Method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle interior and motor vehicle adapted to implement said method

Abstract

Method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment and motor vehicle suitable for implementing said method. The invention relates to a method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment implemented by software means integrated in said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising:- at least one opening, movable between a closed state and an open state,- at least one air-conditioned close comfort element,- a means for detecting the state of said at least one opening.According to the invention, the method comprises the following successive steps aimed at:- detecting (step E0) said open state of said at least one opening,- increasing (step E1) the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element.The invention also relates to a motor vehicle suitable for implementing said method. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle interior and motor vehicle adapted to implement said method Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of thermal management of a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a method for managing a motor vehicle passenger compartment and a motor vehicle suitable for implementing said method. Prior art

[0003] The autonomy of electric motor vehicles is one of the most important factors in the commercial success of this type of vehicle and for their acceptance on the market.

[0004] Battery electric motor vehicles (BEVs) typically include a traction battery powering the motor vehicle's electric motor. The only electrical energy available to the motor vehicle is that stored in the traction battery.

[0005] In order to improve the capacity of the traction batteries of electric motor vehicles, a solution aimed at increasing the size of the traction batteries is very penalizing, because this would make the motor vehicle more bulky, increase its mass and considerably increase its cost price.

[0006] A known alternative is to limit the energy consumption of traction batteries. To do this, one solution is to control the energy consumption caused by the operation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning device, a device frequently referred to by the acronym "HVAC" (an English acronym for "Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning").

[0007] In order to control the energy consumption caused by the operation of the HVAC, it is known to use close comfort elements in addition to or in replacement of the HVAC.

[0008] Close-range comfort elements are elements of the passenger compartment whose location within the passenger compartment allows the occupants of the vehicle to be heated or cooled.

[0009] For example, the close-coupled comfort elements include a heated steering wheel or refreshing, heated or cooling seats, heated or cooling headrests, heated or cooling armrests.

[0010] By activating the comfort elements close together, the overall energy consumption of the vehicle is reduced, which makes it possible to limit the use of the traction battery of the electric vehicle and therefore to increase the autonomy of the electric vehicle.

[0011] Strategies for optimizing the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle are known when the vehicle operates in a cold climate.

[0012] On the other hand, when the motor vehicle is moving in a hot climate and when the vehicle's openings are open, or when the vehicle is a convertible, there is no strategy for controlling the cooling close-up comfort elements.

[0013] Therefore, when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is traveling at low speed, the thermal discomfort in hot climates is such that the user may be required to close the openings and activate the HVAC. This is not desirable, particularly when the vehicle is a convertible.

[0014] Also, the user may be tempted to activate the HVAC without closing the vehicle's openings, particularly when the vehicle is stationary or traveling at reduced speed for a short period.

[0015] However, this results in overconsumption of HVAC, reducing the vehicle's range and having a major impact on the environment. Statement of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment implemented by software means integrated into said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising: - at least one opening, movable between a closed state and an open state, - at least one air-conditioned comfort element, - a means for detecting the state of said at least one opening, said method being remarkable in that it comprises the following successive steps aimed at: - detect said opening state of said at least one opening, - increase the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element.

[0017] Thus, by providing for increasing the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element following the detection of an open state of one or more openings of the motor vehicle, the user no longer has the need to close the openings and activate the HVAC air conditioning when the vehicle is in a hot climate and is stationary or traveling at a reduced speed.

[0018] In this way, overconsumption of HVAC is avoided, which improves the vehicle's autonomy and improves the vehicle's impact on the environment.

[0019] Also, the comfort of use of the motor vehicle in hot climates is increased when one or more of the openings are open, and in particular when the vehicle is a convertible.

[0020] Thus, the present invention allows the implementation of a strategy for controlling the air-conditioned close comfort elements when the motor vehicle is moving in a hot climate.

[0021] According to optional characteristics of the method according to the invention: - said motor vehicle comprises a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device, and the method comprises an additional step aimed at switching off said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device when said at least one opening occupies said open state; - said motor vehicle comprises a sensor for measuring the speed of said motor vehicle, and the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled as a function of the speed of said motor vehicle; - the maximum power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element reached during the power increase step decreases as a function of the increase in speed of said motor vehicle; - the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled according to the temperature outside said motor vehicle; - said motor vehicle includes a geolocation device, and the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled based on data from said geolocation device; - the air-conditioned close comfort element is a ventilated seat or a refrigerated seat; - when said comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power of said refrigerated seat reached during step E1 of increasing the power corresponds to an increase of at least 50W relative to an initial power of said refrigerated seat; - when said comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power of said refrigerated seat reached during the power increase step E1 is between approximately 100W and approximately 250W.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - at least one opening, movable between a closed state and an open state, - at least one air-conditioned comfort element, - a means for detecting the state of said at least one opening, - a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device, - a speed sensor suitable for measuring the speed of said motor vehicle, - a software means, remarkable in that said software means is programmed to implement said management method according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig. 1] shows the steps of the process for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle interior.

[0025] [Fig.2] shows the steps of the management method according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0026] [Fig.3] shows examples of different laws for controlling the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element depending on the type of climate for a motor vehicle driving speed of less than 30km / h.

[0027] [Fig.4] shows examples of different laws for controlling the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element depending on the type of climate for a motor vehicle speed greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h.

[0028] [Fig.5] shows examples of different laws for controlling the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element depending on the type of climate for a motor vehicle speed greater than 60km / h. Description of the embodiments

[0029] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions are designated by the same reference.

[0030] Reference is made to [Fig.l] showing the steps of the method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0031] The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one opening element, movable between a closed state and an open state. The opening element may for example be a door, a door window, a roof window, a rigid or flexible removable roof, etc.

[0032] The motor vehicle of the invention may comprise a non-removable roof or a removable roof, rigid when the vehicle is of the convertible type, or flexible when the vehicle is of the convertible type.

[0033] The motor vehicle of the invention further comprises a means for detecting the state of closure or opening of the openings.

[0034] The vehicle is supplied with air by a main heating and ventilation device, designated in the remainder of the description by the acronym “HVAC” (English acronym for “Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning”, for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning”), making it possible to inject a flow of air into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0035] The motor vehicle of the invention is also equipped with close comfort elements, comfort elements which consist of improving the thermal comfort of the occupants.

[0036] The close-coupled comfort elements may be used in addition to or as a replacement for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the motor vehicle.

[0037] The near comfort element is relatively energy efficient, compared to the energy consumed by HVAC.

[0038] The close comfort elements may include heating elements and air-conditioned elements, or only air-conditioned elements.

[0039] The air-conditioned close comfort elements may comprise one or more ventilated close comfort elements. A ventilated close comfort element operates by drawing air from inside the vehicle cabin, circulating it through the close comfort element, and exhausting hot air from the air-conditioned close comfort element. Alternatively, the ventilated close comfort element may be blowing, i.e., blown air is directed toward the occupants.

[0040] In addition to or as a replacement for the ventilated close comfort element or ventilated close comfort elements, the air-conditioned close comfort elements may comprise one or more refrigerated close comfort elements. The refrigerated close comfort element is refrigerated by a thermoelectric device, for example external to the close comfort element.

[0041] By way of non-exhaustive examples, the comfort elements close to the motor vehicle may include a heated or air-conditioned steering wheel, heated or air-conditioned seats, heated or air-conditioned headrests, heated or air-conditioned armrests.

[0042] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the air-conditioned close comfort element is a ventilated or refrigerated seat, for example a seat in the front row and / or a seat in the rear row of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0043] According to the invention, the method for managing the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle comprises a step E0 aimed at detecting when at least one of the openings occupies an open state. Following the detection step E0, the method according to the invention comprises a step E1 aimed at increasing the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element.

[0044] Thus, when the opening occupies its open state (step E0), the method of the invention provides for increasing the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element (step E1).

[0045] The increase in power of the air-conditioned close comfort element is not detrimental to the acoustic comfort of the occupants within the vehicle given that the increase in power is achieved when at least one of the openings of the motor vehicle is open.

[0046] The open state of an opening may for example be reached when the opening passes from its closed state to its open state, for example when the motor vehicle is in operation. The detection means then detects the passage from the closed state to the open state of the opening.

[0047] Also, if the air-conditioned close comfort element is initially off, the increase in power corresponds to the transition from a deactivated state to an activated state of the air-conditioned close comfort element.

[0048] If the air-conditioned close comfort element is already activated, the increase in power makes it possible to cool the passenger compartment even more when the opening moves to the open position. This corresponds to a mode of use known as "boost mode".

[0049] The management method according to the invention is implemented by software means integrated into the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the software means is programmed to implement the method of the invention. The software means is for example integrated into a computer of the motor vehicle, for example in the electronic management box known under the name "BSI", acronym for "Intelligent Servitude Box".

[0050] Reference is made to [Fig.2] showing the steps of the management method according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises an additional step E2 aimed at cutting off the HVAC when at least one of the openings of the motor vehicle occupies its open state.

[0052] Thanks to this arrangement, the energy impact of the motor vehicle is further improved in that when at least one of the openings is open, only the air-conditioned close comfort element operates. The user, however, retains the option, if desired, of manually activating the HVAC and deactivating the air-conditioned close comfort element.

[0053] Reference is made to figures 3 to 5 showing examples of different laws for controlling the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element as a function of the type of climate for a speed of the motor vehicle respectively less than 30km / h, greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h, and greater than 60km / h.

[0054] According to one arrangement, the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled as a function of the speed of the motor vehicle.

[0055] In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the maximum power of the air-conditioned close comfort element reached during the power increase step E1 decreases as a function of the increase in the speed of the motor vehicle.

[0056] For this purpose, the motor vehicle comprises a set of measuring sensors, in particular a vehicle speed measuring sensor adapted to measure the speed of the motor vehicle.

[0057] The close comfort element is controlled according to two control laws.

[0058] In Figures 3 to 5, the first control law is called “mode N” for “normal mode”. Normal mode corresponds to a situation where the vehicle’s openings are closed.

[0059] Curve 1 is obtained according to the first control law and shows the power curve of the close comfort element when all the vehicle openings are closed.

[0060] Similarly, the second control law is called "mode B" for "boost mode". The boost mode corresponds to a situation where the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element is increased compared to its power when it is controlled according to the first control law.

[0061] The increase in power makes it possible to cool the passenger compartment even more when the opening is moved to the open position.

[0062] Curves 2 to 4 are obtained according to the boost mode.

[0063] Curve 2 shows the power curve of the close comfort element when at least one of the vehicle's openings is open and when the vehicle is operating in a temperate climate where the outside temperature is between approximately 20°C and approximately 25°C.

[0064] Curve 3 shows the power curve of the close comfort element when at least one of the vehicle's openings is open and when the vehicle is moving in a warm-temperate climate where the outside temperature is between approximately 30°C and approximately 35°C.

[0065] Curve 4 shows the power curve of the close comfort element when at least one of the vehicle's openings is open and when the vehicle is moving in a very hot climate where the outside temperature is between approximately 40°C and approximately 45°C.

[0066] According to an arrangement of the method according to the invention, the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled as a function of the temperature external to the motor vehicle.

[0067] More particularly, an increase in the temperature external to the motor vehicle leads to an increase in the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element.

[0068] The maximum power Pi reached by the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 1 is lower than the maximum powers P2 to P4 corresponding to the maximum powers of the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curves 2 4. When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power Pi can for example be equal to approximately 100W when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0069] The maximum power P2 reached by the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 2 is lower than the maximum powers P3, P4 corresponding to the maximum powers of the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curves 3 and 4. When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power P2 can for example be equal to approximately 150W when the travel speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0070] The maximum power P3 reached by the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 3 is lower than the maximum power P4 corresponding to the maximum power of the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 4. When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power P3 can for example be equal to approximately 200W when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0071] When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power P4 reached according to curve 4 may for example be equal to approximately 250W when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0072] We refer to [Fig.4] showing the laws for controlling the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element, the speed of the motor vehicle being greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h.

[0073] When the driving speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 30 km / h and less than 60 km / h, activation of the air-conditioned close comfort element is only possible in warm temperate climates and in very hot climates.

[0074] Curve 1' is obtained according to the first control law and shows the power curve of the close comfort element when all the vehicle openings are closed.

[0075] Curve 3' shows the power curve of the close comfort element when at least one of the vehicle's openings is open and when the vehicle is moving in a warm-temperate climate where the outside temperature is between approximately 30°C and approximately 35°C.

[0076] Curve 4' shows the power curve of the close comfort element when at least one of the vehicle's openings is open and when the vehicle is moving in a very hot climate where the outside temperature is between approximately 40°C and approximately 45°C.

[0077] The maximum power P'i reached by the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 1' is lower than the maximum powers P'3 and P'4 corresponding to the maximum powers of the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curves 3' and 4'.

[0078] The maximum power P'i is equal to the power Pi implemented when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0079] The maximum power P'3 reached by the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 3' is lower than the maximum power P'4 corresponding to the maximum power of the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 4'.

[0080] Also, according to a provision of the invention, the maximum power P'3 implemented when the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h is less than the maximum power P3 implemented when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0081] When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power P'3 can for example be equal to approximately 150W.

[0082] According to a provision of the invention, the maximum power P'4 when the travel speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h is less than the maximum power P4 implemented when the travel speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h.

[0083] When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power P'4 can for example be equal to approximately 200W.

[0084] We refer to [Fig.5] showing the laws for controlling the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element, the speed of the motor vehicle being greater than 60km / h.

[0085] When the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 60 km / h, activation of the air-conditioned close comfort element is only possible in very hot weather.

[0086] Curve 1” is obtained according to the first control law and shows the power curve of the close comfort element when all the vehicle openings are closed.

[0087] Curve 4'' shows the power curve of the close comfort element when at least one of the vehicle's openings is open and when the vehicle is moving in a very hot climate where the outside temperature is between approximately 40°C and approximately 45°C.

[0088] The maximum power P'' i reached by the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 1” is lower than the maximum power P”4 corresponding to the maximum power of the air-conditioned close comfort element according to curve 4”.

[0089] The maximum power P”i is equal to the powers Pi and P\ implemented when the speed of the motor vehicle is less than 30km / h and when the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h.

[0090] According to a provision of the invention, the maximum power P' '4 implemented when the driving speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 60km / h is lower than the maximum power P'4 implemented when the driving speed of the motor vehicle is greater than 30km / h and less than 60km / h.

[0091] When the air-conditioned close comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power P”4 can for example be equal to approximately 150W.

[0092] According to one arrangement of the invention, when the comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power of the refrigerated seat reached during the power increase step E1 corresponds to an increase of at least 50W relative to the initial power of the refrigerated seat.

[0093] In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the motor vehicle comprises a geolocation device and the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled according to data from the geolocation device.

[0094] This data can, for example, be used to anticipate the speed of the vehicle or the places that the vehicle will pass through.

[0095] For example, if the outside temperature is high with a high level of sunshine and the vehicle speed is moderate, the air-conditioned close comfort element operates in "boost" mode at a high power level. If the geolocation device indicates a passage through a long tunnel, by definition sheltered from the sun and with a lower ambient temperature than that recorded when the motor vehicle is outside the tunnel, the method according to the invention provides for gradually reducing the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element in order to avoid a sudden cooling effect for the passengers when the vehicle passes through the tunnel or too sudden a variation in the power of the air-conditioned close comfort element, which would be a source of discomfort.

[0096] As goes without saying, the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment and of this motor vehicle adapted to implement said method, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle passenger compartment implemented by software means integrated into said motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising: - at least one opening, movable between a closed state and an open state, - at least one air-conditioned close comfort element, - means for detecting the state of said at least one opening, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps aimed at: - detecting (step EO) said open state of said at least one opening, - increasing (step El) the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element.

2. Management method according to claim 1, in which said motor vehicle comprises a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device, said method being characterized in that it comprises an additional step (step E2) aimed at cutting off said heating, ventilation and air conditioning device when said at least one opening occupies said open state.

3. Management method according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which said motor vehicle comprises a sensor for measuring the speed of said motor vehicle, characterized in that the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled as a function of the speed of said motor vehicle.

4. Management method according to claim 3, characterized in that the maximum power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element reached during said power increase step (step E1) decreases as a function of the increase in the speed of said motor vehicle.

5. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled as a function of the temperature external to said motor vehicle.

6. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which said motor vehicle comprises a geolocation device, characterized in that the power of said at least one air-conditioned close comfort element is controlled according to data from said geolocation device.

7. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the air-conditioned close comfort element is a ventilated seat or a refrigerated seat.

8. Management method according to claim 7, characterized in that, when said comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power of said refrigerated seat reached during said power increase step (step E1) corresponds to an increase of at least 50W relative to an initial power of said refrigerated seat.

9. Management method according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that, when said comfort element is a refrigerated seat, the maximum power of said refrigerated seat reached during said step of increasing (step E1) the power is between approximately 100W and approximately 250W.

10. Motor vehicle comprising: - at least one opening, movable between a closed state and an open state, - at least one air-conditioned close comfort element, - means for detecting the state of said at least one opening, - a heating, ventilation and air conditioning device, - a speed sensor adapted to measure the speed of said motor vehicle, - software means, characterized in that said software means is programmed to implement said management method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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