Vehicular Air-Conditioning Controller Power Saving Mode
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular air-conditioning systems face challenges in efficiently managing thermal loads when windows are open, leading to increased power consumption and potential discomfort due to the influx of outside air, which exceeds the air-conditioning capacity, resulting in wasteful energy use.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an air-conditioning controller with auto control and power saving control features, utilizing sensors to detect inside and outside temperatures, as well as solar irradiance, to adjust the air-conditioning unit's operation and limit power consumption by maintaining predetermined control states when the thermal load exceeds the air-conditioning capacity, even when the power window is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air-conditioning system increases power consumption to maintain comfort when windows are open, then occupant comfort is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between two operational modes: automatic control for normal conditions and power saving control for extreme thermal loads. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption based on real-time thermal conditions while maintaining occupant comfort within acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes control parameters based on thermal load conditions. When thermal load exceeds capacity, the controller transitions from aggressive temperature correction (automatic control) to restrained power consumption management (power saving control), effectively adapting system behavior to environmental conditions.
2Temperature
If the air-conditioning system operates at full capacity to counteract thermal load from open windows, then inside air temperature control is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors inside air temperature and thermal load conditions, using this feedback to determine when to switch between automatic control and power saving control modes. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary energy expenditure by activating power saving mode only when thermal load exceeds system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously operating at full capacity, the system applies partial action by switching to power saving control that limits power consumption increases. This approach accepts some temperature variation in exchange for significant energy reduction when thermal loads are extreme.
3Measurement precision
If the system continuously adjusts air-conditioning operation based on inside air temperature, then temperature control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two distinct functional modules: automatic control for normal operation and power saving control for extreme conditions. This segmentation simplifies the overall control logic by dividing it into manageable, well-defined segments with clear switching criteria between them.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces power consumption and maintains occupant comfort by limiting unnecessary energy use when the thermal load from open windows exceeds the air-conditioning system's capacity, preventing wasteful energy expenditure and ensuring efficient air-conditioning.
Implementation Method 1
an inside air temperature detector configured to detect an inside air temperature in the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjuster configured to adjust a temperature of air in the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 3
a blower configured to send the air to the passenger compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular air-conditioning device includes an inside air temperature detector, an inside air-conditioning portion, and an air-conditioning controller. The inside air-conditioning portion includes a temperature adjuster and a blower. The air-conditioning controller includes an auto control portion, an open signal detector, a thermal load determiner, and a power saving control portion. The auto control portion is configured to perform an auto control. The open signal detector is configured to detect an open signal. The thermal load determiner is configured to determine whether a thermal load on the passenger compartment exceeds an air-conditioning capacity of the auto control. The power saving control portion is configured to perform a power saving control to limit an increase of a power consumption regardless of the inside air temperature when the open signal is detected and it is determined that the thermal load exceeds the air-conditioning capacity of the auto control.