Automatic thermal comfort management system for vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic thermal comfort management system for a vehicle comprising: - a speed sensor for said vehicle, an air conditioner having multiple components including a first setpoint temperature for the blown air and a second temperature for the air distribution via vents on a dashboard of said vehicle, - a thermal comfort control device acting on a component of the air conditioner, said thermal comfort control device having several temperature setpoint values, notable in that said air conditioner has a heating mode and a cooling mode; in both cooling and heating modes, the setpoint values ​​for the first and second temperatures are fixed according to a parameter setting. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic thermal comfort management system for vehicles Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic thermal comfort management system for vehicles. It is particularly applicable in the field of energy efficiency and the automotive industry. Previous technique

[0002] Thermal comfort in a vehicle's passenger compartment is a fundamental aspect that shapes the driving experience and overall appreciation of the vehicle. It is an area of ​​innovation where the integration of new technologies aims to create a pleasant and harmonious interior environment, meeting the growing expectations of users.

[0003] For electric vehicles, there are automatic modes promulgated by car manufacturers which define the different temperatures obtainable in a vehicle cabin (AUTO 18, 19, 20, etc.).

[0004] Some prior art documents also propose automatic thermal comfort management systems. For example, US Publication 10974567 is known, which describes an automatic climate control system for a vehicle that adjusts the air conditioning according to vehicle speed, environmental conditions, and user preferences.

[0005] However, the invention describes a progressive adjustment of the thermal comfort modes (AUTO 18, 19, 20, etc.) according to specific speed ranges. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach.

[0007] More specifically, the invention aims to provide an automatic thermal comfort management system in a passenger compartment.

[0008] One objective of the invention is to provide such a system, which can be easily adapted to existing systems.

[0009] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved, in a first aspect, by means of an automatic thermal comfort management system for vehicles comprising: - a speed sensor for said vehicle, an air conditioner having a plurality of components including a first setpoint temperature for the blown air and a second temperature for the distribution of air via vents on the dashboard of said vehicle, - a thermal comfort control device acting on a component of the air conditioner, said thermal comfort control device having several temperature setpoint values ​​and configured to designate a thermal comfort temperature in said vehicle,

[0010] remarkable in that said air conditioner has a hot mode and a cold mode, in cold mode, the setpoint value of the first temperature is fixed according to the following parameter: the first temperature is 18°C ​​when the vehicle is less than 20 km / h and the first temperature is 21°C when the vehicle is greater than 130 km / h, between 20 km / h and 130 km / h, the first temperature varies from 18°C ​​to 21°C; In warm mode, the setpoint value of the second temperature is fixed according to the following parameter: the second temperature is 24°C when the vehicle is below 20 km / h and the second temperature is 21°C when the vehicle is above 130 km / h, between 20 km / h and 130 km / h, the first temperature varies from 24°C to 21°C.

[0011] Thanks to these provisions, this system allows for personalization of thermal comfort by adjusting the setpoint temperature not only according to the preferences of the occupants, but also taking into account variations in speed, which improves the overall experience on board the vehicle.

[0012] The system mitigates the effects of speed changes on the perception of thermal comfort, thus offering a smoother transition between different driving conditions.

[0013] Optimize the balance of performance, for the vehicle customer, between thermal comfort and the range of the electric vehicle:

[0014] - Reduction of comfort during city driving, allowing for an economical mode suitable for short journeys while maintaining warm clothing during cold climates,

[0015] - maintaining thermal comfort during motorway-type driving corresponding to journeys long.

[0016] The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically operative combination.

[0017] In one embodiment, it further comprises a control unit having a microcontroller comprising at least one clock; said clock is configured to define a predefined duration, when the speed of the vehicle changes by more or less 20 km / h, and the duration of this change is less than the predefined duration, then the first temperature or the second temperature varies by successive steps of temperature value.

[0018] Thanks to these provisions, the use of a clock makes it possible to avoid sudden temperature variations in the passenger compartment.

[0019] In one embodiment, said successive temperature value steps are between 40 seconds and 80 seconds.

[0020] In one embodiment, said air conditioner is located under a dashboard floor of said vehicle and further includes a fan power level.

[0021] Thanks to these provisions, the power level of the fan makes it possible to adjust the speed of the air ejected into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cooling mode is activated when the outside temperature is below 15°C and the heating mode is activated when the outside temperature is above 25°C.

[0023] In one embodiment, said fan power level is connected with said system control unit; this connection is configured to control said second distribution temperature as a function of vehicle speed.

[0024] Thanks to these arrangements, the connection allows for automatic management of the air ejected into the passenger compartment.

[0025] In one embodiment, the successive steps in the value of the first temperature of the cold mode of the hot mode are arranged at intervals of 1°C or 0.5°C.

[0026] In one embodiment, the successive steps in the value of the second air distribution temperature are arranged at intervals of 1°C or 0.5°C.

[0027] Thanks to these provisions, when the vehicle is started up the first temperature and the second temperature will adjust progressively.

[0028] In one embodiment, the control unit cooperates with the vehicle speed sensor and sends information to the thermal comfort regulation device.

[0029] In one embodiment, the air conditioner further comprises a user interface connected to the control unit and configured to control a first temperature or the second temperature. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Fig. 1 represents a graph showing the impact of thermal comfort on the range of a vehicle. Description of the implementation methods

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a graph showing the impact of thermal comfort on the range of a vehicle.

[0033] This graph includes a decreasing line.

[0034] The x-axis of the graph represents the speed of the vehicle defined by the letter A.

[0035] The impact of thermal comfort is modified according to the vehicle speed and the outside temperature. It is represented in this graph by the letter B on the y-axis.

[0036] At reduced speed, the impact of thermal comfort, in cold climates in particular, is on the order of 50%: for a maximum range of 400km without thermal comfort, the actual range with thermal comfort is only 200km.

[0037] On the other hand, at high speed, the impact of thermal comfort, even in cold climates in particular, is on the order of 5%: the actual range is very mainly linked to the speed of the vehicle.

[0038] According to one embodiment, this impact is achieved from an automatic thermal comfort management system.

[0039] This system includes the following elements: a speed sensor, an air conditioner, and a thermal comfort regulation device.

[0040] The air conditioner comprises a plurality of components, including a first setpoint temperature for the blown air and a second air distribution temperature. It is positioned under the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0041] The second air distribution temperature is achieved by vents coming from a vehicle dashboard.

[0042] The thermal comfort regulation device is linked to the air conditioner. It acts on a component of the air conditioner.

[0043] According to an example produced, the thermal comfort control device includes setpoint values. These values ​​are configured to designate a thermal comfort temperature.

[0044] The air conditioner has two modes, cooling mode and heating mode.

[0045] The cooling mode corresponds to a first temperature with the following parameters: The first temperature is 18°C ​​when the vehicle is traveling at less than 20 km / h and the first temperature is 21°C when the vehicle is traveling at 130 km / h.

[0046] The warm mode corresponds to a first temperature with the following parameters: the first temperature is 24°C when the vehicle is traveling at less than 20 km / h and the first temperature is 21°C when the vehicle is traveling at 130 km / h.

[0047] According to one example, the cooling mode is activated when the outside temperature is below 15°C and the heating mode is activated when the outside temperature is above 25°C.

[0048] The system further comprises a control unit.

[0049] This control unit includes a microcontroller having a clock.

[0050] The control unit cooperates with the vehicle's speed sensor and sends information to the thermal comfort regulation device.

[0051] A microcontroller is an integrated circuit that integrates a processor, memory, and input / output peripherals on a single chip. It is designed to perform specific tasks in embedded systems.

[0052] The clock is configured to set a predefined duration; when the vehicle speed changes by more or less 20 km / h, and the duration of this change is less than the predefined duration, then the first temperature or the second temperature varies by successive steps of temperature value.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the successive temperature value steps are between 40 seconds and 80 seconds.

[0054] According to one variant, the successive temperature value steps are 60 seconds.

[0055] The successive value steps of the first temperature of the cold mode of the hot mode are arranged at intervals of 1°C or 0.5°C.

[0056] According to an example, at 40 km / h the vehicle has a first temperature of 19°C then at 80 km / h the vehicle has a first temperature of 19.5°C.

[0057] The successive steps in the value of the second air distribution temperature are arranged at intervals of 1°C or 0.5°C.

[0058] This configuration allows for a gradual change of first or second temperature.

[0059] The air conditioner has a power level.

[0060] The fan power level is connected with the system control unit; this connection is configured to control the second distribution temperature as a function of vehicle speed.

[0061] The air conditioner also includes a user interface connected to the control unit and configured to control a first temperature or the second temperature.

[0062] Naturally, the invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0063] It is emphasized that all the features, as they are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached features, even if in practice they have only been described in relation to other specific features, both individually and in any combinations, can be combined with other features or groups of characteristics disclosed here, insofar as this has not been expressly excluded or technical circumstances render such combinations impossible or meaningless. List of reference signs

[0064] [Tables 1] References Designations A Vehicle speed B Impact of thermal comfort

Claims

Demands

1. Automatic thermal comfort management system for a vehicle comprising: - a speed sensor for said vehicle, an air conditioner having a plurality of components including a first setpoint temperature for the blown air and a second temperature for the distribution of air via vents on a dashboard of said vehicle, - a thermal comfort control device acting on a component of the air conditioner, said thermal comfort control device having several temperature setpoint values ​​and configured to designate a thermal comfort temperature in said vehicle, characterized in that said air conditioner has a heating mode and a cooling mode, in cooling mode, the setpoint value of the first temperature is fixed according to the following parameter: the first temperature is 18°C ​​when the vehicle is below 20 km / h and the first temperature is 21°C when the vehicle is above 130 km / h, between 20 km / h and 130 km / h,The first temperature varies from 18°C ​​to 21°C; in warm mode, the setpoint for the second temperature is determined according to the following parameter: the second temperature is 24°C when the vehicle is below 20 km / h and the second temperature is 21°C when the vehicle is above 130 km / h; between 20 km / h and 130 km / h, the first temperature varies from 24°C to 21°C.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises a control unit having a microcontroller comprising at least one clock; said clock is configured to set a predefined duration, when the speed of the vehicle changes by plus or minus 20 km / h, and the duration of this change is less than the predefined duration, then the first temperature or the second temperature varies by successive steps of temperature value.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein said successive temperature value steps are between 40 seconds and 80 seconds.

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said air conditioner is located under a dashboard floor of said vehicle and further comprises a fan power level.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling mode is activated when the outside temperature is below 15°C and the heating mode is activated when the outside temperature is above 25°C.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said fan power level is connected with said system control unit; this connection is configured to control said second distribution temperature as a function of vehicle speed.

7. System according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the successive temperature steps of the first temperature of the cold mode of the hot mode are arranged at intervals of 1°C or 0.5°C.

8. System according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the successive steps in the value of the second air distribution temperature are arranged at intervals of 1°C or 0.5°C.

9. System according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the control unit cooperates with the vehicle speed sensor and sends information to said thermal comfort regulation device.

10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air conditioner further comprises a user interface connected to the control unit and configured to control a first temperature or the second temperature.

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