Individual HVAC climate control seats

Abstract

An automotive vehicle includes a seat assembly with one or more seat outlets for exhausting conditioned air to an occupant seat therein. A HVAC assembly operates in a warm-up mode and a cool-down for generating heated and cooled air to achieve a predetermined air temperature. An air selection module controls airflow from the HVAC assembly to air ducts for delivering air from the air selection module to the seat assembly. At least one seat valve moveable between open and closed positions controls air flow from the air selection module to one or more seat ducts. A purge valve moveable between open and closed positions vents air from the air selection module. The vehicle further includes a control system for closing the purge valve and opening at least one seat valve in response to the air temperature of the air from the HVAC assembly being at least the predetermined air temperature.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to thermally conditioning a seat in an automotive vehicle using an HVAC system of the vehicle.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]The thermal comfort of occupants in a vehicle is traditionally provided by the central heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) assembly of the vehicle controlled by the vehicle occupant. The occupant selects a predetermined air temperature indicating a desired air temperature at which to be thermally conditioned. In response, traditional HVAC assemblies operate in either a warm-up mode and / or a cool-down mode to generate heated and / or cooled air having a temperature approximately equal to the predetermined air temperature. The warmed and / or cooled air can be exhausted into the vehicle cabin, under the seat, and / or behind the seat via one or more air ducts. As a result, the occupant is heated and / or cooled by convection through the surrounding medi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The invention provided leverages the traditionally HVAC assembly to increase the warming and / or cooling effect desired by the vehicle occupant, thereby decreasing vehicle costs while increasing energy efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

In the case of heating, it takes time to warm the coolant due to the thermal inertia of the engine.

When initiating the warm-up mode, the occupant is typically not satisfied with the warming effect immediately generated at start-up.

Similarly, when initiating the cool-down mode, the occupant is typically not satisfied with the immediate cooling effect.

Although an auxiliary air-conditioning device can increase the warming and / or cooling effect desired by the occupant, the additional air-conditioning device increases vehicle cost.

Further, the additional air-conditioning device increases power consumption, thereby decreasing the overall energy efficiency of the vehicle.

Images