HVAC apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides an HVAC device for a vehicle. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path; a passage between the inlet and the outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path through the heat exchanger and a second path through the passage bypassing the heat exchanger; and a bypass door selectively covering the passage to control airflow through the first path and the second path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to HVAC equipment for a vehicle and, more particularly, to an evaporator blower assembly for controlling the temperature of air provided in a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Consumers often compare available features and functionality between vehicles when making purchasing decisions. Vehicle weight can reduce range and operating efficiency. Therefore, additional solutions are needed to provide the features and functionality consumers desire. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device for a vehicle includes: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path; a channel between the inlet and the outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path passing through the heat exchanger and a second path passing through the channel that bypasses the heat exchanger; and a bypass door that selectively covers the channel to control airflow through the first path and the second path.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - the heat exchanger is the only heat exchanger of the HVAC equipment, and wherein the heat exchanger contains a thermal fluid having an operating temperature determined at least in part by user input;

[0006] a restriction plate extending across the channel and configured to reduce airflow through the second path;

[0007] - the limiting plate includes a baffle;

[0008] - a first temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the air in the outlet;

[0009] - a second temperature sensor, located near the heat exchanger to monitor the temperature of the heat exchanger;

[0010] - an actuator configured to move the bypass door in response to a control signal;

[0011] a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the actuator and configured to transmit the control signal in response to at least one of the temperature of the air in the outlet and the temperature of the heat exchanger;

[0012] - the controller is configured to receive a target temperature set by a user and control the opening degree of the bypass door in response to the target temperature;

[0013] - the controller is configured to transmit a signal to the heat exchanger to adjust the operating temperature of the thermal fluid in response to the target temperature;

[0014] - a blower configured to draw air into the inlet, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the blower and the bypass door in response to the target temperature;

[0015] the housing defining a second outlet, and further comprising a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet and dividing the airflow path into a third path through the second passage that bypasses the heat exchanger; and a second bypass door that selectively covers the second passage to control airflow through the third path; and

[0016] - a partition downstream of the heat exchanger and dividing the first path into a plurality of outlet paths, each outlet path extending to a corresponding plurality of outlets.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) device for a vehicle includes a housing defining an inlet; an outlet; an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet; and a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path via a thermal fluid having an operating temperature determined at least in part by user input. The heat exchanger is the only heat exchanger of the HVAC device. A passageway is between the inlet and the outlet and divides the airflow path into a first path through the heat exchanger and a second path through the passageway that bypasses the heat exchanger.

[0018] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0019] a bypass door that selectively covers the passage to control airflow through the first and second paths; and an actuator configured to move the bypass door in response to a control signal;

[0020] a restriction plate extending across the channel and configured to reduce airflow through the second path;

[0021] - the limiting plate comprises a baffle; and

[0022] - a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the air in the outlet.

[0023] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device for a vehicle includes: a shell defining an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and an airflow path between the inlet and each of the first outlet and the second outlet; a heat exchanger arranged along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path; a first channel between the inlet and the first outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path through the heat exchanger and a second path through the first channel that bypasses the heat exchanger; a first bypass door that selectively covers the channel to control the airflow through the first path and the second path; a second channel between the inlet and the second outlet and dividing the airflow path into a third path through the second channel that bypasses the heat exchanger; and a second bypass door that selectively covers the second channel to control the airflow through the third path.

[0024] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0025] The controller is configured to receive a target temperature set by a user and control an opening degree of at least one of the first bypass door and the second bypass door in response to the target temperature.

[0026] These and other features, advantages, and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached figure:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle incorporating HVAC equipment according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a blower assembly for HVAC equipment of a vehicle; and

[0030] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of HVAC equipment for a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and some parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0032] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematic diagrams may be exaggerated or minimized to illustrate functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in various ways.

[0033] For the purpose of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to the following: Figure 1 The present invention relates to concepts of orientation in the present invention. However, it should be understood that the concepts described can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly indicated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0034] The presently described embodiments primarily reside in a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to vehicle climate control. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, with only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure being shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure with details that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0035] Overall reference Figures 1 to 3, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit of a climate control system is generally indicated at 10. Generally, the HVAC unit 10 can be configured to heat or cool a localized area of ​​a vehicle 12, such that multiple HVAC units 10 can be distributed in the vehicle 12 to provide localized climate control. The HVAC unit 10 can provide enhanced control by monitoring temperature and controlling airflow through and around the heating components of the HVAC unit 10. The HVAC unit 10 can also operate with increased efficiency by providing a single-core thermal fluid system. The HVAC unit 10 can also reduce complexity by omitting coolant valves for mixing multiple coolants for operating temperatures. Thus, the single-core thermal fluid and bypass features of the HVAC unit 10 can provide enhanced climate control operation, reduced weight, and increased efficiency.

[0036] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 3 The HVAC unit 10 includes a housing 14 that defines an inlet 16, a first outlet 18, a second outlet 20, and an airflow path 22 between the inlet 16 and each of the first and second outlets 18, 20. A heat exchanger 24 is disposed along the airflow path 22 for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path 22. A first passage 26 is disposed between the inlet 16 and the first outlet 18 and divides the airflow path 22 into a first path 28 passing through the heat exchanger 24 and a second path 30 bypassing the first passage 26. A first bypass door 32 selectively covers the passage to control airflow through the first and second paths 28, 30. A second passage 34 is disposed between the inlet 16 and the second outlet 20 and divides the airflow path 22 into a third path 36 passing through the second passage 34 bypassing the heat exchanger 24. A second bypass door 38 selectively covers the second passage 34 to control airflow through the third path 36.

[0037] It is contemplated that the inlet 16 described herein may refer to a fluid opening between a pressurizing fan (e.g., blower 40) upstream of the heat exchanger 24. Thus, the mechanism for pressurizing the air and the heat exchanger may be in a common housing, such as the housing 14. Thus, the housing 14 may define a single air inlet, and the inlet 16 may be a fluid connection between the air outlet of the blower in one portion of the housing 14 and another portion of the housing 14 in which the heat exchanger 24 is located.

[0038] The HVAC unit 10 can provide cooled air to zones of the vehicle 12. In some examples, the temperature of the thermal fluid of the heat exchanger 24 can be controlled to provide heated or cooled air. The HVAC unit 10 can include a blower 40 ( Figure 3), the blower may include a fan or the like for drawing air into the housing 14. The heat exchanger 24 may then cool the air to produce climate-controlled air. The temperature of the air may be controlled by controlling the temperature of the thermal fluid and / or the airflow rate (e.g., the speed of the blower 40). For example, the temperature of the thermal fluid may be controlled by the HVAC equipment 10 to heat or cool the air flowing through the heat exchanger. As will be further described herein, a bypass system may be used to provide more finely tuned control of multiple zones using a single heat exchanger 24 in the housing 14 and multiple bypass paths.

[0039] Now refer to Figure 1 , a vehicle 12 may incorporate multiple HVAC units 10, where each of the multiple HVAC units 10 corresponds to a specific location of the vehicle 12. For example, each HVAC unit 10 may be configured to heat / cool one or more portions of the cabin of the vehicle 12. In this example, the HVAC unit 10 is configured to heat / cool two zones in the vehicle 12 by incorporating two of the previously described bypass systems. In this manner, the HVAC unit can control the separate temperatures of the two zones using a single HVAC unit, and more specifically, a single heat exchanger 24.

[0040] It is conceivable that Figure 1 The locations of the HVAC equipment 10 shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary and non-limiting. For example, a single HVAC equipment 10 may be provided in a central area of ​​the vehicle 12 to control the temperature of each portion of the vehicle 12 using a bypass system for each zone of the vehicle 12 controlled by the HVAC equipment 10.

[0041] Now refer to Figure 2 , in the blower 40 ( Figure 3 ) shows the inner workings of the HVAC unit 10. The blower 40 may include a fan driven by electromechanical components that draws air and pressurizes the air within the housing 14 of the HVAC unit. Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the housing 14 may include an arcuate or generally circular shape, but the housing may be any shape. The blower 40 may be centrally located in the housing 14 and configured to draw air into the housing 14 to flow centrifugally around the blower 40 and into the housing 14. Figure 2 Thus, Figure 2 The inlet 16 shown in FIG. 1 may be downstream of the opening for air entering the housing 14 from the vehicle cabin or passenger compartment.

[0042] The housing 14 includes a diffuser 42 that can be downstream of the blower 40 and configured to distribute air toward the heat exchanger 24. Thus, the diffuser 42 can have a first width at the inlet 16 and a second width adjacent the heat exchanger 24 that is greater than the first width. This can allow the pressurized air to be dispersed or distributed at the heat exchanger 24. The housing 14 also includes one or more outlets 18, 20 that are downstream of the diffuser 42 and configured to provide climate-controlled air to one or more zones of the vehicle 12. Thus, the HVAC unit 10 can provide different climates to different portions of the vehicle 12 using a common heat exchanger by controlling multiple bypass doors 32, 38.

[0043] Continue to refer Figure 2 The heat exchanger 24 can be mounted in the housing 14 via one or more hooks 44 that protrude from the housing 14 and hold the heat exchanger 24 in place. For example, the heat exchanger 24 can be a single-core heat exchanger 24 that utilizes a single thermal fluid flowing through the coils or grids of the heat exchanger 24. The heat exchanger 24 can be the only heat exchanger 24 in the HVAC unit 10, allowing the thermal fluid to be temperature-controlled, thereby controlling the heating and cooling of the air passing through the heat exchanger 24. The thermal fluid can be a coolant or refrigerant, including at least one of Freon, glycol, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, or another thermal fluid. The temperature (e.g., operating temperature) of the thermal fluid can be controlled by a heat pump system or other thermal control system, such as a compressor and expansion device that can control the thermal capacity of the thermal fluid. In this example, the heat exchanger 24 does not include a coolant valve, but rather utilizes a common thermal fluid and controls the temperature of the common thermal fluid in the heat exchanger 24.

[0044] The housing 14 may include a divider 46 or a partitioning portion downstream of the heat exchanger 24 that can limit air mixing downstream of the heat exchanger 24. For example, the divider 46 can be a plate or other extension extending from the housing 14 toward the heat exchanger to further divide the airflow path 22 between the plurality of outlets 18, 20. For example, the divider 46 can include one or more partitioning portions that define one or more dividing planes that are generally orthogonal to the heat exchanger 24. In other examples, a center point or fin interacts with or is disposed proximate to the heat exchanger 24 to separate the outlets 18, 20 and form separate second and third paths 30, 36. A room 48 downstream of the heat exchanger 24 can be divided into a first space 50 and a second space 52 that can have different climates (e.g., temperatures). For example, the air flowing through the heat exchanger 24 can be heated or cooled to a common temperature, and the amount of air that is mixed with the heated / cooled air at the ambient temperature of the vehicle 12 or outside the vehicle 12 (if the air is drawn from the outside air) can vary depending on the position of the respective bypass doors 32, 38. Depending on the number of outlets 18, 20, the number of spaces can be more or less than two.

[0045] For example, during operation, the degree of opening of the first bypass door 32 may be different than the degree of opening of the second bypass door 38. The first bypass door 32 may exceed the degree of opening of the second bypass door 38, thereby causing more air at a first temperature (e.g., ambient temperature) to flow through the first bypass door 32 compared to the second bypass door 38. In this example, if the heat exchanger 24 is controlled to provide a cool thermal fluid such that the air flowing through the heat exchanger 24 is cooler than the air passing through the first passage 26 and the second passage 34, the climate-controlled air passing through the first outlet 18 may be warmer than the climate-controlled air passing through the second outlet 20.

[0046] Still refer to Figure 2, each of the bypass doors 32, 38 can be configured to interact with a lip 54 extending from the housing 14 when the bypass door is closed. Although shown as being pivotally connected to the clasp 44 that holds the heat exchanger 24, the bypass doors 32, 38 can alternatively be connected to the outer wall 56 of the housing 14 and extend toward the lip 54, which can be connected to the clasp 44. In this example, each bypass door extends from a proximal end 58 to a distal end 60, which can be movable along a motion curve P. When the bypass doors 32, 38 are fully closed, the distal end 60 can engage the lip 54 to block airflow through the passages 26, 34. In the closed position, all air from the inlet 16 passes through the heat exchanger 24. An actuator 62 (e.g., an electromechanical actuator 62) can be positioned at the proximal end of each bypass door for controlling the degree of opening of each bypass door. By controlling the degree of opening of the bypass doors 32 , 38 , the mixing of ambient air with the heated / cooled air at the outlets 18 , 20 is also controlled.

[0047] In this example, the second bypass door 38 includes an elbow portion 64 that can allow the second bypass door 38 to interact with a protrusion 66 formed by the outer wall 56. The elbow portion 64 can additionally or alternatively be incorporated into the first bypass door 32 when the first bypass door 32 is operated with the protrusion 66 in the first passage 26. In either example of the bypass doors 32, 38 (e.g., straight or non-straight), the degree of opening can control the temperature of the air exiting a given air outlet 18, 20.

[0048] Continue to refer Figure 2 A restrictor plate 68 may be operably coupled to each bypass door to equalize pressure between the inlet 16 and outlet 18, 20 (e.g., between air flowing through the heat exchanger 24 and air flowing through the bypass path). For example, each restrictor plate 68 may include a baffle or grille through which air passes when a given bypass door is at least partially open. The restrictor plates 68 may be mounted between the housing 14 and the clasp 44 and are generally independent of the corresponding bypass door. At least one downstream temperature sensor 70 may be disposed in at least one outlet 18, 20 in the housing 14 for measuring downstream air temperature. Although not shown in detail, a second temperature sensor may be positioned proximate to or engaged with the heat exchanger 24 to measure the temperature of the heat exchanger 24. For example, the second temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the heat exchanger's body or the temperature of the thermal fluid. The temperatures of the heat exchanger and the downstream air may be used by the HVAC unit 10 to control the degree of opening of the doors 32, 38 and / or the temperature of the thermal fluid.

[0049] Now refer to Figure 3The HVAC equipment 10 may include control circuitry configured to monitor and control various aspects related to climate control using the HVAC equipment 10. The control circuitry may include one or more controllers 72, such as a local controller 72 or a controller remote from the HVAC equipment 10, comprising a processor and memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the controller 72, cause the controller 72 to read from / write to inputs and outputs, respectively, to enhance climate control of the vehicle 12. The controller 72 may be on a controller area network (CAN) bus, which provides communication to one or more remote control devices. For example, if the HVAC equipment 10 controls one of many zones in the vehicle cabin, the remote control device may transmit instructions to the controller 72 of each HVAC equipment 10 to control the climate of the vehicle 12. A user interface 74 may also be provided on the CAN bus to allow a user to control the temperature of a given zone. While the user interface 74 is shown as a communication device, it is contemplated that the user interface 74 may be any control knob, button, or manual switch that can control the climate of a given zone in the vehicle 12. Thus, the user interface 74 may be any interface that allows a user to set the temperature.

[0050] In response to a user-set target temperature, controller 72 can control one or more components of HVAC system 10 via one or more signals. For example, controller 72 can communicate with blower 40 (via control of motor 76), bypass doors 32 and 38 (via actuator 62), heat exchanger 24 (and its components), downstream temperature sensor 70, and upstream temperature sensor 78 (e.g., an ambient temperature sensor). In operation, controller 72 receives a target temperature from the user and compares the target temperature to the temperature in a designated zone of vehicle 12. In response to the comparison (e.g., the difference between the target temperature and the ambient temperature), controller 72 controls actuator 62, heat exchanger 24, and blower 40. While adjusting these output components, controller 72 monitors downstream temperature sensor 70 and continues to compare the target temperature to the downstream temperature. If necessary, controller 72 takes corrective action. For example, controller 72 can fully close first bypass door 32 and increase or decrease the temperature of the hot fluid to adjust the temperature of the first zone controlled by first outlet 18 at a rate greater than the adjustment of the second zone controlled by second outlet 20.

[0051] In some examples, the controller 72 can determine a target operating temperature for the thermal fluid by comparing two target temperatures (one for the first zone and one for the second zone) to each other to determine a temperature range. For example, a first passenger can select a first target temperature for the first zone, and a second passenger can select a second temperature for the second zone, where the temperature of each zone is controlled by a single HVAC unit 10. Based on the difference between the target temperature (e.g., the difference) and the ambient temperature, the controller 72 can select an operating temperature for the thermal fluid that can support both temperatures. Continuing with this example, the controller 72 can control the position of the bypass doors 32, 38 via an activation signal to the actuator 62. The actuator 62 can include a valve, a motor 76, or another electromechanical device that can rotate or otherwise move the bypass doors 32, 38. The controller 72 can also use a sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor, a potentiometer, an encoder) to read the position of the bypass doors 32, 38 to confirm movement of the bypass doors 32, 38 and / or the actuator 62.

[0052] As used herein, the term "and / or" when applied to a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0053] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include additional elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises..." does not, without more constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0054] As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount, size, formula, parameter and other quantities and characteristics are not exact, nor do they need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint mentioned. Regardless of whether the endpoints of a value or range in this specification are described as "about", the endpoints of the value or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0055] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that a described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to indicate that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may indicate that values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0056] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0057] It will be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the foregoing constructions without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it will be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0058] According to the present invention, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path; a passage between the inlet and the outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path through the heat exchanger and a second path through the passage that bypasses the heat exchanger; and a bypass door that selectively covers the passage to control airflow through the first and second paths.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the heat exchanger is the only heat exchanger of the HVAC equipment, and wherein the heat exchanger contains a thermal fluid having an operating temperature determined at least in part by user input.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the invention further features a restriction plate extending across the passage and configured to reduce airflow through the second path.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the limiting plate comprises a baffle.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a first temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the air in the outlet.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor being close to the heat exchanger for monitoring the temperature of the heat exchanger.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the invention also features an actuator configured to move the bypass door in response to a control signal.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the actuator and configured to transmit the control signal in response to at least one of the temperature of the air in the outlet and the temperature of the heat exchanger.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive a target temperature set by a user, and control the opening degree of the bypass door in response to the target temperature.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the controller is configured to transmit a signal to the heat exchanger to adjust the operating temperature of the thermal fluid in response to the target temperature.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a blower configured to draw air into the inlet, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the blower and the bypass door in response to the target temperature.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the housing defines a second outlet, and the housing further includes: a second channel between the inlet and the second outlet and dividing the airflow path into a third path through the second channel that bypasses the heat exchanger; and a second bypass door that selectively covers the second channel to control the airflow through the third path.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a partition downstream of the heat exchanger and dividing the first path into a plurality of outlet paths, each outlet path extending to a corresponding plurality of outlets.

[0071] According to the present invention, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path via a thermal fluid having an operating temperature determined at least in part by user input, wherein the heat exchanger is the only heat exchanger of the HVAC unit; and a passageway between the inlet and the outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path through the heat exchanger and a second path through the passageway that bypasses the heat exchanger.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a bypass door that selectively covers the passage to control airflow through the first path and the second path; and an actuator configured to move the bypass door in response to a control signal.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the invention further features a restriction plate extending across the passage and configured to reduce airflow through the second path.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the limiting plate comprises a baffle.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the air in the outlet.

[0076] According to the present invention, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a housing defining an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and an airflow path between the inlet and each of the first outlet and the second outlet; a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path; a first passage between the inlet and the first outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path passing through the heat exchanger and a second path passing through the first passage bypassing the heat exchanger; a first bypass door selectively covering the passage to control airflow through the first path and the second path; a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet and dividing the airflow path into a third path passing through the second passage bypassing the heat exchanger; and a second bypass door selectively covering the second passage to control airflow through the third path.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive a target temperature set by a user, and control an opening degree of at least one of the first bypass door and the second bypass door in response to the target temperature.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path for selectively heating and cooling air in the airflow path; a channel between the inlet and the outlet and dividing the airflow path into a first path through the heat exchanger and a second path through the channel that bypasses the heat exchanger; as well as A bypass door selectively covers the passage to control airflow through the first path and the second path.

2. The HVAC unit of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is the only heat exchanger of the HVAC unit, and wherein the heat exchanger contains a thermal fluid having an operating temperature determined at least in part by user input.

3. The HVAC unit of claim 2, further comprising: A restriction plate extends across the passage and is configured to reduce airflow through the second path.

4. The HVAC unit of claim 3, wherein the restrictor plate comprises a baffle.

5. The HVAC unit of claim 1 , further comprising: A first temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of air in the outlet.

6. The HVAC unit of claim 5, further comprising: A second temperature sensor is located near the heat exchanger and is used to monitor the temperature of the heat exchanger.

7. The HVAC unit of claim 6, further comprising: An actuator is configured to move the bypass door in response to a control signal.

8. The HVAC unit of claim 7, further comprising: A controller is in communication with the temperature sensor and the actuator and is configured to transmit the control signal in response to at least one of the temperature of the air in the outlet and the temperature of the heat exchanger.

9. The HVAC equipment of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to receive a target temperature set by a user and control the opening degree of the bypass door in response to the target temperature.

10. The HVAC unit of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to transmit a signal to the heat exchanger to adjust the operating temperature of the thermal fluid in response to the target temperature.

11. The HVAC unit of claim 10, further comprising: A blower is configured to draw air into the inlet, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the blower and the bypass door in response to the target temperature.

12. The HVAC unit of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a second outlet, and the HVAC unit further comprises: a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet and dividing the airflow path into a third path through the second passage that bypasses the heat exchanger; as well as A second bypass door selectively covers the second passage to control air flow through the third path.

13. The HVAC device of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: A partition is downstream of the heat exchanger and divides the first path into a plurality of outlet paths, each outlet path extending to a corresponding plurality of outlets.

Images