Method for determining an interior temperature of a passenger area of a motor vehicle, arrangement for execution of the method, and a temperature sensor

• US 20070076781A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anton Ruettiger
• Original Assignee: Anton Ruettiger
• Inventors: Ruettiger, Anton
• Granted Patent: US 7,325,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/141
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0075 the input being solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0271 Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4266 for measuring solar light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0215 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/045 Sealings; Vacuum enclosures; Encapsulated packages; Wafer bonding structures; Getter arrangements getter arrangements per se H01L23/26 and H01L21/3221
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/046 Materials; Selection of thermal materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/061 by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0846 having multiple detectors for performing different types of detection, e.g. using radiometry and reflectometry channels
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/80 Calibration using comparison with reference sources G01J5/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/20 Compensating for effects of temperature changes other than those to be measured, e.g. changes in ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2201/02 in vehicles

Abstract

A signal (S_normal) is provided to a heat element of a temperature sensor, which is recorded as a step response (L_ruh, L_bew). From the difference of the step response compared with the reaction adaptively determined with the temperature sensor at zero air circulation, air flow or no air flow is determined.

Claims

1. A method for determining a temperature of an interior of a vehicle, the method comprising:

measuring and storing a control value, the control value being representative of the temperature of a control element surface that is provided in the interior of the vehicle value and measured with a temperature sensor when there is no air movement within the interior of the vehicle;

providing a pulsed signal to a heat element so that the temperature sensor exhibits a temperature change;

measuring a step response of the temperature sensor;

comparing the step response of the temperature sensor with the control value;

determining a damping amount of the heat element on the basis of the comparison of the step response of the temperature sensor with the control value;

determining a presence or absence of air flow in the interior of the vehicle on the basis of a comparison of the damping amount with a predetermined value; and

determining the temperature of the interior of the vehicle on the basis of the determination of the presence or absence of air flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a control of a heating and air-conditioning system of a vehicle is adjusted on the basis of the determination of the temperature of the interior of the vehicle.