Vehicle Air Conditioning Control for Idling Stop Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with separate front-seat and rear-seat air conditioners, the continuous operation of both during engine idling stop leads to high power consumption, and alternately stopping them can result in windshield fogging, especially in vehicles with large rear seats and multiple passengers.
Innovation Solution
A control device that independently manages the front-seat and rear-seat air conditioners, stopping the rear-seat air conditioner during engine idling stop when the number of passengers is high, while maintaining the front-seat air conditioner operation to prevent windshield fogging and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both front-seat air conditioner and rear-seat air conditioner are continuously operated during engine idling stop, then comfortability for all passengers is ensured, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air conditioning system into front-seat and rear-seat independent units, allowing selective operation of each unit based on local conditions (passenger presence, temperature requirements) rather than forcing both to operate simultaneously, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining comfort where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adjusts the operation state of each air conditioner unit based on real-time conditions such as passenger count, ambient temperature, and engine status. During idling stop, the system dynamically determines whether to operate front-seat, rear-seat, or both units based on current thermal requirements, optimizing the balance between comfort and energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If rear-seat air conditioner is stopped during engine idling stop to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but windshield glass may fog up due to insufficient dehumidification
Solution Approach 1:
The control device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor humidity levels, temperature conditions, and passenger presence to dynamically adjust air conditioner operation. When humidity exceeds thresholds that could cause fogging, the system activates the front-seat air conditioner's dehumidification function, while allowing the rear-seat unit to remain off during idling stop, thus preventing fogging without unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different operational qualities to different zones: the front-seat air conditioner is activated for dehumidification when needed (affecting the entire vehicle interior and preventing windshield fogging), while the rear-seat unit remains off. This localized control approach addresses the fogging issue with minimal energy expenditure
3Loss of energy
If engine is automatically stopped by idling stop to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but air conditioning operation becomes constrained due to lack of engine-driven compressor and water pump
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is designed to serve itself during engine idling stop by using stored electrical energy (battery) to power the compressors and water pumps independently of the engine. The control device manages this self-service operation by selectively activating only the necessary air conditioning units based on thermal requirements, allowing the system to maintain functionality without engine support while improving fuel economy
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 solution reduces power consumption by stopping the rear-seat air conditioner during engine idling stop, prevents windshield fogging by maintaining the front-seat air conditioner operation, and ensures proper heating for rear-seat passengers by confirming low heating needs based on passenger count.
Implementation Method 1
the air-conditioning control using the cooling function of the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the air-conditioning control using the heating function of the heater core
Data Source
AI summary
A front-seat air conditioner and a rear-seat air conditioner, which are independent from each other, are provided. An engine is automatically stopped under preset stop conditions. When the engine is automatically stopped in a case in which the number of passengers is a specified preset number (five, for example) or larger during heating, the operation of the rear-seat air conditioner is stopped (reduction of power consumption) and the operation of the front-seat air conditioner is continued (prevention of windshield glass from being fogged). Thereby, the windshield glass can be prevented from being fogged during the engine's automatic stop, reducing the power consumption of air conditioning.