Method for operating an air conditioning system

Abstract

In a method for operating a climate control system in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the climate control system can be operated in a recirculation mode in which recirculated air is supplied to the passenger compartment or in fresh air mode in which at least a portion of the air supplied to the passenger compartment is fresh air. In its normal operating mode the climate control system is operated in recirculation mode. Upon exceeding a predetermined CO 2 -threshold value measured in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle the climate control system is switched to fresh air mode.

1 . A process for operating a climate control system in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 operating the climate control system in a recirculation mode in which internal air is recirculated within the passenger compartment or in a fresh air mode in which at least a portion of air supplied to the passenger compartment is fresh air, and wherein    operating the climate control system in the recirculation mode, wherein    the climate control system ( 12 ) is switched into the fresh air mode upon exceeding a predetermined CO 2 -threshold value measured in the passenger compartment ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ).    
   
   
       2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein in response to the opening of an ashtray ( 9 ,  11 ) located within the passenger compartment ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) the climate control ( 12 ) is automatically switched into the fresh air mode.  
   
   
       3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the climate control system ( 12 ) is operated with CO 2  as coolant.  
   
   
       4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the CO 2 -threshold level is set at 800 ppm.  
   
   
       5 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein upon switching into the fresh air mode the fresh air is supplied to the foot space ( 20 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ).  
   
   
       6 . A climate control system for a motor vehicle, which is switchable between a recirculation mode, wherein 
 a internal air is recirculated within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and a fresh air mode,    at least a portion of air supplied to the passenger compartment is fresh air, and    which includes a compressor, an evaporator and a control device, wherein at least one CO 2 -sensor ( 26 ) is provided in the passenger compartment ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ), which CO 2 -sensor ( 26 ), upon detecting a CO 2  level exceeding a CO 2 -threshold value in the passenger compartment ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ), provides a signal to the control device ( 25 ) for switching the climate control system ( 12 ) from recirculation mode to fresh air mode.    
   
   
       7 . The climate control system according to  claim 6 , wherein the CO 2 -sensor ( 26 ) is located in the foot space ( 20 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ).  
   
   
       8 . The climate control system according to  claim 6 , wherein in the inner space ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) at least one sensor ( 27 ,  28 ) is provided, with which it can be detected whether smoking is occurring within the passenger compartment ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ).  
   
   
       9 . The climate control system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one sensor ( 26 ,  27 ) is so designed that it detects the opening of an ashtray ( 9 ,  11 ).  
   
   
       10 . The climate control system according to  claim 6 , wherein the control device ( 25 ) is in operative association with an adjustment device or actuator ( 24 ), which is provided for adjusting a control element ( 25 ) between recirculation mode and fresh air mode.  
   
   
       11 . The climate control system according to  claim 6 , wherein CO 2  is provided as coolant for the evaporator ( 24 ).  
   
   
       12 . The climate control system according to  claim 6 , wherein the evaporator ( 14 ) is provided with an expansion valve ( 29 ) for switching off of the evaporator ( 14 ).  
   
   
       13 . The climate control system according to  claim 6 , wherein on the vacuum side the compressor ( 31 ) is provided with a valve ( 33 ) for switching off of the compressor ( 31 ).