TRW Introduces Automated Cabin Comfort
16 October 2000
TRW Introduces Automated Cabin Comfort with Radiant Temperature Sensing and an Industry-First Quick Development Cycle
Business Editors & Automotive WritersDETROIT--Oct. 16, 2000--TRW Inc.
There is more to achieving a comfortable cabin environment in a vehicle than simply measuring the air temperature.
Unlike most systems on the market, TRW's new Automated Cabin Comfort System uses radiant temperature sensors to factor in the temperature of the interior surfaces of the car or truck. With the TRW system, the cabin quickly reaches and consistently maintains a specified temperature -- regardless of external conditions -- providing riders with a more comfortable environment.
The system also offers automakers a significantly shortened software development cycle that slashes from two years to as little as two months the time automakers spend designing climate systems for each new model vehicle. Prior to the TRW breakthrough, calibrating climate control systems was a lengthy and expensive process since each vehicle has unique thermal characteristics.
"The reduction in time it takes to configure a new car with our system is dramatic," said Heinz Pfannschmidt, executive vice president and general manager, TRW Automotive Electronics. "This is a tremendous advantage for automakers, since it can decrease time-to-market and cut costs."
Knowing the surface temperature, also known as the radiant temperature, is crucial to quickly cooling or heating a vehicle cabin to the desired temperature, as well as to maintaining a consistent temperature. The other key factors in maintaining a specified comfort condition are air temperature and air velocity, both of which are monitored by the TRW system.
Knowing all three factors is especially important for automatic climate control systems, where the driver sets his or her optimum temperature once and the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) components maintain that level while the vehicle is in operation.
TRW's Automated Cabin Comfort System with radiant temperature sensing will first appear in model year 2004. The radiant temperature sensor is approximately the size of a dime and can be mounted in a variety of locations.
A vehicle demonstrating the system will be on display in Booth 901 during the Convergence 2000 International Congress on Transportation Electronics being held Oct. 16-18 at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The display will demonstrate the system's ability to measure and counteract changes in radiant temperature.
"The comfort level is enhanced because we have properly handled the radiant portion of the comfort equation," said Pfannschmidt. "The radiant sensor keeps determining how much the interior has warmed up or cooled down, and the system adjusts the temperature accordingly. This is a major leap forward in climate control for the auto industry."
The TRW Automated Cabin Comfort System can be used to divide vehicles into "comfort zones," with comfort control systems able to maintain distinct temperatures for individual passengers. TRW has demonstrated vehicles with one, two and three comfort zones and is developing a four-zone system.
