METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20160288615A1
• Filed: 10/28/2014
• Published: 10/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eberspacher Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Carpets Kliem Thomas, Eberspacher Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: KLIEM, Thomas, MARTINKO, Nikola, ZWECKBRONNER, Jrg
• Granted Patent: US 10,457,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00828 Ventilators, e.g. speed control B60H1/00864 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00971 Control systems or circuits characterised by including features for locking or memorising of control modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/22 the heat being derived otherwise than from the propulsion plant B60H1/0025, B60H1/00492 and B60H1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2203 the heat being derived from burners burners in general F23C, F23D, F24H9/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2231 for proper or safe operation of the heater
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/224 automatic operation, e.g. control circuits or methods

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle temperature control system includes, after activation of a vehicle heating unit (16) outputs an activation actuating command to a fan control unit (32), in response thereto the fan control unit (32) outputs a vehicle data bus disconnect command to a vehicle data bus disconnect unit (38), the vehicle data bus disconnect unit (38) disconnects a vehicle data bus (28) for providing a partial vehicle data bus (40) in response to receiving the vehicle data bus disconnect command from the fan control unit (32) and after providing the partial vehicle data bus (40), the fan control unit (32) outputs an activation actuating command to an air conditioning unit (34). The air conditioning unit (34) puts at least one vehicle fan (18) and/or at least one air flow influencing unit (36) into a specified operating condition in response to receiving the activation actuating command

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle temperature control system, wherein the vehicle temperature control system comprises:

a vehicle data bus;

a blower control unit in data exchange connection with the vehicle data bus for generating actuating commands at least for at least one vehicle blower,

an air-conditioning control unit in data exchange connection with the vehicle data bus for generating actuating commands at least for at least one air flow influencing unit, wherein the air-conditioning control unit is configured to receive actuating commands generated by the blower control unit at least for the at least one vehicle blower via the vehicle data bus and to actuate the at least one vehicle blower corresponding to the actuating commands received;

a vehicle heater providing heat to be transferred to the air to be introduced into a vehicle interior, wherein an operating device for inputting or generating or both inputting and generating information defining a heating operation to be carried out is associated with the vehicle heater, wherein the vehicle heater is in actuating connection with the blower control unit; and

a vehicle data bus disconnect unit for disconnecting the vehicle data bus such that a partial vehicle data bus permitting the data exchange connection between the blower control unit and the air-conditioning control unit is provided, wherein the vehicle data bus disconnect unit is in actuating connection with the blower control unit, in which method after activating the vehicle heater comprises the steps of;

with the vehicle heater sending an activation actuating command to the blower control unit;

with the blower control unit sending a vehicle data bus disconnect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit in response to the receipt of the activation actuating command from the vehicle heater;

with the vehicle data bus disconnect unit disconnecting the vehicle data bus for providing the partial vehicle data bus in response to the receipt of the vehicle data bus disconnect command from the blower control unit;

with the blower control unit sending an activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit after providing the partial vehicle data bus; and

with the air-conditioning control putting the at least one vehicle blower or the at least one air flow influencing unit or both the at least one vehicle blower and the at least one air flow influencing unit into a specified operating state in response to the receipt of the activation actuating command from the blower control unit.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the air-conditioning control unit is put into an operating state by the sending of the activation actuating command sent by the blower control unit, wherein in the operating state, the air-conditioning control unit puts the at least one vehicle blower or the at least one air flow influencing unit or both the at least one vehicle blower and the at least one air flow influencing unit into an operating state specified by the activation actuating command from the blower control unit.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein in the specified operating state:

at least one vehicle blower is activated for operation at a predetermined speed or within an average speed range;

or

a hot air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit is in an actuating state providing a maximum temperature;

or

at least one air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit, is in a defrost position;

or

a fresh air/circulating air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit is in a position providing a predetermined fresh air/circulating air ratio;

or

any combination of at least one vehicle blower is activated for operation at a predetermined speed or within an average speed range and a hot air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit is in an actuating state providing a maximum temperature and at least one air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit, is in a defrost position and a fresh air/circulating air flap unit. As the at least one air flow influencing unit is in a position providing a predetermined fresh air/circulating air ratio.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein after ending the operation of the vehicle heater the method further comprises the steps of:

with the blower control unit ending the sending of the activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit or sending a deactivation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit or both ending the sending of the activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit and sending a deactivation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit, wherein thereafter air-conditioning control unit deactivates the at least one vehicle blower or puts the at least one air flow influencing unit back into an initial state or both deactivates the at least one vehicle blower and puts the at least one air flow influencing unit back into an initial state and the air-conditioning control unit assumes an inoperative state; and

with the blower control unit ending the sending of the vehicle data bus disconnect command or sending a vehicle data bus connect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit or both ending the sending of the vehicle data bus disconnect command and sending a vehicle data bus connect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit, wherein thereafter the vehicle data bus disconnect unit ends the disconnection of the vehicle data bus for providing the partial vehicle data bus.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein if activities indicating a start-up of a vehicle are detected during the operation of the vehicle heater, the method further comprises the steps of:

with the vehicle data bus disconnect unit ending the disconnection of the vehicle data bus; and

after the ending of the disconnection of the vehicle data bus, with the blower control unit ending the sending of the activation actuating command to the data bus disconnect unit and the sending of the activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein that the vehicle heater resumes the heating operation as a function of a temperature of a heat transfer medium to be heated by the vehicle heater and, furthermore, sends the activation actuating command to the blower control unit.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein if the activities indicating a start-up of a vehicle are ended before an intended end of operation of the vehicle heater again carrying out the steps comprising:

sending a vehicle data bus disconnect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit;

disconnecting the vehicle data bus for providing the partial vehicle data bus;

sending an activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit after providing the partial vehicle data bus; and

putting the at least one vehicle blower or the at least one air flow influencing unit or both the at least one vehicle blower and the at least one air flow influencing unit into a specified operating state in response to the receipt of the activation actuating command from the blower control unit.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle heater is a fuel operated vehicle heater.

8. A vehicle temperature control system comprising:

a vehicle data bus;

at least one vehicle blower;

a blower control unit in data exchange connection with the vehicle data bus for generating actuating commands at least for the at least one vehicle blower;

at least one flow influencing unit;

an air-conditioning control unit in data exchange connection with the vehicle data bus for generating actuating commands at least for the at least one air flow influencing units, wherein the air-conditioning control unit is configured to receive actuating commands generated by the blower control unit at least for the at least one vehicle blower via the vehicle data bus and to actuate the at least one vehicle blower corresponding to the actuating commands received;

a vehicle heater for providing heat to be transferred to air to be introduced into a vehicle interior, wherein an operating device for inputting or generating or both inputting and generating information defining a heating operation to be carried out is associated with the vehicle heater, wherein the vehicle heater is in actuating connection with the blower control unit; and

a vehicle data bus disconnect unit for disconnecting the vehicle data bus such that a partial vehicle data bus permitting the data exchange connection between the blower control unit and the air-conditioning control unit is provided, wherein the vehicle data bus disconnect unit is in actuating connection with the blower control unit.

9. A vehicle temperature control system according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle heater is a fuel operated vehicle heater.

10. A vehicle temperature control system according to claim 8, wherein

the vehicle heater sends an activation actuating command to the blower control unit;

the blower control unit sends a vehicle data bus disconnect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit in response to the receipt of the activation actuating command from the vehicle heater;

the vehicle data bus disconnect unit disconnects the vehicle data bus for providing the partial vehicle data bus in response to the receipt of the vehicle data bus disconnect command from the blower control unit;

the blower control unit sends an activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit after providing the partial vehicle data bus; and

the air-conditioning control unit puts the at least one vehicle blower or the at least one air flow influencing unit or both the at least one vehicle blower and the at least one air flow influencing unit into a specified operating state in response to the receipt of the activation actuating command from the blower control unit.

11. A vehicle temperature control system according to with claim 10, wherein the air-conditioning control unit is put into an operating state by the sending of the activation actuating command sent by the blower control unit, wherein in the operating state, the air-conditioning control unit puts the at least one vehicle blower or the at least one air flow influencing unit or both the at least one vehicle blower and the at least one air flow influencing unit into an operating state specified by the activation actuating command from the blower control unit.

12. A vehicle temperature control system according to claim 10, wherein in the specified operating state:

the at least one vehicle blower is activated for operation at a predetermined speed or within an average speed range;

or

a hot air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit is in an actuating state providing a maximum temperature;

or

the hot air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit, is in a defrost position;

or

a fresh air/circulating air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit is in a position providing a predetermined fresh air/circulating air ratio;

or

any combination of at least one vehicle blower is activated for operation at a predetermined speed or within an average speed range and a hot air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit is in an actuating state providing a maximum temperature and at least one air flap unit, as the at least one air flow influencing unit, is in a defrost position and a fresh air/circulating air flap unit. As the at least one air flow influencing unit is in a position providing a predetermined fresh air/circulating air ratio.

13. A vehicle temperature control system according to with claim 10, wherein after ending the operation of the vehicle heater:

the blower control unit ends the sending of the activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit or sends a deactivation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit or both ends the sending of the activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit and sends a deactivation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit, wherein thereafter the air-conditioning control unit deactivates the at least one vehicle blower or puts the at least one air flow influencing unit back into an initial state or both deactivates the at least one vehicle blower and puts the at least one air flow influencing unit back into an initial state, and the air-conditioning control unit assumes an inoperative state; and

the blower control unit ends the sending of the vehicle data bus disconnect command or sends a vehicle data bus connect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit or both ends the sending of the vehicle data bus disconnect command and sends a vehicle data bus connect command to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit, wherein thereafter the vehicle data bus disconnect unit ends the disconnection of the vehicle data bus for providing the partial vehicle data bus.

14. A vehicle temperature control system according to with claim 10, wherein if activities indicating a start-up of a vehicle are detected during the operation of the vehicle heater:

the vehicle data bus disconnect unit ends the disconnection of the vehicle data bus; and

after the ending of the disconnection of the vehicle data bus, the blower control unit ends the sending of the activation actuating command to the data bus disconnect unit and sends the activation actuating command to the air-conditioning control unit.

15. A vehicle temperature control system according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle heater resumes the heating operation as a function of a temperature of a heat transfer medium to be heated by the vehicle heater and, furthermore, sends the activation actuating command to the blower control unit.

16. A vehicle temperature control system according to with claim 15, wherein if the activities indicating a start-up of a vehicle are ended before an intended end of operation of the vehicle heater:

a vehicle data bus disconnect command is sent from the blower control unit to the vehicle data bus disconnect unit;

the vehicle data bus is disconnected for providing the partial vehicle data bus;

an activation actuating command is sent from the blower control unit to the air-conditioning control unit after providing the partial vehicle data bus; and

the blower control unit puts the at least one vehicle blower or the at least one air flow influencing unit or both the at least one vehicle blower and the at least one air flow influencing unit into a specified operating state in response to the receipt of the activation actuating command from the blower control unit.