Electric control method and apparatus for air conditioners

An electric control apparatus for an automoble air conditioner including cooling means arranged to be operated in response to an actual passenger compartment temperature, and a desired temperature selected by manipulation of a temperature control means, the control apparatus comprising:

• a sensor for detecting an actual passenger compartment temperature to produce a first electric signal indicative of the actual passenger compartment temperature;
• a temperature selector adapted to be manipulated by a user for selecting a desired temperature and providing a second electric signal indicative of a desired passenger compartment temperature;
• computer means for (a) calculating a current deviation between values of said first and second electric signals upon each lapse of a predetermined period of time, (b) comparing the current calculated deviation with a predetermined positive value to produce a first output signal therefrom when the calculated deviation is larger than said predetermined positive value, (c) comparing the current calculated deviation with the previously calculated deviation when the current calculated deviation is smaller than or equal to said predetermined positive value;
• (d) producing a second output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is smaller than the previously calculated deviation;
• (e) maintaining said cooling means in its activated or deactivated condition when the current calculated deviation is larger than the previously calculated deviation;
• and (f) producing a third output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is larger than both said predetermined positive value and said previously calculated deviation;
• and
• means for activating said cooling means in response to each of said first and third output signals and for deactivating said cooling means in response to said second output signal from said computer means.

An electric control apparatus for an automobile air conditioner including an evaporator assembled within an air duct of said conditioner, a compressor for supplying compressed refrigerant medium to said evaporator when operated in an activated condition, and a temperature control means for selecting a desired passenger compartment temperature, the control apparatus comprising:

• a sensor for detecting the actual passenger compartment temperature and producing a first electric signal indicative of said actual temperature;
• a temperature selector adapted to be manipulated by a user for selecting a desired temperature and providing a second electric signal indicative of said desired temperature;
• computer means for (a) calculating a current deviation between values of said first and second electric signals upon each lapse of a predetermined period of time, (b) comparing the current calculated deviation with a predetermined positive value to produce a first output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is larger than said predetermined positive value, (c) comparing the current calculated deviation with the previously calculated deviation when the calculated deviation is smaller than or equal to said predetermined positive value, (d) producing a second output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is smaller than the previously calculated deviation, (e) maintaining said cooling means in its activated or deactivated condition when the current calculated deviation is larger than the previously calculated deviation, and (f) producing a third output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is larger than both said predetermined positive value and said previously calculated deviation;
• and
• means for activating said compressor in response to each of said first and third output signals and for deactivating said compressor in response to said second output signal from said computer means.

An electric control apparatus for an automobile air conditioner including cooling means arranged to be operated in accordance with an actual passenger compartment temperature and a temperature control means for adjusting the actual in-car temperature to a desired value by controlling the cooling ability of said cooling means, the control apparatus comprising:

• a sensor for detecting an actual passenger compartment temperature and producing a first electric signal indicative of the actual temperature;
• a temperature selector adapted to be manipulated by a user for selecting a desired temperature and providing a second electric signal indicative of said desired value;
• computer means for (a) calaculating a current deviation between values of said first and second electric signals upon each lapse of a predetermined period of time;
• (b) comparing the current calculated deviation with a predetermined positive value to produce a first output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is larger than said predetermined positive value, (c) comparing the current calculated deviation with the previously calculated deviation when the calculated deviation is smaller than or equal to said predetermined positive value, (d) producing a second output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is smaller than the previously calculated deviation, (e) maintaining the cooling ability of said cooling means in its increased or decreased condition when the current calculated deviation is larger than the previously calculated deviation, and (f) producing a third output signal therefrom when the current calculated deviation is larger than both said predetermined positive value and said previously calculated deviation;
• and
• means for increasing the cooling ability of said cooling means in response to each of said first and third output signals and for decreasing the cooling ability of said cooling means in response to said second output signal from said computer means.