Systems and methods for starting-up a vehicular air-conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular air-conditioning systems face component failure due to simultaneous energization of electrically driven components, leading to potential catastrophic failures and increased repair times and costs, especially in situations where drivers need continuous cooling, such as during long hours on the road or at rest stops.
Innovation Solution
A method that gradually starts and tests the blower fan, condenser fan, and compressor in a vehicular air-conditioning system, measuring currents to determine proper operation and prevent errors, including generating an error condition if predefined criteria are not met, which can disable the system and initiate a repair procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all electrically driven components are energized simultaneously when the air-conditioning system is turned on, then the system starts quickly, but component failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the startup process into distinct segments, energizing components sequentially rather than simultaneously. The blower fan starts first, followed by the condenser fan, and finally the compressor. This segmentation allows each component to start under controlled conditions, reducing the risk of simultaneous failure while maintaining acceptable startup speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by starting the blower fan before energizing other components. The blower fan prepares the system by circulating air and establishing basic airflow conditions. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent components operate in a pre-conditioned environment, reducing stress and failure risk during startup.
2Ease of repair
If component failure is detected early through current measurement, then repair time and cost decrease, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring current drawn by each component during startup and comparing it against expected ranges. The controller receives current measurements from sensors and uses this feedback to detect anomalies. When current values fall outside predefined thresholds, the system identifies potential failures early, enabling timely repairs while keeping the added complexity minimal through straightforward measurement and comparison logic.
3Reliability
If sequential startup is implemented to prevent catastrophic failure, then component reliability improves, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing rapid sequential startup with brief intervals between component energization. The blower fan starts first with a short delay, then the condenser fan, followed quickly by the compressor. These periodic, closely-spaced startup actions provide sufficient time for each component to stabilize while keeping the total startup time minimal, balancing reliability improvement with time efficiency.
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 risk of catastrophic failures, decreases repair times and costs, and ensures the air-conditioning system operates effectively, maintaining driver comfort and safety by detecting component failures early and initiating appropriate actions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a first current drawn from the battery system, where the first current is indicative of current drawn by the blower fan
Data Source
AI summary
The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for starting-up a vehicle air-conditioning system. In one aspect, a method is performed at a vehicle air-conditioning system including a blower fan, a condenser fan, and a compressor electrically coupled to a battery system. The method includes: (1) starting the blower fan; (2) after starting the blower fan, measuring a first current drawn from the battery system, the first current indicative of current drawn by the blower fan; (3) in accordance with a determination that the first current meets predefined criteria, starting the condenser fan; (4) after starting the condenser fan, measuring a second current drawn from the battery system, where the difference between the second current and the first current is indicative of current drawn by the condenser fan; and (5) in accordance with a determination that the second current meets predefined second criteria, starting the compressor.