Air Conditioner Control
AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLDescription of Air Conditioner LAN Control System
The LAN (Local Area Network) system consists of unified meter and A/C amp., mode door motor, air mix door motors and intake door motor.
A configuration of these components is shown in the figure.
System Construction
A small network is constructed between the unified meter and A/C amp., air mix door motors, mode door motor and intake door motor. The unified meter and A/C amp. and motors are connected by data transmission lines and motor power supply lines. The LAN network is built through the ground circuits of each door motor.
Addresses, motor opening angle signals, motor stop signals and error checking messages are all transmitted through the data transmission lines connecting the unified meter and A/C amp. and each door motor.
The following functions are contained in LCUs built into the air mix door motors, the mode door motor and the intake door motor.
- Address
- Motor opening angle signals
- Data transmission
- Motor stop and drive decision
- Opening angle sensor (PBR function)
- Comparison
- Decision (Unified meter and A/C amp. indicated value and motor opening angle comparison)
OPERATION
The unified meter and A/C amp. receives data from each of the sensors. The unified meter and A/C amp. sends mode door, air mix door and intake door opening angle data to the mode door motor LCU, air mix door motor LCU and intake door motor LCU.
The mode door motor, air mix door motors and intake door motor read their respective signals according to the address signal. Opening angle indication signals received from the unified meter and A/C amp. and each of the motor position sensors is compared by the LCUs in each door motor with the existing decision and opening angles. Subsequently, HOT/COLD, DEF/VENT and FRE/REC operation is selected. The new selection data is returned to the unified meter and A/C amp.
TRANSMISSION DATA AND TRANSMISSION ORDER
Unified meter and A/C amp. data is transmitted consecutively to each of the door motors following the form shown in figure.
Start:
Initial compulsory signal is sent to each of the door motors.
Address:
Data sent from the unified meter and A/C amp. are selected according to data-based decisions made by the air mix door motor, mode door motor and intake door motor.
If the addresses are identical, the opening angle data and error check signals are received by the door motor LCUs. The LCUs then make the appropriate error decision. If the opening angle data have no error, door control begins.
If an error exists, the received data are rejected and corrected data received. Finally, door control is based upon the corrected opening angle data.
Opening Angle:
Data that shows the indicated door opening angle of each door motor.
Error Check:
In this procedure, transmitted and received data is checked for errors. Error data are then compiled. The error check prevents corrupted data from being used by the air mix door motor, the mode door motor and the intake door motor. Error data can be related to the following symptoms.
- Malfunction of electrical frequency
- Poor electrical connections
- Signal leakage from transmission lines
- Signal level fluctuation
Stop Signal:
At the end of each transmission, a stop operation, in-operation, or internal malfunction message is delivered to the unified meter and A/C amp. This completes one data transmission and control cycle.
AIR MIX DOOR CONTROL (AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL)
The air mix doors are automatically controlled so that in-vehicle temperature is maintained at a predetermined value by the temperature setting, ambient temperature, in-vehicle temperature and amount of sunload.
FAN SPEED CONTROL
Blower speed is automatically controlled by the temperature setting, ambient temperature, in-vehicle temperature, intake temperature, amount of sunload and air mix door position.
With pressing AUTO switch, the blower motor starts to gradually increase air flow volume.
When engine coolant temperature is low, the blower motor operation is delayed to prevent cool air from flowing.
INTAKE DOOR CONTROL
The intake doors are automatically controlled by the temperature setting, ambient temperature, in-vehicle temperature, intake temperature, amount of sunload and ON/OFF operation of the compressor.
MODE DOOR CONTROL
The mode door is automatically controlled by the temperature setting, ambient temperature, in-vehicle temperature, intake temperature and amount of sunload.
MAGNET CLUTCH CONTROL
When A/C switch, AUTO switch or DEF switch is pressed, unified meter and A/C amp. transmits compressor ON signal to BCM.
BCM sends compressor ON signal to ECM, via CAN communication.
ECM judges whether compressor can be turned ON, based on each sensor status (refrigerant-pressure sensor signal, throttle angle, etc.). If it judges compressor can be turned ON, it sends compressor ON signal to IPDM E/R, via CAN communication.
Upon receipt of compressor ON signal from ECM, IPDM E/R turns air conditioner relay ON to operate compressor.
When sending compressor ON signal to IPDM E/R via CAN communication, ECM simultaneously sends compressor feedback signal to unified meter and A/C amp. via CAN communication.
Unified meter and A/C amp., then, uses input compressor feedback signal to control air inlet.
SELF-DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM
The self-diagnosis system is built into the unified meter and A/C amp. to quickly locate the cause of malfunctions.
Description of Control System
The control system consists of input sensors, switches, the unified meter and A/C amp. (microcomputer) and outputs. The relationship of these components is shown in the figure:
Control Operation
DISPLAY SCREEN
The operation status of the system is displayed on the screen.
AUTO SWITCH
- The compressor, intake doors, air mix doors, mode doors and blower speed are automatically controlled so that the in-vehicle temperature will reach, and be maintained at the set temperature selected by the operator.
- When pressing AUTO switch, air inlet, air outlet, fan speed, and discharge air temperature are automatically controlled.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH (POTENTIO TEMPERATURE CONTROL) (DRIVER SIDE)
The set temperature is increased or decreased with this switch.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH (POTENTIO TEMPERATURE CONTROL) (PASSENGER SIDE)
- The set temperature is increased or decreased with this switch.
- When the temperature switch is pressed, the DUAL switch indicator will automatically illuminate.
INTAKE SWITCH
- When intake switch is ON, REC LED turns ON, and air inlet is fixed to REC.
- When press intake switch again, FRE LED turns ON, and air inlet is fixed to FRE.
- When intake switch is pressed for approximately 1.5 secondsor longer, FRE and REC LEDs blink twice.
Then, automatic control mode is entered. Inlet status is displayed by LED even during automatic controlled.
- When FRE LED is turned ON, shifting mode position to D/F or DEF, or when compressor is turned from ON to OFF, intake switch is automatically turned OFF (fixed to FRE mode). REC mode can be re-entered by pressing intake switch again, and then compressor is turned ON. (Except D/F or DEF position)
DEFROSTER (DEF) SWITCH
Mode doors are set to the defrost position with this switch. Also, intake doors are set to the outside air position, and compressor turns ON.
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER SWITCH
When illumination is ON, rear window is defogged.
OFF SWITCH
Compressor and blower are OFF, the intake doors and the mode doors are automatically controlled.
A/C SWITCH
Compressor is ON or OFF with this switch.
(Pressing the A/C switch when the A/C switch is ON will turn OFF the A/C switch and compressor.)
MODE SWITCH
The air discharge outlets is controlled with this switch.
FAN SWITCH
The blower speed is manually controlled with this switch. Seven speeds are available for manual control (as shown on the display screen).
DUAL SWITCH
- When the DUAL switch indicator is illuminated, the driver side and passenger side temperature can each be set independently.
- When the DUAL switch indicator is not illuminated, the driver side setting temperature is applied to both sides.
Fail-Safe Function
If a communication error exists between the unified meter and A/C amp., and the A/C and AV switch for 30 seconds or longer, air conditioner is controlled under following conditions:
Compressor : ON
Air outlet : AUTO
Air inlet : FRE (Fresh)
Blower fan speed : AUTO
Set temperature : Setting before communication error occurs
Display : OFF
Discharge Air Flow
System Description
SWITCHES AND THEIR CONTROL FUNCTION
CAN Communication System Description
CAN (Controller Area Network) is a serial communication line for real time application. It is an on-vehicle multiplex communication line with high data communication speed and excellent error detection ability. Many electronic control units are equipped onto a vehicle, and each control unit shares information and links with other control units during operation (not independent). In CAN communication, control units are connected with 2 communication lines (CAN-H line, CAN-L line) allowing a high rate of information transmission with less wiring. Each control unit transmits/receives data but selectively reads required data only. For details, refer to LAN-43, "CAN System Specification Chart". CAN System Specification Chart