CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20130207420A1
• Filed: 02/15/2012
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2012
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kumar, Mukesh, Karas, Lawrence C., Hoke, Paul Bryan, Nefcy, Martha Elizabeth, Martinez, Harry Christian, Dinkins, Spencer, Fusco, Frank, Yerke, Eric R.
• Application Number:
  US13/396,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20130207420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00564 of air ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/245 located in the roof
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/002 to front and rear part of passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00242 Devices in the rear area of the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/06 Fixed roofs non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08

Abstract

A climate control system for a vehicle includes an air conditioner positioned in a rear of the vehicle. A roof panel includes a moonroof opening bounded on at least one side by a moonroof rail. The moonroof rail generally defines an air supply duct between a headliner and the roof panel. The air supply duct is in communication with the air conditioner. A plurality of vents are operably connected to the moonroof rail and relay conditioned air from the air supply duct to an interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A climate control system for a vehicle comprising:

an air conditioner positioned in a rear of the vehicle;

a roof panel having a moonroof opening bounded on at least one side by a moonroof rail, the moonroof rail generally defining an air supply duct between a headliner and the roof panel, the air supply duct in communication with the air conditioner; and

a plurality of vents that are operably connected to the moonroof rail and that relay conditioned air from the air supply duct to an interior of the vehicle.

2. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the moonroof rail extends longitudinally on a driver side and a passenger side of the vehicle and laterally at a rear portion of the vehicle.

3. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a relay duct that extends between the air conditioner and the moonroof rail.

4. The climate control system of claim 3, wherein the air supply duct includes a formed conduit.

5. The climate control system of claim 1, further comprising:

an air conditioner positioned in a front of the vehicle.

6. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the roof panel has at least two moonroof openings.

7. The climate control system of claim 1, wherein the air supply duct is in communication with at least one of an A-pillar, a B-pillar, a C-pillar, and a D-pillar of the vehicle, and wherein the at least one of the A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar, and D-pillar includes a vent open to an interior of the vehicle.

8. A climate control system for a vehicle comprising:

a roof support structure including a peripheral tubular member, the peripheral tubular member generally defining an air supply duct disposed between a headliner and a roof panel, and in communication with an air conditioner; and

a plurality of vents extending from the air supply duct that relay conditioned air to an interior of the vehicle.

9. The climate control system of claim 8, further comprising:

a moonroof disposed in the roof panel, the moonroof being surrounded by the roof support structure.

10. The climate control system of claim 8, wherein the air conditioner includes a front air conditioning device and a rear air conditioning device.

11. The climate control system of claim 8, wherein the roof panel has at least two moonroof openings.

12. The climate control system of claim 8, wherein the air supply duct is in communication with at least one of an A-pillar, a B-pillar, a C-pillar, and a D-pillar of the vehicle, and wherein the at least one of the A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar, and a D-pillar includes a vent open to an interior of the vehicle.

13. A climate control system for a vehicle comprising:

a roof panel having a headliner coupled thereto;

a plurality of structural frame members disposed between the headliner and the roof panel;

an air supply duct defined by the structural frame members and in communication with an air conditioner; and

a plurality of vents that relay conditioned air from the air supply duct to an interior of the vehicle.

14. The climate control system of claim 13, wherein the structural frame member is defined by at least one supporting tubular member.

15. The climate control system of claim 13, wherein the structural frame members are moonroof rails.

16. The climate control system of claim 15, wherein the moonroof rails include a driver side moonroof rail, a passenger side moonroof rail, and a rear cross-car moonroof rail.

17. The climate control system of claim 15, further comprising:

a relay duct that extends between the air conditioner and the moonroof rails.

18. The climate control system of claim 13, wherein the air conditioner is positioned in a rear of the vehicle.

19. The climate control system of claim 13, wherein the roof panel has at least two moonroof openings.

20. The climate control system of claim 13, wherein the air supply duct is in communication with at least one of an A-pillar, a B-pillar, a C-pillar, and a D-pillar of the vehicle, and wherein the at least one of the A-pillar, B-pillar, C-pillar, and a D-pillar includes a vent open to an interior of the vehicle.