DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in automobiles.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control unit has a control panel that is located at center of a vehicle instrument panel (IP) and the HVAC control panel has a user interface. A user can manipulate air conditioning or heating inside a passenger cabin by providing inputs on the user interface. The HVAC control panel is generally fitted with the vehicle IP using bolts and clips. The HVAC control panel consists of various buttons and knobs for the user to provide inputs for operating an HVAC system, and the HVAC control unit has a climate control module that is connected to the HVAC control panel by wiring harness.
In most of the vehicles, the climate control module (CCM) is mounted on a cross car beam located below the vehicle instrument panel, which consequently increases the length of the wiring harness connected to the HVAC control unit. Ann additional bracket is also required to mount the CCM. Further, as the CCM is located below the instrument panel, the service cost incurred during repair, increases.
There is, therefore, felt a need for a vehicle HVAC control unit with a comparatively small cross-section that alleviates the above mentioned limitations.

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 an HVAC control unit that can be fitted in less space without altering functionality.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an HVAC control unit that can be repaired at comparatively less cost.
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 an integrated HVAC control unit of a vehicle. The HVAC control unit a climate control head and a climate control module. The climate control head is configured to provide a user input interface to facilitate selection of one or more climate control conditions as an input. The climate control module is attached to the climate control head. The climate control module is standalone and operates independently of a vehicle ECU. The climate control module is implemented by means of a reconfigurable processor. The climate control module is configured to communicate with the climate control head and to receive the user input, to generate one or more control signals to control the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle and thereby control the climate inside the cabin of a vehicle.
In an embodiment, the integrated HVAC control unit has a two-piece structure. The first piece is a climate control head and the second piece is a climate control module, wherein the climate control head and the climate control module are adapted to be fitted together.
Preferably, the housing of the climate control module is adapted to receive and support the housing of the climate control module. In an embodiment, the housing of the climate control head is adapted to receive and support the housing of the climate control module at an operative rear portion of the housing of the climate control head. Further, the housing of the climate control head is adapted to be secured to the instrument panel of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the climate control head includes at least one input button and/or at least one input knob.
Preferably, the communication between the climate control head and the climate control module is facilitated by a first electrical connection. The HVAC system includes at least one the units selected from the group consisting of an air distribution unit, an air recirculation unit, a temperature control unit, an air vents flap control unit, a blower unit and a humidity control unit. Each of the units is communicatively coupled to the climate control module. In an embodiment, the communication between the climate control module and the various units of the HVAC system is facilitated by a second electrical connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A HVAC control panel of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an integrated HVAC control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates another isometric view of the integrated HVAC control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 3 illustrates the block diagram of the integrated HVAC control unit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 – integrated HVAC control unit
102 - climate control head (CCH)
103A- climate control input button
103B- climate control input knob
104 – climate control module (CCM)
105A – mounting lug on CCH
105B – mounting lug on CCM
106 – indicator
108 – first electrical connection
109 – second electrical connection
109A – female end of the second electrical connection
110 – HVAC system
111 – air distribution unit
112 – air recirculation unit
113 – temperature control unit
114 – air vents flap control unit
115 – blower unit
116 – humidity control 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.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate isometric views of an integrated HVAC control unit 100 for controlling the HVAC system 110 of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The integrated HVAC control unit 100 of the present disclosure has a two-piece structure. First piece is a climate control head (CCH) 102 and the second piece is a climate control module (CCM) 104, which are adapted to be fitted together.
In an embodiment, the housing of the CCH 102 is adapted to receive and support the housing of the CCM 104 at an operative rear portion thereof, wherein the housing of the CCM 104 is further secured to the housing of the CCH 102, typically using threaded fasteners, snap-fittings or a combination thereof. The integrated HVAC control unit 100 thus obtained, is adapted to be located within a centrally located slot in the instrument panel (not shown in Figures), wherein the housing of the CCH 102 is adapted to be secured to the instrument panel of the vehicle, typically using threaded fasteners, snap-fittings or a combination thereof. A plurality of lugs with mounting holes, marked as 105A and 105B is provided on the housings of the CCH 102 and the CCM 104 respectively.
The climate control head (CCH) 102 of the integrated HVAC control unit 100 of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 1. The CCH 102 is configured to enable a user to provide inputs. The CCH 102 comprises a user interface that includes various buttons 103A and knobs 103B for the user to manipulate climate conditions inside a passenger cabin of a vehicle. The user-operable buttons and knobs on the user interface enable the user to select climate conditions such as high temperature, low temperature, dryness and airflow inside the passenger cabin of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the CCH 102 has indicators 106 (as illustrated in Figure 3) for highlighting the user-selected input.
In another embodiment, the CCH 102 has a display unit (not shown in the figure) to highlight the user-selected input.
In another embodiment, the CCH 102 has a touch-based interface (not shown in the figure) for the user to select climate conditions.
A climate control module (CCM) 104 fitted with the climate control head 102, is shown in Figure 2. The CCM 104 is located at the operative rear of the CCH 102. The CCM 102 is standalone and operates independently of a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU). The vehicle ECU controls one or more electrical systems or subsystems of the vehicle. The CCM 104 stores all logic and conditions for carrying out HVAC-related functions are per user input and acts as a standalone electronic control unit for an HVAC system 110 of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the CCM 104 is implemented by means of a processor which takes input from the CCH 102. The processor is pre-programmed to generate control signals as per the input from CCH 102.
Referring to the schematic block diagram of Figure 3, the climate control module (CCM) 104 is configured to facilitate controlling the climate inside the passenger cabin based on the inputs provided by the user through the climate control head (CCH) 102. The user can select a desirable climate condition input by selecting buttons 103A and/or knobs 103B provided on the user interface of CCH 102.
The CCH 102 is communicatively coupled to the CCM 104 through a first electrical connection 108 and the CCM 104 is connected to the various units 111-116 of the HVAC system 110 via a second electrical connection 109 respectively. The second electrical connection 109 comprises of electrical connections leading to the various units 111-116 within the HVAC system 110.
In an embodiment, the first electrical connection 108 is an 8-pin harness and the second electrical connection 109 is a 20-pin harness. In another embodiment, the first electrical connection 108 is a male-female pin assembly that can be coupled and positively secured due to friction between the male pins and the female pins. The first electrical connection 108 is configured to allow disconnection from outside. The first electrical connection 108 can be disconnected by pulling the housings of the CCH 102 and the CCM 104 away from each other, after unscrewing the threaded fasteners in the lugs 105B. The female end 109A of the second electrical connection 109 provided on the operative rear wall of the housing of the climate control module 102 is shown in Figure 2.
The user-inputs from the CCH 102 are taken by the CCM 104 via the first electrical connection 108. The processor of the CCM 104 generates the control signals according to the user-selected input on CCH 102. The CCM 104 electronically controls the air distribution unit 111, air recirculation unit 112, temperature control unit 113, air vents flap control unit 114, blower unit 115 and humidity control unit 116 of the passenger cabin of the HVAC system 110 of the vehicle.
In another embodiment, the CCM 104 controls defrosting mechanism for front and rear windscreen, side rear mirrors and side windows of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the temperature control unit 113 of the HVAC unit consists of an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a receiver/drier, and an expansion device. For having a climate of a desired temperature inside the passenger cabin, the user provides commands to the temperature control unit 113 through the CCH 102. Input from CCH 102 is received by the CCM 104. The CCM 104 converts the user-input into a control signal to switch on the temperature control unit 113 and maintain a temperature in the cabin as per the received command. The blower unit 115 comprises a motor and a fan. For circulating the cool air generated by the temperature control unit 113, a blower unit 115 blows the air across the evaporator. The cool air is further released inside the passenger cabin through the air vents controlled by the air vents flap control unit 114.
The user may provide control signal to the air vents flap control unit 114 to control directions of air vent flap of air vents. The user may further control the air distribution and the air circulation of air inside the passenger cabin by providing commands for the air distribution unit 111 and the air circulation unit 112 by selecting respective input on the user interface of CCH 102. The user may also increase or decrease the speed of air flow by providing commands for the blower unit 115 through the CCH 102. Further, a desirable humidity inside the passenger cabin may be regulated by providing commands for the humidity control unit 116 through the CCH 102.
The processor, by means of which the climate control module (CCM) 104 is implemented, may be a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The processor may be configured to retrieve data from and/or write data to a repository. The repository may be, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, cloud storage, and/or so forth. The repository may include a set of instructions or a control logic which the processor implements to control the HVAC system based on the inputs received from the climate control head (CCH) 102.
Thus, the present disclosure provides a dedicated climate control module (CCM) which is independent of the main control unit / engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The same design of the integrated HVAC control unit 100 can be implemented by quickly changing the logic stored in climate control module (CCM) 104 at any point as per design requirement by simply flashing or updating the software installed in the CCM 104. Preferably, the CCM 104 is manufactured to be compatible with various vehicle platforms. The versatility of the integrated HVAC control unit 100 reduces overall cost of manufacturing. Moreover, the integrated HVAC control unit 100 of the present disclosure requires less space as compared to the assembly of the HVAC control panel, the module and the significantly long harness of prior art.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an integrated HVAC control unit that:
• provides a climate control module that acts as a standalone electronic control unit for a HVAC system of a vehicle;
• occupies less space;
• allows ease of implementation across various vehicle platforms; and
• reduces cost of manufacturing.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal 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.
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.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
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. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An integrated HVAC control unit (100) of a vehicle comprising:
a climate control head (102) configured to provide a user input interface to facilitate selection of one or more climate control conditions as an input; and
a climate control module (104) coupled to said climate control head (102), said climate control module (104), configured to be standalone and operate independently of a vehicle ECU, implemented by a reconfigurable processor, is configured to communicate with the climate control head (102) and receive said user input, to generate one or more control signals to control the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle and thereby control the climate inside the cabin of a vehicle.
2. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integrated HVAC control unit (100) has a two-piece structure, wherein the first piece is a climate control head (102) and the second piece is a climate control module (104), wherein said climate control head (102) and said climate control module (104) are adapted to be fitted together.
3. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing of said climate control head (102) is adapted to receive and support the housing of said climate control module (104).
4. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing of said climate control head (102) is adapted to receive and support the housing of the climate control module (104) at an operative rear portion of the housing of said climate control head (102).
5. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the housing of said climate control head (102) is adapted to be secured to the instrument panel of the vehicle.
6. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the climate control head (102) includes at least one input button (103A).
7. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the climate control head (102) includes at least one input knob (103B).
8. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication between the climate control head (102) and the climate control module (104) is facilitated by a first electrical connection (108).
9. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the HVAC system includes at least one the units selected from the group consisting of an air distribution unit (111), an air recirculation unit (112), a temperature control unit (113), an air vents flap control unit (114), a blower unit (115) and a humidity control unit (116), wherein each of said units is communicatively coupled to the climate control module (104).
10. The integrated HVAC control unit (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said communication between the climate control module (104) and said units (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) is facilitated by a second electrical connection (109).
Dated this 5th day of February, 2020

MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN
of R.K. DEWAN & COMPANY
IN/PA-25
APPLICANT’S PATENT ATTORNEY