U.S. patent application number 11/944964 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for interface device for climate control system for automotive vehicles, centralized vehicle system command combination, climate control system for automotive vehicles, and automotive vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Siemens Vdo Automotive Ltda.. Invention is credited to Alessandro Domingues Alves, Fabio Bastos, Alonso Marinone.
Application Number | 20080135206 11/944964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39367303 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080135206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alves; Alessandro Domingues ;
et al. |
June 12, 2008 |
INTERFACE DEVICE FOR CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE
VEHICLES, CENTRALIZED VEHICLE SYSTEM COMMAND COMBINATION, CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, AND AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
Abstract
The present invention discloses an interface device to control a
climate control system for automotive vehicles having at least one
first command to drive a heating equipment and/or at least one
second command to drive a cooling equipment and/or at least one
third command to drive an ambient air flow control equipment, the
first and/or second and/or third drive commands only altering the
working status of the respective first, second and third equipments
by direct control of the user, the device also comprising at least
one printed circuit board or the like having means that enable the
conversion of the movements of the first and/or second and/or third
commands into electrical information visualized on a digital
display.
Inventors: |
Alves; Alessandro Domingues;
(Guarulhos, BR) ; Marinone; Alonso; (Gurulhos,
BR) ; Bastos; Fabio; (Guarulhos, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA, 101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Siemens Vdo Automotive
Ltda.
|
Family ID: |
39367303 |
Appl. No.: |
11/944964 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/0065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/42 |
International
Class: |
B61D 27/00 20060101
B61D027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2006 |
BR |
PI0604746-7 |
Claims
1. Interface device to control a climate control system for
automotive vehicles that comprises at least one first ambient air
heating equipment and/or at least one second ambient air cooling
equipment and/or at least one third equipment to control the flow
of heated and/or cooled ambient air or not, the device having at
least one first command to drive the heating equipment and/or at
least one second command to drive the cooling equipment and/or at
least one third command to drive the ambient air flow control
equipment, the first and/or second and/or third drive commands only
altering the working status of the respective first, second and
third equipments by direct control of the user, the device being
characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one printed
circuit board or the like having means that enable the conversion
of the movements of the first and/or second and/or third commands
into electrical information visualized on a digital display.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the
first and/or second and/or third commands operate mechanically to
alter the working status of the respective first, second and third
equipments.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the
first and/or second and/or third commands are
manual/mechanical.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the
means that enable the conversion of the manual/mechanicals
movements of the first and/or second and/or third commands into
electrical information visualized on the digital display are
potentiometers associated to the printed circuit board.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the
digital display is associated to the printed circuit board and
their visualization is facilitated by means of at least one light
source associated to the board, such as, for example an
incandescent lamp or LED.
6. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
first and/or second and/or third commands operate mechanically in
the respective first, second and third equipments by movement of
the steel cables.
7. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
first and/or second and/or third commands operate mechanically in
the respective first, second and third equipments by sending
electric signals.
8. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
first and/or second and/or third commands operate mechanically in
the respective first, second and third equipments by the pneumatic
control of low pressure lines (vacuum).
9. Centralized vehicle system command combination, to command a
climate control system for automotive vehicles that comprises at
least one first ambient air heating equipment and/or at least one
second ambient air cooling equipment and/or at least one third
equipment to control the flow of heated and/or cooled ambient air
or not, and other vehicle systems, such as sound and entertainment
systems, onboard computers, navigation system, among others, the
combination being characterized by the fact that it comprises at
least one interface device to control a climate control system
having (i) at least one first command to drive the heating
equipment and/or at least one second command to drive the cooling
equipment and/or at least one third command to drive the ambient
air flow control equipment, and (ii) at least one printed circuit
board or the like; the first and/or second and/or third drive
commands only altering the working status of the respective first,
second and third equipments by direct control of the user, and the
board having means that enable the conversion of the movements of
the first and/or second and/or third commands into electrical
information visualized on a digital display.
10. Combination according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that the first and/or second and/or third commands of the device
operate mechanically to alter the working status of the respective
first, second and third equipments.
11. Combination according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that the first and/or second and/or third commands of the device
are manual/mechanical.
12. Combination according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that the means that enable the conversion of the manual/mechanical
movements of the first and/or second and/or third commands into
electrical information visualized on the digital display are
potentiometers associated to the printed circuit board.
13. Combination according to claim 12, characterized by the fact
that the digital display of the device is associated to the printed
circuit board and their visualization is facilitated by means of at
least one light source associated to the board, such as, for
example an incandescent lamp or LED.
14. Combination according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that first and/or second and/or third commands operate mechanically
in the respective first, second and third equipments by movement of
the steel cables.
15. Combination according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that first and/or second and/or third commands of the device
operate mechanically in the respective first, second and third
equipments by sending electric signals.
16. Combination according to claim 9, characterized by the fact
that first and/or second and/or third commands of the device
operate mechanically in the respective first, second and third
equipments by the pneumatic control of low pressure lines
(vacuum).
17. Manual climate control system for automotive vehicles, having
at least one first ambient air heating equipment and/or at least
one second ambient air cooling equipment and/or at least one third
equipment to control the flow of heated and/or cooled ambient air
or not, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one
interface device to control a climate control system having (i) at
least one first command to drive the heating equipment and/or at
least one second command to drive the cooling equipment and/or at
least one third command to drive the ambient air flow control
equipment, and (ii) at least one printed circuit board or the like;
the first and/or second and/or third drive commands only altering
the working status of the respective first, second and third
equipments by direct control of the user, and the board having
means that enable the conversion of the movements of the first
and/or second and/or third commands into electrical information
visualized on a digital display.
18. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that
the first and/or second and/or third commands of the device operate
mechanically to alter the working status of the respective first,
second and third equipments.
19. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that
the first and/or second and/or third commands of the device are
manual/mechanical.
20. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that
the means that enable the conversion of the manual/mechanicals
movements of the first and/or second and/or third commands into
electrical information visualized on the digital display are
potentiometers associated to the printed circuit board.
21. System according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that
the digital display of the device is associated to the printed
circuit board and visualization thereof is facilitated by means of
at least one light source associated to the board, such as, for
example an incandescent lamp or LED.
22. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that
first and/or second and/or third commands operate mechanically in
the respective first, second and third equipments by movement of
the steel cables.
23. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that
first and/or second and/or third commands of the device operate
mechanically in the respective first, second and third equipments
by sending electric signals.
24. System according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that
first and/or second and/or third commands of the device operate
mechanically in the respective first, second and third equipments
by the pneumatic control of low pressure lines (vacuum).
25. Manual climate control system for automotive vehicles, having
at least one first ambient air heating equipment and/or at least
one second ambient air cooling equipment and/or at least one third
equipment to control the flow of heated and/or cooled ambient air
or not, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one
centralized vehicle system command combination as defined in claim
9.
26. Automotive vehicle, characterized by the fact that it comprises
at least one interface device to control a climate control system
as defined in claim 1.
27. Automotive vehicle, characterized by the fact that it comprises
at least one centralized vehicle system command combination as
defined in claim 9.
28. Automotive vehicle, characterized by the fact that it comprises
at least one manual climate control system as defined in claim 17.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention discloses devices and systems for use
in automotive vehicles that provide easy interaction for the user,
increasing comfort and ease of use of automotive vehicles thus
equipped.
[0002] A first device idealized is a climate control system
(heating, ventilation and air-conditioning-HVAC) interface for
automotive vehicles, having low manufacturing cost and providing
the systems with greater sophistication, also enabling said device
to manage said systems in a much easier manner according to its
preference settings.
[0003] A second device idealized is a centralized vehicle system
command combination, such as, for example, a sound,
air-conditioning and heating system command, that has low
manufacturing cost, sophisticated look and major adaptability to
the user's wishes.
[0004] The present invention also discloses a climate control
system for automotive vehicles comprising at least one of the first
or second devices mentioned above.
[0005] Lastly, the present invention discloses an automotive
vehicle equipped with at least one of the devices/systems referred
to herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART
[0006] In the early history of the motorcar, at the end of the
19.sup.th century and beginning of the 20.sup.th century,
automobiles were rather rudimentary machines, the primeval
achievement of which was self-propulsion with minimum reliability.
These characteristics guaranteed it extraordinary success across
the entire planet.
[0007] In these early vehicles, the accessory systems to the
propulsion group were extremely rudimentary, and the electric
system was sometimes non-existent, since the engine generated
electric sparks to explode the mixture of air and fuel by means of
regular magnets.
[0008] As the years went by, the major subsequent technological
development enabled auxiliary comfort and safety systems to be
incorporated into the vehicles, including climate control systems
(heating, ventilation and air-conditioning of the passenger
compartment), sound and entertainment systems or car radios and an
infinity of other components.
[0009] Regarding climate control systems, the first
air-conditioning systems developed for use in vehicles, in the mid
1940s, only comprised an evaporator positioned inside the vehicle's
passenger compartment and a small electric fan, which blew air
through it, cooling it. The commands at the user's disposal in this
type of system were limited to a control to drive the system
compressor, another to control the speed of the electric fan and a
third, if at all, commanded a thermostat determined intervals to
drive and switch off compressor, as a kind of temperature gauge.
These systems only re-circulated the air already inside the
passenger compartment.
[0010] Over time, the evaporator was built into the inside of the
panel and the commands to drive the air-conditioning system were
integrated with those of the vehicle's dynamic ventilation system
(with commands to divert the air towards the windshield, the front
air diffusers in the panel or the feet area) and the heating
system, which in the vast majority of cases comprises a small
radiator positioned inside the panel through which the water heated
from the vehicle's engine cooling system flows.
[0011] Accordingly, it became possible to regulate the temperature
of the air blowing from the diffuser panels with a certain degree
of accuracy, by simultaneous combination of the use of the
air-conditioning and heating systems.
[0012] Nowadays, climate control systems basically comprise two
categories, namely:
[0013] A first category is that of the simplest of systems, for use
in low cost vehicles, such as low cost compact automobiles (very
common on the Brazilian market and in other developing countries)
and utility vehicles, essentially having the following
commands:
[0014] Command to switch the air-conditioning system compressor on
and off.
[0015] Command to determine the working speed of the electric
fan.
[0016] Command to drive the heating system (that commands the
partial or total opening of a passage through which the air flows
through the radiator heater before reaching the panel
diffusers).
[0017] Command to determine the air direction (either towards the
windshield, the feet, panel diffusers, etc.).
[0018] Command that determines the entry of outside air into the
passenger compartment or the recirculation of air already there
(optional).
[0019] In this simplest of systems, there is no automation to
maintain the stability of the temperature inside the vehicle's
passenger compartment, that is, the air will be
supplied/recirculated at a set temperature and direction (towards
the feet, windshield, etc.) until the user alters it.
[0020] So, the system has no automatic variation capacity of
operating settings for the climate inside the vehicle's passenger
compartment to be altered because the system is entirely
mechanical, having no processing capacity.
[0021] A second category comprises more sophisticated systems, in
which certain working parameters can be previously programmed and
the system follows them while in operation.
[0022] In these more sophisticated systems, for example, it is
possible to select a certain temperature (for example 23.degree.
C.) and it is maintained indefinitely by adjusting the air flow,
quantity of heated air mixed with cooled air, etc. This type of
climate control system is popularly known as automatic
air-conditioning.
[0023] To enable the correct temperature control, one or more
specific sensors are provided, identifying the temperature inside
and outside the vehicle. In some more sophisticated systems, there
are even sensors that detect the penetration of the sun's rays.
Once these data are established, a processing element (preferably
in the form of a microprocessor) analyzes these data and optimizes
the system configuration so that the desired temperature is
maintained stable, with a variation, for example in the electric
fan speed, driving the heating system or not concomitantly with the
compressor, etc.
[0024] In the vast majority of cases, the drive of the commands and
the visualization of the system's operating settings are possible
by way of a digital panel specifically indicating the desired
working temperature, among others.
[0025] For automated climate control systems to be functional, a
printed circuit board is required containing a processing element,
and the commands (keys or rotary buttons) and display thus form an
interface with the user. Due to the high cost of sensors and
microprocessing board, automatic climate control systems are not
financially viable for use in low cost vehicles such as compact
vehicles or those in which sophistication is not essential (utility
vehicles for example).
[0026] To-date, no climate control system had been developed that
brought together the low cost of the unautomated manually operated
system with the sophisticated look offered by the presence of a
digital display interface, even though it has no microprocessing
capacity or automated working. In any case, its sophisticated
appearance alone considerably increases the desirability of the
equipment for the vehicle purchaser.
[0027] Additionally, to-date, no interface device for climate
control system had been developed with the sophisticated look
offered by the presence of digital display and that could be
installed in unautomated, manual climate control systems in the
form of an accessory kit, increasing the desirability of second
hand vehicles thus equipped, at low cost.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The objective of the present invention is to provide an
interface device for unautomated climate control system for
automotive vehicles that has a digital display and appearance
similar to those of the interfaces of automated climate control
systems, that has low manufacturing cost, sophisticated appearance
and gives greater interactivity with the user, also providing much
easier user management according to his preference.
[0029] Additionally, the objective of the present invention is a
centralized vehicle system command combination, such as, for
example, a climate control system command, that has low
manufacturing cost, sophisticated appearance, interactivity and
major adaptability to the user's wishes, providing digital
visualization of the information even though the system is not
automated.
[0030] Additionally, the objective of the present invention is a
climate control system for automotive vehicles comprising at least
either the device or combination as per above.
[0031] Lastly, the objective of the present invention is an
automotive vehicle equipped with at least either one of the
device/combination/system as per above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The objectives of the present invention are achieved by an
interface device to control a climate control system for automotive
vehicles that comprises at least one first ambient air heating
equipment and/or at least one second ambient air cooling equipment
and/or at least one third heated and/or cooled or not ambient air
flow control equipment, the device having at least one first
command to drive the heating equipment and/or at least one second
command to drive the cooling equipment and/or at least one third
command to drive the air flow control equipment, the first and/or
second and/or third drive commands only altering the working status
of the respective first, second and third equipments by direct
control of the user, the device also comprising at least one
printed circuit board or the like having means that enable the
conversion of the movements of the first and/or second and/or third
commands into electrical information visualized on a digital
display.
[0033] Further, the objectives of the present invention are
achieved by a centralized vehicle system command combination, to
command a climate control system for automotive vehicles that
comprises at least one first air-heating equipment and/or at least
one second air-cooling equipment and/or at least one third heated
and/or cooled or not air flow control equipment, and other vehicle
systems, such as sound and entertainment systems, onboard
computers, navigation system, among others, the combination also
comprising at least one interface device to control a climate
control system having
[0034] (i) at least one first command to drive the heating
equipment and/or at least one second command to drive the cooling
equipment and/or at least one third command to drive the ambient
air flow control equipment, and
[0035] (ii) at least one printed circuit board or the like,
[0036] the first and/or second and/or third drive commands only
altering the working status of the respective first, second and
third equipments by direct control of the user, and the board
having means that enable the conversion of the movements of the
first and/or second and/or third commands into electrical
information visualized on a digital display.
[0037] Additionally, the objectives of the present invention are
achieved by a manual climate control system for automotive
vehicles, having at least one first ambient air heating equipment
and/or at least one second ambient air cooling equipment and/or at
least one third heated and/or cooled or not ambient air flow
control equipment, the system also comprising at least one
interface device to control a climate control system having
[0038] (i) at least one first command to drive the heating
equipment and/or at least one second command to drive the cooling
equipment and/or at least one third command to drive the ambient
air flow control equipment, and
[0039] (ii) at least one printed circuit board or the like,
[0040] the first and/or second and/or third drive commands only
altering the working status of the respective first, second and
third equipments by direct control of the user, and the board
having means that enable the conversion of the movements of the
first and/or second and/or third commands into electrical
information visualized on a digital display.
[0041] Further, the objectives of the present invention are
achieved by a manual climate control system for automotive
vehicles, having at least one first ambient air heating equipment
and/or at least one second ambient air cooling equipment and/or at
least one third heated and/or cooled or not ambient air flow
control equipment, the system comprising at least one centralized
vehicle system command combination as defined above.
[0042] Lastly, the objectives of the present invention are achieved
by an automotive vehicle that comprises at least one interface
device to control a climate control system, at least one
centralized vehicle system command combination e at least one
manual climate control system as defined in the prior
paragraphs.
[0043] The major innovation of the interface device that is the
subject matter of the present invention lies in substituting the
ugly driver panel of a conventional manual climate control system
(only having buttons with illuminated ideograms that identify the
speed of the electric fan, the positions of the air flow and the
approximate temperature through the use of a blue and red scale), a
panel having at least one digital display that is similar to the
controls of an automated climate control system having information
processing capacity and sensors and at a much higher cost.
[0044] Accordingly, a more sophisticated appearance is achieved for
the commands of the manual climate control system, which
constitutes an important sales argument in the case of low cost,
compact vehicles and utility vehicles, whose selling price to the
consumer makes the installation of effectively automated climate
control systems financially unfeasible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] The present invention will be described based on examples
represented in the drawings, as follows:
[0046] FIG. 1-is a first rear flat view of the interface device for
climate control system for automotive vehicles that is the subject
matter of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 2-is a front perspective view of the interface device
for climate control system for automotive vehicles that is the
subject matter of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 3-is a rear perspective view of the device illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0049] FIG. 4-is an exploded perspective view of the device
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0050] FIG. 5-is a first detailed view of part of the inside of the
device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0051] FIG. 6-is a second detailed view of part of the inside of
the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0052] FIG. 7-is a third detailed view of part of the inside of the
device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0053] FIG. 8-is a fourth detailed view of part of the inside of
the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0054] FIG. 9-is a fifth detailed view of part of the inside of the
device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0055] FIG. 10-is a schematic view of the diagram of blocks
corresponding to the workings of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1
to 9.
[0056] FIG. 11-corresponds to three digital display variations of
the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9.
[0057] FIG. 12-is a schematic view of the climate control system
for automotive vehicles that is the subject matter of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention as can
be seen as of FIG. 1, the present invention discloses an interface
device for climate control system for automotive vehicles, a
centralized vehicle system command combination, a climate control
system for automotive vehicles and an automotive vehicle, all
encompassed within the same inventive concept.
[0059] Before describing the inventions above and their innovative
features, it is important to set forth some preliminary comments on
conventional climate control systems installed in automotive
vehicles, especially family cars and light utility vehicles such as
vans and pick-ups.
[0060] The climate control system of automotive vehicles referred
to in the prior paragraph essentially comprises a first equipment
or sub-system designed to heat the air inside the passenger
compartment (hereafter referred to as ambient air heating equipment
2), a second equipment or sub-system designed to cool or
refrigerate the air inside the passenger compartment (hereafter
referred to as ambient air cooling equipment 3) and a third
equipment or sub-system designed to direct the air flow (heated,
cooled or as it is inside the vehicle) inside the passenger
compartment, which will hereafter be referred to as air flow
direction equipment 4. Further, at least one electric fan 12 is
also provided, forcing the air through the various
openings/diffusers in the vehicle's panel, and that is preferably
an integral part of the air flow direction equipment.
[0061] Essentially, the air heating equipment 2 comprises a heat
exchanger (radiator), not illustrated, positioned inside the
passenger compartment of the vehicle (generally behind the
instruments panel), through which water from the vehicle's engine
cooling system circulates.
[0062] This radiator is positioned inside a box having a door or
moveable rack that enables the air entering the passenger
compartment to be directed straight to the panel diffusers or, if
desired, totally or partially force it through the radiator, where
it will be heated, so it arrives at the panel diffusers heated at
the desired temperature. In some systems, besides the air that
enters the passenger compartment, the recirculated air that is
already inside may traverse the radiator, being heated to the
desired temperature.
[0063] The air cooling equipment, popularly called
"air-conditioning", comprises all the elements belonging to a
cooling cycle, namely, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and
an expansion valve or the like, forming a circuit inside of which a
cooling fluid circulates (such as, for example CFC R12 or HFC
R134).
[0064] The compressor is directly or indirectly driven by the
vehicle's internal combustion engine and compresses the cooling
fluid, initially in the form of gas, making it liquid. To do so, it
has to withdraw heat from the gas, which is performed by a heat
exchanger positioned outside the vehicle, called a condenser
(because it is there where liquefaction or condensation of the
fluid begins). At low temperature and in liquid form, the cooling
fluid, pumped by the compressor, runs through a tube until it
reaches another heat exchanger, called evaporator, located inside
the vehicle, preferably behind the instruments panel and near the
heating equipment radiator 2.
[0065] Upon arrival at the evaporator, the fluid finds an expansion
valve or an increase in tube thickness, which reduces its pressure.
The reduction in pressure causes vaporization of the fluid, which
was in liquid form, and in this process part of the heat from the
air running through the evaporator is absorbed. Accordingly, the
air is significantly cooled and its temperature is well lower than
before.
[0066] Therefore, for the cooling system to operate, the compressor
must be driven. This is achieved by means of a drive switch or
button. Additionally, in most equipment, a regulatable thermostat
is provided, with which the compressor functioning interval can be
approximately regulated (the working time during which the
compressor is successively on and off), thus providing a regulating
opportunity, however precarious, of the average temperature of the
cooled air.
[0067] Lastly, the air flow direction equipment 4 comprises an air
box with internal tubes, regulatable flow diverters and diffusers
that enable air to be captured from outside the vehicle and
correctly directed towards the windshield and/or the feet region
and/or the panel diffusers (central and side, if applicable),
besides enabling the passage of air through the cooling system
evaporator 3 or heating system radiator 2. Some flow direction
equipments also have the function of recirculating ambient air,
which is useful when it is desirable to prevent the entry of
external air or for maximum acceleration in cooling of the
vehicle's passenger compartment.
[0068] It is also important to note that although these three
equipments were in fact independent in older vehicles, in the
current vehicle project they are wholly integrated to create a
single master system, which is called a climate control system.
[0069] In these modern vehicles, for example, it is not impossible
to withdraw the flow direction equipment 4 and keep the cooling
equipment 3 in operation, since they are physically one and
integrated, corresponding, in practice, to sub-systems of this
climate control system.
[0070] As mentioned previously, there are two categories of climate
control systems available on the market today that equip vehicles
of the current project.
[0071] A first category is the simplest of systems, for use in low
cost vehicles, such as low cost, compact automobiles (very common
on the Brazilian market and in other developing countries) and
utility vehicles. These systems are called mechanical or manual
because they have no automation or "intelligence", and comprise the
following commands:
[0072] Command to switch the air-conditioning system compressor on
and off.
[0073] Command to determine the working speed of the electric
fan.
[0074] Command to drive the heating system (that commands the
partial or total opening of a passage for the air to flow through
the radiator heater before reaching the panel diffusers).
[0075] Command to determine the air flow direction (towards the
windshield, the feet, the panel diffusers, etc.).
[0076] Command to determine the entry of outside air into the
passenger compartment or the recirculation of air already present
(optional).
[0077] Therefore, the command (i) relates to the cooling equipment
3, the command (iii) relates to the heating equipment 2 and the
commands (ii), (iv) and (v) relate to the flow direction
equipment.
[0078] In manual climate control systems there is no automation to
maintain the stability of the temperature inside the vehicle's
passenger compartment, that is, the air is supplied/recirculated in
a set temperature and direction (towards the feet, windshields,
etc.) previously regulated by the user until he alters it. The
system has no automatic variation capacity of operating settings
for the climate inside the vehicle's passenger compartment to be
altered because the system is entirely mechanical with no
processing capacity.
[0079] A second category comprises more sophisticated climate
control systems, in which certain working parameters can be
previously programmed and the system follows them while in
operation.
[0080] In more sophisticated systems, for example, it is possible
to select a certain temperature (for example 23.degree. C.) and it
is maintained indefinitely by adjusting the air flow, quantity of
heated air mixed with cooled air, percentage of air directed
towards the windshield, etc. This kind of climate control system is
popularly known as automatic air-conditioning.
[0081] To enable the correct control of temperature, one or more
specific sensors are provided that identify the temperature inside
the vehicle. In some more sophisticated systems, there are even
sensors that detect the penetration of the sun's rays inside the
passenger compartment, which alters the inside temperature. Once
these data are established, a processing element (preferably in the
form of a microprocessor) analyzes these data and optimizes the
system configuration so that the desired temperature is maintained
stable, changing, for example, the speed of the electric fan, the
air flow direction through the heater radiator 2 concomitantly with
its passage through the cooling equipment evaporator 3, etc.
[0082] In the vast majority of cases, the drive of the commands and
the visualization of the system's operating settings are possible
by way of a digital panel specifically indicating the desired
working temperature, among others.
[0083] Besides the sensor(s) mentioned above, automated climate
control systems require at least one printed circuit board
containing a processing element, and the commands (keys or rotary
buttons) and display, forming an interface with the user. Due to
the high cost of the sensor(s) and microprocessing board, automatic
climate control systems are not financially feasible for use in low
cost vehicles such as compact vehicles or in those where
sophistication is not essential (utility vehicles for example).
[0084] The interface device to control a climate control system for
automotive vehicles 1 that is the subject matter of the present
invention provides the appearance of a climate control system with
hybrid characteristics between the unautomated system manual and
the automated system, insofar as it unites low cost of the former
with the sophisticated appearance of the latter.
[0085] The control device 1, as name itself indicates, is an
interface of the climate control system with the user, preferably
in the form of a control panel located at some spot on the
vehicle's instruments panel, such as on the console, for example.
It is, therefore, part of the conventional manual climate control
system, the equipment of which has already been described.
[0086] Essentially, the device 1 comprises at least one first
command 5 to drive the heating equipment 2 and/or at least one
second command 6 to drive the cooling equipment 3 and/or at least
one third command 7 to drive the ambient air flow control equipment
4.
[0087] Preferably, the three commands 5,6,7 are provided
concomitantly, however it is perfectly possible to use the device 1
in a climate control system that does not have the heater equipment
2, or that does not have the cooling equipment 3.
[0088] In any case, regardless of the presence of two or three
commands 5,6,7, it is important to note that, due to the manual
characteristic of the climate control system, having no sensor or
processing capacity, the first and/or second and/or third drive
commands 5,6,7 only alter the working status of the respective
first, second and third equipments 2,3,4 by direct control of the
user, that is, if the maximum cold option is chosen and the
electric fan is operating at maximum speed, the system will keep
operating thus, regardless of the temperature inside the passenger
compartment. The operation can only be performed manually by the
user.
[0089] As a hypothesis, let us imagine a vehicle whose climate
control system was activated under the settings determined in the
prior paragraph on a sunny summer's day morning, after the vehicle
has remained under the sun.
[0090] At this initial moment, the temperature inside the passenger
compartment was, example, 50.degree. C., so the user manually
selected the system 1 to work at maximum cooling rate. Some time
later, the temperature inside the vehicle's passenger compartment
fell to 22.degree. C., and gradually continued to fall. Later on,
after some hours of working, night fell and the ambient temperature
drastically fell, but inside the vehicle the system continued to
operate at maximum cooling rate and the temperature was around
13.degree. C., because the system has no kind of automation. The
system will continue to cool the passenger compartment of the
vehicle until its setting is changed.
[0091] The major innovation of the interface device 1 that is the
subject matter of the present invention lies in substituting the
ugly driver panel of a conventional manual climate control system
(only having buttons with illuminated ideograms that identify speed
of the electric fan, the positions of the air flow and the
approximate temperature through the use of a blue and red scale),
by a panel having at least one digital display 10 (such as an LCD
display) that is similar to the controls of an automated climate
control system having information processing capacity and sensors,
at a much higher cost.
[0092] Accordingly, a more sophisticated appearance is achieved for
the commands of the manual climate control system manual, which
makes it an important sales argument in the case of low cost,
compact vehicles and utility vehicles, whose selling price to the
consumer makes the installation of effectively automated climate
control systems financially unfeasible.
[0093] To enable the conversion of manual commands of the climate
control system into digital information available on a display 10,
with low cost, the device 1 comprises at least one printed circuit
board or the like 8 having means 9 that enable the conversion of
the movements of the first and/or second and/or third commands
5,6,7 into electrical information visualized on the display 10.
[0094] The drive commands 5,6,7 preferably have a configuration of
rotary buttons, but obviously they can assume any other
configuration as necessary or desired.
[0095] Also preferably, the drive commands 5,6,7 are mechanical and
drive the respective equipment 2,3,4 by movement of the steel
cables or plastic or metallic rods (cheaper and reasonably
efficient solutions), but obviously other solutions can be found
viewing a more pleasant and smoother movement of the commands, such
as, for example the mechanical drive of the equipments 2,3,4 by
means of electric engines, or by the pneumatic control of low
pressure lines of air formed by the "vacuum" generated by the
vehicle's engine, or by another form.
[0096] It is said that the commands 5,6,7 operate mechanically,
regardless of the specific manner, because their operation
corresponds to the alteration of the working status of the
respective equipment 2,3,4, without any form of analysis,
processing or interference from the climate control system on this
command.
[0097] Preferably, the interface device 1 is box shaped (see FIGS.
2, 3 and 4) adaptable to the automotive vehicle's panel, meaning
its appearance, geometry and the arrangement of the commands 5,6,7
varies according to the vehicle in which it will be installed.
[0098] In a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of
the device 1 that is the subject matter in the present invention,
illustrated in the figures, it comprises a structural receptacle
box 13 or the like that is associated to the vehicle panel and that
encloses all its elements.
[0099] The box 13 is preferably but not compulsorily
parallelepipedon-shaped and defines a main opening, blocked by a
finishing panel 14 in harmony with the rest of the vehicle
panel.
[0100] The box 13 also comprises at least one, but preferably three
rear through openings 15, allowing the passage and positioning of
electric wiring and the components associated to the commands
5,6,7, the already mentioned steel cables, rods, electric wires,
pneumatic circuit tubes, etc. (not illustrated).
[0101] Inside the box 13 a printed circuit board or the like 8 is
positioned (that can be fully seen in FIGS. 4 and 9 and partially
seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8).
[0102] The board 8 has associated thereto at least one digital
display 10, at least one light source 11, such as an incandescent
lamp or LED, to illuminate the display 10 and commands 5,6,7 and
the means 9 that enable the already mentioned conversion of the
movement of the commands 5,6,7 into electrical information
visualized on the display 10. Preferably, there are various light
sources in the form of LEDS 11.
[0103] In order to maximize the illumination of the display 10, a
three-dimensional support structure 16 is provided, surrounding
three LEDS 11 and enables the display 10 to be positioned slightly
distant from them, which improves the efficiency of the lighting.
Between the LEDS and the display, a board made of translucent
material 17 is also provided, "spreading" or "diffusing" the light
from the LEDS. The diffusing translucent board 17 makes it possible
to illuminate the display 10 equally and homogeneously and its use
is merely optional.
[0104] Lastly, a square-shaped structure 18 is provided, fixing the
display 10 on the three-dimensional support structure 16 and a
"zebra" type connector 19 which fastens the display to the board,
energizing it and supplying the information to be visualized.
[0105] Obviously, the manner of fixing the display 10 on the board
8 may vary slightly, without excluding the present invention from
the scope of protection of the appended claims.
[0106] The panel 14 also has at least one through opening to
position the commands and visualization of the display 10,
preferably providing seven openings 20, one rectangular for
visualization of the display 10 and the other circular, for
positioning the commands.
[0107] As can be especially seen in FIG. 1, the device comprises
the following commands:
[0108] a first command 5 to drive/control the heating equipment 2
in the form of a rotary button;
[0109] a second command 6 to drive/control the cooling equipment 3
in the form of a push-button;
[0110] three third commands 7 to drive/control the ambient air flow
control equipment, one of these commands being in the form of a
rotary button that controls the air flow direction 7A (towards the
windshield and/or feet region and/or central panel diffusers),
another command in the form of another rotary button 7B that
controls the speed of the electric fan 12 and another command 7C
(push-button) which allows/releases the recirculation of air in the
passenger compartment.
[0111] Preferably, each command 5,6,7 comprises a lamp or LED 11 to
enable correct illumination.
[0112] In the preferred embodiment of the device 1 that is the
subject matter of the present invention, the first command 5 and
the third commands 7A, 7B drive the respective equipments 2,3,4 by
way of steel cables, whereas the push-buttons 6,7C do so by way of
electric contacts, but it is obvious that said characteristics may
vary without excluding the resulting invention from the scope of
protection of the appended claims. Preferably, the drive of the
electric fan has its own switch 80 associated to the rotary button
7B, and this switch that can be seen in FIG. 9.
[0113] Then, by using all the commands mentioned in the two prior
paragraphs, the user of the automotive vehicle chooses the desired
working settings of the climate control system and said settings
appear on the digital display 10, and the system will continue
operating under these settings until the user alters the chosen
settings.
[0114] The conversion of movements of the commands 5,6,7 into
electrical information that can be visualized on the display 10 is
one of the most important aspects of the invention. In the case of
push-button type drive commands, such as exemplified by drive 6 of
the cooling equipment 3 and drive 7C of the air recirculator, the
on/off operation of the button is translated into an electric
signal that can easily represented on the display 10.
[0115] In the case of rotary buttons, 5,7A,7B, however,
potentiometers must be used so that the angular movement of each
one is converted into an electric signal that can be reproduced on
the display. The potentiometer is a kind of rotary contact that
enables signal variation as one of its components is rotated in
relation to the other. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the
potentiometers can be substituted for other components, if
necessary or desirable, as long as they are functional.
[0116] Accordingly, each one of the three rotary buttons 5,7A,7B
comprises a base having a dented ring 50 that cooperates with a
respective dented wheel 60 provided in a respective potentiometer
9, which will convert this rotary movement into electric impulses.
The three potentiometers 9 can be seen in FIG. 9 and their
cooperation with the respective rotary buttons is illustrated in
detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. The push-buttons can also be easily
visualized in FIG. 9, together with the respective LEDS or
illumination lamps.
[0117] Preferably, each of the rotary buttons 5,7A,7B comprises a
base portion 70 fixed to the box 13, a rotary intermediary portion
71 that is angularly or rotationally operated by the user and
contains said dented ring 50, and, finally, a circular, rear
central portion 72 associated to the intermediary portion and that
has symbols identifying the function of the respective button.
Associated to the rotary portion are rotary axes 74 that will
operate the steel cables/rods of the climate control system or will
drive the electric fan switch 80.
[0118] Lastly, the board 8 also comprises a small and simple
processor 81, having very low cost, the function of which is solely
to enable the processing of the electric information based on the
movements of the commands 5,6,7 for exhibition thereof on the
display 10. This small processor does not carry out any kind of
processing of the information obtained from the commands 5,6,7 with
the aim of altering the operational settings of the climate control
system, not least because it has no sensors.
[0119] In reiteration, this small processor 81 is merely to enable
the correct working of the display 10, but under no circumstance
does it interfere with the system's operating settings.
[0120] The operating functions of the processor 81 can be
visualized in the schematic diagram that is illustrated in FIG.
10.
[0121] As can be seen, the processor 81, that is physically
installed in the board 8, receives a series of electric signals,
both from the system components 200 and from the vehicle.
[0122] For it to function, the board 8 (and by inference the
processor 81, the potentiometers 9, the LEDS 11, the display 10,
etc.) needs to be powered by an electrical current. Accordingly, a
connection is provided with the positive end of the battery, called
KL_30, which provides a continuous electricity current of 12V (DC).
However, for the correct working of the board, this current should
be reduced to 5V, which is achieved by way of a voltage regulator.
It is obvious, however, that although the processor 81 preferably
operates with a current of 5V DC, equivalent products may be
developed to operate with any electric current level, without
excluding the present invention from the scope of protection of the
appended claims.
[0123] The processor 81 is also powered by the electrical current
originating from the vehicle's ignition key by way of link KL_15,
to the extent that it preferably only works with the ignition
switched on, avoiding electricity consumption in unforeseen
situations.
[0124] The processor 81 is also operatively associated to the
dimmer that controls the intensity of panel lighting by way of
KL_58(d). However, said link is merely optional.
[0125] Preferably, the processor 81 also receives information from
the rear window demister through link 82, so that the display 10
may indicate that it is operational by way of an ideogram (image)
illustrated in the following figures as 104 and that will be
described in greater detail further ahead.
[0126] Lastly, the processor 81 is associated to the vehicle
chassis (mass), by way of link KL_31.
[0127] To enable the display 10 to inform the operating parameters
of the climate control system 200, the processor 81 must process
all the electric signals sent by the potentiometers and
push-buttons 9, which is achieved by way of links 87, 88, 89.
[0128] Link 87 enables the processor 81 to receive the electric
signals from the potentiometer associated to the rotary button 5 to
drive the heating equipment 2.
[0129] Link 88 enables the processor 81 to receive the electric
signals from the potentiometer associated to the rotary button 7B
to drive and control the working speed of the electric fan 12.
[0130] Link 89, in turn, enables the processor 81 to receive the
electric signals from the potentiometers associated to the rotary
button 7A, which controls the air flow direction and the
push-button 7C which controls the recirculation of air in the
passenger compartment (recirculator).
[0131] Once all the information obtained by links KL_30, KL_15,
KL-31, KL_58(d), 82, 87, 88 and 89, described above, is collected,
the processor 81 carries out its function, controlling the lighting
of the commands and the display by way of the LEDS 11, and also
exhibits the system's operating information on the display 10.
[0132] In the diagram, the LEDS 11 are schematically represented
within the rectangle called "lighting". The electric signals to
drive the LDS after processing in the processor 81 are presented by
links 90A, 90B, the first link being for illuminating the display
10 and the second for illuminating the buttons/commands.
[0133] The exhibition of the system's operating functions on the
display is achieved by way of link 91, and the display is
illustrated in FIG. 11 in its final configuration, inside the
rectangle called "display".
[0134] Lastly, it is important to note that the processor 81 may be
operatively associated to equipment other than that mentioned
above, such as, for example, the vehicle's ECU, the cooling system
compressor, among various others, represented schematically by
blocks 84,85,86, without impacting upon the scope of protection of
the present invention, defined by the appended claims. Similarly,
the system's working architecture may schematically vary
substantially in relation to the preferred embodiment illustrated
in the FIG. 10, without excluding the resulting invention from the
scope of protection of the claims.
[0135] FIG. 11 comprises detailed views of three possible
configurations of the display 10 that is the subject matter of the
present invention, indicating the system's operating possibilities.
Each figure shows:
[0136] an ideogram on the left 100 indicating the temperature of
the air blown inside the vehicle, either hot (H) or cold (C). Note
that there is no indication of the air temperature, because there
is no sensor to guarantee the maintenance of said value.
[0137] a central ideogram 101 that reproduces the vehicle's
passenger compartment, where arrows illustrate the positions in
which the air is being blown,
[0138] an ideogram on the right 102 showing the speed of the
electric fan,
[0139] smaller ideograms 103, 104, 105 respectively indicating the
cooling equipment compressor 3, the drive of the rear window
demister and the operation of the climate control system in
"demist" mode.
[0140] Obviously, the display 10 can have any other appearance and
configuration, in addition to any other functions, without
excluding the resulting invention from the scope of protection of
the appended claims.
[0141] A centralized vehicle system command combination that
commands a climate control system for automotive vehicles and other
equipments and additional functions, such as sound and
entertainment systems, satellite navigation system, onboard
computer with information about consumption, autonomy, average
speed, etc., is also a new and ingenious invention. Accordingly, it
is suffice that the combination includes, among other elements, an
interface device such as that described and defined herein.
[0142] By analogy, the unautomated manual climate control system
200 for automotive vehicles is an objective of the present
invention, comprising at least one interface device to control a
climate control system 1 as described and defined herein.
[0143] It must be emphasized that both the interface device 1 and
the centralized combination and the climate control system as a
whole can both equip vehicles as original manufacturing equipment
and be commercialized in the form of kits to assemble in second
hand vehicles that are not fitted with such or that correspond to
upgrades in relation to the existing counterparts.
[0144] Lastly, an automotive vehicle that comprises at least one
interface device to control a climate control system, at least one
centralized vehicle system command combination and at least one
manual climate control system as described and defined herein, is
also a new and ingenious invention.
[0145] Consequently, it must be understood that the scope of the
present invention encompasses any possible variations, being
limited solely by the content of the appended claims, including
possible equivalents.
* * * * *