Method and apparatus for sensing temperature of vehicle interior
First Claim
1. A method for accurately measuring a temperature of air from an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
- sensing when a passenger is entering said vehicle;
activating an aspirator upon said sensing;
purging air surrounding a thermistor by pulling said air from said passenger compartment through a vent; and
measuring said temperature using said thermistor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature sensing device for a vehicle samples air from an interior passenger compartment to determine passenger compartment temperature by purging air in a region surrounding a temperature sensor, in favor of passenger compartment air. A sensor triggered by door operation allows the purging process to begin before a passenger enters the vehicle and the vehicle'"'"'s automatic temperature control system is activated. A method of accurately measuring the temperature of air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle involves the steps of sensing that the passenger is about to enter the vehicle purging the air in the region surrounding the sensor and drawing in air from the passenger compartment, and measuring the air at the sensor after the purging step.
13 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for accurately measuring a temperature of air from an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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sensing when a passenger is entering said vehicle; activating an aspirator upon said sensing; purging air surrounding a thermistor by pulling said air from said passenger compartment through a vent; and measuring said temperature using said thermistor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. For use in a temperature sensing device associated with an automatic temperature control system of a vehicle, wherein an aspirator is activated to purge air surrounding a thermistor in favor of air pulled from an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle such that a temperature measured by said thermistor corresponds to the temperature of said passenger compartment, an improvement comprising:
a sensor that determines when a passenger is entering said vehicle such that said aspirator is activated before said passenger enters said vehicle and said automatic temperature control system is started, increasing the accuracy of the temperature measured by said thermistor that is used by said automatic temperature control system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A temperature control device for a vehicle comprising:
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a thermistor for measuring temperature; an aspirator with a motor and an impeller, said aspirator used to purge air surrounding said thermistor; a sensor that sends a signal upon sensing that a passenger is about to enter the vehicle; and a controller, said controller connected to said thermistor, said aspirator, and said sensor, said controller sequentially receiving said signal from said sensor, activating said aspirator, and activating said thermistor.
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Specification