FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE: “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING AN AIR CONDITIONER OF A VEHICLE”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay
house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Present disclosure generally relates to field of automobile engineering. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a method and a device for operating an air conditioner of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] An Air Conditioner (AC) is a system within a vehicle that supplies cool air for the occupants within the vehicle by cooling the interior air of the vehicle and maintain cabin temperature at a certain value. In existing AC, there are one or more modes for operating the AC in the vehicle. The one or more modes may be for example, a manual mode, an automatic mode, and an Economy (ECON) Mode. In the manual mode, the required cabin temperature and a blower speed of AC motor may be set manually by a user of the vehicle. The user may choose for a cooling option which supplies cool air within the vehicle by manually toggling the AC switch for the required effect. However, in the manual mode, manually operating the air conditioner may be a tedious task for the driver or occupants and may distract the focus of driver while driving.
[0003] One of the existing technologies discloses an automatic mode of operating the air conditioner in the vehicle. In the automatic mode, the air conditioner system automatically controls the cabin temperature at a desired value within the vehicle. The cabin temperature within the vehicle is automatically controlled based on values received from several sensors such as an external air temperature sensor, room temperature sensor, the memory of ECU and the like. Upon determining input values from the sensors, the vehicle is switched to a cooling mode which maintains the cabin temperature of the vehicle at a set temperature. However, in the automatic mode of operation, the user needs to set the predefined set temperature which the user wishes to attain as the cabin temperature when the vehicle is operating in the automatic mode. Thus, when the user wishes to operate in the automatic mode, the cabin temperature of the vehicle will be automatically tuned to the predefined set temperature as provided by the user in a shortest time. Further, the cabin temperature will be maintained at the preset temperature within the vehicle, until the automatic mode is active. However, if the user wishes to change the cabin temperature after some period of time, the user may have to manually configure the settings for the desired temperature again. Thus, in the automatic mode the temperature within the cabin maintained is static and is not changed dynamically. This results

in maximum cool temperature being maintained continuously which may make the user feel cold within in the vehicle after certain period of time, thereby leading to discomfort to occupants of the vehicle. Furthermore, in some of the techniques that implement automatic mode use inputs from multiple sensors and utilizes servo motors to drive the dampers inside the AC unit for blending up the hot and cold air to maintain the preset temperature. This in turn increases the power consumption in the vehicle during the operation of the AC system.
[0004] Further in some of the existing technologies, the air conditioner system of the vehicle may operate in economy (ECON) mode. The ECON mode works similarly to the automatic mode, however when the ECON mode is activated, the cabin temperature is cooled down to a predefined temperature and the functionality of the compressor is limited for a short period of time which leads to the fuel saving. The ECON mode may be typically deployed when vehicles are moving on highways. However, like the automatic mode, the ECON mode also requires the user to change the temperature after some period of time when maximum cool temperature is reached, and the user may have to manually configure the settings for the desired temperature again. This causes distraction to the driver as it requires the attention of the driver to set the desired temperature settings after the maximum cooling is achieved. Furthermore, the main objective of the ECON mode is to enhance the fuel economy of the vehicle. However, ECON mode fails to adjust the cabin temperature with the objective of providing comfort to the occupants of the vehicle.
[0005] Thus, in the existing AC systems, mainly manual intervention is required to alter the cabin temperature and the blower speed as required by the occupants of the vehicle. Even if manual intervention is eliminated by using automatic AC systems, since the cabin temperature is set to a preconfigured temperature and maintained statically, this not only causes passenger discomfort due to the cooling effect, but also increases the power consumption in the vehicle to maintain the cabin temperature continuously at the preset temperature. Therefore, such automatic AC systems do not impact majorly on optimizing or reducing power consumption by AC systems in the vehicle. Yet other automatic systems as discussed above would require multiple sensors, which makes the AC systems expensive and heavy on processing.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for an improved method and device to provide an automatic AC control at multiple levels that is independent of user input, that achieves optimized power consumption, and improved comfort cooling environment within the vehicle.

[0007] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] One or more shortcomings of the conventional systems are overcome by system and method as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system and method as claimed in 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.
[0009] In one non-limiting embodiment, discloses a method of operating an Air Conditioner (AC) of a vehicle. The method includes adjusting, by a control unit, cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle to a first cooling mode. Thereafter, the method includes maintaining the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. Further, the method includes, adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second colling mode upon expiry of the first predefined time period, where a power consumption of the AC in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC in the first cooling mode. Thereafter the method includes maintaining the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period.
[00010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger
cabin to the first cooling mode comprises adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a first temperature and similarly adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode comprises adjusting a temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature which is greater than the first temperature.
[00011] In an embodiment of the disclosure, adjusting a cooling mode of the passenger
cabin to a third cooling mode upon expiry of the second predefined time period, where power consumption of the AC in the third cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC in the second cooling mode.

[00012] In an embodiment of the disclosure, detecting, by the control unit, that the
temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature, and in response to the detection, adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode.
[00013] In an embodiment of the disclosure, adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger
cabin to the first cooling mode comprises adjusting speed of a blower of the AC to a first speed and adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode comprises adjusting a speed of the blower to a second speed less than the first speed.
[00014] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cooling mode is adjusted to the first
cooling mode in response to one of toggling the AC switch to start the AC and receiving an instruction to reduce power consumption of the AC.
[00015] In another non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a device
for operating an Air conditioner (AC) of a vehicle. The device includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores the processor-executable instructions, which, on execution, causes the processor to adjust a cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle to a first cooling mode. Further, the processor maintains the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. Thereafter, the processor adjusts the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode upon expiry of the first predefined time period wherein a power consumption of the AC in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC in the first cooling mode. The processor maintains the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period.
[00016] In another non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a vehicle
that includes one or more sensors and a device associated with the one or more sensors. The device is configured to adjust a cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle to a first cooling mode. Further, the device maintains the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. Thereafter, the device adjusts the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode upon expiry of the first predefined time period, wherein a power consumption of the AC in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC in the first cooling mode. The device maintains the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period.

[00017] It is to be understood that aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described
above may be used in any combination with each other. Several aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[00018] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. In addition to illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
[00019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. 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 figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[00020] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for operating an AC of a
vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[00021] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary representation of a vehicle’s dashboard comprising
of several modes for operating the AC, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[00022] FIG.3 shows a detailed block diagram of a control unit for operating the AC of
the vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[00023] FIG.4A shows a flowchart illustrating a method of operating the AC of the
vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[00024] FIG. 4B shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary scenario of operating
cooling mode based on temperature and speed of the blower, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00025] FIG.5 shows a block diagram of a vehicle including one or more components
for operating the AC, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[00026] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams
herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
[00027] 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 system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00028] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving
as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[00029] 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 forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[00030] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” or any other variations
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that includes 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 method.

[00031] Disclosed herein are a method, a device and a system for operating an Air
conditioner (AC) of a vehicle. As an example, the vehicle may include, but not limited to a car, truck, lorry, bus and the like. The objective of the present disclosure is to operate an AC to reduce the power consumption of the AC while also providing an improved cooling effect for occupants within the vehicle. Hereinafter the device may be referred to as a control unit of the vehicle. Initially, the control unit may adjust cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle to a first cooling mode. In an embodiment, the control unit may operate the AC in the cooling mode, when the occupant toggles the AC switch to start the AC. In another embodiment, the control unit may operate the AC in the cooling mode, when the control unit receives an instruction to reduce power consumption of the AC. Further, the control unit may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin in a first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. The first cooling mode may include adjusting a temperature of the passenger cabin to a first temperature. In an embodiment, the first cooling mode may include adjusting speed of a blower of the AC speed to a first speed. Upon expiry of the first predefined time period, the control unit may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode . The adjustment to the second cooling mode may include adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature, where the second temperature is greater than the first temperature. In an embodiment, the second cooling mode may include adjusting speed of the blower to a second speed, where the second speed is lesser than the first speed. When operating in the second cooling mode, the power consumption of AC is lesser than the power consumption of AC in the first cooling mode. The control unit may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin in the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period. However, in the course of time, if the control unit detects that the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature, , the control unit sets the cooling mode of the passenger cabin back to the first cooling mode. In an embodiment, the control unit may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a third cooling mode upon expiry of the second predefined time period. the power consumption of the AC in the third cooling mode is lesser than the power consumption of the AC in the second cooling mode.
[00032] The present disclosure operates the AC in multiple cooling modes which
provides multiple levels of cooling affect and thus enhancing the comfort to the occupants of the vehicle. Also, in the present disclosure the multiple levels of cooling modes are provided to the occupants based on at least one of a cabin temperature and ambient temperature detected

by sensors. Thus, no additional user input, sensor inputs, or operation of servomotors and the various other components of the vehicle are required for operating the AC of the vehicle, thereby reducing the processing burden and enhancing the efficiency of the AC in the vehicle. Also, with the AC operating in multiple cooling modes, the power consumption is optimized, hence leading to enhancement in the efficiency of the AC. This also leads to optimized fuel consumption which can enhance range of the vehicle.
[00033] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication
with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the disclosure.
[00034] 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.
[00035] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for operating an AC of a
vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00036] The system architecture 100 includes one or more sensors 101-1, 101-2…101-
N (hereinafter referred to as sensors 101 or one or more sensors 101), a control unit 103 and an Air Conditioner (AC) 111. The sensors 101 may be associated with a vehicle for measuring the temperature of the vehicle’s environment. For example, the one or more sensors may include, but not limited to, temperature sensors. For example, the sensors 101 may be placed in one or more regions within the vehicle, and one or more regions outside the vehicle. For example, the sensors 101 may measure an ambient temperature, cabin temperature and the like. The sensors 101 transmit the measured temperature values to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 may be a device configured within the vehicle for processing the temperature values received from the sensors 101. In an example, the control unit 103 may be an electronic control unit (ECU). The control unit 103 may include, but not limited to, a processor 105, an Input/Output (I/O) interface 107 and a memory 109. The I/O interface 107 may be configured to receive measured

temperature values from the sensors 101. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 107 may be configured to receive the inputs from occupant of the vehicle to operate in a desired cooling mode. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 107 may receive the occupant input as an instruction to “turn ON” the AC 111. Further, the processor 105 may adjust the cooling mode of a passenger cabin to a first cooling mode based on the inputs received by the I/O interface
107.
[00037] Adjusting cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode
includes adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a first temperature. The first temperature may be a temperature in a first predefined temperature range. In a few embodiments, the first cooling mode may include adjusting speed of blower of the AC 111 to a first speed. The processor 105 may maintain the cooling mode at the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. For example, the first predefined time period may be 5min, 10min, 15min or the like.
[00038] Upon the expiry of the first predefined time period, the processor 105 may
adjust cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode. Adjusting the cooling mode to the second cooling mode may include, adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin from a first temperature to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The second temperature may be a temperature in a second predefined temperature range. In some embodiments, adjusting the cooling mode to the second cooling mode may include adjusting the speed of the blower to a second speed, where the second speed is lesser than the first speed. Thereafter, the processor 105 may maintain cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period. For example, second predefined time period may be 5min, 10min, 15min or the like. Also, the processor 105 may continually monitor the temperature of the passenger cabin of the vehicle. When the processor 105 detects that the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature, the cooling mode of the passenger cabin may be adjusted to the first cooling mode.
[00039] In some embodiments, the processor 105 may adjust the cooling mode of the
passenger cabin to a third cooling mode upon expiry of the second predefined time period. Adjusting the cooling mode to the third cooling mode may include, adjusting the cabin temperature to a third temperature, which is greater than the second temperature. In some embodiments, adjusting the cooling mode to the third cooling mode may include adjusting the

speed of blower to a third speed, which is lesser than the second speed. The processor 105 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the third cooling mode at least for a third predefined time period. For example, third predefined time period may be 5min, 10min, 15min or the like.
[00040] In some embodiments, the one or more cooling modes may be preconfigured.
This means that, the first temperature, second temperature, third temperature, first blower speed, second blower speed and third blower speed, the first predefined time period, second predefined time period, third predefined time period may be preconfigured during the manufacturing of the vehicle. In some other embodiments, the first temperature, second temperature, third temperature, first blower speed, second blower speed and third blower speed, the first predefined time period, second predefined time period, third predefined time period may be preconfigured by giving the one or more users related to the vehicle, an option to configure as per their desired requirements. In yet another embodiment, the first temperature, second temperature, third temperature, first blower speed, second blower speed and third blower speed, the first predefined time period, second predefined time period, third predefined time period may be configured by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Model associated with the control unit 103. The AI model may self-learn the one or more temperatures, one or more blower speeds and one or more predefined time periods desired by the one or more users related to the vehicle and automatically operates the AC 111 at the one or more temperatures, one or more blower speed and the one or more predefined time periods at different cooling modes as per the method disclosed in the present disclosure.
[00041] Hence, the control unit 103 may adjust and maintain the AC 111 at one or more
cooling modes without the need for manual intervention. Also, the enhanced cooling effect is provided at multiple levels which increases the comfort zone of the occupants in the vehicle and optimizes the power consumption due to the operation of the AC 111 at varied cooling modes as discussed in the present disclosure.
[00042] FIG.2 shows an exemplary representation of a vehicle’s dashboard comprising
of several modes for operating the AC 111, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00043] In some implementations, a vehicle 200 may include a dashboard 201. For
example, the vehicle 200 may be a car, truck, bus, lorry and the like. The dashboard 201

includes several components such as speedometer, tachometer, odometer, engine coolant temperature gauge, fuel gauge, an AC 111 and the like. In some embodiments, the dashboard 201 may be configured with a cooling mode button 205 that may be named, for example, as an “Optimized (OPT) cooling mode” as shown in the FIG.2, The cooling mode button 205 may be a physical button or a virtual one, such as a button icon on a touchscreen on the vehicle. In some implementations, the AC 111 of the vehicle 200 may be said to operate in the “OPT cooling mode” upon activation of that cooling mode button 205. For example, as indicated in FIG. 2, the passenger may operate the cooling mode button 205, for activating or deactivating the operation of AC 111 in the “OPT cooling mode”. Thereafter, the control unit 103 may operate in the “OPT cooling mode”. In some other embodiments, the “OPT cooling mode” may be set as a default mode in the vehicle 200. For instance, upon starting the AC of the vehicle 200, the control unit 103 may by default operate in the “OPT cooling mode” without the need for the passenger to activate the “OPT cooling mode”. In some embodiments, the vehicle 200 may be provided with other conventional options that may include, but not limited to, manual mode, automatic mode, ECON mode and the like, along with the OPT cooling mode, such that the passenger may set any one of the modes to be their default mode, while the other modes can be selected as per requirement of the passenger.
[00044] Upon activation of the OPT cooling mode, the control unit 103 initially may
adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin of the vehicle 200 to a first cooling mode. Further, the control unit 103 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin in the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. In an embodiment, the control unit 103 may operate the AC 111 in the cooling mode, when the occupant toggles the AC switch to start the AC 111. In another embodiment, the control unit 103 may operate the AC in the cooling mode, when the control unit 103 receives an instruction to reduce power consumption of the AC 111, such as upon pressing of the cooling mode button 205. Upon expiry of the first predefined time period, the control unit 103 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode. The control unit 103 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period. The control unit 103 may maintain the second cooling mode until the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the control unit 103 may maintain the second cooling mode until the expiry of the second predefined time period.

[00045] FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of a control unit for operating the AC
111 of the vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00046] In some implementations, the control unit 103 may include data 303 and
modules 305. As an example, the data 303 is stored in the memory 109 configured in the control unit 103 as shown in the FIG.3. In one embodiment, the data 303 may include sensor data 307, temperature threshold data 309, and other data 311. In the illustrated FIG.3, modules 305 are described herein in detail.
[00047] In some embodiments, the data 303 may be stored in the memory 109 in form
of various data structures. Additionally, the data 303 can be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data 311 may store data, including temporary data and temporary files, generated by the modules 305 for performing the various functions of the control unit 103.
[00048] In some embodiments, the sensor data 307 may include temperature measured
by sensors 101 associated with the vehicle. The sensors 101 may be placed outside the vehicle which may measure the ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the sensor 101 may be placed within the vehicle which may measure the cabin temperature within the vehicle. Further, a control unit 103 may receive the sensor data 307 to operate the AC 111 in a cooling mode.
[00049] In some embodiments, the temperature threshold data 309 may include a
threshold value which indicates the maximum temperature above which the temperature of the passenger cabin must not exceed. The control unit 103 may monitor the temperature of the passenger cabin in real time to detect if temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the threshold value and adjust the cooling mode of the AC 111.
[00050] In some embodiments, the data 303 stored in the memory 109 may be processed
by the modules 305 of the control unit 103. The modules 305 may be stored within the memory 109. In an example, the modules 305 communicatively coupled to the processor 105 configured in the control unit 103 as shown in FIG.3 and implemented as hardware. As used herein, the term modules refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[00051] In some embodiments, the modules 305 may include, for example, a receiving
module 313, an operating module 315, a temperature monitoring module 317 and other modules 319. The other modules 319 may be used to perform one or more miscellaneous functionalities of the control unit 103.
[00052] In some embodiments, the receiving module 313 may receive the sensor data
307 from the sensors 101. The sensor data 307 may include temperature measured by sensors 101. In some embodiments, the receiving module 313 may receive input signals to operate the AC 111 in a cooling mode from the I/O interface 107 when the occupant toggles AC switch to start the AC 111. For instance, operating in “OPT cooling mode” could be a default operating option of the AC 111. In another embodiment, the receiving module 313 may receive input signals to operate the AC 111 in a cooling mode, when the occupant provides an input signal to reduce power consumption of the AC 111, such as by pressing the button 205.
[00053] In some embodiments, the operating module 315 may be configured to operate
in a OPT cooling mode of the passenger cabin to provide an optimal cooling effect within the passenger cabin, upon receiving at least one of the input signals and sensor data 307 from the receiving module 313 and output signals provided from the temperature monitoring module 317. The operating module 315 may initially adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin of the vehicle to a first cooling mode. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. In some embodiments, adjusting the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode may include adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a first temperature. Thereafter, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode, upon the expiry of the first predefined time period. , Thereafter, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the second cooling mode for at least for a second predefined time period. Adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode includes adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature, where the second temperature is greater than the first temperature. Since the second temperature in the second cooling mode is greater than the first temperature in the first cooling mode, the power consumption of the AC 111 in the second cooling mode is lesser than the power consumption of AC 111 in the first cooling mode. The power consumption of the AC 111 in the second cooling mode may be lesser than the power consumption of AC in the first cooling mode as the temperature of the second cooling mode is

greater than the temperature at the first cooling mode. Therefore, at an operation level of the AC 111, when a lower temperature has to be achieved, for instance first predefined temperature (eg: 22 degree Celsius) in this context, compressor of the AC 111 may work for a longer time to achieve the first predefined temperature when compared to time required for achieving the second predefined temperature (eg: 24 degree Celsius) which is greater than the first predefined temperature. Hence, due to the operation of the compressor for a longer time to achieve the first predefined temperature, power consumed by the AC 111 in the vehicle is greater when the AC 111 is operated at the first cooling mode when compared to the second cooling mode.
[00054] In some embodiments, the operating module 315 may adjust cooling mode of
the passenger cabin of the passenger cabin to a third cooling mode, upon the expiry of the second predefined time period. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin of the passenger cabin in the third cooling mode for a third predefined time period. Further, when the operating module 315 receives an output signal provided from the temperature monitoring module 317, indicating that the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds at least one of the second temperature and third temperature by a threshold temperature, then the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a first cooling mode.
[00055] For example, consider a scenario, where the occupant of the vehicle may wish
to operate in a OPT cooling mode of the passenger cabin and presses the cooling mode button 205 indicating present on the dashboard 201 of the vehicle. The receiving module 313 may receive the sensor data 307 provided from the sensors 101 and the input signals from the dashboard 201 of the vehicle. Upon receiving the sensor data 307 from the receiving module 313, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode. The first temperature of the passenger cabin in the first cooling mode may be set to for example, 22°C. Further, operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin in a first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. The first temperature range for the first temperature to be maintained at the first cooling mode may be for example, 22+/-1° C and for a first predefined time period of for example, 5min. Upon the expiry of the 5 min, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin of the passenger cabin at a second cooling mode. The second temperature of the passenger cabin may be adjusted to a particular temperature between a second temperature range of, for example, 22° C-24°C in a second cooling mode. Thereafter, the operating module 315 may maintain the

passenger cabin at a second cooling mode for at least a second predefined time period. The passenger cabin may be maintained at second temperature for example, 23°C for at least second predefined time period being for example, 10 min. The temperature at the passenger cabin will continue to be maintained between for example, 22°C-24°C until the expiry of 10 min. However, when the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the 24°C within the period of 10min, then the temperature of the passenger cabin is set back to 22°C. Further, after the expiry of second predefined time period (10 min), the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the third cooling mode. The third temperature may be set between the third temperature range for example, 24°C +/- 1 in the third cooling mode for a third predefined time period of for example, 10 min. Similarly, if the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds 25°C within the completion of 10 min then the operating module 315 may set the temperature of the passenger cabin back to 22°C.
[00056] In some embodiments, the cooling mode may be configured to remain at a last
cooling mode until the cabin temperature exceeds a predefined threshold temperature corresponding to the last cooling mode. As an example, the last cooling mode may be one of the second cooling mode, the third cooling mode, or the fourth cooling mode, as configured. For instance, consider the third cooling mode is configured to be the last cooling mode. In such a scenario, upon adjusting the cabin temperature to the third cooling mode, the AC 111 continues to operate constantly in the third cooling mode until cabin temperature exceeds the preconfigured threshold temperature corresponding to the third cooling mode. Upon exceeding the preconfigured threshold temperature, thereafter, the cooling mode would be then adjusted back to the first cooling mode from the third cooling mode. If the threshold temperature corresponding to the third cooling mode is not exceeded, the cooling mode may be maintained as the third cooling mode until the AC 111 is turned off.
[00057] Hence, the operating module 315 is able to provide comfort zone by changing
the temperature of the passenger cabin at multiple cooling modes dynamically and without the intervention of the occupants. Since, the temperature in every cooling mode is increased, correspondingly the power consumption of the AC 111 is reduced accordingly at each level in multiple levels of the cooling mode.
[00058] In some other embodiments, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling
mode of the passenger cabin of the vehicle at a first cooling mode. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin of the passenger cabin as

the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. Adjusting the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode may include, adjusting the speed of the blower to a first speed. Thereafter, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode, upon the expiry of the first predefined time period. The operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined period of time. Adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode includes adjusting the speed of the blower to a second speed, where the second speed is lesser than the first speed. Since the second speed in the second cooling mode is lesser than the first speed in the first cooling mode, the power consumption of the AC 111 in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of AC 111 in the first cooling mode, which further enhances the efficiency of the AC 111.
[00059] For example, consider a scenario, where the operating module 315 may receive
the sensor data 307 from the sensors 101 and input signals from the occupants to operate in the OPT cooling mode of the passenger cabin. The operating module 315 may adjust cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin in a first cooling mode for the first predefined time period. Consider, the speed of the blower for the passenger cabin may set at for example, 3rd speed in the first cooling mode for a predefined time period of for example, 5 min. The speed of the blower is maintained at 3rd speed until the expiry of 5min. Thereafter the operating module 315 may adjust the passenger cabin at second cooling mode, upon the expiry of the first predefined time period. The operating module 315 may maintain the passenger cabin at the second cooling mode for at least a second predefined time period. Upon the expiry of 5min, the second speed of the blower for the passenger cabin may set at the for example, 2nd speed for a second predefined time period of for example, 10min. The speed of the blower may be maintained at the 2nd speed at least for time period of 5 min. In some embodiment, the speed of the blower for the passenger cabin may be set back to 3rd speed when the second temperature of the second cooling mode exceeds by a threshold temperature. Also in some embodiments, upon the expiry of the second predefined time period say for about 10min, the speed of the blower for the passenger cabin may be set to for example, 1st speed for third predefined time period say for example, 10min. Thus, the operating module 315 may reduce the speed of the blower in the respective cooling modes. Thus, the decrease of the blower speed at each cooling

mode of one or more cooling modes, reduces the power consumption of the AC 111, hence enhancing the efficiency of the AC 111.
[00060] In some embodiments, the cooling mode may be configured to remain at a last
cooling mode until the cabin temperature exceeds a predefined threshold temperature. As an example, the last cooling mode may be one of the second cooling mode, the third cooling mode, or the fourth cooling mode, as configured. For instance, consider the third cooling mode is configured to be the last cooling mode. In such a scenario, upon adjusting the blower speed corresponding to the third cooling mode, blower of the AC 111 continues to operate constantly in the third cooling mode until cabin temperature exceeds the preconfigured threshold temperature corresponding to the third cooling mode. Upon exceeding the preconfigured threshold temperature, thereafter, the cooling mode would be then adjusted back to the first cooling mode from the third cooling mode such that the blower of the AC 111 operates at blower speed corresponding to the first cooling mode. If the threshold temperature corresponding to the third cooling mode is not exceeded, the cooling mode may be maintained as the third cooling mode until the AC 111 is turned off.
[00061] In the above paragraphs, the operation of the cooling modes is explained from
the perspective of adjusting temperature alone or adjusting blower speed alone. Hereinafter, the operation of the cooling mode is explained from the perspective of operating based on both temperature and speed of the blower.
[00062] In yet other embodiment, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling
mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the first cooling mode for the first predefined time period. Adjusting the passenger cabin at the first cooling mode may include adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to the first temperature and adjusting the speed of the blower to the first speed simultaneously. Further, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode, upon the expiry of the first predefined time period. Adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode includes, adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature, where the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and setting the speed of the blower to the second speed, where the second speed is lesser than the first speed.

[00063] In some embodiments, adjusting the passenger cabin to the second cooling
mode may include increasing the temperature of the passenger cabin to the second temperature, but maintaining the speed of the blower at the first speed. In yet another embodiment, adjusting the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode may include maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin at the first temperature itself, but reducing the speed of the blower to the second speed from the first speed. Therefore, in the present disclosure, each cooling mode may vary from each other either by temperature or blower speed or both. Thereafter, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the second cooling mode for at least a second predefined period of time. In some embodiments, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the third cooling mode upon the expiry of the second predefined time period. Adjusting the passenger cabin to the third cooling mode may include adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to the third temperature, where the third temperature is greater than the second temperature and setting the speed of the blower to the third speed, where the third speed is lesser than the second speed. However, if at least one of the second temperature and the third temperature exceeds by a corresponding threshold temperature, the cooling mode of the passenger cabin may set back to the first cooling mode.
In some embodiments, the operating module 315 may adjust the cooling mode to at least one of the first cooling mode, second cooling mode and third cooling mode. The number of cooling modes is configurable based on make and model of the vehicle. For example, consider the operating module 315 is adjusted to the second cooling mode. The second cooling mode may include for example the second temperature which falls between ranges 22°C +/- 1°C and second speed of blower as 2nd speed. The second temperature may be greater than the first temperature, say for example 22°C and the second blower speed may be lesser than the first blower speed say for example 3rd speed. Thus, the operating module 315 is operating in second cooling mode, the compressor will require less power to achieve the second temperature when compared to the power required to achieve the first temperature. Hence, the power consumption of the AC 111 in the second cooling mode is lesser than the power consumption of AC 111 in the first cooling mode. Similarly, the power consumption of the AC 111 in the third cooling mode may be lesser than the power consumption of the AC 111 in the second cooling mode.
In some embodiments, the temperature monitoring module 317 may monitor the temperature of the passenger cabin of the vehicle. The temperature monitoring module 317 may determine

whether temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds at least one of the second temperature and third temperature by a corresponding threshold temperature. If the temperature of the passenger cabin is determined to exceed one of the second temperature or the third temperature, then the temperature monitoring module 317 may send a notification to the operating module 315. The operating module 315 upon receiving the notification, adjusts the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode.
[00064] FIG.4A shows a flowchart illustrating a method of operating the AC 111 of the
vehicle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00065] As illustrated in FIG.4A, the method 400 includes one or more blocks
illustrating a method of operating an Air conditioner (AC) 111 in a vehicle. The method 400 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform functions or implement abstract data types.
[00066] The order in which the method 400 is described is not intended to be construed
as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 400. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 400 can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[00067] At block 401, the method 400 may include adjusting, by a processor 105 of a
control unit 103, a cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a first cooling mode. The control unit 103 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin based on the sensor data 307 received from the sensors 101 and the input signals received by the I/O interface 107 for the initiation of the cooling mode of the passenger cabin.
[00068] At block 403, the method 400 may include maintaining by the processor 105,
the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period. Adjusting to the first cooling mode may include adjusting the temperature of the

passenger cabin to a first temperature. Also in some embodiments, adjusting to the first cooling mode includes adjusting a speed of blower to a first speed.
[00069] At block 405, the method 400 may include adjusting, by the processor 105, the
cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode, upon the expiry of the first predefined time period.
[00070] At block 407 the method 400 may include maintaining by the processor 105,
the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the second cooling mode for at least a second predefined time period. Adjusting the cooling mode to the second cooling mode may include adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature which is greater than the first temperature. In some embodiments, adjusting the cooling mode to the second cooling mode may include adjusting the speed of the blower to a second speed which is lesser than the first speed.
[00071] At block 409 the method 400 may include determining whether the temperature
of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature. If the temperature of the passenger cabin is determined to exceed the second temperature by the threshold temperature, then the cooling mode of the passenger cabin is adjusted back to the first cooling mode (That is return back to the step 403). However, if the temperature of the passenger cabin is determined not to exceed the second temperature, then the cooling mode of the passenger cabin is maintained at the second cooling mode until the expiry of the second predefined time period.
[00072] FIG. 4B shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary scenario of operating
cooling mode based on temperature and speed of the blower, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00073] At block 411, the occupant of the vehicle may activate the cooling mode button
205 named “OPT cooling mode”. Upon activation of “OPT cooling mode”, the operating module 315 may adjust the temperature of the passenger cabin to 22°C.
[00074] Thereafter, at block 413, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling
mode of the passenger cabin at the first cooling mode. Maintaining the cooling mode at the

first cooling mode may include maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin at the first temperature which falls between ranges 22°C ± 1°C and the speed of the blower at the first speed of blower as 3rd speed. The operating module 315 may maintain the first temperature which falls between the range 22°C ± 1°C and the first speed of blower (3rd speed) for the first predefined time period, for instance, 5 mins.
[00075] At block 415, upon the expiry of the first time period (5min), the operating
module 315 may adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode. Adjusting the cooling mode to the second cooling mode may include a second temperature which falls between ranges 22°C ± 1°C and second speed of blower as 2nd speed for a second predefined time period, for instance, 5min. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the second temperature which falls between the range 22°C ± 1°C and the second speed of blower (2nd speed) for a second predefined time period for about 5 min. Upon the expiry of the second predefined time period (say for example 5min), the temperature of the passenger cabin is adjusted from 22°C to 24°C.
[00076] At block 417, upon adjusting the temperature of the passenger cabin to 24°C,
the operating module 315 may switch from the second cooling mode to the third cooling mode. Further, the operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the third cooling mode. Maintaining the cooling mode at the third cooling mode may include maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin at a third temperature which falls between range 24°C ± 1°C and the speed of the blower at 1st speed for a. The operating module 315 may maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin at the third cooling mode until the third temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.
[00077] At block 419, the operating module 315 may monitor a condition to check
whether the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the predefined threshold temperature corresponding to the third temperature. If the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the predefined threshold temperature corresponding to the third temperature, the method proceeds to block 413 via “Yes”. This means that, the temperature of the passenger cabin is adjusted to 22°C and proceeds to the first cooling mode, if the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the predefined threshold temperature corresponding to the third temperature. However, if the temperature of the passenger cabin does not exceed the predefined threshold temperature corresponding to the third temperature, the method proceeds to block 417 via “No”. This means

that, the temperature of the passenger cabin continues to be maintained at third cooling mode, if the temperature of the passenger cabin does not exceed the predefined threshold temperature corresponding to the third temperature. In some embodiments, even if the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature before the expiry of second predefined time period (5min), the temperature of the passenger cabin may be adjusted back to 22°C and proceeds to the first cooling mode. Thus, maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin at an optimal temperature at any time within the vehicle and hence providing an enhanced comfort zone for the occupants within the vehicle.
[00078] FIG.5 shows a block diagram of a vehicle, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00079] In some embodiments, FIG.5 illustrates a block diagram of vehicle 500 having
an Air Conditioner (AC) 503. The vehicle 500 may include one or more sensors 501-1, 501-2, …501-N (hereinafter referred to as one or more sensors 501), the AC 503, a control unit 505 and a dashboard 507. The dashboard 507 of the vehicle 500 may be configured with a cooling mode button 205 that may be named, for example, as an “Optimized (OPT) cooling mode”. The user may activate the OPT cooling mode by pressing the OPT cooling mode button 205 present on the dashboard 507. Upon the activation of the OPT cooling mode, the control unit 505 may receive signals to operate the AC 503 in the OPT cooling mode. Further, the control unit 505 may receive the data sensed by the one or more sensors 501. The one or more sensors 501 may be placed in one or more regions within the vehicle, and one or more regions outside the vehicle. For example, the one or more sensors 501 may measure an ambient temperature, cabin temperature and the like. Upon receiving the sensed data from the one or more sensors 501, the control unit 505 may operate the AC 503 in a first cooling mode. The control unit 505 preconfigures the first temperature and the first predefined time in which the AC 503 must operate. The AC 503 may include several components such as compressor, evaporator, condenser, blower motor to adjust the temperature of the passenger cabin and provide the cooling effect within the vehicle 500. The one or more components such as compressor, evaporator, condenser and blower motor may interact with each other in a conventionally established manner to provide the cool air within the passenger cabin of the vehicle.
[00080] The control unit 505 may adjust the cooling modes of the AC 503 to the first
cooling mode, second cooling mode, third cooling mode, fourth cooling mode and the like, as discussed in the above sections of the present disclosure. Hence, the operation of the AC 503

in one or more cooling modes may reduce the power consumption at each stage, enhancing the efficiency of the AC 503 and improves comfort of the occupants in the vehicle 500, without the need for any manual intervention.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Architecture
101 Sensors
103 Control unit
105 Processor
107 I/O interface
109 Memory
111 Air Conditioner (AC)
200 Vehicle
201 Dashboard
303 Data
305 Modules
307 Sensor data
309 Temperature threshold data
311 Other data
313 Receiving module
315 Operating module
317 Temperature monitoring module
319 Other modules
500 Exemplary Vehicle
501 One or more sensors of the exemplary vehicle
503 Air Conditioner of the exemplary vehicle
505 Control unit of the exemplary vehicle
507 Dashboard of the exemplary vehicle

We claim:
1. A method of operating an Air Conditioner (AC) (111) of a vehicle (500), the method
comprising:
adjusting, by a control unit (103), cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle (500) to a first cooling mode;
maintaining, by the control unit (103), the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period;
adjusting, by the control unit (103), the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode upon expiry of the first predefined time period, wherein a power consumption of the AC in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC in the first cooling mode; and
maintaining, by the control unit (103), the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode comprises adjusting a temperature of the passenger cabin to a first temperature and adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode comprises adjusting a temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature which is greater than the first temperature.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
adjusting, by the control unit (103), a cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a third cooling mode upon expiry of the second predefined time period, wherein power consumption of the AC (111) in the third cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC (111) in the second cooling mode.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2, comprising:
detecting that the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature; and
in response to the detection, adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode comprises adjusting speed of a blower of the AC (111) to a first speed and adjusting the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode comprises adjusting a speed of the blower to a second speed less than the first speed.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein cooling mode is adjusted to the first cooling mode in response to one of:
starting of the AC (111); and
receiving an instruction to reduce power consumption of the AC (111).
7. A device (103) for operating an Air Conditioner (AC) (111) of a vehicle (500), the
device comprising:
a processor (105); and
a memory (109) is communicatively coupled to the processor (105), wherein the memory (109) stores the processor-executable instructions, which, on execution, causes the processor (105) to:
adjust a cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle (500) to a first cooling mode;
maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period;
adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode upon expiry of the first predefined time period, wherein a power consumption of the AC (111) in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC (111) in the first cooling mode; and
maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period.
8. The device (103) as claimed in claim 7, wherein to adjust the cooling mode of the
passenger cabin to the first cooling mode, the processor (105) is configured to adjust a
temperature of the passenger cabin to a first temperature, and wherein to adjust the
cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode, the processor (105)

is configured to adjust a temperature of the passenger cabin to a second temperature which is greater than the first temperature.
9. The device (103) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the processor (105) is further
configured to:
adjust a cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a third cooling mode upon expiry of the second predefined time period, wherein power consumption of the AC (111) in the third cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC (111) in the second cooling mode.
10. The device (103) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor (105) is further
configured to:
detect that the temperature of the passenger cabin exceeds the second temperature by a threshold temperature; and
adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode, in response to detection.
11. The device (103) as claimed in claim 7, wherein to adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the first cooling mode, the processor (105) is configured to adjust speed of a blower of the AC (111) to a first speed, and wherein to adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to the second cooling mode, the processor (105) is further configured to adjust a speed of the blower to a second speed less than a first speed.
12. A vehicle (500) comprising:
one or more sensors (101); and
a device (103) associated with one or more sensors (101), wherein the device
(103) is configured to
adjust a cooling mode of a passenger cabin of the vehicle (500) to a first cooling mode;
maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the first cooling mode for a first predefined time period;
adjust the cooling mode of the passenger cabin to a second cooling mode upon expiry of the first predefined time period, wherein a power consumption

of the AC (111) in the second cooling mode is less than the power consumption of the AC (111) in the first cooling mode; and
maintain the cooling mode of the passenger cabin as the second cooling mode at least for a second predefined time period.