Introduction The automatic climate control system, also known as the auto climate control is a system that monitors,

analyzes and controls your cars air conditioning system so that the optimal temperature is set within your car. You would find this feature incorporated in most of the new cars that are being produced today, as car manufacturers are using this feature as a pulling factor to boost sales figures of their vehicles. If you have auto climate control in your car, you would not need to manually adjust your temperature or blowing capability, instead it would be done automatically for you. Nevertheless if you want to, you could still override the system and manually adjust your air conditioning system if you feel the need to. For the record, auto climate control was firstly introduced in vehicle back in the early 1960s, and the technology has grown by leaps and bounds to what you find in the modern cars today. As you are able to manage the temperature of your cars interiors based on your ambient temperature, the main benefit of this system is the ability to standardize the temperature inside your vehicle to provide you with better drive comfort. Once the temperature is set, your regulator would then proceed to monitor and adjust the internal temperature through the climate control system, that would define how best to maintain the current environment within the car to give you the best possible comfort levels. Before cars used the auto climate control system, your cooling system could only be activated by manually triggering the air-conditioning system. And you would have to manually adjust the temperature as well in accordance to what you need, something that has changed completely with the introduction of the auto climate control system. This system has undoubtedly increased the comfort levels of vehicle users without the hassle of having to

manually adjust your cooling system from time to time.

Operation Component

1. Automatic climate control unit

2. Indoor temperature sensor 3. Solar sensor 4. Outside temperature indication ACC I - Sensor located on blower motor housing ACC II - Temperature signal received from ECU

5. Rear door fans 6. Rear window heater 7. Outside mirror heaters

8. Mixed air temperature sensor 9. Air distribution motor 10. 11. 12. Temperature control motor Recirculation motor Ventilation fan motor

Inputs components

The temperature indication signals from the indoor and mixed air temperature sensors are DC signals proportional to temperature. Power is sent to the indoor temperature sensor for a small fan which moves air through the sensor. On ACC I the outside temperature signal is calculated via voltage drop across a PTC resistor mounted on the main blower motor housing. On ACC II, the solar sensor input is also an output since it is a serial data link providing 2-way communication between the microprocessors used in the solar sensor and ACC unit. On ACC II the ECU processes a signal from the sensor mounted below the front bumper, converts it to digital pulses and transmits it to the ACC. The battery supply provides the main power for the unit and the +54 ignition supply is used to switch on the unit.

The rheostat supply is used for the push button lamps and during darker conditions also supplies the LED indicators. Output components

The AC output and the output to the rear window and mirror heater are 12V signals to operate relays. On ACC II, the Intelligent Saab tester (ISAT) output and input provides the communication between the ACC and ISAT microprocessors. The remaining outputs are all motor drives as follows: a. Ventilation fan: Variable 0 to 5V DC signal to the fan speed controller. The fan feedback signal is a 1 to 12V DC signal proportional to the speed of the fan. b. Air recirculation flap: Reversible constant speed DC drive.
c. Temperature control flap:

ACC I - Reversible DC motor with a built in variable resistor to feedback door position information to the ECU ACC II - A pulsed power signal to operate the stepper motors. By counting the number of pulses the ECU can determine flap position.

d. Air distribution flap:

ACC I - Reversible DC motor with a built in variable resistor to feedback door position information to the ECU

ACC II - A pulsed power signal to operate the stepper motors. By counting the number of pulses the ECU can determine flap position.
e. Rear door fans:

ACC 2 - Variable voltage supply from 7-11 VDC proportional to cabin blower speed ACC 1 - Not controlled by ACC, two speed rocker switch on the console.

Wiring diagram

No 1 2 3 4 5 6

PCM A/C relay Refrigerant pressure switch Magnetic clutch Climate control unit A/C amplifier/thermoswitch

No 7 8 9 10 11

A/C switch Fan switch Blower resistor Blower motor Blower relay

Advantages of Auto climate control 1. Increases comfort of occupants by allowing the perfect in-car temperature to be selected and maintained. 2. Improved screen and window visibility, especially during winter, when the external climate is damp, air conditioning works in conjunction with the heating system to provide rapid and continued demisting of the windows. 3. Prevents drowsiness and enhances driver awareness, allowing the driver to stay alert and fresh. 4. Protects from pollution, smog and traffic fumes. 5. Constantly filters air-borne pollutants like pollen and dust from entering the car. 6. By allowing car windows to be kept closed, the car's aerodynamics remains unaltered, lowering external noise and increasing passenger safety and comfort. 7. Enjoy warmth without stuffiness in winter. 8. Clean fresh air even in the heaviest traffic. 9. Remain cool, calm and collected regardless of the external temperature or humidity. Disadvantages of Auto climate control system 1. Cost higher than conventional air conditioning system 2. Complicated wiring, switches and components. 3. Higher maintenance since using more components and switches.

4. Very occasionally used in permanent hot climate region, so the

implement of auto climate control system in vehicles would be irrelevant.

Conclusion The advancement of the auto climate control system has now reached such heights that you now have zone-based climate control system available. This means that each passenger or occupant in the car would have the ability to adjust the temperature of each seating area individually. This is made possible by the separate climate control sensors that are located within each individual area. For the record a central computing unit would monitor and control factors such as fan speed, air compressor engagement, air temperature and other related factors of the system. To conclude, the arrival of the auto climate control system for your vehicle is indeed something that is beneficial in terms of comfort while you drive!

Reference
1. SAAB ACC system e-book

2. Mazda 6 ACC wiring diagram 3. Yahoo! Answer