Smart window to reduce hvac load

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021293072-A1
Application number	US-202016824049-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 19, 2020
Priority date	Mar 19, 2020
Publication date	Sep 23, 2021
Grant date	—

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 air circulation; a sensor configured to measure or determine a cabin temperature within the vehicle; and an electronic control unit 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.

2 . The air management system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is 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 electronic control unit is configured to:
open the window a first amount when the cabin temperature is greater than a first temperature and less than a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is 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, wherein the electronic control unit is 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 electronic control unit is configured to:
send a request that requests a confirmation to open the window,

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

7 . The air management system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second sensor configured to detect a presence or a lack of presence of a person within a threshold distance of the vehicle; wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the actuator to open the window based on the presence or the lack of presence of the person within the threshold distance. The air management system of claim 7 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to: control the actuator to close the window when the presence of the person is detected.

9 . An air management system, comprising:
a window configured to allow air circulation; a first sensor configured to measure or detect a temperature within a vehicle; and a processor coupled to the first sensor and configured to:
determine, using the sensor, that the temperature is greater than or equal o a threshold temperature, and
open the window to allow air circulation when first temperature is greater than or equal to the threshold temperature.

10 . The air management system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is 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.

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

12 . The air management system of claim 9 , further comprising:
an actuator coupled to the window and configured to open or close the window to control an amount of air circulation; wherein the processor is coupled to the actuator and configured to control the actuator to open the window.

13 . The air management system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a second sensor configured to detect a presence or a lack of presence of a person within a threshold distance; and close the window when the second sensor detects the presence of the person within the threshold distance.

14 . The air management system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to:
send an activation request that requests a confirmation to open the window; and open the window to allow circulation when the first temperature is greater than or equal to the first threshold temperature and in response to receipt of the confirmation to open the window.

15 . The air management system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit configured to adjust the first temperature; wherein to open the window to allow air circulation increases air flow, reduces the first temperature within the vehicle and reduces a load on the HVAC unit during startup.

16 . The air management system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to:
close the window when the temperature is less than the threshold temperature.

17 . A method for controlling temperature within a vehicle, comprising:
measuring, using a sensor, a cabin temperature within the vehicle; determining, using the sensor, that the cabin temperature is greater than or equal to a first temperature; and automatically opening, by a processor and using an actuator, a first window within the vehicle to allow air circulation within the vehicle when the cabin temperature is greater than or equal to the first temperature.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
automatically opening a second window within the vehicle when the cabin temperature is greater than or equal to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
detecting a presence of a person within a threshold distance of the vehicle; and closing the first window based on the detection of the presence of the person within the threshold distance.

20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
detecting precipitation in an environment surrounding the vehicle; and closing the first window based on the detection of the precipitation.

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

• E05Y2900/55

  Windows · CPC title

• E05F15/71 Primary

  responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise · CPC title

• E05Y2400/42

  for multiple openings · CPC title