Abstract: A comfort assembly for a vehicle seat cushion, the comfort system includes a carrier having a thermal device; a spacer layer attached to the B-side of the carrier; and an effector device attached to the spacer layer so that the spacer layer is between the effector device and the B-side of the carrier; the effector device is attached to the carrier before the comfort assembly is installed onto an A-surface of the cushion of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An example method of providing thermal conditioning includes providing a HAL having a plurality of input drivers that obtain input data from temperature sensors, and a plurality of output drivers that control a discrete thermal effectors in discrete OPZs in a vehicle cabin. An EVAL obtains input data from the HAL and estimates a heat flux experienced by an occupant in each OPZ based on a vehicle profile. An OAL determines a first parameter based on a target heat flux for the occupant across all of the OPZs, determines a second parameter based on the estimated heat flux of the occupant from the EVAL, and determines respective temperature setpoints for each of the plurality of OPZs to reduce a difference between the first and second parameters. The thermal effectors are controlled based on the temperature setpoints.

Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.

Abstract: A microclimate system for a vehicle occupant includes multiple microclimate thermal effectors. Each of the microclimate thermal effectors at least partially controls a climate in at least one of multiple occupant zones. Each of the microclimate thermal effectors includes a sensor configured to determine microclimate temperature data corresponding to the zone. A controller includes an input configured to receive vehicle temperature data including cabin temperature and outside air temperature from a vehicle data bus. The controller fuses the microclimate temperature data with the vehicle temperature data and determines an estimated local equivalent temperature for each of the microclimate thermal effectors. The controller further provides a temperature command to each of the microclimate thermal effectors based upon the estimated local equivalent temperature corresponding to the microclimate thermal effector.

Abstract: A distribution system for a vehicle seat. The distribution system includes one or more plenums that each have a cap layer, a support layer, and an open space formed between the cap layer and the support layer. The support layer is a generally rigid material and the cap layer is a generally flexible material that is connected to the support layer. The open space includes one or more baffles that assist in directing fluid between a blower connected to the one or more plenums and one or more ventilation holes.

Abstract: A method of controlling a microclimate system includes identifying a set of multiple microclimate thermal effectors configured to provide multiple occupant zones and determining a differential temperature between a local temperature at one of the microclimate thermal effectors and a preset temperature for the microclimate thermal effectors. The differential temperature is determined for each of the microclimate thermal effectors. A fuzzy set is generated for each of the microclimate thermal effectors based upon the respective differential temperature. A respective temperature set point for each of the microclimate thermal effectors is defined based upon the fuzzy set for the corresponding microclimate thermal effectors. Each microclimate thermal effector is commanded to the corresponding respective temperature set point.

Abstract: An air distribution system that includes a plenum. The plenum has a top layer having one or more top layer corrugations; a bottom layer having one or more bottom layer corrugations; and an open space formed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The one or more top layer corrugations and the one or more bottom layer corrugations are spaced apart and oppose one another, and when the plenum flexes, the one or more top layer corrugations contact the one or more bottom layer corrugations.

Abstract: A climate controlled system comprising: a movable member disposed in a recess of a cushion and forming part of an occupant support surface with the cushion; a heater overlaying the cushion and the movable member, the heater including: a flexible substrate, a heating element, and an adhesive layer, wherein the flexible substrate includes adhesive on opposing longitudinal edge regions and the adhesive directly or indirectly connects the heater to the cushion; and wherein the adhesive layer anchors the heater as the flexible substrate stretches or moves with the movable member as the movable member moves.

Abstract: A heating and cooling device is disclosed comprising at least one integral low voltage heating and cooling source and an efficient flexible heat distribution means having a thermal conductivity of from 375 to 4000 W/mK for distributing the heat and cool across a surface. Further aspects include thermal interface compounds to provide full thermal contact as well as the use of a phase change material to provide a long lasting heating and/or cooling effect without the use of external electrical input. Preferred applications include automotive and furniture seating heating and cooling, along with outdoor garments having distributed heating and cooling effects.

Abstract: A system for discharging or charging a capacitor of a hybrid vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a target state of charge (SOC) module and a capacitor charge/discharge module. The target SOC module determines a target state of charge of the capacitor based on a speed of the vehicle. The capacitor charge/discharge module determines whether a state of charge of a capacitor is greater than a target state of charge. The capacitor charge/discharge module dissipates power from the capacitor to at least one of a battery of the vehicle and an electrical load of the vehicle when the state of charge of the capacitor is greater than the target state of charge.

Abstract: An air distribution device that includes a seat plate. The seat plate includes one or more cushion engaging features. The one or more cushion engaging features are configured to engage one or more corresponding plate engaging features provided on a seat cushion of a vehicle seat.

Abstract: A HVAC thermal conditioning system provides a macroclimate environment. An auxiliary thermal conditioning system has multiple microclimate devices in close proximity to a region of the occupant. The microclimate devices are arranged within an interior space that provides the macroclimate environment to an occupant. A controller communicates with the microclimate devices and calculates an occupant personal comfort based upon a thermal energy experienced by the occupant from thermal radiation sources, thermal convection sources, and thermal conduction sources, and to automatically command the microclimate devices in response to the calculated occupant personal comfort to achieve a desired occupant personal comfort. The automatic command adjusts and apportions the thermal conduction sources and/or thermal radiation sources to achieve the desired occupant personal comfort.

Abstract: A HVAC thermal conditioning system provides a macroclimate environment. An auxiliary thermal conditioning system has multiple microclimate devices. The microclimate devices are configured to be arranged within an interior space that provides the macroclimate environment to an occupant. The microclimate devices provide a microclimate environment to the occupant different than the macroclimate environment. The microclimate devices are in close proximity to a region of the occupant. A controller calculates an occupant personal comfort based upon a thermal energy experienced by the occupant from thermal radiation sources, thermal convection sources, and thermal conduction sources, and to automatically command the microclimate devices in response to the calculated occupant personal comfort based upon occupant characteristics to achieve a desired occupant personal comfort.

Abstract: A heating and cooling device is disclosed comprising at least one integral low voltage heating and cooling source and an efficient flexible heat distribution means having a thermal conductivity of from 375 to 4000 W/mK for distributing the heat and cool across a surface. Further aspects include thermal interface compounds to provide full thermal contact as well as the use of a phase change material to provide a long lasting heating and/or cooling effect without the use of external electrical input. Preferred applications include automotive and furniture seating heating and cooling, along with outdoor garments having distributed heating and cooling effects. Additional aspects include a thermal pad wrap and a thermally conductive liquid system for heat/cool distribution.

Abstract: A distribution system for a vehicle seat The distribution system includes one or more plenums that each have a cap layer, a support layer, and an open space formed between the cap layer and the support layer. The support layer is a generally rigid material and the cap layer is a generally flexible material that is connected to the support layer. The open space includes one or more baffles that assist in directing fluid between a blower connected to the one or more plenums and one or more ventilation holes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a double-sided, single conductor laminate includes providing a laminated substrate that includes a conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a support layer; dry milling a trace pattern in the laminated substrate by removing selected areas of the conductive layer and the adhesive layer; and attaching a first cover layer using a first adhesive layer to the conductive layer. The first cover layer includes one or more precut access holes that align with one or more traces of the trace pattern.

Abstract: A battery and capacitor assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of capacitor cells, a cooling plate, a pair of end brackets, and a housing. The plurality of capacitor cells are arranged adjacent to the plurality of battery cells such that the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of capacitor cells form a cell stack. The pair of end brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the cell stack and are attached to the cooling plate. The pair of end brackets compress the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of capacitor cells. The housing is attached to the cooling plate and encloses the cell stack and the pair of end brackets.

Abstract: A power management system for a vehicle includes a first battery monitoring module configured to monitor a first state of charge (SOC) of a first battery of the vehicle. The first battery has a first nominal voltage. A second battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a second SOC of a second battery of the vehicle. The second battery has a second nominal voltage that is greater than the first nominal voltage. A control module is configured to selectively apply power to a heater of the second battery based on an estimated value of the second SOC of the second battery at a next startup of an engine.

Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.

Abstract: Features for a vapor compression system configured to cool and/or cat (i.e. thermally condition) two or more distinct climate controlled vehicle interior components via a common thermal bus are disclosed. Some embodiments employ a single compressor. Some embodiments employ multiple compressors and/or thermal buses, each servicing components located within respective interior thermal zones of a vehicle, for example a front row seat zone, second and/or third row seat zones, and/or an overhead zone and/or a trunk zone.