Monitoring air filter status in automotive HVAC system
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring for a clogged or an unclogged state of an air filter in an automotive HVAC system, wherein the HVAC system includes a blower having a blower motor providing a driven airflow, a plurality of outlet registers controllable to provide a plurality of circulation modes, and an evaporator for selectably cooling the driven airflow, wherein the air filter passes the driven airflow, the method comprising the steps of:
- entering a baseline condition, wherein the baseline condition includes applying a moisture purge to the evaporator and selection of a predetermined circulation mode;
controlling the blower motor to maintain a testing speed;
quantifying an energization of the blower motor while maintaining the testing speed;
comparing the energization to a base value derived according to the baseline condition with the air filter in an unclogged state;
triggering a replacement action when the energization is greater than the base value; and
wherein the method of monitoring of the air filter is performed in a plurality of baseline conditions each corresponding to a respective circulation mode, wherein a plurality of base values are stored according to respective baseline conditions, and wherein the method further comprises the step of selecting a base value for use in the comparing step according to the predetermined circulation mode present in the HVAC system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and methods are provided for monitoring for a clogged or unclogged state of an air filter in an automotive HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a blower having a blower motor providing a driven airflow. A plurality of outlet registers is controllable to provide a plurality of circulation modes. An evaporator selectably cools the driven airflow, and the air filter passes the driven airflow. The method enters a baseline condition, wherein the baseline condition includes applying a moisture purge to the evaporator and selection of a predetermined circulation mode. The blower motor is controlled to maintain a testing speed. An energization of the blower motor is quantified while maintaining the testing speed. The energization is compared to a base value derived according to the baseline condition with the air filter in an unclogged state. A replacement action is triggered when the energization is greater than the base value.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring for a clogged or an unclogged state of an air filter in an automotive HVAC system, wherein the HVAC system includes a blower having a blower motor providing a driven airflow, a plurality of outlet registers controllable to provide a plurality of circulation modes, and an evaporator for selectably cooling the driven airflow, wherein the air filter passes the driven airflow, the method comprising the steps of:
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entering a baseline condition, wherein the baseline condition includes applying a moisture purge to the evaporator and selection of a predetermined circulation mode; controlling the blower motor to maintain a testing speed; quantifying an energization of the blower motor while maintaining the testing speed; comparing the energization to a base value derived according to the baseline condition with the air filter in an unclogged state; triggering a replacement action when the energization is greater than the base value; and wherein the method of monitoring of the air filter is performed in a plurality of baseline conditions each corresponding to a respective circulation mode, wherein a plurality of base values are stored according to respective baseline conditions, and wherein the method further comprises the step of selecting a base value for use in the comparing step according to the predetermined circulation mode present in the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An HVAC system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a blower having a blower motor providing a driven airflow; a plurality of outlet registers controllable to provide a plurality of circulation modes; an evaporator for selectably cooling the driven airflow; an air filter for passing the driven airflow; a controller configured to monitor for a clogged or an unclogged state of the air filter by performing the steps of; entering a baseline condition, wherein the baseline condition includes applying a moisture purge to the evaporator and selection of a predetermined circulation mode; controlling the blower motor to maintain a testing speed; quantifying an energization of the blower motor while maintaining the testing speed; comparing the energization to a base value derived according to the baseline condition with the air filter in an unclogged state; triggering a replacement action when the energization is greater than the base value; and monitoring the air filter in a plurality of baseline conditions each corresponding to a respective circulation mode, wherein the controller stores a plurality of base values according to respective baseline conditions, and wherein the controller selects a base value for use in the comparing step according to the predetermined circulation mode present in the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of monitoring for a clogged or an unclogged state of an air filter in an automotive HVAC system, wherein the HVAC system includes a blower having a blower motor providing a driven airflow, a plurality of outlet registers controllable to provide a plurality of circulation modes, and an evaporator for selectably cooling the driven airflow, wherein the air filter passes the driven airflow, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) entering a baseline condition, wherein the baseline condition includes applying a moisture purge to the evaporator and selection of a predetermined circulation mode; b) controlling the blower motor to maintain a testing speed; c) quantifying an energization of the blower motor while maintaining the testing speed; d) comparing the energization to a base value derived according to the baseline condition with the air filter in an unclogged state to obtain a comparison value; e) repeating steps a, b, c, and d to obtain at least one subsequent comparison value; f) triggering a replacement action when the comparison value and the at least one subsequent comparison value indicates the energization is greater than the base value; and wherein the method of monitoring the air filter is performed in a plurality of baseline conditions each corresponding to a respective circulation mode, wherein a plurality of base values are stored according to respective baseline conditions, and wherein the method further comprises the step of selecting a base value for use in the comparing step according to the predetermined circulation mode present in the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification