Enhanced vehicle window anti-fogging strategies

Abstract

This disclosure provides an enhanced vehicle window anti-fogging strategy. A method for defogging vehicle windows includes the steps of determining a risk of window fogging and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode based on the determined risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from the group consisting of: an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging based on one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller can automatically select the climate control system operating mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system operation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to strategies for activating the appropriate defog / defrost system based on determined conditions while maintaining appropriate comfort levels for vehicle occupants. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles include numerous systems and devices dedicated to maintaining passenger comfort. For example, modern automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are highly advanced and include a variety of manually and automatically operated features, all with the primary purpose of maintaining and enhancing passenger comfort. Some modern vehicles include automated passenger comfort-related systems that rely on sensor-driven coordination of vehicle heating and / or cooling system actuation based on various inputs such as ambient temperature, ambient humidity, passenger compartment temperature, passenger compartment humidity, sunlight levels, and the like.

[0003] Certain other vehicle systems are often designed without passenger comfort in mind. For example, various systems and strategies are known in the automotive industry for preventing or eliminating fogging / frosting on vehicle windows. Some of these systems are designed to predict and therefore prevent fogging / frosting, such as by using algorithms to determine the risk of window fogging / frosting and activating one or more window defogger / defrost systems. Typically, these systems / strategies rely on simply directing appropriately heated and / or dehumidified airflow toward the windows to prevent or clear fogging / frosting. While effective for their intended purpose, these conventional systems and strategies focus on window defoggering without any consideration for passenger comfort, as defogging the windows is prioritized to provide an unobstructed view of the road. As an example, manual or automatic activation of a window defogger system can direct a jet of dehumidified and / or heated air toward the windows, effectively clearing any fog or frost from the windows. However, because the dehumidified and / or heated airflow is generated regardless of ambient temperature / humidity, passenger compartment temperature / humidity, etc., passenger compartment occupant comfort may be negatively impacted.

[0004] To address this and other issues, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for vehicle window defogging that select a vehicle climate control system defogging strategy based on determined conditions and / or gradually apply various vehicle climate control system defogging strategies and systems based on determined conditions and / or changes in conditions. The systems and methods rely on various vehicle sensors and user-implemented input to determine the risk of window fogging resulting from specific conditions. Through this gradual application of strategies / systems, the necessary level of vehicle window defogging is applied while maintaining the comfort of vehicle occupants as much as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for defogging windows of a vehicle is provided, the method comprising determining a risk of window fogging and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode based on the determined risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from the group consisting of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. The risk of window fogging is determined by a controller based on one or more inputs. The climate control system operating mode can be automatically selected by the same or a different controller. A controller including one or more processors and / or different controllers can be associated with a vehicle climate control module (CCM).

[0006] In one possible embodiment, the controller or a different controller selects one of the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode based on a determined risk of window fogging. If necessary based on the determined risk of window fogging, the controller or the different controller may increase the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by the selected one of the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode. In another possible embodiment, the controller or the different controller sequentially activates the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging. The controller or the different controller may implement the following intermediate step: increasing the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0007] In an embodiment, the inputs with the aid of which the controller determines the risk of window fogging may be provided by the group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor, respectively.

[0008] In another aspect, a method for defogging windows of a vehicle is provided, the method comprising providing one or more inputs to a processor included in a climate control module (CCM) of the vehicle. A risk of window fogging is determined by the processor based on the one or more inputs. Based on the determined risk of window fogging, the same or a different processor automatically selects a climate control system operating mode from the group consisting of: outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode.

[0009] In an embodiment, the processor or a different processor may directly select one of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging, or may sequentially activate the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode. An intermediate step may be provided in which the processor or a different processor implements increasing the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode. Input may be provided to the processor by a sensor group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a vehicle window defogger system is provided that includes one or more processors included in a vehicle climate control module (CCM) and configured to determine a risk of window fogging based on one or more received inputs. The system also includes one or more sensors adapted to transmit the one or more inputs to the one or more processors, and a climate control system operably connected to the one or more processors. The one or more processors are further configured to actuate the climate control system in one or more of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0011] In an embodiment, the one or more processors are configured to directly select one of the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more processors are configured to actuate the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode sequentially based on the determined risk of window fogging. The one or more processors may also be configured to increase the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided in one or more of the outside air mode, air conditioning mode, and defrost mode before advancing to the next climate control system window defogger system operating mode. In an embodiment, the one or more sensors are selected from the group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-associated external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor.

[0012] In the following description, embodiments of the disclosed vehicle window defogging method and system are shown and described. As will be appreciated, the system / method is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the system and method as set forth and described in the appended claims. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosed vehicle window defogging method and system and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 schematically depicts a method for operating a window defogging system according to the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 Shown includes for implementation Figure 1 Method for a window defogging system for a vehicle;

[0016] Figure 3 Shown for implementation Figure 1 Methods for various operating modes of a vehicle HVAC system;

[0017] Figure 4 A system for determining the probability of a window fogging is shown in schematic form; and

[0018] Figure 5 Shown Figure 4 A representative lookup table array for a system.

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed vehicle window defogging method and system, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure relates to a method for systematically responding to the risk of window fogging by gradually increasing the response provided by a window defogging system, and to a vehicle system configured to implement the method. Figure 1 As shown schematically at a medium to high level, a method 100 for operating a vehicle window defogging system contemplates a vehicle window defogging system that responds to a determined risk of window fogging by activating a vehicle climate control system outside air operating mode to direct outside air flow toward the inside of the windows (step 102) and increasing the rate of the outside air flow by increasing the climate control system blower speed (step 104). As will be understood, the term "outside air flow" refers to directing outside air, i.e., fresh / ambient air, from outside the vehicle to the vehicle passenger compartment by various known systems and devices.

[0021] The window defogging system then activates the air conditioning (AC) operating mode of the vehicle climate control system by engaging the vehicle AC compressor (step 106a) and lowering the AC evaporator temperature (step 106b). As will be appreciated, this results in dehumidification of the outside air flow initiated in steps 102 / 104. Finally, the window defogging system activates the defrost operating mode of the vehicle climate control system, engaging the defrost air distribution mode to direct the dehumidified outside air flow toward the inside of the windows (step 108), and increasing the rate at which the dehumidified outside air flow flows toward the inside of the windows by increasing the climate control system fan speed (step 110).

[0022] This process can be thought of as calculating an Enhanced Windshield Anti-Fog Strategy (EWAFS) airflow adder, which is applied on top of the existing HVAC settings that were previously automatically determined for passenger comfort. For example, if the HVAC setting is automatic, the calculated EWAFS airflow adder is added to the automatically determined climate control system fan speed. On the other hand, if the user has overridden the manual climate control system fan setting, the EWAF airflow adder is not included.

[0023] As will be appreciated, the vehicle window defogging system may proceed through each of the steps listed above, in sequence, each time the system is activated. However, in embodiments, the window defogging system may proceed through the listed steps only to the extent necessary to stabilize or reduce the risk of fogging, which, in one non-limiting example, may be interpreted by the system as a stabilization or reduction in humidity values. Thus, for example, if directing outside air flow toward the interior of the windows (step 102) and increasing the climate control system fan speed to increase the rate of outside air flow (step 104) sufficiently stabilizes or reduces the risk of fogging, the window defogging system will not proceed to step 106.

[0024] It should also be understood that the steps of increasing the climate control system fan speed (steps 104 and 110) may be limited based on fan and / or vehicle specifications. For example, current vehicle software may only allow a 2 volt increase in maximum fan speed in the event of an increased risk of fogging. Of course, the skilled person will understand that this value is calibrable and may vary based on vehicle make and model.

[0025] Figure 2Schematically, elements of a representative window defogger system suitable for implementing method 100 are shown. Vehicle 200 includes a climate control system, i.e., HVAC system 202. The elements of a vehicle HVAC system are well known in the art and do not need to be discussed extensively herein, but typically include at least an air conditioning (AC) system 204, which includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. Also included is a heating system 206, which includes at least one heater core. A blower 208 controls the airflow rate of heated, cooled, and / or outside air into the vehicle's passenger compartment 210. An airflow control door system 212 includes a series of doors / valves and actuators that control the airflow path of heated, cooled, and / or outside air flowing through various HVAC ducts (not shown) and into the passenger compartment 210 via one or more vents. The vents may include vents mounted on the instrument panel 214, such as defroster vents 216, which are oriented to direct airflow toward the inner surface of the windshield 218; vents 220 mounted on the instrument panel, which are oriented to direct airflow toward occupants of the passenger compartment 210; floor vents 221, etc.

[0026] The vehicle 200 may also include other systems designed to prevent or eliminate window fogging / frosting, such as a windshield wiper system 222 including wiper blades 223 and wiper motors 225. The vehicle 200 may also include a heated rear window (rear window) system 224. As is well known, the heated rear window system 224 may include a heat source 226, such as an embedded heating element embedded in the rear window material, an infrared heat source for heating the rear window, etc.

[0027] In one embodiment, controller 228 may be one or more processors 230 associated with a climate control module (CCM) 232, which is provided in operable communication with HVAC system 202. Controller 228 also communicates with an array of sensors, either by wired or wireless means, each of which is configured to transmit input received by controller 228. In one possible embodiment, the sensor array may include one or more of a windshield humidity sensor 234, an ambient (vehicle exterior) temperature sensor 236, and a passenger compartment temperature sensor 238. Of course, other sensors are contemplated, such as a vehicle occupancy sensor (not shown in this view, but as is known, this can be as simple as a seat-mounted pressure or capacitive switch or as complex as a proximity sensor, infrared sensor, camera system, etc.), a solar illumination sensor (not shown), and the like. One or more control panels or actuators 240 may be provided, allowing a user to control elements of HVAC system 202, windshield wiper system 222, heated rear window 224, and the like. The control panel or actuator 240 may also be in communication with the controller 228 , or with a different controller that in turn is in communication with the controller 228 .

[0028] Controller 228 may be provided with one or more inputs from the aforementioned sensors indicating environmental conditions that may contribute to window fogging, and the risk of window fogging may be determined based on those inputs. Many possible methods and associated algorithms for determining the risk of window fogging by controller 228 are known and are contemplated for use herein. For example, controller 228 / processor 230 may be configured to receive inputs from windshield humidity sensor 234 and compare those inputs to a threshold windshield relative humidity level predetermined to generate a risk of window fogging. Alternatively, controller 228 / processor 230 may receive inputs of multiple measured conditions, such as windshield relative humidity, ambient temperature, and passenger cabin temperature, provided by windshield humidity sensor 234, ambient temperature sensor 236, and passenger cabin temperature sensor 238, respectively. Controller 228 / processor 230 may then apply an appropriate window fogging risk algorithm to determine the risk of window fogging based on the measured conditions. In one possible embodiment, the fogging risk algorithm provided in U.S. Patent No. 6,155,061 to Ford Motor Company, entitled "Method of Determining Windshield Fogging Based on Inference from Presence of Rain," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, may be used. Of course, other fogging risk algorithms are known and are contemplated for use herein.

[0029] Alternatively or in addition, the risk of window fogging can be determined by automatically provided non-sensor input or based on actions taken by a vehicle occupant. For example, using the control panel 240 to activate the windshield wiper system 222 can be interpreted by the controller 228 / processor 230 as an indication of impending or actual window fogging. Similarly, activation of the heated windshield mode, which includes directing a heated air flow toward the inner surface of the windshield 218 via the defroster vents 216, can be interpreted by the controller 228 / processor 230 as an indication of impending or actual window fogging. Similarly, using the control panel 240 to activate the heated rear window system 224 can be interpreted by the controller 228 / processor 230 as an indication of impending or actual window fogging.

[0030] Once the controller 228 / processor 230 has determined the risk of window fogging, the above outlined and Figure 1 In one possible embodiment, it is contemplated that the vehicle 200 may be implemented at one or more of the various post-startup operational stages. Figure 1 Method. Figure 3 In the representative embodiment shown, Figure 2 Three operational phases of the HVAC system 202 are depicted. These phases include an evaporator purge phase 300, a cold engine lockout (CELO) phase 302, and an automatic mode determination phase 304. Phases 300, 302, 304 are shown along the x-axis, which illustrates a representative timeline for the phases 300, 302, 304.

[0031] During the evaporator purge phase 300, the HVAC system 202 is placed in floor mode 306 and the blower 208 is operated at an initial speed, which in the depicted embodiment is 4.2 volts. This phase is implemented for approximately 3 seconds.

[0032] Next, in CELO phase 302, the HVAC system 202 is placed in windshield mode 308, and the blower 208 operates at a CELO-limited rate of 4 volts. This phase may last for a predetermined period of time, such as 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, CELO phase 302 may continue until an appropriate temperature sensor determines that the engine coolant temperature has reached a predetermined threshold, such as 50°C. During this phase, if a user-initiated input 310 is detected, such as using control panel 240 to activate the windshield wiper system 222, activating the heated windshield mode as described above, or activating the heated rear window system 224 as described above, this input may be interpreted by controller 228 / processor 230 as an indication of impending or actual window fogging. Controller 228 / processor 230 then implements EWAFS airflow adder 312 as described above and increases the blower 208 speed as needed from the base 4 volts. As described above, skilled artisans will appreciate that the speed increase of the blower 208 may be limited based on blower and / or vehicle specifications. For example, in the event of an increased risk of fogging, current vehicle software may only allow the maximum fan speed to be increased by 2 volts. Of course, the skilled person will also understand that this value is calibrable and may vary depending on the vehicle make and model.

[0033] Once the CELO phase 302 terminates, the automatic mode determination phase 304 can be initiated. In this phase, it is assumed that the HVAC system 202 has been set to a desired comfort level, either automatically or through vehicle 200 occupant action. In the automatic mode determination phase 304, a mode determination process 314 is implemented to determine whether the EWAFS airflow adder 312 should be implemented. At step 316, the controller 228 / processor 230 determines whether a user-initiated input 310 is detected, such as using the control panel 240 to activate the windshield wiper system 222, activate the heated windshield mode as described above, or activate the heated rear window system 224, as an indication of impending or actual window fogging. If not, at step 318, the controller 228 / processor 230 determines, via input from the ambient temperature sensor 236, whether the ambient temperature is at or below a threshold temperature (5°C in one non-limiting example). If not, at step 320, the HVAC system 202 is placed in floor mode.

[0034] If the controller 228 / processor 230 determines that user-initiated input 310 has been received, then at step 322, the HVAC system 202 is placed in a calibratable mode for a predetermined period of time, e.g., two minutes, until the controller 228 / processor 230 receives an input indicating that the windshield wiper system 222, the heated windshield mode, or the heated rear window system 224 has been discontinued. The controller 228 / processor 230 then returns to step 318 to determine, using input from the ambient temperature sensor 236, whether the ambient temperature is at or below a threshold temperature. If so, the controller 228 / processor 230 determines the risk of window fogging at step 324. In one possible embodiment, the risk of window fogging can be determined by referencing a lookup table 326 of window fogging probabilities and HVAC system 202 modes. Alternatively, the determination can be made based on active calculations by the controller 228 / processor 230 via a suitable algorithm.

[0035] If a risk of window fogging is determined, the blower 208 is set to a speed / airflow rate 328 that includes a comfort-based calculation plus the EWAFS airflow adder 312 as described above. In this way, passenger comfort for the vehicle 200 is maintained to the extent possible while reducing or eliminating the risk of window fogging based on manual vehicle occupant input, determination of ambient conditions, or both.

[0036] Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, alternative systems / methods for calculating the risk of window fogging to implement the above-described systems and methods are possible and contemplated. In one such possible alternative embodiment, Figure 4 A system 400 for determining the probability of fogging on the interior surface of a windshield 218 or other interior glass is shown in schematic form. The system 400 relies on information from a windshield humidity sensor 234 (measured in %) and an ambient (vehicle exterior) temperature sensor 236 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) inputs from which controller 228 calculates an initial estimate of the probability of fogging. System 400 may optionally provide controller 228 with a calculation of the rate of change of humidity over time, calculated by proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller 402 using inputs from windshield humidity sensor 234 and ambient temperature sensor 236, as well as an internal or other timer 404.

[0037] The system 400 then uses various inputs so that the controller 228 calculates a modifier for the initial estimate of the probability of fogging. In one possible embodiment, the system 400 may be provided with inputs indicating the motor speed of the blower 208 (measured in voltage or %) and the airflow distribution mode of the HVAC system 202 (e.g., panel mode, floor mode, etc.), and the controller 228 calculates the airflow modifier for the initial estimate of the probability of fogging based on the inputs. The vehicle occupancy sensor 235 (see FIG. 2 ) may be provided with inputs indicating the motor speed of the blower 208 (measured in voltage or %) and the airflow distribution mode of the HVAC system 202 (e.g., panel mode, floor mode, etc.). Figure 2 ) to allow the controller to calculate the vehicle occupant modifier. The controller 228 can use inputs relative to the state of the windshield wiper system 222 (on / off / intermittent) to calculate the wiper modifier. The controller 228 can use inputs relative to the state of the heated rear window system 224 (on / off) to calculate the heated rear glass modifier. The controller 228 can use inputs relative to the state of the heated windshield 218 (on / off) to calculate the heated windshield modifier. As will be understood, the modifiers described represent (in percentage form, i.e., 0-100%) the relative contribution of each of the above-mentioned inputs / vehicle systems to the total probability of window fogging.

[0038] The controller 228 may of course calculate the fogging probability and modifiers in real time or near real time based on a suitable algorithm. Alternatively, the controller 228 may compare the above inputs with one or more stored lookup tables (see Figure 5 ), which may be stored by controller 228 or in another suitable storage device of another controller. In one possible embodiment, inputs from windshield humidity sensor 234 (measured in %) and ambient temperature sensor 236, and optionally the calculated rate of change of humidity over time, are compared to the stored values ​​of lookup table A to determine an initial probability of fogging. Subsequently, the blower 208 motor speed / HVAC system 202 airflow distribution pattern inputs, vehicle occupancy sensor 235 inputs, windshield wiper system 222 status inputs, heated windshield 218 status inputs, and heated rear window system 224 status inputs are compared to the same or different stored lookup tables B, C, D, E, and F to determine modifiers as described above. The modifiers are combined with the original estimate of the probability of fogging to improve it and provide an accurate fogging probability prediction 406 as a percentage (0-100%).

[0039] All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

[0040] According to the present invention, a method for defogging windows of a vehicle comprises determining a risk of window fogging; and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode from the group consisting of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by determining, by the controller, a risk of window fogging based on one or more inputs.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the invention also features automatic selection of a climate control system operating mode by the same or a different controller.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized in that one of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode is selected according to the determined risk of window fogging by the controller or different controllers.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by sequentially actuating, by the controller or different controllers, the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode according to the determined risk of window fogging.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by increasing, by the controller or different controllers, the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by the selected one of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by providing the following intermediate step: increasing the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging by the controller or different controllers.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized in that one or more inputs are provided to the controller by the group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor, respectively.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the invention also features providing a controller and / or different controllers including one or more processors associated with a vehicle climate control module (CCM).

[0049] According to the present invention, a method for defogging the windows of a vehicle includes providing one or more inputs to a processor included in a climate control module (CCM) of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, a risk of window fogging based on the one or more inputs; and automatically selecting, by the same or a different processor, a climate control system operating mode from the group consisting of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized in that one of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode is selected by the processor or different processors depending on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the invention is also characterized in that the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode are actuated sequentially by the processor or different processors according to the determined risk of fogging of the windows.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by providing the intermediate step of increasing, by the processor or a different processor, the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by providing the intermediate step of increasing, by the processor or a different processor, the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized in that one or more inputs are provided to the processor by a sensor group consisting of: a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor.

[0055] According to the present invention, a window defogger system for a vehicle is provided, comprising: one or more processors included in a vehicle climate control module (CCM) and configured to determine a risk of window fogging based on one or more received inputs; one or more sensors adapted to send one or more inputs to the one or more processors; and a climate control system operably connected to the one or more processors; wherein the one or more processors are further configured to actuate the climate control system in one or more of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the one or more processors are configured to select one of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode according to the determined risk of window fogging, or to activate the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode in sequence according to the determined risk of window fogging.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the one or more processors are further configured to increase the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided in one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode before advancing to the next climate control system window defog system operating mode.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the one or more sensors are selected from the group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor.

Claims

1. A method for defogging a window of a vehicle, comprising: determining, by a controller, a risk of window fogging based on one or more inputs; automatically selecting, by the same or a different controller, a climate control system operating mode from the group consisting of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on said determined risk of window fogging; increasing, by the controller, a climate control system fan speed based on the determined risk of window fogging to increase an airflow rate provided by the automatically selected climate control system operating mode; executing, by the controller, a cold engine lockout phase of vehicle HVAC system operation; receiving one or more user inputs provided by activating a windshield wiper system and / or activating a window heating mode during said cold engine lockout phase; interpreting, by the controller or a different controller, the one or more user inputs as an indication of impending or actual window fogging; as well as The controller increases the climate control system fan speed to increase the provided airflow rate in response to an indication of impending or actual window fogging.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: The controller or the different controller performs the following operations according to the determined risk of window fogging: The outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode are sequentially activated according to the determined risk of window fogging.

3. The method of claim 1 including providing the intermediate step of further increasing, by the controller or the different controller, a climate control system fan speed based on an indication of impending or actual window fogging to further increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising providing the one or more inputs to the controller via the group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor, respectively.

5. The method of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, comprising providing the controller and / or the different controller, the controller and / or the different controller comprising one or more processors associated with a vehicle climate control module (CCM).

6. A method for defogging a window of a vehicle, comprising: executing an automatic HVAC mode determination phase by a processor included in a vehicle climate control module (CCM); providing one or more inputs to the processor; determining, by the processor, a risk of window fogging based on the one or more inputs; automatically selecting, by the same or a different processor, a climate control system operating mode from the group consisting of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on said determined risk of window fogging; increasing, by the processor, a climate control system fan speed to increase an airflow rate provided by an automatically selected climate control system operating mode based on the determined risk of window fogging; executing, by the processor, a cold engine lockout phase of vehicle HVAC system operation; receiving one or more user inputs provided by activating a windshield wiper system and / or activating a window heating mode during said cold engine lockout phase; The one or more user inputs are interpreted, by the processor or a different processor, as an indication of impending or actual window fogging and based on the indication of impending or actual window fogging, the HVAC fan speed is increased to increase airflow to one or more vehicle windows.

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising: performing, by the processor or the different processor, the following operations according to the determined risk of window fogging: The outside air mode, the air-conditioning mode, and the defrost mode are sequentially actuated.

8. The method of claim 7 including providing the intermediate step of increasing, by the processor or the different processor, a climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode, and the defrost mode.

9. The method of any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising providing the one or more inputs to the processor via a sensor group consisting of: a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor.

10. A window defogging system for a vehicle, comprising: one or more processors included in a vehicle climate control module (CCM) and configured to determine a risk of window fogging based on one or more received inputs; one or more sensors adapted to send the one or more inputs to the one or more processors; as well as a climate control system operably connected to the one or more processors; Wherein the one or more processors are further configured to actuate the climate control system in one or more of an outside air mode, an air conditioning mode, and a defrost mode based on the determined risk of window fogging, and to increase the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided by the climate control system operating mode based on the determined risk of window fogging, to perform a cold engine lock phase of vehicle HVAC system operation, to receive one or more user inputs provided by actuating a windshield wiper system and / or actuating a window heating mode during the cold engine lock phase, to interpret the one or more user inputs as an indication of impending or actual window fogging, and to increase the climate control system fan speed to increase the provided airflow rate based on the indication of impending or actual window fogging.

11. The window defogger system according to claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are configured to select one of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode according to the determined risk of window fogging, or to activate the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode in sequence according to the determined risk of window fogging.

12. A window defogger system according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to increase the climate control system fan speed to increase the airflow rate provided in one or more of the outside air mode, the air conditioning mode and the defrost mode before advancing to the next climate control system window defogger system operating mode.

13. The window defogging system according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from the group consisting of a windshield relative humidity sensor, a vehicle-related external ambient temperature sensor, a passenger compartment temperature sensor, a window wiper system mode sensor, and a window heated glass mode sensor.

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