|
DEMAND-DRIVEN CLIMATE CONTROL
07 March 2007 - Bosch
Bosch carbon-dioxide sensor saves fuel
New control strategy reduces energy requirement · CO2 sensor increases efficiency of air-conditioning system · Constant monitoring of cabin climate Cars that emit less CO2 and consume less fuel - these are the prime
objectives of development work in the automotive industry. To achieve
this objective, engineers are also exploring new paths: Bosch''s new
Climate Control Sensor, or CCS, measures the level of carbon dioxide
(CO2) in the passenger compartment. The result is an enhanced electronic
control of the air-conditioning system, and a corresponding reduction in
energy demand. While the air in the passenger compartment remains good,
the system consumes far less fuel. On the basis of a series of trials
under southern European summer conditions, engineers calculate that fuel
economy can be as high as ten percent. The Bosch Climate Control Sensor opens up new control strategies for the
developers of modern air-conditioning systems. The sensor constantly
measures the carbon-dioxide level of the air in the passenger compartment,
while an enhanced version also measures air humidity and air temperature.
These data are used to precisely control all the actuators of the air-
conditioning system, and in this way provide for a balanced management of
air recirculation. As much fresh air as necessary is constantly fed into the passenger
compartment. But as often as possible, the air-conditioning system
automatically switches to recirculation mode, and thus works without any
stream of fresh air from outside the vehicle. This saves energy, because
the amount of power needed for cooling is reduced. Using less power for
cooling means a lower load on the combustion engine that drives the air-
conditioning compressor, and thus reduced fuel consumption in the vehicle. Bosch has carried out a series of dynamometer tests with the prototype
of a mid-size vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning system based on
the R744 coolant. This coolant already complies with future European
Union requirements. When climate control was optimized by the addition of
this sensor, the fuel saving was as high as nearly 20 percent, depending
on climate zone and vehicle speed. If these figures are applied to an
optimized air-conditioning system using the R134a coolant, Bosch
engineers calculate a fuel saving of up to ten percent when the system is
operating in maximum cooling mode. The robust and compact Climate Control sensor uses infrared-based
spectroscopy to measure CO2 levels in the air. This can reliably measure
even minute concentrations of less than 0.02 percent by volume. The
properties of the Climate Control Sensor form the basis for new control
strategies for air-conditioning systems. Samples of the sensor are
already available. The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and
industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal
2006, some 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros. Set
up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as ''Workshop for
Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering,'' the Bosch Group today
comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some
300 subsidiaries and more than 13,000 Bosch service centers in over 140
countries. The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its
financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible
for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the
safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social
responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its
founder. A total of 92 % of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is
held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The
entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch
Industrietreuhand KG. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.
www.boschautoparts.co.uk
More News
For March 2007
From Bosch
For Environment
Driver247.com Home Page
|
