초록 ▼

A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities res

A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method comprising: receiving input signals indicative of a passenger set cabin temperature (Tsp), from a climate control unit, and one or more environmental conditions;selecting an initial target evaporator core temperature (Tevap1) from predetermined data based on Tsp and the environmental con

1. A method comprising: receiving input signals indicative of a passenger set cabin temperature (Tsp), from a climate control unit, and one or more environmental conditions;selecting an initial target evaporator core temperature (Tevap1) from predetermined data based on Tsp and the environmental conditions;calculating a dew point temperature (Tdew) based upon the environmental conditions;setting a target evaporator core temperature (Tevap) to Tdew when Tevap1exceeds Tdew; andoutputting a control signal based on Tevap. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: setting Tevap to Tevap1 when Tevap1 does not exceed Tdew. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating a windshield fogging probability value; andsetting Tevap based further in part upon the windshield fogging probability value. 4. The method of claim3, wherein setting Tevap based further in part upon the windshield fogging probability value comprises: calculating a second target evaporator core temperature (Tevap2) based on the windshield fogging probability value when the windshield fogging probability value is indicative of a risk of windshield fogging; andsetting Tevap to Tevap2. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein calculating Tevap2 comprises: selecting a target evaporator core temperature change amount (ΔTevap) from predetermined data based on the windshield fogging probability value; andreducing Tevap by ΔTevap. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein setting Tevap based further in part upon the windshield fogging probability value comprises: maintaining Tevap at its current value when the windshield fogging probability value is not indicative of a risk of windshield fogging. 7. A vehicle climate control system comprising: an evaporator core for cooling airflow; anda controller configured to: select an initial target evaporator core temperature (Tevap1) from predetermined data based on a passenger set cabin temperature (Tsp) and one or more environmental conditions;calculate a dew point temperature (Tdew) based upon the environmental conditions; andset a target evaporator core temperature (Tevap) to Tdew, when Tevap1exceeds Tdew. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to set Tevap to Tevap1 when Tevap1 does not exceed Tdew. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the control is further configured to: calculate a windshield fogging probability value; andset Tevap based further in part upon the windshield fogging probability value. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to set Tevap based further in part upon the windshield fogging probability value by: calculating a second target evaporator core temperature (Tevap2) based on the windshield fogging probability value when the windshield fogging probability value is indicative of a risk of windshield fogging; andsetting Tevap to Tevap2. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to calculate Tevap2 by: selecting a target evaporator core temperature change amount (ΔTevap) from predetermined data based on the windshield fogging probability value; andreducing Tevap by ΔTevap. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to set Tevap based further in part upon the windshield fogging probability value by: maintaining Tevap at its current value when the windshield fogging probability value is not indicative of a risk of windshield fogging. 13. A method comprising: receiving input signals indicative of a passenger set cabin temperature (Tsp) from a climate control unit, and one or more environmental conditions;selecting an initial target evaporator core temperature (Tevap1) from predetermined data based on a cabin temperature setpoint (Tsp), interior cabin temperature (Tcab), ambient temperature (Tamb) and solar load (SL);calculating a dew point temperature (Tdew) based on Tamb and relative humidity (RH);setting a target evaporator core temperature (Tevap) based on whether Tevap1 exceeds Tdew; andoutputting a control signal based on Tevap. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein setting Tevap based on whether Tevap1 exceeds Tdew comprises: setting Tevap equal to T dew, when Tevap1 exceeds Tdew; andsetting Tevap equal to Tevap1 when Tevap1 does not exceed Tdew. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: calculating a windshield fogging probability value; andcalculating a second target evaporator core temperature (Tevap2) based on the windshield fogging probability value when the windshield fogging probability value is indicative of a risk of windshield fogging; andsetting Tevap equal to Tevap2. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein calculating Tevap2 comprises: selecting a target evaporator core temperature change amount (ΔTevap) from predetermined data based on the windshield fogging probability value; andreducing Tevap by ΔTevap.