Condensation Preventer (e.g., Defroster, Etc.) Patents (Class 454/121)
  • Patent number: 8272931
    Abstract: An air conducting device includes a rigid support, an outlet, a flexible element that is fixedly connected to the outlet and a deflecting means which allows the outlet to be tilted about at least one axis of rotation at least into a first and a second position. The flexible element is fixedly connected to the support at a distance from the outlet such that at least one of the axes of rotation is defined as a substantially stationary axis of rotation in the area of the outlet, at the level of the connection to the flexible element. The air conducting device includes a small size of the components and a small number of required individual parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Mike Kogler, Steve Kober, Marco Braun
  • Publication number: 20120184196
    Abstract: A defroster outlet includes: a defroster outlet part that is disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle and that has an opening formed along a front windshield; a plurality of fins that are bridged in the opening along a front-rear direction of the vehicle, which serve as guides for sending defroster wind toward an inner surface of the front windshield, and each having a light-emitting portion formed in at least a part of the top end thereof; and a reflecting part that is disposed in the vicinity of the opening and that reflects light from the light-emitting portion to cause a driver and a passenger to see the reflected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazunaga Kasai
  • Patent number: 8157627
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of a road vehicle; the air conditioning system has an elongated upper air inlet, which comes out through a top surface of a dashboard of the passenger compartment, close to a windscreen, extends substantially along the whole of the top surface of the dashboard, and is directed towards the passenger compartment to direct airflow tangent to the top surface of the dashboard and over the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Stefani
  • Publication number: 20120034857
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a housing. A heat source is located within the housing of the sensor module and a plurality of temperature sensors are mounted in housing of said sensor module. At least one temperature sensors is located adjacent to the heat source and at least one other temperature sensor is spaced from the heat source. A humidity sensor is located within the housing of the sensor module. A controller is connected to the plurality of temperature sensors and to the humidity sensor for determining at least one of relative humidity and temperature at the windscreen using a regression analysis and for providing a control signal indicative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: THOMAS E. BLAKE, III, ROBERT JAMES NEWTON, SONGWEI ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8109812
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a panel member, a first conduit, a second conduit and a gasket disposed between the first and second conduit. The panel member has a vent for directing air toward a window in the vehicle. The first conduit has a first end that provides air to the vent and a second end with a peripheral wall forming an inlet. The second conduit has an outlet that provides air to the inlet and a flange that extends outwardly from the outlet and includes a support surface that supports a gasket for sealing an interface between the outlet and the inlet. The second conduit has a lip that extends outwardly from the support surface of the flange and supports the gasket to prevent deformation of the gasket during assembly of the first conduit and second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Chopra, Chae Hon An
  • Patent number: 8105139
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an air control device (1), in particular for a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning installation for automotive vehicles, comprising a housing (3) having two apertures (4, 5). It comprises two dampers (6, 7) with at least one portion of sealing. Dampers (6, 7) have a lower part comprising a U-shaped section (22?, 22?) defining a groove (39) operating conjointly with a portion having an inverted U shape (46) of housing (3) to create another portion of sealing. Housing (3) has a lower part (30?, 30?) comprising a groove (47) operating conjointly with a rib (43) disposed on the spiral (13) whereon housing (3) is mounted to define a further portion of sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Sistemas Automotivos LTDA
    Inventor: Micael Mateus
  • Publication number: 20120009859
    Abstract: A system and method of selecting air intake between 100% fresh air mode and 100% recirculated air mode for optimum heating/cooling performance, fuel economy and/or high voltage (HV) battery power consumption is disclosed. The system and method includes a partial recirculation control strategy in which the air inlet door is moved progressively to any position by taking into account cooling/heating loads and cabin fogging probability. As cooling/heating loads increase the air inlet door moves toward 100% recirculation mode. As fogging probability increases the air inlet door moves toward 100% fresh air mode. By selectively choosing a position between 100% recirculation and 100% fresh air, fuel economy and/or HV battery power consumption is optimized without compromising passenger comfort or causing fogging on interior glass surfaces. In cooling applications the compressor load is minimized and air conditioning performance is improved due to the reduced evaporator cooling load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Halim Wijaya, Ranganathan Madhavan, Curtis M. Jones, Manfred Koberstein
  • Patent number: 8029344
    Abstract: A motor vehicle climate control system that utilizes a door to selectively open and close an inlet formed in a housing of the climate control system. The housing includes a wall having a seal surface. The seal surface is spaced outwardly from an inner surface of the wall. A seal member, typically attached to the door used to open and close the inlet, contacts the seal surface when the door is placed in a position to close the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Prakash Thawani, Zhengyu Liu
  • Patent number: 7985124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drum-type valve (1; 101; 201; 301; 301?) comprising: a partial cylindrical surface forming a first area (2; 102; 302); two circular segment surfaces each forming a second area (3; 103; 303), and; an outer encircling edge (4; 104; 304), which is disposed essentially in two planes, outwardly projects, and which is rests against correspondingly formed contact surfaces, whereby the drum-type valve (1; 101; 201; 301; 301?) has at least one second edge (5; 105; 305).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Komowski
  • Patent number: 7955167
    Abstract: A modular, quick-install HVAC control head is provided. The control head includes a face plate and housing on which various HVAC controls may be mounted. The face plate and housing clip together to form the assembled control head. The assembled control head fits into an instrument panel opening having a standard size. Clips on the HVAC trap a part of the instrument panel between the clip and a flange on the face plate to secure the HVAC control head in the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Wade J. Walterscheid, Terry D. Manuel, Christopher G. Wehrwein
  • Patent number: 7950444
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed. At the foot mode position of a rotary door 25, a gap T is formed along the door diameter between a circumferential end of a door surface 25c of the rotary door 25 and a seal rib 28 of a case 11. The flow path of a foot opening 22 communicates with a defroster opening 20 through the gap T. At the defroster mode position of the rotary door 25, on the other hand, the other circumferential end of the door surface 25c comes into contact with the seal rib 28 and closes the gap T, and the door surface 25c closes up the foot opening 22. Even upon slight rotation of the foot rotary door under the air pressure of the foot mode, therefore, the defroster blowout air amount and the foot blowout air amount are kept in a predetermined proportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Masatsugu
  • Publication number: 20110115263
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a roof which can be opened and a vehicle seat which has an associated air supply device with at least one air outflow opening arranged in the upper region of the seat and via which an airstream can be blown onto the head, shoulder and nape areas of the seat occupant when the roof is open. A heater system for the interior of the motor vehicle being provided. In order to use the air supply device in a universal manner, it is used to heat up the interior during a heating phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Claudio Bargheer, Karl Pfahler, Lothar Renner
  • Publication number: 20110111684
    Abstract: A blow device for rear view mirror of a vehicle includes a control circuit (1), an air compressor (2), an air duct (3) and a blow nozzle (4). The operation of the air compressor (2) is controlled by the control circuit (1). The air outlet of the air compressor (2) is connected to the blow nozzle (4) via the air duct (3). The blow nozzle (4) is mounted on the vehicle facing the rear view mirror (10) and the side window (20) for removing the fog and water droplets on there. A sensor (7), as well as a compression frequency adjuster (6) and/or an air exhausting frequency adjuster (9) are added to the blow device. The sensor (7) is used to detect the swing frequency of the wiper (8) as a detected signal. The control circuit (1) processes the detected signal to generate an adjusting signal and then transmits the adjusting signal to the compression frequency adjuster (6) and/or the air exhausting frequency adjuster (9) respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Jianzhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20110105007
    Abstract: A vehicle having an HVAC system with a particular ventilation housing design and method for making the same are described. The ventilation housing has a common mode door for defrost and floor panels and allows efficient use of components to provide effective operation in bi-level and other modes. In bi-level mode, the mode doors can be operated to form flow path such that floor outlet is virtually on the upstream side of the panel outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Mingyang Jia, Yang Chen, Frederic Guilbaud, Robert Levander, Cristian Velehorschi, Gunnar Schlinke
  • Patent number: 7913746
    Abstract: An air conditioning arrangement for a work vehicle having a cabin includes: a hood disposed forwardly of the cabin; an air conditioning unit housed in the hood forwardly of the cabin; and a dashboard provided in a front portion in the cabin. The air conditioning unit includes a rear duct for delivering conditioned air rearward and a front duct having a portion for delivering conditioned air frontward. The front duct further has a portion extending rearward under the air conditioning unit. The dashboard includes an upper outlet, a defrost outlet and a lower outlet. Each of the upper outlet, the defrost outlet and the lower outlet is communicated with either one of the front duct and the rear duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimi Hirooka, Shoichiro Kawamura, Masaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7909684
    Abstract: A molded plastic garnish assembly (10) for a front post of an automotive vehicle, the garnish assembly having a duct portion (16) integrally molded with an overlying portion (18) that has a vent opening (14) therein. The duct portion and the overlying portion are molded together in alignment and are subsequently brought into overlying relationship by bending them relative to one another about a molded-in hinge (20). The duct portion and the overlying portion are secured to one another by engagement of a hook portion (22) at the end of a finger (24) that depends from the overlying portion into an opening (26) in a finger (28) that depends from the duct portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel F. Gillay
  • Patent number: 7905278
    Abstract: A vehicular air conditioner having an air conditioner case including an air mix area, where a defroster opening, a front seat vent opening, a foot opening, and a back seat vent opening are located on the air conditioner case and configured to open and close the air mix area. A defroster door is configured to open and close the defroster opening. A vent foot switching door is configured to open and close the foot opening and the front seat vent opening selectively. A foot door is configured to open and close the foot opening. A back seat vent door is configured to open and close the back set vent opening. The back seat vent opening is positioned in a vicinity of the foot opening and the back seat vent door and the foot door are downstream from the vent foot switching door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Sato, Ryuji Tsukuda
  • Patent number: 7891409
    Abstract: Noise occurring in an upright air-conditioning unit is greatly reduced. An upright air-conditioning unit 1 is disposed under a steering member support part 23, a vent opening 15 and a vent outlet port 20 are made to communicate with each other via a vent duct 25, a defrost opening 16 and a defrost outlet port 21 are made to communicate with each other via a defrost duct 26. The vent opening 15 assumes a position further frontward than the steering member support part 23 along the frontward/rearward direction relative to the vehicle body whereas the defrost opening 16 assumes a position further rearward than the steering member support part 23 along the frontward/rearward direction relative to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Thermal Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Araki, Hiroshi Tsuzuki, Yoshihiro Sekiya, Keisuke Hara
  • Patent number: 7887400
    Abstract: A downstream side fin group is formed by a plurality of fins. Among these fins, end fins positioned at both ends in an arranging direction are arranged near second wall portions. Each end fin has an extension portion which is bent at upstream end thereof and extends toward the corresponding second wall portion. A space is provided near each second wall portion in the ventilation passage. Each space is closed by the corresponding extension portion at a time when the corresponding end fin is arranged at a maximum inclined position at which the end fin is most away from the second wall portion, and the extension portion enters the space at a time when the end fin is arranged at a different position from the maximum inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Shibata, Shigenori Shibata, Masaki Otake, Takeshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7878235
    Abstract: A vehicle rear air conditioner includes an air conditioning case connected with a blower and having a face vent, a floor vent and a vent door for controlling opening and closing of the vents. An evaporator and a heater core are embedded in the air conditioning case and a temperature control door controls opening and closing of a cold and a hot air passageway. The rear air conditioner includes a passageway member in order to discharge part of air flowing through the cold air passageway or the hot air passageway toward one of the vents. The passageway member has an inlet for inducing the part of air and an outlet for discharging the part of air and the vent door includes at least one interference preventing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Min-Woo Park, Hyung-Joo Kim
  • Publication number: 20110021130
    Abstract: An air-conditioner for a vehicle, may include a casing having an upper outlet and a lower outlet, with an air flow space defined in the casing and including an upper space and a lower space to guide air to the upper outlet and/or the lower outlet, an evaporator installed in the casing and selectively communicating with the upper outlet through the upper space, and a distributing partition wall to partition the lower space into a receiving space to receive a heating member therein and selectively communicate with the upper space and at least a partitioned space to communicate the heating member with the lower outlet, thus guiding the air to a side portion of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Moo Yong Kim, Tae Han Kim, Hun Soo Kim, Hee Jun Jeong, Chun Shik Jeong, Seong Seok Han
  • Patent number: 7871316
    Abstract: A passage opening and closing device has first and second doors for respectively opening and closing passages defined in a case. The first and second doors have first and second rotation shafts, respectively. Each of the first and second rotation shafts includes a projection on its first end and a cylindrical portion defining an engaging hole on its second end. When the first and second doors are assembled in a first assembled condition where the projections extend in opposite directions and the cylindrical portions are rotatably engaged with a second supporting portion of a shaft receiving portion, the first and second rotation shafts are independently rotatable. When the first and second doors are assembled in a second assembled condition where the projection of the second rotation shaft is engaged with the engaging hole of the first rotation shaft, relative rotation of the first and second rotation shafts is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Ryouji Hori, Hiroyuki Satoh, Masakazu Chihiro
  • Publication number: 20110005255
    Abstract: A vehicular air-conditioning system provided with a vapor compression type refrigerating machine improved in practicality, provided with a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle 10 having a compressor 11 compressing and discharging a refrigerant and an outside heat exchanger 16 exchanging heat with the air outside of the cabin and the refrigerant and designed to be able to switch between a cooler cycle cooling vented air blown into the cabin and a heat pump cycle heating the vented air, a heating means 36 for using cooling water of an internal combustion engine EG as a heat source for heating the vented air, a vent mode switch 60c setting a defogging mode blowing out vented air toward the vehicle window glass by operation by a passenger, and a control means 50 controlling switching between the cooler cycle and heat pump cycle, the control means 50 selecting the cooler cycle and outputting a signal requesting operation to the internal combustion engine EG when the vent mode switch 60c is used to set the de
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Tanihata, Hirotaka Egami, Shun Kurata, Yoshinori Ichishi
  • Publication number: 20110009043
    Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning apparatus includes a casing constituted by respective air passages. The casing has a vent opening and a defroster opening at an upper portion thereof. The vent opening is disposed on a forward side of a vehicle with respect to the defroster opening. A pair of defroster ducts extend in lateral directions respectively from side portions of the defroster opening, and center vent ducts are disposed in a straight line fashion from the vent opening and oriented rearwardly of the vehicle between the pair of the defroster ducts. The center vent ducts open only in the vehicle compartment. In a bi-level mode, a third front passage on the downstream side of the evaporator extends upwardly in a straight line fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicants: KEIHIN CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyosuke Nanaumi, Junichi Kanemaru, Shinji Kakizaki
  • Publication number: 20100330895
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle air conditioner that can perform air conditioning operation in an inside air circulating mode while suppressing the mist on a windshield and prevent deterioration in an inside air quality. When exhaust gas concentration on the outside of a vehicle is high, an outside air lead-in mode is switched to an inside air circulating mode and window mist limit humidity at that point is calculated. When inside humidity is close to the window mist limit, a compressor is actuated, the air is blown out from a DEF blowout port into a cabin, or an air volume in a blower is increased to prevent the mist on the windshield and delay switching to the outside air lead-in mode as much as possible. Consequently, air conditioning operation in the inside air circulating mode is performed while the mist on the windshield is suppressed to prevent deterioration in the inside air quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Suetake, Toshiyuki Ishida, Masatoshi Mitsui
  • Patent number: 7857041
    Abstract: A rotary door for a vehicle air conditioner includes a rotation shaft, a door surface that is spaced from an axial line of the rotation shaft radially outside and is rotated integrally with the rotation shaft, and a seal portion provided at a peripheral end portion of the door surface. The door surface has a first door face at a center portion, and a second door face positioned at left and right sides of the first door face. The second door face has a radial dimension from the axial line, that is smaller than that of the first door face so as to form a door outer peripheral space between the seal portion of the second door face and a seal rib of an air conditioning case. Furthermore, the second door face is provided with an air guide plate extending radial outside for guiding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fukagawa, Kazuya Niimi
  • Publication number: 20100304654
    Abstract: An HVAC system for a vehicle includes a housing, a front HVAC unit housed in the housing and having a front blower, a first airflow path, and a front air mix door, a rear HVAC unit housed in the housing and having a rear blower, a second airflow path, and a rear air mix door. The HVAC system further includes an evaporator having a first portion disposed in the first airflow path and a second portion disposed in the second airflow path, and a heating core having a first portion disposed in the first airflow path and a second portion disposed in the second airflow path. An airflow directional door is disposed between the first airflow path and the second airflow path to regulate airflow from the rear blower to the first airflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Kakizaki, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Publication number: 20100297925
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting low levels of humidity (i.e. less than 10%) inside an automotive vehicle is provided whereby the total absolute humidity inside the vehicle is determined by multiplying the number of occupants in the vehicle by an absolute humidity factor to obtain a total absolute humidity expelled by the vehicle occupants. The absolute humidity outside the vehicle is added to the total absolute humidity expelled by the vehicle occupants to arrive at a total vehicle cabin absolute humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Trevor Burns, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Patent number: 7819171
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for providing air conditioning to the interior of an automotive vehicle with a mixing chamber designed to create, by controlled mixing of a warm and of a cool partial air flow, at least one warmer and one cooler air-conditionable air flow. The flow paths of the warm partial air flow and of the cool partial air flow intersect in the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alberternst, Michael Fietz, Graham R. Johnstone, Andrew William Rowntree, Graham Kirby
  • Patent number: 7811160
    Abstract: A mode selection unit, a blower unit and a temperature control unit are mounted on a cluster panel of a vehicle. The mode selection unit, the blower unit and the temperature control unit have a function of controlling the wind blow position, a function of controlling the wind blow rate and a function of controlling the wind blow temperature respectively, and are constituted by operating mechanisms mechanically separated from one another. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in the layout of the mode selection unit to the temperature control unit is improved so that it becomes easy to dispose them in accordance with the vehicle-side design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Satoshi Ogawa, Tomoyuki Shibata, Ryoji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7806172
    Abstract: An air-outlet mode selecting device includes first and second rotary doors. Each of the first and second rotary doors has rotary shafts separated from each other in an axial direction of the rotary shafts, an outer peripheral door surface that is provided at a position separated radial outward from the center line of the rotary shafts and is turned with the rotary shafts, and left and right side plates for connecting both ends in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface and the rotary shafts. One of the first and second rotary doors opens and closes a specified opening among three openings and other rotary door opens and closes the remaining two openings among the three openings. Accordingly, door operation force and air flow resistance can be effectively reduced, and the size of the air-outlet mode selecting device can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Seki, Yoshiharu Okawa, Takayuki Shimauchi
  • Patent number: 7794314
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent vibration of a sliding door within a guide groove through a fundamental review of the structures adopted in sliding door devices in the related art having a sliding door made to move along a direction intersecting an air flow path to control the flow rate or direction of air within the air flow path. The present invention is characterized in that a tension-applying means is disposed at a sliding unit of a sliding door, which is inserted at a guide groove formed on the inside of an air-conditioner case to apply tension between the sliding unit and the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Thermal Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sekiya, Yutaka Teruya, Toshio Tsubakida, Daisuke Araki
  • Publication number: 20100210202
    Abstract: An HVAC system is provided and includes an evaporator for providing cold air and a heater core for providing hot air. A heater airflow path directs an airflow through a heater air outlet where a heater damper door controls the volume of the airflow through the heater air outlet. A defroster airflow path directs an airflow through a defroster air outlet and a defroster damper door controls the volume of the airflow through the defroster air outlet. The defroster damper door operates independently from the heater damper door. A separation channel is located between the heater airflow path and the defroster airflow path to separate the airflow of the heater airflow path from the airflow of the defroster airflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Kakizaki, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Publication number: 20100167635
    Abstract: In an air conditioning case of an air conditioner, an air mixing chamber, a warm-air bypass passage, a first warm-air passage and a second warm-air passage are provided. The warm-air bypass passage is located in a part of space, in which the air mixing chamber is provided, and the second warm-air passage is located at an opposite side of the first warm-air passage with respect to the air mixing chamber. The warm air flowing in the warm-air bypass passage makes a U-turn at the second warm-air passage and flows toward the air mixing chamber. Therefore, in the air mixing chamber, the cool air is inserted between the warm air from the first warm-air bypass passage and the warm air from the second warm-air passage, from two sides of the cool air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Gotoh, Akira Shiraishi, Shinichi Naganuma
  • Patent number: 7741121
    Abstract: The present application is generally directed to microfluidic devices and methods for the achievement and assessment of chemical and radiochemical purity of (microfluidic) radio-synthesis products. More particularly, the current application relates to systems for purification and analysis of radiochemical products yielded by microfluidic synthesis devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Arkadij M Elizarov, Hartmuth C. Kolb, Jianzhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7726391
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner casing has defrost, face, and front seat floor vents variably communicating with a mixing chamber. Air passageways in the casing include an evaporator and heater core. A rear seat console vent communicates with a warm air passageway including the heater core and a cool air passageway through a console side cool air bypass passageway on the casing bottom surface, under the heater core. A front seat temperature adjusting door adjusts variably opens cool air passageway outlets and the warm air passageway with respect to the mixing chamber. A rear seat main temperature adjusting door variably opens warm air passageway inlets and the console side cool air bypass passageway. A rear seat auxiliary temperature variably adjusts the openings of warm air passageway outlets and the console cool air bypass passageway with respect to the rear seat console vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Yong-Eun Seo, Sang-Chul Byun, Sung-Ho Kang, Seong-Seok Han, Yong-Sang Kim
  • Patent number: 7699096
    Abstract: The first cold air flow door 26 and the first hot air flow door 24 for adjusting the blowout air temperature are arranged in the first air passage, and the second cold air flow door 27 and the second hot air flow door 25 for adjusting the blowout air temperature are arranged in the second air passage. When a larger target air flow volume between the target air flow volume on the first air passage side and the target air flow volume on the second air passage side is selected so as to determine an air flow volume of the blower, in an air passage to which the smaller target air flow volume is applied, while the ratio of the cold air flow volume to the hot air flow volume is being maintained constant, the passage opening area is throttled by the cold air flow door and the hot air flow door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Naruse, Yoshihiko Okumura
  • Patent number: 7694729
    Abstract: An air passage opening/closing device for a vehicle air conditioner has a casing and a slide door. The slide door is movably disposed in the casing. Both sides of the slide door are guided by guide channels provided in the casing. The guide channels are formed by the casing and a separate guide member. The slide door can be assembled by mounting the slide door on a door-sliding surface of the casing, and mounting the separate guide member on the slide door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uemura
  • Patent number: 7686123
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for a straddle-type vehicle provided with a belt type continuously variable transmission having a resin-block-type belt. A portion of an air passage for guiding air to a belt chamber is formed in a closed casing. The closed casing includes a dish-shaped first casing member and a dish-shaped second casing member. An inlet port and an exhaust port are formed in the second casing member. Partition walls in the form of curved plate pieces are formed in the first casing and second casing members. Air flow paths formed by the partition walls are U-shaped, thereby forming a serpentine flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Publication number: 20100062702
    Abstract: Provided is a defroster nozzle 4 which blows out air to an inner surface of a windshield 2 of a vehicle 1. The defroster nozzle 4 includes center-duct 45 forming member 41 and two end-portion-duct forming members 50. The center-duct 45 forming member 41 forms a center duct through which the air circulates, and has a center ventilation outlet 47 through which the air in the center duct is blown out to the inner surface of the windshield 2. The two end-portion-duct 54 forming members 50 are coupled respectively to two joint end portions 42, on outer sides in the vehicle width direction, of the center-duct forming member 41. Each end-portion-duct forming member 50 forms an end-portion duct which communicates with the center duct, and each end-portion-duct forming member 50 has an end-portion ventilation outlet 55 through which the air in the end-portion duct is blown out to the inner surface of the windshield 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ueda, Tadahiro Matsumoto, Takehiko Iwamura
  • Patent number: 7670215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (1) for controlling airflows in motor vehicles, comprised of a frame having at least one passage opening (4) and at least one controlling means, which is provided in the form of a roller louver (5) and which serves to modify the passage cross-section for the air flowing through the passage opening (4). The frame comprises a housing (2) with at least two hollow bodies (8) that are open along the longitudinal sides. These hollow bodies (8) accommodate the drive shaft (6) or the return shaft (7) for the roller louver (5), and each have a pivotal cover (8.3) for opening the respective hollow body (8). The control device (1) can be mounted inside airflow ducts of a heating and/or air-conditioning system for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietrich Klingler, Werner Schwahn
  • Patent number: 7658671
    Abstract: An air distribution assembly for vehicles, comprising a first flap, able to rotate around a first axis, a second distribution flap, able to rotate around a second axis, and a geared transmission device that connects the first and the second flap to each other. The transmission device comprises at least one gear wheel including a first and a second element able to rotate relative to each other and an elastic element positioned between the first and the second element to allow a relative rotation motion between the first and the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Thermal Systems SpA
    Inventors: Michele Balzo, Andrea Carbone
  • Patent number: 7637031
    Abstract: An evaporator core drying system in which air that is blown by a blower is concentrated into a narrow cross-sectional air stream of high speed purge air which passes progressively across the area of the evaporator core, per an appropriate blow algorithm, so as to effectively and efficiently dry the evaporator core. Preferably, the configurable barrier is composed of at least one roller door located between the blower and the evaporator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Munther M. Salim, Lawrence P. Ziehr
  • Publication number: 20090314847
    Abstract: An air-conditioner ECU sets the maximum flowrate or a set flowrate which is less than the maximum flowrate as a required flowrate Vr based on outside air temperature when a DEF mode is selected, and requires that coolant be circulated (steps 100 to 110). Also, when the coolant temperature Tw during heating is between a set temperature TS3 and a set temperature TS1, circulation of coolant at the minimum flowrate is required (steps 134, 130, 132). When a blower fan is stopped when the coolant temperature is equal to or less than the set temperature TS3 and a fresh air mode is selected, the circulation of coolant at the minimum flowrate is required when the vehicle speed Sv is above a set vehicle speed (steps 134 to 146). Cool air is prevented from being blown out of an air outlet and heating of the coolant is promoted by suppressing the speed of an electric pump while maintaining the ability to prevent fogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Atsuki Nemoto, Kiwamu Inui, Masaki Morita
  • Publication number: 20090305623
    Abstract: A ventilation controlling apparatus for feeding windshield defrost outlets and side window demist outlets in motor vehicles with one or more air passages and respective doors for each outlet. The apparatus supports a mode in which the demist door opens up to a predefined angle without the defrost door opening, too, with the predefined angle depending on the design of a cam attached to the demist door and a pin engaged with that cam and attached to the defrost door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Lange, Gunnar Schlinke, Thomas Rappel
  • Patent number: 7625274
    Abstract: A ventilation device for ventilating the interior of a motor vehicle, and a method therefore, in which sensor for determining at least one parameter reflecting the degree of glass condensation is used to determine whether to maintain the vehicle ventilation system in recirculation mode during the actuation of a windshield and/or headlight washer, or to switch to a fresh air mode. In response to the sensor signals, an evaluation device generates a signal for at least temporarily switching to fresh air mode when a parameter value exceeds a predefined value, or generates a time period for a residence time to be observed in recirculation air mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hary Geiger
  • Patent number: 7625273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flap (10) for air channels provided with a multi-flow conduit arranged downstream with respect to said flap, airflows (45, 46) being limited by flow guiding elements (56, 57), and thereby separated from each other. According to said invention, the axis of rotation (11) of the flap is arranged on the edge, the flap being transversally projected with respect to the axis and divided into two flap segments which are arranged one after another. Each flap segment is provided with at least one sealing device (14) for airtight seating against a passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Komowski
  • Patent number: 7572178
    Abstract: System housing, in particular for a heating, ventilating and/or air-conditioning system of a vehicle, comprising at least three housing parts, which serve for accommodating air-conditioning-system components and/or for forming air-channeling paths, one of the housing parts comprising a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, up to which the other two housing parts can be advanced in each case parallel to a normal vector of the abutment surface which is advanced up in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Fuhrmann, Stefan Frenzel
  • Patent number: 7540321
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a housing for defining an air passage, and the air passage has a main passage and first and second separate passages branched from the main passage. The first separate passage is provided for leading air from the main passage to a front area of a passenger compartment, and the second separate passage is provided for leading air from the main passage to a rear area of the passenger compartment. Furthermore, an evaporator is disposed in the main passage of the housing, and a heat exchanger is disposed in the main passage at a downstream air side of the evaporator in a part area of the main passage. In the air conditioner, a control member is provided to adjust an air flow from the evaporator into the first separate passage and an air flow from the heating heat exchanger into the first separate passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Simmet, Kenji Matsui, Kotaro Suda
  • Patent number: 7530889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to arrangement of devices, and, in particular doors, in the architecture of HVAC units. Where space is a consideration, having doors that are common and/or that can be used or nested in a common operative space, reduce the need of inventory of different parts, and allow for use of smaller interior HVAC space volumes in HVAC units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Steven B. Marshall, Earl H. Buckman, Kevin B. Horne, David S. Newman, Robert W. Oliver