GB2562250A

GB2562250A - Vehicle climate system

Info

Publication number: GB2562250A
Application number: GB1707413.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simoes Mauro
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-11
Filing date: 2017-05-11
Publication date: 2018-11-14
Also published as: DE102018207316A1; GB2562250A8; GB201707413D0

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for controlling a climate system in a vehicle having at least two zones, wherein each zone has at least one outlet. A controller is configured to: instruct a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit to generate an air flow to be vented into the vehicle through at least one outlet of at least one zone; determine whether a first zone, which may be a passenger zone, is occupied; and if it is determined that the zone is unoccupied, cause the HVAC unit to inhibit air flow through the at least one outlet of the zone. If the vehicle is unoccupied, the controller may also adjust components, such as an evaporator or compressor, according to pre-determined maps, in order to adjust the heating or cooling of the air flow. Occupancy may be detected with seatbelt, pressure, infrared or door sensors, or a camera.

Description

VEHICLE CLIMATE SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle climate system. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to vehicle climate systems having zoned temperature control. Aspects of the invention relate to a method for controlling a vehicle climate system, to a vehicle climate system, and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Existing vehicle climate systems typically provide air flow that is distributed between different regions inside the vehicle. For example the of air can flow be distributed to a face region, a foot region and/or a screen region, typically by directing air flow from a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit between different outlets. The distribution of air flow can be based on a setting selected by a person in the vehicle (for example 100% of air flow to a screen region, or 80% of air flow to a foot region and 10% of air flow to a face region).

Some vehicle climate systems also facilitate zoned temperature control, by providing air flow having a different temperature to different zones in the vehicle. For example a vehicle may have a left zone and a right zone (for example corresponding to a zone occupied by a driver and a zone occupied by a passenger), or a front zone and a rear zone (for example corresponding to front and rear seats), or combinations thereof. Persons in each zone can provide a temperature setting for their zone via a suitable input, and in response the HVAC unit can be configured to provide air flow to each zone having a temperature corresponding to the respective temperature setting for that zone.

Improving the energy efficiency of vehicles is a key aim in the automotive sector. It is particularly important in the context of electric vehicles, in which it is desirable to minimise the energy consumed by the various systems in the vehicle to maximise the vehicle's range. Vehicle climate systems typically consume a non-negligible amount of electrical energy within a vehicle.

Accordingly it is desirable to reduce the power consumed by vehicle climate systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a method for controlling a vehicle climate system, a vehicle climate system, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a vehicle climate system in a vehicle having at least two zones, each zone having at least one outlet. The method comprises: generating an air flow to be vented into the vehicle through at least one outlet of at least one zone; determining whether a first zone (for example a passenger zone) is occupied; and if it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle climate system for a vehicle having at least two zones, each zone having at least one outlet, the vehicle climate system comprising: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit; and a controller configured to: instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to generate an airflow to be vented into the vehicle through at least one outlet of at least one zone; determine whether a first zone (for example a passenger zone) is occupied; and if it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, cause the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising at least two zones, each zone having at least one outlet, and the vehicle climate system of the previous aspect.

Advantageously, by inhibiting the air flow delivered to the first zone, the volume of air over time that the vehicle climate system has to heat or cool is reduced. Accordingly, the vehicle climate system consumes less power when heating or cooling air. Beneficially an aspect of the invention provides a compromise solution that ensures occupant comfort (air of a desired temperature is provided to a particular zone when the zone is occupied by a person), whilst reducing power consumption whenever possible (by inhibiting air flow to unoccupied zones).

In an embodiment, determining whether the first zone is occupied comprises at least one of receiving data from a seatbelt sensor associated with the first zone or receiving data from a door sensor associated with the first zone. Advantageously both seatbelt sensors and door sensors are typically employed in vehicles for different purposes - by using pre-existing sensors, the cost of implementing the an embodiment of the invention in vehicles is reduced. In an embodiment, determining whether the first zone is occupied comprises using received data from a door sensor to determine whether a door associated with the door sensor has been opened within a predetermined period of time.

In a further embodiment, determining whether the first zone is occupied comprises at least one of using a pressure sensor in a seat associated with the first zone, and an optical sensor such as a camera or infrared sensor. Beneficially use of such sensors further enhances the accuracy of the determination.

In a still further embodiment, when it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow is adjusted, for example by the controller, according to predetermined criteria. In some embodiments, adjusting according to predetermined criteria comprises modifying operation of one of more components (for example one or more of an evaporator, compressor, heating element, blower, and distribution means) in the vehicle climate system according to at least one predetermined map.

In another embodiment, one or more maps are chosen based on a determined total air flow generated by the vehicle climate system after the air flow has been inhibited from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more maps are chosen based on a user configurable temperature setting associated with a second zone (for example a driver zone or a passenger zone that is occupied).

In yet another embodiment, the adjusting comprises controlling an evaporator of the vehicle climate system according to a predetermined evaporator control map.

In yet another embodiment, the adjusting comprises changing a distribution of the air flow generated by the vehicle climate system between at least two of a face region, a foot region and a screen region, wherein changing the distribution is performed according to a predetermined distribution control map.

In yet another embodiment, the adjusting comprises changing a temperature of the air flow generated by the vehicle climate system, wherein changing the temperature is performed according to a predetermined temperature control map

Advantageously adjusting the amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow according to predetermined criteria (for example according to a predetermined map such as one of the predetermined maps mentioned above) ensures that the vehicle climate systems applies a suitable amount of heating or cooling to the reduced required air flow following inhibiting of the air flow to the first zone, thereby ensuring the vehicle climate system consumes less power.

In yet another embodiment causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone comprises actuating at least one vent associated with the at least one outlet of the first zone.

In yet another embodiment causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone comprises actuating a distribution door associated with the at least one outlet of the first zone.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top-down schematic of a vehicle having a plurality of zones, in which the present invention can be implemented in one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a side-view schematic of a portion of the vehicle of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a method for controlling a vehicle climate system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic of the vehicle of figure 1 in a scenario.

Figure 5 is a schematic of the vehicle of figure 1 in another scenario.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Figure 1 shows a schematic of a vehicle 100 having a plurality of zones 102, 104, 106 in which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented. Each zone 102, 104, 106 defines a portion of the interior (also referred to as the cabin) of the vehicle 100 that may be occupied by a person. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle has three zones 102, 104, 106, including a driver zone 102, and front passenger zone 104 and a rear passenger zone 106. Alternatively the vehicle 100 can have any zone configuration comprising at least two zones known in the art, such as: a single front zone and a single rear zone; a single left-hand zone and a single right-hand zone; a front left-hand zone, a front right-hand zone, a rear left-hand zone and a rear right-hand zone; etc.

The vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle climate system comprising a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit 108 configured to provide air flow to the interior of the vehicle 100, and a controller 109 coupled to the HVAC unit 108. The HVAC unit comprises components such as an evaporator, compressor, heating element, blower, and distribution means (configured to distribute air flow to different regions in the vehicle as discussed below). The controller 109 is configured to control the HVAC unit. The vehicle 100 also comprises an interior temperature sensor 110 to measure the temperature of the interior of the vehicle 100. The controller 109 determines the temperature of the air flow delivered to each zone 102, 104, 106 by the HVAC unit 108 based on the temperature measured by the interior temperature sensor 110 and a target temperature value associated with each zone 102, 104, 106. In some embodiments the target temperature for each zone is based on a user configurable temperature setting that is transmitted to the controller 109. Such user selection or setting of the temperature for a zone by a user is known.

Optionally the vehicle 100 comprises one or more further sensors selected from: an exterior temperature sensor 112 configured to measure the air temperature outside the vehicle 100; a solar sensor 114 configured to measure the thermal load provided by the sun in one or more of the zones 102, 104, 106 (for example a photodiode); an HVAC unit sensor 116 configured to measure the temperature of an evaporator of the HVAC unit 108, a current supplied to a compressor of the HVAC unit 108, a water temperature or a refrigerant temperature. In this case the further sensors are configured to transmit their measurements to the controller 109, which then calculates the target temperature value associated with each zone 102, 104, 106 based on: the output of one or more of the further sensors 112, 114, 116; and the user-selected temperature setting.

The vehicle 100 also comprises one or more zone occupancy sensors 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 configured to provide an indication of whether a zone 104, 106 is occupied.

In some embodiments the zone occupancy sensors are seatbelt sensors 120, 122, 124 configured to provide an indication that an associated seatbelt is fastened or unfastened, from which it can be inferred that a person is or is not present in the zone respectively. Alternatively the zone occupancy sensors are door sensors 134, 136, 138 configured to provide an indication that a door associated with a zone 104, 106 has been recently opened. Advantageously, vehicles typically comprise pre-existing seatbelt sensors 120, 122, 124 and door sensors 134, 136, 138 for other purposes. Thus by using pre-existing seatbelt sensors 120, 122, 124 or door sensors 134, 136, 138 to detect zone occupancy, no additional sensors need to be installed in vehicles for the purpose of performing the method described below, thereby reducing cost and allowing the invention to be easily retrofitted to existing vehicles.

Alternatively the zone occupancy sensors are either: pressure sensors 126, 128, 130 situated in seats associated in the respective zones 104, 106 (configured to measure the pressure exerted by a person on the seat when sitting on the seat); or one or more optical sensors 132 (for example a camera or infrared sensor) configured to detect the presence of a person in one or more of the zones 104, 106. Advantageously these options provide for more accurate determination of zone occupancy in the event that a person is present in a zone 104, 106 but has not fastened their seatbelt (for example if the vehicle is stationary) or recently opened a door. Optionally the zone occupancy sensors 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 comprise a combination of different types of sensor selected from seatbelt sensors 120, 122, 124, door sensors 134, 136, 138, pressure sensors 126, 128,130 and optical sensors 132.

The zone occupancy sensors 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 are communicatively coupled to the controller 109, and transmit signals indicating whether a person is present in each zone 104, 106 to the controller 109.

Figure 2 is a schematic showing a side-view of a portion of the vehicle 100 shown in figure 1. The vehicle 100 has a plurality of different regions 202, 204, 206, for example a foot region 202, a face region 204 and a screen region 206. The regions 202, 204, 206 extend between different zones 102, 104, 106. For example, the foot region 202 extends across the driver zone 102, front passenger zone 104 and rear passenger zone 106. Air is distributed to each region 202, 204, 206 from the HVAC unit 108 by means of one or more vents 201,203, 205. For example air is distributed from the HVAC unit 108 to the foot region 202 by means of one or more foot vents 201, to the face region 204 by means of one or more face vents 203 and to the screen region 206 by means of one or more screen vents 205. In order to change the air flow distribution, the controller 109 is configured to instruct the HVAC unit 108 to change the proportion of air flowing through the foot vents 201, face vents 203 and screen vents 205 respectively.

Figure 3 shows a method 300 for controlling a vehicle climate system in accordance with the invention. The method 300 is envisaged to be applied to the vehicle 100 described above in relation to figures 1 and 2, and in particular carried out by controller 109.

The method begins at step S302, at which the HVAC unit 108 is initialised. Such initialisation of the HVAC unit 108 may comprise instructing the HVAC unit 108 to generate an air flow that is to be vented into the vehicle through at least one outlet of at least one zone 104, 106.

In one example, generated air flow is vented into a passenger zone 104, 106 via outlets such as vents 201,203, 205 present in that zone 104, 106.

At step S304 it is determined whether a first zone is occupied. In one example the first zone is a passenger zone 104, 106, such as a front passenger zone 104 or a rear passenger zone 106. In some embodiments the determination involves receiving data from one or more seatbelt sensors 120, 122, 124 present in the first zone 104, 106. If the zone has a single seatbelt (such as a front passenger zone 104), then a single seat belt sensor 120 associated with the seatbelt is queried. If the zone has more than one seatbelt (such as a rear passenger zone 106 including more than one seat), then one or more seatbelt sensors 122, 124 may be queried. The seatbelt sensors 120, 122, 124 can send a signal to the controller 209 indicating whether the seatbelt associated with each seatbelt sensor 120, 122, 124, is fastened. For a first zone 104 having a single seatbelt, if the seatbelt sensor 120 indicates that the associated seatbelt is fastened, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 104 is occupied by a person; if the seatbelt sensor 120 indicates that the associated seatbelt is unfastened, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 104 is unoccupied. For a first zone 106 having more than one seatbelt, if at least one of the seatbelt sensors 122, 124 indicate that at least one of the associated seatbelts is fastened, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 106 is occupied by a person; if all the seatbelt sensors 122, 124 indicate that the associated seatbelts are unfastened, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 106 is unoccupied.

Alternatively, or in addition, the determination of whether the first zone 104, 106 is occupied in step S304, may involve receiving a signal from one of the other zone occupancy sensors 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 discussed above. For example the determination may be based on a signal sent to the controller 109 from a pressure sensor 126, 128, 130, wherein the signal indicates the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 126, 128, 130 - if the measured pressure exceeds a pre-determined threshold, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 104, 106 is occupied by a person; if the measured pressure does not exceed the pre-determined threshold, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 104, 106 is unoccupied. Similarly, as an alternative or in addition to the use of the pressure sensor, the determination may be based on a signal sent to the controller 109 from a door sensor 134, 136, 138, wherein the signal indicated whether an associated door for the first zone 104, 106 is open - if the signal indicates that a door in the first zone has been open within a predetermined period of time (for example since the last time the vehicle 100 was unlocked/switched on) the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 104, 106 is occupied by a person; if the signal indicates that the door has not been opened within the predetermined period of time, the controller 109 assumes that the first zone 104, 106 is unoccupied.

If it is determined that the first zone 104, 106 is occupied, then the method proceeds to step S306 in which the first zone 104, 106 are activated, and air flow may be delivered to the first zone 104, 106 by the HVAC unit 108 in a normal manner as known in the art. Optionally, if any outlets for the first zone 104, 106 have previously been closed (for example by performing step S310 described below), these outlets are opened in step S306 such that air flow can be delivered to the first zone 104, 106.

Optionally, after activating the first zone 104, 106, the method may proceed to step S307, in which one or more predetermined maps may be loaded for defining an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow when the first zone 104, 106 is active.

Conversely, if it is determined that the first zone 104, 106 is unoccupied at S304, then the method proceeds to step S308, in which case the first zone 104, 106 is deactivated, and the vehicle climate system may be configured to enter an energy saving mode. This involves the controller 109 causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through at least one outlet of the first zone 104, 106 in step S310. For example, the inhibiting of air flow from being vented through at least one outlet may involve actuating (for example closing, either partially or completely) at least one of the vents 201,203, 205 in the first zone 104, 106. Alternatively the inhibiting of air flow from being vented through at least one outlet may involve actuating (for example closing, either partially or completely) at least one distribution door within the HVAC unit 108, such that little or no air flow is directed to a vent 201,203, 205 of the first zone 104, 106.

Advantageously, by inhibiting the air flow being delivered to the first zone, the volume of air over time that the HVAC unit 108 has to heat or cool may be reduced. Accordingly, the HVAC unit 108 may consume less energy when heating or cooling air. An aspect of the invention provides a compromise solution that ensures occupant comfort (air of a desired temperature is provided to a particular zone when the zone is occupied by a person), whilst reducing power consumption whenever possible. In vehicles such as electric vehicles where the amount of power available is typically lower such energy savings are particularly beneficial.

Optionally, after inhibiting the air flow from being vented through at least one outlet of the first zone 104, 106, the method may proceed to step S312, in which an amount of airflow generated by the HVAC unit 108 and/or an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow is adjusted according to predetermined criteria, which are, in some embodiments, defined by one or more predetermined maps. For example, and as described in greater detail below, the operation of one or more components in the be vehicle climate system may be modified according to the predetermined maps to adjust the amount of airflow generated by the HVAC unit 108 and/or an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow.

The predetermined maps describe how the output of the HVAC unit 108 and operation of other aspects of the vehicle climate system should be modified in the event that air flow to the first zone is inhibited (and the required total air flow through the HVAC unit 108 is reduced). For example the maps describe how the output of the HVAC unit 108 and operation of other aspects of the vehicle climate system should be modified for the reduced air flow through the HVAC unit 108, wherein the reduced air flow is either measured (using a suitable measurement means known in the art), or it is estimated (for example based on results of testing the vehicle climate system under test conditions). In an example, one or more maps are chosen based on a determined total air flow (either measured of estimated) generated by the vehicle climate system after the air flow has been inhibited from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone. Application of the predetermined maps results in a reduction of the power consumed by the HVAC unit 108, since application of the maps results in the HVAC unit providing a suitable amount of heating or cooling to the reduced volume of air that is being delivered to the interior of the vehicle (the energy required to heat or cool a volume of air reduces as the volume decreases). As the volumes of air to be heated or cooled on inhibiting delivery of air flow to the first region will be different for different vehicles (depending for instance on the dimensions of air ducts within the vehicle, number of outlets, etc.), the predetermined maps are optionally based on empirical results for the particular vehicle 100 in question taken under test conditions. In other examples the predetermined maps are based on mathematical models of the vehicle climate system. In some embodiments the predetermined maps are based on a user configurable temperature setting associated with a second zone (for example a driver zone 102 and/or further passenger zone that is occupied) - for example, if it is determined that a passenger zone 104, 106 is unoccupied, and the air flow to that passenger zone 104, 106 is inhibited, the predetermined maps are chosen based on a user configurable temperature setting chosen by a person in the driver zone 102.

In some embodiments, the maps include an evaporator map, which describes how to modify the control of an evaporator present at the HVAC unit 108. For example the evaporator map describes how the amount of cooling applied to the air flow should be reduced in response to the volume of the air flow per unit time being reduced.

Optionally the maps comprise a compressor map which describes how to modify the control of a compressor present at the HVAC unit 108. For example the compressor map describes how to alter the circulation of refrigerant in the HVAC unit 108 in response to the volume of the required air flow per unit time being reduced.

Optionally the maps comprise a temperature control map which describes how to modify the temperature of a heating element present at the HVAC unit 108. For example the temperature control map describes how to reduce the temperature of the heating element and thereby reduce heating applied to the air flow in the HVAC unit 108 in response to the volume of the required air flow per unit time being reduced.

Optionally the maps comprise a blower map which describes how to modify the control of a blower present at the HVAC unit 108. For example the blower map describes how to reduce the air flow rate in response to the required volume of the air flow per unit time being reduced.

Optionally the maps comprise a distribution map which describes how to modify the distribution of air flow between regions 202, 204, 206 in the vehicle 100. For example the distribution map describes how to alter the distribution between foot 202, face 204 and screen 206 regions to optimise comfort for occupants in other zones in light of the reduced required air flow.

Optionally after performing steps S306 and S310 (and optional step S312), the method returns to step S304. In some embodiments the occupancy of the first zone is periodically or continuously monitored. Advantageously this allows the vehicle climate system to react quickly to any changes in occupancy of the first zone.

Whilst described above in relation to one zone 104, 106 in particular, the method 300 can be used in vehicles having two or more zones, wherein the method 300 is performed for each zone independently. In some examples it is assumed that the driver is present when the vehicle 100 is switched on and the vehicle climate system is active, and the method 300 is not performed for a driver's zone 102.

Figure 4 shows an example of the method 300 of figure 3 applied to the vehicle 100 of figures 1 and 2. The method 300 is applied for both a front passenger zone 104 and a rear passenger zone 106. In this example a person 402 is present in the front passenger zone 104, and no passenger is present in the rear passenger zone 106. It is detected that the front passenger zone 104 is occupied and the rear passenger zone 106 is unoccupied as described above in relation to step S304. A driver is either detected in the driver's zone 102 or it is assumed that a driver is present in the driver's zone as discussed above. Air flow is delivered to the driver's zone 102 via driver's zone vents 404, 406, and to the front passenger zone 104 via front passenger zone vents 408, 410 as per step S306. However rear passenger vents 412, 414, 416, 418 are closed (either partially or fully) to inhibit the air flow delivered to the rear passenger zone 106 as in step S308. By closing (at least partially) the rear passenger vents 412, 414, 416, 418 when the rear passenger zone 106 is unoccupied in this manner, the air flow through the HVAC unit 108 may be reduced, reducing the volume of air that needs to be heated or cooled, thus reducing power consumption by the HVAC unit 108. For the example illustrated in Figure 4, the operation of the components in the vehicle climate system may be modified according to the predetermined maps to adjust the amount of airflow generated by the HVAC unit 108 and/or an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow. The predetermined maps may be based on the driver zone 102 and front passenger zone 104 being active, and on user configurable temperature settings associated with the active zones 102, 104.

Figure 5 shows another example of the method 300 of figure 3 applied to the vehicle 100 of figures 1 and 2. The method 300 is applied for both a front passenger zone 104 and a rear passenger zone 106. In this example no person is present in the front passenger zone 104, and no passenger is present in the rear passenger zone 106. It is detected that the front passenger zone 104 and the rear passenger zone 106 are unoccupied as described above in relation to step S304. A driver is either detected in the driver's zone 102 or it is assumed that a driver is present in the driver's zone as discussed above. Air flow is delivered to the driver's zone 102 via driver's zone vents 404, 406. However the front and rear passenger vents 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 are closed (either partially or fully) to inhibit the air flow delivered to the front and rear passenger zones 104, 106 as in step S308. Thus the air flow through the HVAC unit 108 may be further reduced, further reducing the volume of air that needs to be heated or cooled, thus reducing power consumption by the HVAC unit 108. For the example illustrated in Figure 5, the operation of the components in the vehicle climate system may be modified according to the predetermined maps to adjust the amount of airflow generated by the HVAC unit 108 and/or an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow. The predetermined maps may be based on only the driver zone 102 being active, and on user configurable temperature settings associated with the driver zone 102.

The above embodiments are provided as examples only. Further aspects of the invention will be understood from the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle climate system in a vehicle having at least two zones, each zone having at least one outlet, the method comprising: generating an air flow to be vented into the vehicle through at least one outlet of at least one zone; determining whether a first zone is occupied; and if it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising: when it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied: adjusting, according to predetermined criteria, an amount of heating or cooling applied by the vehicle climate system to the air flow.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the adjusting according to predetermined criteria comprises modifying operation of one of more components in the vehicle climate system according to one or more predetermined maps.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more maps are chosen based on a determined total air flow generated by the vehicle climate system after the air flow has been inhibited from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the one or more maps are chosen based on a user configurable temperature setting associated with a second zone.

6. The method of any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the adjusting comprises controlling an evaporator of the vehicle climate system according to a predetermined evaporator control map.

7. The method of any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the adjusting comprises changing a distribution of the air flow generated by the vehicle climate system between two or more of a face region, a foot region and a screen region, wherein changing the distribution is performed according to a predetermined distribution control map.

8. The method of any of claims 3 to 7 wherein the adjusting comprises changing a temperature of the air flow generated by the vehicle climate system, wherein changing the temperature is performed according to a predetermined temperature control map.

9. The method of any preceding claim wherein determining whether the first zone is occupied comprises receiving data from a seatbelt sensor associated with the first zone.

10. The method of any preceding claim wherein determining whether the first zone is occupied comprises receiving data from a door sensor associated with the first zone.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising using the received data to determine whether a door associated with the door sensor has been opened within a predetermined period of time.

12. The method of any preceding claim wherein determining whether the first zone is occupied comprises using at least one of a pressure sensor in a seat associated with the first zone, a camera, and an infrared sensor.

13. The method of any preceding claim wherein causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone comprises actuating at least one vent associated with the at least one outlet of the first zone.

14. The method of any preceding claim wherein causing the vehicle climate system to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone comprises actuating a distribution door associated with the at least one outlet of the first zone.

15. A vehicle climate system for a vehicle having at least two zones, each zone having at least one outlet, the vehicle climate system comprising: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit; and a controller configured to: instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to generate an air flow to be vented into the vehicle through at least one outlet of at least one zone; determine whether a first zone is occupied; and if it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, cause the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

16. The vehicle climate system of claim 15 wherein, when it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, the controller is configured to: instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to adjust, according to predetermined criteria, an amount of heating or cooling applied by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to the air flow.

17. The vehicle climate system of claim 16 wherein the controller is configured to adjust an amount of heating or cooling applied by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to the air flow by modifying operation of one of more components in the vehicle climate system according to one or more predetermined maps.

18. The vehicle climate system of claim 17 wherein the controller is configured to select the one or more maps based on a determined total air flow generated by the vehicle climate system after the air flow has been inhibited from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

19. The vehicle climate system of any of claims 17 to 18 wherein the controller is configured to select the one or more maps based on a user configurable temperature setting associated with a second zone.

20. The vehicle climate system of any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit comprises an evaporator; wherein the controller is configured to instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to adjust the amount of heating or cooling by controlling the evaporator according to a predetermined evaporator control map.

21. The vehicle climate system of any of claims 17 to 20 wherein the controller is configured to instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to adjust the amount of heating or cooling by changing a distribution of the air flow generated by the vehicle climate system between two or more of a face region, a foot region and a screen region, wherein changing the distribution is performed according to a predetermined distribution control map.

22. The vehicle climate system of any of claims 17 to 21 wherein the controller is configured to instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to adjust the amount of heating or cooling by changing a temperature of the air flow generated by the vehicle climate system, wherein changing the temperature is performed according to a predetermined temperature control map.

23. The vehicle climate system of any of claims 15 to 22 wherein, when it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, the controller is configured to instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to actuate at least one vent associated with the at least one outlet of the first zone so as to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

24. The vehicle climate system of any of claims 15 to 23 wherein, when it is determined that the first zone is unoccupied, the controller is configured to instruct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit to actuate a distribution door associated with the at least one outlet of the first zone so as to inhibit the air flow from being vented through the at least one outlet of the first zone.

25. A vehicle comprising: at least two zones, each zone having at least one outlet; and the vehicle climate system of any of claims 15 to 24.

26. The vehicle of claim 25 comprising a sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of whether the first zone is occupied, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the first zone is occupied based on the signal.

27. The vehicle of claim 26 wherein the sensor comprises a seatbelt sensor associated with the first zone.

28. The vehicle of claim 26 or claim 27 wherein the sensor comprises a door sensor associated with the first zone.

29. The vehicle of claim 28 wherein the door sensor is configured to provide data to the controller, and the controller is configured use the data to determine whether a door associated with the door sensor has been opened within a predetermined period of time.

30. The vehicle of any of claims 26 to 29 wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor in a seat associated with the first zone, a camera, and an infrared sensor.