Vehicle position data enhanced solar sensing for vehicle HVAC applications

• US 20070131782A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Ziehr, Lawrence, Nemesh, Mark, Tumas, Todd
• Application Number:
  US11/296,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20070131782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/1.B
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0075 the input being solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies

Abstract

A vehicle HVAC system as described herein obtains solar intensity data from an onboard solar sensor, along with current vehicle position data from a telematics system or a GPS system. The current vehicle position data is processed to determine the current sun position, which is used to provide a real-time and accurate estimate of the solar intensity in the vehicle interior. Vehicle configuration information, including position data related to light-obstructing features such as pillars, may also influence the solar intensity estimate. The solar intensity estimate can be utilized to control the operation of the vehicle HVAC system.

Claims

1. A method for generating solar load information for a vehicle, said method comprising:

obtaining location data for the vehicle;

obtaining current date/time data;

resolving current sun position relative to the vehicle, based on said location data and said current date/time data, to generate sun correction data;

obtaining solar intensity data from an onboard solar sensor;

obtaining vehicle configuration data; and

normalizing said solar intensity data based on said sun correction data and said vehicle configuration data, to generate at least one solar load value for the vehicle.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting, in response to said at least one solar load value, operation of an onboard HVAC system for the vehicle.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein normalizing said solar intensity data generates a plurality of positional solar load values for the vehicle, each positional solar load value corresponding to a passenger location of the vehicle.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising adjusting, in response to said positional solar load values, zoned operation of an onboard HVAC system for the vehicle.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein resolving current sun position comprises calculating sun azimuth and sun zenith.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said location data for the vehicle comprises data indicative of current vehicle heading; and

said sun correction data indicates current sun position relative to said current vehicle heading.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said vehicle configuration data comprises position data for light-obstructing structures of the vehicle; and

normalizing said solar intensity data compensates for said light-obstructing structures.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining location data for the vehicle comprises receiving said location data from an onboard global positioning system receiver.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining location data for the vehicle comprises receiving said location data from an onboard telematics system.

10. A method for generating solar load information for a vehicle, said method comprising:

obtaining location data for the vehicle;

obtaining current date/time data;

resolving current sun position relative to the vehicle, based on said location data and said current date/time data, to generate sun correction data;

obtaining temperature data for a measurement location on the vehicle;

obtaining vehicle configuration data; and

generating at least one solar load value for the vehicle, based upon said temperature data, said sun correction data, and said vehicle configuration data.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein generating at least one solar load value comprises performing an energy balance to obtain an estimated solar intensity corresponding to said measurement location.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising obtaining inside air temperature for the vehicle, said inside air temperature influencing said energy balance and said estimated solar intensity.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising obtaining outside air temperature, said outside air temperature influencing said energy balance and said estimated solar intensity.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising obtaining a current velocity for the vehicle, said current velocity influencing said energy balance and said estimated solar intensity.

15. A method according to claim 10, further comprising adjusting, in response to said at least one solar load value, operation of an onboard HVAC system for the vehicle.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein resolving current sun position comprises calculating sun azimuth and sun zenith.

17. A method according to claim 10, wherein:

said location data for the vehicle comprises data indicative of current vehicle heading; and

said sun correction data indicates current sun position relative to said current vehicle heading.

18. A method according to claim 10, wherein:

said vehicle configuration data comprises position data for light-obstructing structures of the vehicle; and

said at least one solar load value compensates for said light-obstructing structures.

19. A system for generating solar load information for a vehicle, said system comprising:

at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of solar energy for a measurement location on the vehicle;

a location data source configured to provide current location data for the vehicle;

a calendar-clock source configured to provide current date/time data;

a vehicle configuration data source configured to provide vehicle configuration data; and

a processor, coupled to said sensor, to said location data source, to said calendar-clock source, and to said vehicle configuration data source, said processor being configured to;

resolve current sun position relative to the vehicle, based on said current location data and said current date/time data, to generate sun correction data; and

generate at least one solar load value for the vehicle, based upon said sensor data, said sun correction data, and said vehicle configuration data.

20. A system according to claim 19, said at least one sensor comprising one or more of:

an onboard solar sensor;

an onboard temperature sensor.