Vehicle Cabin Preconditioning Using Trip-Aware Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles inefficiently manage cabin thermal comfort and fuel economy due to lack of trip information and occupant preferences, leading to excess fuel burn and diminished range.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system with a thermal management system and controller that utilizes connected data from external sources to optimize cabin preconditioning based on occupant preferences and trip information, adjusting thermal management strategies to balance comfort and fuel economy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the thermal management system is activated to precondition the cabin for occupant comfort, then cabin thermal comfort is improved, but fuel economy and driving range deteriorate due to excess fuel burn and battery draw
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using trip information (expected duration, route, weather) to determine whether preconditioning should be performed before departure. The controller calculates whether the trip is long enough to justify the energy cost of preconditioning, and only activates the thermal management system when the trip duration exceeds a threshold, thus avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while still providing comfort when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the preconditioning strategy based on real-time trip information and occupant preferences. The controller can modify the degree of preconditioning (e.g., targeting different temperature setpoints or duration) based on whether the occupant prioritizes comfort or fuel economy, creating a dynamic balance between the two competing objectives rather than using a fixed preconditioning approach.
2Ease of operation
If remote preconditioning is activated without trip information, then occupant comfort is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates due to unnecessary preconditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces feedback by continuously monitoring trip information (duration, route characteristics, weather conditions) and using this information to adjust the preconditioning strategy. The controller receives feedback about whether the trip is long enough to justify preconditioning costs, and automatically adjusts or cancels remote preconditioning commands based on this feedback, preventing unnecessary energy loss while maintaining the convenience of remote control.
3Temperature
If the vehicle preconditions the cabin using battery power in electrified vehicles, then cabin thermal comfort is improved, but driving range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system evaluates trip information in advance to determine whether the expected trip duration justifies the battery energy cost of preconditioning. Only when the trip is sufficiently long does the controller activate the thermal management system using battery power, otherwise it leaves the cabin unpreconditioned to preserve driving range, thus making a preliminary cost-benefit analysis before consuming battery energy.
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
Enhances fuel economy and driving range by efficiently preconditioning the vehicle cabin based on connected data, providing optimal thermal comfort and reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electrified vehicle (EV) may be heated and cooled from the battery
Implementation Method 2
an electrified vehicle (EV) may be heated and cooled from the battery
Implementation Method 3
the vehicle is heated and cooled from the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A climate control system for a vehicle includes a thermal management system and a controller configured to activate the thermal management system. The controller activates the thermal management system to satisfy a remote precondition request for a cabin of the vehicle, responsive to receiving the remote precondition request, data indicating the vehicle is in a ventilated area, and an estimated precondition time being less than a threshold precondition time. Each of the estimated precondition and threshold precondition times are derived from the remote precondition request and data.