GENERAL
The air conditioning system has the following controls.
| Control | Outline |
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| Neural Network Control | This control is capable of performing complex control by artificially simulating the information processing method of the nervous system of living organisms in order to establish a complex input/output relationship similar to that of a human brain. |
| Outlet Air Temperature Control | Based on the temperature set by the temperature control dial, neural network control calculates outlet air temperature based on input signals from various sensors. |
| Dual Control*1 | The temperature settings for the driver and front passenger are controlled independently in order to provide separate vehicle interior temperatures for the right and left sides of the vehicle. Thus, air conditioning that accommodates the occupants' preferences has been realized. |
| Blower Control | Controls the blower motor in accordance with the airflow volume that has been calculated by neural network control based on input signals from various sensors. |
| Air Outlet Control | Automatically switches the air outlets in accordance with the outlet mode that has been calculated by neural network control. |
| In accordance with the engine coolant temperature, ambient air temperature, amount of sunlight, required blower, outlet temperature and vehicle speed conditions, this control automatically switches the blower outlet to foot/defroster mode to prevent the windows from becoming fogged up when the ambient air temperature is low. | |
| Air Inlet Control | Automatically controls the air inlet control damper to help achieve the calculated outlet air temperature that is required. |
| Drives the air inlet control servo motor according to the operation of the air inlet control switch and moves the dampers to the fresh or recirculation position. | |
| Compressor Control | Through the calculation of the target evaporator temperature based on various sensor signals, the air conditioning amplifier optimally controls discharge capacity by regulating the opening extent of the compressor solenoid valve. |
| The air conditioning amplifier assembly compares the pulley speed signals (transmitted by the lock sensor located on the compressor) with the engine speed signal (which are transmitted by the ECM (crankshaft position sensor)). When the air conditioning amplifier assembly determines that the pulley is locked, it turns off the magnetic clutch. | |
| Pollen Removal Mode Control |
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| Defroster Control | Defroster control logic is used to improve defroster performance. |
| PTC Heater Control*2 | When the engine is running, and the blower motor with fan sub-assembly is turned on, the air conditioning amplifier assembly turns on the quick heater assembly if the conditions listed below are met.
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| Rear Defogger Control | Refer to Rear Defogger System. |
| Blower Customize*3 | During automatic air conditioning operation, the air volume can be adjusted in 3 levels using the FAST SOFT switch: MEDIUM → SOFT (small air volume) → FAST (large air volume). |
| ECO Mode Control | When the combination switch assembly (ECO mode switch) is turned on, the air conditioning amplifier assembly limits the air conditioning system performance. |
| Diagnosis | A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is stored in memory when the air conditioning amplifier assembly detects a problem with the air conditioning system. |
| Memory Call Control | Memorizes the air conditioning settings when the engine switch is turned from on (IG) to off in accordance with the ID code of the electrical key transmitter sub-assembly that is used to operate the vehicle. The memory call control then recalls the settings of the electrical key transmitter sub-assembly used when the engine switch is turned on (IG). This function operates when both of the following conditions are met.
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*1: for Dual Type
*2: w/ PTC Heater
*3: w/ Follow Me Home System
NEURAL NETWORK CONTROL
In previous automatic air conditioning systems, the air conditioning amplifier assembly determined the required outlet air temperature and blower air volume in accordance with the calculation formula that has been obtained based on information received from the sensors.
However, because the senses of a person are rather complex, a given temperature is sensed differently, depending on the environment in which the person is situated. For example, a given amount of solar radiation can feel comfortably warm in a cold climate, or extremely uncomfortable in a hot climate. Therefore, as a technique for effecting a higher level of control, a neural network has been adopted in the automatic air conditioning system. With this technique, the data that has been collected under varying environmental conditions is stored in the air conditioning amplifier assembly. The air conditioning amplifier assembly can then effect control to provide enhanced air conditioning comfort.
The neural network control consists of neurons in the input layer, intermediate layer and output layer. The input layer neurons process the input data of the outside temperature, the amount of sunlight and the room temperature based on the outputs of the switches and sensors, and output them to the intermediate layer neurons. Based on this data, the intermediate layer neurons adjust the strength of the links among the neurons. The sum of these is then calculated by the output layer neurons in the form of the required outlet temperature, solar correction, target airflow volume and outlet mode control volume. Accordingly, the air conditioning amplifier assembly controls the servo motors and blower motor in accordance with the control volumes that have been calculated by the neural network control.
MODE POSITION AND DAMPER OPERATION
Mode Position and Damper Operation.
| *1 | Recirculated Air | *2 | Air Inlet Control Door |
| *3 | Fresh Air | *4 | Air Refiner Element |
| *5 | Blower Motor with Fan Sub-assembly | *6 | No. 1 Cooler Evaporator Sub-assembly |
| *7 | Quick Heater Assembly (w/ PTC Heater) | *8 | Side Register (Front Passenger Side) |
| *9 | Center Register (Front Passenger Side) | *10 | Mode Control Door (for Front Passenger Footwell Register) |
| *11 | Front Footwell Register Duct (Front Passenger Side) | *12 | Rear Footwell Register Duct |
| *13 | Console Box Register | *14 | Front Footwell Register Duct (Driver Side) |
| *15 | Mode Control Door (for Driver Footwell Register) | *16 | Center Register (Driver Side) |
| *17 | Side Register (Driver Side) | *18 | Side Defroster |
| *19 | Center Defroster | *20 | Heater Radiator Unit Sub-assembly |
| *21 | Inside-and-outside Dual Air Layer Control Door | *22 | Mode Control Door (for Defroster) |
| *23 | Air Mix Control Door | *24 | Mode Control Door (for Front Passenger Center and Side Register) |
| *25 | Mode Control Door (for Console Box Register and Rear Passenger Footwell Register Duct) | *26 | Mode Control Door (for Driver Center and Side Register) |
| *27 | Air Mix Control Door (for Driver Side Upper Layer) | *28 | Air Mix Control Door (for Driver Side Lower Layer) |
| *29 | Air Mix Control Door (for Rear Passenger) | *30 | Air Mix Control Door (for Front Passenger Side Lower Layer) |
| *31 | Air Mix Control Door (for Front Passenger Side Upper Layer) | - | - |
| *a | View from A | *b | To Center and Side Defrosters |
| *c | To Driver Side Center and Side Registers | *d | To Driver Side Footwell Register Duct |
| *e | To Console Box Register and Rear Footwell Register Duct | *f | To Front Passenger Side Footwell Register Duct |
| *g | To Front Passenger Side Center and Side Registers | - | - |
| Control Door | Operation Position | Door Position | Operation | |
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| Air Inlet Control Door | FRESH | A2, B1 | Brings in fresh air. | |
| RECIRCULATION | A1, B2 | Recirculates internal air. | ||
| Inside-and-outside Dual Air Layer Control Door | - (Auto Control) | C1 - C2 | Separates or integrates the upper layer and lower layer in response to the control conditions to control the inside-and-outside dual air layers. | |
| Air Mix Control Door | MAX COLD to MAX HOT Temperature Setting | D1 - D2*1 E1 - E2*2 F1 - F2*3 G1 - G2*4 H1 - H2*5 |
Varies the mixture ratio of warm air and cool air in order to continuously regulate the temperature between hot and cold. | |
| Mode Control Door (for All Seat Control Modes) | |
FACE | J1, K1, L1, M1, N3, O1, I3 | Air blows out of the front center register, side register and console box register. |
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BI-LEVEL | J2, K2, L2, M2, N2, O2, I3 | Air blows out of the front center register, side register, console box register and front and rear footwell register ducts. Air may blow out from the center defroster and side defroster depending on the cabin environment (I2). | |
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FOOT | J3, K3, L3, M3, N2, O3, I3*6 or I2*7 | Air blows out of the front footwell register and rear footwell register ducts. In addition, air blows out slightly from the front center register, side register and console box register. Air blows out slightly from the center defroster and side defroster when FOOT MODE is turned on by the automatic control. | |
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FOOT AND DEFROSTER | J3, K3, L2, M2, N2, O2, I1 | Defrosts the windshield through the center defroster and side defroster, while air is also blown out from the front footwell register and rear footwell register ducts. In addition, air blows out slightly from the front center register, side register and console box register. | |
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DEFROSTER | J4, K4, L1, M1, O1, I1 | Defrosts the windshield through the center defroster and side defroster ducts. | |
| Mode Control Door (for Front Seat Control Modes) | |
FACE | J1, K1, L1, M1, N1, O1, I3 | Air blows out of the front center register and side register |
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BI-LEVEL | J2, K2, L2, M2, N1, O1, I3 | Air blows out of the front center register, side register and front footwell register ducts. Air may blow out from the center defroster and side defroster depending on the cabin environment (I2). | |
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FOOT | J3, K3, L3, M3, N1, O1, I3*6 or I2*7 | Air blows out of the front footwell register. In addition, air blows out slightly from the front center register and side register. Air blows out slightly from the center defroster and side defroster when FOOT MODE is turned on by the automatic control. | |
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FOOT AND DEFROSTER | J3, K3, L2, M2, N1, O1, I1 | Defrosts the windshield through the center defroster and side defroster, while air is also blown out from the front footwell register. In addition, air blows out slightly from the front center register and side register. | |
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DEFROSTER | J4, K4, L1, M1, N1, O1, I1 | Defrosts the windshield through the center defroster and side defroster ducts. | |
*1: For driver side front register and side register
*2: For front passenger side front register and side register
*3: For driver side front footwell register
*4: For console box register and rear footwell register ducts
*5: For front passenger side front footwell register
*6: When FOOT MODE is selected by a manual operation.
*7: When FOOT MODE is turned on by the automatic control or FOOT MODE is selected by a manual operation from except FOOT MODE.
AIR OUTLETS AND AIRFLOW VOLUME
Air Outlets and Airflow Volume (for All Seat Control Modes).
| Mode | Selection | FACE | FOOT | DEF | ||||
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| Auto | Manual | Center | Side | Rear | Front | Rear | F | |
| A | B | C | D | E | ||||
| FACE-U |
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| FACE-L |
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| FACE-R |
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| B/L |
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| FOOT-D |
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| FOOT-R |
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| FOOT-F |
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The size of each circle ○ indicates the ratio of airflow volume.
Air Outlets and Airflow Volume (for Front Seat Control Modes)
| Mode | Selection | FACE | FOOT | DEF | ||||
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| Auto | Manual | Center | Side | Rear | Front | Rear | F | |
| A | B | C | D | E | ||||
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The size of each circle ○ indicates the ratio of airflow volume.
PARKING FRESH CONTROL (except China, G. C. C countries)
When 60 seconds have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned off, the air conditioning amplifier assembly uses control logic which automatically changes the air inlet to FRESH mode to purge undesired odors from the air conditioning unit.
This logic will therefore reduce undesired odors upon starting the air conditioning system.
COMPRESSOR
General:
The compressor is a continuously variable capacity type in which its capacity can be varied in accordance with the cooling load of the air conditioning system.
The compressor consists of a pulley, shaft, lug plate, swash plate, piston, shoe, crank chamber, cylinder, solenoid valve with built-in crank chamber to suction passage (CS) valve, oil separator and variable suction side throttle.
The cooler compressor assembly has an A/C lock sensor that detects whether the compressor is locked.
A solenoid valve is provided to enable the suction pressure to be controlled as desired.
The crank chamber to suction passage (CS) valve, built into the solenoid valve, operates in accordance with the suction pressure.
The oil separator is installed in the refrigerant passage to separate compressor oil from the refrigerant that is discharged. This helps to prevent the compressor oil from flowing into the air conditioning system and reducing cooling effectiveness.
Solenoid Valve Operation:
The crank chamber is connected to the suction passage. A solenoid valve is provided between the suction passage (low pressure) and the discharge passage (high pressure).
The solenoid valve operates under duty cycle control in accordance with the signals from the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
When the solenoid valve closes (solenoid coil is energized), a difference in pressure is created and the pressure in the crank chamber decreases. Then, the pressure that is applied to the right side of the piston becomes greater than the pressure that is applied to the left side of the piston. This compresses the spring and tilts the swash plate. As a result, the piston stroke increases and the discharge capacity also increases.
When the solenoid valve opens (solenoid coil is not energized), the difference in pressure disappears. Then, the pressure that is applied to the left side of the piston becomes the same as the pressure that is applied to the right side of the piston. Thus, the spring elongates and eliminates the tilt of the swash plate. As a result, there is no piston stroke, and the discharge capacity is reduced.
CS Valve Operation:
The CS valve consists of passage A and passage B. If the vehicle is left parked for a long period, refrigerant may accumulate in the crank chamber due to the heat capacity difference.
The solenoid control valve is controlled by the air conditioning amplifier assembly. While the compressor is operating, the solenoid control valve pushes down the CS valve rod and opens passage A.
Under the above condition, only if the refrigerant accumulates in the crank chamber, the crank chamber pressure will become high. As a result, the bellows will contract because of the pressure difference with its internal pressure (vacuum), and opens passage B.
This causes the accumulated refrigerant to be drawn in via passage A and passage B, clearing the accumulated refrigerant earlier and ensuring a more immediate cooling effect.
A/C LOCK SENSOR
The A/C lock sensor sends A/C pulley speed signals to the air conditioning amplifier assembly. The air conditioning amplifier assembly determines whether the A/C compressor is locked or not by using those signals and engine speed signals.
NO. 1 COOLER THERMISTOR
The No. 1 cooler thermistor detects the temperature of the cool air immediately after the evaporator in the form of resistance changes, and outputs it to the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
BLOWER MOTOR WITH FAN SUB-ASSEMBLY
The blower motor has a built-in blower controller, and is controlled using duty control performed by the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
POLLEN REMOVAL MODE CONTROL
When the pollen removal mode switch is pressed, pollen removal mode control is activated.
Then, the air vent is switched to face mode and recirculated pollen-free air flows in the area around the upper part of the bodies of the driver and front passenger.
When the pollen removal mode switch signal is input to the air conditioning amplifier assembly, the air conditioning amplifier assembly controls the cooler compressor assembly, air inlet control servo motor, air outlet control servo motor and blower motor as shown in the timing chart below.
This control usually operates for approximately 3 minutes. However, when the outside temperature is low (5°C (41°F) maximum), it will operate for approximately 1 minute.
After this control stops operating, the air conditioning amplifier assembly controls the air conditioning system using AUTO mode.
BUS CONNECTOR (AIR CONDITIONING HARNESS ASSEMBLY)
Bus connectors are used in the wire harness that connects the servo motors to the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
| *a | Example | *b | Bus Connector (to No. 5 Air Conditioning Radiator Damper Servo Sub-assembly (Driver Side Lower Air Mix)) |
| *c | Bus Connector (to No. 2 Air Conditioning Radiator Damper Servo Sub-assembly (Driver Side Upper Air Mix)) |
*d | Bus Connector (to No. 3 Air Conditioning Radiator Damper Servo Sub-assembly) |
| *e | Bus Connector (to No. 1 Air Conditioning Radiator Damper Servo Sub-assembly) |
*f | Bus Connector (to No. 2 Air Conditioning Radiator Damper Servo Sub-assembly (Front Passenger Side Upper Air Mix)) |
| *g | Bus Connector (to No. 4 Air Conditioning Radiator Damper Servo Sub-assembly (Front Passenger Side Lower Air Mix)) |
*h | Bus Connector (to No. 1 Blower Damper Servo Sub-assembly) |
| *i | to Air Conditioning Amplifier Assembly | *j | to No. 1 Cooler Thermistor |
Each bus connector has a built-in communication/driver IC which communicates with the air conditioning amplifier assembly, actuates the servo motor, and has a position detection function. This enables bus communication for the servo motor wire harness, for a more lightweight construction and a reduced number of wires.
SERVO MOTOR
A pulse pattern type servo motor consists of a printed circuit board and a servo motor. The printed circuit board has three contact points, and can transmit two ON-OFF signals to the air conditioning amplifier assembly based on the difference of the pulse phases. The bus connector can detect the damper position and movement direction with these signals.
QUICK HEATER ASSEMBLY
General
The quick heater assembly is located above the heater core in the air conditioning radiator assembly.
The quick heater assembly consists of a PTC element, aluminum fins, and brass plates. When current is applied to the PTC element, it generates heat to warm the air that passes through the unit.
| *1 | Quick Heater Assembly | *2 | Brass Plate |
| *3 | PTC Element | *4 | Aluminum Fin |
Quick Heater Assembly Operating Conditions
The quick heater assembly is turned on and off by the air conditioning amplifier assembly in accordance with the engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature, temperature setting, and electrical load (generator power ratio).
ECO MODE CONTROL
Under the control of ECO mode, the air conditioning amplifier assembly restricts the air conditioning system performance under specified conditions, thus improving fuel economy.
COOLER (ROOM TEMP. SENSOR) THERMISTOR
The cooler (room temp. sensor) thermistor detects the cabin temperature based on changes in the resistance of its built-in thermistor and sends a signal to the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
THERMISTOR ASSEMBLY
The thermistor assembly detects the outside temperature based on changes in the resistance of its built-in thermistor and sends a signal to the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL SENSOR
The automatic light control sensor detects (in the form of changes in the current that flows through the built-in photo diode) the changes in the amount of sunlight and outputs these sunlight strength signals to the air conditioning amplifier assembly.
AIR CONDITIONER PRESSURE SENSOR
The air conditioner pressure sensor detects the refrigerant pressure and outputs it to the air conditioning amplifier assembly in the form of voltage changes.
HEATER WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY (w/ Stop and Start System)
The heater water pump assembly supplies engine coolant to the heater radiator unit sub-assembly to prevent a decrease in the effectiveness of the heater when the engine is stopped by the stop and start system. According to signals from the air conditioning amplifier assembly, the engine stop and start ECU operates the heater water pump relay to operate the heater water pump assembly.