Patent ID: 9586459
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: B60H

Claim:
1. A method for automatically calibrating an electronic control unit (ECU) of a climate control system of a motor vehicle after a change in loading condition of the vehicle by adapting a parameter in a thermodynamic model of the vehicle climate system residing in and implemented by the ECU, comprising: operating the vehicle in a first interior loading condition at which an original parameter is used in the thermodynamic model, the original parameter being at least one of an original thermal capacity of the interior and an original heat loss of the interior; after a change in the interior loading condition of the vehicle, introducing into an interior of the motor vehicle a known quantity of air having a temperature different from an existing interior temperature; measuring a temperature change in the interior occurring after the known air quantity is introduced into the interior; calculating at least one of an updated thermal capacity of the interior and an updated heat loss of the interior based on at least the measured temperature change; comparing at least one of the updated thermal capacity and the updated heat loss with their respective original values; and if the comparison shows a difference which is outside of an acceptable range, substituting the updated thermal capacity and/or heat loss into the thermodynamic model.