Compressor Temperature Estimation Without a Separate Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor temperature estimation methods require separate temperature sensors, increasing manufacturing costs and reducing durability due to the risk of overheating.
Innovation Solution
A method to estimate compressor temperature using operating status, vehicle speed, and compressor pressure without a separate temperature sensor, employing an estimator state equation to calculate compressor state and ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate temperature sensor is used to monitor compressor temperature, then the reliability of overheating prevention is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the temperature sensor function through software estimation algorithms. Instead of using a physical temperature sensor, the system estimates compressor temperature by copying the measurement function through mathematical models that process existing sensor data (pressure, voltage, current) to infer temperature without direct physical contact or additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature sensing system with an electronic estimation system. The physical temperature sensor is substituted by an estimation algorithm that uses electrical signals from existing sensors (pressure sensor, voltage sensor, current sensor) and mathematical processing to determine temperature, thereby eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing hardware.
2Measurement precision
If a separate temperature sensor is installed, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the temperature sensor function through software estimation algorithms. Instead of using a physical temperature sensor, the system estimates compressor temperature by copying the measurement function through mathematical models that process existing sensor data (pressure, voltage, current) to infer temperature without direct physical contact or additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive computational resources and existing sensor data instead of expensive temperature sensors. The estimation algorithm processes readily available electrical signals from standard sensors already present in the system, avoiding the need for costly specialized temperature sensing components.
3Loss of information
If existing temperature estimation methods are used, then temperature estimation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing sensors serve multiple functions. The pressure sensor, voltage sensor, and current sensor that were originally designed for their primary purposes are now also used for temperature estimation. This multi-functional use of existing components eliminates the need for dedicated temperature sensors while maintaining temperature information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing sensors and operational data to estimate temperature without requiring external or additional sensing components. The compressor system essentially monitors itself by leveraging data already generated during normal operation, making the temperature estimation function self-contained and independent of additional hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of estimating a compressor temperature. The method includes: calculating a compressor state temperature estimate based on operating status of the compressor, vehicle speed, and compressor pressure; and calculating a compressor temperature estimate by adding the ambient temperature to the compressor state temperature estimate.