Vehicle HVAC Dehumidification Control Using Precomputed Mode Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning and heating systems in vehicles, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, face challenges in quickly achieving comfortable temperature conditions due to thermal inertia, leading to uncomfortable air stream perceptions and iterative regulation.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling the air conditioning and heating system that selects the appropriate dehumidification mode based on pre-defined maps of humidity control parameters, including actual air temperature, setpoint temperatures, air flow rate, and ambient conditions, to quickly achieve desired comfort levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If iterative regulation is used to select dehumidification modes based on temperature setpoints, then the system can adapt to desired temperature changes, but the response time is slow and user comfort is compromised due to thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal dehumidification mode selections in lookup tables based on various temperature setpoints and ambient conditions. When a temperature change is requested, the system directly retrieves the appropriate mode from the pre-computed tables rather than iteratively regulating, eliminating the time delay caused by thermal inertia while maintaining adaptability to different temperature requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the iterative mechanical regulation process with a computational lookup approach. Instead of continuously adjusting system parameters through feedback loops subject to thermal inertia, the system uses pre-computed data structures to directly determine the optimal dehumidification mode, substituting the slow thermal regulation mechanism with instant computational retrieval
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple dehumidification modes are available for different temperature setpoints, then the system can provide precise temperature control, but the complexity of mode selection and regulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores the optimal dehumidification mode selections for various temperature setpoints and ambient conditions in lookup tables. This eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making logic, reducing control system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide precise temperature control through direct table retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified representations of complex thermal regulation scenarios by storing pre-computed mode selections in lookup tables. Instead of implementing complex real-time regulation algorithms, the system uses copied optimal solutions from pre-computed data, reducing computational complexity while preserving temperature control precision
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
The method enables faster achievement of desired ambient temperatures, improving user comfort and reducing computational requirements compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger between the refrigerant and the inside air stream for cooling said inside air stream
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger between the refrigerant and the inside air stream or a heat transfer fluid for heating said inside air stream
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a system for air conditioning and/or heating, the system including a loop for the circulation of a refrigerant, with a first heat exchanger between the refrigerant and the inside air stream, a second heat exchanger between the refrigerant and the inside air stream or a heat transfer fluid, the method including selecting a mode for dehumidifying the inside air stream from a plurality of dehumidification modes, the selecting being implemented on the basis of maps, produced in advance, of at least humidity control parameters, selected from an actual temperature of the inside air stream upstream of the first heat exchanger, a temperature setpoint downstream of the second heat exchanger, a temperature setpoint downstream of the first exchanger, a flow rate of the inside air stream through the first exchanger, an ambient temperature of the air and/or a humidity of the air.