METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO HEAT OR COOL A SURFACE
A method for determining whether to heat or cool a surface. Hie method comprises determining a first and second heat transfer rate to or from the surface based on, respectively, a first and second temperature applied to the surface. The first temperature is associated with cabin air. The second temperature is associated with a material layer. Tire method comprises estimating a temperature of the surface based on the first and second heat transfer rates. Tire method comprises obtaining a setpoint temperature and comparing the setpoint temperature to the estimated temperature of the surface.
1 . A method for determining whether to heat or cool a surface, the method comprising:
determining a first heat transfer rate to or from the surface based on a first temperature applied thereto, the first temperature being associated with cabin air;
determining a second heat transfer rate to or from the surface based on a second temperature applied thereto, the second temperature being associated with a material layer;
estimating a temperature of the surface based on the first heat transfer rate and the second heat transfer rate;
obtaining a setpoint temperature; and
comparing the setpoint temperature to the estimated temperature of the surface.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining a third heat transfer rate to or from the surface based on a third temperature applied thereto, the third temperature being associated with an occupant; wherein the estimated temperature of the surface is further based on the third heat transfer rate.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises determining a fourth heat transfer rate to or from the surface based on a fourth temperature applied thereto, the fourth temperature being associated with thermal radiation; wherein the estimated temperature of the surface is further based on the fourth heat transfer rate.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises determining an occupancy status; wherein if the surface is occupied, at least the first and third heat transfer rates are employed to estimate the temperature of the surface; wherein if the surface is unoccupied, at least the first heat transfer rate is employed to estimate the temperature of the surface; and wherein the occupancy status determines the magnitude of an effect of the thermal radiation.
5 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the estimated temperature of the surface is predictive of the effect of the first, second, third, or fourth heat transfer rates, or any combination thereof, on the surface during a time of a program cycle.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the estimated temperature of the surface is further based on the setpoint temperature at steady state.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein at or around the setpoint temperature, at least one thermal effector is not operational and/or the temperature of the surface is estimated without consideration of a heat transfer rate relative to the at least one thermal effector.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the setpoint temperature is selected by the occupant and/or an autonomous conditioning system; and wherein the setpoint temperature is received by a human-machine interface from the occupant.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein at least one thermal effector influences heating or cooling of the surface.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein if the estimated temperature of the surface is generally equal to the setpoint temperature, an operation mode of the at least one thermal effector is set to OFF.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein if the estimated temperature of the surface is less than the setpoint temperature, the at least one thermal effector operates in a heating mode.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein if the estimated temperature of the surface is greater than the setpoint temperature, the at least one thermal effector operates in a cooling mode.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises controlling the at least one thermal effector by regulating power to the thermal effector and/or controlling a speed of a blower to achieve the setpoint temperature.
14 . A system for performing the method of claim 1 , the system comprising:
a surface, and
at least one thermal effector thermally influencing the surface.
15 . The system according to claim 14 , wherein the surface is on a vehicle component; wherein the vehicle component includes a steering wheel, a gear shifter, a seat, a headrest, a door panel, an instrument panel, a headliner, a center console, a leg panel, a floor, or any combination thereof.
16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one thermal effector includes two or more thermal effectors that cooperate in thermally influencing the surface.
17 . The system according to claim 16 , wherein the thermal effector includes a resistance element, a thermoelectric device, or both.
18 . The system according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one thermal effector conductively thermally communicates with the surface.
19 . The system according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one thermal effector acts upon an airstream that convectively thermally communicates with the surface or convectively thermally communicates with an element that conductively communicates with the surface.
20 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein the system further comprises a containment device located within the vehicle component; and wherein the airstream flows into the containment device.
21 . (canceled)