Patent ID: 6220042
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B60H

Abstract:
A method for treating a flow of air to be sent into a passenger compartment of a vehicle, in which the air flow, before being exposed where necessary to a heat source, passes through an evaporator which forms part of a refrigerating fluid circuit, the refrigerating fluid circuit further comprising a compressor, a condenser and at least one pressure reducing valve, taking account of a choice made by a user between at least one working mode of said circuit in which the fluid circulates in the evaporator to modify the temperature of the air flow, the at least one working mode including an air conditioning mode in which the fluid circulates successively through the evaporator, the fluid vaporizing in the evaporator while receiving heat from the air flow, through the compressor, through the condenser, where the fluid condenses while yielding heat to another medium, and through a pressure reducing valve, and an idle mode in which the fluid does not circulate in the evaporator, the method comprising:detecting a presence of mist on at least one glazed surface of the vehicle to which at least part of the treated flow is sent,and defining the circulation conditions of the refrigerating fluid based on the result of the detection and the choice of a user such that:the air conditioning mode is enabled only if misting is detected below a first external temperature limit value;the air conditioning mode is enabled independently of the detection of misting above the first external temperature limit; andthe idle mode is activated when the air conditioning mode is chosen and not enabled.