Vehicle Cabin Climate Control Using Road Topography Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cabin climate control systems in heavy-duty vehicles fail to efficiently manage energy allocation between propulsion and air-conditioning systems during varying driving scenarios, leading to inefficient energy consumption and potential temperature deviations in the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that predicts upcoming road topography to control the air-conditioning system, adjusting the flow creating device based on anticipated propulsion needs, temporarily increasing or shutting off power to maintain temperature within allowable deviations, and utilizing auxiliary power when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the AC compressor is turned off during hard acceleration to prioritize propulsion system energy allocation, then energy efficiency is improved, but cabin temperature control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the cabin before anticipated high-power propulsion events (hard acceleration, uphill driving). The control unit predicts upcoming driving scenarios using topographic data and vehicle state information, then pre-cools the cabin in advance, allowing the AC compressor to be shut off during the predicted high-power events while maintaining acceptable temperature levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors cabin temperature, vehicle state (speed, acceleration, power demand), and compares actual temperature against reference values. Based on this feedback and predictions of upcoming driving conditions, the control unit dynamically adjusts AC compressor operation to balance energy efficiency with temperature control requirements.
2Temperature
If the AC compressor operates continuously to maintain optimal cabin temperature, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the cabin before anticipated high-power propulsion events (hard acceleration, uphill driving). The control unit predicts upcoming driving scenarios using topographic data and vehicle state information, then pre-cools the cabin in advance, allowing the AC compressor to be shut off during the predicted high-power events while maintaining acceptable temperature levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts AC compressor operation based on real-time vehicle state and predicted driving conditions. Instead of continuous operation, the compressor is selectively activated or deactivated based on the balance between propulsion energy needs and cabin temperature requirements, optimizing overall energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If topographic data is acquired and processed to predict driving scenarios, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit leverages existing vehicle systems and data sources (engine control unit, existing sensors, topographic databases) to perform AC optimization. By utilizing already-available vehicle state information and integrating with existing propulsion control systems, the invention achieves predictive energy management without requiring entirely new dedicated hardware systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method of controlling the cabin climate in a vehicle (10) travelling on a road (12), the method comprising: - detecting a requested temperature value of a desired temperature for at least one part of the cabin (2), - determining ( sensor 40) an allowable temperature deviation from the requested temperature value, - acquiring topographic data representative of the topography of an upcoming road segment (100), and - controlling a flow creating device of an air-conditioning system (20) of the vehicle based on the acquired topographic data so as to maintain the temperature within the allowable deviation. The invention also relates to a computer program, to a computer readable medium, to a control unit (30) and to a vehicle.