A thermal conditioning system for conditioning a seat surface of a vehicle or other surface. The system includes a thermoelectric Peltier device with a main side and a waste side. A flap adjusts a proportion of an airflow between a main side airflow path and a waste side airflow path based on whether the surface is occupied, the power provided the thermoelectric Peltier device, the flow rates along the airflow paths, the power provided to a blower, and/or other factors.

Disclosed is a connector, comprising a base including one or more supports extending from the base, a diverter that is offset from the base via the one or more supports, and a passage defined in the base having a size that is substantially the same as a size of the diverter. The diverter is configured to extend through a layer in a climate control device. The diverter restricts the layer from obstructing the passage.

Vehicles and methods for cooling a cabin using a cold roof of the vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a roof, a cabin, and an insulation layer disposed between the roof and the cabin. The vehicle also includes a passage that fluidly couples the roof with the cabin. The passage is switchable between an open mode and a closed mode. The passage is switched between the open mode and the closed mode depending on a relationship between a roof temperature, a cabin temperature, and/or a threshold temperature. The passage may be formed through the insulation layer or extend outside of the insulation layer fluidly coupling the roof with the cabin.

Disclosed is a connector, comprising a base including one or more supports extending from the base, a diverter that is offset from the base via the one or more supports, and a passage defined in the base having a size that is substantially the same as a size of the diverter. The diverter is configured to extend through a layer in a climate control device. The diverter restricts the layer from obstructing the passage.

A method and system for a responsive climate control interface are disclosed. The climate control interface includes an interactive element further comprised of a climate settings map and a climate setting selector. The climate setting selector can be moved to different locations on the climate settings map in order to select a climate setting with a particular temperature and fan speed. The appearance of both the climate settings map and the climate setting selector can be changed as the climate change selector is moved in order to visually indicate temperature and fan speed settings. The system also includes a haptic feedback module that can convert climate settings into haptic feedback levels.

A vehicular temperature regulating system and panel assembly including a touch panel configured to be heated or cooled within a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a support structure are provided. The assembly includes a touch panel made of a substantially rigid or semirigid, thermally conductive, polymeric material. The touch panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. The assembly also includes a thermoelectric heater/cooler including an array of thermoelectric devices in heat transfer relationship with the touch panel and is configured to pump heat when energized by an electrical power source of the vehicle. Heat conductive properties of the polymeric material allow the touch panel to transfer heat either to or from substantially the entire touch surface of the touch panel to heat or cool, respectively, the touch surface via thermal conduction. Thermal comfort of a passenger within the compartment is thereby improved.

A vehicle air conditioner blows conditioned air towards interior finishing materials of a vehicle prior to a vehicle occupant boarding the vehicle. Consequently, the interior finishing materials can be cooled or warmed before a vehicle occupant boards the vehicle. Alternatively, when a vehicle occupant has boarded the vehicle, conditioned air is blown towards the vehicle occupant who has boarded the vehicle. Accordingly, air can be blown directly onto a vehicle occupant at the same time as hot or cold sensations imparted from the interior finishing materials to the vehicle occupant are reduced.

The interior member includes a base material part and a skin part disposed on one surface side of the base material part. The skin part is provided with an air passage part through which air that is temperature-adjusted to a predetermined temperature passes. The air passage part has a passing resistance member (a knitted fabric part that gives passing resistance to the air passing through the air passage part. Also, the air that is temperature-adjusted may be distributed from air sent out from an air conditioner installed in a vehicle, a building, or the like. Further, examples of the passing resistance member include three-dimensional knitted fabrics (such as a double raschel knitted fabric or a circular knitted fabric) and nonwoven fabrics.

Systems and methods are provided for thermal control using vascular channels. Vascular channels are incorporated in a network within a component. The component is a part of a manufactured environment configured for occupants. A fluid circuit is connected with the vascular channels and circulates a fluid through the component to alter a thermal state of the component.

A thermal shield comprises an insulation layer having a space defined therein, wherein a low-conductivity material fills the space, and a valve configured to connect to a vacuum to remove air from the space, thereby increasing insulating properties of the insulation layer.