Vehicle Interior Temperature Control via Single Vent Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior temperature control systems require multiple sensors, increasing complexity and cost, as they struggle to accurately measure both interior and exterior temperatures with minimal hardware.
Innovation Solution
A single temperature sensor is strategically placed in or near a ventilation opening of the vehicle, combining interior and exterior air temperature measurements to generate a representative signal for controlling the interior temperature, eliminating the need for separate exterior sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to measure both interior and exterior temperatures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of interior temperature sensor and exterior temperature sensor into a single temperature sensor positioned in a ventilation opening. The sensor measures a composite temperature that reflects both interior and exterior thermal conditions, eliminating the need for separate sensors while maintaining the ability to control interior temperature based on both temperature sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The single temperature sensor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the interior temperature sensor and the exterior temperature sensor simultaneously. By positioning it in the ventilation opening where air from both interior and exterior mixes, the sensor provides universal temperature information needed for both interior and exterior temperature control functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the requirement for multiple temperature sensors into a single sensor installation. This reduces component costs, assembly costs, and calibration costs while maintaining the temperature control accuracy needed for modern climate systems by capturing both interior and exterior temperature influences in one measurement.
3Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the vehicle body, then exterior temperature measurement is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation opening acts as an intermediary medium that naturally provides thermal coupling between the temperature sensor and exterior air without requiring direct mounting on the vehicle body. The sensor is positioned where ventilation air flows, allowing it to measure exterior temperature influence through the moving air rather than through thermal conduction to the body.
4Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is positioned to measure both interior and exterior temperatures, then sensor quantity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the dynamic ventilation air flow to continuously refresh the thermal environment around the sensor. As ventilation air moves through the opening, it dynamically carries thermal information from both interior and exterior sources, allowing the sensor to accurately capture both temperature influences without being subject to static thermal biases that would reduce 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
This solution reduces hardware components and costs, enhances accuracy by accounting for exterior temperature influence, and simplifies installation, while minimizing mechanical wear and dirt-related malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensor can measure a temperature value which is a combination of the temperatures of the air in the passenger compartment and the outside air surrounding the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the temperature sensor is arranged in a ventilation flow leading from the passenger compartment to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling the inside temperature in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, wherein the device is provided with an inside temperature controller (22) for controlling the inside temperature of the passenger compartment (14) to a specifiable target value TSOLL as a function of the difference between the target value TSOLL and an actual value TIST at the input of the inside temperature controller (22), with a set-point adjuster (20) for specifying the inside temperature target value TSOLL and a temperature sensor (24) for measuring a temperature value as the actual value TIST for forming the difference at the input of the inside temperature controller (22). In this device for controlling the inside temperature, the temperature sensor (24) is disposed in or on a vent opening (26) of the vehicle directed from the passenger compartment (14) to the outside, such that the temperature sensor (24) can measure a temperature value, which is a combination of the temperatures of the air in the passenger compartment (14) and the outside air surrounding the vehicle.