Abstract: A vehicle accessory power management assembly has a power device, an accessory device, a power transmitting device and a controller. The power transmitting device has an input part coupled to the power device, an output part coupled to the accessory device, and a speed ratio switching part switchable between a first operating state in which the input part and the output part rotate at a first speed ratio relative to one another and a second operating state in which the input part and the output part rotate at a second speed ratio relative to one another. The controller is configured to switch the speed ratio switching part between the first operating state and the second operating state in response determining whether the speed of output of the power device is above a pre-determined value or below a pre-determined value.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel mileage determining system includes a fuel consumption measuring device, a distance measuring device, a display configured to display fuel mileage data and a controller. The controller is coupled to the fuel consumption measuring device, the distance measuring device and the display. The controller is configured to calculate fuel mileage data using baseline data, data from the fuel consumption measuring device and data from the distance measuring device. The controller further shows the fuel mileage data calculated on the display. The controller is further configured to determine the baseline data as follows: in response to a reset condition being detected, the controller defines the baseline data as being equal to initial factory settings; and in response to the reset condition not being detected, the controller defines the baseline data as being equal to previously determined fuel and distance data.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes an air handler, a blower motor, an audio event device and a controller. The air handler is connected to a passenger compartment. The blower motor is operably connected to the air handler to provide a plurality of airflow rates for air flowing into a passenger compartment. The audio event device produces an audio event to the passenger compartment. The controller is operatively connected to the blower motor and the audio event device. The controller controls operation of the blower motor initially at an operating airflow rate and subsequently switches to a noise reducing airflow rate in response to a signal from the audio event device indicating that the audio event device will subsequently produce the audio event.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel mileage determining system includes a fuel consumption measuring device, a distance measuring device, a display configured to display fuel mileage data and a controller. The controller is coupled to the fuel consumption measuring device, the distance measuring device and the display. The controller is configured to calculate fuel mileage data using baseline data, data from the fuel consumption measuring device and data from the distance measuring device. The controller further shows the fuel mileage data calculated on the display. The controller is further configured to determine the baseline data as follows: in response to a reset condition being detected, the controller defines the baseline data as being equal to initial factory settings; and in response to the reset condition not being detected, the controller defines the baseline data as being equal to previously determined fuel and distance data.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory power management assembly includes a vehicle speed sensor, an accelerator sensor, an accessory device, a power transmitting device and a controller. The power transmitting device receives rotational power from a power device and transmits it to the accessory device. The power transmitting device is switchable between a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state the accessory device is operated at a first power consumption level and in the second operating state the accessory device is operated at a second power consumption level lower than the first power consumption level. The controller is configured to switch the switching part from the first operating state to the second operating state in response to determining that a current level of acceleration requested of the power device is of greater importance than operating the accessory device at the first operating state.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory power management assembly includes a vehicle speed sensor, an accelerator sensor, an accessory device, a power transmitting device and a controller. The power transmitting device receives rotational power from a power device and transmits it to the accessory device. The power transmitting device is switchable between a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state the accessory device is operated at a first power consumption level and in the second operating state the accessory device is operated at a second power consumption level lower than the first power consumption level. The controller is configured to switch the switching part from the first operating state to the second operating state in response to determining that a current level of acceleration requested of the power device is of greater importance than operating the accessory device at the first operating state.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory power management assembly has a power device, an accessory device, a power transmitting device and a controller. The power transmitting device has an input part coupled to the power device, an output part coupled to the accessory device, and a speed ratio switching part switchable between a first operating state in which the input part and the output part rotate at a first speed ratio relative to one another and a second operating state in which the input part and the output part rotate at a second speed ratio relative to one another. The controller is configured to switch the speed ratio switching part between the first operating state and the second operating state in response determining whether the speed of output of the power device is above a pre-determined value or below a pre-determined value.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control arrangement includes an automatic transmission coupled to a propulsion device. A selector device is operably connected to the automatic transmission for selecting a mode of operation of the automatic transmission including at least a forward drive setting. A temperature sensor arrangement measures a control temperature of at least one of a cooling system of the propulsion device and the automatic transmission. A motion sensor arrangement detects a motion status of the vehicle. The controller temporarily operates the automatic transmission in a decoupled mode in which the automatic transmission is at least partially decoupled from the propulsion device with the selector device in the forward drive setting in order to reduce heat generation in response to the temperature sensor arrangement detecting the control temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature and the motion sensor indicating that the vehicle is not in motion.

Abstract: An air handling system includes a housing, a blower, a sensor, an air intake valve and a controller. The housing includes an outlet to a passenger compartment, a fresh air inlet providing fresh air into the housing and a recirculated air inlet that guides air flow from the passenger compartment into the housing. The blower moves air through the housing. The air intake valve moves between a closed position blocking air flow from the fresh air inlet into the housing and an open position unblocking air flow from the fresh air inlet into the housing. The controller positions the air intake valve relative to the fresh air inlet controlling the flow of fresh air into the housing and thereby maintaining moisture density of the air flow entering the passenger compartment within a prescribed range based on humidity and temperature values from the sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes a controller. An air handler provides airflow to a passenger compartment. An inputting device sets a target temperature for the passenger compartment. A temperature sensor measures a current temperature within the passenger compartment. A sensor detects an ambient condition outside of the passenger compartment. A blower motor moves the air flowing through the air handler into the passenger compartment at an adjustable operating airflow rate. The controller is connected to the air handler, the inputting device, the temperature sensor, the exterior sensor, and the blower motor. The controller determines and implements adjustments to the operating airflow rate in order to reduce airflow noise level based on at least the ambient condition, a comparison between the target temperature and the current temperature within the passenger compartment and a noise level of the airflow in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a coolant temperature sensor, an intake temperature sensor, an air intake heater, a heating system and a controller. The intake temperature sensor measures a temperature of combustion air entering the engine. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of engine coolant. The air intake heater is configured to heat the combustion air. The controller is operably coupled to the coolant temperature sensor, the intake temperature sensor and the air intake heater. The controller is configured to operate the air intake heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the air intake temperature is below a first temperature threshold and the coolant temperature is below a second temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle cabin heating system includes setting a target temperature for a vehicle cabin interior space. The method also includes measuring current temperature within the vehicle cabin interior space at a location spaced apart from a first infrared heater and spaced apart from a target surface within the vehicle cabin interior space, the first infrared heater being aimed to heat the target surface. A surface temperature of the target surface is estimated based the current temperature. The first infrared heater is controlled such that the heater is turned on in response to the estimated surface temperature of the target surface falling below the target temperature by a predetermined amount, and the heater is turned off in response to the estimated surface temperature rising above the target temperature by the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control arrangement includes an automatic transmission coupled to a propulsion device. A selector device is operably connected to the automatic transmission for selecting a mode of operation of the automatic transmission including at least a forward drive setting. A temperature sensor arrangement measures a control temperature of at least one of a cooling system of the propulsion device and the automatic transmission. A motion sensor arrangement detects a motion status of the vehicle. The controller temporarily operates the automatic transmission in a decoupled mode in which the automatic transmission is at least partially decoupled from the propulsion device with the selector device in the forward drive setting in order to reduce heat generation in response to the temperature sensor arrangement detecting the control temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature and the motion sensor indicating that the vehicle is not in motion.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes an air handler, a blower motor, an audio event device and a controller. The air handler is connected to a passenger compartment. The blower motor is operably connected to the air handler to provide a plurality of airflow rates for air flowing into a passenger compartment. The audio event device produces an audio event to the passenger compartment. The controller is operatively connected to the blower motor and the audio event device. The controller controls operation of the blower motor initially at an operating airflow rate and subsequently switches to a noise reducing airflow rate in response to a signal from the audio event device indicating that the audio event device will subsequently produce the audio event.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes a controller. An air handler provides airflow to a passenger compartment. An inputting device sets a target temperature for the passenger compartment. A temperature sensor measures a current temperature within the passenger compartment. A sensor detects an ambient condition outside of the passenger compartment. A blower motor moves the air flowing through the air handler into the passenger compartment at an adjustable operating airflow rate. The controller is connected to the air handler, the inputting device, the temperature sensor, the exterior sensor, and the blower motor. The controller determines and implements adjustments to the operating airflow rate in order to reduce airflow noise level based on at least the ambient condition, a comparison between the target temperature and the current temperature within the passenger compartment and a noise level of the airflow in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the compressor to manage operation of the compressor during a cooling operation that provides temperature reduction of air flowing across heat transferring portions of the evaporator. The controller further manages operation of the compressor in a moisture releasing operation in response to termination of the cooling operation. The moisture releasing operation includes, for example, finite operation of the compressor that retards release of moisture from the heat transferring portions of the evaporator.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin heating system is provided basically with an infrared heater, a temperature sensor and a controller. The infrared heater is aimed to heat a target surface in front of the infrared heater within a vehicle cabin interior space. The temperature sensor is disposed in front of the first infrared heater to detect a measured temperature in front of the first infrared heater. The controller is operatively coupled to the first infrared heater to selectively operate the first infrared heater to a target surface temperature within the vehicle cabin interior space whenever an estimated surface temperature of a target surface is determined based on the measured temperature by the temperature sensor falls below a prescribed temperature range below the target surface temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the vehicle engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC noise control system includes an air handler, a blower motor, an audio event device and a controller. The air handler is connected to a passenger compartment. The blower motor is operably connected to the air handler to provide a plurality of airflow rates for air flowing into a passenger compartment. The audio event device produces an audio event to the passenger compartment. The controller is operatively connected to the blower motor and the audio event device. The controller controls operation of the blower motor initially at an operating airflow rate and subsequently switches to a noise reducing airflow rate in response to a signal from the audio event device indicating that the audio event device will subsequently produce the audio event.