Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described herein that provide a localized temperature solution to a local temperature issue. Sunloading on one side of a vehicle can create a localized heating issue for an occupant on the same side of the vehicle. An air curtain system on the driver's side of the vehicle can detect high sunloading and then direct airflow onto an interior surface of the vehicle such as a door and window. The airflow provides an ambient cooling solution between the occupant and the sun to mitigate the effects of high sunloading. The air curtain system can receive a further input to redirect airflow away from the interior surface and onto the occupant to provide a direct cooling solution to further mitigate the effects of high sunloading. Other features, including sensors and a control unit, for controlling the air curtain system are described herein.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described herein that provide a localized temperature solution to a local temperature issue. Sunloading on one side of a vehicle can create a localized heating issue for an occupant on the same side of the vehicle. An air curtain system on the driver's side of the vehicle can detect high sunloading and then direct airflow onto an interior surface of the vehicle such as a door and window. The airflow provides an ambient cooling solution between the occupant and the sun to mitigate the effects of high sunloading. The air curtain system can receive a further input to redirect airflow away from the interior surface and onto the occupant to provide a direct cooling solution to further mitigate the effects of high sunloading. Other features, including sensors and a control unit, for controlling the air curtain system are described herein.

Abstract: A thermal management system comprises a refrigerant loop that includes an inside condenser and an outside condenser. The inside condenser is configured to provide supplemental cooling to refrigerant in the refrigerant loop so that the outside condenser can operate at a mass flow rate that yields optimal efficiency. An inside condenser bypass line is used to route enough refrigerant around the inside condenser to allow the inside condenser to also operate at a mass flow rate that yields optimal efficiency.

Abstract: A fixed frame supports a movable seat structure. The movable seat structure is configured to move relative to the fixed frame. An air duct supported by the fixed frame supplies an air vent positioned on a rearward side of the fixed frame with air. Movement of the movable seat structure relative to the fixed frame has no effect on the position or orientation of the air vent.

Abstract: An air vent achieves selective vertical aiming of air by using a barrel comprising two vanes defining a central channel to selectively channel air, in varying proportions, into one or both of an upper air channel and a lower air channel. The upper air channel is configured to discharge air into a vehicle passenger cabin at a downward angle, and the lower air channel is configured to discharge air into the vehicle passenger cabin at an upward angle. Air discharged by the upper air channel impinges on and deflects air discharged by the lower air channel and vice versa, such that vertical aiming can be achieved by varying the mass flow rate of air through the upper and lower air channels.

Abstract: An air vent achieves selective horizontal aiming of air flowing through the air vent by rotating a shaft that extends across the air vent and to which a plurality of vanes are fixedly attached. The vanes are mounted to the shaft at an angle, such that rotation of the shaft changes the angle of the vanes relative to the air flowing through the air vent. Each vane is a cylindrical section and has a circular perimeter when viewed along the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A fixed frame supports a movable seat structure. The movable seat structure is configured to move relative to the fixed frame. An air duct supported by the fixed frame supplies an air vent positioned on a rearward side of the fixed frame with air. Movement of the movable seat structure relative to the fixed frame has no effect on the position or orientation of the air vent.

Abstract: An HVAC module is mounted in a front compartment of a vehicle, proximate a wall that separates the front compartment of the vehicle from a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The HVAC module includes an intake and blower section that receives air from the passenger cabin or from outside the vehicle and provides it to a conditioning and distribution section of the HVAC module, which selectively conditions the air with heating or cooling equipment and distributes the conditioned air to the passenger cabin.