Control system for auxiliary power unit

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle that includes a cabin and a primary engine. The control system includes an auxiliary power unit and a microprocessor in communication with the primary engine, the cabin, and the auxiliary power unit. The control system selectively activates the auxiliary power unit to control an engine parameter and a cabin parameter when the primary engine is shutdown.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A control module for a vehicle that includes a cabin, a primary engine having an ignition switch, and an auxiliary power unit having an air conditioning system in communication with the cabin, the control module comprising:
 a housing including a front panel and at least one wall that defines an interior space;   a plurality of user interfaces coupled to the housing and operable to deliver a signal indicative of a desired vehicle parameter;   a controller disposed within the housing and operable in response to the signal to activate the air conditioning system and to control a cabin parameter when the primary engine is shutdown.   
     
     
         14 . The control module of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of user interfaces includes at least one indicator indicative of the desired vehicle parameter. 
     
     
         15 . The control module of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of user interfaces includes a parameter adjustment operable to select the desired vehicle parameter. 
     
     
         16 . The control module of  claim 15 , wherein the desired vehicle parameter is a desired cabin temperature, and wherein the parameter adjustment is operable to selectively increase or decrease the desired cabin temperature a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         17 . The control module of  claim 15 , wherein the controller is operable to vary the at least one indicator in response to the desired vehicle parameter. 
     
     
         18 . The control module of  claim 17 , wherein the desired vehicle parameter includes an air conditioner state, a heater state, a defroster state, and a fan state having a plurality of fan conditions. 
     
     
         19 . The control module of  claim 13 , further including a display attached to the housing and selectively operable to display the cabin parameter and the desired vehicle parameter. 
     
     
         20 . The control module of  claim 19 , wherein the controller is in electrical communication with an outdoor sensor operable to deliver a signal indicative of an outdoor condition to the controller, and wherein the controller is operable to show the outdoor condition on the display. 
     
     
         21 . The control module of  claim 13 , wherein the cabin parameter includes a measured cabin temperature and the desired vehicle parameter includes a desired cabin temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The control module of  claim 13 , further including a plurality of modes, and wherein the plurality of user interfaces includes at least one system indicator indicative of at least one of the plurality of modes. 
     
     
         23 . The control module of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is operable to vary the system indicator from one of the plurality of modes to another of the plurality of modes in response to a position of the ignition switch. 
     
     
         24 . The control module of  claim 23 , wherein the system indicator includes an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state, and wherein the controller selectively changes the state of the system indicator in response to the position of the ignition switch. 
     
     
         25 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A control system for a vehicle that includes a primary engine and an ignition switch having at least a first position and a second position in electrical communication with the primary engine, the control system comprising:
 a control module including at least a normal mode and a standby mode, wherein the control module is configured to control an auxiliary power unit during the normal mode, and the control module is disabled in the standby mode; and   a microprocessor in electrical communication with the ignition switch and the control module, and wherein the microprocessor operable in response to the first position to monitor and control the control module in the normal mode, and operable in response to the second position to monitor and control the control module in the standby mode,   wherein the first position is at least one of an accessories position and an off position, and the second position is at least one of a start position and an ignition position.   
     
     
         43 . The control system of  claim 42 , further comprising a secondary switch having an ON position and an OFF position,
 wherein when the secondary switch is in the ON position, the microprocessor is configured to control the control module in response to the ignition switch being in one of the first position and the second position, and   wherein when the secondary switch is in the OFF position, the control system is configured to cease operation of the auxiliary power unit regardless of whether the ignition switch is in one the first position and the second position.