CLIAMS:1. An automobile environment management system for a vehicle having a plurality of power windows, said system comprising:
a relay unit coupled with a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is adapted for determining ON mode of a HVAC unit of the vehicle;
the relay unit is configured to:
receive a positive signal from the first sensor, wherein the positive signal is indicative of the ON mode of the HVAC system;
generate a trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows in response to the received positive signal; and
transmit the generated trigger signal to a power window controller, wherein the power window controller coupled with the relay unit and is configured to enable express closing of the plurality of power windows upon receipt of the trigger signal from the relay unit.

2. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relay unit is further coupled with at least one of a second sensor and a third sensor, wherein the second sensor is configured for detecting the presence of water on any part of windshield of the vehicle, the third sensor configured for determining the vehicle cabin temperature.

3. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the relay unit is configured to receive a positive signal from at least one of the second sensor and the third sensor and generate the trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows.

4. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third sensor is configured to generate and transmit the positive signal upon determining that the vehicle cabin temperature exceeds a preset temperature.

5. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the relay unit is configured to receive the positive signal from the third sensor and transmit an enable signal to the HVAC unit commanding the operation of the HVAC unit in ON mode.

6. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power controller is coupled to a plurality of power window regulators disposed on plurality of power windows, each of the plurality of power window regulators is configured to transmit a feedback signal to the power window controller upon one complete operation of closing of the associated power window.

7. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relay unit comprises one or more relay sub units coupled with and configured to receive the positive signal from at least one of the first, the second and the third sensor, generate the trigger signal and transmit the generated trigger signal to the power window controller for enabling express closing of the plurality of power windows.

8. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the one or more relay sub units is driven by the power supplied by the vehicle battery.

9. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power window controller comprises a power window controller relay and a plurality of overload protection units coupled with the power window controller relay and the plurality of window regulators.

10. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of power windows is provided with an obstacle sensor for detecting any obstacle in the path of the power window glass during the express closing of the power windows and transmit an obstacle detection signal to the power window controller.

11. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the relay unit is configured to receive the obstacle detection signal from the power window controller and transmit a stop signal to the power window controller for restricting further movement of that power window glass that generated the obstacle detection signal through the obstacle sensor.

12. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the power window controller relay is configured to receive the trigger signal from the relay unit and transmit the received trigger signal to each of the power window regulators through the plurality of overload protection units for enabling express closing of the plurality of power windows.

13. The automobile environment management system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of overload protection units is configured to determine whether the power consumed by each power window regulator exceeds a predetermined threshold power value and upon determination, transmit a stop signal to the respective power window regulator for restricting further movement of that power window glass.

14. A method of operating a plurality of power windows of a vehicle to implement an automobile environment management system, said method comprising steps of:
receiving a positive signal from at least a first sensor indicative of ON active mode of a HVAC system of the vehicle;
generating a trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows in response to the received positive signal; and
transmitting the generated trigger signal to a power window controller to enable express closing of the plurality of power windows upon receipt of the trigger signal.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method includes receiving a positive signal from a third sensor and transmitting an enable signal to the HVAC system commanding the operation of the HVAC unit in ON mode.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method includes transmitting a feedback signal to the power window controller upon one complete operation of closing of the associated power window.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method includes detecting, by an obstacle sensor, any obstacle in the path of the power window glass during the express closing of the power windows and transmitting an obstacle detection signal to the power window controller.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the method includes receiving the obstacle detection signal from the power window controller and transmitting a stop signal to the power window controller for restricting further movement of that power window glass that generated the obstacle detection signal through the obstacle sensor.

19. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method includes receiving the trigger signal and transmitting the received trigger signal to each of the power window regulators through the plurality of overload protection units for enabling express closing of the plurality of power windows.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the method includes determining whether the power consumed by each power window regulator exceeds a predetermined threshold power value and upon determination, transmitting a stop signal to the respective power window regulator for restricting further movement of that power window glass.
,TagSPECI:FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure primarily relates to an automobile environment management system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for automated winding of windows combined with AC function.

BACKGROUND

Generally, various systems have been developed to provide a comfortable environment inside the vehicle such as air conditioning system, power operated windows, and so on. Conventional automobiles are provided with the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for enabling comfortable environment inside the vehicle cabin. Similarly, conventional automobile power windows comprise a switch control for opening/closing the windows by holding the switch manually in an activated state to power the window motor.

Normally, when a user activates the air conditioning system, there is a tendency and requirement to close the windows of the vehicle to maintain the cold environment inside the vehicle. The user needs to manually activate the power windows for the window closure once the air conditioning system is enabled. Both the air conditioning system and the power windows operate independent of each other and there is no correlation between these systems. None of the existing arts teach such correlation between the systems.

Further, when the passenger cabin temperature inside the vehicle reaches a very high temperature, the air conditioning system must be automatically operated without requiring user’s manual operation. None of the existing arts teach such automatic operation of the air conditioning system at high temperature inside the passenger cabin of the vehicle.

Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved system that provides the above required environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the comfort of the user and overcoming the disadvantages of the existing art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an automobile environment management system for a vehicle having a plurality of power windows. The system comprises a relay unit coupled with a first sensor that is adapted for determining ON mode of a HVAC unit of the vehicle. The relay unit is configured to receive a positive signal indicative of the ON mode of the HVAC system from the first sensor. The relay unit is further configured to generate a trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows in response to the received positive signal and transmit the generated trigger signal to a power window controller. The power window controller coupled with the relay unit and is configured to enable express closing of the plurality of power windows upon receipt of the trigger signal from the relay unit.

Further, the present disclosure relates to a method of operating a plurality of power windows of a vehicle to implement an automobile environment management system. The method comprising receiving a positive signal from at least a first sensor indicative of ON active mode of a HVAC system of the vehicle. The method further comprising generating a trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows in response to the received positive signal and transmitting the generated trigger signal to a power window controller to enable express closing of the plurality of power windows upon receipt of the trigger signal.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a basic block diagram of an automobile environment management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a relay unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a power window controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c are flow diagram illustrating the operation of the automobile environment management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an automobile environment management system for a vehicle having a plurality of power windows. The system comprises a relay unit coupled with a first sensor that is adapted for determining ON mode of a HVAC unit of the vehicle. The relay unit is configured to receive a positive signal indicative of the ON mode of the HVAC system from the first sensor. The relay unit is further configured to generate a trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows in response to the received positive signal and transmit the generated trigger signal to a power window controller. The power window controller coupled with the relay unit and is configured to enable express closing of the plurality of power windows upon receipt of the trigger signal from the relay unit.

Further, the present disclosure relates to a method of operating a plurality of power windows of a vehicle to implement an automobile environment management system. The method comprising receiving a positive signal from at least a first sensor indicative of ON active mode of a HVAC system of the vehicle. The method further comprising generating a trigger signal indicative of closing of the plurality of power windows in response to the received positive signal and transmitting the generated trigger signal to a power window controller to enable express closing of the plurality of power windows upon receipt of the trigger signal.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Figure 1 illustrates a basic block diagram of automobile environment management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in figure 1, the automobile environment management system (100) comprises at least a relay unit (102) coupled with one or more sensors to detect the environmental changes inside and outside the vehicle and accordingly, provide a comfortable environment inside the passenger cabin of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the system (100) comprises sensors including a first sensor which may be a HVAC mode detection sensor (104) adapted to detect the ON operation mode of the HVAC unit and generate a positive signal upon detection. Further, the system (100) include a second sensor which may be a Rain light sensor (RLS) (106) for detecting the presence of water outside the vehicle and a third sensor which may be a temperature sensor (108) for detecting whether the temperature inside the vehicle passenger cabin exceeds a preset temperature, and accordingly generate a positive signal upon detection. The relay unit (102) is configured to receive the positive signal from at least one of the sensors (104, 106 and 108).
The relay unit (102) receives the positive signal from at least one of the HVAC mode detection sensor (104) or RLS (106) or temperature sensor (108) and accordingly generates a trigger signal for closing operation of the plurality of power windows of the vehicle. The relay unit (102) may generate the trigger signal after a predetermined time interval on receiving the positive signal from the sensors. In another embodiment, the relay unit (102) may generate the trigger signal immediately without any delay.
Furthermore, the relay unit (112) receives the positive signal from the temperature sensor (108) and transmits an enable signal to the HVAC unit commanding the operation of the HVAC unit in the active mode “ON”. Activation of the HVAC unit in ON mode enables the HVAC mode detection sensor (104) to generate the positive signal and transmit to the relay unit (102). The relay unit (102) in turn receives the positive signal and generates the trigger signal commanding the “express up” or express closing operation of the power windows of the vehicle. The power supply (110) to the relay unit (102) is provided from the vehicle battery.
The system (100) further comprises a power window controller (112) coupled with the relay unit (102) and a plurality of power window regulators (114) driving the plurality of power windows. The power window controller (112) is configured to receive the trigger signal indicative of vehicle environmental changes and generate a signal to the plurality of power window regulators (114) commanding the “express up” or express closing operation of the power windows of the vehicle.
In one embodiment, the power window controller (112) is configured to receive a trigger signal from the relay unit (102) indicative of the detected changes in the vehicle environment such as activation of HVAC system or presence of water or detection of temperature inside the passenger cabin of the vehicle exceeding a preset temperature. On receiving the trigger signal, the power window controller (114) generates and transmits an enable signal to each of the plurality of power window regulators (114). Each of the power window regulators (114) receives the enable signal from the power window controller (114) and drives the corresponding power windows for express closing operation. The power window regulators (114) are configured to transmit a feedback signal to the power window controller (112) upon one complete operation of closing of the associated power window.

Further, during the express closing of the windows, if there is any obstacle in the path of the power window glass in the upward direction, the power window controller (112) transmits an obstacle detection signal to the relay unit (102). The relay unit (102) receives the obstacle detection signal from the power window controller (112) and generates a stop signal for restricting further movement of that power window glass that generated the obstacle detection signal, thereby providing safe closing of the power windows when they are operated automatically. Thus, the anti-pinch function is serving as a safety feature in the vehicle to prevent any kind of injury.

In another embodiment, the power window controller (112) receives the trigger signal from the relay unit (102) and transmits the enable signal to the power window regulators (114) for express closing of the power windows. During the express closing, if the power consumed by that power window regulator (114) exceeds a predetermined threshold power value, the power window controller (112) generates a stop signal to the power window regulators (114). The respective power window regulators (114) upon receiving the stop signal from the power window controller (112), restricts further movement of that power window glass.
Once the power windows are closed, the relay unit (102) cut off the power supply to all power window regulators (114) and the power windows can now be manually operated.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a relay unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in figure 2, the relay unit (102) comprises one or more relay subunits (202, 204, and 206) coupled with and configured to receive the positive signal from at least one of the sensors (104, 106, 108). In one embodiment, the relay subunit (202) is coupled with the HVAC mode detection sensor (104), the relay subunit (204) is coupled with the RLS sensor (106) and the relay subunit (206) is coupled with the temperature sensor (108) respectively. Each of the relay subunits is driven by the power supplied by the vehicle battery.
Each of the relay subunits (202, 204, and 206) receives a positive signal indicative of the detected change in the vehicle environment from the respective sensors and generates a trigger signal with or without a time delay. Further, the respective relay subunit transmits the generated trigger signal to the power window controller (112) for further operations.
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a power window controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The power window controller (112), as shown in figure 3, comprises at least a power window controller relay (302) and a plurality of overload protection units (304-1, 304-2...304-4, collectively referred to as 304) coupled with the power window controller relay (302). The plurality of overload protection units (304) is also coupled with the plurality of power window regulators (306-1, 306-2...306-4) disposed on the plurality of the power windows for driving the closing operation of the power windows.
In one embodiment, the power window controller relay (302) receives the trigger signal from the respective relay subunit of the relay unit (102) and transmits an enable signal to the power window regulators (114) commanding the closing operation of the plurality of power windows. The power window controller relay (302) transmits the enable signal to the power window regulator (114) through the respective overload protection units (304). Each of the plurality of overload protection units is configured to determine whether the power consumed by each power window regulator exceeds a predetermined threshold power value. Upon determination, the power window controller relay (302) transmit a stop signal to the respective power window regulator for restricting further movement of that power window glass.
Further, the power window controller relay (302) transmits a stop signal to the respective window regulator in response to detection of obstacle in the path of the power window glass during the express up operation. Each of the plurality of power windows is provided with an obstacle sensor to detect any obstacle in the path of the power window glass and transmit an obstacle detection signal to the power window controller relay (302). The power window controller relay (302) transmits the obstacle detection signal to the relay unit (102). The relay unit (102), in turn, transmits the stop signal to the power window controller relay (302) commanding the respective power window regulator to restrict further closing operation of the power windows. Hence, providing safe closing of the power windows when they are operated automatically and serving as a safety feature in the vehicle to prevent any kind of injury.

Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of the automobile environment management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in figure 4a, at block 402, determination is made as to whether a positive signal is received from RLS sensor (106). If it is determined that the positive signal is received, then the method flows to block 404 along the “YES” path, else flows to block 406 along the “NO” path. In addition, at block (408), determination is made as to whether a positive signal is received from HVAC mode detection sensor (104) that senses the active ON mode of the HVAC unit. If it is determined that the positive signal is received, then the method flows to block 404 along the “YES” path, else flows to block 406 along the “NO” path.
Further, as shown in figure 4c, at block 410, determination is made as to whether the vehicle cabin temperature exceeds a preset temperature. If it is determined that the vehicle cabin temperature exceeds the preset temperature, then the method flows to block 412 along the “YES” path, else flows to block 414 along the “NO” path. At block 412, a signal is provided to the HVAC unit commanding the activation of the HVAC unit in ON mode. Activation of the HVAC unit in ON mode enables the HVAC mode detection sensor (104) to generate a positive signal. The method flows to block 408 through the connector “A” and further continues. At block 414, no signal is provided to the HVAC unit.
At block 404, the relay unit (102) generates a trigger signal in response to determination made in blocks 402 and 408 along the “YES” path. At block 406, the relay unit (102) remains idle until it receives a positive signal from at least one of the sensors.
At block 416, the relay unit (102) transmits the generated trigger signal to the power window controller (112) for enabling “express up” function of the power windows. At block 418, the power window controller (112) receives the trigger signal from the relay unit (102), generates and transmits an enable signal commanding the express closing operation of the power windows through the power window regulators (114).
At block 420, obstacle in the path of the power window glass during the express closing operation of the power windows is detected. Each of the plurality of power windows is provided with an obstacle sensor to detect any obstacle in the path of the power window glass and transmit an obstacle detection signal to the power window controller relay (302) in response to obstacle detection. The power window controller relay (302) transmits the obstacle detection signal to the relay unit (102). If the obstacle is detected and the obstacle detection signal is generated, the method flows to block 422 along the “YES” path, else flows to block 424 along the “NO” path through the connector “B”.

At block 422, the relay unit (102) transmits the stop signal to the power window controller relay (302) commanding the respective power window regulator to restrict further closing operation of that power window. Hence, providing safe closing of the power windows when they are operated automatically and serving as a safety feature in the vehicle to prevent any kind of injury.

At block 424, if there is no obstacle is detected in the path of the power window glass, the power window closing operation will continue for one complete operation. At block 426, upon one complete operation of the power windows, the relay unit (102) transmits a stop signal to restrict the express up function of the power windows and enable the manual window operation mode.

Explanations of letters or numerals

102 Relay unit
104 HVAC mode detection sensor or first sensor
106 Rain light sensor (RLS)
108 Temperature sensor
110 Battery power supply
112 Power window controller
114 Power window regulator
202, 204, 206 Relay subunits
302 Power window controller relay
304-1, 304-2, …304-4 Overload protection units
306-1, 306-2, ..306-4 Power window regulators

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and devices within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.