Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solar radiation heat influx sensor for an automotive vehicle

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6512371

A solar radiation heat influx sensor mounted within an automotive vehicle fender mirror housing, which can accurately detect solar radiation heat influx due to rays of sunlight falling upon the vehicle. The detected heat influx value is used in controlling an automotive vehicle air-conditioning system to adjust passenger compartment air temperature, more specifically to determine an appropriate air conditioning air mix door opening percentage. The solar radiation heat influx sensor according to the present invention comprises a sensor body having inlet and outlet portions and a central window, a blower to drive air therethrough, an outside-air temperature sensor disposed in the inlet portion thereof and a warmed-air temperature sensor disposed in the outlet portion thereof, and a calculating unit to calculate solar radiation heat influx in response to the two detected temperatures in accordance with a predetermined equation.

Assignee:
Nisson Motor Co., Limited (Japan)
Patent Number(s):
US 4441405
OSTI ID:
6512371
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English