Vehicle system and method for controlling climate of cabin of vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle system (100) and a method for controlling the climate of a cabin of a vehicle in order to achieve a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving the vehicle (1). The system (100) includes processing circuitry (102a, 102b, 102c) configured to: determine a first temperature (TEMP1) of a weather outside the vehicle (1); determining a second temperature (TEMP2) of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle (1); and, in the event that it is determined that the first temperature (TEMP1) is lower than the second temperature (TEMP2), adjusting the vehicle cabin climate while approaching the destination location by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature (TEMP3) higher than the second temperature (TEMP2) to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature offset from the second temperature (TEMP2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle system, method, and computer program product for controlling the climate of a vehicle cabin. Background Art

[0002] Today, the climate in a vehicle can be controlled so that vehicle occupants can feel comfortable while riding in the vehicle. For example, a vehicle occupant can manually set a desired temperature, and then the temperature in the vehicle is adjusted accordingly. Then the climate in the vehicle is maintained at the desired temperature so that from one destination to another, the vehicle occupants can enjoy a comfortable ride. Sometimes, for example in winter, when entering the vehicle, the vehicle occupants may want the seats to be heated when entering the vehicle. Today, for example, if the vehicle occupants have cold hands when entering the vehicle, the steering wheel can also be heated, for example. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors have found that when leaving the vehicle at a destination, it is necessary to prepare the vehicle occupants for the external climate. Feeling comfortable while riding in a vehicle is one thing, while feeling comfortable when leaving the vehicle and entering the external climate (which is different from the climate inside the vehicle) is another.

[0004] According to a first aspect, there is provided a vehicle system for controlling the climate of a vehicle cabin so as to achieve a comfortable experience for the vehicle occupants when the vehicle occupants are leaving the vehicle. The system includes a processing circuit configured to: determine a first temperature of the external weather of the vehicle; determine a second temperature of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle; and in the case where it is determined that the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, while approaching a destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature higher than the second temperature to achieve a boosted vehicle cabin temperature having an offset from the second temperature; and in the case where it is determined that the first temperature is higher than the second temperature, while approaching a destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle to a fourth temperature lower than the second temperature to achieve a boosted vehicle cabin temperature having an offset from the second temperature.

[0005] The advantage of this first aspect is that the vehicle occupants benefit from being exposed to the boosted vehicle cabin temperature, so that the vehicle occupants are prepared to enter the climate of the external weather of the vehicle.

[0006] According to some embodiments, the processing circuit is further configured to: determine a destination location; and determine an estimated time to reach the destination location.

[0007] The advantage of this embodiment is that the system can be prepared to adjust the vehicle cabin climate according to the time to reach the destination location.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the processing circuit is further configured to: determine that the vehicle is approaching the destination location.

[0009] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle system can be prepared to adjust the vehicle cabin climate according to the state that the vehicle is approaching the destination location.

[0010] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle will reach the destination location within a predetermined period of time, during the predetermined period of time, while approaching the destination location, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted so that, after the predetermined period of time, when it is determined that the vehicle has reached the destination location, the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved.

[0011] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is still a predetermined period of time remaining until the destination location, the system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved just when the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0012] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle will reach the destination location within a predetermined period of time, during the predetermined period of time, while approaching the destination location, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted so that the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved at a certain point in time before the end of the predetermined period.

[0013] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is still a predetermined period of time remaining until the destination location, the system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved for a period of time before the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the predetermined period of time is set via user input through a user interface, or the predetermined period of time is determined by the system so that the desired enhanced vehicle cabin climate is achieved within the predetermined period of time.

[0015] The advantage of this embodiment is that the system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate at a desired time before arriving at the destination location, or the system itself determines when the system must start to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved before the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0016] According to some embodiments, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is initiated via user input through the user interface by a vehicle occupant at any time; and / or, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is terminated via user input through the user interface by a vehicle occupant at any time.

[0017] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle occupant can control when to adjust the vehicle cabin climate to achieve the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature and when to stop adjusting the vehicle cabin climate.

[0018] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for controlling the vehicle cabin climate to provide a comfortable experience for the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: determining a first temperature of the external weather of the vehicle; determining a second temperature of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle; and, in the case where it is determined that the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, while approaching a destination location, adjusting the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature higher than the second temperature to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature; and, in the case where it is determined that the first temperature is higher than the second temperature, while approaching a destination location, adjusting the vehicle cabin climate by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle to a fourth temperature lower than the second temperature to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature.

[0019] The advantage of this second aspect is that the vehicle occupant benefits from being exposed to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature, so that the vehicle occupant is prepared to enter the climate of the external weather of the vehicle.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of: determining a destination location; and determining an estimated time to reach the destination location.

[0021] The advantage of this embodiment is that the system can be prepared to adjust the vehicle cabin climate according to the time to reach the destination location.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the method further includes the step of: determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination location.

[0023] The advantage of this embodiment is that the system can be prepared to adjust the vehicle cabin climate according to the state that the vehicle is approaching the destination location.

[0024] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle will reach the destination location within a predetermined time period, while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that when it is determined that the vehicle 1 has reached the destination location within the predetermined time period, the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved.

[0025] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is still a predetermined time period left until the destination location, the system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved exactly when the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0026] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle will reach the destination position within a predetermined period of time, during the predetermined period of time, while approaching the destination position, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature at a certain point in time before the end of the predetermined period of time.

[0027] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is still a predetermined period of time left until the destination position, the system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature some time before the vehicle reaches the destination position.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the predetermined period of time is set via user input through a user interface or determined by the system so as to reach the desired enhanced vehicle cabin temperature within the predetermined period of time.

[0029] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate at a desired time before arriving at the destination position, or the system itself determines when it must start to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature before the vehicle reaches the destination position.

[0030] According to some embodiments, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is initiated via user input through a user interface by a vehicle occupant at any time; and / or, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is terminated via user input through a user interface by a vehicle occupant at any time.

[0031] The advantage of this embodiment is that a vehicle occupant can control when to adjust the vehicle cabin climate to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature and when to stop adjusting the vehicle cabin climate.

[0032] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having thereon a computer program including program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processing circuit and configured to cause the method to be executed when the computer program is run by the processing circuit.

[0033] The effects and features of the second and third aspects are largely similar to the relevant content of the first aspect described above. The embodiments described in connection with the first aspect are largely compatible with the second and third aspects.

[0034] The present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose, by way of illustration only, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand from the guidance of the specific embodiments that changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Accordingly, it should be understood that the disclosure herein is not limited to the specific components of the described devices or the steps of the described methods, as such devices and methods can vary. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to denote the presence of one or more elements. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include a number of devices and the like. Further, the words "comprising," "consisting of," "including," and similar expressions do not exclude other elements or steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The above and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following illustrative and non - limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 An example vehicle system for controlling the climate of a vehicle cabin to achieve a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is exiting the vehicle is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 2 An example route of the vehicle 1 traveling to a destination location is shown, and a starting point of a predetermined time period t1 before reaching the destination, and a specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period are shown.

[0039] Figure 3a A graph showing the regulation of the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature higher than a second temperature while approaching the destination location within a predetermined time period before reaching the destination is shown.

[0040] Figure 3b A graph showing the regulation of the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature higher than a second temperature within a predetermined time period before reaching the destination to reach an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature at a certain time point before the end of the predetermined time period is shown.

[0041] Figure 4 A flowchart showing the method steps according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 5A computer program product according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed implementation

[0043] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0044] Figure 1 An example vehicle system for controlling the climate of a vehicle cabin to achieve a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving the vehicle is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] A first aspect of the present disclosure shows an example vehicle system 100 for controlling the climate of a vehicle cabin to achieve a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving vehicle 1. In Figure 1 the illustration, vehicle 1 is a car seen from above, and vehicle 1 may be any vehicle with a cabin capable of controlling the climate of the vehicle cabin. In Figure 1 the illustration, the vehicle occupant has just left vehicle 1 and faces the weather with a first temperature TEMP1 outside the vehicle.

[0046] System 100 includes processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0047] According to some embodiments, processing circuit 102a is the processing circuit of an in-vehicle computer, as Figure 1 shown.

[0048] According to some embodiments, processing circuit 102b is included in an electronic device that can be connected to vehicle system 100 via a wireless communication network 50, as Figure 1 shown.

[0049] According to some embodiments, processing circuit 102c is included in a remote electronic device 80 that can be connected to vehicle system 100 via a wireless communication network 50, as Figure 1 shown.

[0050] According to some embodiments, vehicle system 100 further includes memories 101a, 101b, 101c configured to store data.

[0051] According to some embodiments, memory 101a is the memory of an in-vehicle computer, as Figure 1 shown.

[0052] According to some embodiments, memory 101b is included in an electronic device that can be connected to vehicle system 100 via a wireless communication network 50, as Figure 1 shown.

[0053] According to some embodiments, the memory 101c is included in a remote electronic device 80 that can be connected to the vehicle system 100 via a wireless communication network 50, as Figure 1 shown.

[0054] According to some embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication network 50 is a standardized wireless wide area network, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Extended GSM, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Narrowband-IoT, 5G, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), or similar networks.

[0055] According to some embodiments, the wireless communication network 50 is a standardized wireless local area network, such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth TM ), ZigBee, Ultra-Wideband, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or similar networks.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the wireless communication network 50 can also be a combination of a local area network and a wide area network.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the wireless communication network 50 is defined by the general Internet protocol.

[0058] The processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are configured to: determine a first temperature TEMP1 of the weather outside the vehicle; determine a second temperature TEMP2 of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle; and, in the case where it is determined that the first temperature TEMP1 is lower than the second temperature TEMP2, while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature TEMP3 higher than the second temperature TEMP2 to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature TEMP2; and, in the case where it is determined that the first temperature TEMP1 is higher than the second temperature TEMP2, while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle to a fourth temperature TEMP4 lower than the second temperature TEMP2 to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature TEMP2.

[0059] The advantage of this first aspect is that vehicle occupants benefit from being exposed to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature, so that the vehicle occupants are prepared for the climate of the weather outside the vehicle 1.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are configured to obtain historical data on the regulation of the vehicle cabin climate, and an artificial intelligence model (such as a neural network) determines how to regulate the vehicle cabin climate to an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature while approaching a destination location based on the first temperature TEMP1 and the historical data.

[0061] According to some embodiments, the processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are configured to obtain user preference settings on how to regulate the vehicle cabin temperature, and while approaching a destination location, regulate the vehicle cabin temperature to an enhanced vehicle cabin climate based on the first temperature TEMP1 and the user preference settings.

[0062] In one example, the effect of the achieved enhanced vehicle cabin climate can be compared to the "sauna effect" in winter for "warming up", meaning that if someone enters a sauna for a period of time just before entering cold weather, compared to not "warming up" through the sauna, the person will feel more comfortable in the outside cold weather.

[0063] In one example, the effect of the achieved enhanced vehicle cabin climate can be compared to the "cold bath effect" in summer for "cooling down", meaning that if someone enters a cold bath for a period of time just before entering hot weather, compared to not "cooling down" through the cold bath, the person will feel more comfortable in the outside hot weather.

[0064] According to some embodiments, the greater the difference between the first temperature TEMP1 of the external weather of vehicle 1 and the second temperature TEMP2 of the vehicle cabin climate inside vehicle 1, the greater the amount of regulation of the vehicle cabin climate.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the system 100 further includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system configured to regulate at least one of heating, cooling, and air conditioning of the vehicle cabin of vehicle 1. According to some embodiments, the processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are operatively connected to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the system 100 further includes a temperature sensor disposed outside vehicle 1 and configured to obtain temperature data to determine the first temperature TEMP1 of the external weather of vehicle 1.

[0067] According to some embodiments, the system 100 further includes a temperature sensor disposed inside vehicle 1 and configured to obtain temperature data to determine the second temperature TEMP2 of the vehicle cabin climate inside vehicle 1.

[0068] According to some embodiments, processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are operably connected to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system to regulate the vehicle cabin climate by raising or lowering the temperature inside the vehicle 1.

[0069] According to some embodiments, system 100 further includes at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and an infrared heater, which is configured to heat a vehicle occupant to achieve a warming effect on the vehicle occupant. According to some embodiments, processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are operably connected to at least one of a steering wheel heater, a seat heater, and an infrared heater to regulate the vehicle cabin climate by heating the vehicle occupant at or near the steering wheel, seat, and infrared heater.

[0070] The advantage of this embodiment is that by using any one of a steering wheel heater (e.g., to warm the hands of the vehicle occupant), a seat heater (e.g., to warm the back and legs of the vehicle occupant), and an infrared heater (e.g., to warm the face of the vehicle occupant) to warm the body surface of the vehicle occupant, the warming effect is faster than heating the air around the vehicle occupant.

[0071] According to some embodiments, system 100 further includes at least one of a steering wheel cooler and a seat cooler, which is configured to cool a vehicle occupant to achieve a cooling effect on the vehicle occupant. According to some embodiments, processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are operably connected to at least one of a steering wheel cooler and a seat cooler to regulate the vehicle cabin climate by cooling the vehicle occupant at or near the steering wheel and seat.

[0072] The advantage of this embodiment is that by using any one of a steering wheel cooler (e.g., to cool the hands of the vehicle occupant) and a seat cooler (e.g., to cool the back and legs of the vehicle occupant) to cool the body surface of the vehicle occupant, the cooling effect is faster than cooling the air around the vehicle occupant.

[0073] According to some embodiments, processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are further configured to determine a destination location and an estimated time to reach the destination location.

[0074] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle system can be ready to regulate the vehicle cabin climate according to the time to reach the destination location.

[0075] According to some embodiments, system 100 further includes a position sensor, which is configured to obtain positioning data to determine the geographical location of the vehicle 1.

[0076] According to some embodiments, system 100 is further configured to obtain temperature data from a remote server via a communication network 50 based on the geographical location of the vehicle 1.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the system 100 is further configured to obtain temperature data from a remote server via the communication network 50 based on the geographical location of the vehicle 1 to determine a first temperature TEMP1 of the weather outside the vehicle 1.

[0078] According to some embodiments, the system 100 is further configured to obtain temperature data from a remote server via the communication network 50 based on the geographical location of the destination location to determine a first temperature TEMP1 of the weather outside the vehicle 1 at the destination location.

[0079] According to some embodiments, the system 100 is further configured to obtain temperature data from a remote server via the communication network 50 based on the geographical location of the destination location to determine a first temperature TEMP1 of the weather outside the vehicle 1 at the destination location at an estimated time of arrival at the destination location.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the system 100 further includes a vehicle navigation information system operably connected to the processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c, which is configured to determine a route to the destination location and an estimated time of arrival at the destination location. According to some embodiments, the destination location is determined based on the position data obtained from the vehicle navigation information system.

[0081] Figure 2 An example route of the vehicle traveling to the destination location is shown.

[0082] According to some embodiments, the processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c are further configured to determine that the vehicle 1 is approaching the destination location.

[0083] The advantage of this embodiment is that the system 100 can be ready to adjust the vehicle cabin climate according to the state that the vehicle is approaching the destination location.

[0084] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle 1 is determined to arrive at the destination location within a predetermined time period t1, during the predetermined time period t1, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted while approaching the destination location so that after the predetermined time period t1, when it is determined that the vehicle 1 has arrived at the destination location, the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is reached.

[0085] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is a remaining predetermined time period to the destination location, the system 100 starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature exactly when the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination location.

[0086] Figure 2 An example route of the vehicle 1 traveling to the destination location is shown, and the starting point of the predetermined time period t1 before arriving at the destination is shown.

[0087] Figure 3a shows a graph of regulating the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle 1 to a third temperature TEMP3 higher than the second temperature TEMP2 while approaching the destination position within a predetermined time period t1 before reaching the destination. In Figure 3a the example graph, the vehicle cabin climate is slowly regulated at the start of the predetermined time t1 before reaching the destination and exponentially increased at the end of t1 (i.e., when approaching the destination) to reach an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature TEMP2 when it is determined that the vehicle 1 has reached the destination.

[0088] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle 1 reaches the destination position within the predetermined time period t1, the vehicle cabin climate is regulated during the predetermined time period t1 while approaching the destination position to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature at a certain time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1.

[0089] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is still a predetermined time period t1 left until the destination position, the system 100 starts regulating the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature for a period of time before the vehicle 1 finishes reaching the destination position.

[0090] Figure 2 shows an example route of the vehicle 1 traveling to the destination position, and shows the starting point of the predetermined time period t1 before reaching the destination, and a specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period.

[0091] According to some embodiments, the specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1 is defined by the remaining time before the end of the predetermined time period t1. According to some embodiments, the specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1 is a predefined time independent of the predetermined time period t1. In the example, the specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1 is always 3 minutes, so that the vehicle occupants are exposed to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature for at least 3 minutes before leaving the vehicle 1.

[0092] According to some embodiments, the specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1 is also defined by the estimated time period during which the vehicle occupants will be exposed to the first temperature TEMP1 of the weather outside the vehicle 1. In the example, in the case where the vehicle occupants are going to the office, the time period during which the vehicle occupants will be exposed to the first temperature TEMP1 can be estimated by the vehicle occupants, for example, 3 minutes. According to some embodiments, the estimated time period during which they will be exposed to the first temperature TEMP1 defines the specific time point tc.

[0093] According to some embodiments, an estimated time period during which a vehicle occupant is to be exposed to an outside-vehicle-1 weather at a first temperature TEMP1 is set via a user interface by a user input, or is determined by the system for the vehicle occupant to be exposed to the outside-vehicle-1 weather at the first temperature TEMP1.

[0094] According to some embodiments, a specific time point tc before the end of a predetermined time period t1 is defined by a predefined percentage of the remaining time before the end of the predetermined time period t1. In an example, the predetermined time period t1 is 15 minutes, and the specific time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1 is 3 minutes because it is 20% of the remaining time before the end of the predetermined time period t1.

[0095] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination location within a predetermined time period t1, during the predetermined time period t1, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted while approaching the destination location so as to reach an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature as soon as possible within the predetermined time period t1. In one example, the vehicle occupant desires to maximize the time of exposure to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature and maximizes the adjustment of the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature as soon as possible during the predetermined time period t1.

[0096] According to some embodiments, the predetermined time period t1 is set via a user input through the user interface, or the predetermined time period t1 is determined by the system so as to reach a desired enhanced vehicle cabin climate within the predetermined time period t1.

[0097] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle system starts adjusting the cabin climate at a desired time before arriving at the destination location, or the system itself determines when it must start adjusting the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature before the vehicle finishes arriving at the destination location.

[0098] In one example, the vehicle occupant desires to adjust the vehicle cabin climate only during the last 5 minutes of the ride and sets the predetermined time period t1 via the user interface.

[0099] According to some embodiments, the predetermined time period t1 is determined by the system by determining a temperature difference between a first temperature TEMP1 of the outside-vehicle-1 weather and a second temperature TEMP2 of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle 1. In an example, depending on the capacity of the HVAC control system of the vehicle 1, the temperature difference between the first temperature TEMP1 of the outside-vehicle-1 weather and the second temperature TEMP2 of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle 1 defines the predetermined time period t1 so as to reach a desired enhanced vehicle cabin climate within the predetermined time period t1.

[0100] According to some embodiments, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is initiated via a user interface by an input from a vehicle occupant at any time; and / or, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is terminated via a user interface by an input from a vehicle occupant at any time.

[0101] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle occupant can control when to adjust the vehicle cabin climate to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature and when to stop adjusting the vehicle cabin climate.

[0102] Figure 4 A flowchart showing the method steps according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0103] A second aspect of the present disclosure shows a method for controlling vehicle cabin climate to provide a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving vehicle 1. The method includes: Step S3: determining a first temperature TEMP1 of the vehicle external weather; Step S4: determining a second temperature TEMP2 of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle; and, in the case where it is determined that the first temperature TEMP1 is lower than the second temperature TEMP2, when approaching the destination location, adjusting the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside vehicle 1 to a third temperature TEMP3 higher than the second temperature TEMP2 to reach an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature TEMP2; and, in the case where it is determined that the first temperature TEMP1 is higher than the second temperature TEMP2, when approaching the destination location, adjusting the vehicle cabin climate by lowering the temperature inside vehicle 1 to a fourth temperature TEMP4 lower than the second temperature TEMP2 to reach an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature TEMP2.

[0104] The advantage of this second aspect is that the vehicle occupant benefits from being exposed to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature, so that the vehicle occupant is prepared to enter the climate of the vehicle external weather.

[0105] According to some embodiments, the method further includes: Step S1 of determining the destination location; and Step S2 of determining an estimated time to reach the destination location.

[0106] The advantage of this embodiment is that system 100 can be prepared to adjust the vehicle cabin climate according to the time of reaching the destination location.

[0107] According to some embodiments, the method further includes: Step S5 of determining that vehicle 1 is approaching the destination location.

[0108] The advantage of this embodiment is that the system 100 is capable of preparing to adjust the vehicle cabin climate based on the state that the vehicle is approaching the destination location.

[0109] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle 1 will reach the destination location within a predetermined time period t1, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted while approaching the destination location so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature at the predetermined time period t1 when it is determined that the vehicle 1 has reached the destination location.

[0110] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is a predetermined time period remaining until the destination location, the system 100 starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature exactly when the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0111] According to some embodiments, in the case where it is determined that the vehicle 1 will reach the destination location within a predetermined time period t1, during the predetermined time period t1, the vehicle cabin climate is adjusted while approaching the destination location so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature at a certain time point tc before the end of the predetermined time period t1.

[0112] The advantage of this embodiment is that when there is a predetermined time period remaining until the destination location, the system starts to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature some time before the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0113] According to some embodiments, the predetermined time period t1 is set via user input through the user interface or determined by the system so as to reach the desired enhanced vehicle cabin temperature within the predetermined time period t1.

[0114] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle system starts to adjust the cabin climate at a desired time before arriving at the destination location, or the system itself determines when the system should start to adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature before the vehicle reaches the destination location.

[0115] According to some embodiments, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is initiated via user input through the user interface by the vehicle occupants at any time; and / or, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is terminated via user input through the user interface by the vehicle occupants at any time.

[0116] The advantage of this embodiment is that the vehicle occupants can control when to adjust the vehicle cabin climate to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature and when to stop adjusting the vehicle cabin climate.

[0117] A third aspect of the present disclosure shows a computer program product for the second aspect, including a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program including program instructions, the computer program being loadable into processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c and configured to cause execution of the method when the computer program is run by the processing circuits 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0118] Those skilled in the art recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to the above preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art also recognize that modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and provide variations to the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed disclosure.

Claims

1. A vehicle system (100) for controlling the climate of a vehicle cabin to achieve a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving the vehicle (1), the system (100) comprising: Processing circuitry (102a, 102b, 102c), configured to: - Determine a first temperature (TEMP1) of the external weather of the vehicle (1); - Determine a second temperature (TEMP2) of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle (1); And In the case where it is determined that the first temperature (TEMP1) is lower than the second temperature (TEMP2), while approaching a destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature (TEMP3) higher than the second temperature (TEMP2) to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature (TEMP2); And in the case where it is determined that the first temperature (TEMP1) is higher than the second temperature (TEMP2), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle to a fourth temperature (TEMP4) lower than the second temperature (TEMP2) to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature (TEMP2).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The processing circuitry (102a, 102b, 102c) is further configured to: - Determine a destination location; and determine an estimated time to reach the destination location.

3. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The processing circuitry (102a, 102b, 102c) is further configured to: - Determine that the vehicle (1) is approaching the destination location.

4. The system (100) according to claim 3, wherein, In the case where it is determined that the vehicle (1) will reach the destination location within a predetermined time period (t1), during the predetermined time period (t1), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that after the predetermined time period (t1), when it is determined that the vehicle (1) reaches the destination location, the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved.

5. The system (100) according to claim 3, wherein, In the case where it is determined that the vehicle (1) will reach the destination location within a predetermined time period (t1), during the predetermined time period (t1), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate so that at a certain time point (tc) before the end of the predetermined time period (t1), the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is achieved.

6. The system according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein, The predetermined time period (t1) is set via user input through a user interface, or the predetermined time period (t1) is determined by the system so as to achieve the desired enhanced vehicle cabin climate within the predetermined time period (t1).

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is initiated via user input through the user interface by the vehicle occupant at any time; and / or, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is terminated via user input through the user interface by the vehicle occupant at any time.

8. A method for controlling the climate of a vehicle passenger compartment to achieve a comfortable experience for a vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is leaving the vehicle (1), wherein, The method includes: -(S3) Determine a first temperature (TEMP1) of the external weather of the vehicle (1); -(S4) Determine a second temperature (TEMP2) of the vehicle cabin climate inside the vehicle (1); and In the case where it is determined that the first temperature (TEMP1) is lower than the second temperature (TEMP2), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by raising the temperature inside the vehicle to a third temperature (TEMP3) higher than the second temperature (TEMP2) to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature (TEMP2); and in the case where it is determined that the first temperature (TEMP1) is higher than the second temperature (TEMP2), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate by lowering the temperature inside the vehicle to a fourth temperature (TEMP4) lower than the second temperature (TEMP2) to achieve an enhanced vehicle cabin temperature with an offset from the second temperature (TEMP2).

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: -(S1) Determine a destination location; and -(S2) Determine an estimated time to reach the destination location.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: -(S5) Determine that the vehicle (1) is approaching the destination location.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, In the case where it is determined that the vehicle (1) is determined to reach the destination location within a predetermined time period (t1), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature when it is determined that the vehicle (1) reaches the destination location at the predetermined time period (t1).

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, In the case where it is determined that the vehicle (1) reaches the destination location within a predetermined time period (t1), during the predetermined time period (t1), while approaching the destination location, adjust the vehicle cabin climate so as to reach the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature at a certain time point (tc) before the end of the predetermined time period (t1).

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 - 12, wherein, The predetermined time period (t1) is set via user input through a user interface, or the predetermined time period (t1) is determined by the system so as to achieve the desired enhanced vehicle cabin climate within the predetermined time period (t1).

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 - 13, wherein, Adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is initiated via user input through the vehicle occupants at any time through the user interface; and / or, adjusting the current vehicle cabin climate to the enhanced vehicle cabin temperature is terminated via user input through the vehicle occupants at any time through the user interface.

15. A computer program product (500) comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having thereon a computer program including program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processing circuit (102a, 102b, 102c) and configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 when the computer program is run by the processing circuit (102a, 102b, 102c).

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