Air conditioning control system for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning control system for a vehicle, comprising an air conditioning system and an air conditioning operation module integrated in a display panel (110) of a center console (100) for the vehicle, characterized in that the air conditioning control system further comprises an air conditioning physical switch (200) independent of the air conditioning operation module, the air conditioning physical switch (200) is electrically connected with the air conditioning system and can directly control the opening and closing of the air conditioning system when the display panel (110) cannot normally display. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle. It can ensure that the user can still quickly turn on the air conditioning system when the display panel fails, reducing the temperature in the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an air conditioning control system for a vehicle and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of intelligent cockpit technology, integrated display panels for vehicle center consoles have become the core carrier of human-machine interaction. They not only undertake functions such as navigation and multimedia control, but also integrate the air conditioning control module in the form of a touch switch, thereby realizing the integrated and simplified design of the vehicle interior.

[0003] However, this type of integrated display panel used in vehicle center consoles has problems in practical applications. For example, when a vehicle is exposed to high temperatures for a long time in summer, the surface temperature of the integrated display panel used in the center console can quickly rise to over 60°C, far exceeding the normal operating temperature range of electronic components such as LCD screens and touch chips (usually -20°C to 50°C). This can lead to a "black screen" malfunction, making it impossible to display or operate normally.

[0004] Even more problematic is the fact that, due to the deep integration of the air conditioning switch and the display panel, when the display panel malfunctions and goes black due to high temperatures, users cannot activate the air conditioning system via the usual touch controls. In this situation, users are forced to drive to a cooler location, such as an underground parking lot or a shady area, while enduring the unbearable heat inside the vehicle, and wait for the display panel to return to normal operation before they can restart the air conditioning system to regulate the interior temperature. This process not only significantly reduces driving comfort but also substantially increases driving risks and user time costs.

[0005] Moreover, this vicious cycle can cause the interior temperature to rise continuously, not only further exacerbating the risk of high-temperature damage to the display panel, but also potentially triggering secondary safety issues such as thermal runaway of the power battery and the release of harmful gases from interior materials, thus seriously affecting the driving experience and vehicle safety. Although existing technologies include solutions to reduce the interior temperature through heat insulation films and sunshades, these measures cannot fundamentally solve the technical bottleneck of air conditioning control failure after the display panel fails due to high temperatures. Therefore, an innovative technical solution is urgently needed that can effectively solve the problems of display panel blackout and air conditioning control failure under high-temperature conditions. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of this, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an air conditioning control system for a vehicle and a corresponding vehicle, which can solve the technical dilemma of the air conditioning system becoming inoperable due to a black screen failure caused by high temperature environment when the display panel of the center console of the existing vehicle integrates air conditioning control functions.

[0007] According to a first aspect, this disclosure provides an air conditioning control system for a vehicle, including an air conditioning system and an air conditioning operation module. The air conditioning operation module is integrated into a display panel of the center console of the vehicle. The air conditioning control system further includes an air conditioning physical switch independent of the air conditioning operation module. The air conditioning physical switch is electrically connected to the air conditioning system and can directly control the opening and closing of the air conditioning system when the display panel cannot display normally.

[0008] Therefore, in the air conditioning control system for vehicles according to this disclosure, by adding a physical air conditioning switch, a redundant control channel can be provided when the display panel fails, for example, due to high temperature, to ensure that the air conditioning system can still be forcibly started, thereby preventing the vicious cycle of "high temperature - black screen - inability to cool down - continuous high temperature". This not only increases driving comfort and reduces driving risks and user time costs, but also improves vehicle safety.

[0009] In some embodiments, the physical air conditioning switch is located on the physical control panel of the center console, on the edge area of ​​the display panel, on the steering wheel, or on the door trim panel. This allows the driver to easily operate the added physical air conditioning switch while fully considering ergonomics.

[0010] In some embodiments, the air conditioning physical switch is a mechanical button or knob that directly controls the power supply circuit of the air conditioning compressor or blower of the air conditioning system via a cable connection. Therefore, the air conditioning physical switch can bypass the signal processing layers of the display panel and ECU to directly drive the air conditioning system, reducing its response time from, for example, 200ms to less than 10ms, thus enabling faster vehicle cooling. Therefore, even if the vehicle's CAN bus communication is interrupted or the display panel malfunctions, the air conditioning physical switch can still start the air conditioning system through a physical conduction circuit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the physical switch for the air conditioner is a single-function emergency switch, which, upon triggering, directly controls the air conditioning system to operate at maximum output power. This enables a one-button triggering mechanism and provides emergency functionality with minimal overhead.

[0012] In some embodiments, the physical switch for the air conditioner includes a separate button group with an air conditioner on button and a fan speed adjustment button. This allows users to easily make basic adjustments or controls to the air conditioning system as needed.

[0013] In some embodiments, a ventilation structure is provided near or around the display panel. This ventilation structure includes at least one vent communicating with the air conditioning system's air outlet. The vent guides airflow from the air conditioning system to the display panel when the system is activated. Thus, by simply adding vents around the display panel, without requiring large-scale modifications to the vehicle's core circuitry or control system, the operating temperature of the display panel can be effectively reduced, minimizing the risk of electronic component aging and malfunctions due to high temperatures and extending the display panel's lifespan. This type of vent is adaptable to various vehicle types and can be combined with a physical air conditioning switch to form a dual guarantee of rapid cooling and emergency control, thereby further improving system reliability.

[0014] In some embodiments, the vent is equipped with adjustable airflow guide vanes. This allows for simple adjustment of the airflow direction, enabling more precise application of airflow to the center console display panel. Furthermore, since the airflow guide vanes can flexibly adjust the direction and flow of cool air, they can meet the needs of different usage scenarios, thereby providing users with a more comfortable and intelligent driving experience.

[0015] In some embodiments, the ventilation structure further includes a circulating airflow duct connected to the vent, the airflow duct being arranged downstream of the vent and on the back of the display panel along the airflow direction. This allows for more precise forced heat dissipation of specific areas of the display panel, thereby more effectively reducing the operating temperature of the display panel.

[0016] In some embodiments, a temperature sensor is provided at the vent, and the air conditioning control system can adjust the airflow from the air conditioning system based on the ambient temperature of the display panel detected by the temperature sensor. This allows for real-time monitoring of the display panel temperature and enables the activation of strong cooling (e.g., fully opening the air vents when the temperature exceeds 70°C) only when needed to reduce air conditioning energy consumption. Furthermore, intervention can be initiated before the display panel approaches its failure threshold to prevent screen blackouts.

[0017] In some embodiments, heat dissipation fins are provided on the back of the display panel, extending into the airflow path of the ventilation structure. This allows for faster heat dissipation from inside the display panel. Furthermore, the continuous heat conduction of these fins, combined with the forced convection of cold air from the air conditioning system, provides dual cooling protection.

[0018] In some embodiments, a telescopic structure capable of extending and retracting laterally along the display panel is provided on the back of the display panel, and the ventilation structure is arranged in the telescopic structure. When the air conditioning system is turned on, the telescopic structure extends laterally along the display panel to expose the ventilation opening, and when the air conditioning system is turned off, it retracts laterally along the back of the display panel to conceal the ventilation opening. This improves the vehicle's aesthetics and simplicity.

[0019] In some embodiments, the air conditioning physical switch is characterized by having an anti-accidental-touch structure that distinguishes it from other physical control switches in the vehicle. This improves the safety of using the air conditioning physical switch.

[0020] According to a second aspect, this disclosure provides a vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle includes a center console and an air conditioning control system as described below, wherein the air conditioning operation module of the air conditioning control system is integrated into the display panel of the center console.

[0021] The vehicle according to this disclosure also has the same advantages as the air conditioning control system for a vehicle according to this disclosure, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the center console area of ​​a vehicle having an air conditioning control system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the airflow duct of the ventilation structure of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of heat dissipation fins for a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0026] Figure 4A and 4B A schematic diagram of a telescopic structure for a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0028] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0029] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. The terms “between X and Y” and “between approximately X and Y” used in this specification should be interpreted as including both X and Y. The term “between approximately X and Y” used in this specification means “between approximately X and approximately Y,” and the term “from approximately X to Y” used in this specification means “from approximately X to approximately Y.”

[0031] In the specification, when an element is described as being "on," "attached," "connected," "coupled," or "in contact" with another element, the element can be directly located on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly" located on, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with another element, no intermediate elements are present. In the specification, the description of a feature being arranged "adjacent" to another feature can mean that a feature has a portion overlapping with the adjacent feature or a portion located above or below the adjacent feature.

[0032] In the specification, spatial relation terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "high," and "low" describe the relationship between one feature and another in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relation terms include not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also the different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawings is inverted, a feature previously described as "below" other features can now be described as "above" other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), in which case the relative spatial relationships will be explained accordingly.

[0033] As mentioned earlier, modern vehicles typically use integrated display panels to control the air conditioning system in their center consoles. While this design enhances the sense of technology and aesthetics, it has serious drawbacks in extreme high-temperature environments (such as vehicles exposed to direct sunlight in summer). Specifically, the LCD screen and internal circuitry may trigger overheat protection or component failure at high temperatures (>70°C), resulting in the display panel going black or the touchscreen malfunctioning. Since the air conditioning switch is integrated into the display panel, once the screen goes black, the user cannot start the air conditioning via touch, causing the interior temperature to continue to rise, creating a vicious cycle. In extreme high-temperature environments, if the air conditioning cannot be turned on in time, the interior temperature may rise sharply, affecting driving comfort and even causing heatstroke or permanent damage to electronic devices.

[0034] Based on the above understanding, this disclosure proposes an air conditioning control system for vehicles, which includes a physical air conditioning switch independent of the display panel, allowing users to quickly activate the air conditioning system to lower the interior temperature when the screen goes black due to high temperatures. Furthermore, to prevent insufficient heat dissipation inside the vehicle's center console, a targeted ventilation structure is installed around the display panel to quickly eliminate high temperatures.

[0035] The air conditioning control system for vehicles according to this disclosure can be used in any type of vehicle and is particularly suitable for vehicles with an integrated display panel on the center console.

[0036] For ease of explanation, the following description will take an example of an air conditioning control system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the center console area of ​​a vehicle having an air conditioning control system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The vehicle includes a center console 100. The center console 100 includes a display panel 110 and a physical control panel 120. The display panel 100 is configured as an integrated display panel, which can perform functions such as navigation and multimedia control, and in particular, can integrate an air conditioning operation module therein in the form of a touch switch.

[0038] The air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of this disclosure includes an air conditioning system and an air conditioning operation module. The air conditioning system can regulate the temperature, humidity, air circulation, and air quality of the vehicle interior to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers. Specifically, it can absorb heat from the vehicle interior and expel it outside through components such as a compressor, condenser, and evaporator, thereby lowering the interior temperature (especially in summer or high-temperature regions). The air conditioning operation module is integrated into a display panel 110 of the vehicle's center console 100. The air conditioning operation module can use the display panel 110 to input user operation commands and output system operating status. Here, the user can send commands to the air conditioning control system through the touch interface of the display panel (such as adjusting the temperature or switching modes), and the display panel can display air conditioning operating parameters (such as temperature and airflow), operating modes (such as recirculation), and fault information in real time, allowing the user to intuitively understand the system status.

[0039] The air conditioning control system also includes an air conditioning physical switch 200, which is independent of the air conditioning operation module. The air conditioning physical switch 200 is electrically connected to the air conditioning system and can directly control the opening and closing of the air conditioning system when the display panel 110 cannot display normally.

[0040] Therefore, in the air conditioning control system according to embodiments of this disclosure, the air conditioning physical switch 200 functions as an emergency switch. By providing an air conditioning physical switch 200 independent of the display panel 110, it is ensured that even if the display panel fails, the user can still quickly activate the air conditioning system to lower the interior temperature. This independent air conditioning physical switch 200 breaks the dependence of air conditioning control on the display panel 110. When the display panel 110 goes black due to high temperature, the user does not need to wait for the vehicle to cool down naturally or travel to a specific location; they can directly and quickly activate the air conditioning system via the physical switch 200 to promptly lower the interior temperature, thereby significantly improving driving comfort and emergency operation efficiency.

[0041] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, reference is made to... Figure 1 The air conditioning physical switch 200 can be located on the physical control panel 120 of the center console 100. Considering ease of operation, driving safety, and the rationality of the interior layout, alternatively, the air conditioning physical switch 200 can be located on the edge area of ​​the display panel 110, on the steering wheel, or on the door trim panel, etc.

[0042] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, the air conditioning physical switch 200 can be a mechanical button or knob, which can directly control the power supply circuit of the air conditioning compressor or blower of the air conditioning system via a cable connection. This mechanical switch does not rely on electronic chips or software, and can still physically conduct the circuit to ensure the forced start of the air conditioning system even in scenarios where high temperatures (e.g., interior temperature >80℃) or electromagnetic interference cause the display panel 110 to fail. In this case, the air conditioning physical switch 200 can bypass the central control ECU and the display panel control layer, and can control the air conditioning system even if the vehicle's CAN bus communication is interrupted.

[0043] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, reference is made to... Figure 1 The air conditioner physical switch 200 can be a single-function emergency switch, which, upon triggering, directly controls the air conditioning system to operate at maximum output power. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the air conditioning system can automatically reduce its output power after operating continuously for an extended period exceeding a set threshold. This allows for emergency functionality with minimal overhead.

[0044] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the air conditioner physical switch 200 may optionally include a separate button group with an air conditioner on button and a fan speed adjustment button. This allows users to conveniently perform basic adjustments or control of the air conditioning system as needed.

[0045] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, a ventilation structure 300 may be provided near or around the display panel 110. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the ventilation structure 300 may include at least one vent 310 communicating with the air conditioning outlet of the air conditioning system. The vent 310 is capable of guiding airflow from the air conditioning system to the display panel 110, particularly to the back or side circuit board area of ​​the display panel 110, when the air conditioning system is turned on. This effectively reduces the operating temperature of the display panel through directional forced heat dissipation, reducing the risk of electronic component aging and failure due to high temperatures, and extending the service life of the display panel.

[0046] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the vent 310 may optionally be provided with adjustable airflow guide vanes. This allows for easy adjustment of the airflow direction, enabling the airflow to act more precisely on the display panel 110 of the center console 100.

[0047] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, reference is made to... Figure 2 The ventilation structure 300 may further include a circulating air duct 320 communicating with the vent 310. The air duct 320 may be arranged downstream of the vent 310 and on the back of the display panel 110 along the air outlet direction. This allows the airflow from the air conditioning system to circulate on the back of the display panel 110, thereby cooling the display panel more effectively.

[0048] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, a temperature sensor may be provided at the vent 310, and the air conditioning control system can adjust the airflow from the air conditioning system according to the ambient temperature of the display panel 110 detected by the temperature sensor.

[0049] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, reference is made to... Figure 3 Heat dissipation fins 400 may be provided on the back of the display panel 110. The heat dissipation fins 400 may extend into the airflow path of the ventilation structure 300. This can accelerate the reduction of the temperature of the display panel 110.

[0050] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, optionally, reference is made to... Figure 4A and Figure 4B A telescopic structure 330 capable of extending and retracting laterally along the display panel 110 may be provided on the back of the display panel 110. A ventilation structure 300 may be arranged within the telescopic structure 330. When the air conditioning system is turned on, the telescopic structure 330 extends laterally from the display panel 110 to expose the ventilation opening 310. Figure 4A ), and when the air conditioning system is turned off, it retracts laterally to the back of the display panel 110 to conceal the vent 310. Figure 4B ).

[0051] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the air conditioning physical switch 200 may optionally have an anti-accidental activation structure that distinguishes it from other physical control switches in the vehicle. The anti-accidental activation structure may, for example, include a recessed mounting or a protective cover design (such as a red flip cover). Tactile differences prevent accidental activation by the driver during blind operation, improving driving safety, while the protective cover design clearly identifies the switch's "emergency use," avoiding everyday misuse.

[0052] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, this disclosure also provides a vehicle including a center console 100 and an air conditioning control system as described above. The air conditioning operation module of the air conditioning control system is integrated in the display panel 110 of the center console 100.

[0053] In the air conditioning control system and vehicle according to embodiments of this disclosure, an emergency operation can be achieved by setting an independent physical air conditioning switch, thereby breaking the dependence of air conditioning control on the display panel. When the display panel goes black due to high temperature, the user does not need to wait for the vehicle to cool down naturally or go to a specific location; they can directly and quickly start the air conditioning system through the physical switch to reduce the interior temperature in a timely manner, significantly improving driving comfort and emergency operation efficiency. In addition, by adding a ventilation structure near or around the display panel, the cold air generated by the air conditioning system can directly act on the surface of the display panel, achieving directional forced heat dissipation, thereby effectively reducing the operating temperature of the display panel, reducing the risk of electronic component aging and failure due to high temperature, and extending the service life of the display panel. When the air conditioning physical switch and ventilation structure are combined, a redundant design can be formed. Thus, the operability of the air conditioning system in extreme environments can be guaranteed, and the risk of display panel failure caused by prolonged high temperature can be reduced, thereby avoiding secondary safety problems such as excessive interior temperature caused by the inability to use the air conditioning, which could lead to thermal runaway of the power battery and release of harmful gases from interior materials, comprehensively improving the reliability and safety of the vehicle air conditioning control system.

[0054] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. An air conditioning control system for a vehicle, comprising an air conditioning system and an air conditioning operation module, the air conditioning operation module being integrated into a display panel (110) of a center console (100) for the vehicle, characterized in that, The air conditioning control system also includes an air conditioning physical switch (200) independent of the air conditioning operation module. The air conditioning physical switch (200) is electrically connected to the air conditioning system and can directly control the opening and closing of the air conditioning system when the display panel (110) cannot display normally.

2. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioning physical switch (200) is located on the physical control panel (120) of the center console (100), on the edge area of ​​the display panel (110), on the steering wheel, or on the door interior panel.

3. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioner physical switch (200) is a mechanical button or knob, which directly controls the power supply circuit of the air conditioner compressor or blower of the air conditioner system via a cable connection.

4. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The physical switch (200) for the air conditioner is a single-function emergency switch, which, when triggered, directly controls the air conditioning system to operate at maximum output power.

5. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioner physical switch (200) includes a separate button group with an air conditioner on button and a fan speed adjustment button.

6. The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, A ventilation structure (300) is provided near or around the display panel (110). The ventilation structure (300) includes at least one vent (310) communicating with the air conditioning outlet of the air conditioning system. The vent is capable of guiding airflow from the air conditioning system to the display panel (110) when the air conditioning system is turned on.

7. The air conditioning control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ventilation opening (310) is equipped with an adjustable air guide vane.

8. The air conditioning control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ventilation structure (300) also includes a circulating air duct (320) connected to the vent (310), the air duct (320) being arranged downstream of the vent (310) along the air outlet direction and on the back of the display panel (110).

9. The air conditioning control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, A temperature sensor is provided at the vent (310), and the air conditioning control system can adjust the air flow from the air conditioning system according to the ambient temperature of the display panel (110) detected by the temperature sensor.

10. The air conditioning control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, A heat dissipation fin (400) is provided on the back of the display panel (110), and the heat dissipation fin (400) extends into the airflow path of the ventilation structure (300).

11. The air conditioning control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, A telescopic structure (330) capable of extending and retracting laterally along the display panel (110) is provided on the back of the display panel (110), and the ventilation structure (300) is arranged in the telescopic structure (330). When the air conditioning system is turned on, the telescopic structure (330) extends laterally along the display panel (110) to expose the vent (310), and retracts laterally along the display panel (110) to the back of the display panel (110) to hide the vent (310) when the air conditioning system is turned off.

12. The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The air conditioning physical switch (200) has an anti-accidental touch structure that distinguishes it from other physical control switches in the vehicle.

13. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes a center console (100) and an air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the air conditioning operation module of the air conditioning control system is integrated in the display panel (110) of the center console (100).

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