CLIMATE SYSTEM IN A PASSENGER VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for activating a climate system of a vehicle includes monitoring an operational state of the vehicle. Said monitoring is performed by a system controller incorporated into the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is on when said operational state corresponds to a first state, wherein the vehicle is off when said operational state corresponds to a second state. When said operational state corresponds to said second state, the method further includes asking the driver via an output interface if extended drive of climate system is desired, monitoring reply from driver on an input interface, if confirmation of extended drive of climate system is registered on the input interface, setting a timer for extended drive of the climate system, activating climate system for the vehicle, and deactivating the climate system at the time specified by the timer.

Claims

1. A method for activating a climate system of a vehicle, the method comprising: monitoring an operational state of the vehicle, said monitoring is performed by a system controller incorporated into the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is on when said operational state corresponds to a first state, wherein the vehicle is off when said operational state corresponds to a second state, and wherein when said operational state corresponds to said second state, the method further comprises: asking the driver via an output interface if extended drive of climate system is desired; monitoring reply from driver on an input interface; if confirmation of extended drive of climate system is registered on the input interface, setting a timer for extended drive of the climate system; activating climate system for the vehicle; and if the driver gets back to the vehicle and starts the vehicle before time is up on the timer, deactivating the extended drive of the climate system so that the climate system goes back to normal operation, and otherwise deactivating the climate system at the time specified by the timer.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said output and input interface is a touch display.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring occupancy with at least one sensor connected to the system controller, the climate system comprising at least one fan powered by an electric motor for providing an air flow in a duct, at least one air nozzle connected to the air duct for each seat of the vehicle, and decreasing the flow of air to the non-occupied parts of the vehicle compared to when the vehicle is on.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring occupancy with at least one sensor connected to the system controller, the climate system comprising at least one fan powered by an electric motor for providing an air flow in a duct, at least one air nozzle connected to the air duct for each seat of the vehicle, and increasing the flow of air to occupied parts of the vehicle compared to when the vehicle is on.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring occupancy with at least one sensor connected to the system controller, the climate system comprising at least one fan powered by an electric motor for providing an air flow in a duct, at least one air nozzle connected to the air duct for each seat of the vehicle, and controlling the flow of air such that it is higher for the occupied parts of the vehicle than for the non-occupied parts of the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system controller is connected to a communication interface and the method further comprises monitoring input from the communication interface.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring the ambient temperature and the preset temperature for the climate system, and activating the recirculation when the difference between the ambient temperature and the preset temperature of the climate system is larger than 5 degrees Celsius.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising monitoring the temperature in the vehicle compartment and the preset temperature for the climate system, wherein the heater in the climate system is activated when the temperature in the vehicle compartment is lower than the preset temperature for the climate system.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising monitoring the temperature in the vehicle compartment and the preset temperature for the climate system, wherein the cooler in the climate system is activated when the temperature in the vehicle compartment is higher than the preset temperature for the climate system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle with a system for performing the method of the present disclosure, and

[0042] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the method according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0044] The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, this embodiment is provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 1, a climate system for a passenger vehicle 1 comprises one fan 2 powered by an electric motor 3 for providing an air flow in a duct and one air nozzle 4 connected to the air duct for each seat 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0046] The system further comprises one sensor 6 for determining what part of the vehicle 1 is occupied and connected to a system controller 7 connected to the fan 2 and arranged to control the air flow such that it is directed to the occupied parts of the vehicle 1.

[0047] As shown in the drawing, the output and input interfaces 8, 9 are combined in one touch display.

[0048] As an alternative the climate system comprises one fan for each air nozzle.

[0049] The sensor 6 could for instance be a camera. However, for some situations the use of a capacitive displacement sensor could be beneficial. For instance, if a passenger is sleeping, a camera detecting motions to identify an occupant of the vehicle, the sleeping passenger might not be detected.

[0050] In FIG. 2 a flow chart is shown. When the status of the vehicle is on 11, i.e. as long as the vehicle powertrain is on, the method of the present disclosure is on standby. When the status switches to off, the touch display shows 12 the question regarding extended drive of the climate system to the driver. The input from the driver is monitored 13 and if the driver does not want to have an extended drive of the climate system the system controller switches off 15. If extended drive is desired then the timer is started together with the climate system 14. After the specified amount of time in the timer is out or if the vehicle status is switched to on, the system controller switches off 15.

[0051] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is a sedan vehicle but climate system as disclosed could be utilized in any kind of passenger vehicle.