US6651895B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adaptive automatic climate control method for a motor vehicle
Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
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Filing: 2002-08-16
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Granted: 2003-11-25
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Expires: 2022-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved motor vehicle automatic climate control methodology allows an occupant of the vehicle to select one of a number of automatic climate control settings that are calibrated to satisfy the comfort preferences of different types of occupants. In a first embodiment, the occupant selects one of a number of a pre-programmed control setting schedules that provide different HVAC power levels. In a second embodiment, the occupant first selects a desired HVAC power level, and then activates one of a number of control setting combinations that satisfy both the selected HVAC power level and his or her comfort preference.
Inventors
- 👤 Prasad Shripad Kadle
- 👤 Mingyu Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/00642; B60H1/00971; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of operation for a system that regulates vehicle cabin air temperature by specifying a discharge temperature of ventilation air and a ventilation blower speed, the method comprising the steps of: categorizing a distribution of vehicle occupants by comfort preference; calibrating and storing a set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules for each category of vehicle occupants; selecting an occupant category for a current vehicle occupant, and a set of stored discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules corresponding to the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of operation for a system that regulates vehicle cabin air temperature by specifying a discharge temperature of ventilation air and a ventilation blower speed, the method comprising the steps of: categorizing a distribution of vehicle occupants by comfort preference; calibrating and storing a set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules for each category of vehicle occupants; selecting an occupant category for a current vehicle occupant, and a set of stored discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules corresponding to the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of operation of claim 1 , including the steps of: calibrating and storing an air discharge mode control schedule for each category of vehicle occupants; selecting an air discharge mode control schedule corresponding to the selected occupant category; and specifying a discharge location of the ventilation air in accordance with the selected air discharge mode control schedule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of operation of claim 1 , including the steps of: providing an interface panel for interaction with the current vehicle occupant; and selecting the occupant category for the current vehicle occupant based on manual interaction of the current vehicle occupant with said interface panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of operation of claim 3 , wherein the current vehicle occupant manually identifies his or her comfort preference by interaction with said interface panel, and the occupant category for the current vehicle occupant is selected based on the identified comfort preference.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of operation of claim 3 , including the step of: providing switches on said interface panel for occupant identification of comfort preference.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of operation of claim 1 , including the steps of: identifying a default set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules calibrated for a category of occupants that is considered to be representative of a typical vehicle occupant; and initiating operation of said system by specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the identified default set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of operation of claim 1 , including the steps of: generating multiple sets of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules; forming different combinations of said discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules, and associating such combinations with said categories of vehicle occupants; selecting an occupant category for a current vehicle occupant, and a combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules that is associated with the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of operation of claim 7 , including the steps of: providing an interface panel for interaction with the current vehicle occupant; and selecting the occupant category for the current vehicle occupant based on manual interaction of the current vehicle occupant with said interface panel in a first stage of control adaptation; and selecting the combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules associated with the selected occupant category based on manual interaction of the current vehicle occupant with said interface panel in a second stage of control adaptation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of operation for a system that regulates vehicle cabin air temperature by specifying a discharge temperature of ventilation air and a ventilation blower speed, the method comprising the steps of: categorizing a distribution of vehicle occupants by comfort preference; calibrating and storing a set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules for each category of vehicle occupants; and adapting the system to a current vehicle occupant by: selecting an occupant category for the current vehicle occupant, and a set of stored discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules corresponding to the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of operation for a system that regulates vehicle cabin air temperature by specifying a discharge temperature of ventilation air and a ventilation blower speed, the method comprising the steps of: categorizing a distribution of vehicle occupants by comfort preference; calibrating and storing a set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules for each category of vehicle occupants; and adapting the system to a current vehicle occupant by: selecting an occupant category for the current vehicle occupant, and a set of stored discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules corresponding to the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected set of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of operation for a system that regulates vehicle cabin air temperature by specifying a discharge temperature of ventilation air and a ventilation blower speed, the method comprising the steps of: categorizing a distribution of vehicle occupants by comfort preference; generating multiple sets of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules; forming different combinations of said discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules, and associating such combinations with said categories of vehicle occupants; and adapting the system to a current vehicle occupant by: selecting an occupant category for the current vehicle occupant, and a combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules that is associated with the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of operation for a system that regulates vehicle cabin air temperature by specifying a discharge temperature of ventilation air and a ventilation blower speed, the method comprising the steps of: categorizing a distribution of vehicle occupants by comfort preference; generating multiple sets of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules; forming different combinations of said discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules, and associating such combinations with said categories of vehicle occupants; and adapting the system to a current vehicle occupant by: selecting an occupant category for the current vehicle occupant, and a combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules that is associated with the selected occupant category; and specifying the discharge temperature of the ventilation air and the ventilation blower speed in accordance with the selected combination of discharge temperature and blower speed control schedules.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-11-24 | 2007-05-26 | 2007-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-24 | 2011-05-26 | 2011-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-24 | 2015-05-26 | 2015-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |