A method is provided for operating a fuel-operated vehicle heater (10) during a start phase of combustion operation. The heater includes a combustion air feed device (26) feeding air and a fuel feed device (22) feeding fuel (B) to a burner area (12) with a combustion chamber (16). An electrically energizable ignition element (32) ignites a fuel/air mixture formed. The method includes energizing the ignition element (32) in a preheating phase prior to the fuel feed, at a time of entry into an ignition phase, detecting electrical resistance of the ignition element (32) and determining a desired resistance based on the electrical resistance of the ignition element (32) detected and operating the ignition element (32) in a resistance-regulating operating mode during the ignition phase such that an actual resistance of the ignition element (32) is in the range of the determined desired resistance of the ignition element (32).

A method of controlling a hybrid intercooler system integrated with an air conditioning system includes: starting operation of the air conditioning system by opening first and second air conditioning valves and operating a compressor, when an operation signal of the air conditioning system is determined to be applied; measuring a first temperature by measuring a temperature of compressed air at an outlet of the hybrid intercooler system, after the starting operation of the air conditioning system; and starting operation of a first water cooling unit by opening first and second bypass valves, when the measured first temperature exceeds a predetermined first reference temperature. This method stabilizes the temperature of intake air passing through the inlet of an intercooler using a water cooling unit and increases the cooling efficiency of the intercooler using an air cooling unit.

A vehicle heating device includes a heat storage material, a heat recovery unit, a footrest, and a heat controller. The vehicle heating device heats an occupant with heat stored in the heat storage material. The heat recovery unit recovers thermal energy from at least one of a heat source generated by a vehicle or a natural heat source from outside of the vehicle. The heat storage material stores the recovered thermal energy. The footrest is provided at a front portion of a vehicle seat disposed in a vehicle cabin, and has the heat storage material packed inside a heat insulating material. The heat controller heats the footrest by radiating the heat stored in the heat storage material at a predetermined timing with respect to the occupant to be on the vehicle.

The air-conditioning control device is configured to control an air conditioner for a vehicle having a radiant heater and to output a cancel signal that allows an engine, which has been stopped in response to an idling stop control, to restart. The radiant heater is configured to generate radiant heat to heat an occupant in a compartment of the vehicle. The air conditioner is configured to heat an interior of the compartment using engine cooling water. The air-conditioning control device stops the engine in response to the idling stop control. The air-conditioning control device outputs a cancel signal allowing the engine to restart following the engine having been stopped such that an idling stop time is longer when the radiant heater is operated than when the radiant heater is not operated.

A heating apparatus of the invention executes a first heating control for heating a heater core by a heat generation device when a process of heating the heater core is requested while an engine operation is stopped. The heating apparatus executes a second heating control for heating the cooling water which cooled an internal combustion engine, by the heat generation device and supplying the heated cooling water to the heater core when a heater core temperature is not increased to a requested temperature only by the heat generation device. The heating apparatus executes a third heating control for stopping the engine operation, heating the cooling water which cooled the internal combustion engine, by the heat generation device, and supplying the heated cooling water to the heater core when an engine temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature while the second heating control is executed.

An electric vehicle thermal management system is provided. The system includes an inside AC unit having an air inlet unit and an air outlet unit and a cooling core embedded therein. A heating core is disposed between the air outlet unit of the inside AC unit and the cooling core and a control door is disposed inside the inside AC unit to adjust air supply to the heating core. A first flow path circulates to pass through the heating core and includes an electric heater. A branch flow path is branched from downstream point of the heating core of the first flow path and passing through a high voltage battery heat exchange unit. A control valve is disposed in a branch point between the first flow path and the branch flow path and a second flow path circulates between a compressor and a condenser and the cooling core.

A heating arrangement may include at least one PTC heating device with at least one first PTC heating element. The PTC heating device includes at least one second PTC heating element that is distinct from the first PTC heating element, wherein the first and second PTC heating elements may be arranged in a through-flow direction next to one another. Alternatively, a further PTC heating device with at least one second PTC heating element that is distinct from the first PTC heating element may be provided, wherein the first and second PTC heating devices may be arranged in the through-flow direction next to one another.

Systems and methods for managing auto start of a vehicle during an auto-stop condition may include determining an operational status of a vehicle climate control system; receiving a target air outlet temperature from the vehicle climate control system; receiving data indicating a state of a heated seat of the vehicle; and inhibiting a start-vehicle command to restart the vehicle because of a cabin heating requirement when the data indicates that the heated seat of the vehicle is activated.

A vehicle climate control system includes a heat exchanger to heat ambient air using engine waste heat, and a plurality of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements to heat air passed through the heat exchanger. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to, while the vehicle is driven without engine propulsion, issue a command to sequentially de-energize the PTC heating elements before an upcoming engine activation. The sequential de-energization of the PTC heating elements is performed according to a schedule that is based upon a power surge dissipation time.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a vehicle cabin heating system, based on particulate filter (PF) regeneration prediction. In one example, a method includes predicting an amount of exhaust heat that may be recovered via an exhaust heat exchanger during an upcoming PF regeneration event, and prior to the PF regeneration event, adjusting an amount of electric power supplied to an electric heater of the cabin heating system. The amount of adjustment may be based on the predicted amount of exhaust heat that may be recovered.