Automotive HVAC system with suction surfaces to control local airflow

摘要

An HVAC system provides airflow in a vehicle having a plurality of seating locations in a passenger cabin for respective passengers of the vehicle. The system includes a plurality of outlet vents and a plurality of suction returns disposed at various air return locations adjacent to the seating locations within the vehicle. An air handling unit is in fluid communication between the suction returns and the outlet vents. A plurality of flow control elements are provided, each one in series with at least one respective suction return for selectably modifying a respective flow of the respective suction return in response to a respective flow command. An occupancy determining apparatus identifies one or more seating locations for receiving enhanced airflow. A controller generates the respective flow commands in response to the identified seating locations.

主权项

1. A heating, ventilating, air conditioning system for providing an airflow in a vehicle having a plurality of seating locations in a passenger cabin for respective passengers of the vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of outlet vents providing a shared outlet airflow to be distributed to the plurality of seating locations; a plurality of suction returns disposed at various air return locations adjacent to the seating locations within the vehicle; an air handling unit in fluid communication between the suction returns and the outlet vents; a plurality of flow control elements each in series with at least one respective suction return for selectably modifying a respective flow of the respective suction return in response to a respective flow command so that a corresponding seating location receives a modified portion of the shared outlet airflow; an occupancy determining apparatus for identifying one or more seating locations for receiving enhanced airflow; and a controller for generating the respective flow commands in response to the identified seating locations.