Model-based method of generating control algorithms for an automatic climate control system

• US 6,698,663 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huang, Lin-Jie, Wang, Mingyu, Archibald, Charles Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/310,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20030146290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49.3, 236/94, 622/29, 621/25, 621/27, 703/7, 703/8, 706/45, 706/46
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/0073 Control systems or circuits characterised by particular algorithms or computational models, e.g. fuzzy logic or dynamic models
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00735 Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00733 Computational models modifying user-set values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users

Abstract

Optimized control algorithms for a vehicle automatic climate control system (ACCS) are developed using math-based models of the vehicle, the ACCS and a vehicle occupant. The models are cross-coupled in closed-loop fashion with feedback from both vehicle systems and occupant. A first feedback loop including the vehicle and the ACCS, simulates how the ACCS interacts with the cabin environment; and a second feedback loop including the vehicle, the ACCS and the occupant, simulates how the occupant will adjust the ACCS to optimize comfort. When the system arrives at a control algorithm that satisfies control objectives and optimizes occupant comfort, an auto-code generation tool is used to create program code directly from the control model, which may be downloaded into a test vehicle for final system confirmation and calibration.

Claims

1. A method of generating a control algorithm for execution by an automatic climate control unit to control an air conditioner of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

simulating a vehicle plant including said air conditioner and a cabin of said motor vehicle;

simulating an automatic climate control unit executing a pre-defined control algorithm responsive to vehicle plant parameters and user input parameters;

cross-coupling the simulated vehicle plant and the simulated automatic climate control unit to simulate a temperature, velocity and location of air to be discharged into said cabin by said air conditioner for satisfying the user input parameters;

simulating a comfort level of a vehicle occupant in response to the simulated air temperature, velocity and location, and an occupant reaction to discomfort, including a requested occupant adjustment of one or more of the user input parameters;

adjusting the user input parameters of the simulated automatic climate control unit in accordance with said requested occupant adjustment to thereby modify the pre-defined control algorithm of the simulated automatic climate control unit in a way that increases the simulated comfort level; and

generating the control algorithm for execution by the automatic climate control unit based on the modified control algorithm of said simulated automatic climate control unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulated automatic climate control unit develops adjustments for control parameters of the simulated air conditioner in response to the vehicle plant parameters and a specified set temperature.

3. The method of claim 2, including the step of:

overriding the control parameter adjustments developed in response to the vehicle plant parameters and the specified set temperature when said user input parameters are adjusted in response to said requested occupant adjustment.

4. The method of claim 1, including the steps of:

determining that the simulated comfort level could be improved by adjusting the simulated temperature of the discharged air; and

requesting occupant adjustment of a user input parameter corresponding to the temperature of the discharged air.

5. The method of claim 1, including the steps of:

determining that the simulated comfort level could be improved by adjusting the simulated velocity of the discharged air; and

requesting occupant adjustment of a user input parameter corresponding to the velocity of the discharged air.

6. The method of claim 1, including the steps of:

determining that the simulated comfort level could be improved by adjusting the simulated location of the discharged air; and

requesting occupant adjustment of a user input parameter corresponding to the location of the discharged air.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined control algorithm includes calibrated parameters, and the method includes the step of:

adjusting said calibrated parameters so as to optimize the simulated comfort level of the vehicle occupant.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined control algorithm includes transient parameters and steady-state parameters, and the method includes the steps of:

averaging the simulated comfort level of the vehicle occupant during a period of simulated operation of said vehicle plant and said automatic climate control unit;

determining a set of calibration values for said transient and steady-state parameters for optimizing the averaged simulated comfort level; and

adjusting said transient and steady-state parameters in accordance with the determined set of calibration values.