Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a personal thermal device. The personal thermal device provides heating or cooling to an individual occupant of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller implementing reinforcement learning to control the personal thermal device. The controller obtains states, from one or more sensors, indicating current conditions, to obtain a score that is determined according to the states and that represents a reward used in the reinforcement learning. The controller provides a stochastic policy indicating a probability of taking a particular action to control the personal thermal device based on the score acting as a feedback for feedback control of the personal thermal device using the reinforcement learning.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin thermal management system includes a first heat exchange system adapted to operate primarily based upon a convective mode of heat transfer within a vehicle cabin, a second heat exchange system adapted to operate primary based upon a non-convective mode of heat transfer within the vehicle cabin, and a controller in communication with the first heat exchange system and the second heat exchange system, wherein the controller controls a thermal output of the second heat exchange system, and wherein the controller controls the first heat exchange system to reduce the operating level of the first heat exchange system in response to the controller operating the second heat exchange system.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin thermal management system includes a first heat exchange system adapted to operate primarily based upon a convective mode of heat transfer within a vehicle cabin, a second heat exchange system adapted to operate primary based upon a non-convective mode of heat transfer within the vehicle cabin, and a controller in communication with the first heat exchange system and the second heat exchange system, wherein the controller controls a thermal output of the second heat exchange system, and wherein the controller controls the first heat exchange system to reduce the operating level of the first heat exchange system in response to the controller operating the second heat exchange system.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to control of vehicle cabin air recirculation in response to estimated carbon dioxide levels. In particular, the proposed method and apparatus use existing vehicle sensors to estimate carbon dioxide levels within a vehicle cabin to maximize internal cabin air recirculation in order to minimize the entry of outside harmful gases and reduce load on heating and air conditioning systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a temperature of a cabin of a vehicle and using the estimated cabin temperature. The methods and systems obtain, via at least one temperature sensor, a surface temperature of at least a first internal surface of the cabin of the vehicle. The methods and systems estimate, via a processor and using at least the obtained surface temperature, the heat transfer from the at least one surface to cabin air within the cabin. The methods and systems estimate, via a processor and using at least the estimated heat transfer, the cabin temperature of the vehicle. The methods and systems use the estimated cabin temperature of the vehicle to control at least one feature of an air conditioning module of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a temperature of a cabin of a vehicle and using the estimated cabin temperature. The methods and systems obtain, via at least one temperature sensor, a surface temperature of at least a first internal surface of the cabin of the vehicle. The methods and systems estimate, via a processor and using at least the obtained surface temperature, the heat transfer from the at least one surface to cabin air within the cabin. The methods and systems estimate, via a processor and using at least the estimated heat transfer, the cabin temperature of the vehicle. The methods and systems use the estimated cabin temperature of the vehicle to control at least one feature of an air conditioning module of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for controlling climate control systems may include, but are not limited to at least one seat, a climate control system, and a controller communicatively coupled to the climate control system, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a directional sun effect for each of the at least one seats, and modify at least one of an airflow, a temperature and air distribution of the climate control system based upon the calculated directional sun effect for each of the at least one seats.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for providing adaptive automatic climate control functionality for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when a manual override of an automatic climate control feature of a vehicle has occurred. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to initiate the automatic climate control feature for the vehicle and adjust a calibration of the automatic climate control feature when the manual override has been detected.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having an air conditioning system, an engine and a belt-alternator-starter motor-generator, and a method of operation, is disclosed. A torque transfer assembly, such as a pulley and belt assembly, engages the engine and motor-generator, and includes a clutched member for selectively disconnecting the torque transfer between the engine and motor-generator. A refrigerant compressor includes a compressor shaft rotationally coupled to and driven by the motor-generator shaft. The compressor may be driven by the motor-generator when the engine is not operating.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for controlling climate control systems are provided. The vehicle, for example, may include, but is not limited to at least one seat, a climate control system, and a controller communicatively coupled to the climate control system, wherein the controller is configured to, calculate a directional sun effect for each of the at least one seats, and modify at least one of an airflow, a temperature and air distribution of the climate control system based upon the calculated directional sun effect for each of the at least one seats.

Abstract: An automatic climate control system of a motor vehicle, and related operating methods, are provided. The automatic climate control system determines a clothing insulative factor for an occupant of the motor vehicle; calculates a model temperature condition based on a temperature set-point and the clothing insulative factor; obtains a current existing temperature condition; calculates a difference between the model temperature condition and the current existing temperature condition; and changes at least one of a plurality of parameters to adjust the current existing temperature condition based on the difference.

Abstract: An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining the sun's rays inside a vehicle. A communication device is configured to obtain information as to a current angle of the sun. A process is coupled to the communications device. The processor is configured to define a ray from a point of interest inside the vehicle toward the sun using the information and determine whether the ray intersects a transparent surface of the vehicle, for use in determining whether the point of interest is irradiated by rays of the sun if the ray intersects the transparent surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a defrost unit for a vehicle. A prediction is performed as to whether condensation has formed against a surface of the vehicle. The defrost unit is automatically activated when it is predicted that the condensation has formed against the surface. Another prediction is made as to whether condensation has dissipated from the surface while the defrost unit is operating. The defrost unit is automatically deactivated when it is predicted that the condensation has dissipated.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for providing adaptive automatic climate control functionality for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when a manual override of an automatic climate control feature of a vehicle has occurred. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to initiate the automatic climate control feature for the vehicle and adjust a calibration of the automatic climate control feature when the manual override has been detected.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining the sun's rays inside a vehicle. A communication device is configured to obtain information as to a current angle of the sun. A process is coupled to the communications device. The processor is configured to define a ray from a point of interest inside the vehicle toward the sun using the information and determine whether the ray intersects a transparent surface of the vehicle, for use in determining whether the point of interest is irradiated by rays of the sun if the ray intersects the transparent surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a defrost unit for a vehicle. A prediction is performed as to whether condensation has formed against a surface of the vehicle. The defrost unit is automatically activated when it is predicted that the condensation has formed against the surface. Another prediction is made as to whether condensation has dissipated from the surface while the defrost unit is operating. The defrost unit is automatically deactivated when it is predicted that the condensation has dissipated.

Abstract: An accessory load control system for a vehicle, includes an actuator control module, a period estimation module, and a load control module. The actuator control module operates an internal combustion engine of the vehicle in a high-efficiency (HE) mode. The period estimation module estimates a period between a current time and a future time when an actual load on a crankshaft of the engine will reach a maximum engine load associated with the HE mode. The load control module selectively decreases engine loads applied by vehicle accessories, respectively, based on the period.

Abstract: A method of controlling a HVAC system for a hybrid vehicle having a refrigerant compressor driven by an engine is disclosed. The method may comprise: determining a requested air conditioning operating point for a passenger compartment; estimating a time to reach the requested operating point; based on the previous steps, estimating a maximum allowed compressor off time; determining if the allowed compressor off time is greater than a minimum engine off time; if the allowed compressor off time is greater than the engine off time, determining if the vehicle is entering an allowable engine off mode; if so, commencing engine shut-off mode; if engine shut-off is anticipated, prior to commencing the shut-off mode, adjusting the HVAC system to maximize cooling of the passenger compartment with minimum energy usage; and if the engine shut-off is commenced, monitoring the HVAC system to determine when engine restart is needed to maintain comfort.