Bosch’s new Climate Control Sensor, or CCS, measures the level of carbon dioxide (CO
2) in the passenger compartment. The result is more efficient control of the air-conditioning system, and a corresponding reduction in its energy demand. As much fresh air as necessary is constantly fed into the passenger compartment. But as often as possible, the air-conditioning system automatically switches to recirculation mode, and thus works without any stream of fresh air from outside the vehicle. This saves energy, because the amount of power needed for cooling is reduced. Using less power for cooling means a lower load on the combustion engine that drives the air-conditioning compressor, and thus reduced fuel consumption in the vehicle. Based on the results of a series of trials under summer conditions in southern Europe, developers predict a maximum fuel saving in the range of a good half liter per 100 kilometers driven.
The robust and compact Climate Control Sensor uses infrared-based spectroscopy to measure CO2 levels in the air. It reacts reliably to changes, even minor ones, in the composition of the air. The properties of the Climate Control Sensor form the basis for new control strategies for air-conditioning systems.
