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Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle HVAC system

  • US 10,675,948 B2
  • Filed: 02/22/2017
  • Issued: 06/09/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A climate system for conditioning a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

  • a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle;

    a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature of the compartment from a user;

    a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant while the engine of the vehicle is on;

    a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and

    a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor, and configured to;

    obtain the desired temperature of the compartment from the user interface;

    obtain the measured temperature of the compartment from the temperature sensor;

    calculate a thermal load of the compartment based at least partially on a difference between the desired temperature and the measured temperature;

    upon determining that the thermal load exceeds a first predetermined thermal load threshold;

    in accordance with a determination that the engine is off, turn on the engine;

    in accordance with a determination that the first compressor is off, activate the first compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment; and

    in accordance with a determination that the second compressor is off, activate the second compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment;

    upon determining that the thermal load does not exceed the first predetermined thermal load threshold but does exceed a second thermal load threshold lower than the first predetermined thermal load threshold;

    in accordance with a determination that the engine is off, turn on the engine; and

    in accordance with a determination that the first compressor is off, activate the first compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment; and

    upon determining that the thermal load does not exceed the second predetermined thermal load threshold;

    in accordance with a determination that the first compressor is on, deactivate the first compressor; and

    in accordance with a determination that the second compressor is off, activate the second compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling the compartment.

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