Method and control system for adaptively controlling an automotive HVAC system

Claim 3

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one other strategy is an anti-fog strategy.

Claim 4

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base strategy is a thermal comfort strategy.

Claim 5

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the HVAC system also includes cooling means for cooling air in the ducting and a control element having control positions for varying refrigerant capacity of the cooling means and wherein the at least one other strategy is an economy strategy.

Claim 6

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of determining at least one other strategy determines a plurality of strategies, each of which is optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system based on the relative humidity and the temperature within the cabin wherein the step of blending blends the base strategy with the plurality of strategies to obtain the overall strategy.

Claim 7

The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the base strategy is a thermal comfort strategy.

Claim 8

The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of generating the strategy alteration signal includes the steps of detecting a first pattern in the occupant-generated input signals and interpreting the first pattern as an indication of occupant preference to obtain a first set of implication signals and wherein the strategy alteration signal being based on the first set of implication signals.

Claim 9

The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of receiving sensor input signals from at least one of the sensors and wherein the step of generating the strategy alteration signal is also based on the sensor input signals.

Claim 10

The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the step of generating the strategy alteration signal also includes the steps of detecting a second pattern in the sensor input signals and interpreting the second pattern to obtain a second set of implication signals and wherein the strategy alteration signal is also based on the second set of implication signals.

Claim 13

A control system for adaptively controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle which discharges a flow of air to a passenger cabin of the vehicle, the HVAC system including a variable speed blower, means for varying air temperature, ducting, actuators having various control positions for controlling the direction of air flow and the ratio of fresh air to recirculated air, a humidity sensor for sensing relative humidity within the cabin to generate a humidity signal, and temperature sensors for sensing temperature within the cabin and ambient temperature to generate in-car and ambient temperature signals, respectively, and a temperature sensor for sensing set point temperature adjustable by occupant of the vehicle, the system comprising: means for determining relative humidity, temperature within the cabin and ambient temperature based on the humidity, in-car and ambient temperature signals, respectively; means for determining a base strategy for controlling the HVAC system and means for determining at least one other strategy optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system based on the relative humidity, temperature within the cabin and the ambient temperature; means for generating a strategy alteration signal based on occupant-generated input signals from the occupant of the vehicle; means for blending the base strategy and the at least one other strategy to produce an overall strategy based on the strategy alteration signal; and means for generating control signals to control the position of at least one actuator and the speed of the blower to cause the HVAC system to discharge air into the cabin having a desired temperature and flow based on the overall strategy.

Claim 14

A control system for adaptively controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle which discharges a flow of air to a passenger cabin of the vehicle, the HVAC system including a variable speed blower, means for varying air temperature, ducting, actuators having various control positions for controlling the direction of air flow and the ratio of fresh air to recirculated air, a humidity sensor for sensing relative humidity within the cabin to generate a humidity signal, and temperature sensors for sensing temperature within the cabin and ambient temperature to generate in-car and ambient temperature signals, respectively, and a temperature sensor for sensing set point temperature adjustable by occupant of the vehicle, the system comprising: means for determining relative humidity, temperature within the cabin and ambient temperature based on the humidity, in-car and ambient temperature signals, respectively; means for determining a base strategy for controlling the HVAC system and means for determining at least one other strategy optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system based on the relative humidity, temperature within the cabin and the ambient temperature; means for generating a strategy alteration signal based on occupant-generated input signals from the occupant of the vehicle; means for blending the base strategy and the at least one other strategy to produce an overall strategy based on the strategy alteration signal; and means for generating control signals to control the position of at least one actuator and the speed of the blower to cause the HVAC system to discharge air into the cabin having a desired temperature and flow based on the overall strategy.

Claim 15

The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the at least one other strategy is an anti-fog strategy.

Claim 16

The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the base strategy is a thermal comfort strategy.

Claim 17

The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the HVAC system also includes cooling means for cooling air in the ducting and a control element having control positions for varying refrigerant capacity of the cooling means wherein the at least one other strategy is an economy strategy.

Claim 18

The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the means for determining at least one other strategy determines a plurality of strategies, each of which is optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system based on the relative humidity and the temperature within the cabin and wherein the means for blending blends the thermal comfort strategy with the plurality of strategies to obtain the overall strategy.

Claim 19

The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the base strategy is a thermal comfort strategy.

Claim 20

The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the plurality of strategies includes an anti-fog strategy.

Claim 21

The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the means for generating the strategy alteration signal includes means for determining a first pattern in the occupant-generated input signals and means for interpreting the first pattern as an indication of occupant preference to obtain a first set of indication signals and wherein the strategy alteration signal is also based on the first set of implication signals.

Claim 22

The system as claimed in claim 18 further comprising means for receiving sensor input signals from at least one of the sensors wherein the strategy alteration signal is also based on the sensor input signals.

Claim 23

The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for generating the strategy alteration signal includes means for detecting a second pattern in the sensor input signals and means for interpreting the second pattern to obtain a second set of implication signals and wherein the strategy alteration signal is also based on the second set of implication signals.