Abstract: An HVAC module for a vehicle includes an upper airflow from an evaporator having an upper hot branch through a heater core and an upper cold branch that bypasses the heater core. A lower airflow from the evaporator has a lower hot branch through the heater core and a lower cold branch that bypasses the heater core. An upper barrel door is to select an upper blend setting of the upper airflow directed through the upper hot branch and through the upper cold branch. A lower barrel door is to select a lower blend setting of the lower airflow directed through the lower hot branch and through the lower cold branch. The upper hot branch and the lower hot branch are connected to a rear duct connected to an upper blend zone. The upper cold branch feeds the upper blend zone. The lower cold branch feeds the rear duct.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller includes a housing defining a first and a second fluid path. A first door is in the first fluid path to selectably control a first flow through the first fluid path in response to a rotation of a first lever. A second door is in the second fluid path to selectably control a second flow through the second fluid path in response to a rotation of a second lever. A flexible kinematic link is to connect an actuator arm rotatable about an actuator arm axis to the first lever via first pin joints for rotation of the first door about the first pivot axis. A flexible link length is responsive to a compressive and a tensile load. A rigid link is to connect the actuator arm to the second lever via second pin joints for rotation of the second door about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: An injection molded housing includes a first piece, a second piece, and a wall defined by the first piece removably joined to the second piece by a joint at abutting surfaces of the first piece and the second piece. A central catch is integrally molded with the first piece, protruding from the wall. A latch is integrally molded with the second piece, and connected to the second piece first and second living hinges. A half-knuckle is integrally molded with the second piece, protruding from the wall. A hinge pin is fixedly attached to the latch. The latch is bendable at the living hinges to align the hinge pin with the half-knuckle. The latch is rotatable about the hinge pin to engage the central catch and selectably prevent the first piece from being disengaged from the second piece.

Abstract: A heater core includes a plurality of plate pairs. Each plate pair defines a respective fluid flow chamber. Each plate pair has a proximal plate defining a respective proximal plate plane and a distal plate defining a respective distal plate plane. Each of the proximal plate planes and the distal plate planes are parallel. Each plate pair has bilateral symmetry about a medial plane orthogonal to the proximal plate planes. A circular inlet aperture is defined in each respective proximal plate and each respective distal plate of the plurality of plate pairs. Each inlet aperture has a center on the medial plane. The inlet apertures are aligned on a common inlet aperture axis. A circular outlet aperture is defined in each respective proximal plate and each respective distal plate of the plurality of plate pairs. Each outlet aperture has a center on the medial plane.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller includes a housing defining a first and a second fluid path. A first door is in the first fluid path to selectably control a first flow through the first fluid path in response to a rotation of a first lever. A second door is in the second fluid path to selectably control a second flow through the second fluid path in response to a rotation of a second lever. A flexible kinematic link is to connect an actuator arm rotatable about an actuator arm axis to the first lever via first pin joints for rotation of the first door about the first pivot axis. A flexible link length is responsive to a compressive and a tensile load. A rigid link is to connect the actuator arm to the second lever via second pin joints for rotation of the second door about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: An injection molded housing includes a first piece, a second piece, and a wall defined by the first piece removably joined to the second piece by a joint at abutting surfaces of the first piece and the second piece. A central catch is integrally molded with the first piece, protruding from the wall. A latch is integrally molded with the second piece, and connected to the second piece first and second living hinges. A half-knuckle is integrally molded with the second piece, protruding from the wall. A hinge pin is fixedly attached to the latch. The latch is bendable at the living hinges to align the hinge pin with the half-knuckle. The latch is rotatable about the hinge pin to engage the central catch and selectably prevent the first piece from being disengaged from the second piece.

Abstract: An HVAC module for a vehicle includes an upper airflow from an evaporator having an upper hot branch through a heater core and an upper cold branch that bypasses the heater core. A lower airflow from the evaporator has a lower hot branch through the heater core and a lower cold branch that bypasses the heater core. An upper barrel door is to select an upper blend setting of the upper airflow directed through the upper hot branch and through the upper cold branch. A lower barrel door is to select a lower blend setting of the lower airflow directed through the lower hot branch and through the lower cold branch. The upper hot branch and the lower hot branch are connected to a rear duct connected to an upper blend zone. The upper cold branch feeds the upper blend zone. The lower cold branch feeds the rear duct.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing defining a flow path having three ports. A door in the flow path selectably controls a flow through the flow path in response to a rotation of a lever. Three seal flanges, each define one of the three ports. The door has three selectable closed positions including a first port closed position, a second port closed position, and a third port closed position. A resilient seal is compressed between a sealing face of the door and each of the three seal flanges respectively in turn when the door is in each of the closed positions. The door has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis. The door is alternatively rotatable about the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis to selectably close, each individually and separately in turn, the three ports.

Abstract: A heater core includes a plurality of plate pairs. Each plate pair defines a respective fluid flow chamber. Each plate pair has a proximal plate defining a respective proximal plate plane and a distal plate defining a respective distal plate plane. Each of the proximal plate planes and the distal plate planes are parallel. Each plate pair has bilateral symmetry about a medial plane orthogonal to the proximal plate planes. A circular inlet aperture is defined in each respective proximal plate and each respective distal plate of the plurality of plate pairs. Each inlet aperture has a center on the medial plane. The inlet apertures are aligned on a common inlet aperture axis. A circular outlet aperture is defined in each respective proximal plate and each respective distal plate of the plurality of plate pairs. Each outlet aperture has a center on the medial plane.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing defining a flow path having three ports. A door in the flow path selectably controls a flow through the flow path in response to a rotation of a lever. Three seal flanges, each define one of the three ports. The door has three selectable closed positions including a first port closed position, a second port closed position, and a third port closed position. A resilient seal is compressed between a sealing face of the door and each of the three seal flanges respectively in turn when the door is in each of the closed positions. The door has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis. The door is alternatively rotatable about the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis to selectably close, each individually and separately in turn, the three ports.

Abstract: A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream flowing through the air passage to separate water droplets from the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A gutter is coupled to the terminal end of the diverter wall and extends into the air passage. The gutter defines a drainage channel configured to receive the water droplets that form on the diverter wall for preventing the water droplets from reentering the air stream flowing through the air stream passage.

Abstract: A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A filter assembly is disposed through a receiving slot in the diverter wall and is within the air passage downstream of the terminal end.

Abstract: A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream flowing through the air passage to separate water droplets from the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A gutter is coupled to the terminal end of the diverter wall and extends into the air passage. The gutter defines a drainage channel configured to receive the water droplets that form on the diverter wall for preventing the water droplets from reentering the air stream flowing through the air stream passage.

Abstract: A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A filter assembly is disposed through a receiving slot in the diverter wall and is within the air passage downstream of the terminal end.

Abstract: Temperature control system at the outlet from at least one distribution opening (10, 11) of a transit chamber (30) of a heating and air conditioning device. According to the invention, said system comprises a plurality of air ducts (20, 50) passing through the transit chamber (30) as far as the distribution opening (10, 11). Automobile vehicle ventilation, heating and air conditioning application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air distribution for vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems having a preferably semi-lateral HVAC architecture configuration. The semi-lateral HVAC system provides for a bend or turn in the housing between the evaporator and heating means of the HVAC unit wherein a rotational device with moveable vanes is located, to provide improved air flow temperature and flow control over traditional lateral HVAC architectures, while employing less space and a lower piece count.

Abstract: Single imaging sensor positioning methods and apparatus for use in a vehicle protection system are disclosed. The vehicle protection system employs a single imaging sensor in order to obtain imaging information or imaging data related to a vehicle and its occupants. The vehicle protection system uses the imaging data to condition appropriate deployment of automated vehicle safety and security features and mechanisms. In particular, the imaging sensor is positioned according to a combination of one or more sensor positioning constraints, so as to optimize the usefulness of the imaging data provided by the sensor. In one embodiment, imaging sensor positioning constraints are described with respect to a lateral-vertical (Y-Z) position restriction plane, a fore-aft (X-Z) position restriction plane, and an intersection of the Y-Z and X-Z position restriction planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a tester and related methods for testing vehicular safety restraint systems, and more particularly, to testers and related methods for testing airbag suppression systems. A tester or method for testing an airbag suppression system according to the invention simulates movement of a vehicle occupant into a suppression zone by causing an occupant model to move toward the suppression zone, wherein a generally rotational motion and a generally linear motion of the occupant model are independently controllable by a positioning assembly. A control assembly according to the invention is able to identify the actual position of the occupant model at the time the suppression system detects the occupant model entering the suppression zone. This position may be used to evaluate the performance of the suppression system.

Abstract: Temperature control system at the outlet from at least one distribution opening (10, 11) of a transit chamber (30) of a heating and air conditioning device. According to the invention, said system comprises a plurality of air ducts (20, 50) passing through the transit chamber (30) as far as the distribution opening (10, 11). Automobile vehicle ventilation, heating and air conditioning application.

Abstract: An airbag deployment system employing an imaging sensor in order to obtain current information about an occupant is disclosed. The system uses the occupant information to condition the appropriate deployment of the airbag. In particular, the imaging sensor is located according to a combination of one or more constraints, so as to optimize the usefulness of the resulting image information. Location constraints are described in detail with respect to an Airbag Suppression Zone, a windshield header, a vehicle headliner, a radius from a reference Focus Of View point, and a vertical volume containing the seat of the protected occupant. At least one version of all such constraints may be imposed concurrently, or a more limited combination of constraints may be imposed on the camera location.