PRELIMINARY VEHICLE HEATING AND COOLING BY PELTIER EFFECT

• US 20090000311A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Kmetz, Scott M., Deniau, Jean-Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 8,230,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/3.610
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00478 Air-conditioning devices using the Peltier effect for air-conditioning in general F24F5/0042; for refrigeration F25B21/02; electric devices exhibiting the Peltier effect H10N10/00

Abstract

A climate control system includes the interim heating/cooling component that operates in the interim duration prior to the heating and cooling systems reaching a desired state of readiness. The interim heating/cooling device uses the Peltier effect to transfer heat between first and second sides depending on a polarity of current. Controlling which of the two sides is heated provides the desired heating or cooling of the air. Once the heating or cooling system reaches the desired state of readiness, the interim heating/cooling device is turned off.

Claims

1. A climate control system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a duct system for directing conditioned air into a vehicle cabin;

a heating circuit for heating the conditioned air;

a cooling circuit for cooling the conditioned air; and

an interim heating/cooling component in communication with the duct system, wherein the interim heating/cooling component is operable for heating or cooling air blowing through the duct system prior to one of the heating circuit and the cooling circuit reaching a desired state or readiness.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the interim heating/cooling component includes a first side exposed to the conditioned air, and a second side in communication with an ambient environment.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the interim heating/cooling component is electrically powered.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the interim heating/cooling component is operable to heat the first side responsive to an electric current having a first polarity and to heat the second side responsive to the electric current having a second polarity opposite from the first polarity.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the interim heating/cooling component is operable to cool the first side responsive to the electric current having the second polarity.

6. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the interim heating/cooling component comprises a Peltier element.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, including at least one heating/cooling component disposed within a vehicle seat, wherein the at least one heating/cooling component comprises a Peltier element.

8. A method of conditioning air for a motor vehicle prior to reaching a desired ready state comprising;

actuating an interim heating/cooling component to provide one of cooling and heating an air stream;

directing air over the interim heating/cooling component; and

deactivating the interim heating/cooling component after a desired ready state is achieved.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein actuating the interim heating/cooling component comprises directing an electric current through the interim heating/cooling component.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, including the step of selecting between a first polarity of the electric current and a second polarity of electric current in response to a desired cooling operation or a desired heating operation.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, including the step of placing a first side of the interim heating/cooling component in communication with the air and placing a second side of the interim heating/cooling component in communication with an ambient environment.

12. An interim heating and cooling assembly for installation within an automotive climate control system, the assembly comprising:

a controller connectable to a vehicle climate control system for receiving information indicative of a state of readiness; and

an electrically operable interim heating/cooling component selectively actuated to function to either communicate heat or draw heat from a stream of air from the climate control system.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the controller governs a polarity of electric current driving the interim heating/cooling component.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein an electric current at a first polarity provides for heating of the stream of air, and a second polarity opposite of the first polarity provides for cooling of the stream of air.

15. The assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein a first side of the interim heating/cooling component is in communication with the stream of air, and a second side of the interim heating/cooling component is in communication with an ambient environment.

16. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the interim heating/cooling component is deactivated upon the controller receiving data indicating a desired state of readiness of the vehicle climate control system.