HVAC control system for a multizoned vehicle
First Claim
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1. A control system for controlling HVAC systems in a vehicle having multiple zones, comprising:
- (a) a first climate control system associated with a first zone in the vehicle, the first climate control system having a control head for controlling a first HVAC system that regulates the climate in the first zone;
(b) a second climate control system associated with a second zone in the vehicle, the second climate control system having a control head for controlling a second HVAC system that regulates the climate in the second zone; and
(c) a datalink providing communication between the first climate control system and the second climate control system, said datalink enabling the control head of the first zone to control the HVAC system of the second zone.
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Abstract
An HVAC control system for a vehicle with multiple environmental zones includes a datalink between the control elements of the HVAC systems that regulate the climate in the multiple environmental zones. Control elements for the HVAC systems include an electronic control unit and a control head. A user of the HVAC control system may assign master status to the control head of the zone in which the user is located, and from that control head, control the environmental settings for HVAC systems servicing other zones in the vehicle. A data communication bus implemented in the vehicle may be used as the datalink.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling HVAC systems in a vehicle having multiple zones, comprising:
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(a) a first climate control system associated with a first zone in the vehicle, the first climate control system having a control head for controlling a first HVAC system that regulates the climate in the first zone;
(b) a second climate control system associated with a second zone in the vehicle, the second climate control system having a control head for controlling a second HVAC system that regulates the climate in the second zone; and
(c) a datalink providing communication between the first climate control system and the second climate control system, said datalink enabling the control head of the first zone to control the HVAC system of the second zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A climate control system for a vehicle having multiple zones, comprising:
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(a) for each zone in the vehicle, an HVAC system and associated control head that regulates the climate in the zone, the control head for each zone capable of assuming a master or slave status, wherein master status for a control head in a zone permits the control head to control the HVAC system of another zone; and
(b) a datalink providing communication between the zones, the datalink enabling the control head for a first zone to assume master status over a second zone and control the HVAC system of the second zone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling HVAC systems in a vehicle having multiple zones, wherein each zone in the vehicle has an HVAC system that regulates the climate in the zone, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a control head for each HVAC system in the vehicle, each control head having the capacity to assume a master or slave status;
(b) providing a datalink between the zones, the datalink enabling the zones to coordinate control of the HVAC systems according to the master or slave status assumed by the control heads;
(c) directing the control head for a first zone to assume master status relative to a second zone and control the HVAC system of the second zone via the datalink; and
(d) directing the control head for the second zone to assume slave status and relinquish control of the HVAC system of the second zone to the control head for the first zone. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification