Method for controlling an air conditioning unit for an automobile
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an air conditioning system in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
- determining a position of the vehicle;
determining an absolute sun position on the basis of the position of the vehicle;
determining a spatial orientation of the vehicle;
computing a position of the sun in relation to the vehicle based on the determined absolute sun position and the determined spatial orientation of the vehicle;
measuring a sun intensity;
determining direct solar radiation incidence into the interior of the vehicle based on the computed position of the sun and the measured sun intensity; and
adjusting the air conditioning system on the basis of the determined direct solar radiation,wherein the spatial orientation is determined at least by determining a longitudinal and lateral tilting of the vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intensity of solar radiation is determined in a vehicle based on an absolute position of the sun, a spatial orientation of the vehicle, and a measured intensity of the sun. A position of the sun relative to the vehicle is determined on the basis of the orientation of the vehicle on the globe. This orientation can be determined by GPS data, at least one acceleration sensor, and/or an additional vehicle compass. The position of the sun relative to the vehicle can be determined based on the individual or combined data and the actual, absolute position of the sun, thereby making it possible to determine the intensity of the solar radiation in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an air conditioning system in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
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determining a position of the vehicle; determining an absolute sun position on the basis of the position of the vehicle; determining a spatial orientation of the vehicle; computing a position of the sun in relation to the vehicle based on the determined absolute sun position and the determined spatial orientation of the vehicle; measuring a sun intensity; determining direct solar radiation incidence into the interior of the vehicle based on the computed position of the sun and the measured sun intensity; and adjusting the air conditioning system on the basis of the determined direct solar radiation, wherein the spatial orientation is determined at least by determining a longitudinal and lateral tilting of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling an air conditioning system in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
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determining a position of the vehicle; determining an absolute sun position on the basis of the position of the vehicle; determining a spatial orientation of the vehicle; computing a position of the sun in relation to the vehicle based on the determined absolute sun position and the determined spatial orientation of the vehicle; measuring a sun intensity; determining direct solar radiation incidence into the interior of the vehicle based on the computed position of the sun and the measured sun intensity; and adjusting the air conditioning system on the basis of the determined direct solar radiation, wherein the measured sun intensity is compared to GPS data and/or RDS data, and wherein, as a result of the comparison, measuring errors of the sun sensor are compensated.
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12. A climate control apparatus comprising:
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a sun position determination unit for determining an absolute value of a position of the sun based on a global position of a vehicle; a spatial orientation unit for determining a spatial orientation of the vehicle, the spatial orientation being determined at least by determining a longitudinal and lateral tilting of the vehicle; a relative sun position unit for determining a relative position of the sun based on the absolute value of the position of the sun and the spatial orientation of the vehicle; a solar intensity measurement unit for measuring incident solar radiation; and a climate control regulation unit for regulating a climate of the vehicle on the basis of the relative sun position and the measured incident solar radiation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification