A system for disinfecting an autonomous vehicle includes a light assembly having LEDs configured to emit UVC light into a passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The light assembly includes a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs. In examples, the heat sink is disposed in the path of forced air associated with a climate control system of the vehicle. The climate control system may be controlled based on a temperature proximate the LEDs and/or the heat sink. In some examples, the light assembly is integrated into the ceiling of the vehicle and can further include visible light emitters and/or other features.

An infrared (IR) heating module for a vehicle having a passenger cabin including at least one IR panel, a controller coupled to the at least one IR panel for controlling operation of the IR heating module, and a power supply coupled to the controller for supplying power to the IR heating module, where the at least one IR panel is adapted and configured to be installed in a roof within the passenger cabin of the vehicle. The IR heating module operates by detecting a temperature within a cabin of the vehicle based on an output of a thermostat within the vehicle, receiving a signal from the controller relating to the temperature detected, and initiating an operation of the at least one IR panel based on the received signal, where the at least one IR panel is installed within the roof of the vehicle.

There is provided a vehicle air conditioner which is capable of smoothly achieving a dehumidifying and heating mode without using an evaporation pressure adjustment valve, so that cost reduction is achievable. A controller executes a normal mode to control an operation of a compressor 2 on the basis of a radiator pressure PCI and control a valve position of an outdoor expansion valve 6 on the basis of a heat absorber temperature Te, and in this normal mode, when the valve position of the outdoor expansion valve 6 is maximized but the heat absorber temperature Te falls, the controller shifts to a heat absorber temperature control mode to control the operation of the compressor 2 on the basis of the temperature of a heat absorber 9 and generate heat from an auxiliary heater 23.

An air conditioner is disposed in a vehicle in which a driving device of a traveling power source is housed in an outer space separated from a cabin by a partition wall. The air conditioner includes: a temperature control unit that controls a temperature of air blown into the cabin; and plural air distribution ducts connected to the temperature control unit to guide temperature-controlled air having a temperature controlled by the temperature control unit to predetermined positions in the cabin. The temperature control unit is disposed in the outer space together with the driving device. Intermediate parts of the air distribution ducts located at least between the outer space and the cabin are bundled together and extended through a single insertion hole formed in the partition wall.

A heat pump system for a vehicle comprises a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning module as well as a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an internal condenser, and an external condenser. The module comprises a warm air path including the internal condenser, a cold air path formed independently from the warm air path, a purge flow path branching from the warm air path at a position downstream of the internal condenser with respect to a flow of air through the module, and a purge control door adjustable between a first position preventing fluid communication between the warm air path and the purge flow path and a second position allowing fluid communication between the warm air path and the purge flow path. The purge flow path provides fluid communication between the warm air path and the ambient environment.

A method of controlling an air conditioning system for a vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting a cooling mode while the vehicle is being driven and comparing a vent discharge temperature of air with a cooling target temperature set by a user. When the vent discharge temperature is greater than the cooling target temperature the compressor RPM is determined and air is introduced into the vehicle without passing through the interior heat exchanger and the electric heater. When the vent discharge temperature is less than the cooling target temperature, the compressor RPM is determined and a door in the system is opened to guide the air through the interior heat exchanger to heat the air is heated and then the vent discharge temperature is compared with the cooling target temperature again, and the electric heater is operated.

A computerized vehicle controller and routing method for a vehicle that has at least one of a gasoline powered engine and an electric powered engine.

A vehicular climate control system includes an airflow source operable to provide airflow within an interior cabin of a vehicle. An electronic control unit module (ECU module) is disposed at the vehicle and includes a heat-generating electronic component that, when the ECU module is electrically operated, generates heat at the ECU module. When the ECU module is electrically operated and the heat-generating electronic component of the ECU module generates heat at the ECU module and when the vehicular climate control system operates the airflow source to provide the airflow within the interior cabin of the vehicle, heat generated at the ECU module is dissipated from the ECU module and heats the airflow provided within the interior cabin of the vehicle.

A climate controlled steering device (10) for a vehicle including a hand control assembly (12) with air ducting (34), the climate controlled steering device (10) including a clock spring assembly (18) combined with a plenum (36) to guide HVAC air into the hand control assembly ducting (34) at a plurality of angular positions of the hand control assembly (12).

A phase-change energy storage air duct of an automobile air conditioning system. A phase-change energy storage unit (2) is configured inside an air duct (1) of an air conditioning system. By means of phase-change heat absorption or release, residual heat in the air is absorbed, and the heat is released to air with a lower temperature, so that energy is recycled to achieve energy saving. The temperature of air entering a room or a carriage is kept stable, and thus the user experience is improved. When the air conditioning system fails, the phase-change energy storage unit (2) can still utilize stored cooling capacity or heat to cool down or heat up air in the air duct, so that a supply of air can be kept stable for a period of time, and thus the user experience is improved. The present application also relates to an automobile air conditioning system.