Method and system for controlling a retractable bellypan of a vehicle to improve HVAC and engine cooling performance
A method of controlling a vehicle having a retractable bellypan and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system determining a condenser temperature of a condenser of the HVAC system, comparing the condenser temperature to a temperature threshold and controlling a bellypan opening in response to comparing.
1 . A method of controlling a vehicle having a retractable bellypan and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:
determining a condenser condition of a condenser of the HVAC system or an engine coolant temperature;
comparing the condenser condition to a condition threshold or the engine coolant temperature to a coolant threshold; and
controlling a retractable element of a bellypan opening from an open position allowing airflow through the bellypan opening to a closed position preventing airflow through the bellypan opening in response to the comparing.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining the condenser condition comprises determining a condenser temperature or a condenser pressure.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein controlling the bellypan comprises controlling the retractable element to open the bellypan opening when the condenser temperature is greater than a temperature threshold.
4 . The method of claim 2 wherein determining the condenser temperature comprises determining the condenser temperature with a condenser fluid temperature sensor.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling the bellypan opening comprises controlling the bellypan opening based on a climate control setting and a condenser temperature.
6 . The method of claim 5 further comprising selecting the climate control setting from a user interface.
7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising generating an idle signal when the vehicle is idling based on a vehicle speed signal.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling the bellypan comprises controlling the bellypan based on an idle signal.
9 . The method of claim 8 further comprising determining the idle signal based on a vehicle speed.
10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a trailering signal when the vehicle has a trailer coupled thereto and wherein the controlling the bellypan opening comprises controlling the bellypan opening based on the trailering signal.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein generating the trailering signal from a trailer connector.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein controlling the bellypan opening comprises closing the bellypan opening when the vehicle is above idle.
13 . A system for a vehicle comprising
a bellypan having a retractable element;
a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a condenser temperature of a condenser of the HVAC system;
a condenser temperature sensor generating a temperature sensor signal; and
a controller programmed to
compare the condenser temperature to a temperature threshold; and
control the retractable element of a bellypan opening from an open position allowing airflow through the bellypan opening to a closed position preventing airflow through the bellypan opening in response to comparing.
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the condenser temperature comprises a condenser surface temperature.
15 . The system of claim 13 wherein the condenser temperature comprises a condenser fluid temperature.
16 . The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is programmed to control the bellypan based on a climate control setting and the condenser temperature.
17 . The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is programmed to control the bellypan based on an idle signal.
18 . The system of claim 17 wherein the controller determines the idle signal based on a vehicle speed signal.
19 . The system of claim 13 wherein the controller determines a trailering signal when the vehicle has a trailer coupled thereto and wherein the controller is programmed to control the bellypan opening based on the trailering signal.
20 . The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is programmed to control the opening of the bellypan using a bellypan actuator.