Patent classifications
B60H1/00642
INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An integrated thermal management system includes a cooling circuit having a component thermal conditioning circuit, a battery thermal conditioning circuit, a cabin heating circuit, a cabin cooling circuit and a valve group configured for selectively interconnecting or isolating the component thermal conditioning circuit, the battery thermal conditioning circuit, the cabin heating circuit and the cabin cooling circuit.
VEHICLE OPERATION WITH INTERCHANGEABLE DRIVE MODULES
Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of modules that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.
VEHICLE CABIN THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A vehicle includes a climate control system to thermally precondition a passenger cabin and a controller programmed to obtain a vicinity temperature from a vehicle sensor and receive location temperature data from a remote source. The controller is also programmed to activate the climate control system in advance of an upcoming trip and to set a first precondition criteria based on the vicinity temperature when the vicinity temperature is within a threshold range of the location temperature data. The controller is further programmed to set a second precondition criteria based on the location temperature data when the vicinity temperature is outside of the threshold range.
REAR CABIN THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Systems and methods for mitigating a thermal impact on a vehicle cabin caused by a battery thermal-management system, include determining a status of vehicle climate control system; determining whether a battery thermal-management system of the vehicle is operating above a determined threshold; and if the vehicle climate control system is active and the battery thermal-management system of the vehicle is operating above the determined threshold, adjusting at least one of a plurality of cabin temperature control parameters to mitigate a thermal impact of the battery thermal-management system on a rear portion of the vehicle cabin.
ON-BOARD ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR
An on-board electric compressor that comprises: a housing; a compression unit; an electric motor; and an inverter device. The inverter device comprises: an inverter circuit that converts direct current power to alternating current power; and a noise reduction unit that is provided on an input side of the inverter circuit and that reduces common mode noise and normal mode noise that are included in the direct current power. The noise reduction unit comprises: a common mode choke coil; and a smoothing capacitor that, in cooperation with the common mode choke coil, constitutes a low pass filter circuit. The common mode choke coil has: a core that has a first core part and a second core part; a first winding that is wound around the first core part; and a second winding that is wound around the second core part.
Climate control system with slit-vent fluid delivery
A climate control system includes a fluid delivery module. The fluid delivery module includes a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet with the outlet having an elongated, slit-like shape and is not visible within a sight line of a user. The fluid delivery module further includes a fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet and movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing.
Vehicle with interchangeable drive modules
Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of modules that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.
COOLANT SYSTEM VISUAL LEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An electrified vehicle powered by a traction battery includes a coolant loop arranged to convey coolant through at least a radiator, a chiller, and the traction battery to transfer heat from the battery. The vehicle also includes a refrigerant loop in fluid communication with the chiller to selectively circulate refrigerant through the chiller to provide supplemental heat transfer from coolant conveyed through the chiller. The vehicle further includes a vision system having at least one camera with a field of view including a vicinity of the radiator and a controller programmed to detect a radiator coolant leak based on image data output from the vision system. The controller is also programmed to cause a bypass of the radiator within the coolant loop to stop conveyance of coolant through the radiator in response to detecting a coolant leak.
Apparatus and method for providing climate and comfort control while optimizing the fuel economy of a motor vehicle
A fuel economy and comfort control apparatus is provided for a motor vehicle. That apparatus includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The controller is configured to determine and advise an operator of the motor vehicle of the most fuel efficient mode of operating a climate control system of the motor vehicle to maintain occupant comfort while optimizing fuel efficient operation of the motor vehicle. A related method is also disclosed.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT DEFROST OF A TRANSPORT CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM EVAPORATOR
A method for directing thermal energy to an evaporator of a transport climate control circuit of a transport climate control system is provided. The method includes a controller determining whether the climate control circuit is operating in a start-stop cooling mode. Also, the method includes the controller determining a thermal energy charge of the thermal storage reservoir when the climate control circuit is operating in the start-stop cooling mode. The method also includes determining whether the thermal energy charge is greater than a charge threshold. Further, the method includes determining whether the climate control circuit is operating in a stop portion of the start-stop cooling mode when the thermal energy charge is greater than the charge threshold. The method further includes transferring thermal energy from the thermal storage reservoir to an evaporator when the climate control circuit is operating in the stop portion of the start-stop cooling mode.