Vehicle comfort system with efficient coordination of complementary thermal units
US9150132B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60N2/002
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An HVAC comfort system operates in a cabin of a vehicle. A plurality of vehicle status parameters are measured including a cabin temperature and a seat occupancy configuration. The method detects whether the vehicle status parameters correspond to a predetermined override state. When the vehicle status parameters correspond to the predetermined override state, then a respective mandated setting is automatically activated. Unless prevented by the mandated setting, one of a plurality of HVAC modes is automatically selected in response to the cabin temperature and other inputs, wherein the HVAC modes include an extremity heating mode and a panel circulation mode. The extremity heating mode is comprised of automatic activation of a touchpoint heated surface and other outputs in response to the seat occupancy configuration. The panel circulation mode is comprised of automatic activation of one or more zones for convective cooling in response to the seat occupancy configuration and may include activating other cooling devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.