Vehicle air conditioner and control method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of vehicle air conditioner, and particularly provides a vehicle air conditioner and a control method thereof, aiming at solving the problem that the existing vehicle air conditioner directly controls the operation of the vehicle air conditioner when the distance between the vehicle air conditioner and a mobile terminal is less than a preset distance, which is easy to cause energy waste. To this end, the vehicle air conditioner of the present application is an Internet of Things air conditioner, which is configured to obtain the positions of a user and a vehicle and the parking conditions of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle, and the control method comprises: obtaining the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculating the distance therebetween in the state that the vehicle is parked; obtaining the parking conditions of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle; and selectively starting the vehicle air conditioner according to the parking conditions of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the user is reduced to a first preset distance. Through such a configuration, the situation that the vehicle air conditioner is directly started when the distance between the vehicle and the user is reduced to the first preset distance, which is easy to cause energy waste, can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle air conditioning technology, specifically providing a vehicle air conditioner and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, private cars have become the main means of transportation for more and more families. These vehicles are equipped with in-car air conditioning to regulate the interior temperature and provide a comfortable driving environment. In daily use, users can only turn on the air conditioning after getting into the car, and it takes some time for the air conditioning to run before the interior temperature reaches a comfortable level.

[0003] To further enhance in-car comfort, the improved air conditioning system is equipped with a mobile terminal that can communicate with it. This mobile terminal has a positioning device, allowing the air conditioning controller to obtain the positions of both the mobile terminal and the air conditioning unit and calculate their distance. When the distance is less than a preset distance, the air conditioning system is activated, ensuring the interior temperature is comfortable when the user enters the vehicle. However, in daily use, other vehicles are often parked in front of and behind the vehicle. When the user arrives at their vehicle's location, they cannot move it. Typically, after contacting the owners of the vehicles in front and behind to move their cars, users will go to a nearby supermarket or dessert shop to buy drinks or snacks to pass the time. In such situations, directly activating the air conditioning system when the distance between the air conditioning unit and the mobile terminal is less than the preset distance would waste energy.

[0004] Therefore, a new technical solution is needed in this field to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, namely, the problem that directly controlling the operation of the vehicle air conditioner when the distance between the vehicle air conditioner and the mobile terminal is less than a preset distance is prone to energy waste.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a control method for an in-vehicle air conditioner, wherein the in-vehicle air conditioner is an Internet of Things (IoT) air conditioner, and the in-vehicle air conditioner is configured to acquire the positions of the user and the vehicle, as well as the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle. The control method includes the following steps: acquiring the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculating the distance between them when the vehicle is parked; acquiring the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle; and selectively activating the in-vehicle air conditioner according to the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the user is reduced to a first preset distance.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the step of "selectively activating the vehicle air conditioner according to the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle" specifically includes: if there are no parked vehicles in front of and / or behind the vehicle within a set distance, then the vehicle air conditioner is activated.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the step of "selectively activating the vehicle air conditioner according to the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle" specifically includes: if there are vehicles parked in front of and behind the vehicle within a set distance respectively, sending a vehicle relocation request to the owners of the vehicles in front and behind the vehicle; obtaining feedback information from the owners of the vehicles in front and behind the vehicle; and not activating the vehicle air conditioner if no feedback information is obtained from the owners of the vehicles in front and behind the vehicle.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the step of "selectively activating the vehicle air conditioner according to the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle" specifically includes: if feedback information from the owners of the vehicles in front and / or behind indicates that they will move their vehicles after a first duration, then the vehicle air conditioner is selectively activated immediately or activated with a delay according to the first duration.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the step of "selectively starting the vehicle air conditioner immediately or delaying the start of the vehicle air conditioner according to the first duration" specifically includes: if the first duration is longer than a preset duration, then the vehicle air conditioner is started after a second duration; wherein, the second duration is greater than or equal to the difference between the first duration and the preset duration.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the step of "selectively starting the vehicle air conditioner immediately or delaying the start of the vehicle air conditioner according to the first duration" specifically includes: if the first duration is not greater than the preset duration, then start the vehicle air conditioner immediately.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the step of "immediately starting the vehicle air conditioner" specifically includes: determining the operating power of the vehicle air conditioner based on the first duration, the vehicle's interior temperature, and the target temperature; starting the vehicle air conditioner and making it operate according to the operating power.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment of the above control method, the vehicle air conditioner has a fresh air system. The step of "starting the vehicle air conditioner" specifically includes: when the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than the outside temperature in summer, first control the fresh air system of the vehicle air conditioner to work; when the temperature inside the vehicle and the outside temperature reach the same level, then control the refrigerant circulation system of the vehicle air conditioner to run.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the above control method, after a second period of time has elapsed since "starting the vehicle air conditioner", the control method further includes: acquiring the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculating the distance between them; if the distance between the vehicle and the user is greater than a second preset distance, then turning off the vehicle air conditioner; wherein the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance.

[0015] When the above technical solution is adopted, the positions of the user and the vehicle are obtained and the distance between them is calculated when the vehicle is parked. The parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle is also obtained. When the distance between the vehicle and the user decreases to a first preset distance, the vehicle air conditioner is selectively activated based on the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle. This setting avoids the waste of energy that would occur if the vehicle air conditioner were activated directly when the distance between the vehicle and the user decreases to the first preset distance.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle air conditioner, the vehicle air conditioner comprising: a memory; a processor; and a computer program, the computer program being stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the vehicle air conditioner control method described in any of the above technical solutions.

[0017] It should be noted that the vehicle air conditioner has all the technical effects of the vehicle air conditioner control method described in any of the above technical solutions, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a detailed step diagram of the vehicle air conditioning control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a detailed step diagram of the vehicle air conditioning control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] First, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are merely for explaining the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention can be an integrated vehicle air conditioner or a split vehicle air conditioner.

[0022] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the term "precipitation" includes both rainfall and snowfall. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and it can also refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] Based on the issue mentioned in the background technology that directly controlling the operation of a vehicle air conditioner when the distance to a mobile terminal is less than a preset distance can easily lead to energy waste, this invention provides a vehicle air conditioner and its control method. The vehicle air conditioner is an IoT-based air conditioner, configured to acquire the locations of the user and vehicle, as well as the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle. The control method includes the following steps: when the vehicle is parked, acquiring the locations of the user and vehicle and calculating the distance between them; acquiring the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle; and selectively activating the vehicle air conditioner based on the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the user decreases to a first preset distance. This configuration avoids the energy waste that can occur when directly activating the vehicle air conditioner when the distance between the vehicle and the user decreases to the first preset distance.

[0025] The following is combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 The control method for vehicle air conditioning of the present invention will be introduced here. Among them, Figure 1 This is a detailed step diagram of the vehicle air conditioning control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a detailed step diagram of the vehicle air conditioning control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle air conditioner is an IoT-enabled air conditioner, equipped with a wireless communication module. This module can communicate with a smart mobile terminal to obtain the user's location via the terminal's positioning device. The smart mobile terminal can be a smartphone, smart bracelet, smartwatch, etc. Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioner's wireless communication module can also communicate with the vehicle's infotainment system to obtain the vehicle's location via the vehicle's positioning device and detect whether other vehicles are within a set distance in front of and behind the vehicle using sensors at the front and rear of the vehicle.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the control method for vehicle air conditioning mainly includes the following steps:

[0028] Step S100: With the vehicle parked, obtain the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculate the distance between them.

[0029] When the vehicle is parked, the vehicle's air conditioning system obtains the user's location through the positioning device of the user's smart mobile terminal and the vehicle's location through the vehicle's positioning device, and calculates the distance between the two based on the user's location and the vehicle's location.

[0030] Step S200: Obtain the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle.

[0031] The vehicle's air conditioning system uses sensors at the front and rear of the vehicle to detect the parking status of vehicles within a set distance in front of and behind the vehicle.

[0032] Step S300: Determine whether the distance between the vehicle and the user has been reduced to the first preset distance. If yes, proceed to step S400; otherwise, proceed to step S600.

[0033] For example, the first preset distance is 150 meters. When the distance between the user and the vehicle is reduced to 150 meters, step S400 is executed; otherwise, step S600 is executed.

[0034] Step S400: Determine whether there are vehicles parked in front and behind the vehicle within a set distance. If yes, proceed to step S600; otherwise, proceed to step S500.

[0035] Step S500: Start the vehicle air conditioner.

[0036] Step S600: Do not start the vehicle air conditioner.

[0037] In other words, when the vehicle is parked, the system acquires the vehicle's location and the user's location in real time, calculating the distance between the user and the vehicle. If the distance between the user and the vehicle is greater than a first preset distance, the vehicle's air conditioning will not be activated. When the distance between the user and the vehicle decreases to the first preset distance, the system checks if there are vehicles parked in front of and behind the vehicle within a set distance, respectively. If there are vehicles parked in front of and behind the vehicle within the set distances, the vehicle's air conditioning will not be activated. If there are no vehicles parked in front of and / or behind the vehicle, the vehicle's air conditioning will be activated.

[0038] This setup ensures a comfortable in-car environment while avoiding the waste of energy that could occur if the vehicle's air conditioning is activated directly when the distance between the vehicle and the user is reduced to the first preset distance.

[0039] It should be noted that the first preset distance of 150 meters is only an exemplary description. In actual applications, it can be adjusted to adapt to different application scenarios. For example, the first preset distance can be 130 meters, 180 meters, 200 meters, or other suitable distances.

[0040] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle air conditioner is an IoT-enabled air conditioner, equipped with a wireless communication module. This module can communicate with a smart mobile terminal to obtain the user's location via the terminal's positioning device. The smart mobile terminal can be a smartphone, smart bracelet, smartwatch, etc. Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioner's wireless communication module can also communicate with the vehicle's infotainment system to obtain the vehicle's location via the vehicle's positioning device and detect whether other vehicles are within a set distance in front of and behind the vehicle using sensors at the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle air conditioner's wireless communication module can also communicate with the wireless communication modules of the air conditioners in the preceding and following vehicles.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the control method for vehicle air conditioning includes the following steps:

[0042] Step S100: With the vehicle parked, obtain the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculate the distance between them.

[0043] When the vehicle is parked, the vehicle's air conditioning system obtains the user's location through the positioning device of the user's smart mobile terminal and the vehicle's location through the vehicle's positioning device, and calculates the distance between the two based on the user's location and the vehicle's location.

[0044] Step S200: Obtain the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle.

[0045] The vehicle's air conditioning system uses sensors at the front and rear of the vehicle to detect the parking status of vehicles within a set distance in front of and behind the vehicle.

[0046] Step S300: Determine whether the distance between the vehicle and the user has been reduced to the first preset distance. If yes, proceed to step S400; otherwise, proceed to step S600.

[0047] Step S400: Determine whether there are vehicles parked in front and behind the vehicle within a set distance. If yes, proceed to step S410; otherwise, proceed to step S500.

[0048] Step S410: Send a request to the owners of the vehicles in front and behind to move their vehicles.

[0049] The vehicle's air conditioning unit sends a vehicle relocation request to the wireless communication modules of the vehicles in front and behind via its wireless communication module. The wireless communication module of the air conditioning unit in the front vehicle sends the vehicle relocation request to the mobile smart terminal carried by its owner, and the wireless communication module of the air conditioning unit in the rear vehicle sends the vehicle relocation request to the mobile smart terminal carried by its owner.

[0050] Step S420: Obtain feedback information from the owners of the vehicles in front and behind. After step S420, there are two scenarios, corresponding to steps S431 and S432 respectively.

[0051] The vehicle's wireless communication module obtains feedback information from the drivers of the front and rear vehicles respectively from the wireless communication modules of the air conditioning systems of the front and rear vehicles.

[0052] Step S431: No feedback information was obtained from the owners of the vehicles in front and behind. After step S431, proceed to step S600.

[0053] Step S432: Obtain feedback from the owners of the vehicles in front and / or behind that they will move their vehicles after a first time interval. After step S432, proceed to step S440.

[0054] Step S440: Determine whether the first duration is greater than the preset duration. If yes, proceed to step S451; otherwise, proceed to step S452.

[0055] Step S451: After the second duration, start the vehicle air conditioner.

[0056] The second duration is greater than or equal to the difference between the first duration and the preset duration. For example, the second duration can be equal to the difference between the first duration and the preset duration, or it can be equal to the difference between the first duration and the preset duration plus half of the preset duration, or the difference between the first duration and the preset duration plus one-third of the preset duration, etc.

[0057] Step S452: Immediately turn on the vehicle's air conditioning.

[0058] Step S500: Start the vehicle air conditioner.

[0059] When the distance between the user and the vehicle decreases to a first preset distance, if there are other vehicles parked within a preset distance in front and behind the user, a vehicle relocation request is sent via wireless communication with the air conditioning modules of the two vehicles. If no feedback is received from the owners of the two vehicles, it cannot be determined when the vehicle can be moved, and therefore the air conditioning is not activated. If feedback is received from the owners of the two vehicles indicating that they will move the vehicle after a first set of time, the system checks if the first set of time exceeds a preset time. If the first set of time exceeds the preset time, the air conditioning is activated after a second set of time (i.e., delayed activation). If the first set of time does not exceed the preset time, the air conditioning is activated immediately.

[0060] This setting determines whether to activate the vehicle's air conditioning, and whether to activate it immediately or delay activation, based on whether the vehicle in front and behind can be moved and the waiting time for moving. By selectively activating the air conditioning immediately or delaying activation based on the waiting time for moving, the system pre-adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, ensuring a comfortable environment for the user upon entry and optimizing the user experience.

[0061] Preferably, in step S452 of the second embodiment, the step of "immediately starting the vehicle air conditioner" specifically includes:

[0062] The operating power of the vehicle air conditioner is determined based on the first duration, the vehicle's interior temperature, and the target temperature.

[0063] Turn on the vehicle's air conditioning and set it to operate at its maximum power.

[0064] With this setting, the vehicle's interior temperature will always reach the target temperature when the user gets in, regardless of the initial duration. This ensures the most comfortable temperature for the user upon entry while avoiding energy waste caused by the interior temperature reaching the optimal level prematurely, thus further optimizing the user experience.

[0065] Based on the above embodiments, preferably, the vehicle air conditioner has a fresh air system. The step of "starting the vehicle air conditioner" specifically includes:

[0066] In summer, when the temperature inside the vehicle is higher than the outside temperature, the fresh air system of the vehicle's air conditioning should be controlled first. Once the temperature inside the vehicle and the outside temperature are the same, the refrigerant circulation system of the vehicle's air conditioning should be controlled.

[0067] This setup further reduces energy consumption compared to simply controlling the refrigerant circulation system of the vehicle's air conditioning.

[0068] Based on the above embodiments, preferably, after a second period of time has elapsed since "starting the vehicle air conditioner", the method for controlling the vehicle air conditioner further includes:

[0069] Obtain the locations of the user and the vehicle and calculate the distance between them;

[0070] If the distance between the vehicle and the user is greater than the second preset distance, the vehicle's air conditioning will be turned off. The second preset distance is less than the first preset distance.

[0071] This setting prevents the car's air conditioning from starting prematurely and running continuously when the user goes to other locations near the vehicle (not to get into the car), thus avoiding wasting energy.

[0072] In the above embodiments, the vehicle's wireless communication module communicates with the vehicle's infotainment system to obtain the vehicle's location via the vehicle's positioning device. This is only one specific configuration and can be adjusted in practical applications. For example, a positioning device can be installed on the vehicle's air conditioner, which indirectly obtains the vehicle's location through this device. Alternatively, the vehicle's air conditioner's wireless communication module can also communicate with a cloud server. The cloud server communicates with the user's smart mobile terminal and the vehicle's infotainment system. The vehicle's air conditioner's wireless communication module indirectly obtains the user's and vehicle's locations through the cloud server and indirectly sends vehicle relocation requests to the owners of the preceding and following vehicles through the cloud server.

[0073] It should be noted that the step of "obtaining the parking status in front of and behind the vehicle" in the above embodiment can also be placed after the step of determining that the distance between the vehicle and the user has been reduced to a first preset distance.

[0074] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a vehicle air conditioner, which includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program. The computer program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the vehicle air conditioner control method in any of the above embodiments.

[0075] It should be noted that the memory in the above embodiments includes, but is not limited to, random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, serial memory, parallel memory, or registers, etc., and the processor includes, but is not limited to, CPLD / FPGA, DSP, ARM processor, MIPS processor, etc. Furthermore, the vehicle air conditioner can be an integrated vehicle air conditioner or a split-type vehicle air conditioner.

[0076] The technical solution of the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after such changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle air conditioner, characterized in that, The vehicle air conditioner is an IoT-enabled air conditioner, configured to acquire the location of the user and the vehicle, as well as the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle. The control method includes the following steps: While the vehicle is parked, obtain the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculate the distance between them; Obtain the parking status of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle; When the distance between the vehicle and the user is reduced to a first preset distance, the vehicle air conditioner is selectively activated according to the parking situation of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle. The step of "selectively activating the vehicle air conditioner based on the parking conditions of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle" specifically includes: If there are two parked vehicles within a set distance in front of and behind the vehicle, respectively, a request to move the vehicle is sent to the owners of the two vehicles. Obtain feedback information from the owners of the preceding and following vehicles; If no feedback information is received from the owners of the preceding and following vehicles, the vehicle air conditioning will not be activated. If feedback is received from the owners of the preceding and / or following vehicles indicating that they will move their vehicles after a first duration, the vehicle air conditioning system may be selectively activated immediately or activated with a delay, depending on the first duration.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of "selectively activating the vehicle air conditioner based on the parking conditions of vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle" specifically includes: If there are no parked vehicles in front of or behind the vehicle within a set distance in front of and / or behind the vehicle, the vehicle's air conditioning will be activated.

3. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of "selectively starting the vehicle air conditioner immediately or delaying the start of the vehicle air conditioner according to the first duration" specifically includes: If the first duration is longer than the preset duration, the vehicle air conditioner will be activated after the second duration. Wherein, the second duration is greater than or equal to the difference between the first duration and the preset duration.

4. The control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The step of "selectively starting the vehicle air conditioner immediately or delaying the start of the vehicle air conditioner according to the first duration" specifically includes: If the first duration is not greater than the preset duration, the vehicle air conditioner is started immediately.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The steps to "immediately start the vehicle's air conditioning" specifically include: The operating power of the vehicle air conditioner is determined based on the first duration, the vehicle's interior temperature, and the target temperature. Turn on the vehicle air conditioner and make it operate at the specified power.

6. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The vehicle air conditioning system has a fresh air system, and the steps for "starting the vehicle air conditioning system" specifically include: In summer, when the interior temperature of the vehicle is higher than the exterior temperature, the fresh air system of the vehicle air conditioner is controlled to operate first. When the interior temperature of the vehicle and the exterior temperature reach the same level, the refrigerant circulation system of the vehicle air conditioner is then controlled to operate.

7. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, After a second period of time has elapsed since "starting the vehicle air conditioner", the control method further includes: Obtain the positions of the user and the vehicle and calculate the distance between them; If the distance between the vehicle and the user is greater than the second preset distance, then the vehicle air conditioner is turned off; Wherein, the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance.

8. A vehicle air conditioner, characterized in that, include: Memory; processor; as well as A computer program, stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the vehicle air conditioning control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images