Smart window to reduce HVAC load

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11346142-B2
Application number	US-202016824049-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 19, 2020
Priority date	Mar 19, 2020
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for an air management system that circulates air to reduce the cabin temperature within a vehicle. The air management system includes a window configured to allow air circulation within the vehicle. The air management system includes an actuator coupled to the window and configured to open or close the window to control an amount of air circulation. The air management system includes a sensor. The sensor is configured to measure or determine a cabin temperature within the vehicle. The air management system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the actuator and the sensor and configured to determine, using the sensor, that the cabin temperature is greater than or equal to a first temperature and control the actuator to open the window and allow air circulation within the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An air management system for a vehicle, comprising:
a window configured to allow air circulation within the vehicle;
an actuator coupled to the window and configured to open or close the window to control an amount of the air circulation within the vehicle;
a first sensor configured to measure or determine a cabin temperature within the vehicle;
a second sensor configured to detect a presence or a lack of presence of a person within a threshold distance of the vehicle; and
an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the actuator, the first sensor, and the second sensor, and configured to:
determine, using the first sensor, that the cabin temperature is greater than or equal to a first temperature,
control the actuator to open the window and allow the air circulation within the vehicle in response to the determination that the cabin temperature is greater than or equal to the first temperature and a detection, by the second sensor, of the lack of presence of the person within the threshold distance of the vehicle, and
control the actuator to close the window in response to a detection, by the second sensor, of the presence of the person within the threshold distance of the vehicle.

2. The air management system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is further configured to:
determine a difference between the cabin temperature and the first temperature; and
control the actuator to open the window based on the difference.

3. The air management system of claim 2 , wherein to control the actuator to open the window based on the difference, the ECU is configured to:
open the window a first amount when the cabin temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than a second temperature greater than the first temperature; and
open the window a second amount when the cabin temperature is greater than the second temperature.

4. The air management system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a navigation unit configured to detect or determine a location of the vehicle; and
wherein the ECU is further configured to control the actuator to open the window based on the location of the vehicle.

5. The air management system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is further configured to:
send a request for a confirmation to open the window.

6. The air management system of claim 5 , wherein the ECU is further configured to control the actuator to open the window based on receipt of the confirmation to open the window.

7. An air management system for a vehicle, comprising:
a window configured to allow air circulation;
a first sensor configured to measure or detect a temperature within the vehicle;
a second sensor configured to detect a presence of a person within a threshold distance of the vehicle; and
a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to:
determine, using the first sensor, that the temperature within the vehicle is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature,
open the window to allow the air circulation when the temperature within the vehicle is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature, and
close the window in response to a detection, by the second sensor, of the presence of the person within the threshold distance of the vehicle.

8. The air management system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
obtain weather information that includes a likelihood of precipitation; and
close the window when the likelihood of precipitation is greater than or equal to a threshold probability.

9. The air management system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a navigation unit configured to obtain a current location of the vehicle; and
wherein the processor is further configured to open the window to allow the air circulation based on the current location of the vehicle.

10. The air management system of claim 7 , further comprising:
an actuator coupled to the window and configured to open or close the window to control an amount of the air circulation; and
wherein the processor is coupled to the actuator and further configured to control the actuator to open or close the window.

11. The air management system of claim 7 , wherein:
the second sensor is further configured to detect a lack of presence of the person within the threshold distance of the vehicle; and
the processor is further configured to open the window when the second sensor detects the lack of presence of the person within the threshold distance of the vehicle and the temperature within the vehicle is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature.

12. The air management system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
send an activation request that requests a confirmation to open the window; and
open the window when the temperature within the vehicle is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature and in response to receipt of the confirmation to open the window.

13. The air management system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit configured to adjust the temperature within the vehicle; and
wherein the opening of the window increases air flow, reduces the temperature within the vehicle and reduces a load on the HVAC unit during startup.

14. The air management system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
close the window when the temperature within the vehicle is less than the threshold temperature.

15. An air management system for a vehicle, comprising:
a window configured to allow air circulation;
a first sensor configured to measure or detect a temperature within the vehicle;
a second sensor configured to measure or detect an ambient temperature of a surrounding environment of the vehicle;
a third sensor configured to detect a presence of a person within a threshold distance of the vehicle; and
a processor coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, and configured to:
determine, using the first sensor, that the temperature within the vehicle is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature,
open the window to allow the air circulation when the temperature within the vehicle is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature and the ambient temperature is less than the temperature within the vehicle, and
close the window in response to a detection, by the third sensor, of the presence of the person within the threshold distance of the vehicle.

16. The air management system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
close the window when the temperature within the vehicle is less than the threshold temperature.

17. The air management system of claim 15 , further comprising:
an actuator coupled to the window and configured to open or close the window to control an amount of the air circulation; and
wherein the processor is coupled to the actuator and further configured to control the actuator to open or close the window.

18. The air management system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
obtain or detect a likelihood of precipitation; and
close the window when the likelihood of precipitation is greater than or equal to a threshold probability.

19. The air management system of claim 15 , wherein:
the third sensor is further configured to detect a lack of presence of the person within the threshold distance; and
the processor is further configured to open the window when the third sensor detects the lack of presence of the person within the threshold distance, the t

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Srivastava Abhishek
• Cosgrove David W

Classifications

• E05Y2400/44

  Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement · CPC title

• E05Y2400/449

  Pollutant or particulate sensors · CPC title

• E05F15/70 Primary

  with automatic actuation · CPC title

• E05F15/73

  responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects · CPC title

• E05Y2900/55

  Windows · CPC title