Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings located along a length of the webbing, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt. The seat belt is configured such that air flowing out of the exhaust openings is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the webbing.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle climate control operating method includes in a cooling mode, moving a valve to a first position and initializing the valve without moving the valve to a second position. In a heating mode, the method moves the valve to a second position and initializing the valve without moving the valve to the first position. The first position permits more flow than the second position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing control of a heat pump of a motor vehicle are presented. In one operating mode, speed of a heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to an outlet pressure of the heat pump compressor. In a second operating mode, speed of the heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to a pressure ratio between an inlet and an outlet of the heat pump compressor.

Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating element, a steering wheel position monitoring device and a controller configured to control the radiant heating element in response to steering wheel position data received from the steering wheel position monitoring device. A method of controlling operation of a radiant system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing control of a heat pump of a motor vehicle are presented. In one operating mode, speed of a heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to an outlet pressure of the heat pump compressor. In a second operating mode, speed of the heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to a pressure ratio between an inlet and an outlet of the heat pump compressor.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising first and second seat belt webbings each defining a passageway, and one or more tubular extension members extending between the first and second seat belt webbings. The vehicle seat belt system also includes a plurality of exhaust openings formed in at least one of the first and second webbings, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a webbing, an electric powered device such as a heater coupled to the webbing, electrical circuitry connected to the heater and extending through a seat belt buckle and connector tongue, and an electric power source for providing electric power to the electric heater via the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry supplies power through the connector tongue and seat belt buckle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a climate control system having a heat pump subsystem. The heat pump subsystem has a cabin loop with interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a battery loop with a battery chiller. A valve selectively connects the cabin loop and battery chiller in fluid communication. The vehicle also includes a controller programed to, in response to the heat pump subsystem being in dehumidification mode, command the valve to close to inhibit refrigerant flow to the battery chiller.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings. The seat belt system also has an air porous compressible material disposed within the passageway. The seat belt buckle has an air delivery device that supplies air to the seat belt, wherein the air porous compressible material allows air to flow through the passageway when compressed.

Abstract: A climate control filter monitoring system includes a control module adapted to periodically set a climate control system to a filter test configuration, test the filter and then indicate when the climate control system filter needs changing or cleaning.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings located along a length of the webbing, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt. The seat belt is configured such that air flowing out of the exhaust openings is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the webbing.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of exhaust openings. The seat belt system also has an air porous compressible material disposed within the passageway. The seat belt buckle has an air delivery device that supplies air to the seat belt, wherein the air porous compressible material allows air to flow through the passageway when compressed.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a webbing, an electric powered device such as a heater coupled to the webbing, electrical circuitry connected to the heater and extending through a seat belt buckle and connector tongue, and an electric power source for providing electric power to the electric heater via the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry supplies power through the connector tongue and seat belt buckle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising first and second seat belt webbings each defining a passageway, and one or more tubular extension members extending between the first and second seat belt webbings. The vehicle seat belt system also includes a plurality of exhaust openings formed in at least one of the first and second webbings, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt.

Abstract: Vehicle climate control systems include heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for adjusting the vehicle cabin temperature. The HVAC system can deliver heated or cooled air to the vehicle interior to achieve a desired temperature inside the vehicle cabin. Some vehicles are equipped with secondary comfort features, such as heated or cooled seats, for additionally addressing occupant comfort. These features are typically stand-alone devices that function separately from the HVAC system.

Abstract: A radiant heating system includes a radiant heating element, a steering wheel position monitoring device and a controller configured to control the radiant heating element in response to steering wheel position data received from the steering wheel position monitoring device. A method of controlling operation of a radiant heating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed for an electrical connector for a removable tailgate. An example connector for a vehicle tailgate includes a body, a hyperboloid socket and dielectric oil. The example body defines a chamber and a split line extending from the chamber. The split line facilitates penetration of a hyperboloid pin into the chamber. The example hyperboloid socket is disposed in the chamber and aligned with the split line. The example dielectric oil partially fills the chamber to coat the hyperboloid pin to provide corrosion resistance for the hyperboloid pin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle cabin odor detection and amelioration. An example vehicle includes an array of chemical sensors, a spectrograph, and an environmental control system. The example environmental control system generates a spectrum, with the spectrograph, of chemical components of volatilomes in air inside a cabin and classifies the volatilomes based on the spectrum, measurements from the array of chemical sensors, and occupant preferences. Additionally, the environmental control system, when the volatilomes are indicative of an offensive scent, applies a mitigation strategy to affect the composition of the air in the cabin.

Abstract: An operator configurable radiant heating system is provided for a motor vehicle. That operator configurable radiant heating system includes a plurality of docking points provided at different locations within the motor vehicle and a radiant heating panel configured for docking with any of the docking points of the plurality of docking points. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiant heating assembly includes a position adjustable mount, a radiant heating element carried on the position adjustable mount and an actuator to displace the radiant heating element between a first position and a second position.