The Air Delivery description and operation is divided into 5 areas:
• | HVAC Control Components |
• | Recirculation Operation |
HVAC Control Components
HVAC Control Module
The HVAC control module is a class 2 device that interfaces between the
operator and the HVAC system to maintain air temperature and distribution settings.
The ignition 3 and battery positive voltage circuits provide power to the
control module. The control module supports the following features:
Feature
| Availability
|
Afterblow
| No
|
Purge
| Yes
|
Personalization
| No
|
Actuator Calibration
| No
|
Blower Motor Control Processor
The blower motor control processor is an interface between the HVAC control
module and the blower motor. The blower motor speed control, battery positive voltage
and ground circuits enable the control processor to operate. The HVAC control module
provides a PWM signal to the control processor in order to command the blower motor
speed. The processor supplies 12 volts to the blower motor through the blower
motor voltage supply circuit. The control processor uses the blower motor ground
as a low side control to adjust the blower motor speed.
Air Speed
The blower motor forces air to circulate within the vehicle's interior. The
vehicle operator determines the blower motor's speed by placing the blower motor
switch in a desired speed position or by selecting automatic operation. The blower
motor will only operate if the blower motor switch is in any position other than
OFF, and the ignition switch is in the RUN position. In manual operation, once a
blower speed is selected, the blower speed remains constant until a new speed is
selected. In automatic operation, the HVAC control module will determine what blower
speed is necessary in order to achieve or maintain a desired temperature.
As the requested blower speed increases, the following conditions occur:
• | The HVAC control module increases the amount of time that the blower
motor speed control circuit is modulated to ground. |
• | The voltage and duty cycle, measured between the blower motor speed control
circuit and ground, decrease. |
As the requested blower speed decreases, the following conditions occur:
• | The HVAC control module decreases the amount of time that the blower motor
speed control circuit is modulated to ground. |
• | The voltage and duty cycle, measured between the blower motor speed control
circuit and ground, increase. |
Purge Operation
If the ambient air temperature is less than 2°C (35°F) and the coolant
temperature is less than 10°C (50°F), then a 75-second purge will occur.
The purge will begin as soon as the coolant temperature reaches 4°C (40°F).
The mode door will move to the defrost position and the blower motor will be near
half speed.
Air Distribution
The operator uses the mode switch on the HVAC control module to change the air
delivery mode in the vehicle. The HVAC control module communicates the mode door position
to the vacuum control assembly through 5 solenoid control circuits.
Vent Mode
When the operator selects VENT, the mode actuator has vacuum applied to it through
the brown vacuum line, making the vent door open.
Bi-Level Mode
When the operator selects Bi-Level, the following occurs:
• | The mode actuator is in neutral position. |
• | The defrost actuator has vacuum applied. |
• | The defrost actuator closes the defrost door, thus opening the heater
door though mechanical linkage. |
• | Vacuum is bled off the mode actuator and the vent door is held stationary
in the half open position. |
Floor Mode
When the operator selects FLOOR, the mode actuator has vacuum applied to it
through the brown vacuum line, pushing the vent door closed. The defrost actuator
has vacuum applied to it through the red vacuum line, pulling the defrost door closed
and opening the heater door through mechanical linkage.
Mix-Blend Mode
When the operator selects Mix-Blend, the following occurs:
• | The mode actuator has vacuum applied to it through the red vacuum line,
pushing the vent door closed. |
• | Vacuum is bled off the defrost actuator, holding the defrost door stationary
in the half-open position. The heater door is also held stationary in the half-open
position through mechanical linkage. |
• | Recirculation is not available. |
Defrost Mode
When the operator selects Defrost, the following occurs:
• | The mode actuator has vacuum applied to it through the brown vacuum line,
pushing the vent door closed. |
• | The defrost actuator has vacuum applied to it through the yellow vacuum
line, pushing the defrost door open and closing the heater door through mechanical
linkage. |
• | Recirculation is not available. |
Recirculation Operation
When the operator presses the Recirculation switch, a solenoid inside the vacuum
control assembly connects the recirculation door vacuum actuator to the vacuum source.
The recirculation actuator retracts, closing the recirculation door. The recirculation
operation can function with blower motor in either the ON or OFF position. Recirculation
will continue and the LED will illuminate until either outside air is selected or
the next ignition cycle. Recirculation is not available in Defrost and Mix-Blend
mode.
Automatic Operation
In automatic operation, the HVAC control module will maintain the comfort level
inside of the vehicle by controlling the A/C compressor clutch, the blower motor,
the air temperature actuators, mode actuator and recirculation.
To place the HVAC system in Automatic mode, the following is required:
• | The blower motor switch must be in the AUTO position. |
• | The air temperature switch must be in any other position other than 15°C
(60°F) or 32°C (90°F). |
• | The mode switch must be in the Auto position. |
Once the desired temperature is reached, the blower motor, mode, recirculation
and temperature actuators will automatically be adjusted to maintain the temperature
selected. The HVAC control module performs the following functions to maintain the
desired air temperature:
• | Monitor the following sensors: |
- | Inside air temperature sensor |
- | Ambient air temperature sensor |
- | Upper air temperature sensor if cool air is required |
- | Lower air temperature sensor if warm air is required |
• | Regulate blower motor speed. |
• | Position the air temperature actuator. |
• | Position the mode actuator. |
• | Position the recirculation actuator. |