Process for auxiliary air conditioning of a motor vehicle

• US 6,626,003 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
• Original Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
• Inventors: Kortüm, Franz-Josef, Wecker, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad M.
• Application Number:
  US09/492,840
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 622/39, 622/351.7, 622/44
• US Class Current: 62/235.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00 Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices heating, cooling or ventilating devices providing other air treatment, the other treatment being relevant, B60H3/00; ventilating solely by opening windows, doors, roof parts, or the like B60J; heating or ventilating devices for vehicle seats B60N2/56; vehicle window or windscreen cleaners using air, e.g. defrosters, B60S1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00778 the input being a stationary vehicle position, e.g. parking or stopping
• 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: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

Process for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by means of an air conditioning system (7) using solar power which is obtained via at least one solar module (1) which is attached to the motor vehicle, especially on the motor vehicle roof, and which is also used for charging a battery (4) of the motor vehicle, in which the solar power is used additionally or alternatively to charge the motor vehicle battery (4), and also to operate a ventilation system (6) when the vehicle is unoccupied, and in which the air conditioning system (7) is activated prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment, the air conditioning system being operated so as to draw most of its power from the motor vehicle battery (4).

Claims

1. Process for air conditioning of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by means of an air conditioning system having a compressor using solar power which is obtained via at least one solar module which is attached to the motor vehicle and which is also used for charging a battery of the motor vehicle, comprising steps of:

utilizing the solar power to charge the motor vehicle battery and to operate an auxiliary ventilation system; and

operating the compressor-based air conditioning system for a limited period of time prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment,

wherein the compressor-based air conditioning system is operated so as to draw most of its power from the motor vehicle battery.

2. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a low power air conditioning system with a COP (coefficient of performance) of 3 to 5 is used as the auxiliary ventilation system.

3. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compressor-based air conditioning system is also used when the vehicle is driving by being driven by an engine of the motor vehicle, the compressor-based air conditioning system being decoupled from the engine and operated with reduced power when operated, prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment, drawing most of its power from the motor vehicle battery.

4. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle battery is disconnected from the auxiliary ventilation system and the compressor-based air conditioning system when battery voltage is below a predetermined voltage level.

5. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parts of the motor vehicle which come into contact with passengers in the passenger compartment are preferentially cooled by the compressor-based air conditioning system.

6. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compressor-based air conditioning system is an electrical air conditioning system which operates at full power during driving powered by an onboard vehicle electrical system connected to a generator, and which works with reduced power from at least one of the solar module and the battery prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment.

7. Process for air conditioning of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by means of an air conditioning system having a compressor using solar power which is obtained via at least one solar module which is attached to the motor vehicle and which is also used for charging a battery of the motor vehicle, comprising steps of:

utilizing the solar power to charge the motor vehicle battery and to operate an auxiliary ventilation system; and

operating the compressor-based air conditioning system for a limited period of time prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment,

wherein the compressor-based air conditioning system is operated so as to draw most of its power from the motor vehicle battery and wherein said auxiliary ventilation system is operated in a preliminary cooling phase prior to commencing operation of said compressor-based air conditioning system.