Patent Publication Number: US-2022219510-A1

Title: Climate control device

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to climate control devices, and more particularly relates to a climate control device having a radiant heater and porous material for releasing heated water vapor that retains heat and has a density that is greater than ambient air so as to fill a lower portion of surrounding air before rising. 
     Existing motor vehicles include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems using air convection for delivering heated or cooled air into the passenger cabin to achieve a desired temperature within the passenger cabin. Air convection can require considerable time for causing passengers to feel warm because it can be necessary to heat the whole volume of air within the passenger cabin before the passengers feel warm. The HVAC system can require heat exchange in two stages to indirectly heat passengers, with a heat exchanger first heating air that in turn transfers heat to the passengers. The heated air rises within the passenger cabin and is prone to infiltration loss or drafts. Furthermore, air inefficiently heats thermal masses, such that a passenger can stop feeling warm as soon as the heated convection stops. 
     HVAC systems for electric vehicles make unique demands on battery packs already being used for propulsion and multiple other loads. In particular, achieving desired comfort levels within the passenger cabin of an electric vehicle must be reconciled with maximizing the driving range of the electrified vehicle. 
     Thus, while existing HVAC systems achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved climate control device for a motor vehicle that addresses these issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a climate control device includes a radiant for radiating heat. The climate control device further includes porous material attached to the radiant heater. The porous material desorbs a plurality of water molecules, in response to the porous material receiving heat from the radiant heater and raising a temperature of the water molecules in the porous material to a boiling temperature threshold. The porous material further adsorbs the water molecules, in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold. 
     In one aspect, the radiant heater is a far infrared heater. 
     In another aspect, the far infrared heater is a weave including a plurality of conductive threads electrically coupled to a power source. The conductive threads generate heat, in response to the conductive threads receiving an electric current from the power source. The weave further includes a plurality of non-conductive threads interwoven with the conductive threads. 
     In another aspect, the conductive threads are coated with the porous material. 
     In another aspect, the non-conductive threads are coated with the porous material. 
     In another aspect, the porous material is selected from the group consisting of a zeolite, a silica gel, and a metal organic framework. 
     In another aspect, the porous material is a carbon-based compound coating on at least one of the conductive threads and the non-conductive threads. 
     According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle includes a passenger cabin having a plurality of door surfaces, a plurality of seat covers, a plurality of floors, and a ceiling liner. The motor vehicle further includes a climate control device having a power source and a radiant heater attached to at least one of the doors, the seats, the floors and the ceiling liner and positioned within the passenger cabin. The radiant heater is electrically connected to the power source to receive an electric current and radiate heat. The radiant heater transfers radiant heat directly to one or more passengers, surfaces within the passenger cabin, and porous material attached to the radiant heater for releasing moisture. The porous material desorbs a plurality of water molecules, in response to the porous material receiving radiant heat directly from the radiant heater and adsorbs the water molecules, in response to the porous material not receiving heat from the radiant heater. 
     In one aspect, the radiant heater is a far infrared heater. 
     In another aspect, the far infrared heater is a weave having a plurality of conductive threads electrically coupled to the power source. The conductive threads generate heat, in response to the conductive threads receiving the electric current from the power source. The weave further includes a plurality of non-conductive threads interwoven with the conductive threads. 
     In another aspect, the conductive threads are coated with the porous material. 
     In another aspect, the non-conductive threads are coated with the porous material. 
     In another aspect, the porous material is selected from the group consisting of a zeolite, a silica gel, and a metal organic framework. 
     In another aspect, the porous material is a carbon-based compound coating on at least one of the conductive threads and the non-conductive threads. 
     According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method of operating a climate control device is provided for controlling a climate of a passenger cabin of a motor vehicle. The climate control device includes a power source, a radiant heater, a controller electrically connecting the radiant heater to the power source, and porous material. The method includes supplying, using the power source, an electric current to the radiant heater. The method further includes radiating, using the radiant heater, heat indirectly to one or more passengers, one or more surfaces within the passenger cabin, and porous material, in response to the radiant heater receiving the electric current from the power source. The method further includes desorbing, using the porous material, a plurality of water molecules in response to the porous material receiving radiant heat from the radiant heater. 
     In one aspect, the method further includes adsorbing, using the porous material, the water molecules in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold. 
     In another aspect, the method further includes receiving, with a plurality of conductive threads of the radiant heater, an electric current from a power source. The method further includes generating, using the conductive threads, radiant heat in response to the conductive threads receiving the electric current from the power source. 
     In another aspect, the method further includes desorbing, using the porous material coated on the conductive threads, the water molecules in response to the porous material receiving radiant heat from the radiant heater. 
     In another aspect, the method further includes desorbing, using the porous material coated on a plurality of non-conductive threads of the radiant heater, the water molecules in response to the porous material receiving radiant heat from the radiant heater. 
     In another aspect, the method further includes adsorbing, using the porous material coated on at least one of the conductive threads and the non-conductive threads, the water molecules in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective vehicle of one example of a motor vehicle having a passenger cabin with a climate control device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the passenger cabin of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the climate control device having one or more radiant heaters integrated within one or more door liners, seat covers, ceiling liners and floor liners facing the passenger cabin. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the climate control device of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the climate control device further having a power source and a controller, with one or more of the radiant heaters in the form of a weave including conductive threads electrically coupled to the power source. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the weave of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the weave including conductive threads and non-conductive threads, with each thread being a bundle of filaments. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of one conductive filament of one of the conductive threads and one non-conductive filament of one of the non-conductive threads of  FIG. 4 , illustrating each filament being coated with porous material for adsorbing and desorbing moisture within the passenger cabin. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged schematic view of one example of the porous material of  FIG. 5 , illustrating the porous material in the form of a metal organic framework. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged exploded view of another example of the radiant heater and porous material of  FIG. 4 , illustrating the porous material in the form of an integral layer separate from the filaments. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of one example of a method of operating the climate control device of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
     An exemplary climate control device includes a radiant heater for radiating heat directly to individuals and surfaces within a range of the radiant heater. The climate control device further includes porous material attached to the radiant heater for releasing heated water vapor that retains the heat and has a density greater than ambient air so as to fill a lower portion of surrounding air before rising. As described in detail below, one non-limiting example of the radiant heater is a far infrared heater with a wavelength band of emission that is above 3 μm. However, other non-limiting examples of the radiant heater can include a medium infrared heater with a wavelength band of emission in the range between 1.4 μm and 3 μm or a short wave infrared heater or near infrared heater with a wavelength band of emission in the range from 780 nm to 1.4 μm. As also described in detail below, one non-limiting example of the climate control device can be integrated within a motor vehicle for heating passengers of the motor vehicle. The climate control device can be used in combination with an HVAC system of the motor vehicle or as a stand-alone device independent of the HVAC system. However, it is contemplated that the climate control device can be used as a stand-alone device in any enclosure, such as a room in a building or an outdoor tent, or in an outdoor environment. In still other non-limiting examples, the climate control device can be used in combination with an HVAC system of a building or in aerospace applications. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one example of a motor vehicle  100  includes a passenger cabin  102  and a climate control device  104  ( FIG. 2 ) for using radiant heat and moisture to heat one or more passengers within the passenger cabin  102 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the vehicle  100  includes a plurality of door surfaces  106 , floor surfaces  108 , seat covers  110 , and a ceiling liner  112 , which face the passenger cabin  102 . The climate control device  104  includes one or more radiant heaters  114  and porous material  116  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ), which are integrated into the door surfaces  106 , the floor surfaces  108 , the seat covers  110 , the ceiling liners  112  or any combination thereof. In other examples, the radiant heaters and porous material can be integrated in the center console  118 , the side pillars  120 , and the dashboard  122 . It is also contemplated that the radiant heater can be integrated in other surfaces that face the passenger cabin, surfaces that define HVAC ducts, or surfaces that are disposed in other locations of the vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the climate control device  104  includes a power source  124 . In this example, the motor vehicle  100  is an electric vehicle (EV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and the power source  124  is a battery  126  or a battery pack having a positive terminal  128  and a negative terminal  130 . However, in other examples, the motor vehicle can be an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle having an internal combustion engine, and the power source can be a battery or an alternator. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the radiant heater  114  is electrically connected to the power source  124  to receive an electric current and radiate heat, in response to receiving the electric current from the power source  124 . In this example, the radiant heater  114  is a far infrared heater  132  or dark heater with a wavelength band of emission that is above 3 μm. The far infrared heater  132  can be in the form of a weave  134  having a plurality of conductive threads  136  electrically coupled to the power source  124  and generating radiant heat, in response to the conductive threads  136  receiving the electric current from the power source  124 . Each conductive thread  136  includes a negative end  142  electrically coupled to a positive electrical feeder  140 , which is in turn coupled to the positive terminal  128  of the power source  124 . Each conductive thread  136  further includes a positive end  138  electrically coupled to a negative electrical feeder  144 , which is in turn coupled to the negative terminal  130  of the power source  124 . In this example, the conductive threads  136  are arranged parallel with one another, and each conductive thread  136  is a bundle of conductive filaments  146  ( FIG. 4 ). The weave  134  further includes a plurality of non-conductive threads  148  interwoven with the conductive threads  136 . The non-conductive threads  148  are arranged parallel with one another and perpendicular to the conductive threads  136  for reinforcing the conductive threads  136 . Each non-conductive thread is a bundle of non-conductive filaments  150  ( FIG. 4 ). However, it is contemplated that any of the threads can include a combination of conductive filaments and non-conductive filaments, and the threads can be positioned in any suitable arrangement relative to one another. In addition, a portion of the non-conductive threads can be arranged parallel with a portion of the conductive threads. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the porous material  116  is coated onto the radiant heater  114 . The porous material  116  desorbs a plurality of water molecules, in response to the porous material  116  receiving heat from the radiant heater  114  and raising the temperature of the water molecules in the porous material to a boiling temperature threshold. The porous material  116  adsorbs water molecules, in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold. In one example, the porous material  116  is coated onto each one of the conductive filaments  146  and the non-conductive filaments  150 . In other examples, the porous material can instead be coated onto only the conductive filaments or only the non-conductive filaments. In still another example, the porous material can be coated on only the outer surface of the thread or only the outer surface of the weave. The porous material  116  is a metal organic framework  152  ( FIG. 6 ). However, it is contemplated that the porous material can be a zeolite, a silica gel, or a carbon-based compound coated onto at least one of the conductive filaments and the non-conductive filaments. 
     The climate control device  104  further includes a controller  154  or regulator for electrically connecting the radiant heater  114  to the power source  124 . In one example, the controller  154  can be further electrically connected to an HVAC system  156  having a blower  158  for producing a flow of air and a heat exchanger  160  for heating the air. In operation, the controller  154  can electrically connect the radiant heater  114  to the power source  124  to provide radiant heating directly to passengers within the passenger cabin and the porous material when the controller  154  simultaneously actuates the HVAC system  156  to also provide convection heating. However, it is contemplated that the controller  154  can electrically connect the radiant heater  114  to the power source independent of HVAC operation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , another example of a radiant heater  214  is similar to the radiant heater  114  of  FIGS. 4-6  and includes components identified by the same numbers increased by 100. However, while the porous material  116  of  FIGS. 4-6  is a metallic organic framework  152  coated onto each of the conductive filaments  146  and each of the non-conductive filaments  150 , the porous material  216  is a separate layer  262  is positioned adjacent to the weave  134 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart of one example of a method  300  of operating the climate control device  104  of  FIG. 3  is illustrated. The method  300  commences at block  302  with the controller  154  electrically connecting the radiant heater  114  to the power source  124  to provide an electric current to the radiant heater  114 . In one example, the controller  154  can electrically connect the radiant heater  114  to the power source  124 , in response to a passenger operating the controller  154  to actuate the HVAC system  156  for providing convection heating. In another example, the controller  154  can be electrically connected to a dedicated switch or user interface and electrically connect the radiant heater  114  to the power source  124 , in response to a passenger operating the switch or user interface. 
     At block  304 , the radiant heater  114  radiates heat, in response to the radiant heater  114  receiving the electric current from the power source  124 . In this example, each of the conductive filaments  146  of the conductive threads  136  generates radiant heat, in response to the conductive filaments  146  receiving the electric current from the power source  124 . 
     At block  306 , the porous material  116  desorbs water molecules, in response to the porous material  116  receiving heat from the radiant heater  114  and raising the temperature of the water molecules in the porous material above the boiling temperature threshold. In this example, the porous material  116  that is coated on the conductive threads  136  desorb the water molecules, in response to the porous material  116  receiving radiant heat from the radiant heater  114 . 
     At block  308 , the radiant heater  114  stops radiating heat, in response to the radiant heater  114  not receiving the electric current from the power source  124 . A passenger may actuate the user interface or the dedicated switch, such that the controller discontinues the supply of electric current from the power source to the radiant heater. 
     At block  310 , the porous material  116  adsorbs the water molecules in response to temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold. In this example, the porous material  116  is coated on at least one of the conductive threads  136  and the non-conductive threads  148 . 
     The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the general sense of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.