Vehicle Climate Control Feasibility Feedback for Intuitive Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern air conditioning systems in vehicles are complex, with numerous functions and variables, making it difficult for operators to intuitively and effectively control the climate, leading to unsatisfied needs and inefficient use of available options.

Innovation Solution

A method that records the operator's air conditioning requirements, breaks them down into specific functions, and compares these with relevant climate variables using sensors, providing feedback on feasibility and suggesting alternative solutions when necessary, to ensure optimal climate control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air conditioning system includes numerous functions and variables to meet increasing control quality demands, then the system's capability to satisfy operator climate needs improves, but the complexity of operation increases making it difficult for operators to intuitively control the climate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimate control qualityVSAvoidoperator control difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically detects operator climate needs through input devices and sensors, then autonomously determines and executes appropriate air conditioning functions without requiring manual configuration of multiple parameters. The system serves itself by converting natural language requirements into technical control actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the operator's simple climate requirements and the complex air conditioning system. It translates operator intent into specific control actions for air distribution, temperature adjustment, and humidity control, shielding the operator from system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the system breaks down operator requirements into multiple air conditioning functions and controls individual units, then the precision of climate control improves, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimate control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the operator's climate requirement into distinct air conditioning functions (e.g., heating, cooling, air distribution, humidity control) and assigns them to specific air conditioning units. This segmentation enables precise control of each function while maintaining overall system manageability through automated coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3645322B1Method and apparatus for controlling air conditioning devices in a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3645322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3645322B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling air conditioning devices in a motor vehicle (10), wherein upon the recording of an operator's air conditioning need and a conversion of said need into an air conditioning function for an air conditioning device, the implementability of the air conditioning need is compared with an influencing variable measured by a sensor (20). If the air conditioning need is recognized as implementable, information asserting this fact is issued to the operator. The invention further relates to an apparatus that allows the method to be carried out.