Air mixing system for auxiliary vehicle HVAC units

• US 6,851,470 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Laukhuf, Rodney A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CIRIC, LJILJANA V
• Application Number:
  US10/154,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20030217839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 165/41, 165/42, 165/43, 165/202, 165/203, 454/69, 454/75
• US Class Current: 165/202
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00378 for tractor or load vehicle cabins

Abstract

A zonal climate control system for a vehicle passenger compartment provides independent outside air mixing for zones behind the operator area. A forward zone climate unit comprises, an air circulation system having an outlet to the vehicle passenger compartment, an inlet from the vehicle passenger compartment, an inlet communicating with an outside environment, a heater core coupled to the engine driven heat source and an evaporator coupled to the engine driven air conditioning compressor. The passenger compartment further includes a rearward zone climate unit, comprising, an air circulation system having an outlet to the vehicle passenger compartment, an inlet from the vehicle passenger compartment, an inlet communicating with the outside environment through the exterior skin of the vehicle, a heater core coupled to the engine driven heat source and an evaporator coupled to the engine driven compressor. An actuable door provides for closing and opening the inlet of the rearward zone climate unit communicating with the outside environment. Positioning of the door is under the control of a temperature sensor for the rearward zone. A pressure sensitive check valve is positioned in the inlet of the rearward zone climate unit from the passenger compartment.

Claims

1. A zonal climate control system for a vehicle passenger compartment, comprising:

an engine cooling system;

an air conditioning compressor;

a forward zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, coupled to the engine cooling system to draw heat therefrom and to the air conditioning compressor to discharge heat thereto;

an rearward zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, coupled to the engine cooling system to draw heat therefrom and to the air conditioning compressor to discharge heat thereto;

a first inside air intake duct from the vehicle passenger compartment to the forward zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit;

a second inside air intake duct;

a first exterior air intake duct into the forward zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit;

a second exterior air intake duct;

a common duct system connecting the second inside air intake duct and the second exterior air intake duct to the rearward zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit;

at least a first vent for transporting air exhausted air from the forward zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning system unit into vehicle passenger compartment; and

at least a first vent for transporting air exhausted from the rearward zone into the vehicle passenger compartment.

2. A zonal climate control system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a positionable door located in the second exterior air intake duct for controlling the intake of air through the second exterior air intake duct; and

a check valve responsive to air pressure in the common duct system and located in the second inside air intake duct for controlling the intake of air from the vehicle passenger compartment.

3. A zonal climate control system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a temperature sensor in vehicle passenger compartment and a controller responsive to temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor for moving the positionable door as a function of cabin temperature.

4. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a cab having an exterior skin;

a passenger compartment enclosed by the cab;

a front climate zone of the passenger compartment;

a rear climate zone of the passenger compartment;

an engine cooling system;

an air conditioning compressor;

a primary heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit for the forward climate zone comprising, an air circulation system having an outlet to the front climate zone, an air intake inlet from the front climate zone, an air intake inlet communicating with an outside environment, the primary heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit being coupled to the engine cooling system and to the air conditioning compressor; and

an auxiliary heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, comprising, an air circulation system having an outlet to the rear climate zone, an air intake inlet from the rear climate zone, an air intake inlet communicating with the outside environment through the exterior skin, and a door positionable in the air intake inlet communicating with the outside environment for controlling the quantity of air drawn there through, the auxiliary heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit being connected to the engine cooling system and to the air conditioning compressor.

5. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein the inlet through the exterior skin is formed in part from a NACA duct.

6. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a temperature sensor for the rear climate zone; and

a controller responsive to the temperature sensor for positioning the positionable door.

7. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

a check valve in the air intake inlet from the rear climate zone.

8. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 7, the passenger compartment being provided within an extended cab truck.

9. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

a bunk;

the auxiliary heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit being located in the bunk.