HVAC control method for a remote start motor vehicle
US6745582B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60H1/00792
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A manually controlled motor vehicle HVAC system is activated for automatically pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin following remote starting of the vehicle engine. When the engine has been remotely started, an HVAC controller estimates initial outside air and cabin air temperatures, and determines if pre-heating or pre-cooling is appropriate based on the estimated initial temperatures, the engine coolant temperature and a measure of the engine soak time. When pre-heating or pre-cooling is deemed to be appropriate, the HVAC parameters normally set by a driver interface panel are selectively overridden based on the estimated initial outside air and cabin air temperatures. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the initial outside air temperature is estimated based on an inlet air temperature sensor of the engine or on a refrigerant pressure sensor of the HVAC system prior to activation of the refrigerant compressor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.