Sunload sensor for automatic climate control systems

• US 5,957,375 A
• Filed: 10/28/1996
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E & T Controls, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: West, Christopher G.
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US08/741,331
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 236/91 C, 126/573, 126/578, 250/203.4, 356/139.01, 73/DIG. 11
• US Class Current: 236/91.00C
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0075 the input being solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 73/11 Photoelectric cell

Abstract

A dual zone climate control system having a sensor capable of sensing solar radiation or sunload entering different localized areas of a vehicle cabin incorporated with a climate control unit for selectively distributing air to localized areas of the vehicle cabin. The climate control unit being controlled by a control unit which processes input received from the sensor and other settings, and controls the temperature and distribution of the air therefrom.

Claims

1. A dual zone sunload sensor for sensing radiant energy, said sensor comprising:

a sensor housing;

a lens attached to said housing so as to be generally coplanar with a top surface of said housing;

a sensor element including a first sensor and a second sensor having a common cathode, said sensing element being covered by and positioned a distance below said lens such that said housing extends circumferentially around said sensor element to block radiant energy transmitted in a first angular orientation from said second sensor and to further block radiant energy transmitted in a second angular orientation from said first sensor.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a panel having an aperture found therein and a wall portion extending downwardly from said panel.

3. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said first and second sensors are photovoltaic cells.

4. The sensor of claim 3 wherein said photovoltaic cells produce an electrical current as an output signal when the cells are exposed to radiant energy.

5. The sensor of claim 3 wherein said photovoltaic cells produce an electrical voltage as an output signal when the cells are exposed to radiant energy.

6. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said first and second sensors have a common cathode.

7. A dual zone sunload sensor for sensing radiant energy entering a vehicle cabin, said sensor comprising:

a sensor including a first light sensitive component and a second light sensitive component having a common cathode with said first light sensitive component;

a lens covering said sensor; and

a housing adapted for fixed placement within said vehicle cabin and extending downwardly from said lens such that said first and second light sensitive components are positioned a distance below said lens, said housing extending circumferentially around said first and second light sensitive components to block said radiant energy entering said first side of said vehicle from said second light sensing component and to further block said radiant energy entering said second side of said vehicle said first sensing portion such that radiant energy entering from a first side of said vehicle cabin causes said first component to produce a first output signal generally proportional to said radiant energy said first component is exposed thereto, and said second component being disposed such that radiant energy entering from a second side of said vehicle cabin causes said second component to produce a second output signal generally proportional to said radiant energy said second component is exposed thereto.

8. The sensor of claim 7, wherein said first and second light sensitive components are photovoltaic cells.

9. The sensor of claim 8 wherein said photovoltaic cells produce an electrical current as an output signal when said cells are exposed to said radiant energy.

10. The sensor of claim 8 wherein said photovoltaic cells produce an electrical voltage as an output signal when said cells are exposed to said radiant energy.

11. A dual zone sunload sensor for sensing radiant energy an said sensor comprising:

a sensing element having a ceramic header including a first sensing portion having a first photodiode die disposed thereon for generating a first output signal which is proportional to the radiant energy impinging thereupon, a second sensing portion having a second photodiode die disposed on said second sensing portion for generating a second output signal which is proportional to the radiant energy impinging thereupon;

a lens covering said sensing element; and

a sensor housing extending downwardly from said lens and circumferentially around said sensing element such that said ceramic header is positioned a distance below said lens and said sensor housing blocks radiant energy transmitted in a first angular orientation from said first photodiode die and further blocks radiant energy transmitted in a second angular orientation from said second photodiode die.

12. The sensor of claim 11 further comprising a common cathode operably connected between said ceramic header and said first and second photodiode dies to produce said first and second output signals, respectively.