GB2405223A - Method for controlling a vehicle automatic temperature control system to improve comfort in temperate conditions - Google Patents
Method for controlling a vehicle automatic temperature control system to improve comfort in temperate conditions Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2405223A GB2405223A GB0418765A GB0418765A GB2405223A GB 2405223 A GB2405223 A GB 2405223A GB 0418765 A GB0418765 A GB 0418765A GB 0418765 A GB0418765 A GB 0418765A GB 2405223 A GB2405223 A GB 2405223A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- temperature
- cabin
- air
- control system
- exiting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00735—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
- B60H1/00807—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models the input being a specific way of measuring or calculating an air or coolant temperature
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00735—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
- B60H1/00764—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models the input being a vehicle driving condition, e.g. speed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00814—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation
- B60H1/00821—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation the components being ventilating, air admitting or air distributing devices
- B60H1/00828—Ventilators, e.g. speed control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00814—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation
- B60H1/00878—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation the components being temperature regulating devices
- B60H1/00892—Devices specially adapted for avoiding uncomfortable feeling, e.g. sudden temperature changes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
When the ambient temperature is close to the target temperature, the automatic temperature control system substitutes a modified (forced) value for the actual measured value of cabin temperature. The modified temperature is closer to the set target temperature, and so allows a less aggressive control of temperature in temperate conditions, improving user comfort. The system reverts to its normal control mode once the measured temperature is equal to the modified value.
Description
cr c. À . . . À . . . c À a À À À À À À À C C C C C : : A. c. 2405223
Temperature Control System for Motor Vehicle Passenger Compartments This invention relates to temperature control systems for motor vehicle passenger compartments and in particular to a method of controlling such a temperature control system.
System for maintaining the temperature of a motor vehicle passenger compartment or cabin at a desired temperature normally use a measurement of the cabin temperature to control the system based upon a desired or target temperature set by an operator of the motor vehicle. Such systems work well when the ambient temperature is low or high because the operator of the vehicle is then desirous of producing a rapid change in the cabin temperature in order to reach the target temperature as quickly as possible. It is, however, a problem with such known systems that under certain conditions, when the ambient temperature is neither hot nor cold but temperate, then the system can act too rapidly and cause discomfort to occupants of the vehicle.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method for controlling an temperature control system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment that minimises or eliminates the problem associated with the known systems.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling a temperature control system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the control system being controlled using a comparison of a measured cabin temperature and an operator set target temperature wherein the method comprises determining whether a set of parameters have been met and, if the parameters have been met, substituting the actual measurement of cabin temperature with a forced value of cabin temperature, using the forced value of cabin temperature and the target temperature to control operation of the automatic air control system until the actual measured value of cabin temperature is equal to the forced value of cabin temperature and reverting to the comparison between measured cabin À . . À À À .. ce e Àe À - 2 temperature and target temperature when the actual measured value of cabin temperature is equal to the forced value of cabin temperature.
The set of parameters may include the difference in temperature between ambient temperature and the target temperature. The parameter may be met when the target temperature is less than 1 0 C above the ambient temperature.
The set of parameters may include the difference in temperature between the measured cabin temperature and ambient temperature. The parameter may be met when the measured cabin temperature is more than 5 C above ambient temperature.
The set of parameters may include whether the measured cabin temperature is less than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be 28 C.
The forced value of cabin temperature may be based at least in part on the target temperature. The forced value of cabin temperature may be equal to a function based upon target temperature minus a tuneable parameter.
The method may further comprise controlling the speed of a blower based upon the temperature of coolant exiting the engine when the temperature of the coolant exiting the engine is below a predetermined temperature.
The method may further comprise controlling the distribution of air from the automatic temperature control system based upon the temperature of coolant exiting the engine when the temperature of the coolant exiting the engine is below a predetermined temperature.
The predetermined temperature of the coolant may be 50 C.
Alternatively, the method may further comprise controlling the speed of a blower based upon the temperature of air exiting a vent of the automatic temperature control e e e e À À e e e e e À e e e e e À see ce e e eee e e e e e e see eve ee e e - 3 system when the temperature of the air exiting the vent is below a predetermined temperature.
The method may further comprise controlling the distribution of air from the automatic temperature control system based upon the temperature of air exiting a vent of the automatic temperature control system when the temperature of the air exiting the vent is below a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature of the air may be in the range 10 to 1 5 C.
The invention also provides, according to a second aspect thereof, a temperature control system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and comprising an electronic controller, an air distribution system including a blower, one or more outlet vents and means to increase or reduce the temperature of the air passing therethrough and a number of inputs to the electronic controller including a measurement of cabin temperature, an operator set target temperature and a measurement of ambient temperature, wherein the electronic controller is programmed to control the air distribution system in accordance with said one aspect of the invention.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which: Fig.1 is a block diagram showing a motor vehicle passenger compartment temperature control system according to the invention; 20Fig.2 is a block diagram of a method of controlling the temperature control system shown in Fig.1; Fig.3 is a block diagram of a method for controlling the temperature control system shown in Fig.1 when temperate ambient air temperature conditions exist; Fig.4 is a graph showing the relationship between the speed of an air blower and the discharge air temperature during cold start up conditions for the method shown in Fig.3; e c * À * * À À* À * * À * * * À * * * À * * À Fig.5 is a graph showing the relationship between face and foot vent distribution during cold start up conditions for the method shown in Fig.3; and Fig.6 is a graph showing the relationship between a target temperature and a correction factor f(1) for the method shown in Fig.3.
With particular reference to Fig.1 there is shown an automatic temperature control system comprising an electronic controller 10 arrange to receive a number of inputs 15 and to control an air distribution system 20.
The inputs 15 include a signal indicative of a target temperature for the cabin of the motor vehicle as set by an operator of the motor vehicle, a measurement of ambient air temperature, a measurement of cabin air temperature, a measurement of the temperature of engine coolant (after it has been heated by the engine).
The air distribution system 20 comprises one or more face level vents and one or more footwell vents, a blower to force air out from the vents, distribution means to vary the distribution of air to the vents and means to heat or cool the air passing through the air distribution system 20.
The electronic controller 10 is operable to control the speed of the blower, the distribution of the air through the vents and the temperature of the air exiting the vents based primarily on the difference in temperature between the measured cabin temperature and the target temperature set by the operator.
If the target temperature is higher than the measured cabin temperature then the electronic controller 10 will cause the air distribution unit to supply hot air from the vents and if the cabin temperature is higher than the target temperature then cool air will be supplied from the vents.
À À . ÀÀÀÀ ÀÀ À À À . . À À À - À À À À À À À À en- À. À - 5 - As can be seen with reference to Fig.2, the controller 10 is programmed to control the air distribution system in four distinct modes.
In the first step 90 the automatic temperature control system is switched on and the controller determines in step 100 whether a cold climate routine is required. If a cold climate start up routine is required then the process advances to step 110 in which the air distribution system is controlled to provide the best cold start up performance. This may include for example directing the majority of the air from the air distribution system onto a windscreen of the motor vehicle until the air temperature has risen to a preferred temperature. When, at step 120, certain hand over criteria are met control is passed over to a normal automatic temperature mode indicated generally by step 400.
If at step 100 the criteria are not met the controller is operable at step 200 to check whether the criteria for a hot climate start are met. If a hot climate start up routine is required then the process advances to step 210 in which the air distribution system is controlled to provide the best hot start up performance. This may include for example directing the majority of the air from the air distribution system via face vents until the measured cabin temperature has reached a preferred temperature. When, at step 220, certain hand over criteria are met control is passed over to the normal automatic temperature mode indicated generally by step 400.
If at step 200 the criteria are not met the controller is operable at step 300 to check whether the criteria for a temperate climate start are met.
If a temperate climate start up routine is required then the process advances to step 310 in which the air distribution system is controlled to provide the best temperate start up performance. This may include for example restricting the blower speed so as to provide a less aggressive response to start-up. When, at step 320, certain hand over criteria are met a a À e À a a À À a a a a I a À a- À a I ace À e À a a ace ate as À a - 6 controi is passed over to a normal automatic temperature mode indicated generally by step 400.
If at step 300 the criteria are not met then the controller is operable to move directly to normal automatic temperature control indicated by step 400.
With further reference to Figs. 3 to 6 the control of the automatic temperature control system during temperature start up conditions will be described in greater detail.
In step 300 a set of parameters is checked to determine whether the criteria for entry to the temperature start-up control mode have been met.
The set of parameters comprises determining whether the target air temperature is more than 10 C above ambient air temperature, whether the measured cabin temperature is more than 5 C above ambient air temperature and whether the measured cabin temperature is greater than 28 C. It will be appreciated that minor variations in these temperatures could be made without departing from the scope of this invention.
This set of parameters can be set out mathematically as: IF (Tam'> Tse'10) AND (Tr > Tam+5) AND (Tr < 28 C) GO TO temperate start up routine (step 310) IF parameters are not met then GO TO normal automatic temperature control (step 400) Where Tam' is ambient air temperature, Tr is the measured cabin temperature and TO is the target temperature.
If the parameters are met then at step 311 a forced value of cabin temperature Trforced is generated for use by the controller 10 in determining the speed of the blower and vent settings instead of the actual measured cabin temperature Tr. The object of this is to fool the controller into operating as if there is less difference in temperature between the actual À À À . . À À À . À . . À À 8 À À À À À À À - 7 cabin temperature Tr and the target temperature To than really exists. The effect of this is that the controller 10 will operate the blower at a lower speed than it would normally given such a temperature difference and this gives the impression of a less aggressive response I when the automatic temperature control system starts up.
As can be seen in Fig.6 a relationship is stored as a look up table between a modification function f(1) and the target temperature Tse'. This modification function is used in the following equation to determine Tr,Orced: TrfOrced= f(1) - A, where A is a tuneable parameter.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention A = 2 and so Tr,OrCed= f(1) 2.
In the example given f(1) is always equal to To +5 but this need not be the case and the relationship between f(1) and To is not necessarily a linear relationship.
This forced value of cabin temperature Trh,ced continues to be used until at step 320 the forced temperature Tr,Orced is equal to the actual measured cabin temperature Tr. When I this test is satisfied control reverts to normal automatic temperature control at step 400 and the temperate start up routine is terminated.
If the engine of the vehicle is cold when the automatic passenger compartment temperature control system is started, an additional strategy is provided to prevent cold air from being discharged through any footwell vents onto the feet of any occupants. This is implemented by introducing a further test 312 in between steps 311 and 320 to determine whether the coolant temperature exiting the engine is below 50 C. If the coolant temperature is below 50 C then a starting from cold routine 315 is used to control both the À À À À 1 À À À À À . . . # À . ate.. es e - 8 speed of the blower and the distribution of the air. It will be appreciated that 50 C is provided by way of example and that other temperatures could be used.
The routine uses two look-up tables stored in the memory of the electronic controller.
These are shown diagrammatically in Figs. 4 and 5. From the first of these tables it can be seen that when the coolant temperature is very low the blower speed is kept low but as the temperature of the coolant increases the speed of the blower is increased. That is to say the blower speed is dependent upon the temperature of the coolant exiting the engine. The temperature of the coolant exiting the engine is sensed by a temperature sensor and a corresponding signal is received by the electronic controller 10.
From the second of the tables it can be seen that at low temperatures all of the air is supplied to the face vents and only when the temperature of the coolant exiting the engine I exceeds 40 C does the distribution of air begin to switch to the footwell vents so that when the coolant temperature reaches 50 C all of the air is directed to the footwell vents. This starting from cold routine 315 continues until the coolant temperature exceeds 50 C at which point a test 313 will be failed and control reverts back to step 320 which tests whether Try is equal to Tr. ; As an alternative the tests 312 and 313 can be used to determine whether the air I temperature exiting one or more of the vents is below 10 to 15 C. If the air temperature is below 10 to 15 C then the cold routine 315 is used to control both the speed of the blower and the distribution of the air. In this case two look up tables relating blower speed against air temperature and distribution against air temperature would be used instead of those shown in Figs.3 and 4. The tables would follow a similar form but the temperature scales would be different to those used for the coolant so that by 15 C the blower would be fully on and the air would be being distributed to the foot vents.
Àe ee. .e I: À À À À À À À À À À À 1 À À À À À À À À À - 9 - Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment it will be appreciated that it is not limited to the embodiment described and that various modifications or alternatives could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. À
Claims (17)
1. A method for controlling a temperature control system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the control system being controlled using a comparison of a measured cabin temperature and an operator set target temperature wherein the method comprises determining whether a set of parameters have been met and, if the parameters have been met, substituting the actual measurement of cabin temperature with a forced value of cabin temperature, using the forced value of cabin temperature and the target temperature to control operation of the automatic air control system until the actual measured value of cabin temperature is equal to the forced value of cabin temperature and reverting to the comparison between measured cabin temperature and target temperature when the actual measured value of cabin temperature is equal to the forced value of cabin temperature.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the set of parameters includes the difference in temperature between ambient temperature and the target temperature.
3. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the parameter is met when the target temperature is less than 1 0 C above the ambient temperature.
4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the set of parameters includes the difference in temperature between the measured cabin temperature and the ambient temperature.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the parameter is met when the measured cabin temperature is more than 5 C above the ambient temperature.
6. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the set of parameters includes whether the measured cabin temperature is less than a predetermined temperature.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the predetermined temperature is 28 C.
À À À c a c c Àe À c À a acece / C'c e, 1 À c ace ee- Àa a
8. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the forced value of cabin temperature is based at least in part on the target temperature.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the forced value of cabin temperature is equal to a function based upon target temperature minus a tuneable parameter.
10. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the method further comprises controlling the speed of a blower based upon the temperature of coolant exiting the engine when the temperature of the coolant exiting the engine is below a predetermined temperature.
11. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the method further comprises controlling the distribution of air from the automatic temperature control system based upon the temperature of coolant exiting the engine when the temperature of the coolant exiting the engine is below a predetermined temperature.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or in claim 11 wherein the predetermined coolant temperature is 50 C.
13. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the method further comprises controlling the speed of a blower based upon the temperature of air exiting a vent of the automatic temperature control system when the temperature of the air exiting the vent is below a predetermined temperature.
14. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 or in claim 13 wherein the method further comprises controlling the distribution of air from the automatic temperature control system based upon the temperature of air exiting a vent of the automatic temperature control system when the temperature of the air exiting the vent is below a predetermined temperature. À 7' c
À '.eee..
À À À À À À À - 12
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or in claim 14 wherein the predetermined air temperature is in the range 10 to 1 5 C.
16. A method for controlling a temperature control system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A temperature control system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and comprising an electronic controller, an air distribution system including a blower, one or more outlet vents and means to increase or reduce the temperature of the air passing therethrough and a number of inputs to the electronic controller including a measurement of cabin temperature, an operator set target temperature and a measurement of ambient temperature, wherein the electronic controller is programmed to control the air distribution system in accordance with a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0319653A GB0319653D0 (en) | 2003-08-21 | 2003-08-21 | A method for controlling an automatic temperature control system for a motor vehicle |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0418765D0 GB0418765D0 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
| GB2405223A true GB2405223A (en) | 2005-02-23 |
| GB2405223B GB2405223B (en) | 2007-03-21 |
Family
ID=28460056
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0319653A Ceased GB0319653D0 (en) | 2003-08-21 | 2003-08-21 | A method for controlling an automatic temperature control system for a motor vehicle |
| GB0418765A Expired - Fee Related GB2405223B (en) | 2003-08-21 | 2004-08-23 | Temperature control system for motor vehicle passenger compartments |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0319653A Ceased GB0319653D0 (en) | 2003-08-21 | 2003-08-21 | A method for controlling an automatic temperature control system for a motor vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB0319653D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2419663B (en) * | 2004-10-30 | 2009-12-02 | Ford Global Tech Llc | Temperature control system for motor vehicle passenger compartments |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5822712A (en) * | 1981-08-05 | 1983-02-10 | Diesel Kiki Co Ltd | Controller of air conditioner for vehicle |
-
2003
- 2003-08-21 GB GB0319653A patent/GB0319653D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2004
- 2004-08-23 GB GB0418765A patent/GB2405223B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5822712A (en) * | 1981-08-05 | 1983-02-10 | Diesel Kiki Co Ltd | Controller of air conditioner for vehicle |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2419663B (en) * | 2004-10-30 | 2009-12-02 | Ford Global Tech Llc | Temperature control system for motor vehicle passenger compartments |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0418765D0 (en) | 2004-09-22 |
| GB2405223B (en) | 2007-03-21 |
| GB0319653D0 (en) | 2003-09-24 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN105383444B (en) | Windshield defogging system and method | |
| US7690421B2 (en) | Low humidity detection system and method thereof | |
| US7866169B2 (en) | System and method for vehicle defogging condition calculation and control | |
| US6202934B1 (en) | Air conditioner for a vehicle having infrared ray sensor | |
| US9555689B2 (en) | Adaptive automatic climate control for vehicles | |
| JP4985726B2 (en) | Hybrid vehicle | |
| JPS6345965B2 (en) | ||
| US8181475B2 (en) | Automatic HVAC fan operation during warm-up stage | |
| US7647786B2 (en) | Automotive air-conditioning system | |
| US20060004494A1 (en) | System and method for vehicle defogging condition calculation and control | |
| JPH0885333A (en) | Air conditioner for vehicle | |
| JP3931634B2 (en) | Air conditioner for vehicles | |
| EP1950084A1 (en) | Method for controlling a seat climate system, and seat climate control module | |
| US7172018B2 (en) | Vehicle air-conditioning system | |
| GB2419663A (en) | Temperature control system for motor vehicle passenger compartments | |
| GB2405223A (en) | Method for controlling a vehicle automatic temperature control system to improve comfort in temperate conditions | |
| JP2572628B2 (en) | Air flow control device for vehicle air conditioner | |
| US6581022B2 (en) | Vehicle air conditioning apparatus | |
| US7650927B2 (en) | Outlet temperature calculation correction from ambient/water temperature | |
| JP2002029239A (en) | Air conditioner for vehicle | |
| JP2768177B2 (en) | Automotive air conditioners | |
| US20040016817A1 (en) | Deep mass compensation for a vehicle automatic climate control | |
| US6732938B1 (en) | Quasi-steady-state control method for a vehicle automatic climate control | |
| US6732939B1 (en) | Power-based control method for a vehicle automatic climate control | |
| JP2001206040A (en) | Air conditioner for vehicle |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20131128 AND 20131204 |
|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20190823 |