WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC, said system (100) comprising:
a. a plurality of sensors (102) disposed within said vehicle at predetermined locations, said sensors configured to periodically sense pressure and temperature and further configured to generate a plurality of sensed pressure signals and plurality of sensed temperature signals;
b. a signal conditioning unit (104) configured to receive said signals to collate them and further configured to assign a value to each of said collated signals;
c. an electronic control unit (ECU) (106) configured to compare said assigned values with pre-determined threshold values to generate at least one activation signal based on deviation from said pre-determined threshold values; and
d. a warning unit (108) configured to receive said activation signals to generate at least one warning signal corresponding to the performance of said HVAC.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ECU (106) includes:
a. a repository (106A) configured to store said pre-determined threshold values of pressure and temperature; and
b. a comparator (106B) configured to cooperate with said repository (106A) and said signal conditioning unit (106B) to compare said assigned values with said pre-determined threshold values to generate said activation signal based on said comparison.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said warning unit (108) includes:
a. an indication unit (108A) configured to cooperate with said ECU to generate a signal indicating performance of said HVAC; and
b. a communication unit (108B) configured to transmit said performance information of said HVAC to at least one service centre.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said indication unit (108A) includes an illuminating strip (110) having a plurality of blue, green and red LED’s disposed therewithin, a first portion (110A) of said illuminating strip (110) is configured to indicate deviation in pressure of air and a second portion (110B) of said illuminating strip indicating deviation in temperature of air.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said illuminating strip (110) is mounted either on periphery of an air vent bezel ring or on periphery of an armrest finisher ring or on the periphery of a glove box latch of said vehicle.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said illuminating strip (110) illuminates either blue, green or red light, thereby indicating severity in performance of said HVAC.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors (102) are temperature sensors and pressure sensors configured to sense pressure and temperature of air present in the driver and passenger compartments.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alerting unit (114) configured to generate an alert signal in the form of pre-stored audio text upon deviation in pressure and temperature of air, thereby alerting the driver and passenger regarding performance of said HVAC.
9. A method (200) for diagnosing performance of vehicle a HVAC, said method (200) comprising the following steps:
i. periodically sensing (202) pressure and temperature of air inside said vehicle;
ii. generating (204) sensed pressure signals and sensed temperature;
iii. collating (206) said signals;
iv. assigning (208) a value to said collated signals;
v. comparing (210) said assigned value with a pre-determined threshold value to generate an activation signal in the event of a deviation; and
vi. using (212) the activation signal to generate a warning signal corresponding to the performance of the HVAC.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (200) includes a step of transmitting information to a service centre regarding the performance of the HVAC.
, Description:

FIELD
The present disclosure relates to warning systems for identifying the performance of vehicle interior parts.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, the performance of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) of a vehicle degrades over a period of time. The degradation in performance may be due to several issues including clogging of filters, leakage in air ducts and the like. Conventionally a user by means of perceptions diagnoses the performance of the HVAC as whether the air delivered is at a desired pressure and temperature or not. However, the conventional method does not give exact performance indication of the HVAC which may even lead to failure of the same and this is not desired.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a system that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method for providing warning about performance of vehicle HVAC.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which indicates exact performance of the vehicle HVAC.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which is simple and gives visual indication regarding performance of the HVAC.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC. The system comprises a plurality of sensors, a signal conditioning unit, an electronic control unit (ECU) and a warning unit. The plurality of sensors is disposed within the vehicle at predetermined locations. Each of the sensors is configured to periodically sense pressure and temperature. Each of the sensors is further configured to generate a plurality of sensed pressure signals and plurality of sensed temperature signals. The signal conditioning unit is configured to receive the signals to collate them. The signal conditioning unit is further configured to assign a value to each of the collated signals. The electronic control unit (ECU) is configured to compare the assigned values with pre-determined threshold values to generate at least one activation signal based on deviation from the pre-determined threshold values. The warning unit is configured to receive said activation signals to generate at least one warning signal corresponding to performance of the HVAC.
In an embodiment, the ECU includes a repository and a comparator. The repository is configured to store the pre-determined threshold values of pressure and temperature. The comparator is configured to cooperate with the repository and the signal conditioning unit to compare the assigned values with the pre-determined threshold values to generate the activation signal based on the comparison.
In an embodiment, the warning unit includes an indication unit and a communication unit. The indication unit is configured to generate a signal indicating performance of the HVAC. The communication unit is configured to transmit the performance information of the HVAC to at least one service centre.
In an embodiment, the indication unit includes an illuminating strip having a plurality of blue, green and red LED’s disposed therewithin. A first portion of the illuminating strip is configured to indicate deviation in pressure of air and a second portion of the illuminating strip indicating deviation in temperature of air.
In an embodiment, the illuminating strip is mounted either on periphery of an air vent bezel ring or on periphery of an armrest finisher ring or on the periphery of a glove box latch of the vehicle. The illuminating strip is configured to illuminate separately based on the received activation signal for indicating deviation of pressure or temperature from the pre-determined threshold value.
In an embodiment, each of the illuminating strips either illuminates blue, green or red color, thereby indicating severity in performance of the HVAC.
In an embodiment, the plurality of sensors are temperature sensors and pressure sensors configured to sense temperature and pressure of air present in the driver and passenger compartments.
In an embodiment, the system includes an alerting unit configured to generate an alert signal in the form of pre-stored audio text upon deviation in pressure and temperature of air, thereby alerting the driver and passenger regarding performance of the HVAC.
The present disclosure also envisages a method for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC. The method comprises the following steps:
i. periodically sensing pressure and temperature of air inside the vehicle;
ii. generating sensed pressure signals and sensed temperature signals;
iii. collating the signals;
iv. assigning a value to each of the collated signals;
v. comparing the assigned values with the pre-determined threshold values to generate an activation signal in an event of a deviation; and
vi. using the activation signal to generate a warning signal corresponding to performance of the HVAC.
In an embodiment, the method includes a step of transmitting information to a service centre regarding the performance of the HVAC.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The system for providing warning about performance of vehicle HVAC of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates a block diagram of the for providing warning about performance of vehicle HVAC;
FIGURE 2 illustrates a front view of an illuminating strip mounted on the periphery of an air vent bezel;
FIGURE 3 illustrates an isometric view of the illuminating strip mounted on the periphery of the air vent bezel; and
FIGURE 4 illustrates a flow chart depicting method steps for providing warning about performance of the vehicle HVAC.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
102 – Plurality of Sensors
104 – Signal Conditioning Unit
106 – Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
106A – Repository
106B – Comparator
108 – Warning Unit
108A – Indication Unit
108B – Communication Unit
110 – Illuminating Strip
110A – First Portion
110B – Second Portion
112 – Air Vent Bezel
114 – Alerting Unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages a system for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC. The system for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC (herein after referred to as “system 100”) is described below with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 3.
The system 100 comprises a plurality of sensors 102, a signal conditioning unit 104, an electronic control unit (ECU) 106 and a warning unit 108.
The plurality of sensors 102 is disposed within the vehicle at predetermined locations. More particularly, the sensors 102 are disposed in driver compartment and passenger compartment. Each of the sensors 102 is configured to periodically sense pressure and temperature of the air present in the driver compartment and passenger compartment. Each of the sensors 102 is further configured to generate a sensed pressure signals and sensed temperature signals. The plurality of sensors 102 are temperature sensors and pressure sensors configured to sense temperature and pressure of the air present in driver and passenger compartments.
The signal conditioning unit 104 is configured to cooperate with the plurality of sensors 102 to receive sensed pressure signals and the sensed temperature signals. The signal conditioning unit 104 collates each of the sensed pressure signals with the sensed temperature signals to generate collated signals. The signal conditioning unit 104 is further configured to assign a value to each of the collated signals.
The electronic control unit (ECU) 106 is configured to cooperate with the signal conditioning unit 104 to receive the assigned values. The ECU 106 includes a repository 106A and a comparator 106B. The repository 106A is configured to store the pre-determined threshold values of pressure and temperature. The comparator 106B is configured to cooperate with the repository and the signal conditioning unit to compare the assigned values with the pre-determined threshold values to generate at least one activation signal based on deviation from the pre-determined threshold values.
The warning unit 108 is configured to cooperate with the ECU to generate at least one warning signal corresponding to performance of the HVAC. The warning unit 108 includes an indication unit 108A and a communication unit 108B.
The indication unit 108A is configured to cooperate with the ECU 106 to illuminate based on the received activation signal corresponding to the performance of the HVAC. The indication unit 108A includes an illuminating strip 110 having a plurality of blue, green and red LED’s disposed therewithin. In an embodiment, each of the illuminating strips either illuminates blue, green or red color, thereby indicating severity in performance of the HVAC.
A first portion 110A of the illuminating strip 110 glows from blue to red, thereby indicating deviation in the pressure value. Similarly, a second portion 110B of the illuminating strip 110 glows from blue to red, thereby indicating deviation in the temperature value. If the assigned values are less than the pre-determined threshold values, then the system 100 indicates that the HVAC is in a good working condition and the first portion 110A of the illuminating strip 110 glows blue then the pressure of air in the driver and passenger compartment is normal. If the assigned values are equal to the pre-determined threshold values then the first portion 110A of the illuminating strip glows green, which indicates that some component of the HVAC is not working properly. If the assigned values are greater than the pre-determined threshold values then the first portion 110A glows red, and the HVAC needs immediate servicing.
Similarly, if the second portion 110B of the illuminating strip glows blue it indicates the temperature of air is as per the set temperature value. If the second portion 110B of the illuminating strip glows green, then there is some issue with the AC component such as blockage of filter due to dust or leakage in the air duct and the like. If the second portion 110B of the illuminating strip glows red, then the AC needs immediate servicing.
In an embodiment, the system 100 includes an alerting unit 114 configured to generate an alert signal in the form of audio text upon deviation in pressure and temperature of air, thereby alerting the driver and passengers regarding the performance of the HVAC.
The communication unit 108B is configured to transmit the aforementioned performance information of the HVAC to at least one service center.
Figure 4 depicts method steps for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC as follows:
i. periodically sensing (step 202) pressure and temperature of air inside the vehicle;
ii. generating (step 204) sensed pressure signals and sensed temperature signals;
iii. collating (step 206) the signals;
iv. assigning (step 208) a value to the collated sensed signals;
v. comparing (step 210) the assigned values with pre-determined threshold values to generate an activation signal in an event of a deviation; and
vi. using (step 212) the activation signal to generate a warning signal corresponding to performance of the HVAC.
In an embodiment, the method includes a step of transmitting information to a service centre regarding the performance of the HVAC.
In an embodiment, the illuminating strip 110 can be replaced with any other thermo chromic material which changes color based on change in temperature.
Thus the system 100 of the present disclosure indicates exact performance of the vehicle HVAC and is simple and gives visual indication regarding performance of the HVAC.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for providing warning about performance of a vehicle HVAC, that:
• indicates exact performance of the vehicle HVAC; and
• is simple and gives visual indication regarding performance of the HVAC.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.