Abstract: A self-closing vent has its frame and a honeycomb screen coated with an intumescent material. When affixed to a wall with an opening the vent is normally open, allowing free flow of air through the opening, but when exposed to the heat of a fire, the intumescent material expands to close the vent, thereby preventing spread of the fire through the opening. The intumescent material preferably is FireFree 88, in a coating thickness of about 5 to 15 mils. In one preferred embodiment the vent opening is in a vehicle, between an engine compartment and a passenger space.

Abstract: An instrument panel is provided for use in a vehicle interior. The instrument panel includes an outer surface, a vent mad a step. The vent is arranged along the outer surface to direct forced air toward a specific area of a window in the vehicle. The step is formed along the outer surface of the instrument panel to promote formation of a turbulent buffer that reduces adhesion between air exiting the vent and the outer surface.

Abstract: A control wheel for controlling a control in an automotive vent has a resilient bushing which provides a frictional force to retain the control wheel in a desired position. The frictional force is substantially independent of tolerances of the components of the control wheel due to expected manufacturing variations.

Abstract: A gear portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of a dial, and a large diameter portion of a main driving gear is mated with the gear portion. A driven gear is mated with a small diameter portion of the main driving gear, and the state of an air conditioner is switched based on the moving operation of a cable through the gear portion, the main driving gear and the driven gear in the rotating operation of the dial. With this structure, it is not necessary to provide a rotary shaft as a member for transmitting an operating force to the central part or the dial. Consequently, it is possible to maintain a space in the central part of the dial. Thus, restrictions can be decreased in the case in which a knob is to be arranged.

Abstract: An air vent for a vehicle includes a housing, a user-manipulable grill on a front of the housing, and a lamp mounted in the housing. A user can recognize the amount of opening of the vent based on the amount of light.

Abstract: A register includes an operation knob which is slidably assembled to a selected one of front horizontal blades and which is connected to a selected one of rear vertical blades via a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism includes a connection pillar portion formed integrally with an intermediate portion of the selected vertical blade, the connection pillar portion having a generally circular cross section and being located at a position deviating from a rotation axis of the selected rear vertical blade, and a pair of connection arm portions extending rearward from the rear end of the operation knob with a predetermined space formed therebetween. The operation knob is connected to the selected vertical blade in a state where the connection pillar portion is rotatably inserted into an engagement groove between the connection arm portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined cooling/climate control system for motor vehicles for cooling the motor vehicle's electrical and/or electronic components and air conditioning of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, comprising: a main ventilation duct (13); a fan (15) for drawing in air disposed in the main ventilation duct; a heating unit (16) downstream of the fan (15) for selective warming of air, which is to be supplied to the passenger compartment; and for cooling the electrical and/or electronic components with air drawn in by the fan (15), an air supply pipe (20) downstream of the fan (15) and upstream of the heating unit (16) connected to the main ventilation duct (13) and an air discharge pipe (22) upstream of the fan (15) connected to the main ventilation duct (13).

Abstract: An air treatment system for a vehicle includes a first compressor selectively coupled to a first power source of the vehicle. A second compressor is selectively coupled to a second power source of the vehicle. A first heat exchanger communicating with an interior space is defined in the vehicle. A second heat exchanger communicates with an environment exterior to the vehicle. A valve member is provided which, in a first position, couples an inlet of each of the first and second compressors to an outlet of the first heat exchanger and an outlet of each of the first and second compressors to an inlet of the second heat exchanger. In a second position, the valve member couples the outlets of the first and second compressors to an inlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlets of each of the first and second compressors to an outlet of the second heat exchanger. A controller is provided that selectively actuates at least one of the first and second compressors and the valve member.

Abstract: A method of cooling an engine control unit (ECU) coupled to an engine in a vehicle having a cabin climate control system, comprising of operating the vehicle cabin climate control system according to a customer-based climate control setting during a first operating condition, and overriding said customer-based setting during a second operating condition including an ECU over-temperature condition.

Abstract: A venturi gate valve assembly for extraction of bleed air flow from an auxiliary power unit (APU) and an APU compartment including the venturi gate valve assembly. The venturi gate valve assembly is configured to isolate and restrict bleed air flow from the APU via an extraction conduit. The venturi gate valve assembly includes an upstream valve flange, a throat area, a moveable valve gate, and a downstream valve flange, in fluid communication defining a bleed air flow path. A conical shaped diffuser is defined along the bleed air flow path from the throat area to the downstream flange.

Abstract: A control device for gas is provided with a pivotable flap mounted between side walls of a guide duct. A receiving pocket for the insertion of a drive element (motor) is provided on one of the side walls and is oriented in such a way that, after insertion, the output shaft of the drive element is in engagement with the flap. This receiving pocket may be arranged so that the drive element is inserted coaxially with respect to the pivot axis of the flap or transversely thereto, or if the receiving pocket extends into the interior of the duct, the pivot flap is provided with a corresponding cut-out.

Abstract: A passage opening and closing apparatus has a case defining an opening, a door for opening and closing the opening and a driving device for rotating the door. A first end of a rotation shaft of the door is rotatably supported by the case, and a second end of the rotation shaft is coupled to the driving device. The door has a door-sealing part along an edge of the door main body, the edge extending in an axial direction. The door-sealing part contacts a case-sealing surface on a periphery of the opening when the door closes the opening. The door-sealing part is inclined such that a distance between the door-sealing surface and the case-sealing surface reduces from a driving side toward a non-driving side that is farther away than the driving side with respect to the driving device.

Abstract: An air passage switching device includes a film member for opening and closing an opening portion of an air passage, and the film member has a first end portion fixed to a peripheral portion of the opening portion and a second end portion fixed to a winding shaft. The winding shaft is capable of moving in a first direction separated from the first end portion of the film member and in a second direction approaching the first end portion of the first member while rotating. In the air passage switching device, an actuator for operating the winding shaft is disposed in an interior of the winding shaft and is fixed by a fixing member, the winding shaft is disposed rotatably relative to the fixing member, and the fixing member is moved in the first direction or the second direction together with the winding shaft by a guide unit.

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.

Abstract: An air passage switching device includes a case for defining an air passage, a butterfly door having a door body and a rotation shaft, a bearing part provided in the case for rotatably holding the rotation shaft, and a seal structure. The seal structure has a first seal part disposed at an outer peripheral portion of the rotation shaft to be integrally rotated with the rotation shaft, and a second seal part disposed in the case. The first seal part and the second seal part have scroll shapes centering on an axial center of the rotation shaft. The first seal part is in contact with the second seal part when the door body closes the air passage.

Abstract: The car power source apparatus is provided with a battery case housing a plurality of rechargeable batteries in a battery compartment, and air ducts to carry ventilating air to the battery case and cool the batteries. A plurality of air inlet and outlet openings are provided through panels between the battery compartment and the air ducts. Air inlet and outlet openings are opened in a direction different from the direction of airflow in the ducts. Further, the power source apparatus has a plurality of airflow channels of differing length established inside an air duct in the direction of airflow. This divides ventilating airflow in the air duct into a plurality of airflow channels.

Abstract: A work-vehicle cabin having an air-conditioning unit is disclosed. The cabin includes a roof unit, a downwardly bulging ceiling portion constituting a part of the roof unit, a heater provided in the ceiling portion, an evaporator provided in the ceiling portion and arranged adjacently rearwardly of the heater, and a pair of forward air-supply openings provided in the ceiling portion and respectively disposed laterally of the heater for feeding conditioned air to the inside of the cabin.

Abstract: A plurality of click portions is formed integrally with a unit body. The click portions are arranged on a common circular track, and a dial is engaged with the click portions so as to be unstable and to be prevented from slipping off. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a D spring for coupling the dial to a shaft so as to be unstable and to be prevented from slipping off. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the number of components and a cost.

Abstract: A pitch circle radius of a driving side gear of a drive mechanism of an air mix door is continuously and progressively increased from a maximum heating position side part to a maximum cooling position side part. A pitch circle radius of a driven side gear of the drive mechanism is continuously and progressively increased from a maximum cooling position side part to a maximum heating position side part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle ventilation system, and, in particular, a heating and air-conditioning assembly and method of making such an assembly, wherein the assembly comprises a multi-portion HVAC housing and an alignment feature. The alignment feature preferably follows the contours of the housing portions of the HVAC. Preferably, the alignment feature is a baffle, or, in particular, a cross flow baffle, that serves an air directing as well as bridge function between housing portions of the HVAC, reducing packaging space for the HVAC unit while providing ease of assembly and reduced tool complexity for multi-piece HVAC housings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing hydrocarbons and other pollutants from roadway surfaces are provided. The systems can include a pollution trap attached to a vehicle, where the pollution trap comprises an absorbent pad, filter, or membrane. The pollution trap is affixed to the vehicle, for example, in the wheel well, on a mud flap, on the underside of a vehicle or another suitable place where the pollution trap can be exposed to a roadway pollutant. The methods described herein can include liberating roadway pollutants from a roadway and using a pollution trap to collect the liberated roadway pollutants.

Abstract: An air passage opening and closing device for controlling an air flow for air-conditioning a vehicle compartment which is adapted to reduce an uncomfortable noise generated when the opening degree of a door such as an air-mixing door is small is provided, wherein a plurality of extending portions (7g) are provided on tips of the lip seal (7c). The extending dimension (H) of the extending portion (7g) is more than or equal to substantially 1 mm and less than or equal to substantially 3 mm, the dimension (B) in the width direction orthogonal to the extending direction in the extending portion (7g) is more than or equal to substantially 2 mm and less than or equal to substantially 14 mm, and the gap distance (G) between the adjacent extending portions (7g) is more than or equal to substantially 1 mm and less than or equal to substantially 4 mm.

Abstract: A mobile chassis for vehicle body interchangeability has a waste heat rejection system packaged in a rolling platform. The system is connected to a powertrain cooling loop for waste heat circulation. The cooling loop includes cooling fin heat exchangers on the sides of the rolling platform and another heat exchanger in the HVAC system for utilizing otherwise waste heat in the air conditioning of each vehicle body being interchanged.

Abstract: An air vent is provided that is capable of delivering a distributed divergent air flow with a predominant direction of flow that can be changed within a wide range of mutually perpendicular directions. In one embodiment, the air vent has an outlet grid that is generally ball shaped and that is rotatably mounted at an end of an air duct for rotation about its center. Each of the multiple outlet openings of the grid points to a direction that is different from pointing directions of all other outlet openings so that a divergent air flow is obtained. By rotating the ball shaped grid about its center, the predominant direction of air flow can nevertheless be changed in a within a wide range.

Abstract: A mobile chassis for vehicle body interchangeability has a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system packaged in a rolling platform. The system is connected to a powertrain cooling loop for waste heat circulation and to an electric air conditioning compressor for cooling. Supplemental heating elements are utilized for additional heating loads. Airflow from the HVAC system flows into the vehicle body through single or multiple passthroughs from the rolling platform. The air is then distributed through a ducting system in the vehicle body. The ducting system utilizes floor structure, seat structure, body pillars, or other designed forms so that the airflow is positioned and directed as desired.

Abstract: An HVAC duct sealing system has an air duct wall, a sealing surface, such as an HVAC case, against which the air duct wall is biased, and a seal member interposed between the duct wall and the sealing surface. The seal member is interposed between the air duct wall and the sealing surface and is molded directly onto the air duct wall using a two-shot or double shot method of forming. The seal can be rubber or any flexible, pliable material capable of creating a seal with a surface. The seal has a seal base that is attached to and surrounds an end part and two sides of the air duct wall. The seal has a flexible tip portion extending from the seal base that is biased against and bends against the sealing surface in accordance with an amount of pressing force to create a seal. The flexible tip bends between 0 and 100 degrees from its pre-installation position.

Abstract: In a servomotor controller, when a comparing circuit (70) detects that a position of an object to be controlled has been achieved to a target position, an operation inhibiting signal generating section (71) supplies an operation inhibiting signal (71a) to an operation permitting/inhibiting signal-processing section (66), and obtains an operation stopped state of an H bridge-driving processing section (67) for controlling driving of a motor. A LIN communication processing section (61) receives information to a self address supplied from a superordiante device, and outputs a forced operation (recovery) request (61R) in the received information. The operation state of the H bridge-driving processing section (67) is obtained through an operation permitting trigger signal generating section (65) and the operation permitting/inhibiting signal-processing section (66) through the H bridge-driving processing section (67).

Abstract: A flap provided with an integral motor-containing drive element provided with an integral motor-containing drive element for controlling the air flow through an air-guide duct in, for example, a motor vehicle air condition system which includes a housing defining an air flow duct, an evaporator located in the housing, a heater located in the housing. The flap is adapted to be pivoted about and axis and is supported at each of its axial ends. One end is provided with a cut-out or recess which extends inwardly from one end along the axis of rotation. This cut-out or recess has opposed edges which engage in slots formed in holding means or housing that encloses the drive element, and which permit the ready insertion of the drive unit into an operative position.

Abstract: A control unit cooling device for an industrial vehicle that can efficiently cool the control unit, wherein the control unit includes a cooling portion integrally formed with an electric circuit. In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit cooling device may be implemented on an industrial vehicle, such as a counterbalanced forklift. The cooling device has a first air current generation mechanism and a second air current generation mechanism. The first air current generation mechanism generates a first air current from air drawn in from the outside of a vehicle body. The first air current cools the electric circuit. The second air current generation mechanism generates a second air current from air drawn in from the outside of the vehicle body. The second air current cools the cooling portion. This efficiently cools the control unit.

Abstract: A film valve for an air conditioning system is of the type having two spaced-apart coupling ends, and a plurality of vent holes disposed between the coupling ends. The film valve includes a base layer made of glass fiber and having two opposite side surfaces, and two wear-resistant coating layers applied respectively to the side surfaces of the base layer. Each of the coating layers is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of silicon, polyurethane, and Teflon.

Abstract: A film valve assembly for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system includes a frame, two roller mechanisms disposed on the frame, and a film valve disposed between the roller mechanisms under tension. A tension unit includes a tension rod having two ends that are connected respectively to first and second supporting seats on the base wall by first and second retaining units. The first retaining unit includes a spring-biased retaining element that is biased to engage a retaining hole in the first supporting seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air-distribution cap which is to be fitted on top of a heating or air-conditioning unit with natural or forced convection and the function of which is to regulate both the flow-rate and the direction of the air output by the convector. In particular, the present invention relates to a cap (1) for distributing the air output by a heating or air-conditioning unit with forced convection or with natural convection, characterized in that it comprises a deflector (3, 103) having one or more vanes (13, 113), each vane being orientable so as to adopt a position in which it is inclined to the vertical so that its outer end faces towards the wall against which the unit is fitted.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle air duct also serving as crosspiece forming part of the structure of the vehicle. The invention is characterised in that the duct comprises two half-shells (2, 12) including each a tubular portion (6, 16) and two lateral flanks (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b); it further comprises: two stop elements (22a, 22b) defining each a rib projecting relative to one of the contact surfaces of one of the half-shells and having a stop surface arranged immediately proximate to an abutting surface (40a, 40b) provided on the other half-shell (12), a continuous weld bead (13a, 13b) extending between the contact surfaces of the half-shells which are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A damper system for air handling systems the manipulation or control of air in an enclosure such as a building, a room of a structure such as a residence, and the like.

Abstract: A mechanical control head system allows a vehicle user to control certain HVAC functions. The mechanical control head system includes a mounting plate, a faceplate, at least two user-adjustable actuators, at least two function interfaces and connections between the function interfaces and the HVAC module. The knobs provide the user a means to control, for example, the ambient temperature in the vehicle interior and the outside air circulation within the vehicle. The rotary cylinders can be coupled and uncoupled to the knobs in a single step instead of requiring individual steps for each knob.

Abstract: In an air passage switching device, a flexible film moves to traverse an air passage of an air duct, thereby switching and controlling a communication state of the air passage. A thickness t of the film, a glass transition temperature Tg thereof and a radius of curvature r thereof are set so that a relationship expressed by a formula of t≦(0.00578×Tg0.448×r0.333) is satisfied and a bending stiffness of the film is set equal to or higher than 1 &mgr;N·m2. Accordingly, the film can be restricted from being buckling-deformed and from being damaged. As a result, an air leakage amount from a clearance between the film and the air passage due to the deformation can be effectively restricted.

Abstract: A motorized valve assembly for use in a vehicle heating, ventilating, and air conditioning module comprises a valve having at least one flap and is pivotable about a pivot axis. A drive unit is affixed to the valve, and a drive interface is operably connected to the drive unit for inducing a pivoting force about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning unit includes an air duct, through which air is blown into a passenger compartment, and a partition board, which partitions the air duct in its inside into a first air passage and a second air passage. Temperature of air in the first air passage and temperature of air in the second air passage can be separately controlled. The air duct has a recess on its one side. An air conditioning device is disposed in the recess. The partition board is deformed correspondingly to the recess so that a corresponding cross-sectional area of the first air passage and a corresponding cross-sectional area of the second air passage should be approximately equal.

Abstract: When the packing member (43) made of elastic material is extended to an outer circumference of the door shaft (41) or provided on the bearing hole (52) side, clearance formed between the door shaft (41) and the bearing hole (52) is decreased. Due to the foregoing, as the packing member (43) is an elastic body, even if the packing member (43) comes into contact with the door shaft (41) or the bearing hole (52), the door (40) can be rotated. Accordingly, clearance between the door shaft (41) and the bearing hole (52) can be set at a sufficiently low value, and the leakage of an air from the clearance can be decreased.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-rattle valve feature for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning assembly. In a typical HVAC assembly each end of an air valve shaft is received in a pivot hole permitting the air valve shaft to rotate within the assembly. Because the inside diameter of the pivot holes are larger than the outside diameter of the ends of the air valve shaft, the air valve shaft may rattle within the pivot holes. Disclosed is a finger that contacts the air valve shaft to apply pressure to the air valve shaft and biases an end of the air valve shaft against the inside of it pivot hole, thereby preventing rattling of the air valve shaft within its respective pivot holes.

Abstract: A casing for a heat exchange system defines a blower compartment (18), an evaporator compartment (20), and a diffuser (22). The diffuser (22) defines an exit (28) and an entry area in a cutoff plane (30). A vane wall (38) curves inwardly from the diffuser (22) and includes a plurality of parallel vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52). The plurality of vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52) include a first vane (46) and a second vane (48).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a cab pressure drop warning to an off-road machine operator and instructions for increasing the cab pressure and for providing incentive to correct the pressure drop, the method including comparing ambient and cab pressures and threshold pressure (i.e., the ambient plus a differential value), causing a vehicle operation disruption for at least a short period during which the operator may elect to remedy the cab pressure drop.

Abstract: A damper for an air passageway comprises a rigid carrier plate having opposed faces defined by a periphery with a shape generally corresponding to but smaller than the shape of a cross-section of the air passageway and formed of a material having a melting point above an activation temperature range; a heat-expandable sealing material mounted to at least one of the opposed faces of the rigid carrier plate and which is adapted to expand at a temperature in the activation temperature range; the sealing material, when activated, is adapted to expand radially from the rigid carrier plate to form an integral seal with the carrier plate. The heat-expandable sealing material can be integrally molded to the outer periphery of the carrier plate. A process for making the damper with integral seal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door for use in a vehicle HVAC system is formed to have a portion preferably formed of a magnesium alloy. In one embodiment, the magnesium alloy forms a sub-frame, and a plastic is placed over said sub-frame.

Abstract: A casing unit of an air conditioner for a vehicle includes a casing, a partition plate, a bearing portion and a door unit. The casing has a first casing member and a second casing member. The partition plate is installed in the casing. The bearing portion is formed at a periphery of said partition plate and a C-shaped cross section having an opening. The door unit has a shaft and a plurality of doors integral to the shaft. The shaft is rotatably installed to the bearing portion.

Abstract: Light control glasses are used as window glasses of a vehicle. When the vehicle is parked, voltage is applied to the light control glass, which directly receives solar radiation from the sun, so that a light transmittancy of the light control glass is reduced to reduce the amount of solar radiation entered a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: An instrument support member with an integrated air conducting unit to be mounted between the A-columns of a motor vehicle is composed of at least two metal shells which are connected to each other by plasma jet welding with an effective focus remote from the nozzle, and a plastic tube surrounded by the shells. The plastic tube is mounted at a radial distance from the shells.

Abstract: An air passage switching system includes a switching door that is disposed rotatably in a case to open and close an air passage of the case. The switching door includes a door body, a rotation shaft provided in the door body, and a seal member made of an elastomer and adhering to an outer peripheral portion of the door body. The seal member contacts on a sealing surface of the case when the switching door closes the air passage. A plurality of recess portions are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the door body to be arranged in an outer peripheral direction. Thus, adhesion between the door body and the seal member can be strengthened.

Abstract: A molded cross vehicle beam which includes a hollow blow molded thermoplastic rigid member that is integrally attached to a rigid support, e.g., a U-shaped metal plate, and at least one attachment element, is described. The rigid support (12) has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of perforations having edges. The attachment element(s) (81, 84) have a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of perforations having edges. The attachment element provides a manner of attaching the molded cross vehicle beam to a separate structure (e.g., the A-pillars of an automobile). A thermoplastic parison precursor of the hollow rigid thermoplastic member (15) is blow molded against the first surfaces of the rigid support (12) and the attachment element (81, 84).

Abstract: An automotive HVAC unit includes a housing defining a first outlet adapted to connect to HVAC ductwork to provide conditioned air to a first temperature zone, a second outlet adapted to connect to HVAC ductwork to provide conditioned air to a second temperature zone, a third outlet adapted to connect to HVAC ductwork to provide conditioned air to a third temperature zone, and a fourth rear outlet adapted to connect to HVAC ductwork to provide conditioned air to a fourth temperature zone within the vehicle. The HVAC unit further includes an evaporator adapted to cool air passing therethrough, a heater core adapted to heat air passing therethrough, a blower adapted to force air through the evaporator and the heater core, and a modular insert mounted within the housing and being adapted to control the flow of conditioned air to the first, second, third and fourth outlets.