Vehicle Air Conditioning Compressor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compressor control systems in vehicle air conditioning systems are inefficient, as they prioritize engine power over compressor operation based on external air temperature, leading to suboptimal cooling performance and insufficient engine power when the accelerator pedal position is low, and fail to consider vehicle speed and engine speed effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that control the compressor's operation rate by integrating vehicle speed, engine speed, accelerator pedal position, and external air temperature using sensors and a controller to adjust the compressor's operation range, enhancing cooling performance and fuel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the compressor is stopped when the accelerator pedal position is high to prioritize engine power, then engine power availability is improved, but cooling performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine power availabilityVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor control system transitions from a static on/off control based solely on accelerator pedal position to a dynamic control system that continuously adjusts compressor operation based on real-time vehicle speed, engine speed, accelerator pedal position, and external air temperature. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both engine power availability and cooling performance under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameters from a simple binary decision (compressor on/off based on accelerator pedal position) to a multi-parameter decision framework that considers vehicle speed, engine speed, accelerator pedal position, and external air temperature. This parameter expansion enables more nuanced control that resolves the contradiction between engine power availability and cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If the compressor operates based only on external air temperature when accelerator pedal position is low, then cooling performance is maintained, but engine power becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidengine power availability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle speed, engine speed, accelerator pedal position, and external air temperature, then using this information to adjust compressor operation. This feedback mechanism ensures that cooling performance is maintained when needed while preventing excessive compressor operation that would compromise engine power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains cooling performance when external air temperature is high, ensures adequate engine power availability, and adapts to varying vehicle operating conditions. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the compressor control system responsive to both cooling needs and engine power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the compressor operation range is limited to prioritize fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but cooling performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the compressor operation range based on real-time conditions including vehicle speed, engine speed, and external air temperature. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to minimize fuel consumption during mild conditions while ensuring adequate cooling performance when external air temperature is high, effectively resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the compressor control considers only accelerator pedal position and external air temperature, then control simplicity is maintained, but system adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidsystem adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple sensors (vehicle speed sensor, engine speed sensor, accelerator pedal position sensor, and external air temperature sensor) and using a comprehensive control algorithm that considers all these parameters. This universal approach enables the system to adapt to various operating conditions while maintaining a unified control framework, effectively resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3178683B1Method and apparatus for controlling a compressor of a vehicle air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3178683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3178683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3178683B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for controlling a compressor of an air conditioning system are provided. The method includes measuring a vehicle speed, an engine speed, a position value of an accelerator pedal, and an external air temperature (S100) and comparing the vehicle speed with a predetermined speed (S110). A basic operation rate of the compressor is then determined based on the engine speed and the position value of the accelerator pedal (S120) when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the predetermined speed. A final operation rate of the compressor is determined (S130) based on the external air temperature and the determined basic operation rate and the compressor is operated (S140) based on the determined final operation rate.