Vehicle Climate Control Valve Initialization Strategy

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional climate control systems in vehicles require initializing valves by moving them to both fully open and fully closed positions, which takes time and delays the delivery of conditioned air to occupants.

Innovation Solution

The climate control system initializes valves differently based on operating modes, such as moving to a fully open position for cooling and a fully closed position for heating, without requiring both positions, thereby reducing initialization time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If valves are initialized by moving to both fully open and fully closed positions, then valve calibration is complete and reliable, but initialization time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve calibration reliabilityVSAvoidinitialization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by moving valves to predetermined positions (fully open or fully closed) based on the anticipated operating mode before actual operation begins. This preliminary positioning reduces the initialization time required while still ensuring proper valve calibration for the specific mode of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The initialization process is made dynamic by adapting the valve movement strategy based on the anticipated operating mode. Instead of a fixed initialization sequence, the system dynamically selects which valve positions to visit (fully open for cooling modes, fully closed for heating modes) based on predicted system requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If valves are moved to both fully open and fully closed positions during initialization, then all valve positions are calibrated, but system response time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve position calibration precisionVSAvoidsystem response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by moving valves to predetermined positions (fully open or fully closed) based on the anticipated operating mode before actual operation begins. This preliminary positioning reduces the initialization time required while still ensuring proper valve calibration for the specific mode of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is optimized by applying local quality - different initialization strategies are applied based on the specific operating mode requirements. For cooling modes, only the fully open position is calibrated; for heating modes, only the fully closed position is calibrated. This localized calibration approach maintains precision while reducing overall initialization time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If the valve initialization process is simplified to reduce time, then system response is faster, but valve positioning accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitialization timeVSAvoidvalve position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by moving valves to predetermined positions (fully open or fully closed) based on the anticipated operating mode before actual operation begins. This preliminary positioning reduces the initialization time required while still ensuring proper valve calibration for the specific mode of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing the complete initialization sequence (visiting both fully open and fully closed positions), the system applies partial action by only moving the valve to the position relevant for the anticipated operating mode. This partial initialization maintains sufficient accuracy for the specific mode while significantly reducing initialization time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 reduces the time spent initializing valves, allowing for quicker delivery of conditioned air to vehicle occupants by optimizing valve positioning based on the selected mode.

Implementation Method 1

The valves control flow of fluids, such as a refrigerants, through the system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Implementation Method 2

exchanging thermal energy between the fluid and ambient air at the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS10556484B2Vehicle climate control valve and operating method

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An exemplary vehicle climate control operating method includes in a cooling mode, moving a valve to a first position and initializing the valve without moving the valve to a second position. In a heating mode, the method moves the valve to a second position and initializing the valve without moving the valve to the first position. The first position permits more flow than the second position.