Abstract: A vehicle ventilating/cooling system may include at least one sun-load sensor arranged within the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive a sun-load signal indicating a sun-load level from the sensor and programmed to instruct at least one cooling component to conduct a purge of vehicle cabin air in response to the sun-load level exceeding a sun-load threshold.

Abstract: A bracket for a vehicle is provided including a four-way fastener locator portion and a slip plane portion. The fastener locator portion includes a cross-member configured to allow passage therethrough of a portion of a fastener received in the fastener-receiving portion on application of a force meeting or exceeding a predetermined impact load. Assemblies including the provided bracket are described.

Abstract: A method of controlling a climate control system. The method may include positioning a valve to block airflow from a desiccant to a port, permit airflow from the port to a blower, and circulate air through the desiccant and then through a trim component. The valve may be disposed between the port and the blower. The desiccant may be disposed between the blower and the valve.

Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) passenger cabin air filter filtration performance includes determining a vehicle-exterior atmospheric particulate contaminant concentration, a passenger cabin air filter efficiency, and an HVAC airflow rate. The passenger cabin particulate contaminant concentration is calculated from the determined atmospheric particulate contaminant concentration, passenger cabin air filter efficiency, and HVAC airflow rate.

Abstract: A vehicle ventilating/cooling system may include at least one sun-load sensor arranged within the vehicle, and a controller configured to receive a sun-load signal indicating a sun-load level from the sensor and programmed to instruct at least one cooling component to conduct a purge of vehicle cabin air in response to the sun-load level exceeding a sun-load threshold.

Abstract: A rain-hat system for use on a vehicle that includes a cowling having a fresh air inlet, a rain-hat assembly that includes a body, and a plurality of louvers is disclosed. The body has a back side for attachment to the fresh air inlet. The body also has front side to which the plurality of louvers is attached. The rain-hat assembly also includes a front, a back, a first side, and a second side. At least some of the louvers slope downwardly from the front to the back and at least some of the louvers slope downwardly from the first side to the second side. In addition, at least some of the louvers include a downwardly sloping flange attached at the first side and a downwardly sloping flange attached at the second side. Preferably the uppermost louver has a gutter defined by an upwardly angled lip.

Abstract: A vehicle air circulating system comprises a controller, an interior condition sensor attached to the controller, an instrument panel, and a deployable register assembly attached to the controller and pivotably attached to the instrument panel. The register assembly includes a first register and a second register and is movable between a closed position in which the first register is recessed within the instrument panel and is thus obstructed and an open position in which the first register is deployed. The second register remains unobstructed whether the register assembly is in its closed or open position. The deployable registers provide directional control for pull down conditions. Once the desired conditions are achieved, the deployable registers lower into the instrument panel and the other registers provide a larger opening to direct the air overhead at lower velocities keeping the vehicle cabin cool while not blowing in the direction of the occupants.

Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) passenger cabin air filter filtration performance includes determining a vehicle-exterior atmospheric particulate contaminant concentration, a passenger cabin air filter efficiency, and an HVAC airflow rate. The passenger cabin particulate contaminant concentration is calculated from the determined atmospheric particulate contaminant concentration, passenger cabin air filter efficiency, and HVAC airflow rate.

Abstract: A windshield defogging system and method are provided. The system includes a heated windshield with an electrical heating element, an air circulation system with a blower to provide a stream of air over a surface of the windshield and a controller configured to select a duty cycle for the heating element based upon air circulation system operating parameters and environmental conditions such as ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for preventing vehicle windscreen fogging or re-freezing includes calculating a windscreen interior surface dew point temperature value and/or windscreen interior surface fogging and/or exterior surface re-freezing probability value, and providing only a sufficient conditioned airflow to the windscreen to prevent the calculated probability value from exceeding a predetermined fogging and/or re-freezing risk threshold value. One or more controllers perform the calculating, and actuate elements of a vehicle HVAC system to provide only a sufficient conditioned airflow to cause a windscreen interior surface temperature value to exceed the windscreen interior surface dew point temperature value or to cause a windscreen exterior surface temperature value to exceed a windscreen exterior surface freezing temperature.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle air extraction system in fluid communication with a cabin of the vehicle is provided. The extraction system may have a housing arrangement and a pair of extractors attached to the housing arrangement. A chamber may be formed between the housing arrangement and pair of extractors. An air pump may be in fluid communication with the chamber. The pair of extractors may be an inner extractor and an outer extractor. A controller may be configured to activate the air pump to supply airflow to the chamber to close the inner extractor and/or prevent inadvertent opening of the inner extractor.

Abstract: A temperature adjustment system for a vehicle including a closed network of interconnected fluid pathways disposed in at least one of a headliner, a door, and an instrument panel of the vehicle. A fluid is disposed in the closed network. A fluid pump pushes the fluid through the closed network. The closed network is not open to an interior cabin of the vehicle and thermodynamically influences a cabin temperature of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket for a vehicle is provided including a four-way fastener locator portion and a slip plane portion. The fastener locator portion includes a cross-member configured to allow passage therethrough of a portion of a fastener received in the fastener-receiving portion on application of a force meeting or exceeding a predetermined impact load. Assemblies including the provided bracket are described.

Abstract: An air duct assembly having a housing and a flexible vane. Sufficient airflow through the housing may actuate the flexible vane to permit airflow through an outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system is described that comprises a front control interface, a rear control interface, and a climate controller. The front control interface may be manipulated by the driver in the front seat. Manipulating the front control interface controls the climate setting for both the front and rear areas of the vehicle. The rear control interface, located in the rear area of the vehicle, is accessible to be manipulated by a passenger seated in the rear area. The controller may be commanded to disable the front control interface and enable the rear control interface to control the climate setting for the rear area.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling ventilation of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. An intake vent may be opened to allow ambient air to enter the passenger compartment and an exhaust vent may be opened to allow cabin air to exit the passenger compartment when the cabin air temperature is greater than the adjusted ambient air temperature value and a precipitation condition is not present.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an air extraction outlet located on an interior panel that partially defines an interior cabin of the vehicle. The air extraction outlet has a series of vanes that are configured to transition between open and closed positions. An actuator is utilized to transition the series of vanes between the open and closed positions. The air extraction outlet is configured to exhaust air from the cabin of the vehicle when the vanes are in the open position. The vehicle also includes a sensor and a controller. The controller is programmed to activate the actuator in order to transition the vanes between the open and closed positions based on a condition of the sensor.

Abstract: A method of controlling a climate control system. The method may include positioning a valve to block airflow from a desiccant to a port, permit airflow from the port to a blower, and circulate air through the desiccant and then through a trim component. The valve may be disposed between the port and the blower. The desiccant may be disposed between the blower and the valve.

Abstract: An air extractor vent is disclosed for a vehicle. A package tray defines an opening adjacent the lower edge of a rear window. A grille is assembled to the air extraction opening. The grille includes vanes for directing air away from the rear window and for obscuring the lines of sight from inside and outside of the vehicle through the air extraction opening.

Abstract: A windshield defogging system and method are provided. The system includes a heated windshield with an electrical heating element, an air circulation system with a blower to provide a stream of air over a surface of the windshield and a controller configured to select a duty cycle for the heating element based upon air circulation system operating parameters and environmental conditions such as ambient temperature.