Motor vehicle air-conditioning apparatus with engine speed control
AssigneeDenso Corporation
InventorsYoshiaki Takano, Hiroshi Kishita, Kurato Yamasaki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automobile air-conditioning apparatus in which the compressor torque of a variable capacity refrigerant compressor is estimated with improved accuracy. The compressor torque is measured on the basis of (1) high-side pressure of the refrigerating circuit directly influencing the compressor torque and (2) a control current value directly controlling the compressor. The accurately estimated compressor torque is then used to stabilize the speed of the vehicle engine driving the compressor.
Claims17
An air-conditioning apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
- (a) a refrigerating circuit, comprising:
- an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant flowing in thereto from pressure-reducing means;
- a refrigerant compressor for compressing refrigerant flowing in thereto from the refrigerant evaporator;
- and
- delivery capacity varying means for varying the delivery capacity of the refrigerant compressor by changing a set value of intake pressure of the refrigerant compressor in correspondence with a control current value supplied thereto;
- (b) high pressure detecting means for detecting a high-side pressure of the refrigerating circuit;
- (c) low pressure detecting means for detecting a low-side pressure of the refrigerating circuit;
- and
- (d) torque calculating means for calculating a compressor torque needed to drive the refrigerant compressor on the basis of the detected high-side and low-side pressures.
A motor vehicle air-conditioning apparatus, comprising:
- a refrigerating circuit including an evaporator for evaporating low pressure refrigerant, and a compressor for compressing refrigerant input from the evaporator, the compressor including a capacity control mechanism that varies a set intake pressure of the compressor based on a control signal supplied thereto;
- a detector that detects a high-side pressure of the refrigerating circuit;
- and
- a controller that is operative to control an operating torque of the compressor based on the high-side pressure and the control signal.
A method for controlling an externally variable compressor in a motor vehicle air conditioner, comprising:
- sensing air conditioner operating parameters, including an outside air temperature of air outside the passenger compartment and an inside air temperature for air inside the passenger compartment;
- determining a target cooling air temperature based on the step of sensing;
- supplying a compressor control current to the compressor, the compressor control current having a value based on the step of determining a target cooling temperature and representative of a refrigerating circuit low-side pressure;
- detecting a refrigerating circuit high-side pressure;
- and
- estimating a compressor torque required to drive the compressor based on the compressor control current and the refrigerating circuit high-side pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.