GB2512702A - Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle and ventilation system - Google Patents

Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle and ventilation system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2512702A
GB2512702A GB201400627A GB201400627A GB2512702A GB 2512702 A GB2512702 A GB 2512702A GB 201400627 A GB201400627 A GB 201400627A GB 201400627 A GB201400627 A GB 201400627A GB 2512702 A GB2512702 A GB 2512702A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
window
fogging
vehicle
risk
air
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB201400627A
Other versions
GB201400627D0 (en
Inventor
Anuradha Bhatia
Martin Eyselein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mercedes Benz Group AG
Original Assignee
Daimler AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daimler AG filed Critical Daimler AG
Priority to GB201400627A priority Critical patent/GB2512702A/en
Publication of GB201400627D0 publication Critical patent/GB201400627D0/en
Publication of GB2512702A publication Critical patent/GB2512702A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B60H1/00785—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 by the detection of humidity or frost
    • 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
    • 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
    • B60H1/00871—Air directing means, e.g. blades in an air outlet

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle, wherein at least the air temperature and the humidity of the air is measured 10, 12. Based on these measurements a risk of fogging of at least one window of the vehicle is determined 14. An orientation of at least one air guide element is changed 16 such that the airflow leaving the vent is directed towards a window for which the risk of fogging has been determined. The window may be the windscreen or a side window. The ventilation system may measure the temperature and humidity of the air outside the cabin. The system may also use an electric heating element located in one of the windows to reduce the risk of fogging. The system may also use weather information and geographic position in determining the risk of fogging.

Description

Method for Operating a Ventilation System of a Vehicle and Ventilation System The invention relates to a method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle. Herein at least one air temperature and a humidity of the air is measured. Based on these measurements a risk of fogging of the at least one window of the vehicle is determined.
The invention further relates to a ventilation system of a vehicle.
Fogging of a windshield and other windows of a vehicle can pose a risk to the driver and other passengers in the vehicle. Atmospheric conditions can sometimes lead to a so called flash fogging which impairs visibility. Reduced visibility of the driver can in turn increase the risk of an accident.
Document US 493 25 88 A describes a method of controlling the climate in a cabin of a vehicle. Herein the air temperature and the relative humidity of the air in the vehicle and outside the vehicle are measured. If a risk of fogging is determined, a fan can be switched on, which creates an airflow through a vent, wherein an opening of the vent is close to the window. In order to decrease the humidity of the air in the cabin, air from within the cabin can be dried by means of an evaporator of an air conditioning unit of the vehicle. Also the amount or the velocity of the air recycled through the cabin can be controlled based on its relative humidity.
Document US 2008/020 99 23 Al describes a method for controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle for automatically defogging a windshield glass. Herein, depending on the risk of fog formation a fan speed is controlled and airflow vents such as defrost vents, dashboard vents or floor vents are selected. To determine the risk of fogging, the in-cabin air temperature and relative humidity are measured in order to determine a dewpoint.
However these methods are not satisfactory with respect to window fog prevention. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and an improved ventilation system of the initially mentioned kind.
This object is solved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a ventilation system having the features of claim 8. Advantageous configurations with convenient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
According to the invention an orientation of at least one air guide element is changed such that an airflow leaving at least one vent is directed towards the at least one window for which the risk of fogging has been determined. This is based on the finding that directing the airflow towards the window helps defogging the window. As this change of the orientation of the at least one air guide element is done automatically, i.e. based on the measurements provided by at least one air temperature sensor and at least one humidity sensor, defogging or fog prevention is particularly comfortable for a driver and other passengers of the vehicle. To determine the fogging risk at least one threshold value can be taken into consideration.
Further the passenger comfort with respect to the desired climatisation comfort is maintained. Still, safety is enhanced by keeping the at least one window fog-free. Also a good visibility for the driver is maintained.
To direct the airflow towards the window for which the risk of fogging has been determined, an entire air vent can be rotated into the appropriate orientation or direction.
Once the fogging thread disappears, the vent can be rotated back automatically to the previous position. However, it is particularly simple to change the orientation of the at least one air guide element -such as a flap or blades on an outlet of the vent -which influences the orientation of the airflow leaving the vent.
Advantageously the temperature and the humidity of the air inside a cabin of the vehicle can be measured. Accordingly, the airflow leaving at least one vent located in the cabin is directed towards the at least one window. Thus fogging of the surface of the at least one window, which faces the cabin can be efficiently avoided.
In particular the airflow leaving at least one side vent of the vehicle can be directed to at least one side window of the vehicle. Thus defogging of the side windows can be achieved or fogging of the side windows can be prevented. This helps in maintaining a good visibility for the driver.
Further advantageously the temperature and the humidity outside a cabin of the vehicle can be measured. If these measurements lead to the determination of the fogging risk, a temperature of the airflow directed towards the at least one window is raised. By raising the temperature of the window above the dewpoint fogging on the outside of the window can be prevented or defogging can be achieved.
In a further advantageous embodiment at least one electric heating element arranged in the at least one window is operated such that the risk of fogging of the at least one window is reduced. This is based on the finding that utilizing the at least one electric heating element together with changing the orientation of the airflow towards the window is particularly efficient in fog prevention or defogging.
It has further proven advantageous if at least one vision device is utilized in determining the risk of fogging of the at least one window. Thus the risk of fogging can be determined in a particularly reliable manner. For example, a camera such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and/or a light meter can be utilized to judge visibility conditions and thus the fogging risk.
Finally it has proven advantageous if weather data and information on the geographic position of the vehicle are utilized in determining the risk of fogging of the at least one window. The geographic position can be determined by a GPS-system of the vehicle.
Weather data, in particular at a location ahead of the vehicle, can thus be taken into consideration in order to determine the risk of fogging. Via the GPS-signal also real-time weather data can be obtained and analyzed with respect to the risk of fogging.
The ventilation system of a vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one air temperature sensor and at least one humidity sensor. The system further comprises a control device configured to determine a risk of fogging of at least one window of the vehicle based on measurements provided by the sensors. The ventilation system comprises means for changing an orientation of at least one air guide element such that an airflow leaving at least one vent is directed towards the at least one window for which the risk of fogging has been determined. The control device is configured to operate the means for changing the orientation of the at least one air guide element. Thus an automatic orientation of the airflow towards the window which shall be defogged or for which fogging shall be prevented can be achieved.
The advantages and preferred embodiments described with respect to the method also apply to the ventilation system according to the invention.
The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figure and/or shown in the figure alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.
Thus, implementations not explicitly shown in the figure or explained, but which result and can be generated by separated feature combinations of the explained implementations are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments as well as based on the drawing.
Herein shows the Fig. a flow chart with steps for automatic windshield and side windows fog prevention in a vehicle.
A ventilation system of a vehicle is preferably configured as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This system is configured to prevent fogging in weather conditions which are conducive to fogging. To do this, the HVAC system utilizes sensors such as temperature sensors as well as humidity sensors. In a first step 10 these sensors check the air temperature and the humidity in a cabin of the vehicle. Checking the temperature and the humidity in the cabin can in particular be performed at different locations such as close to the windshield, close to side windows and the like. In another step 12, which can be performed simultaneously, before or subsequently, the ambient air temperature and the ambient or outside air humidity is measured.
Subsequently by a control device of the HVAC system a determination 14 is performed whether a risk of fogging exists for at least one window of the vehicle. For this the current readings of the sensors in the cabin as well as the readings from the sensors measuring the outside ambient conditions are taken into consideration. Based on these readings a dewpoint temperature of the outside air and the air in the cabin may be calculated.
Thus during the determination 14 the control device evaluates the risk or probability whether fogging will take place on the inside or the outside of at least one window of the vehicle. This determination 14 is based on the data received by the control device of the HVAC system.
If the conditions will lead to fogging on the side of the window which faces the interior of the vehicle, i.e. if there is a risk of fogging inside the cabin, an orientation or position of at least one vent is changed accordingly. Also, the HVAC system is adjusted in order to lower the humidity inside the cabin of the vehicle. These measures can take place during a step 16. Simultaneously, before or subsequently to this step 16 the temperature inside the cabin can be adjusted. This preferably takes place, if the conditions will lead to a fogging on the outside of the at least on window of the vehicle. For example, by raising the temperature within the cabin, the teniperature of the window can be raised to above the dewpoint. Thus fogging can be prevented and/or defogging can be performed.
In order to change the vent position, especially an orientation of side-vents can be changed. For example, the control device can activate actuators which rotate the side-vents automatically. This change of orientation will result in an airflow being orientated towards the side windows. This enables a particularly efficient and effective defogging of the side windows. Once the fogging thread disappears, the vents may be rotated back to the previous position in a subsequent step 18.
With this method fog prevention on the windshield and other windows, in particular the side windows of the vehicle can be achieved. Especially when the conditions inside the cabin cause a high risk thread for fogging the control device of the HVAC system arrests that risk. When the risk is high for fogging on the side-windows the automated manipulation of the side-window vents prevents fogging and also clears any fog that may arise due to the conditions. Thus based on the temperature and relative humidity values the automatic movement of the side vents towards the side windows upon prediction of the fogging risk prevents fog from forming on the side windows. Keeping the windshield, the side windows and other glass surfaces of the vehicle free of fog enhances safety and maintains a good visibility for the driver.
Further, by setting the HVAC flaps in order to direct the airflow to the window, for which a fogging risk above a threshold value has been determined, not only fog prevention is achieved but also passenger comfort is maintained. Thus the changes in temperature and humidity conditions which are performed by the HVAC system do not affect the passenger comfort.
Preferably there are electric heating elements embedded in the windshield and/or the side windows. These heating elements can additionally be tuned to change the humidity and temperature conditions such that defogging is achieved or fogging is prevented. This applies in particular to the temperature and humidity conditions inside the vehicle, i.e. in the cabin.
In order perform the determination 14 of the risk of fogging a visual device can be utilized additionally. For example a small CCD camera or a light meter can be utilized to judge the visibility conditions. This can work in tandem with the other measuring devices or sensors that measure the temperature and the humidity. Thus fogging conditions can be prevented by utilizing a programmed control sequence.
Also a GPS (Global Positioning System) system can be utilized to obtain real time weather data. If the corresponding humidity and/or temperature data obtained are provided to the control device of the HVAC system, the fogging potential can be computed also based on these date. Accordingly the vehicle can be prepared for fog prevention.
List of reference signs step 12 step 14 determination 16 step 18 step

Claims (8)

  1. SClaims Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle, wherein at least one air temperature and a humidity of the air is measured (10, 12) and based on these measurements a risk of fogging of at least one window of the vehicle is determined (14), characterized in that an orientation of at least one air guide element is changed (16) such that an airflow leaving at least one vent is directed towards the at least one window for which the risk of fogging has been determined.
  2. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature and the humidity of the air inside a cabin of the vehicle is measured (10), and the airflow leaving at least one vent located in the cabin is directed towards the at least one window.
  3. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the airflow leaving at least one side vent of the vehicle is directed to at least one side window of the vehicle.
  4. 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the temperature and the humidity of the air outside a cabin of the vehicle is measured (12), and a temperature of the airflow directed towards the at least one window is raised.
  5. 5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one electric heating element arranged in the at least one window is operated such that the risk of fogging of the at the least one window is reduced.
  6. 6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one vision device, in particular a camera and/or a light meter, is utilized in determining (14) the risk of fogging of the at the least one window.
  7. 7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that weather data and information on the geographic position of the vehicle are utilized in determining (14) the risk of fogging of the at the least one window.
  8. 8. Ventilation system of a vehicle, comprising at least one air temperature sensor and at least one humidity sensor and a control device configured to determine (14) a risk of fogging of at least one window of the vehicle based on measurements provided by the sensors, characterized in that the ventilation systems comprises means for changing (16) an orientation of at least one air guide element such that an airflow leaving at least one vent is directed towards the at least one window for which the risk of fogging has been determined, wherein the control device is configured to operate the means.
GB201400627A 2014-01-15 2014-01-15 Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle and ventilation system Withdrawn GB2512702A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201400627A GB2512702A (en) 2014-01-15 2014-01-15 Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle and ventilation system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201400627A GB2512702A (en) 2014-01-15 2014-01-15 Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle and ventilation system

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GB201400627D0 GB201400627D0 (en) 2014-03-05
GB2512702A true GB2512702A (en) 2014-10-08

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GB201400627A Withdrawn GB2512702A (en) 2014-01-15 2014-01-15 Method for operating a ventilation system of a vehicle and ventilation system

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1366936A1 (en) * 2002-05-29 2003-12-03 C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni Device and method for automatically preventing misting of the windscreen of a vehicle
US20060000597A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 Honda Motor Co., Ltd System and method for vehicle defogging condition calculation and control
US20080168785A1 (en) * 2005-12-20 2008-07-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Air Conditioning System and Method For Avoiding Condensation of Humidity on Vehicle Windows
US20080173437A1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fog detection error protection for window fog control
KR20080100567A (en) * 2007-05-14 2008-11-19 한라공조주식회사 Controller of air conditioning system for automotive vehicles
KR20120101936A (en) * 2011-03-07 2012-09-17 주식회사 두원공조 Control method of air conditioner for vehicle

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1366936A1 (en) * 2002-05-29 2003-12-03 C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni Device and method for automatically preventing misting of the windscreen of a vehicle
US20060000597A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 Honda Motor Co., Ltd System and method for vehicle defogging condition calculation and control
US20080168785A1 (en) * 2005-12-20 2008-07-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Air Conditioning System and Method For Avoiding Condensation of Humidity on Vehicle Windows
US20080173437A1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fog detection error protection for window fog control
KR20080100567A (en) * 2007-05-14 2008-11-19 한라공조주식회사 Controller of air conditioning system for automotive vehicles
KR20120101936A (en) * 2011-03-07 2012-09-17 주식회사 두원공조 Control method of air conditioner for vehicle

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