Development of a Light Duty Truck Electronic-Based Climate Control HVAC System

Typically, light duty truck HVAC systems are controlled by mechanical-vacuum actuation. The 1988 GM full-size pickup truck utilizes a unique electronic-based HVAC system control. Development of the system included identification of HVAC system control parameters, implementation of the system control through laboratory and road testing, and final delivery of a system with control features that were totally commercial.

Although the developed system does not allow for complete automatic climate control, it does allow the system to select the air supply mode automatically. This feature is known as the passive air inlet. Other electronic-based system controls include system linearity, system mode selection, system speed selection, and the potential for system diagnostics. Together, the electronic-based control and integrated system components offer the customer a state of the art HVAC system for light duty trucks.