초록 ▼

A method for reducing overall workload of a vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system takes into account the humidity conditions. A high humidity condition can be detected by monitoring windshield wiper operation for a threshold period of time. High humidity exists during rain or fog and wiper operation

A method for reducing overall workload of a vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system takes into account the humidity conditions. A high humidity condition can be detected by monitoring windshield wiper operation for a threshold period of time. High humidity exists during rain or fog and wiper operation for more than three minutes can indicate high humidity. The method includes operating the vehicle heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system with the a/c on in a recirculation or partial recirculation mode when the wipers have been on for longer than the threshold period to remove moisture from cabin air thereby reducing the amount of moisture condensed by evaporator core and decreasing overall workload of the a/c system. The method also includes operating HVAC system with the a/c on in the recirculation or partial recirculation mode when the wipers have not been on at all of for longer than the threshold time and relative humidity is greater than a threshold humidity to remove moisture from recirculated cabin air thereby reducing the amount of moisture condensed by the evaporator core and decreasing overall workload of a/c system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for reducing overall workload of a vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system, comprising the steps of:determining whether windshield wipers are on and have been on for longer than a preselected minimum threshold time;operating vehicle heating, ventilating and air con

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for reducing overall workload of a vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system, comprising the steps of:determining whether windshield wipers are on and have been on for longer than a preselected minimum threshold time;operating vehicle heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system with the a/c on in a recirculation or partial recirculation mode when the wipers have been on for longer than said threshold time and removing moisture from cabin air thereby reducing amount of moisture condensed by evaporator core and decreasing overall workload of a/c system;determining whether outside relative humidity is above a preselected threshold humidity; andoperating HVAC system with the a/c on in said recirculation or partial recirculation mode when the wipers have not been on for longer than said threshold time and relative humidity is greater than said threshold humidity to remove moisture from recirculated cabin air thereby reducing amount of moisture condensed by the evaporator core and decreasing overall workload of a/c system.