Claims:
1. A system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle comprising:

atleast one ultrasonic sensor (6) configured to detect passenger (9) on the chair (8);

atleast one air conditioning (AC) vent (5) to provide air to the passenger (9);

atleast one stepper motor (4) configured to open/close the AC vent (5);

a duct (2) to provide air to the AC vents (5);

a blower unit (2) to provide air to the duct (3);

an ampere controller (10) to regulate the blower unit (2) speed;

a microprocessor (1) configured to be connected to an ultrasonic sensor (6), a stepper motor (4) and an ampere controller (10); and

a battery (7) configured to provide voltage supply to the microprocessor (1) and blower unit (2).

2. The system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said ultrasonic sensor (6) is configured to be mounted adjacent to each AC vent (5) for continuously monitoring the distance between the passenger chair (8) and AC vent (5) in real time to provide seat occupancy feedback of the vehicle to the microprocessor (1).

3. The system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said stepper motor (4) is configured to be mounted behind each AC vent (5) for opening/closing of said AC vent (5) based on signal received from microprocessor (1).

4. The system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor (1) is configured to compare the signal received from ultrasonic sensor (6) with the pre-defined threshold values for detecting the occupants on the respective chair (8).

5. The system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said microprocessor (1) is configured to open the AC vent (5) through respective stepper motor (4) on detection of the signal received from the ultrasonic sensor (6) is below the predefined threshold value.

6. The system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said microprocessor (1) is configured to close the AC vent (5) through respective stepper motor (4) on detection of the signal received from the ultrasonic sensor (6) is above the predefined threshold value.

7. The system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said microprocessor (1) is configured to provide feedback of number of open AC vents (5) to the ampere controller (10) to regulate the speed of the blower unit (2).

8. A method for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle comprising the steps of:
• switching ON the ignition of the vehicle and starting the air conditioning unit;
• detecting the passengers (9) occupying the chair (8) in real time through ultrasonic sensor (6) and providing input to the microprocessor (1);
• processing the input signal received from the ultrasonic sensor (6) by the microprocessor (1) for comparing with the predefined threshold value;
• opening the AC vents (5) through it respective stepper motor (4) upon receiving the signal from microprocessor (1) on determining the input value below the predefined threshold value;
• closing the AC vents (5) through it respective stepper motor (4) upon receiving the signal from microprocessor (1) on determining the input value above the predefined threshold value; and
• regulating the blower unit (2) speed based on number of open AC vents (5) by microprocessor (1) through ampere controller (10) based on determination of number of open AC vents (5).
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING OF AIR CONDITIONING IN A VEHICLE AND METHOD THEREOF

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle and method thereof and more specifically relates to electronically closing of the air conditioning vent and controlling the blower speed automatically in a vehicle based on the presence of customer on the respective seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Air conditioning (AC) vehicles running on long route or intercity application have the provision of individual AC-blower duct on each seat/sleeper location. The passenger switches the duct ON/OFF manually according to their requirement. When the passenger leaves the vehicle, he may or may not close the air vent. When there is no passenger on the seat, the same amount of air will continuously flow from blower duct and will continuously consume full power until blower unit or engine is stopped by the driver manually. Even if the passenger closes the respective the air conditioning (AC) vent the blower will continue to run at same speed and consume power.
[0003] There are several situations of blower running for empty seats such as: At the time of passenger boarding the vehicle, AC/blower is continuously ON for a long duration for entire vehicle. Usually for long distance routes, some passengers alight from the vehicle intermediately before the final destination of the vehicle and the blower is kept ON for the entire vehicle. Similarly, some passengers board the vehicle in between the journey. During this period the AC vent and the blower is ON for the entire vehicle. This consumes lot of power from the engine. There is always low fuel efficiency due to the power loss by blower running for empty seats either in AC vent ON/OFF condition. Hence, to improve the fuel efficiency there is a need of a system which will overcome the aforesaid limitations of the existing air conditioning system.
[0004] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the prior arts.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Main object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for automatically controlling the air conditioning in a vehicle..
[0006] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for automatically controlling of air conditioning which automatically closes the AC vent on non-detection of the occupant.
[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for automatically controlling of air conditioning which will regulate the blower speed based on the number of open air vents.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for automatically controlling of air conditioning with improved fuel efficiency in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Before the system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to a particular system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle as there may be multiple possible embodiments, which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular implementations, versions, or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0010] The present invention discloses a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle to provide better fuel efficiency in vehicle. The system is configured with an ultrasonic sensor mounted adjacent to an AC vent to detect the presence of a passenger on the seat and a microprocessor to provide inputs to a stepper motor for closing the AC vent if the passenger is not detected. The microprocessor detects the number of open AC vents and provides signal to the ampere controller to increase or decrease the blower speed according to the number of passengers. This reduction in blower speed according to the number of passengers helps to increase fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present subject matter, an example of construction of the present subject matter is provided as figures; however, the present subject matter is not limited to the specific a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle disclosed in the document and the figures.
[0012] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle and, similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle is now described.

[0015] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described but is to be accorded the widest scope consist in this regard, in a generic sense.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates the system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle. This is a representation of cabin area inside the vehicle. The microprocessor (1) is configured to be connected with the ampere controller (10), the stepper motor (4) and the ultrasonic sensor (6).

[0017] In general vehicle architecture, air conditioning (AC) blower unit (2) takes power input from battery unit (7). Based on blower speed adjustment by operator or driver, air will flow from blower unit (2) to duct (3). The air from the duct (3) is supplied to various air conditioning (AC) vents (5) connected on top of each passenger chair (8) and is blown out from the open vent.

[0018] Referring to Figure 1, the passenger (9) is shown occupying the chair (8) in a, b, c, d and e chair respectively while chair f and g are empty, i.e., no passenger is sitting on that chair. The ultrasonic sensor (6) is mounted adjacent to the each AC vent (5). The stepper motor (4) is mounted behind each AC vent (5) for opening and closing of the AC vents (5). The ultrasonic sensor (6) is configured to continuously monitor the distance of passenger chair (8) from AC vent (5) and provide the real time feedback of the occupancy of the seat. The ultrasonic sensor (6) will continuously measure the distance from its position to passenger seat and send the signal to microprocessor (1). The microprocessor (1) processes the threshold for distance calculated by sensor (6) to detect whether the passenger (9) is occupying on chair (8) or not. If distance value is greater than threshold value in case seat f & g, the microprocessor (1) determines that seat is empty. If distance value is less than threshold value in case seat a, b, c, d & e, microprocessor (1) determines that seat is occupied by the passenger (9). When the microprocessor (1) determines that seat f & g are empty, it will provide input signal the stepper motor (4) to switch off /close the AC vent (5) for respective chair ‘f’ and ‘g’. Once AC vent (5) is closed by the respective stepper motors (4), the microprocessor (1) will provide input signal to the ampere controller (10) to reduce the current flow to the blower unit (2) in same proportionate of number of air conditioning vent (5) open and closed. This technique will save fuel by optimum running of blower unit (2) and the blower unit (2) will provide air only for passenger (9) occupying the chair, thereby avoiding the AC flow to the air conditioning vent (5) of entire vehicle. This will increase the life of blower unit (2), alternator and battery (7) in addition to the increased fuel efficiency of the vehicle with optimum running condition.
[0019] Accordingly, the present invention discloses a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle comprising atleast one ultrasonic sensor (6) configured to detect passenger (9) on the chair (8), atleast one air conditioning (AC) vent (5) to provide air to the passenger (9), atleast one stepper motor (4) configured to open/close the AC vent (5), a duct (2) to provide air to the AC vents (5), a blower unit (2) to provide air to the duct (3), an ampere controller (10) to regulate the blower unit (2) speed, a microprocessor (1) configured to be connected to an ultrasonic sensor (6), a stepper motor (4) and an ampere controller (10) and a battery (7) configured to provide voltage supply to the microprocessor (1) and blower unit (2).
[0020] The ultrasonic sensor (6) is mounted adjacent to each AC vent (5) for continuously monitoring the distance between the passenger chair (8) and AC vent (5) in real time to provide seat occupancy feedback of the vehicle to the microprocessor (1). The stepper motor (4) is mounted behind each AC vent (5) for opening/closing of said AC vent (5) based on signal received from microprocessor (1). The microprocessor (1) compares the signal received from ultrasonic sensor (6) with the pre-defined threshold values for detecting the occupants on the respective chair (8). The microprocessor (1) opens the AC vent (5) through respective stepper motor (4) on detection of the signal received from the ultrasonic sensor (6) which is below the predefined threshold value. The microprocessor (1) closes the AC vent (5) through respective stepper motor (4) on detection of the signal received from the ultrasonic sensor (6) which is above the predefined threshold value. The microprocessor (1) provides feedback of number of open AC vents (5) to the ampere controller (10) to regulate the speed of the blower unit (2).
[0021] The method for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle is performed in the following steps:
• Switching ON the ignition of the vehicle and starting the air conditioning unit.
• Detecting the passengers (9) occupying the chair (8) in real time through ultrasonic sensor (6) and providing input to the microprocessor (1).
• Processing the input signal received from the ultrasonic sensor (6) by the microprocessor (1) for comparing with the predefined threshold value.
• Opening the AC vents (5) through it respective stepper motor (4) upon receiving the signal from microprocessor (1) on determining the input value is below the predefined threshold value.
• Closing the AC vents (5) through it respective stepper motor (4) upon receiving the signal from microprocessor (1) on determining the input value above the predefined threshold value.
• Regulating the blower unit (2) speed based on number of open AC vents (5) by microprocessor (1) through ampere controller (10) based on determination of number of open AC vents (5) to increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following:
[0023] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a system for automatic controlling of the air conditioning in a vehicle.
[0024] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a system for automatically controlling of air conditioning which automatically closes the AC vent on non-detection of the occupant.
[0025] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a system for automatically controlling of air conditioning which will regulate the blower speed based on the number of opened air vents.
[0026] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a system for automatically controlling of air conditioning with improved fuel efficiency in a vehicle
[0027] Although implementations for a system for automatic controlling of air conditioning of a vehicle have been described in language specific to structural features and/or system, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations.
[0028] Figure 1 is now described using the reference numbers stated in the below table.
Reference Numeral Description
1 Microprocessor
2 Blower unit
3 Duct
4 Stepper motor
5 Air conditioning (AC) vent
6 Ultrasonic sensor
7 Battery
8 Passenger chair
9 Passenger
10 Ampere controller
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h Chairs