Abstract: A method is provided of determining windshield fog secondary for automatically controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining whether rain is occurring on a windshield of a vehicle, determining a windshield parameter as a function of the rain occurring and determining a temperature difference based on temperature within a cabin of the vehicle and ambient temperature. The method also includes the steps of determining a fog boundary based on the windshield parameter and temperature difference, determining a relative humidity based on the windshield parameter and the temperature difference and fog boundary and determining a fog probability based on the fog boundary relative humidity and a nominal base relative humidity for rain conditions. The method further includes the steps of determining anti-fog actions to be taken based on the fog probability and taking the anti-fog actions determined to control the HVAC system.

Abstract: According to the present invention, even when the two-layer mode in which the inside air is introduced into a first air passage and the outside air is introduced into a second air passage is set, it is further determined whether air mix doors are controlled at the maximum hot positions. When it has been determined that the air mix doors are controlled at the maximum hot positions, the inside/outside air introduction mode is still set to the two-layer mode, because the temperature difference due to the outside air temperature is small, however, otherwise, the inside/outside air introduction mode is not set to the two-layer mode but is set to a mode in which the outside air is introduced into the both air passages. In this way, it is possible to prevent the difference between the temperatures of the air blown out from a defroster opening portion and a foot opening portion from being increased due to the temperature of the outside air.

Abstract: An electric compressor, a four-way valve driving unit and an outside heat exchanger fan driving unit of an automotive electric compressor driving apparatus which are located in an engine room are connected to an electric compressor driving unit disposed outside a passenger compartment of an automobile and are controlled by an air conditioner controller disposed in a passenger compartment and connected to the electric compressor driving unit by one communication cable transmitting serial signals. In addition, the detection output of an outside temperature sensor is supplied to the air conditioner controller via the electric compressor driving unit and the communication cable.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor in a refrigeration circuit using carbon dioxide refrigerant. The compressor changes the inclination of a swash plate located in a control chamber in accordance with the difference between the pressure in the control chamber and the pressure in a suction chamber thereby varying the compressor displacement. The compressor includes a control valve that adjusts the difference between the pressure in the control chamber and the pressure in the suction pressure. The control valve controls the flow rate of refrigerant supplied from the discharge chamber to the control chamber thereby adjusting the pressure difference. A controller inputs information from the outside of the refrigeration circuit. The outside information includes the outside temperature, the temperature of a passenger compartment and a target compartment temperature set by a temperature adjuster.

Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioning installation has a cold loop, a hot loop, a sensor for measuring cabin temperature, a manual setting unit for setting demand values of cabin air parameters, and a control unit for defining the resulting required adjustments to be made to the various components of the cold and hot loops. The control unit includes a temperature estimating module which generates an estimated value of the outside temperature, either from (a) the measured value of cabin temperature (in stabilized operation of the installation), or (b) a temperature value stored in a sub-memory of the control unit (when the installation is converging towards its stabilized mode).

Abstract: A method of initializing an in-car temperature sensor for a climate control system on a vehicle includes the steps of determining if a predetermined condition for initializing the in-car temperature sensor is satisfied and using an actual in-car temperature sensor output if the predetermined condition for initializing the in-car temperature sensor is not satisfied, and initializing the in-car temperature sensor output with an ignition-off in-car temperature sensor value if the predetermined condition for initializing the in-car temperature sensor is satisfied. The method also includes the steps of determining if a predetermined condition indicating not to use the initialized in-car temperature sensor output is satisfied and using an actual in-car temperature sensor output if the predetermined condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual zone solar sensor incorporating a calibratable diffuser overlying a vertically oriented circuit board having at least one photodetector affixed to either side of the circuit board in a vertical plane. Each detector preferably has a mutually exclusive hemispherical view. By mounting the photodetectors in the vertical plane, the dual zone solar sensor device is capable of providing information about the intensity of a source of incident solar radiation and the relative position of that source of radiation. While the angular responses of the photodetectors in their vertical orientation are very close to those desired by skilled artisans for a dual zone sensor, the addition of a diffuser that is slidable, and therefore calibratable, provides a method by which the angular response of each photodetector may be permanently calibrated to achieve a precise desired angular response.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling the actuation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system includes a light discriminator that determines the occupancy of an occupancy space by sensing the presence of artificial light and adjusts the temperature set point of the thermostat accordingly. The light discriminator includes a photodetection device, such as a photodiode, that provides an output current that is proportional to the radiant flux of the ambient light of the occupancy space where it is mounted. A filter circuit cancels the undesirable frequency components of the output signal of the photodiode, such as the frequency components associated with sunlight. The filtered signal is therefore representative of the artificial light used to illuminate the occupancy space. A controller adjusts the temperature set point of the thermostat in response to the filtered signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling fogging in vehicles having a reversible HVAC system. First, the method detects if conditions for fogging exist such as moisture or localized coldspots on the inside heat exchanger. Then, the speed of the compressor is gradually increased, causing the discharge temperature of the refrigerant to increase at a controlled rate. As the temperature of the refrigerant increases, the temperature of the inside heat exchanger increases. Moisture that exists on the inside heat exchanger slowly begins to evaporate into the air passing through the heat exchanger into the passenger compartment. The moisture laden air flows through the passenger compartment and exits through door seal cracks and outlet vents to the outside environment. After a predetermined period of time, the moisture on the inside heat exchanger has evaporated, so the compressor speed is increased to its steady-state speed.

Abstract: A process provides vehicle-air-conditioning-influencing outside temperature information for an outside-temperature-dependent air conditioning of a motor vehicle interior, in the case of which the outside temperature is sensed continuously and the air-conditioning-influencing outside temperature information is obtained from the pertaining sensor signal. During hold phases which are triggered when a defined starting condition occurs, the air-conditioning-influencing outside temperature information is held at its temperature value when the sensed outside temperature value rises or stays the same. The hold phase starting condition consists of the fact that the vehicle speed is lower than a definable speed threshold value and the temperature of the motor vehicle driving engine or of a coolant for the driving engine is higher than a definable engine temperature threshold value or coolant temperature threshold value.

Abstract: In a system and method for conditioning air in a vehicle, it is determined whether an inside air temperature detected by an inside air temperature sensor is stable, an outside air temperature is estimated based on the inside air temperature only when the inside air temperature is stable, a target conditioned air temperature is calculated using an estimated outside air temperature as well as the estimation of outside air temperature is repeated, and the estimated outside air temperature used for the calculation of the target conditioned air temperature is renewed only when the estimated outside air temperature is different from a prior estimated outside air temperature by a value more than a predetermined value. The outside air temperature is adequately estimated without providing an outside air temperature sensor. Consequently, a desirable air conditioning for vehicles may be performed simply and inexpensively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling discharged-air temperature for a vehicular air-conditioning system, comprising a duct, a cooling medium circuit, a heating medium circuit, an air-mixing unit, and an automatic air-conditioning ECU. The automatic air-conditioning ECU performs air-mixing control for cold air and hot air by means of the air-mixing unit to adjust the temperature of air discharged from a face outlet into a passenger's compartment only when an estimated discharged-air temperature in an operation mode is not lower than a reference temperature setting.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a cabin of a vehicle having a rear hatch. The air conditioning system has a sun radiation sensor for detecting a sun radiation amount into a rear part of the cabin and an air conditioning means for providing air conditioning at a rear seat section of the cabin in accordance with the sun radiation amount detected by the sun radiation amount sensor. The sun radiation amount sensor is mounted on the rear hatch in such a manner that the sun radiation sensor moves together with the movement of the rear hatch. A sensor for detecting if the rear hatch is open or closed is provided. A sun radiation amount detected by the sun radiation sensor during a closed condition of the rear hatch is memorized. When it is detected that the rear hatch is opened, the air conditioning, by the air conditioning means of the rear seat section, is done based on the memorized value of the sun radiation amount just before the rear hatch was opened.

Abstract: A dual zone climate control system having a sensor capable of sensing solar radiation or sunload entering different localized areas of a vehicle cabin incorporated with a climate control unit for selectively distributing air to localized areas of the vehicle cabin. The climate control unit being controlled by a control unit which processes input received from the sensor and other settings, and controls the temperature and distribution of the air therefrom.

Abstract: A vehicular air conditioner comprises a controller, a solar sensor and a room temperature sensor. The controller includes a correcting section where a detected solar intensity and/or a detected room temperature is corrected by a first-order lag filtering process. The controller executes an air conditioning control on the basis of the corrected solar intensity and/or room temperature so that the change of the air-conditioning state is fitted in accordance with feeling of vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An air conditioning installation for the cabin of a motor vehicle comprises an air treatment and distribution unit, consisting of a trunk containing distribution valves and a mixing valve, together with a heater. The installation treats fresh air, drawn from outside and/or recirculated air and delivered by a blower, and distributes the treated air into the cabin of the vehicle. The installation includes sensors for periodic measurement of the temperature inside the cabin, the outside temperature and the temperature of the engine coolant fluid. It also includes a setting module whereby the demand temperature in the cabin can be set by the user, and control means for measuring a difference between the demand temperature and the prevailing inside temperature.

Abstract: Method and system for predicting air discharge temperature in a control system which controls an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using a model. The model is based on signals generated by various climate control sensors and actuation outputs to predict air discharge temperature without the need for an additional sensor. The model allows the avoidance of uncomfortable air discharge temperatures to thereby increase passenger comfort.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit is provided for a vehicle with an air-conditioning function depending on the outside dew point. The air-conditioning unit includes a device for determining the dew point temperature of the outside air, an air duct leading to a window of the vehicle and having a controllable closing device, a device for determining the temperature of the air blown through the ducts leading to the window of the vehicle and a control device for automatically opening and closing the air duct leading to a window of the vehicle by appropriately energizing the air duct closing device. The control device, in the cooling operation of the air conditioning unit, opens and closes this air duct automatically as a function of the dew point temperature determined for the outside air and as a function of the temperature determined for the air blown out through this air duct.

Abstract: The description relates to a device for air conditioning control in an air-conditioned room containing textile machines, especially circular spinning and spooling machines, with an air feed and an air discharge duct connecting the air-conditioned room to the air conditioning unit. A first set of sensors for measuring the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the room is connected for the control purposes to a first regulating circuit, and a second set of sensors for measuring the temperature and relative humidity of the feed air is connected for control purposes to a second regulating circuit. The first and second regulating circuits are connected in cascade, the first regulating circuit supplying a reference value to the second regulating circuit which controls the adjusting components of the air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sensing an illuminance and a temperature around a humidifier and controlling a humidifying operation is disclosed. An illuminance inside a room in which a humidifying operation is applied by the humidifier is sensed by an illuminance sensor. The humidifying operation of the humidifier is operated in a sleeping humidification mode when the sensed illuminance is lower than a reference illuminance. The humidifying operation of the humidifier is operated in a normal humidification mode when the sensed illuminance is higher than the reference illuminance. A temperature inside the room in which the humidifying operation is applied by the humidifier is sensed by a temperature sensor. The humidifier executes a heater humidification and an ultrasonic humidification when the sensed temperature is lower than a reference temperature. The humidifier stops the heater humidification and executes the ultrasonic humidification when the sensed temperature is higher than the reference temperature.

Abstract: A process for controlling an air-conditioning system for a passenger vehicle interior is disclosed in the case of which the air-conditioning output provided by individual air-conditioning ducts is controlled as a function of the vehicle seat occupancy. This permits a setting of the air-conditioning effect in the different areas of the vehicle interior which meets the requirements to a considerable extent. Individual solar intensity sensors at each of a plurality of individual seats control darkening of the side windows adjacent to the individual seats, whereby control of both the air-conditioning outlets and the window-darkening device associated with a respective seat as a function of the seat occupancy signal associated with the respective seat is carried out.

Abstract: The vehicle air-conditioning system according to the invention has at least one air-conditioning air duct with at least one air outflow nozzle having an automatically adjustable air guiding arrangement, a sun radiation sensing system, and an air-conditioning control unit which generates control commands for automatically adjusting the air guiding arrangement at least as a function of the output signals of the sun radiation sensing system. The air-conditioning control unit uses output signals from the sun radiation sensing system to determine the local distribution of sun radiation in the area of a particular vehicle seat and, as a function thereof, automatically adjusts the air guiding arrangement or arrangements assigned to the respective vehicle seat.

Abstract: An automatic interior temperature control system for an automotive vehicle capable of controlling heat flux in response to changes in ambient temperature, outlet temperature, sun load and air flow by taking into account the relationship between these four variables in accordance with thermodynamic principles wherein an adjustment in heat flux corrects interior temperature error.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the air condition and heating within a vehicle interior compartment, in which the apparatus includes a fan (13), heat exchangers (14, 15), temperature sensors (26, 27, 28) and a solar sensor (29) and temperature control (47) for setting a desired temperature. The apparatus further includes a control unit (46) which is operative to calculate a theoretical interior temperature T.sub.I based only upon information from sensors (26, 29) sensing the external heat load of the compartment, a sensor (27) sensing the temperature of the air supplied to the compartment and fan current representative of the volume of air supplied to the compartment. The control unit (46) compares this theoretical interior temperature T.sub.I with the preset temperature T.sub.ISet , calculates the difference .DELTA.T.sub.I, and then controls air flow and mixed temperature T.sub.M to readjust or maintain the interior temperature within the compartment (19) at the preset temperature T.sub.ISet.

Abstract: A regulating apparatus for a motor vehicle air conditioner which automatically influences a cab temperature set by a vehicle operator dependent upon sunshine striking the vehicle, wherein, an intensity of sun rays is determined from, an intensity of daylight brightness and an intensity of an infrared portion of the daylight. The daylight is led to one or more sensors by one or more light conductors.

Abstract: Method and system for modifying the control of an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) to prevent the formation of cabin temperature stratification. The control algorithm responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to calculate a value representing the likelihood of stratification. The stratification strategy achieves the following three functions: (1) calculation of the likelihood of stratification, (2) estimation of probable level of stratification, and (3) modification of strategy to dispel stratification. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide these functions and to allow the control to be expressed in simple heuristic terms.

Abstract: An improved alert air conditioning control method for an air conditioner for enhancing a learning efficiency which is capable of significantly enhancing a learning efficiency of a user by providing a better air conditioning environment, whereby it is possible to increase an alert level of a user and improve an indoor environment. The method includes the steps of measuring and analyzing an electroencephalogram (EEG) of a testee during an operation of an air conditioner based on first, second and third set temperatures and a temperature variation width with respect to the first, second and third temperatures, computing a data of a temperature variation width with respect to the set temperature at which an alert level is highest, selecting an air current of the air conditioner having the highest alert level between a weak wind and a chaos wind, and controlling the operation of the air conditioner by using a data of the temperature variation width and an air current data selected.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle includes a first sunlight sensor disposed in a driver's seat side and a second sunlight sensor disposed in a passenger seat side space. The sunlight sensors are integrally formed with a filter and a Fresnel lens. When an elevation angle of sunlight is low, an inadequate correction of sunlight amounts is prevented by the Fresnel lens. Further, when sunlight enters the vehicle from the side, detected sunlight amounts detected by the first and second sunlight sensors are corrected so that a ratio or a difference between the detected sunlight amounts becomes large when the ratio or the difference is in a predetermined range. Therefore, when sunlight enters from the side, the correction of the detected sunlight amounts can be performed adequately so that passengers in the passenger compartment of the vehicle feel comfortable.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle wherein a vehicle compartment can be quickly warmed up if it is cool and, when the vehicle compartment has been warmed up, the heat load caused by incident solar radiation can be offset without having the vehicle driver feel cold. A variable GW is determined by a balance (Tset-Tr) between a setting temperature and a vehicle inside air temperature, and a corrected solar radiation quantity is defined as a value which is a product of a value detected by a solar radiation sensor and the variable GW. Based on this corrected solar radiation quantity, there are decided a temperature falling allowance and an air volume rising allowance of the air blown from a face level air outlet. If a first necessary blown air temperature (TAOD) is lower than 25.degree. C., a distribution ratio Fs is set as 1 and is made gradually smaller if TAOD is higher than 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for calculating a PMV for an air conditioning system having a body sensor and a temperature sensor includes the steps of sensing a thermal change a human body senses due to room air circulation using the body sensor, and converting the sensed thermal change into a digital value, sensing a room temperature using the temperature sensor, and converting the sensed room temperature into a digital value, assigning parameters according to human bodily activities and amount of clothes a man wears classified by seasons and times, and calculating a PMV by computing the value of thermal change converted into a digital value, the value of room temperature converted into a digital value, and the parameters.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus for the cabin of a vehicle wherein an increased amount and/or temperature of an air flow from an upper outlet is obtained when sun radiation is introduced into the cabin. A provisional air flow correction amount DVA1 is calculated based on a detected sun radiation amount. A final air flow correction amount DVA is calculated as the provisional air flow correction amount DVA1 multiplied by a sun radiation correction factor GUN, the value of which is varied from 1.0 to 0 as the increase in a value of a required discharged air temperature TAOB in a range of the temperature TAOB higher than 50.degree. C. The amount of sun radiation, which makes an upper level discharged air temperature to be equal to 20.degree. C., is increased in accordance with the increase in the required discharged air temperature TAOB at the region of the temperature TAOB higher than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A space heating system with a controllable air humidification capability calculates a theoretical value for the temperature of the interior surface of the space's windows. The system controls humidity in the space to a level just below that at which water will condense on the window surfaces.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes an air duct having an inlet for receiving air to be conditioned, an air conditioner, and both face and foot outlets for supplying conditioned air into the passenger compartment. The air conditioner controls temperatures of the conditioned air from the face outlet and the foot outlet independently. The required temperature of the conditioned air from the independently controlled foot and face outlets is computed based on an inside air temperature, an outside air temperature, and the temperature set in the passenger compartment. A target supply air-temperature is computed in a bi-level mode based on an amount of sunlight in the passenger compartment, and is corrected as between the foot and face outlets such that air from the face outlet compensates for temperature differentials as between the passenger's feet and face due to sunlight, etc.

Abstract: Method and control system for adaptively controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using a blending or combination of strategies each of which is optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system. The blending is based on a strategy alteration signal which, in turn, is based on information provided by the occupant of the vehicle in combination with existing information available to an EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control) system to adapt the optimized strategies to the occupant's preferences. The method and control system allow the response of the climate control system to change according to indications of occupant's preferences and/or detection of special conditions. The method and system provide an adaptive control strategy which utilizes pattern recognition and preference determination to blend the various strategies which include a base thermal comfort strategy.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic to increase steady state comfort of an occupant in a vehicle and to decrease the time needed to reach steady state comfort. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors, including a humidity sensor, to produce a desired humidity, temperature and flow. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: A vehicle heating and air conditioning system has multiple zones and a manual comfort selector for each zone. The setting for each zone is adjustable for the effects of sun intensity and sun position. A Global Position System (GPS) navigation system provides heading, longitude, latitude, time and date data from which sun position relative to the vehicle is determined, and solar sensors provide solar intensity information. An empirical table for each zone addressed by sun elevation and relative azimuth contains solar illumination factors which, along with solar intensity factors, afford an adjustment to the comfort settings, thus altering the temperature and/or flow rate of air supplied to each zone. Alternatively, in the absence of a GPS receiver, a magnetic compass is used for heading data, geographic region data is entered manually, and an on-board clock furnishes the time and date.

Abstract: An air conditioner system for a vehicle having an occupant compartment which includes a driver's occupying area and a front passenger's occupying area. The system includes a vent duct adapted to conduct a conditioned air. The vent duct defines a first passages opening to the driver's occupying area and a second passage opening to the front passenger's occupying area. First and second vent valves are disposed within the first and second passages, respectively. First and second actuators are drivingly connected to the first and second vent valves. A first sensor is so constructed and arranged as to detect insolation magnitude within the driver's occupying area and generate a first sensor signal indicative of the detected insolation magnitude within the driver's occupying area.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror for a motorized vehicle has a mirror housing with a mirror member and a mirror support connected to the mirror housing. At least one sensor for sensing solar radiation entering the interior of the motorized vehicle through the windshield is provided. The sensor is coupled to the control unit of an air conditioning device of the motorized vehicle.

Abstract: Method and system for modifying a linear control algorithm which controls an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic. The control algorithm responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to produce a desired vehicle air temperature as set by an operator of the vehicle. Fuzzy linear control achieves the following three functions: (1) calibration blending, (2) target set point adjustment, and (3) non-linear offset compensation. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: An automatic climate control system for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes an ambient temperature sensor, an vehicle-interior temperature sensor, a sunload sensor, a temperature selector by which a vehicle passenger may select a desired interior temperature, and a variable-speed blower fan for directing air into the passenger compartment. The operating speed of the blower fan is controlled by the system control unit so as to achieve the desired temperature within the passenger compartment while otherwise capitalizing on the temperature effects of the exterior environment, i.e., ambient temperature and sunload, to minimize blower fan noise and resultant directed airflow.

Abstract: An infrared sensor for determining the temperature of a car interior includes a thermistor and a thermopile in a can and a protective window which exposes the thermopile to the thermal energy of the car interior. The combined outputs of these thermally sensitive elements represents the interior radiant temperature. The effectiveness of the thermopile changes if the window gets dirty to change its output. A resistive heater on the can is used to heat the sensor during calibration. A microprocessor receiving the outputs of the sensor has an algorithm for adjusting a gain which compensates for sensor changes. When the interior temperature is stable, the sensor is heated and thermistor values before and after heating the sensor are used as a basis for adjustment of the gain.

Abstract: An air temperature sensor and an infrared sensor are used along with an outside temperature sensor to control an HVAC system. During vehicle operation the IR sensor views an occupant seating area and realistically determines the thermal comfort level and the air temperature adds stability to that determination to control the air output. For dual zone systems two IR sensors separately monitor the two zones for accurate control of each zone air output. When the vehicle is not operating, the internal temperature is monitored and compared to a threshold and to outside temperature to turn on ventilation for limiting the internal temperature, subject to sufficient battery voltage.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic to prevent fogging. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors including a humidity sensor to produce a desired vehicle air temperature and air flow to detect and avoid incipient windshield/window fog conditions. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an opening cross section of an air inlet into a premises involves sensing the amount of water vapor contained in the air inside of the premises and the amount of water vapor in the air outside of the premises. The opening cross section is adjusted on the basis of at least one of a difference between the amount of water vapor sensed the inside and outside the premises so that the opening cross section increases when the difference increases and independently of the amount of water vapor in the air outside the premises. A device for adjusting an opening cross section of an air inlet into a premises includes two chambers in communication respectively with the air outside and with the air inside the premises, the chambers being separated from one another by a heat exchanger, which is impervious to water vapor.

Abstract: A fan speed controller and a method which allows to maintain a constant level of thermal sensation felt by a human body when air temperature, relative humidity, thermal radiation and distance between the fan and the human body are changing. Desired thermal comfort index can be preset and fan speed is varied in response to air temperature, relative humidity, thermal radiation and distance between the fan and the human body to provide a constant level of thermal sensation.

Abstract: According to a method and apparatus for calculating predicted mean thermal sensitivity which is used to control an air conditioning or heating unit, an operative temperature T.sub.0 is calculated on the basis of a radiant temperature Tr, an air temperature Ta, an air velocity Vair, coefficients b.sub.1 and b.sub.2, and a coefficient n according to the following equation: ##EQU1## Predicted mean thermal sensitivity PMV* is calculated on the basis of the operative temperature T0, the air temperature Ta, a relative humidity RH, a saturated water vapor pressure Pa*, a clothing thermal resistance Icl, a variable h.sub.0 (h.sub.0 =b.sub.1 +b.sub.2 .multidot.Vair.sup.n), and coefficients a.sub.

Abstract: A temperature control system has a light intensity detection device for providing temperature compensation in accordance with the variation in angle of incident sunlight. The light intensity detection device includes a photoelectric device having a light receiving surface and which produces an electrical output signal in accordance with the intensity of received light. An optical device is disposed between a light source and the light receiving surface. Incident light transmitted through the optical device is re-directed to the light receiving surface by a plurality of prism surfaces disposed on the optical device facing the photoelectric device. The prism surfaces may be concentrically arranged around the optical axis of the photoelectric device.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to prevent the discharge of air within a predetermined temperature range. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to prevent the HVAC system from producing air at an uncomfortable range of temperatures. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: A climate control system for the interior of a vehicle includes infrared sensing to measure thermal level therein and to provide a signal to the system control for establishing and maintaining the thermal level to a level preset by a vehicle occupant. The viewing field and admissibility of the infra-red sensor determines the composition of the signal by controlling the objects, surfaces, area and radiation included in the field. Appropriate selection of viewing field and admissibility integrates into the signal corrective factors for external climatic conditions and solar re-radiation within the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic control method for an air conditioner which can optimize the indoor temperature and humidity, wherein an adequate dehumidifying operation is performed by recognizing the humidity according to the weather based on the outdoor temperature changes preceived by the outdoor temperature sensor for a certain time period, which provides comfortable surroundings and increases the efficiency of the air conditioner as well by preventing apparatus freeze resulting from a prolonged dehumidifying operation under low temperatures.