Having Automatic Control Means Patents (Class 454/75)
  • Publication number: 20100144261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a ventilation device for a motor vehicle interior (36), comprising at least one air quality sensor (46) for generating an air quality signal of the air supplied to the air quality sensor (46), an actuator for adjusting an air damper (20a, 20b) of the ventilation device as a function of the air quality signal, and a ventilator (14) for transporting the air through the ventilation device into the motor vehicle interior (36). The air quality sensor (46) and the ventilator (14) form a structural unit (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dubravko Barkic, Reinhold Weible, Wolfram Breitling, Maximilian Sauer, Michael Arndt, Dirk Taffe, Horst Muenzel, Matthias Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20100144260
    Abstract: An air intake method and system of an air conditioner for a vehicle may include a temperature measuring step, a speed sensing step, a blower sensing step, and a simultaneous indoor and outdoor air intake step. The air intake system includes a water temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of cooling water of the vehicle, a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the vehicle, a control switch for turning on or off a blower, a control unit and an intake actuator. The control unit receives the temperature measured by the water temperature sensor, the speed measured by the speed sensor and ON/OFF data from the control switch, thus determining whether to simultaneously draw indoor and outdoor air in or not. The intake actuator provides driving force so that an indoor and outdoor air control door simultaneously opens indoor and outdoor air inlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hoo Taek Cho, Yong Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20100144262
    Abstract: An air filter, which is intended for installation in an air conditioning system of a vehicle and which exhibits a moisture sensor, is disposed on and/or at the air filter. The moisture sensor is a component of an electric circuit section, which is arranged on and/or at the air filter. The moisture sensor is a capacitive sensor, whose capacitance depends on the moisture loading of the air, flowing around the sensor. At least one electric property of the electric circuit section represents the type of air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joern HOFHAUS, Gregor Wendrock
  • Patent number: 7725268
    Abstract: Method and sensing module for sensing pollution of outside air. The sensing module (1) comprises an electro chemical sensing element (3), and a processor (2). A sensing module output signal is provided based on the measurement signal and a baseline signal level. The baseline signal level is adapted depending on two threshold levels (13-15). A pollution concentration value is determined from the measurement signal and a classification level of air pollution is provided as sensing module output signal. A classification level is determined using a plurality of classification threshold values and the pollution concentration values. The plurality of classification threshold values are dynamically adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Roger Marcel Appelo, Tom Urban Artursson, Per Anders Holmberg, Nicolae Barsan, Heiko Eugen Ulmer
  • Publication number: 20100120345
    Abstract: A rooftop temperature control unit for a vehicle having a conditioned space includes a housing defining a plenum and including an air inlet. The plenum is configured to receive an inflow of outdoor air from outside of the vehicle through the air inlet. The outdoor air defines an outdoor air temperature. A heat exchanger assembly is coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the plenum. The heat exchanger assembly is configured to receive a first portion of the outdoor air from the plenum, to cool the first portion to a temperature below the outdoor air temperature, and to discharge the cooled first portion into the conditioned space. A blower is configured to receive a second portion of the outdoor air from the plenum and to discharge the second portion into the conditioned space at a temperature equal to or greater than the outdoor air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Aidan Ryan, Grace Deng, Hailin Gong
  • Patent number: 7705722
    Abstract: An active body ventilation system which is dynamically responsive to vehicle status parameters, including for example the door open/closed status and the HVAC system status. An active ventilation unit is attached with a body wall which includes a portal housing defining a portal, a portal cover and a portal cover actuator for selectively adjusting the portal cover to thereby increase or decrease the unobstructed size of the opening of the portal. The active ventilation unit is interfaced electronically to various sensors of the motor vehicle, in which programming of an electronic control module determines optimum positioning of the portal covering via selective actuation of the portal cover actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Shoemaker, Warren J. Miedinger, Andrew J. Novajovsky, Douglas V. Melonson, Heather A. Cochran
  • Patent number: 7699096
    Abstract: The first cold air flow door 26 and the first hot air flow door 24 for adjusting the blowout air temperature are arranged in the first air passage, and the second cold air flow door 27 and the second hot air flow door 25 for adjusting the blowout air temperature are arranged in the second air passage. When a larger target air flow volume between the target air flow volume on the first air passage side and the target air flow volume on the second air passage side is selected so as to determine an air flow volume of the blower, in an air passage to which the smaller target air flow volume is applied, while the ratio of the cold air flow volume to the hot air flow volume is being maintained constant, the passage opening area is throttled by the cold air flow door and the hot air flow door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Naruse, Yoshihiko Okumura
  • Patent number: 7690210
    Abstract: In an air-conditioner control unit, when pollen mode control is set by a vehicle occupant to perform the pollen mode control that can provide a defogging effect while maintaining the pollen removal effect, the opening of an air inlet door is forcibly set to an inside-air introduction mode (S330) when the following two conditions hold: ambient temperature Tam is higher than a threshold (5 to 6° C.) set in a low-temperature region (S320), and a compressor system is able to operate normally without causing an abnormal pressure (S330). If even one of these conditions does not hold, the opening of the air inlet door is not forcibly set to the inside-air introduction mode, and the air inlet door is operated as in normal control. In this way, in the pollen mode control, since the pollen removal effect in the inside-air introduction mode is enabled only when the ambient air is relatively high, the occurrence of windshield fogging can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Yamaguchi, Kenichi Kato, Katsuhiko Samukawa
  • Patent number: 7681630
    Abstract: An HVAC system for work vehicle having an operator compartment for an operator is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a pressurizer blower and an air-conditioning system coupled to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to reduce the output of the pressurizer blower when the operator selects a high output from the air-conditioning system. The HVAC system is also configured to provide defog operation in both a manual mode and an automatic mode of operation. The HVAC system is configured to reset the defog operation when the vehicle ignition is turned off or turned back on. The HVAC system is also configured not to reset the defog operation when the operator switches rapidly between the automatic mode and the manual mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Klassen, Leonid Chernyavsky, Alan G. Leupold, Paul E. Wibbels, Michael C. Bunnell, M. Javaid Arshad
  • Patent number: 7676312
    Abstract: An actuator controller includes an actuator body to be driven in a predetermined driven range, an actuator driving unit; and a controller body for controlling the driven position of the actuator body. The controller body includes an instructing signal outputting zone configured to outputting a position instructing signal for instructing the driven position of the actuator body according to a bid, excluding arbitrary two bits among the predetermined bit counts, an normal direction forcedly driving signal for instructing a normal direction forcedly driving to drive the actuator body in a predetermined direction with the one of the arbitrary two bits, and a reverse direction forcedly driving signal for instructing a reverse direction forcedly driving to drive the actuator body in a direction reverse to the predetermined direction with the other arbitrary bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Sunaga, Kaoru Tanaka, Shuji Hojo, Masaharu Tomiyama, Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7670214
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a depressurization alert. An example method includes receiving a cabin depressurization discrete signal, determining if the cabin depressurization discrete signal is valid, and issuing a cabin depressurization alert, if the cabin depressurization discrete signal was determined to be valid. In accordance with further aspects of the invention, a time delay is executed before the receiving, determining, and issuing steps are repeated. The cabin depressurization discrete signal is determined not valid if uncorrected pressure is not greater than a predefined altitude. The uncorrected pressure is a raw pressure value produced by a Pitot-Static system. Also, the cabin depressurization discrete signal is determined not valid if the aircraft's altitude above an intended runway is not greater than a first predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J Conner, Yasuo Ishihara, Charles D. Bateman
  • Patent number: 7658669
    Abstract: A cabin pressure control system (CPCS) software control logic modification may boost the voltage applied to a motor when conditions are sensed indicating a combination of larger than normal cabin pressure and cabin rate error conditions. The motor may be part of an open-loop system for operating a butterfly valve that may regulate outflow from the aircraft cabin. The larger than normal cabin pressure and cabin rate error conditions may be an indication that the outflow valve is not responding in a normal manner, potentially caused by excessive loading to the motor or motor degradation. By boosting the motor voltage during excessive load conditions or with a degraded motor, CPCS performance and robustness may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard L. McCoy
  • Patent number: 7647786
    Abstract: In an automotive air-conditioning system, when pollen mode control is effected by a vehicle occupant, air outlet mode is forcibly set to a face mode. Further, the air flow amount determined from the air flow amount Vm used in the usual auto mode and the air flow amount f(Tw) used during warm-up control or the air flow amount determined by the air flow amount correction value f(Tam) having a relatively small upper limit value when ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature (15° C.), whichever is larger, is taken as the set value for the air flow amount in the pollen mode control. With this arrangement, when coolant temperature and ambient temperature are low, a relatively small amount of air can be blown to the upper part of the occupant's body, and thus, while maintaining the pollen removal effect, occupant discomfort can be reduced by preventing a fast flow of air from being blown toward the occupant's face, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Yamaguchi, Kenichi Kato, Katsuhiko Samukawa
  • Publication number: 20090326760
    Abstract: Ways are provided for improving the in-cabin air quality of a vehicle by automatically adjusting the HVAC system settings sufficiently in advance of approaching a location associated with an air quality hazard. In one example, the vehicle's telematics unit correlates the vehicle's position information with locations of static and dynamic air quality hazards, including locations of incidents potentially affecting the air quality in vicinity of the vehicle's location and issues instructions to adjust the HVAC settings to minimize the impact on in-cabin air quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason W. Clark, Jeffrey P. Christensen, Michelle L. Michelini, Steven C. Tengler
  • Publication number: 20090318068
    Abstract: A vehicle ventilating apparatus includes a concentration sensor, which detects the carbon dioxide concentration in a passenger compartment. When there is no occupant in the passenger compartment, and the level of the carbon dioxide concentration of the air in the passenger compartment around the concentration sensor can be assumed to be equal to the level of normal air, a reference value corresponding to the carbon dioxide concentration in the normal air stored in a memory is updated to an output value currently output from the concentration sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Iida, Wataru Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20090318069
    Abstract: A contact-free air vent flow direction control device includes an air vent, a positioning mechanism, a touch-less motion sensor and a control unit. The air vent has at least one flow control blade configured to move between a plurality of predetermined orientations each corresponding to a direction of air flow from the air vent. The positioning mechanism is operably coupled to the flow control blade. The touch-less motion sensor is configured to detect relative movement of objects proximate the touch-less motion sensor. The control unit is operably connected to the touch-less motion sensor and the positioning mechanism to control operation of the positioning mechanism in order to position the flow control blade in a selected one of the predetermined orientations in response to a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined movements detected by the touch-less motion sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Heather KONET
  • Publication number: 20090305622
    Abstract: In a process and a system for controlling the pressure in an aircraft cabin the status of at least one aircraft door is detected by at least one detection device by transmitting a signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door to a unit for controlling an avionics ventilation system which is controlled in dependence upon the signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door in such a way that a build-up of pressure in the aircraft cabin is prevented when the signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door indicates that the aircraft door is not fully closed and secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Thorsten Schiek
  • Publication number: 20090286459
    Abstract: A system for reducing thermal energy in the interior of an unoccupied vehicle includes an energy source, a temperature sensor, and a control unit which triggers the system in response to satisfaction of conditions. The conditions include the temperature of the passenger compartment being greater than a target temperature and the vehicle engine not running. A fan configured to selectively bring ambient air into the passenger compartment is powerable by the energy source and circulates ambient air through the passenger compartment in response to the control unit. The energy source may include a solar panel or another source characterized by absence of energy derived from the vehicle engine, and excess energy may be distributed to an energy storage device. A seat ventilation fan may operate concurrently with the fan or an HVAC. A method of reducing thermal energy in the interior of a parked vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, John I. Frey
  • Publication number: 20090275276
    Abstract: It consists of two electrically fed pneumatic independent compressors (CAC) (2) which are connected to an independent controller of (CACs) (5), an auxiliary power unit (APU) (3) sized for independently feeding each (PACK) (1) in the operations of the aircraft both on the ground and in flight, which is connected to an independent controller of (APU) (6) and a central controller (12) connected to the controllers (5 and 6) so that the (PACKs) are individually fed either by a (CAC) (2) or by the (APU) (3) and in such a way that a single (PACK) (1) is fed or several of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Carlos Casado Montero, Hugo Casado Abarquero
  • Patent number: 7576660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel retention monitoring system for a pressurized hydrogen storage tank on a vehicle. The vehicle includes a hydrogen dispensing system having a plurality of conduits for carrying a hydrogen gas. The conduits have at least one connection linking them together. The monitoring system includes a vapor concentrator for the hydrogen gas, shrouding a first one of the connections. The first connection has a parting line where the conduits forming the connection meet. The vapor concentrator may be positioned above the parting line of the first connection and may include a periphery and a top defining a headspace cavity. The monitoring system further includes a hydrogen gas sensor locatable adjacent to the headspace cavity and capable of providing a signal correlated to a hydrogen gas concentration in the headspace cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jon Veenstra
  • Publication number: 20090191804
    Abstract: A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system for a vehicle is disclosed, the module including a thermal energy exchanger having a phase change material disposed therein, whereby the phase change material is cooled and recharged by at least one of a flow of air from an evaporator and a fluid from a refrigeration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Lakhi Nandlal Goenka, Michael Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20090130966
    Abstract: An example vehicle cabin temperature control arrangement includes a sensor and a controller module operatively connected to the sensor. An actuator is operatively connected to the controller, which is configured to initiate the actuator to move a component to vent a vehicle cabin in response to a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: David Wayne Tucker
  • Publication number: 20090130965
    Abstract: The components used in this invention has never been utilized in this special type of arrangement ever before. This “Climate Control for Parked Automobiles” does not exist and cannot be found anywhere. Once available to the public it will be very helpful and will help stranded passengers and/or pets inside the automobile during warm summer days, and to drivers returning to their warm vehicles during cold winter days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Antonio Martin Galvez-Ramos
  • Publication number: 20090124187
    Abstract: A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system for a vehicle is disclosed, wherein a cost and a space requirement for the system are minimized and a control of temperature, mode, and volume of an air flow in a passenger compartment of the vehicle is optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Eckart Sievers, David Lumley, Jim Nolta, JR.
  • Patent number: 7521018
    Abstract: A device for controlling a ventilation system in the interior of a motor vehicle includes a gas concentration determining arrangement to determine the exterior concentration of a gas in the exterior air surrounding the vehicle and to determine the interior concentration of the same gas in the air contained in the interior of the vehicle, and an air flow control arrangement, via which the proportion of circulating air and the proportion of fresh air from the surroundings of the vehicle in the air delivered to the interior by the ventilation system are controlled as a function of the determined interior concentration or the determined exterior concentration. The gas concentration determining arrangement is represented by a single gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Niemann, Thomas Sperlich
  • Publication number: 20090098815
    Abstract: A climate control system is provided with a control vent unit that a driver may adjust for a desired direction of airflow. After the driver does so, a control system automatically and/or simultaneously adjusts the position of the remaining vents so as to direct respective air flow to substantially the same location in the vehicle. Preferably, a similar control vent is provided on the passenger side of the vehicle. Should a passenger adjust the passenger control vent unit, the control system will automatically and/or simultaneously adjust the remaining vents on the passenger side to direct the respective air flow to the selected position in the passenger side of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS U.S.A., INC.
    Inventor: James Hotary
  • Publication number: 20090088064
    Abstract: A motor vehicle air cooling method and system in which electric fans are installed in the rear side of a motor vehicle to draw hot air out of the inside space of the motor vehicle so as to cause negative pressure in the motor vehicle for sucking outside cooling air into the inside of the motor vehicle to have the pressure inside the motor vehicle be in balance with the pressure outside the motor vehicle and to simultaneously lower the temperature in the motor vehicle after an air conditioner ventilation panel of the motor vehicle has been set in an outer loop status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Chien-Erh Lin
  • Publication number: 20090081938
    Abstract: A ventilation system is provided in an automobile by forming an intake opening in the top of the seats in the automobile. A telescopic pipe is located in the cushion of the seat with its top end mounted to the intake opening and its lower end mounted to an outlet port at the underside of the seat. An ammonia sensor and a air drawing fan is mounted in the telescopic pipe. The air drawing fan is actuated by the ammonia sensor with the control of a seat fan module when the ammonia sensor detects body waste odor air expelled by a passenger sitting in the seat. Exhaust ducts are provided for conducting the odor air out of the automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Hong Min Kim
  • Publication number: 20090071178
    Abstract: A HVAC and battery thermal management system for a vehicle having a HVAC portion and a battery portion, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The HVAC portion may include a main chamber, an evaporator located in the main chamber, a heater extending across a portion of the main chamber downstream of the evaporator, a battery duct extending from the main chamber adjacent to the heater and in fluid communication with the main chamber both upstream and downstream of the heater. The battery portion may include a battery pack in fluid communication with the battery duct, a battery cooling valve located in the battery duct and configured to selectively allow fluid flow from the main chamber between the evaporator and the heater, and a battery heating valve located in the battery duct and configured to selectively allow fluid flow from the main chamber downstream of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Jeffrey M. Pleune
  • Publication number: 20090061753
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a vehicle comprises a coolant comparison module, a component comparison module, and a cooling fan control module. The coolant comparison module generates a coolant status signal having a first state when a coolant temperature is greater than a first threshold. The component comparison module generates a component status signal having a second state when an electronic component temperature is greater than a second threshold. The cooling fan control module selectively activates a cooling fan when at least one of the coolant status signal has the first state and the component status signal has the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Yurgil, Gary E. Mc Gee
  • Patent number: 7497251
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a first air-conditioning control value is calculated based on a surface temperature detected by a non-contact temperature sensor in a temperature detection area of a passenger compartment. When it is determined that an obstacle exists between the temperature detection area and the non-contact temperature sensor, a second air-conditioning control value is calculated according to a temperature information that is influenced less by the obstacle than the detected surface temperature. When it is determined that the obstacle does not exist, an air conditioning state of the passenger compartment is controlled based on the first air-conditioning control value. When it is determined that the obstacle exists, the first air-conditioning control value is corrected to approach the second air-conditioning control value to calculate a corrected air-conditioning control value, so that the air conditioning state can be controlled satisfactorily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ichishi, Tatsumi Kumada
  • Patent number: 7465329
    Abstract: An intake system with an air cleaner case that is reduced in size with an enhancement in intake efficiency. A tubular tip end portion of a connecting tube provides a connection between the carburetor side and the air cleaner case with the tubular tip end portion being disposed in the air cleaner case. A tubular opening end portion is provided in an air cleaner element contained in the air cleaner case for connecting to the tubular tip end portion of the connecting tube. A large diameter portion is provided in a frame member serving as a core of the air cleaner element for supporting the tubular end portion and the tubular opening end portion in a condition wherein the tubular tip end portion and the tubular opening end portion are fitted to each other. The large diameter portion is larger in diameter than any other portion of the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Oshima
  • Publication number: 20080302878
    Abstract: In a method for regulating an air-conditioning system of a vehicle whose top is open, air whose temperature and mass flow rate are regulated as a function of at least the control variables of the setpoint temperature of the passenger compartment and the actual temperature of the passenger compartment being fed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle via a plurality of vent openings. The speed of the vehicle is measured and, when it increases, the air-mass flow rate, which is fed to the passenger compartment through vent openings at lower positions, is reduced and the air-mass flow rate, which is fed to the passenger compartment through vent openings at higher positions, is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Karsten Helms
  • Patent number: 7462214
    Abstract: A vehicular air-conditioner with a pollen mode setting intake to an inside air mode, vents to a face mode, and a blower air flow to a limit maximum air flow M1 between a minimum air flow Lo and a maximum air flow Hi (Lo<M1<M2<Hi), with an air-conditioning unit provided with a filter for trapping pollen and blowing clean air from which pollen has been removed from the vents to the vehicle compartment, whereby by starting the pollen mode simultaneously with the start of the engine, clean air is immediately blown to the vicinity of the face of the driver from the face vents and thereby the pollen entering the vehicle or pollen carried into the vehicle in the vicinity of the face is blown away, the air flow at this time being a maximum air flow M1 able to be withstood in terms of temperature sensation, so a pollen free comfortable environment being created without causing discomfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiya Sassa, Kenichi Kato, Yasushi Kato, Hironobu Takeda
  • Publication number: 20080299888
    Abstract: A ventilation device is for ventilating a motor vehicle interior. The ventilation device comprises an air supply channel and an outflow region. The outflow region is provided with a first component and a second component which can be brought into at least one first state of displacement and a second state of displacement in relation to each other, in order to generate a first air flow and a different second air flow. The first component and the second component have a first lamella structure and a second lamella structure, according to the state of displacement, for producing a first air flow and a second air flow with different opening angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Mike Kogler, Younes Chlyeh
  • Publication number: 20080293349
    Abstract: A climate control system and method for preventing exhaust odors from entering the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The climate control system includes a duct network and a damper system that is moveable between a fresh air mode and a recirculation air mode. The damper system being moved based at least in part upon a vehicle acceleration condition. During operation, the system is operated in the recirculation air mode during acceleration in a situation that probably has a high concentration of the exhaust odor and gases. The system operates in the fresh air mode when the situation is one that does not have a high probability of a high concentration of exhaust odors and gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Charles Francis Weber
  • Publication number: 20080268761
    Abstract: A condition monitoring apparatus determines whether an occupant is present in a passenger compartment based on a detection signal from a seat sensor, and detects the carbon dioxide concentration Cx in the passenger compartment based on a detection signal from a carbon dioxide sensor. When the ignition switch is OFF and an occupant is present in the passenger compartment, the condition monitoring apparatus determines whether the carbon dioxide concentration Cx is greater than a determination threshold value C1 for carbon dioxide concentration. The apparatus activates an alarm when the carbon dioxide concentration Cx is greater than the threshold value C1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji IIDA, Wataru SAKUMA
  • Publication number: 20080248736
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes an air conditioning unit for generating a conditioned air, an air-blowing outlet portion for blowing the conditioned air toward a target portion of a passenger in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a control unit adapted to conduct a cool-down control. The target portion includes a face area, a seat-contact portion and a hand area of the passenger, the seat-contact portion contacting a seat of the vehicle. The cool-down control includes a first blowing operation for blowing the conditioned air from the air-blowing outlet portion toward the face area, a second blowing operation for blowing the conditioned air from the air-blowing outlet portion toward the seat-contact portion and a third blowing operation for blowing the conditioned air from the air-blowing outlet portion toward the hand area. The first blowing operation, the second blowing operation and the third blowing operation successively begun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Takuya Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20080230618
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling the climate of a hybrid vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a valve. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. A tube containing coolant runs proximate the thermoelectric elements. To aid in the transfer of heat energy, a blower is provided to generate an air flow across the thermoelectric elements and the tube. The coolant is provided from the thermoelectric module to a heat exchanger that heats or cools the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle. The pump and valve are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and thermoelectric module. The pump pressurizes the coolant flow through the tube and coolant lines. In a cooling mode, the valve is configured to selectively bypass the engine coolant system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: BSST LLC
    Inventor: Peter R. Gawthrop
  • Publication number: 20080220710
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling air flow in the interior of a motor vehicle, when a threshold speed is exceeded, storage of an error message in an air conditioning control appliance is prevented. For this purpose, the device has corresponding sensor systems in order to define parameters which are used for determining the threshold speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Peter Nonnenmacher, Wolfgang Straub, Thomas Vinnemann
  • Patent number: 7424353
    Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle has at least one closable opening of the interior, and a closing element driven by a servo drive for closing the opening. A control unit evaluates the data relevant to safety when the vehicle is in motion and activates the servo drive at such a time that the closing element is moved into a predetermined position, in which the closable opening has an open gap prior to the occurrence of an expected accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Konrad Engelhardt, Dominic Reutter
  • Patent number: 7413007
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioner and an air outlet for opening and closing an opening formed in a rear part of a vehicle body. A control unit causes the air outlet to open and close the opening in accordance with changes in air conditions in a passenger compartment, so as to keep the passenger compartment environmentally good condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20080188172
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle accessory (30, 40, 50, 60) for enhancing smells within a vehicle (10). The accessory (30, 40, 50, 60) comprises: (a) sensors (30, 40) for sensing at least one of visual objects and smells present in an environment (20) surrounding the vehicle (10) and generating corresponding sensor signals; (b) a processor (50) for receiving the sensor signals and analysing them for detecting the presence of one or more sensed objects and/or one or more sensed smells in the environment (20), the processor (50) being operable to filter a subset of the one or more sensed objects and/or one or more sensed smells; and (c) an odour source (60) coupled to the processor (50) for receiving instructions there from to generate and release into the vehicle (10) one or more smells corresponding to the subset of the one or more sensed objects and/or one or more sensed smells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit Hollemans, Adrianus Sempel, Evert Jan Van Loenen
  • Publication number: 20080182498
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) case and duct for passively reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) during operation of the HVAC system. The duct includes an outer wall defining a inner chamber opening into, for example, a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. Interior walls define at least first and second air passages. A first air stream flows through the first air passage to the ventilation port. The second air passage intersects the first air passage upstream of the ventilation port at an output aperture. The second air stream may flow into the first air passage through the output aperture including a slotted wall to reduce NVH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Dhanunjay Vejalla
  • Publication number: 20080183334
    Abstract: A system and method for environmental management of a vehicle automatically operates a vehicle climate control system to quickly and efficiently defog a vehicle windshield, while still operating at or near environmental comfort guidelines determined by a vehicle occupant. The method may be executed by an HVAC control system that is configured with a preprogrammed algorithm to operate an HVAC to achieve the desired results. A number of sensors can provide inputs to the control system, which can also receive inputs from a number of manual overrides operable by an occupant of the vehicle. The preprogrammed algorithm is configured to act on the various inputs to operate the HVAC to strike an appropriate balance between occupant comfort and windshield defogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Greiner, Gerhard Dage, Halim Wijaya, Wayne Buescher
  • Patent number: 7392838
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle HVAC system to automatically defog a windshield glass and to prevent fogging or condensation of the windshield glass. The ambient air temperature and vehicle speed are measured and used to determine a windshield glass temperature. The in-cabin air temperature and relative humidity are measured and used to determine a dewpoint. An dewpoint margin is calculated to compensate for sensor accuracy and fog predictability. A fog margin, which is based upon calculated windshield glass temperature and dewpoint, is calculated and used, in conjunction with the dewpoint margin, to control the HVAC system to anticipate potential fogging conditions and to scale the intensity of the HVAC system response based upon the severity of fogging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley C. Errington, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Publication number: 20080119125
    Abstract: A ventilator flap, making up the terminal part of a main air duct providing an upstream air flow (3). The ventilator flap is provided with diffusion elements, directing elements, and control elements for going from one mode to the other which includes a central duct (5), at least partly coaxial to an annular duct (8), the two ducts (5, 8) having the upstream ends thereof (2) connected to the principal air duct and each having, at the downstream end thereof, one of the diffusion and directing elements and a control bush (12), which may be displaced between a first position, in which the above serves to close a connection between the central duct (5) and the annular duct (8) and a second position in which the above serves to open the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Pierre Guerreiro
  • Publication number: 20080119126
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air distribution system for maintaining a rate of air flow in the system at substantially the target air flow rate, wherein the apparatus comprises: means for detecting current speed and torque of said motor and generating said current speed signal and torque signal after detection; means for receiving current speed signal and torque signal and calculating current air flow rate in the air distribution system wherein the calculated current air flow rate is being compared to the target speed signal of the air flow rate and the current air flow rate is adjusted according to the target speed signal of the air flow by generating a control signal; and means for controlling the motor speed in response to the control signal for maintaining the rate of air flow in the system at substantially the target speed signal of the airflow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: OYL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Otaki Shizuo, Kok Keong Thoo, Chee Pang Teng
  • Publication number: 20080108292
    Abstract: A system for air distribution in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, includes at least one outlet for outflow of air into the passenger compartment, which can be activated by putting one's hand at a short distance therefrom without touching it. Associated to the air outlet is an optical sensor, which is set at distance from the air outlet and is optically connected to a window adjacent to the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Silvio DE MARINO, Marco BIASIOTTO, Andrea PEROSINO, Alessandro ZANELLA
  • Publication number: 20080076342
    Abstract: A method of cooling an engine control unit (ECU) coupled to an engine in a vehicle having a cabin climate control system, comprising of operating the vehicle cabin climate control system according to a customer-based climate control setting during a first operating condition, and overriding said customer-based setting during a second operating condition including an ECU over-temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Bryant, Suresh Sureshbabu, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt