Climate control system and method for a motor vehicle having a removable roof and side doors

Abstract

The present disclosure provides "Climate control system and method for a motor vehicle having a removable roof and side doors." A climate control system includes a plurality of vent registers; an HVAC unit that delivers conditioned air to the plurality of vent registers; a side door status monitoring device; and a controller configured to control opening and closing of the plurality of vent registers in response to side door status data provided by the side door status monitoring device. An associated climate control method is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document generally relates to the field of motor vehicle equipment, and more specifically to a new and improved climate control system and method, which is particularly suitable for motor vehicles equipped with removable roofs and removable side doors. Background Technology

[0002] Standard climate control systems are not designed to effectively and efficiently cool and heat occupants in motor vehicles equipped with openable or removable roofs and removable side doors. For example, when a side door is removed, the airflow from the vent dampers is essentially altered by the change in airflow caused by the removal of the side door. Therefore, in some cases, conditioned air delivered through the exterior dashboard vent dampers may be drawn away from the driver and front passenger, thus failing to provide beneficial comfort.

[0003] This document relates to a new and improved climate control system, which is particularly suitable for cooling and heating motor vehicle occupants in motor vehicles equipped with openable or removable roofs and removable side doors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a novel and improved climate control system is provided. The climate control system includes multiple ventilator dampers; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit that delivers conditioned air to the multiple ventilator dampers; a side door status monitoring device; and a controller. The controller is configured to control the opening and closing of the multiple ventilator dampers in response to side door status data provided by the side door status monitoring device.

[0005] In one possible embodiment of the climate control system, the plurality of vent regulators include: (a) a driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, (b) a driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, (c) a driver-side floor vent regulator, (d) a passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, (e) a passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and (f) a passenger-side floor vent regulator. In this embodiment, the controller may be configured to open and close the various vent regulators to provide heating and cooling to the occupants of the vehicle in the most efficient and effective manner possible, depending on the state of the side door: whether the side door is in place or removed.

[0006] Therefore, the controller can be configured to turn on the driver-side floor vent regulator and the passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door and the HVAC unit is in heating mode, and to turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator.

[0007] The climate control system may also include a seat occupant monitoring device. In this embodiment, the controller may be configured to turn on the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in heating mode.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the climate control system, the controller may be configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, and close the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner. In embodiments where the climate control system also includes a seat occupancy monitoring device, the controller may be configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner and the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, and close the driver-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner.

[0009] In other embodiments of the climate control system, the controller may be configured to turn on the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side floor vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an occupied front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode.

[0010] Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the climate control system may include a controller configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an occupied front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side floor vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

[0011] One or more possible embodiments of the climate control system may further include a roof condition monitoring device. In this embodiment, the controller may be configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to roof condition data provided by the roof condition monitoring device. In other embodiments of the climate control system, the climate control system may include an ambient temperature monitoring device. In this embodiment, the controller may be configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to ambient temperature data provided by the ambient temperature monitoring device.

[0012] According to another aspect, a new and improved climate control method is provided for a motor vehicle having a roof and removable side doors. The method can be broadly described as including the steps of: (a) monitoring the removal of one or more of the side doors via a side door status monitoring device, and (b) configuring a controller to control the opening and closing of a plurality of vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the removal of one or more of the side doors.

[0013] The climate control method may further include the steps of: monitoring the removal or opening of the roof via a roof status monitoring device, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of air vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the removal or opening of the roof. In one or more of many possible embodiments of the climate control method, the method may include the steps of: monitoring the occupancy of at least the front passenger seat of the motor vehicle via a seat occupancy monitoring device, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of air vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the occupancy of the front passenger seat. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments of the climate control method, the method may further include the steps of: monitoring the ambient temperature via an ambient temperature monitor, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of air vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the ambient temperature.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the climate control method, the method may include the following steps: configuring the controller to turn on the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front seat, and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in heating mode.

[0015] The climate control method may further include the following steps: configuring the controller to turn on the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in cooling mode, and to turn off the driver-side floor vent regulator and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

[0016] The climate control method may include the following steps: configuring the controller to turn on the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator and the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and turn off the driver-side floor vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door and the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in cooling mode.

[0017] The climate control method may further include the following steps: configuring the controller to turn on the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, driver-side floor vent regulator, passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit of the motor vehicle is in cooling mode.

[0018] Furthermore, the climate control method may include the following steps: configuring the controller to open the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side floor vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an occupied front passenger seat, and the HVAC system of the motor vehicle is in cooling mode.

[0019] In the following description, several preferred embodiments of a climate control system and related climate control method for a motor vehicle having a roof and removable side doors are shown and described. It should be appreciated that the climate control system and method can have other different embodiments, and several details thereof can be modified in various obvious aspects without departing from the climate control system and method set forth and described in the following claims. Therefore, the drawings and description should be considered illustrative in nature rather than limiting. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of this specification, illustrate various aspects of the climate control system and method, and together with the description, serve to explain certain principles of the climate control system and method.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of a new and improved climate control system for motor vehicles equipped with an openable or removable roof and removable side doors.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a side view of a motor vehicle, showing a removable roof and side doors mounted on the vehicle.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The view shown is of the motor vehicle, but it is shown that the roof and front side door have been removed.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows the interior of a motor vehicle and illustrates multiple ventilator regulators through which a climate control system delivers conditioned air from an HVAC unit into the vehicle's interior to heat or cool the occupants in the driver's and passenger seats.

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to current preferred embodiments of climate control systems and methods, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Now for reference Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a new and improved climate control system 10 for a motor vehicle 12, which includes an openable or removable roof 14 and removable side doors 16a, 16b, 16c (the passenger-side rear door is hidden from view). Figure 2 A motor vehicle 12 is shown, the motor vehicle 12 having a removable roof 14 and removable side doors 16a, 16b, 16c mounted in and in appropriate positions within the motor vehicle. Figure 3 Motor vehicle 12 is shown, wherein the removable roof 14 and the front removable side door 16a are removed, while the rear removable side door 16c is still shown in its proper position on the motor vehicle.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the climate control system 10 includes multiple ventilator dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 for delivering conditioned air to the multiple ventilator dampers, an HVAC unit 38, and a controller 30.

[0028] Controller 30 may include a computing device, such as a dedicated microprocessor or electronic control unit (ECU), which operates according to instructions from appropriate control software. Therefore, controller 30 may include one or more processors, one or more memories, and one or more network interfaces, all of which communicate with each other via a communication bus.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 30 is connected to various monitoring devices, including a side door status monitoring device 32, a roof status monitoring device 34, and an ambient temperature monitoring device 36. The side door status monitoring device 32 is connected to the driver's side door 16a and the front passenger door 16b and monitors their presence. In other embodiments not shown, where the vehicle 12 includes a removable rear door, the side door status monitoring device 32 may be connected to the driver's side rear door 16c and the passenger side rear door (not shown). Figure 1As further shown, controller 30 can also be connected to HVAC unit 38, which supplies conditioned air to the respective vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28. HVAC unit 38 may include temperature control 40 for controlling the temperature of the conditioned air supplied to the respective vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28; fan speed control 42 for controlling the force or speed of the air supplied through the respective vent dampers; and mode control 44 for switching the HVAC unit between cooling, ventilation, and heating modes. Temperature control 40, fan speed control 42, and mode control 44 may be directly connected to controller 30, or may be connected to another controller (not shown) connected to controller 30 via a communication bus.

[0030] like Figure 1 As further shown, the climate control system 10 also includes a first actuator 46 connected to the first vent damper 18, a second actuator 48 connected to the second vent damper 20, a third actuator 50 connected to the third vent damper 22, a fourth actuator 52 connected to the fourth vent damper 24, a fifth actuator 54 connected to the fifth vent damper 26, and a sixth actuator 56 connected to the sixth vent damper 28. These actuators 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and 56 open and close the respective vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 in response to a control signal from the controller 30, so as to allow or prevent conditioned air from passing through the vent dampers. Advantageously, the controller 30 operates via actuators 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 to allow independent control of the delivery of conditioned air from the HVAC unit 38 through vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28.

[0031] For the purposes described below, the first vent regulator 18 is the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the second vent regulator 20 is the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the third regulator 22 is the driver-side floor vent regulator, the fourth regulator 24 is the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the fifth regulator 26 is the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the sixth regulator 28 is the passenger-side floor vent regulator. Figure 4 The positions of the first vent air regulator 18, the second vent air regulator 20, the third vent air regulator 22, the fourth vent air regulator 24, the fifth vent air regulator 26, and the sixth vent air regulator 28 along the dashboard 60 of the motor vehicle in front of the driver's seat 62 and the front passenger seat 64 are shown.

[0032] The controller 30 is configured to control the flow of regulated air from the HVAC unit 38 through the respective vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, based on the operating mode of the HVAC unit as set by the mode control 44, the presence status of the front driver's side door 16a and the front passenger's side door 16b as indicated by the side door status monitoring device 32, the status of the openable or removable roof 14 as indicated by the roof status monitoring device 34, and the ambient temperature as indicated by the ambient temperature monitoring device 36. When the removable roof 14 and the removable driver's side door 16a and the front passenger's side door 16b are fixed in appropriate positions on the motor vehicle (e.g., when...), the airflow is controlled by the vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28. Figure 2 The configuration of the controller used to operate the climate control system 10 (as shown) is irrelevant to this specification and will therefore not be described in detail. However, the climate control system 10 is useful in climate control methods for motor vehicles equipped with an openable or removable roof 14 and removable side doors 16a, 16b, 16c. The method can be broadly described as including the steps of: monitoring the removal of one or more of the side doors 16a, 16b, 16c via a side door status monitoring device 32, and configuring the controller 30 to control the opening and closing of a plurality of vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 in response to the removal of one or more side doors. Furthermore, the climate control method may include monitoring the removal or opening of the roof 14 via a roof status monitoring device 34, and configuring the controller 30 to control the opening and closing of a plurality of vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 in response to the removal or opening of the roof.

[0033] Furthermore, the controller 30 may be connected to a seat occupancy monitoring device 35, which is adapted or configured to monitor the occupancy of at least the front passenger seat 64. Such a seat occupancy monitoring device may include any device suitable for this purpose, including, for example, a camera, a weight sensor, a presence detector, etc. Therefore, it should be understood that the climate control method may also include the steps of: monitoring the occupancy of at least the front passenger seat 64 of the motor vehicle 12 via the seat occupancy monitoring device 35, and configuring the controller 30 to control the opening and closing of a plurality of vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 in response to the occupancy of the front passenger seat. Additionally, the method may include the steps of: monitoring the ambient temperature via an ambient temperature monitoring device 36, and configuring the controller 30 to control the opening and closing of a plurality of vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 of the motor vehicle 12 in response to the ambient temperature.

[0034] Therefore, the controller 30 can be configured to open the third vent damper 22 and the sixth vent damper 28 and close the first vent damper 18, the second vent damper 20, the fourth vent damper 24, and the fifth vent damper 26 when the side door status monitoring device 32 detects the removal of the side door 16a and / or 16b and the HVAC unit 38 is in heating mode. Conversely, the controller 30 can be configured to open the third vent damper 22 and close the first vent damper 18, the second vent damper 20, the fourth vent damper 24, and the fifth vent damper 26 when the side door status monitoring device 32 detects the removal of the side door 16a and / or 16b, the seat occupancy monitoring device 35 detects an empty front passenger seat 64, and the HVAC unit 38 is in heating mode.

[0035] Furthermore, the controller 30 can be configured to open the first vent damper 18, the second vent damper 20, the fourth vent damper 24, and the fifth vent damper 26, and close the third vent damper 22 and the sixth vent damper 28, when the side door status monitoring device 32 detects the removal of the side door 16a and / or 16b and the HVAC unit 38 is in cooling mode. Furthermore, the controller 30 can be configured to open the first vent damper 18 and the second vent damper 20, and close the third vent damper 22, the fourth vent damper 24, the fifth vent damper 26, and the sixth vent damper 28, when the side door status monitoring device 32 detects the removal of the side door 16a and / or 16b, the seat occupancy monitoring device 35 detects an empty front passenger seat 64, and the HVAC unit 38 is in cooling mode.

[0036] Some motor vehicles 12 include exterior rearview mirrors 66 that create a vacuum aerodynamically generated by the airflow around the vehicle body and the mirrors during vehicle movement. In such motor vehicles, when the side doors 16a and 16b are removed, airflow from the outer dashboard air regulators (i.e., the first vent air regulator 18 and the fourth vent air regulator 24) can be drawn away from the driver and passengers and towards the outside of the passenger compartment. Therefore, in this case, any regulated air directed through the first vent air regulator 18 and the fourth vent air regulator 24 would be effectively wasted. Therefore, the controller 30 can also be configured to open only the second vent air regulator 20 and the fifth vent air regulator 26 at the center of the vehicle when the seat occupancy monitoring device 35 indicates the presence of the driver and passengers, the side door status monitoring device 32 indicates that the driver's side door 16a and the front passenger side door 16b are removed, and the HVAC unit 38 is in cooling mode. Conversely, if the seat occupancy monitoring device 35 indicates that the front passenger seat 64 is empty, the conditioned air from the HVAC unit 38 will be directed only through the second vent air conditioner 20 toward the driver in the driver's seat 62.

[0037] In summary, the climate control system 10 is primarily configured for or particularly suitable for motor vehicles including removable side doors 16a, 16b. In response to the presence or removal of side doors 16a, 16b, the climate control system 10 provides more efficient and effective operation in cooling and heating modes. Furthermore, the controller 30 is configured or adapted to further improve and control the flow of conditioned air from the HVAC unit 38 through these vent dampers by independently controlling the vent dampers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 via actuators 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56. This control is further improved by monitoring and responding to changes in ambient temperature, such as those monitored by the ambient temperature monitoring device 36, changes in the occupancy of the front seats 62, 64, such as those monitored by the seat occupancy monitoring device 35, and the removal or presence of the roof 14, such as those monitored by the roof status monitoring device 34.

[0038] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. In light of the foregoing teachings, obvious modifications and variations are possible. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the reasonable, lawful, and equitable scope.

[0039] According to the present invention, a climate control system is provided, comprising: a plurality of ventilator dampers; an HVAC unit that supplies conditioned air to the plurality of ventilator dampers; a side door status monitoring device; and a controller configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of ventilator dampers in response to side door status data provided by the side door status monitoring device.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the plurality of vent air regulators include: (a) an outer dashboard vent air regulator on the driver's side, (b) a center dashboard vent air regulator on the driver's side, (c) a floor vent air regulator on the driver's side, (d) an outer dashboard vent air regulator on the passenger's side, (e) a center dashboard vent air regulator on the passenger's side, and (f) a floor vent air regulator on the passenger's side.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to turn on the driver-side floor vent damper and the passenger-side floor vent damper, and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent damper, the driver-side center dashboard vent damper, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent damper, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent damper when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door and the HVAC unit is in heating mode.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including a seat occupant monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in heating mode, open the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator and the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the center dashboard vent regulator on the driver's side and close the outer dashboard vent regulator on the driver's side, the floor vent regulator on the driver's side, the outer dashboard vent regulator on the passenger's side, the center dashboard vent regulator on the passenger's side, and the floor vent regulator on the passenger's side.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an occupied front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side floor vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including a roof condition monitoring device, the controller being configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to roof condition data provided by the roof condition monitoring device.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including an ambient temperature monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to ambient temperature data provided by the ambient temperature monitoring device.

[0049] According to the present invention, a climate control method for a motor vehicle having a roof and removable side doors includes monitoring the removal of one or more of the side doors via a side door status monitoring device; and configuring a controller to control the opening and closing of a plurality of vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the removal of one or more of the removable side doors.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including monitoring the removal or opening of the roof via a roof status monitoring device, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of ventilation vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the removal or opening of the roof.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including monitoring the occupancy of the driver's seat and the front passenger seat of the motor vehicle via a seat occupancy monitoring device, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of air vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the occupancy of the front passenger seat.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including monitoring ambient temperature via an ambient temperature monitor, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of ventilation vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the ambient temperature.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including configuring the controller to open the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in heating mode.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including configuring the controller to open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and to close the driver-side floor vent regulator and the passenger-side floor vent regulator, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door and the HVAC unit of the motor vehicle is in cooling mode.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including configuring the controller to open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator and the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in cooling mode.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including configuring the controller to open the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, driver-side floor vent regulator, passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in cooling mode.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by including configuring the controller to open the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side floor vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects the occupancy of a front passenger seat, and the vehicle's HVAC unit is in cooling mode.

Claims

1. A climate control system, comprising: Multiple vent air regulators, wherein the multiple vent air regulators include: (a) an outer dashboard vent air regulator on the driver's side, (b) a center dashboard vent air regulator on the driver's side, (c) a floor vent air regulator on the driver's side, (d) an outer dashboard vent air regulator on the passenger's side, (e) a center dashboard vent air regulator on the passenger's side, and (f) a floor vent air regulator on the passenger's side. HVAC unit, which delivers conditioned air to the plurality of vent air conditioners; Side door status monitoring device; and A controller configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to side door status data provided by the side door status monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to open the driver-side floor vent damper and the passenger-side floor vent damper, and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent damper, the driver-side center dashboard vent damper, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent damper, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent damper when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door and the HVAC unit is in heating mode.

2. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in heating mode, open the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner.

3. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

4. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator and the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

5. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner.

6. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising a seat occupancy monitoring device, wherein the controller is configured to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an occupied front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side floor vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

7. The climate-control system of claim 1, further comprising: (a) a roof condition monitoring device, the controller being configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to roof condition data provided by the roof condition monitoring device; and (b) an ambient temperature monitoring device, the controller being configured to control the opening and closing of the plurality of vent dampers in response to ambient temperature data provided by the ambient temperature monitoring device.

8. A climate control method for a motor vehicle having a roof and removable side doors, comprising: The removal of one or more of the side doors is monitored by a side door status monitoring device; as well as The controller is configured to control the opening and closing of multiple air vent regulators of the motor vehicle in response to the removal of one or more of the removable side doors, and the controller is configured to open the driver-side floor air vent regulator and the passenger-side floor air vent regulator, and close the driver-side outer dashboard air vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard air vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard air vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard air vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of the side door and the HVAC unit of the motor vehicle is in heating mode.

9. The climate control method of claim 8, comprising monitoring the occupancy of the driver's seat and the front passenger seat of the motor vehicle via a seat occupancy monitoring device, and configuring the controller to control the opening and closing of the plurality of air vent dampers of the motor vehicle in response to the occupancy of the front passenger seat.

10. The climate control method of claim 9, further comprising configuring the controller to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in heating mode, open the driver-side floor vent air conditioner and close the driver-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, the driver-side center dashboard vent air conditioner, the passenger-side floor vent air conditioner, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent air conditioner, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent air conditioner.

11. The climate control method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the controller to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

12. The climate control method of claim 9, further comprising configuring the controller to, when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode, open the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator and the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator, and close the driver-side floor vent regulator, the passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, the passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and the passenger-side floor vent regulator.

13. The climate control method of claim 9, comprising: (a) The controller is configured to turn on the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, driver-side floor vent regulator, passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator, and passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an empty front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode; and (b) The controller is configured to turn on the driver-side center dashboard vent regulator and passenger-side center dashboard vent regulator and turn off the driver-side outer dashboard vent regulator, passenger-side outer dashboard vent regulator, driver-side floor vent regulator, and passenger-side floor vent regulator when the side door status monitoring device detects the removal of a side door, the seat occupancy monitoring device detects an occupied front passenger seat, and the HVAC unit is in cooling mode.

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