Method and system for controlling automotive hvac apparatus

Abstract

A system and method for automatically controlling the operation of a climate control system, such as a HVAC, in a vehicle. The system disclosed here includes a monitoring module coupled to a blower motor and a controller coupled to the monitoring module and a compressor. The monitoring module monitors the status of the blower motor, and provides the status condition to the controller. Subsequently, the controller transmits an operational command to the compressor based on the inputs received from the monitoring module.

1 . A system for controlling the operation of a climate control system in a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a monitoring module, coupled to a blower motor, configured to monitor the status of the blower motor; and   a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring module and a compressor, configured to:
 receive inputs from the monitoring module; and 
 transmit an operational command to the compressor based on the inputs received from the monitoring module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational command includes:
 normal operation; or   turn off.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller sends the normal operation command to the compressor on detection that the blower motor is operational. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller sends the turn off command to the compressor on detection of an undesirable condition. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the undesirable condition is detected using one or more blower motor parameters including:
 current;   voltage; or   revolutions per minutes.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the undesirable condition is identified when the controller receives no input from the monitoring module. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the monitoring module is configured to continuously measure the output signal received from the blower motor to detect the undesirable condition. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the climate control system is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 
     
     
         9 . A system for controlling a compressor of a climate control system in a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a monitoring module, coupled to a blower motor, configured to monitor the status of the blower motor to detect an undesirable condition; and   a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring module and a compressor, the controller configured to:
 receive inputs from the monitoring module; and 
 transmit a turn off command to the compressor on detection of the undesirable condition. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller transmits normal operation command to the compressor until the detection of the undesirable condition. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the climate control system is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the undesirable condition is detected using one or more blower motor parameters including:
 current;   voltage; or   revolutions per minutes.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the undesirable condition is identified when the controller receives no input from the monitoring module. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling the operation of a climate control system in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 monitoring the output signal of a blower motor to identify an undesirable condition; and   setting the operational status of a compressor including:
 transmitting a normal operation command to the compressor upon a determination that no undesirable condition identified; or 
 transmitting a turn off command to the compressor upon a determination that the undesirable condition is identified.