초록 ▼

Methods and devices that use an engine load condition of a vehicle, for example, the vehicle's engine intake manifold or plenum vacuum, to promote the efficiency of the engine. The methods and devices are operable to control the compressor of the vehicle's air-conditioning system, enabling the compr

Methods and devices that use an engine load condition of a vehicle, for example, the vehicle's engine intake manifold or plenum vacuum, to promote the efficiency of the engine. The methods and devices are operable to control the compressor of the vehicle's air-conditioning system, enabling the compressor to be shut off when the vehicle is under relatively high loads. The methods and devices operate by sensing a parameter indicative of an engine load condition of the vehicle, determining a difference between a reading of the parameter and an average based on multiple readings of the parameter, and then engaging and disengaging the compressor clutch depending on whether the reading of the parameter is above or below the average of the parameter. The compressor clutch is engaged if the engine operates under a high load for a duration that is dependent on the average of the parameter.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for promoting the efficiency of an engine of a vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning system having a compressor and a compressor clutch, the device comprising: means for sensing a parameter indicative of an engine load condition of the vehicle;means for determining a difference betwe

1. A device for promoting the efficiency of an engine of a vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning system having a compressor and a compressor clutch, the device comprising: means for sensing a parameter indicative of an engine load condition of the vehicle;means for determining a difference between an instantaneous reading of the parameter sensed by the sensing means and a calculated average based on multiple readings of the parameter sensed by the sensing means; andmeans for engaging and disengaging the compressor clutch depending on whether the instantaneous reading of the parameter is above or below the calculated average of the parameter, the engaging/disengaging means engaging the compressor clutch if the engine operates under a high load for a duration of time that results in the calculated average of the parameter becoming higher than the instantaneous reading of the parameter. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging/disengaging means disengages the compressor clutch if the engine is operating under a high load and the instantaneous reading rises above the calculated average of the parameter. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is a throttle position signal of an engine control module of the vehicle. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means is a pressure sensor and the parameter is an intake manifold pressure of the vehicle. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a module containing the determining means and the engaging/disengaging means and comprising means for plugging the module into a socket for a relay of the compressor. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the sensing means is a pressure sensor and the parameter is an intake manifold pressure of the vehicle. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the module contains the sensing means and further comprises a conduit adapted to connect the sensing means within the module to an intake manifold pressure source of the vehicle. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means calculates the calculated average based on an average of the multiple readings of the parameter and an averaging time constant that is adjusted based on an air temperature. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means calculates the calculated average based on an average of the multiple readings of the parameter adjusted by a predetermined offset value. 10. A method of promoting the efficiency of an engine of a vehicle using the device of claim 1, the method comprising: sensing with the sensing means a parameter indicative of an engine load condition of the vehicle;determining with the determining means a difference between an instantaneous reading of the parameter sensed by the sensing means and a calculated average based on multiple readings of the parameter sensed by the sensing means; andengaging and disengaging the compressor clutch with the engaging/disengaging means depending on whether the instantaneous reading of the parameter is above or below the calculated average of the parameter, the compressor clutch being engaged if the engine operates under a high load for a duration of time that results in the calculated average of the parameter becoming higher than the instantaneous reading of the parameter. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the engaging/disengaging means disengages the compressor clutch in response to the instantaneous reading rising above the calculated average of the parameter while the engine is operating under a high load. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the parameter is a throttle position signal of an engine control module of the vehicle. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the sensing means is a pressure sensor and the parameter is an intake manifold pressure of the vehicle. 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the device comprises a module containing the determining means and the engaging/disengaging means and the method further comprises plugging the module into a socket for a relay of the compressor. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the sensing means is a pressure sensor and the parameter is an intake manifold pressure of the vehicle. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the module contains the sensing means and the method further comprises using a conduit to connect the sensing means within the module to an intake manifold pressure source of the vehicle. 17. A method of promoting the efficiency of an engine of a vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning system having a compressor and a compressor clutch, the method comprising: sensing a parameter indicative of an engine load condition of the vehicle;determining a difference between an instantaneous reading of the parameter and a calculated average based on multiple readings of the parameter; andengaging and disengaging the compressor clutch depending on whether the instantaneous reading of the parameter is above or below the calculated average of the parameter, the compressor clutch being engaged if the engine operates under a high load for a duration of time that results in the calculated average of the parameter becoming higher than the instantaneous reading of the parameter. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the compressor clutch is disengaged in response to the instantaneous reading rising above the calculated average of the parameter while the engine is operating under a high load. 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the parameter is a throttle position signal of an engine control module of the vehicle. 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the parameter is an intake manifold pressure of the vehicle. 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the determining and engaging/disengaging steps are performed with a device comprising a module and the method further comprises plugging the module into a socket for a relay of the compressor. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the parameter is an intake manifold pressure of the vehicle, the sensing step is performed with a sensing means within the module, and the method further comprises connecting a conduit to the sensing means and to an intake manifold pressure source of the vehicle. 23. The method according to claim 17, wherein the determining means calculates the calculated average based on an average of the multiple readings of the parameter and an averaging time constant that is adjusted based on an air temperature. 24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the determining means calculates the calculated average based on an average of the multiple readings of the parameter adjusted by a predetermined offset value.