The invention relates to a thermal management system for a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the system comprising a processing unit arranged to: determine two terms that make up a thermal comfort index (TCI) value related to the passenger in the passenger compartment, one of the terms being a stationary term (TCIs) which is representative of the heat exchanges needed to keep the passenger in a state of stabilized thermal comfort, in particular obtained using a thermo-physiological model, in particular using the data representing (MET) the metabolic activity of the passenger. the other term being a dynamic term (TCId) representing one or more local and transitory imbalances of the thermal comfort state of the passenger, which are the result of: either a recent thermal stress experienced by the passenger, or a thermal stimulus intended to achieve a pleasant temporary sensation of heat or cold.

A boat protection system comprises a hub system and at least one auxiliary module. The hub system comprises a hub housing defining at least one hub guide portion, at least one hub electrical connector supported by the hub housing, and a DC bus operatively connected to the at least one hub electrical connector. The at least one auxiliary module comprises an auxiliary housing defining at least one auxiliary guide portion, at least one auxiliary electrical connector supported by the auxiliary housing, and at least one functional component. At least one hub guide portion engages at least one auxiliary guide portion to support at least auxiliary housing relative to the hub housing such that at least one hub electrical connector engages at least one auxiliary electrical connector. The at least one functional component of the at least one auxiliary module is operatively connected to the DC bus.

Methods and apparatus for vehicle HVAC control are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a portable device interface of a vehicle, the portable device interface to be communicatively coupled with a portable device, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system of the vehicle, where the HVAC control system is to be communicatively coupled to the portable device interface. The example apparatus also includes a processor to control the HVAC control system based on signals received at the portable device interface from the portable device.

Methods and systems are provided for heat sanitizing a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, responsive to receiving a request for sanitization of a vehicle interior, operating a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to heat the vehicle interior above an upper threshold temperature for a threshold duration. In this way, the HVAC system may be advantageously used to expose the vehicle interior to temperatures that kill or inactive microbes.

Examples of the present disclosure relate to techniques for headlamp heater control. In examples, a headlight assembly comprises a heater, which is used to prevent or remove condensation/precipitation on a lens of the headlamp assembly. Given it may be difficult for an individual to know when to manually turn the headlamp heater on, an electronic control unit (ECU) may evaluate a set of rules to determine when to automatically enable or disable the headlamp heater. The rules may be associated with atmospheric conditions outside the vehicle, the state of the vehicle (e.g., whether windshield wipers are turned on, whether windshield defog is enabled, whether a mirror heater is turned on, etc.), and/or user input received by an ECU of the vehicle, among other examples.

A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode and determining a risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode. The controller is configured to increase a climate control system blower speed to increase a rate of airflow provided by the currently-actuated climate control system operating mode. The controller may sequentially advance the climate control system operating mode through the outside air mode, air-conditioning mode, and defrost mode.

A laundry transport apparatus and method includes a container defining an interior area configured to accommodate a plurality of laundry carts, the container having a door movable between closed and open configurations to selectively allow access to said interior area. The apparatus includes a ventilation network to pass air to and from the interior area, the ventilation network including a pathogen identification and containment apparatus to detect, isolate and treat potentially harmful material within the soiled laundry. The laundry transport apparatus includes a self-cleaning assembly operable to spray cleaning solution upon the laundry carts if a pathogen detected. The laundry transport apparatus includes a solar module to power electrical systems and a conveyor assembly for convenient movement of a plurality of laundry carts. The laundry transport apparatus includes personal protective equipment that has been decontaminated using dry heat.

A method for determining a fresh air volume flow in a vehicle for transporting persons. A water vapor mass flow is introduced into, or generated in, a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The air humidity in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is measured and, once a quasi-stationary air humidity has been reached, the fresh air volume flow is calculated by considering the following: a fresh air volume flow [m.sup.3/h]; a mass of the evaporated water in the compartment [kg/h]; a number of people in the space; a water mass flow produced per person; a density of the fresh air (humid air) [kg/m.sup.3]; a is specific air humidity of the fresh air [kg/kg]; a density of the ambient air (humid air) [kg/m.sup.3]; and a specific air humidity of the ambient air [kg/kg]. There is also described a device for carrying out the method.

In a driving switching preparing section of a road wherein autonomous driving performed by an autonomous driving ECU or autonomous driving controller is switched to manual driving performed by a driver, an air conditioner ECU or an air conditioner controller is configured to prohibit air conditioner power cutting control.

A method for operating an air conditioning system for a vehicle for transporting persons. The air conditioning system, depending on the current number of passengers in a passenger compartment of the vehicle (level of occupation), controls a fresh air volume flow to be introduced into the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle in order to maintain a predefined minimum ambient air quality. The air conditioning system determines a total water mass flow, which is currently produced by the passengers in the passenger compartment, on the basis of air-conditioning measurement values and a current value for at least one operating parameter of the air conditioning system. From the total water mass flow and a predefined value for a water mass flow produced by a single passenger, the system determines the current number of passengers in the passenger compartment. There is also described an air conditioning arrangement for carrying out the method.