Ventilation device

• US 7,625,274 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Geiger, Hary
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister; Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller; Samantha A
• Application Number:
  US11/206,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20060035578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 454/121
• US Class Current: 454/121
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00785 by the detection of humidity or frost
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/008 the input being air quality
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00849 for selectively commanding the induction of outside or inside air B60H1/00842 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0085 Smell or pollution preventing arrangements B60H3/0007, B60H3/0071, B60H3/02, B60H3/06 take precedence

Abstract

A ventilation device for ventilating the interior of a motor vehicle, and a method therefore, in which sensor for determining at least one parameter reflecting the degree of glass condensation is used to determine whether to maintain the vehicle ventilation system in recirculation mode during the actuation of a windshield and/or headlight washer, or to switch to a fresh air mode. In response to the sensor signals, an evaluation device generates a signal for at least temporarily switching to fresh air mode when a parameter value exceeds a predefined value, or generates a time period for a residence time to be observed in recirculation air mode.

Claims

1. Ventilation device for the interior of a motor vehicle, which is switchable between a recirculation air mode and a fresh air mode, comprising:

an airflow mode switching device;

at least one condensation sensor for determining at least one parameter reflecting at least one of a degree of glass condensation or a probability of glass condensation;

an evaluation device, wherein said evaluation device generates a signal for at least one of temporarily switching the air mode switching device to fresh air mode when the at least one parameter exceeds a predefined value, or generating a time period for a residence time to be observed in recirculation air mode, and

a delayed spray initiation device for temporarily successively initiating the generation of a signal or a signal sequence for switching to recirculation air mode and the temporarily delayed initiation of the spray function when a wash water spray nozzle is activated.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein air feed to the glass is prevented before switching to partial fresh air mode or full fresh air mode.

3. Ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the condensation sensor is situated in an upper center region of a windshield.

4. Ventilation device according to claim 3, further comprising:

an airflow control device which prevents air feed to the windshield before switching to partial fresh air mode or full fresh air mode.

5. Method for ventilating the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

activating a wash water spray nozzle;

determining at least one parameter for a degree of glass condensation or probability of glass condensation;

generating as a function of the at least one determined parameter at least one of a signal for at least temporarily switching to fresh air mode when a parameter limiting value exceeds a predefined value, or a time period for a residence time to be observed in recirculation air mode; and

controlling an airflow mode of a ventilation device switchable between a recirculation air mode and a fresh air mode in response to said signal,

wherein the initiation of the spray function of the wash water spray nozzle is temporarily delayed after generation of a signal for controlling the airflow mode to the fresh air mode opening the closing means.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein air feed to the glass is prevented before switching to partial fresh air mode or full fresh air mode.