Variable blower controller for vehicle
First Claim
1. A microprocessor-based variable blower controller for use in a climate control system of a vehicle comprising:
- a field effect transistor;
a temperature sensor in proximity to said field effect transistor and operable to sense a temperature indicative of the temperature of said field effect transistor and generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of said effect transistor; and
a microprocessor operable to control a blower motor of the climate control system of the vehicle via a pulse width modulation output of said microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving said temperature signal from said temperature sensor, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said temperature signal indicative of the temperature of said effect transistor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable blower controller for controlling the blower speed of a climate control system of a vehicle includes a microprocessor which is operable to variably control the blower speed of a blower motor of the climate control system. The variable blower controller provides for smart power management of the blower to avoid high-power dissipative modes when system temperatures are above “safe” levels. The smart power management objective is met by keeping the field effect transistor junction temperature away from design limits or threshold levels where possible. The microprocessor utilizes software and may use a combination of inputs to calculate these levels.
48 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A microprocessor-based variable blower controller for use in a climate control system of a vehicle comprising:
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a field effect transistor;
a temperature sensor in proximity to said field effect transistor and operable to sense a temperature indicative of the temperature of said field effect transistor and generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of said effect transistor; and
a microprocessor operable to control a blower motor of the climate control system of the vehicle via a pulse width modulation output of said microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving said temperature signal from said temperature sensor, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said temperature signal indicative of the temperature of said effect transistor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A microprocessor-based variable blower controller for use in a climate control system of a vehicle comprising:
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a field effect transistor;
a temperature sensor in proximity to said field effect transistor and operable to sense a temperature and generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature; and
a microprocessor operable to control a blower motor of the climate control system of the vehicle via a pulse width modulation output of said microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving said temperature signal from said temperature sensor, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said temperature signal, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said temperature signal being indicative of a temperature greater than or approximately equal to a threshold temperature, wherein said microprocessor is operable to allow the blower motor to operate in at least one of a high defrost condition and a low defrost condition irrespective of said temperature signal.
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10. A microprocessor-based variable blower controller for use in a climate control system of a vehicle comprising:
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a field effect transistor;
a temperature sensor in proximity to said field effect transistor and operable to sense a temperature and generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature; and
a microprocessor operable to control a blower motor of the climate control system of the vehicle via a pulse width modulation output of said microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving said temperature signal from said temperature sensor, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said temperature signal, said microprocessor receiving at least one input indicative of high and low side voltages of the blower motor and a current applied to the blower motor, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said at least one input, wherein said microprocessor is operable to allow the blower motor to operate in at least one of a high defrost condition and a low defrost condition irrespective of said at least one input and said temperature signal.
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11. A microprocessor-based variable blower controller for use in a climate control system of a vehicle comprising:
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a field effect transistor;
a temperature sensor in proximity to said field effect transistor and operable to sense a temperature and generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature; and
a microprocessor operable to control a blower motor of the climate control system of the vehicle via a pulse width modulation output of said microprocessor, said microprocessor receiving said temperature signal from said temperature sensor, said microprocessor being operable to adjust said pulse width modulation output in response to said temperature signal, wherein said microprocessor has an adjustable output performance curve. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification