or a hybrid thereof). All hybrid forms from the above examples fall within the scope of computer readable media. It is therefore to be understood that the method may be at least partially performed by an electronic article and / or apparatus suitable for executing instructions relating to one or more steps of the disclosed method.

In a number of variations, the controller 20 Generate signals to a HVAC blower 22 can be fed and can set the operating status and / or speed. The control 20 can generate signals to the target air outlet temperature 24 such as B. at the outlet from the fan 22 adjust and a closed feedback can the controller 20 to provide. The control 20 can generate signals which can be fed to the operating mode 26 of the HVAC system, such as B. Heating by a heating system or cooling by air conditioning or ventilation to direct outside air into the interior.

In a number of variations, such as in 2 can represent a method 30 provide an automatic climate control based on a homogeneous temperature (EHT) corresponding to the interior. The procedure 30 can perform for calibration and shorten the calibration time and start at step 32 , It has been shown that factors such as air stratification, heat storage in components such. As the instrument panel, and the vent can affect the accuracy of the measured interior temperature compared with the air temperature (ie air temperature in the vicinity of the face of the occupant). Therefore, the calibration of an automatic climate control system can be relatively demanding and time consuming.

In a closed space such as a vehicle interior, the thermal comfort of the occupants by environmental parameters such. As the temperature of the ambient air, the average radiation temperature, the air velocity, the direct solar load and moisture, are affected, which affect the heat loss of the body. One such parameter is the temperature of the breath, which can be defined as the dry bulb temperature of the air near the face of the occupant. Another parameter, the average radiant temperature, may be defined as the uniform surface temperature of an imaginary enclosure in which an occupant would exchange the same amount of radiant heat as in the actual nonuniform space. The factors concerning the thermal comfort are the same as those concerning the heat loss of the body. The EHT is a recognized measure of the total heat loss of the human body that can be used to characterize highly heterogeneous thermal environments. Due to the complex interaction of radiation and convection heat fluxes, it is particularly useful with respect to a closed space, such as the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The advantage of EHT is that it expresses the effects of the combined thermal influences in a single size, which is easily interpretable and explainable in terms of the thermal comfort of the occupants. EHT can be determined by known methods and as input at step 32 be used. Such a method is described in United States Serial No. 12 / 179,608 patent application entitled "Automatic Climate Control for a Vehicle", filed July 25, 2008, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and which is incorporated herein by reference is expressly included. For calibration, EHT can be easily selected within a comfort range, as in 3 representing the comfort rating on a scale of 1 to 9 on the vertical axis 35 opposite EHT in degrees Celsius on the horizontal axis 37 maps. On an exemplary comfort scale, 1 can be classified as cold, 2 as very cool, 3 as cool, 4 as slightly cool, 5 as pleasant, 6 as slightly warm, 7 as warm, 8 as too warm and 9 as hot. A first turn 39 represents the heating of the interior in cool ambient conditions, while a second curve 45 represents the cooling of the interior in warm ambient conditions. The discontinuity in comfort rating at 5 is because the occupants wear more garments when the ambient temperature is cool and therefore comfortable at a slightly cooler temperature. On the curves 39 and 45 This can be "comfortable" in the range of 20-24 degrees Celsius, depending on the season and the clothing. As such, EHT may provide a single representative value to characterize a non-uniform thermal environment as a uniform thermal environment with respect to the thermal sensation of the occupant.

The EHT can be calculated or, for the purpose of calibration in the procedure 30 , can an EHT at step 34 to be selected. The EHT for the thermal sensation depends on the basal metabolism and the clothing of the occupants. In a number of variations, a look-up table may be provided for the EHT setpoint based on these, and, alternatively, other input parameters for occupant thermal comfort. The EHT may be determined or selected for purposes of example, when a value of 25 degrees Celsius, which corresponds to a comfort rating of about 6, may be slightly warm. Then the procedure can 30 at step 36 Continue. step 36 can be an input from step 38 which is representative of the setpoint of the interior temperature. Regarding 4 is a calibration curve 44 for the EHT setpoint as EHT in degrees Celsius on the vertical axis 46 shown, against the ambient temperature in degrees Celsius on the horizontal axis 48 , The ambient temperature T _a can be as determined by the temperature sensor 12 at step 40 measured temperature in the external environment are described. The calibration curve can be a constant value of 22 degrees Celsius regardless of the ambient temperature. The value 22 degrees can be from step 38 to step 36 be provided. step 36 can set the setpoint by 22 degrees from step 38 from the EHT of 25 degrees of step 34 Subtract and cause a control deviation or ΔEHT. In the example, the control deviation is 25 - 22 = 3 from step 36 to step 42 brought about and states that the HVAC system must reduce the interior temperature by three degrees. The control deviation of 3 can be supplied as a signal to 41. At step 42 For example, the interior EHT control may determine a control value Y _n = 10 * T _a + Y _pi (ΔT _c ), which may be a combination of stationary (10 * T _a ) and transient (Y _pi (ΔT _c )) temperature-based components can. T _a can be the measured ambient temperature, ΔT _{c is} the measured change in indoor temperature, and Y _pi can be a proportional-integral control value. The controlled variable Y _pi, by K (T _sp - T _c) + K / T _i ∫ (T _sp - T _c) dτ be determined, where K is a proportional gain constant, and K / T _i is an integral gain. In a number of variations, the control value can be controlled by the controller 20 are read from a look-up table where the control values are listed by control error value. The determined control value Y _n can be determined from step 42 to step 43 be provided where signals are sent to the HVAC system to an air outlet temperature 24 , an HVAC blower speed 22 and a HVAC mode 26 adjust. Feedback from The sensors may be used to adjust the control value as the interior temperature approaches the setpoint temperature.

The following description of the variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products and methods that are within the scope of the invention. It is not intended to limit the scope in any way by what is specifically stated or not expressly stated. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods described herein may be combined and rearranged other than expressly described herein, and yet are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a method of providing automatic climate control. A setpoint temperature input setting can be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be compared with the target temperature. A control value can be determined in order to adapt the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior space to the setpoint temperature.

Variation 2 may include the method of Variation 1 and the calibration with a fixed setpoint temperature independent of the ambient temperature.

Variation 3 may include the method of variation 2 and the selection of the setpoint fixed temperature based on a comfort score.

Variation 4 may include the method according to Variation 1 and the provision of a blower and a mode controller and the control of the blower and the mode controller with the control value.

Variation 5 may include a method according to Variation 1 and the definition of a steady state control component, a transient control component, and the combination of the steady state control value component and the transient control value component.

Variation 6 may include a method according to Variation 1 and the detection of an ambient temperature, the detection of an indoor temperature, and the use of the ambient temperature and the indoor temperature to generate the control value.

Variation 7 may include the method of Variation 1 and the setting of a fan speed, an output temperature, and an HVAC mode, all being based on the homogeneous temperature and setpoint temperature corresponding to the interior.

Variation 8 may include the method according to Variation 1 and the determination of a control deviation based on the difference between the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior and the target temperature.

Variation 9 may include a method of providing automatic climate control of a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system. An input of the setpoint temperature can be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be calculated. The homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be compared with the target temperature. A control value can be generated to compensate for the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior and the setpoint temperature.

Variation 10 may include the method of variation 9 and the calibration with a fixed setpoint temperature independent of the ambient temperature.

Variation 11 may include the method according to Variation 10, wherein the fixed set temperature may be 22 degrees Celsius.

Variation 12 may include the method of variation 9 and the provision of a fan and a mode controller and the control of the fan and the mode control by the control value.

Variation 13 may include the method of variation 9 and defining a steady state control component, a transient control component, and the combination of the steady state control and transient control.

Variation 14 may include the method of variation 9 and detecting an ambient temperature and an indoor temperature, and using the ambient temperature and the indoor temperature to generate the control value.

Variation 15 may include a method according to Variation 9 and adjusting a fan speed, an exhaust temperature, and an HVAC mode, all based on the homogeneous temperature and the set temperature corresponding to the interior.

Variation 16 may include the method of variation 9 and determining a control deviation based on the difference between the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior and the target temperature.

Variation 17 may include a method of controlling an HVAC system. A setpoint temperature input can be read out. A homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be obtained. The homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior can be compared with the target temperature. An on the difference between the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior and the setpoint temperature-based control deviation can be generated. A control value can be determined based on the control deviation. The HVAC system can be adjusted based on the control value.

Variation 18 may include the method of variation 17 and determining a component having a steady state control value, a transient control value component, and the combination of the steady state control value component and the transient control value component to obtain the control value.

Variation 19 may include the method of Variation 17 and detecting an ambient temperature and an indoor temperature, and using the ambient temperature and the indoor temperature to determine both the steady state control value component and the transient control value component.

Variation 20 may include the method according to Variation 17 and the setting of a fan speed, an output temperature, and an HVAC mode, all based on the homogeneous temperature and the target temperature corresponding to the interior.

The above description of selected variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature, and thus variations thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

 A method of providing automatic climate control comprising reading a desired temperature input, comparing a homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior space with the desired temperature, and generating a control value for equalizing the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior to the target temperature.  The method of claim 1, further comprising calibrating at a fixed setpoint temperature independent of the ambient temperature.  The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting the setpoint fixed temperature based on a comfort score.  The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a fan and a mode controller, and controlling the fan and the mode controller using the control value.  The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a steady state control component, a transient control component, and the combination of the steady state control value component and the transient control value component.  The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting an ambient temperature, an indoor temperature, and using the ambient temperature and the indoor temperature to generate the control value.  The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a fan speed, an output temperature, and an HVAC mode, all based on the homogeneous temperature and the setpoint temperature corresponding to the interior space.  The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a control deviation based on the difference between the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the internal space and the target temperature.  A method for providing automatic climate control of a heating, ventilation or air conditioning system, comprising reading a set temperature input, calculating a homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior, comparing the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior with the set temperature and generating a control value for balancing the homogeneous temperature corresponding to the interior with the target temperature.  The method of claim 9, further comprising calibrating at a fixed setpoint temperature independent of the ambient temperature.

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