A system and method for controlling air conditioning and ISG systems for a vehicle are provided. The system includes a heater controller that detects a defrost mode selection signal or an A/C blower operation signal and transmits the signal to a cluster controller. The cluster controller then transmits the defrost mode selection signal or the A/C blower operation signal to an engine ECU. The engine ECU determines ISG entry prevention or ISG release after ISG entry in response to receiving the defrost mode selection signal or the A/C blower operation signal from the cluster controller.

An idle control system for a vehicle is provided.

A method for heating the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle, including the following steps: pre-heating at least one part of the passenger compartment by at least one electric heater when the vehicle is connected to an external energy source, and heating the at least one part of the passenger compartment by a combustion heater when the vehicle is in use.

Also provided is a system implementing such a method and an electric vehicle, in particular of the electric bus type, utilizing such a method or such a system.

A heater unit emits radiation heat caused by heat generated with a heat generation unit when energized. The heater device includes a contact detection unit having a contact detection region overlying the heater unit to detect a contact by an object on the contact detection region. The heater device includes a determination unit to determine, when a contact by the object on the contact detection region is detected by the contact detection unit, whether the contact is for a predetermined switching operation. A control unit stops energization of the heat generation unit when the determination unit determines that the contact is not for the predetermined switching operation. The control unit switches between a start and a stop of energization of the heat generation unit when the determination unit determines that the contact is for the switching operation.

A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

Systems and methods are provided for cooling and heating in a vehicle. A thermoelectric cooling system can include a heatsink in thermal communication with an exterior of a vehicle, thermoelectric cells within the vehicle mounted to the heatsink, and a power supply electrically connected to the one or more thermoelectric cells. In response to receiving power from the power supply, the thermoelectric cells produce a temperature difference to draw heat from the vehicle in to the heatsink. Cooling a vehicle cabin can include receiving a desired temperature and a current temperature of a vehicle cabin, determining a temperature difference between the desired temperature and the current temperature, and, based on determining the temperature difference indicates the desired temperature is lower than the current temperature, causing thermoelectric cells to receive power so the thermoelectric cells produce a temperature difference to draw heat from the vehicle cabin in to the heatsink.

A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

A vehicle includes a traction battery, a cabin, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a request to heat both the battery and the cabin, and a time to next planned usage of the vehicle exceeding a first threshold time, heat the battery and delay heating the cabin at least until the time to next planned usage is less than the first threshold time.