Patent Grant
9656532
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to outside air (OSA) vent systems which facilitate flow of cool outside air into the vehicle to cool a battery charger in the vehicle. More particularly, illustrative embodiments of the disclosure relate to a vehicle cabin venting method which facilitates flow of fresh air through a vehicle to prevent inflow of outside air in the event that the OSA vent system does not close.
High voltage chargers in PHEV (plug-in hybrid elective vehicles) can become sufficiently heated to warm the cabin air inside the vehicle depending on the starting interior temperature of the vehicle. Circulating inside air to cool the charger for several hours can heat up the inside vehicle air, rendering the charger inefficient.
When the charger requires cooling and the inside cabin air is above a set temperature level, introduction of outside air into the vehicle cabin through an outside air (OSA) vent system in the vehicle may facilitate cooling of the charger. In some circumstances, however, the OSA vent system may inadvertently remain open. Therefore, it may be desirable to facilitate flow of fresh air through the vehicle to prevent inflow of outside air in the event that the OSA vent system does not close.
Accordingly, a vehicle cabin venting method which facilitates flow of fresh air through a vehicle to prevent inflow of outside air in the event that the OSA vent system does not close may be desirable for some applications.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a vehicle cabin venting method which facilitates flow of fresh air through a vehicle to prevent inflow of outside air in the event that the OSA vent system does not close. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes cooling a vehicle battery charger by drawing outside air through a vehicle outside air vent door; and operating a hybrid vehicle battery system to establish and maintain flow of fresh air in a cabin of the vehicle by ensuring an open position of a blend door in the vehicle if the outside air vent door will not close.
Illustrative embodiments of the method are further generally directed to a vehicle cabin venting system. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a controller; an outside air vent door interfacing with the controller, controller detects when the vehicle outside air vent door will not close; and a blend door interfacing with the controller, the controller maintains the blend door in an open position when the vehicle outside air vent door will not close.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable users skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Moreover, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not exhaustive and embodiments or implementations other than those which are described herein and which fall within the scope of the appended claims are possible. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
Referring initially to
An outside air (OSA) vent system 112 may be provided at the vehicle rear end 102 of the vehicle 100. As shown in
The outside air vent system 112 may be configured to maintain the OSA vent door 113 in a closed configuration unless the battery charger 120 requires cooling and the temperature of the vehicle cabin 103 exceeds a predetermined set temperature. As shown in
According to the vehicle cabin venting method, the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) of the vehicle 100 may be configured to operate the recirculation door 108 and the vehicle climate control fan (not shown) in an error mitigation strategy in the event that the OSA vent door 113 inadvertently does not close after cooling of the battery charger 120. The error mitigation strategy maintains flow of fresh air 126 in the vehicle cabin 103 and causes the recirculation door 108 to open if it is closed and prevents the recirculation door 108 from closing if it is open, and operates the vehicle climate control fan (not shown). Accordingly, as shown in
Referring next to
Upon charging of the vehicle battery in block 610, the OSA vent door may be closed in block 612. In block 614, verification may be made as to whether the OSA vent door is closed. If the OSA vent door is closed in block 614, then the OSA vent door is powered down in block 618. If the OSA vent door is not closed in block 614, then an error flag is set in block 616 and the OSA vent door is powered down in block 618.
In the event that the OSA vent door is not closed in block 614 and the error flag is set in block 616, mitigating operation of the recirculation door and outside air vent system is carried out in blocks 620-628. In block 620, the vehicle is keyed on. In block 622, the OSA error flag which was set in block 616 is checked. In block 624, verification may be made as to whether the OSA error flag was set. If yes, then in block 626, a command may be transmitted to the vehicle climate control system to inhibit closure and open the front recirculation door if closed. Accordingly, fresh air flows through the vehicle cabin such that air is not able to enter the cabin interior through the open OSA vent door. If the OSA error flag was not set in block 624, then normal operation of the recirculation door may be carried out in block 628.
Referring next to
If the outcome of the query at block 706 reveals that the OSA vent door is either open or undetermined, then at block 710 a message may be transmitted from an HV (Hybrid Vehicle) battery system to open a blend door and operate a climate control fan. The method may return to block 704, where the method may be repeated.
Referring next to
Referring next to
The climate control module 910 additionally transmits a signal 918 which operates the climate control fan 920 of the vehicle. The climate control fan 920 blows fresh air 922 from the open blend door 914 into the cabin area 924 of the vehicle. Fresh air 926 may flow from the cabin area 924 through the rear air extractors 928 at the rear of the vehicle. Fresh air 930 may also flow from the cabin area 924 through the fresh air ducts 932 at the rear of the vehicle.
Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art.
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