Solar sensors: The unsung heroes of car climate control
Numerous components whose purposes are not always obvious can be found in every car. One such example is the spherical plastic piece placed on the dashboard, which, despite its unassuming appearance, serves an important function.
Over the years, car technology has become increasingly complex. Manufacturers continually introduce innovative solutions, and many once-rare support systems have now become standard, even in small city cars. This often leads us to wonder, "What is this for?"
Drivers might ask this question when they notice an inconspicuous, often spherical element on the top of the dashboard near the windscreen. This element is present in vehicles with automatic climate control, and in dual-zone versions, it might be there twice. This element is nothing other than a solar sensor.
What is such a sensor used for? It measures the intensity of the sun's rays, enabling the automatic climate control to adjust its operation. For instance, if we set the air conditioning to 20 degrees Celsius on a warm, sunny day, the system will endeavour to cool the car's interior quickly.
On cloudy days, when we select the same temperature, the computer system will adjust the cooling, recognising that the interior warming is slower. This means that the cooling process will proceed differently. Therefore, it's essential to ensure these sensors are not obstructed.
