Patent classifications
B60H1/00892
Vehicle microclimate system and method of controlling same
A vehicle microclimate system includes a microclimate device that is configured to be arranged within an interior space that provides a macroclimate environment to an occupant. The microclimate device is configured to provide a microclimate environment to the occupant. The microclimate device is configured to be in close proximity to a region of the occupant having an increased thermoreceptive response compared to other occupant regions exposed to the macroclimate environment. A controller is in communication with the microclimate device. The controller is configured to determine an occupant personal comfort and automatically command the microclimate device in response to the occupant personal comfort to achieve a desired occupant personal comfort.
Climate Control
Some embodiments provide a vehicle climate control system for controlling climate conditions in various cabin regions of a vehicle cabin, where the climate control system is configured to control one or more vehicle components to change the set of climate conditions associated with one or more cabin regions to approximate a set of optimal comfort conditions. The climate control system controls various vehicle components to control climate conditions, including window assemblies, sunroof assemblies, etc. The climate control system determines optimal comfort conditions which optimize perceived temperature of various occupant body parts and maintain various climate characteristics within one or more sets of thresholds. Output configurations of various vehicle components can be determined based at least in part upon determined optimal comfort conditions of various cabin regions. Output configurations can be generated based at least in part upon various control mode priorities.
VEHICLE CABIN THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A vehicle cabin thermal management system includes a first heat exchange system adapted to operate primarily based upon a convective mode of heat transfer within a vehicle cabin, a second heat exchange system adapted to operate primary based upon a non-convective mode of heat transfer within the vehicle cabin, and a controller in communication with the first heat exchange system and the second heat exchange system, wherein the controller controls a thermal output of the second heat exchange system, and wherein the controller controls the first heat exchange system to reduce the operating level of the first heat exchange system in response to the controller operating the second heat exchange system.
Control Modification Based on Perceived Environmental Condition
An electronic device that automatically modifies an environmental control is described. During operation, the electronic device may acquire, using the one or more sensors, a measurement within an environment that is external to the electronic device, where the measurement includes a non-contact measurement associated with a window or one or more biological lifeforms in the environment. Then, the electronic device may determine an environmental condition based at least in part on the measurement. Next, the electronic device may automatically modify the environmental control associated with the environment based at least in part on the environmental condition. For example, the environmental condition may include perception of temperature in the environment by a biological lifeform in the environment, and the environment control may adapt a temperature in at least a portion of the environment that includes the biological lifeform.
VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE AND VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE
A comfort sensation calculation unit quantitatively calculates comfort sensation of an occupant from an RRI of the occupant A, and a target control value of a thermal environment control device is set based on the comfort sensation of the occupant. Therefore, it is possible to achieve air conditioning control that reflects the comfort sensation of the occupant. When a signal output from the comfort sensation calculation unit and a signal output from the occupant thermal sensation calculation unit do not correspond to each other, the signal output from the comfort sensation calculation unit is corrected, and the target control value is determined.
Wearable article detection and climate adjustment system for a vehicle interior
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to automatically adjusting a climate of a vehicle based on detecting the type of clothing a vehicle occupant is wearing. In one embodiment, the method includes, in response to acquiring an identifier from a reader, where the identifier being associated with a tag affixed to a wearable article in proximity of the reader, determining a type of the wearable article based on the identifier. The method includes controlling a climate control system based at least in part on the type of the wearable article.
Work vehicle with flap for cab pressure control
A cab for a work vehicle includes: walls enclosing a cab environment; a door coupled to one of the walls, one of the walls or the door comprising a vent opening; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system coupled to the cab environment and configured to regulate a temperature and a pressure of the cab environment; and a pressure control flap associated with the vent opening and comprising a pressure-relief opening and a magnetic portion that is configured to hold the flap closed when the pressure of the cab environment is below a threshold pressure and allow the pressure to open the flap when the pressure exceeds the threshold pressure.
Climate control
Some embodiments provide a vehicle climate control system for controlling climate conditions in various cabin regions of a vehicle cabin, where the climate control system is configured to control one or more vehicle components to change the set of climate conditions associated with one or more cabin regions to approximate a set of optimal comfort conditions. The climate control system controls various vehicle components to control climate conditions, including window assemblies, sunroof assemblies, etc. The climate control system determines optimal comfort conditions which optimize perceived temperature of various occupant body parts and maintain various climate characteristics within one or more sets of thresholds. Output configurations of various vehicle components can be determined based at least in part upon determined optimal comfort conditions of various cabin regions. Output configurations can be generated based at least in part upon various control mode priorities.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVE VEHICLE CABIN OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM
Methods and apparatus are provided for active vehicle cabin occupant protection system. The method includes detecting a vehicle cabin temperature using a cabin thermal sensor, engaging a vehicle fan and opening a vehicle outside air ventilation duct in response to the vehicle cabin temperature exceeding a first threshold temperature, and starting a vehicle engine and engaging a vehicle air conditioning system in response to the vehicle cabin temperature exceeding a second threshold temperature wherein the second threshold temperature is greater than the first threshold temperature.
Adaptive radiant heating system and method for achieving vehicle occupant thermal comfort
A method of regulating thermal comfort of an occupant of a vehicle cabin uses a radiant heating tile powered via an energy storage device to generate thermal energy. The method also includes detecting the occupant's position via a position sensor and detecting the occupant's surface temperature and detecting a temperature of the tile via at least one temperature sensor. The method additionally includes determining, via an electronic controller, a rate of change of occupant's surface temperature and a difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature relative to a predetermined temperature set-point. The method further includes regulating, via the electronic controller, a power input from the energy storage device to the tile in response to the determined rate of change of the surface temperature and the determined difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature to thereby regulate the occupant's surface temperature.