PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12017508-B2
Application Number: US-202217868233-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Climate control system

Abstract:
A climate control system includes a front-end or first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from an environment external to a cabin, a rear-end or second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the cabin, a recirculation path configured to return airflow from the second heat exchanger to the cabin, and an extraction path configured to vent airflow from the second heat exchanger to the environment external to the cabin. Various operational modes of the climate control system direct airflow to either the recirculation path or the extraction path.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A climate control system for a vehicle cabin, comprising:
 a first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from an interior of the vehicle cabin; 
 a recirculation path configured to return airflow from the first heat exchanger to the vehicle cabin; 
 a first extraction path configured to vent airflow from the first heat exchanger to an environment external to the vehicle cabin; 
 a second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the interior of the vehicle cabin; and 
 a second extraction path, the second extraction path configured to vent airflow from the second heat exchanger to the environment external to the vehicle cabin, 
 wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to operate in a heat pump operational mode and a cold pump operational mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The climate control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a partition configured to block either the recirculation path or the first extraction path based on an operational mode of the climate control system. 
 
     
     
       3. The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the partition is a first partition, further comprising:
 a second partition configured to selectively block the second extraction path. 
 
     
     
       4. The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second heat exchangers selectively operate as one of evaporators, gas coolers, or condensers. 
     
     
       5. The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to heat airflow and the second heat exchanger is configured to cool airflow in the heat pump operational mode, and wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to cool airflow and the second heat exchanger is configured to heat airflow in the cold pump operational mode. 
     
     
       6. The climate control system of  claim 5 , wherein the first heat exchanger is disposed at a first side of the vehicle cabin, and wherein the second heat exchanger is disposed at a second side of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       7. The climate control system of  claim 5 , wherein the partition blocks airflow from the first heat exchanger from the recirculation path so that airflow from the first heat exchanger follows the first extraction path in the heat pump operational mode and the cold pump operational mode. 
     
     
       8. The climate control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bypass path configured to selectively route airflow around the first heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
       9. The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to operate in a heating operational mode and a cooling operational mode, and wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to operate in the heating operational mode, the cooling operational mode, the heat-pump operational mode, and the cold-pump operational mode. 
     
     
       10. The climate control system of  claim 1 , wherein the second extraction path is separate and spaced from the first extraction path. 
     
     
       11. A climate control module, comprising:
 a heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow received from a vehicle cabin, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to heat airflow in a heating mode of operation, a heating with recapture mode of operation, and a cold pump mode of operation; 
 a recirculation path configured to direct airflow received from the heat exchanger back to the vehicle cabin; 
 an exhaust path configured to direct airflow received from the heat exchanger to an exterior of the vehicle cabin; and 
 a mode door controllable to selectively close the recirculation path or the exhaust path based on the mode of operation of the climate control module. 
 
     
     
       12. The climate control module of  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured to cool airflow in a cooling mode of operation, a cooling with recapture mode of operation, and a heat pump mode of operation. 
     
     
       13. The climate control module of  claim 12 , wherein the heat exchanger is a first heat exchanger, and wherein the extraction path is a first extraction path, the climate control module further comprising:
 a second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the interior of the vehicle cabin; and 
 a second extraction path, the second extraction path configured to vent airflow from the second heat exchanger to the environment external to the vehicle cabin. 
 
     
     
       14. The climate control module of  claim 13 , wherein the second extraction path is separate and spaced from the first extraction path. 
     
     
       15. The climate control module of  claim 13 , wherein the first heat exchanger is disposed at a first side of the vehicle cabin, and wherein the second heat exchanger is disposed at a second side of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       16. The climate control module of  claim 13 , wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to heat airflow and the second heat exchanger is configured to cool airflow in the heat pump mode of operation, and wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to cool airflow and the second heat exchanger is configured to heat airflow in the cold pump mode of operation. 
     
     
       17. The climate control module of  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchanger selectively operates as one of an evaporator, a gas cooler, or a condenser. 
     
     
       18. The climate control module of  claim 11 , wherein the mode door includes a seal or dampening material to selectively cover the recirculation path or the exhaust path, and wherein the recirculation path includes a duct configured to direct airflow from a location downstream of the heat exchanger to a central location within the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       19. A climate control system, comprising:
 a first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow received from a vehicle cabin; 
 a second heat exchanger spaced from the first heat exchanger and configured to thermally condition airflow received from a vehicle cabin; 
 a first exhaust path configured to direct airflow received from the first heat exchanger to an exterior of the vehicle cabin; 
 a second exhaust path spaced from the first exhaust path and configured to direct airflow received from the second heat exchanger to an exterior of the vehicle cabin, 
 wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are configured to heat airflow in a cold pump mode of operation, and 
 wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are configured to cool airflow in a heat pump mode of operation. 
 
     
     
       20. The climate control system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first partition configured to block the first exhaust path based on a mode of operation of the climate control system; and 
 a second partition configured to block the second exhaust path based on the mode of operation of the climate control system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/240,036 filed on Sep. 2, 2021, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to climate control systems and in particular to a climate control system with a variety of operational modes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Duct routing, vent design, and air extraction or exhaust methods associated with traditional cabin configurations may not provide adequate climate control efficiency or occupant comfort in novel cabin configurations. Climate control can be more complicated to achieve in an electric or hybrid-electric configuration than with a combustion engine since excess, waste, or by-product heat available to the climate control system from the propulsion system is limited in comparison. 
     SUMMARY 
     A first aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a climate control system including a first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from an environment external to a vehicle cabin, a second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the vehicle cabin, a recirculation path configured to return airflow from the second heat exchanger to the vehicle cabin, and an extraction path configured to vent airflow from the second heat exchanger to the environment external to the vehicle cabin. 
     In the first aspect, the climate control system may include a partition configured to block either the recirculation path or the extraction path based on an operational mode of the climate control system. The extraction path may be a first extraction path, and the climate control system may include a second extraction path separate and spaced from the first extraction path and configured to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin to the environment external to the vehicle cabin. The partition may be is a first partition, and the climate control system may include a second partition configured to selectively block the second extraction path. The climate control system may include a third heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow along the second extraction path. The third heat exchanger may be configured to operate in a heat pump operational mode and a cold pump operational mode. The second and third heat exchangers may selectively operate as one of evaporators, gas coolers, or condensers. The first and second heat exchangers may be configured to heat airflow in a heating operational mode and a heating with recapture operational mode, and the first and second heat exchangers may be configured to cool airflow in a cooling operational mode and a cooling with recapture operational mode. The first heat exchanger may be configured to heat airflow and the second heat exchanger may be configured to cool airflow in a heat pump operational mode, and the first heat exchanger may be configured to cool airflow and the second heat exchanger may be configured to heat airflow in a cold pump operational mode. The first heat exchanger may be disposed at a front end of the vehicle cabin that is configured to seat rear-facing occupants when a vehicle including the vehicle cabin is traveling in a forward direction, and the second heat exchanger may be disposed at a rear end of the vehicle cabin that is configured to seat front-facing occupants when the vehicle is traveling in the forward direction. The partition may block airflow from the second heat exchanger from the recirculation path so that airflow from the second heat exchanger follows the extraction path in the heat pump operational mode and the cold pump operational mode. The climate control system may include a bypass path configured to selectively route airflow around the second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger may be configured to operate in a heating operational mode and a cooling operational mode, and the second heat exchanger may be configured to operate in the heating operational mode, the cooling operational mode, a heat-pump operational mode, and a cold-pump operational mode. The various features of the first aspect described in this paragraph can be implemented together or separately. 
     A second aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a climate control module including a pump configured to accelerate airflow received from a vehicle cabin, a heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow received from the pump, a recirculation path configured to direct airflow received from the heat exchanger back to the vehicle cabin, an exhaust path configured to direct airflow received from the heat exchanger to an exterior of the vehicle cabin, and a mode door controllable to selectively close the recirculation path or the exhaust path based on a mode of operation of the climate control module. 
     In the second aspect, the mode of operation may be one of heating, cooling, heating with recapture, cooling with recapture, cold pump, or heat pump. The heat exchanger may be configured to heat airflow in the heating, the heating with recapture, and the cold pump modes of operation. The heat exchanger may be configured to cool airflow in the cooling, the cooling with recapture, and the heat pump modes of operation. The various features of the second aspect described in this paragraph can be implemented together or separately. 
     A third aspect of the disclosed embodiments is climate control method that includes determining, based on sensor information from an interior of a vehicle cabin, that an air quality parameter is below an air quality threshold. Upon the air quality parameter being below the air quality threshold, the climate control method includes sending a command to a climate control system configured to cause a first portion of the climate control system to draw fresh air from an exterior of the vehicle cabin through a first filter and into the vehicle cabin and cause a second portion of the climate control system to draw air from the vehicle cabin through a second filter and return the air to the vehicle cabin. 
     In the third aspect, the first filter may meet a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration rating, and the second filter may remove at least 95% of airborne particles per a United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) filtration rating. The method may include receiving, from a sensor in the vehicle cabin, the sensor information including the air quality parameter and determining, based on the sensor information from the interior of the vehicle cabin, that the air quality parameter is above the air quality threshold. Upon the air quality parameter being above the air quality threshold, the method may include sending a command to the climate control system configured to cause the second portion of the climate control system to vent the air from the vehicle cabin to the exterior of the vehicle cabin. The first portion of the climate control system may be configured to draw air from the exterior of the vehicle cabin through at least one of a first pump and a first heat exchanger, and the second portion of the climate control system may be configured to draw air from the vehicle cabin through at least one of a second pump and a second heat exchanger. The various features of the third aspect described in this paragraph can be implemented together or separately. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIG.  6    is an operational schematic of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIG.  8    is a process diagram for a climate control method for use with a vehicle cabin. 
         FIG.  9    is a block diagram of a climate control system. 
         FIG.  10    is an illustration showing a hardware configuration for a controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Climate control systems are described that include selectively activated mode doors or partitions to direct airflow either to recirculation paths back into a vehicle cabin or extraction or exhaust paths that vent airflow from a vehicle cabin. The extraction or exhaust paths can control pressure within a vehicle cabin by venting airflow that has been thermally conditioned to achieve cabin comfort and optionally thermally conditioned to recapture heat or cold, for example, in heat pump or cold pump operational modes of the climate control system. Recapturing heat or cold from airflow exiting the vehicle cabin can improve overall operating efficiency of the climate control system, and in some cases, of other systems in the vehicle such as battery or powertrain systems. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic of a climate control system  100  for use with a vehicle cabin  102 . The climate control system  100  includes a front module  104  and rear modules  106 ,  108  including heat exchangers  110 ,  112 ,  114  and, optionally as shown in dotted line, pumps and/or filters  116 ,  118 . The heat exchangers  110 ,  112 ,  114  and the pumps and/or filters  116 ,  118  are shown in ordered combinations located within or adjacent to the respective front module  104  and rear modules  106 ,  108 . The front module  104  is located at a first end, here, a front end of the vehicle cabin  102  that can seat rear-facing users or occupants (not shown) when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction. The rear modules  106 ,  108  are spaced from each other and located at a second end, here, a rear end of the vehicle cabin  102  that can seat front-facing users or occupants (not shown) when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction. 
     The components are shown schematically, without thermal loops, detailed ducts, vents, or other flow directing devices and without links to other climate conditioning sources to allow higher-level descriptions of various climate conditioning processes implemented using the climate control system  100 . It is understood that the heat exchangers  110 ,  112 ,  114  and the pumps and/or filters  116 ,  118  can be higher in number, lower in number, absent, arranged in different locations, or equipped with different features. For example, the heat exchangers  110 ,  112 ,  114  can selectively operate as gas coolers, condensers, or evaporators depending on operational mode of the climate control system  100 . The heat exchanger  110  can include or comprise an accumulator. The components of the climate control system  100 , including any of the heat exchangers  110 ,  112 ,  114  can be in thermal communication with additional components (not shown), such as radiators, evaporators, condensers, chillers, or heat sources such as battery components or powertrain components, in order to supplement and/or improve climate conditioning performance of the climate control system  100 . 
     The pumps and/or filters  116 ,  118  can include pumps (not shown) sufficient to accelerate airflow using suction or other pressure-differential causing mechanisms (not shown). In some examples, the pump and/or filter  116  includes a first type of filter configured to meet a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration rating and the pump and/or filter  118  includes a second type of filter configured to remove at least 95% of airborne particles per a United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) filtration rating. The first type of filter, or first filter, can be configured to remove pollution, smoke, smog, and particulates that reduce air quality in the environment external to the vehicle cabin  102 . The second type of filter, or second filter, can be configured to remove airborne particles from airflow within the vehicle cabin  102 , such as introduced by users in the vehicle cabin  102 , in order to more quickly achieve a predetermined air quality parameter associated, for example, with a low level of particulates suitable for easier breathing by the users in the vehicle cabin  102 . 
     The front module  104  is configured to receive fresh airflow (not shown) from an external environment surrounding the vehicle cabin  102 . The fresh airflow from the external environment can pass first through the optional pump and/or filter  116 , then through the heat exchanger  110  for thermal conditioning, to become cabin airflow (not shown) within the vehicle cabin  102  to provide user comfort, for example, at the front end of the vehicle cabin  102 . Once in the vehicle cabin  102 , the cabin airflow can be subject to further thermal conditioning, for example, by passing through the optional pump and/or filter  118  before passing through the heat exchanger  112 . The cabin airflow can also be subject to further thermal conditioning, for example, by passing through the heat exchanger  114 . An operational mode of the climate control system  100  can dictate whether, for example, the cabin airflow is routed to pass through the heat exchanger  112 , the heat exchanger  114 , or both, during thermal conditioning using one or more of the rear modules  106 ,  108 . 
     The cabin airflow passing through one or more of the rear modules  106 ,  108  can be guided by a pressure differential between the vehicle cabin  102  and the external environment or suctioned or otherwise drawn by the optional pump and/or filter  118  or a separate fan or a blower (not shown) to follow at least one of a recirculation path  120  that returns the cabin airflow to the vehicle cabin  102  to support user comfort at a rear end of the vehicle cabin  102  or extraction or exhaust paths  122 ,  124  configured to vent airflow to the external environment outside of the vehicle cabin  102 . The extraction or exhaust paths  122 ,  124  may include extractors or exhausters (not shown) with one-way or directional capabilities to allow airflow from the vehicle cabin  102  to vent to the external environment. The extractors or exhausters may, for example, be injection molded polymer components, including flaps, vanes, valves, or other flow control devices (not shown) to facilitate venting from the vehicle cabin  102 . 
     To direct cabin airflow between the recirculation path  120  and the extraction or exhaust paths  122 ,  124 , the rear modules  106 ,  108  can include one or more mode doors or partitions  126 ,  128  that are controllable, e.g., movable, as shown in dotted line and using directional arrows, to selectively block the recirculation path  120  and/or respective ones of the extraction or exhaust paths  122 ,  124  depending on operational mode of the climate control system  100 . The mode doors or partitions  126 ,  128  may be hinged, rotatable, or slidable and include seals or other dampening materials (not shown) suitable to selectively, that is controllably, cover various ones of the paths  120 ,  122 ,  124  to selectively prohibit airflow from entering the covered path. Though two partitions  126 ,  128  and two extraction or exhaust paths  122 ,  124  are shown, various configurations of the climate control system  100  can include none, one, or more than one of the partitions  126 ,  128  and one or more of the extraction or exhaust paths  122 ,  124 . The partitions  126 ,  128  may be of unitary construction or include independently movable sections (not shown). 
     The recirculation path  120  can include a duct or other routing mechanism (not shown) configured to direct airflow from a location downstream of the heat exchanger  112  to a central location within the vehicle cabin  102  or to vents or outlets (not shown) that can be positioned by users within the vehicle cabin  102  to achieve thermal comfort. The exhaust paths  122 ,  124  can be configured to direct airflow from locations downstream of the heat exchangers  112 ,  114  to one-way exhausters (not shown) configured to relieve pressure from the vehicle cabin  102  such as caused by introduction of fresh airflow from the front module  104 . Selective use of one or more of the exhaust paths  122 ,  124  can avoid pressure buildup within the vehicle cabin  102  that can cause an increase in door closing efforts, undue strain on window and door seals, etc., while at the same time improving performance of the climate control system  100  in various operational modes as described further herein. 
     The climate control system  100  of  FIG.  1    includes one or more sensors  130  that are configured capture or receive sensor information. Though three sensors  130  are shown, more or fewer are possible. The sensor information captured or received by the sensors  130  can be associated with cabin conditions or users within the vehicle cabin  102 . For example, the sensor information captured or received by the sensors  130  can relate to particulate presence and type, particulate concentration, temperature, humidity, airflow, or other ambient conditions within the vehicle cabin  102  relevant to air quality. In another example, the sensor information captured or received by the sensors  130  can relate to user presence, user location within the vehicle cabin  102 , or user comfort parameters such as drowsiness, alertness, skin temperature, etc. usable to support a determination of an operational mode to implement with the climate control system  100 . 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system  200  for use with a vehicle cabin  202 . The climate control system  200  is similar to the climate control system  100  of  FIG.  1   , and the vehicle cabin  202  is similar to the vehicle cabin  102  of  FIG.  1   , so component similarities will be described only briefly. The climate control system  200  includes a front module  204 , rear modules  206 ,  208 , heat exchangers  210 ,  212 , pumps and/or filters  216 ,  218 , a recirculation path  220 , extraction or exhaust paths  222 ,  224 , and a mode door or partition  226  controllable to selectively block or close the recirculation path  220  or the extraction or exhaust path  222  based on a mode of operation, i.e., an operational mode, of the climate control system  200 . 
     In the climate control system  200  of  FIG.  2   , as well as in additional climate control systems described herein, one or more thermal loops (not shown) can circulate a working fluid, such as refrigerant, between the heat exchangers  210 ,  212  and other components (not shown) to effect temperature control. Circulation, evaporation, and condensation of the working fluid in the thermal loop can be achieved using the heat exchangers  210 ,  212  along with a flow control system that includes one or more compression devices and one or more expansion devices or valves (not shown). For example, the compression device(s) can be configured to pressurize the working fluid in the thermal loop. The expansion device(s) or valves can be configured to de-pressurize and/or guide the working fluid in the thermal loop. Multiple thermal loops may be present. Changes in pressure of the working fluid in the thermal loop allow changes in temperature of airflow to be implemented using the heat exchangers  210 ,  212  consistent with the operational modes of the climate control system  200  and additional climate control systems described herein. 
     In  FIG.  2 A , the climate control system  200  is shown operating in a heating mode or a cooling mode, that is, the operational modes associated with  FIG.  2 A  are heating or cooling. In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  210  in the front module  204  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm airflow from the external environment. In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  210  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the external environment as it enters the vehicle cabin  202  as indicated using an arrow  232  that passes through the pump and/or filter  216  and the heat exchanger  210 . 
     In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  212  in the rear module  206  also selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof, warming (i.e., re-warming) airflow from the vehicle cabin  202 . In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  212  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  202  as indicated using an arrow  234  that passes through the pump and/or filter  218  (generally activated to ensure recirculation is achieved) and the heat exchanger  212 . The heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the heat exchanger  212  re-enters the vehicle cabin  202  through the recirculation path  220 , efficiently warming or cooling a portion of the vehicle cabin  202  proximate to the rear module  206 . The term “proximate” is used to indicate a position in front of, adjacent to, or nearby the rear module  206 . 
     In the heating and cooling modes, the mode door or partition  226  of the rear module  206  is controlled, for example, based on a command from a controller (not shown) associated with the climate control system  200 , to block the extraction or exhaust path  222  so that little to none of the heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow passing through the heat exchanger  212  exits the vehicle cabin  202  through the extraction or exhaust path  222  of the rear module  206 . Blocking the extraction or exhaust path  222  improves heating or cooling efficiency of the climate control system  200 . To maintain predetermined pressure levels within the vehicle cabin  202  in the heating and cooling modes of  FIG.  2 A , heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the vehicle cabin  202  will be drawn (e.g., by pressure differential) through the one-way extraction or exhaust path  224  of the rear module  208  indicated using an arrow  236  to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin  202  to the environment external to the vehicle cabin  202 . 
     The heating and cooling modes described with respect to  FIG.  2 A  improve comfort within the vehicle cabin  202  since users located both at a front end and a rear end of the vehicle cabin  202  can receive heated or cooled airflow. The use of the extraction or exhaust path  224  that is spaced apart from the selectively closed or blocked extraction or exhaust path  222  and spaced apart from the recirculation path  220  avoids premature venting of thermally conditioned airflow until after users in the rear end of the vehicle cabin  202  have received benefit from such airflow. 
     In  FIG.  2 B , the climate control system  200  is shown operating in a heat pump mode or a cold pump mode, for example, in a cold environment or a hot environment, respectively. A heat pump or a cold pump can circulate a working fluid, such as refrigerant, through cycles of evaporation or heating to absorb heat and condensation or cooling to release heat. 
     To operate the climate control system  200  in the heat pump mode, the heat exchanger  210  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that enters the front module  204 , as indicated using the arrow  232 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  216  and the heat exchanger  210  while the heat exchanger  212  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool or receive heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  202  through the extraction or exhaust path  222  indicated using an arrow  238  that passes through the pump and/or filter  218  and the heat exchanger  212 . 
     To operate the climate control system  200  in the cold pump mode, the heat exchanger  210  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool the airflow that enters the front module  204 , as indicated using the arrow  232 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  216  and the heat exchanger  210  while the heat exchanger  212  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  202  through the extraction or exhaust path  222 , indicated using the arrow  238  that passes through the pump and/or filter  218  and the heat exchanger  212 . 
     In both the heat pump and cold pump examples, the recirculation path  220  is selectively closed or blocked by the mode door or partition  226  to prevent airflow from returning to the vehicle cabin  202 . The position of the mode door or partition  226  differs from that shown in  FIG.  2 A  for the heating and cooling modes, that is, the mode door or partition  226  moves from blocking the extraction or exhaust path  222  in  FIG.  2 A  to blocking the recirculation path  220  in  FIG.  2 B . The heat or cold collected or reclaimed by the heat exchanger  212  in the rear module  206  in the heat pump and cold pump operational modes can be put to other uses in the vehicle, including for continued use in optimizing performance of the climate control system  200 . 
     A benefit of operating the climate control system  200  as a heat pump is improved durability in cold external environments. The heat exchanger  212  does not experience frost-and-thaw cycles since the airflow passing through the heat exchanger  212  is generally warmer than the air in cold external environments. Avoiding frost-and-thaw cycles saves power and increases efficiency of the climate control system  200 . The heat pump operational mode of the climate control system  200  also controls humidity levels within the vehicle cabin  202 . Further, reclaiming or collecting heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  202  is useful in vehicles with hybrid or electric powertrains, since in contrast to vehicles with internal-combustion engines, little or no excess or waste heat is available from the powertrain for use by the climate control system  200 . 
     A benefit of operating the climate control system  200  as a cold pump is that a higher efficiency can be achieved for the climate control system  200  by heating the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  202  through the extraction or exhaust path  222 . For example, rejecting heat from a thermal loop (not shown) that includes the heat exchanger  212  supports lower power requirements for compression device(s) (not shown), as a pressurized portion of the thermal loop can be operated at a lower pressure. 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system  300  for use with a vehicle cabin  302 . The climate control system  300  is similar to the climate control systems  100 ,  200  of  FIGS.  1  to  2 B , and the vehicle cabin  302  is similar to the vehicle cabins  102 ,  202  of  FIGS.  1  to  2 B , so component similarities will be described only briefly. The climate control system  300  includes a front module  304 , rear modules  306 ,  308 , heat exchangers  310 ,  312 , pumps and/or filters  316 ,  318 , with operation of the pump and/or filter  318  being optional as indicated in dotted line, a recirculation path  320 , extraction or exhaust paths  322 ,  324 , and mode doors or partitions  326 ,  328  controllable to selectively block or close the recirculation path  320 , the extraction or exhaust path  322 , or the extraction or exhaust path  324  based on a mode of operation of the climate control system  300 . 
     In  FIG.  3 A , the climate control system  300  is shown operating in a heating mode or a cooling mode, that is, the operational modes associated with  FIG.  3 A  are heating or cooling. In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  310  in the front module  304  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm airflow from the external environment. In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  310  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the external environment as it enters the vehicle cabin  302  as indicated using an arrow  332  that passes through the pump and/or filter  316  and the heat exchanger  310 . 
     In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  312  in the rear module  306  also selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof, warming (i.e., re-warming) airflow from the vehicle cabin  302 . In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  312  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  302  as indicated using an arrow  334  that passes through the pump and/or filter  318  and the heat exchanger  312 . The heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the heat exchanger  312  re-enters the vehicle cabin  302  through the recirculation path  320 , efficiently warming or cooling a portion of the vehicle cabin  302  proximate to the rear module  306 . 
     In the heating and cooling modes, the mode door or partition  326  of the rear module  306  is controlled, for example, based on a command from a controller (not shown) associated with the climate control system  300 , to block the extraction or exhaust path  322 . The mode door or partition  328  is at the same time controlled to open the extraction or exhaust path  324 . In the heating or cooling modes, airflow from the vehicle cabin  302  will be drawn (e.g., by pressure differential) past the open mode door or partition  328  through the one-way extraction or exhaust path  324  of the rear module  308  indicated using an arrow  336  to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin  302  to the environment external to the vehicle cabin  302 . 
     In  FIG.  3 B , the climate control system  300  is shown operating in a heat pump mode or a cold pump mode, for example, in a cold environment or a hot environment, respectively. To operate the climate control system  300  in the heat pump mode, the heat exchanger  310  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that enters the front module  304 , as indicated using the arrow  332 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  316  and the heat exchanger  310  while the heat exchanger  312  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool or receive heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  302  through the extraction or exhaust path  322  indicated using an arrow  338  that passes through the optionally deactivated pump and/or filter  318  and the heat exchanger  312 . 
     To operate the climate control system  300  in the cold pump mode, the heat exchanger  310  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool the airflow that enters the front module  304 , as indicated using the arrow  332 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  316  and the heat exchanger  310  while the heat exchanger  312  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  302  through the extraction or exhaust path  322 , indicated using the arrow  338  that passes through the optionally deactivated pump and/or filter  318  and the heat exchanger  312 . 
     In both the heat pump example and the cold pump example, the recirculation path  320  is selectively closed or blocked by the mode door or partition  326  to prevent airflow from returning to the vehicle cabin  302  and the extraction or exhaust path  324  is selectively closed or blocked by the mode door or partition  328  to force airflow to vent through the extraction or exhaust path  322 . By selectively blocking the extraction or exhaust path  324  (and opening the extraction or exhaust path  322 ) in the heat pump operational mode and the cold pump operational mode, the pump and/or filter  318  may not need to be activated, as shown in dotted line, since the only vent from the vehicle cabin  302  is the extraction or exhaust path  322  and a pressure differential between the vehicle cabin  302  and an external environment outside of the vehicle cabin  302  may be sufficient to drive airflow through the rear module  306 . 
     In  FIG.  3 B , the positions of the mode doors or partitions  326 ,  328  differ from the positions shown in  FIG.  3 A  for the heating and cooling modes, that is, the mode door or partition  326  moves from blocking the extraction or exhaust path  322  in  FIG.  3 A  to blocking the recirculation path  320  in  FIG.  3 B  and the mode door or partition  328  moves from blocking the extraction or exhaust path  324  to opening the extraction or exhaust path  324 . The heat or cold collected or reclaimed by the heat exchanger  312  in the rear module  306  in the heat pump and cold pump operational modes can be put to other uses in the vehicle, including for continued use in optimizing performance of the climate control system  300 . Other benefits of the heat pump and cold pump operational modes are similar to those described with respect to the climate control system  200  in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system  400  for use with a vehicle cabin  402 . The climate control system  400  is similar to the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300  of  FIGS.  1  to  3 B , and the vehicle cabin  402  is similar to the vehicle cabins  102 ,  202 ,  302  of  FIGS.  1  to  3 B , so component similarities will be described only briefly. The climate control system  400  includes a front module  404 , a rear module  406 , heat exchangers  410 ,  412 , pumps and/or filters  416 ,  418 , with operation of the pump and/or filter  418  being optional as indicated in dotted line, a recirculation path  420 , an extraction or exhaust path  422 , and a mode door or partition  426  controllable to selectively block or close the recirculation path  420  or the extraction or exhaust path  422  based on a mode of operation of the climate control system  400 . The mode door or partition  426  may be larger or have a different shape than the mode doors or partitions  126 ,  226 ,  326  of  FIGS.  1  to  3 B  or may include multiple portions to achieve the flow paths described with respect to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B . 
     In  FIG.  4 A , the climate control system  400  is shown operating in a heating mode or a cooling mode, that is, the operational modes associated with  FIG.  4 A  are heating or cooling. In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  410  in the front module  404  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm airflow from the external environment. In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  410  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the external environment as it enters the vehicle cabin  402  as indicated using an arrow  432  that passes through the pump and/or filter  416  and the heat exchanger  410 . 
     In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  412  in the rear module  406  also selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof, warming (i.e., re-warming) airflow from the vehicle cabin  402 . In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  412  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  402  as indicated using an arrow  434  that passes through the pump and/or filter  418  and the heat exchanger  412 . The heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the heat exchanger  412  re-enters the vehicle cabin  402  through the recirculation path  420 , efficiently warming or cooling a portion of the vehicle cabin  402  proximate to the rear module  406 . 
     In the heating and cooling modes, the mode door or partition  426  (or portions of the mode door or partition  426 ) of the rear module  406  is controlled, for example, based on a command from a controller (not shown) associated with the climate control system  400 , to divide the recirculation path  420  from the extraction or exhaust path  422 . In the heating or cooling modes, airflow from the vehicle cabin  402  will be drawn (e.g., by pressure differential) behind the recirculation path  420  and through the one-way extraction or exhaust path  422  of the rear module  406  indicated using an arrow  440  to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin  402  to the environment external to the vehicle cabin  402 . One benefit of the climate control system  400  of  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  is the use of the single rear module  406  with the single extraction or exhaust path  422 , that is, no extraction or exhaust path is present at an opposite side of the vehicle cabin  402  from the rear module  406 . 
     In  FIG.  4 B , the climate control system  400  is shown operating in a heat pump mode or a cold pump mode, for example, in a cold environment or a hot environment, respectively. To operate the climate control system  400  in the heat pump mode, the heat exchanger  410  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that enters the front module  404 , as indicated using the arrow  432 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  416  and the heat exchanger  410  while the heat exchanger  412  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool or receive heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  402  through the extraction or exhaust path  422  indicated using an arrow  438  that passes through the optionally deactivated pump and/or filter  418  and the heat exchanger  412 . 
     To operate the climate control system  400  in the cold pump mode, the heat exchanger  410  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool the airflow that enters the front module  404 , as indicated using the arrow  432 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  416  and the heat exchanger  410  while the heat exchanger  412  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  402  through the extraction or exhaust path  422 , indicated using the arrow  438  that passes through the optionally deactivated pump and/or filter  418  and the heat exchanger  412 . 
     In both the heat pump and cold pump examples of  FIG.  4 B , the recirculation path  420  and the space behind the recirculation path  420  that directs airflow to vent from the vehicle cabin  402  are selectively closed or blocked by the mode door or partition  426  to prevent airflow from returning to the vehicle cabin  402  through the recirculation path  420  and to prevent airflow from reaching the extraction or exhaust path  422  from behind the recirculation path  420 . By selectively blocking the recirculation path  420  and opening the shortest, direct path to the extraction or exhaust path  422  in the heat pump and cold pump operational modes, the pump and/or filter  418  may not need to be activated, as shown in dotted line, since the only venting path from the vehicle cabin  402  is the direct, short route from the heat exchanger  412  to the extraction or exhaust path  422  along the arrow  438  and pressure differential alone may be sufficient to drive airflow through the rear module  406  along this route. 
     In  FIG.  4 B , the position of the mode door or partition  426  differs from the position shown in  FIG.  4 A  for the heating and cooling modes, that is, the mode door or partition  426  moves from blocking a more direct route to the extraction or exhaust path  422  in  FIG.  4 A  to blocking the recirculation path  420  and a more indirect route behind the recirculation path  420  to the extraction or exhaust path  422  in  FIG.  4 B . The heat or cold collected or reclaimed by the heat exchanger  412  in the rear module  406  in the heat pump and cold pump operational modes can be put to other uses in the vehicle, including for continued use in optimizing performance of the climate control system  400 . Other benefits of the heat pump and cold pump operational modes are similar to those described with respect to the climate control systems  200 ,  300  in  FIGS.  2 A to  3 B . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system  500  for use with a vehicle cabin  502 . The climate control system  500  is similar to the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  of  FIGS.  1  to  4 B , and the vehicle cabin  502  is similar to the vehicle cabins  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402  of  FIGS.  1  to  4 B , so component similarities will be described only briefly. The climate control system  500  includes a front module  504 , rear modules  506 ,  508 , heat exchangers  510 ,  512 ,  514 , pumps and/or filters  516 ,  518 , with operation of the pump and/or filter  518  being optional as indicated in dotted line, a recirculation path  520 , extraction or exhaust paths  522 ,  524 , and a mode door or partition  526  controllable to selectively block or close the recirculation path  520  or the extraction or exhaust path  522  based on a mode of operation of the climate control system  500 . 
     In  FIG.  5 A , the climate control system  500  is shown operating in a heating mode with recapture or a cooling mode with recapture, that is, the operational modes associated with  FIG.  5 A  are heating with recapture or cooling with recapture. In the heating mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  510  in the front module  504  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm airflow from the external environment. In the cooling mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  510  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the external environment as it enters the vehicle cabin  502  as indicated using an arrow  532  that passes through the pump and/or filter  516  and the heat exchanger  510 . 
     In the heating mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  512  in the rear module  506  also selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof, warming (i.e., re-warming) airflow from the vehicle cabin  502 . In the cooling mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  512  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  502  as indicated using an arrow  534  that passes through the pump and/or filter  518  and the heat exchanger  512 . The heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the heat exchanger  512  re-enters the vehicle cabin  502  through the recirculation path  520 , efficiently warming or cooling a portion of the vehicle cabin  502  proximate to the rear module  506 . 
     In the heating with recapture and cooling with recapture modes, the mode door or partition  526  of the rear module  506  is controlled, for example, based on a command from a controller (not shown) associated with the climate control system  500 , to block the extraction or exhaust path  522  to promote recirculation. In the heating with recapture and cooling with recapture modes, airflow from the vehicle cabin  502  will be drawn (e.g., by pressure differential) through the heat exchanger  514  before passing through the one-way extraction or exhaust path  524  of the rear module  508  indicated using an arrow  536  to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin  502  to the environment external to the vehicle cabin  502 . 
     In the heating with recapture mode, the heat exchanger  514  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  502  to avoid losing heat to the external environment during venting. In the cooling with recapture mode, the heat exchanger  514  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow from the vehicle cabin  502  to avoid losing cold air to the external environment during venting. Heating with recapture and cooling with recapture allow for higher overall efficiency of the climate control system  500 . 
     In  FIG.  5 B , the climate control system  500  is shown operating in a heat pump mode or a cold pump mode, for example, in a cold environment or a hot environment, respectively. To operate the climate control system  500  in the heat pump mode, the heat exchanger  510  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that enters the front module  504 , as indicated using the arrow  532 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  516  and the heat exchanger  510  while the heat exchangers  512 ,  514  selectively operate or function as evaporators to cool or receive heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  502  through the extraction or exhaust paths  522 ,  524  indicated using the arrow  538  that passes through the pump and/or filter  518  and the heat exchanger  512  and the arrow  536  that passes through the heat exchanger  514 . 
     To operate the climate control system  500  in the cold pump mode, the heat exchanger  510  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool the airflow that enters the front module  504 , as indicated using the arrow  532 , and passes through the pump and/or filter  516  and the heat exchanger  510  while the heat exchangers  512 ,  514  selectively operate or function as gas coolers, condensers, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  502  through the extraction or exhaust paths  522 ,  524  indicated using the arrow  538  that passes through the pump and/or filter  518  and the heat exchanger  512  and the arrow  536  that passes through the heat exchanger  514 . 
     In both the heat pump and cold pump examples, the recirculation path  520  is selectively closed or blocked by the mode door or partition  526  to prevent airflow from returning to the vehicle cabin  502 . As both of the extraction or exhaust paths  522 ,  524  are available for venting, airflow through the vehicle cabin  502  may be relatively uniform, and the pump and/or filter  518  may not need to be activated, as shown in dotted line, since pressure differential may be sufficient to drive airflow through both of the rear modules  506 ,  508 . In addition, the heat exchanger  512  may be optionally bypassed, as shown using dotted line, should reclamation of heat or cold be sufficient using only the heat exchanger  514  of the rear module  508 . Bypass of the heat exchanger  512  can be referred to the airflow following a bypass path, that is, airflow from the vehicle cabin  502  can be selectively routed around the heat exchanger  512  should only the heat exchanger  514  be used for heat or cold reclamation during venting. 
     In  FIG.  5 B , the position of the mode door or partition  526  differs from the position shown in  FIG.  5 A  for the heating with recapture and cooling with recapture modes, that is, the mode door or partition  526  moves from blocking the extraction or exhaust path  522  in  FIG.  5 A  to blocking the recirculation path  520  in  FIG.  5 B . The heat or cold collected or reclaimed by the heat exchangers  512 ,  514  in the rear modules  506 ,  508  in the heat pump and cold pump operational modes can be put to other uses in the vehicle, including for continued use in optimizing performance of the climate control system  500 . Other benefits of the heat pump and cold pump operational modes are similar to those described with respect to the climate control systems  200 ,  300 ,  400  in  FIGS.  2 A to  4 B . 
       FIG.  6    is an operational schematic of a climate control system  600  for use with a vehicle cabin  602 . The climate control system  600  is similar to the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  of  FIGS.  1  to  5 B , and the vehicle cabin  602  is similar to the vehicle cabins  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 ,  502  of  FIGS.  1  to  5 B , so component similarities will be described only briefly. The climate control system  600  includes a front module  604 , rear modules  606 ,  608 , heat exchangers  610 ,  612 ,  614 , pumps and/or filters  616 ,  618 , a recirculation path  620 , and an extraction or exhaust path  624 . 
     In  FIG.  6   , the climate control system  600  operational mode depends on selective use of the heat exchangers  610 ,  612 ,  614 . For example, in the heating mode, the heat exchanger  610  in the front module  604  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm airflow from the external environment. In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  610  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the external environment as it enters the vehicle cabin  602  as indicated using an arrow  632  that passes through the pump and/or filter  616  and the heat exchanger  610 . 
     In the heating mode, the heat exchanger  612  in the rear module  606  also selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof, warming (i.e., re-warming) airflow from the vehicle cabin  602 . In the cooling mode, the heat exchanger  612  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  602  as indicated using an arrow  634  that passes through the pump and/or filter  618  and the heat exchanger  612 . The heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the heat exchanger  612  re-enters the vehicle cabin  602  through the recirculation path  620 , efficiently warming or cooling a portion of the vehicle cabin  602  proximate to the rear module  606 . 
     In the heating or cooling modes, airflow from the vehicle cabin  602  will be drawn (e.g., by pressure differential) through the heat exchanger  614 , or optionally, around a bypass path (not shown) to circumvent the heat exchanger  614 , before continuing to the one-way extraction or exhaust path  624  of the rear module  608  indicated using an arrow  636  to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin  602  to the environment external to the vehicle cabin  602 . One benefit of the climate control system  600  of  FIG.  6    is the use of the single extraction or exhaust path  624 , that is, no extraction or exhaust path is present at an opposite side of the vehicle cabin  602  from the rear module  606 . 
     The climate control system  600  of  FIG.  6    can also operate in a heating with heat pump mode or a cooling with cold pump mode. To operate the climate control system  600  in the heating with heat-pump mode, the heat exchangers  610 ,  612  selectively operate or function as gas coolers, condensers, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that enters the front module  604 , indicated using the arrow  632 , and the rear module  606 , indicated using the arrow  634 . That is, the recirculation path  620  is also used for heating the vehicle cabin  602 . At the same time, the heat exchanger  614  in the rear module  608  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool or receive heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  602  through the extraction or exhaust path  624  indicated using the arrow  636 . 
     To operate the climate control system  600  in the cooling with cold pump mode, the heat exchangers  610 ,  612  selectively operate or function as evaporators to cool the airflow that enters the front module  604 , indicated using the arrow  632 , and the rear module  606 , indicated using the arrow  634 . That is, the recirculation path  620  is also used for cooling the vehicle cabin  602 . At the same time, the heat exchanger  614  in the rear module  608  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  602  through the extraction or exhaust path  624  indicated using the arrow  636 . 
     The heat or cold collected or reclaimed by the heat exchanger  614  in the rear module  608  in the heating with heat pump and cooling with cold pump operational modes can be put to other uses in the vehicle, including for continued use in optimizing performance of the climate control system  600 . Other benefits of the heating with heat pump and cooling with cold pump operational modes are similar to those described with respect to the climate control systems  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  in  FIGS.  2 A to  5 B . 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are operational schematics of a climate control system  700  for use with a vehicle cabin  702 . The climate control system  700  is similar to the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600  of  FIGS.  1  to  6   , and the vehicle cabin  702  is similar to the vehicle cabins  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 ,  502 ,  602  of  FIGS.  1  to  6   , so component similarities will be described only briefly. The climate control system  700  includes a front module  704 , rear modules  706 ,  708 , heat exchangers  710 ,  712 ,  714 , pumps and/or filters  716 ,  718 , a recirculation path  720 , extraction or exhaust paths  722 ,  724 , and a mode door or partition  726  controllable to selectively block or close the extraction or exhaust path  722  based on a mode of operation of the climate control system  700 . 
     In  FIG.  7 A , the climate control system  700  is shown operating in a heating mode with recapture or a cooling mode with recapture, that is, the operational modes associated with  FIG.  7 A  are heating with recapture or cooling with recapture. In the heating mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  710  in the front module  704  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm airflow from the external environment. In the cooling mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  710  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the external environment as it enters the vehicle cabin  702  as indicated using an arrow  732  that passes through the pump and/or filter  716  and the heat exchanger  710 . 
     In the heating mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  712  in the rear module  706  also selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof, warming (i.e., re-warming) airflow from the vehicle cabin  702 . In the cooling mode with recapture, the heat exchanger  712  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  702  as indicated using an arrow  734  that passes through the pump and/or filter  718  and the heat exchanger  712 . The heated or cooled (i.e., re-heated or re-cooled) airflow from the heat exchanger  712  re-enters the vehicle cabin  702  through the recirculation path  720 , efficiently warming or cooling a portion of the vehicle cabin  702  proximate to the rear module  706 . 
     In the heating with recapture and cooling with recapture modes, the mode door or partition  726  of the rear module  706  is controlled, for example, based on a command from a controller (not shown) associated with the climate control system  700 , to block the extraction or exhaust path  722  to promote recirculation. In the heating with recapture and cooling with recapture modes, airflow from the vehicle cabin  702  will be drawn (e.g., by pressure differential) through the heat exchanger  714  before passing through the one-way extraction or exhaust path  724  of the rear module  708  indicated using an arrow  736  to vent airflow from the vehicle cabin  702  to the environment external to the vehicle cabin  702 . 
     In the heating with recapture mode, the heat exchanger  714  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool airflow from the vehicle cabin  702  to avoid losing heat to the external environment during venting. In the cooling with recapture mode, the heat exchanger  714  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow from the vehicle cabin  702  to avoid losing cold air to the external environment during venting. Heating with recapture and cooling with recapture allow for higher overall efficiency of the climate control system  700 . 
     In  FIG.  7 B , the climate control system  700  is shown operating in a heat pump mode or a cold pump mode, for example, in a cold environment or a hot environment, respectively. To operate the climate control system  700  in the heat pump mode, the heat exchangers  710 ,  712  selectively operate or function as gas coolers, condensers, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that enters the front module  704 , as indicated using the arrow  732 , and the rear module  706 , as indicated using the arrow  734 . The heat exchanger  714  in the rear module  708  selectively operates or functions as an evaporator to cool or receive heat from the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  702  through the extraction or exhaust path  724  indicated using the arrow  736 . The mode door or partition  726  is controlled to open the extraction or exhaust path  722  and promote airflow out of the vehicle cabin  702  as indicated using an arrow  740  to reduce an overall change in pressure to the vehicle cabin  702  during venting. 
     To operate the climate control system  700  in the cold pump mode, the heat exchangers  710 ,  712  selectively operate or function as evaporators to cool the airflow that enters the front module  704 , as indicated using the arrow  732 , and the rear module  706 , as indicated using the arrow  734 . The heat exchanger  714  in the rear module  708  selectively operates or functions as a gas cooler, a condenser, or combinations thereof to warm the airflow that exits the vehicle cabin  702  through the extraction or exhaust path  724  indicated using the arrow  736 . The mode door or partition  726  is controlled to open the extraction or exhaust path  722  and promote airflow out of the vehicle cabin  702  as indicated using the arrow  740 . The extraction or exhaust path  722  is selectively opened by the mode door or partition  726  to encourage a more uniform pattern of airflow and pressure change during venting of the vehicle cabin  702 . In other words, since both of the extraction or exhaust paths  722 ,  724  are available for venting, airflow through the vehicle cabin  702  may be relatively uniform to support user comfort. 
     In  FIG.  7 B , and in both the heat pump and cold pump examples, the position of the mode door or partition  726  differs from the position shown in  FIG.  7 A  for the heating with recapture and cooling with recapture modes, that is, the mode door or partition  726  moves from blocking the extraction or exhaust path  722  in  FIG.  7 A  to opening the extraction or exhaust path  722  in  FIG.  7 B . The heat or cold collected or reclaimed by the heat exchanger  714  in the rear module  708  in the heat pump and cold pump operational modes can be put to other uses in the vehicle, including for continued use in optimizing performance of the climate control system  700 . Other benefits of the heat pump and cold pump operational modes are similar to those described with respect to the climate control systems  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600  in  FIGS.  2 A to  6   . 
       FIG.  8    is a process diagram for a climate control method  842  for use with a vehicle cabin such as the vehicle cabins  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 ,  502 ,  602 ,  702  of  FIGS.  1  to  7 B . The method  842  includes a step  844  of determining an air quality parameter, for example, based on analysis of sensor information received from a sensor located within an interior of a vehicle cabin, such as from one or more of the sensors  130  in  FIG.  1   . The sensor information captured or received by the sensors can relate to particulate presence and type, particulate concentration, temperature, humidity, flowrate, or any other ambient conditions within a vehicle cabin that allow a determination of the air quality parameter. 
     In decision tree  846 , the method  842  includes determining whether the air quality parameter is below an air quality threshold. In one example, the air quality threshold may be associated with a green rating or a yellow rating based on the United States Air Quality Index (AQI). In another example, the air quality threshold may be associated with particulate or concentration levels of specified values. That is, the air quality threshold may identify threshold particulate levels for carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, sulfur oxides, or other particulate matter. 
     If the air quality parameter is below the air quality threshold, the method  842  proceeds to step  848 , and a command is sent to a climate control system, such as one of the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 . The command is configured to cause a first portion of the climate control system, such as one of the front modules  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404 ,  504 ,  604 ,  704 , to draw fresh air from an exterior of a vehicle cabin through a first filter and into the vehicle cabin. The first filter, such as one of the filters  116 ,  216 ,  316 ,  416 ,  516 ,  616 ,  716 , can be configured to meet a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration rating. The first portion of the climate control system can be configured to draw air from the exterior of the vehicle cabin through at least one of a first pump and a first heat exchanger in addition to the first filter. 
     The method  842  then proceeds to step  850 , and a second portion of the climate control system, such as one of the rear modules  106 ,  206 ,  306 ,  406 ,  506 ,  606 ,  706 , is sent a command to draw air from the vehicle cabin through a second filter, such as one of the filters  118 ,  218 ,  318 ,  418 ,  518 ,  618 ,  718 , before returning the air to the vehicle cabin (e.g., through one of the respective recirculation paths  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620 ,  720 ). The second filter can be configured to remove at least 95% of airborne particles per a United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) filtration rating. The second portion of the climate control system can be configured to draw air from the vehicle cabin through at least one of a second pump and a second heat exchanger in addition to the second filter. The method  842  can then return to step  844 , and the air quality parameter can be measured again immediately or at a predetermined time interval. 
     If the decision tree  846  indicates that the air quality parameter is not below the predetermined air quality threshold, the method  842  continues to optional step  852 , where a command can be sent to the climate control system that is configured to cause the second portion of the climate control system to vent the air from the vehicle cabin to the exterior of the vehicle cabin, for example, in heat pump mode, a heating with recapture mode, a cold pump mode, or a cooling with recapture mode of operation. In other words, the second portion of the climate control system will not need to execute a second filtration and recirculation; instead, air from the cabin can be vented with (or without) heat pump or cold pump features of heat or cold recapture being executed during venting. The method  842  can then return to the step  844 , and the air quality parameter can be measured at the appropriate interval, restarting the method  842 . Though the method  842  is described as either a continual or interval-based loop, the method  842  may be executed in response to other indicators, such as based on sensor information from sensors capturing information from an environment external to a vehicle. If on an interval-based loop, the method  842  may be executed on a timed basis, e.g., every 1, 5, or 10 minutes. 
       FIG.  9    is a block diagram that shows a climate control system  900 . The climate control system  900  can include a user interface  954 , a controller  956 , sensors  958 , and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module  960 . The climate control system  900  can operate in a manner similar to the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  described in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 7 B . The HVAC module  960  can include one or more housings, heat exchangers, flow paths, and/or doors that direct and condition intake airflow for the climate control system  900  and can operate in a manner similar to the front modules  104 ,  204 ,  204 ,  404 ,  504 ,  604 ,  704  and rear modules  106 ,  108 ,  206 ,  208 ,  306 ,  308 ,  406 ,  506 ,  508 ,  606 ,  608 ,  706 ,  708 . 
     The user interface  954  allows a user to modify aspects of the operation of the climate control system  900  and to set operational modes for the HVAC module  960 . For example, various operational modes can result in heating, cooling, recirculating, dehumidifying, or otherwise conditioning or reclaiming heat from airflow into and out of a vehicle cabin using the HVAC module  960 . That is, the user interface  954  can allow modification of operating parameters of the HVAC module  960 , for example, based on user preferences or air quality parameters. 
     The controller  956  coordinates operation of the climate control system  900  by communicating electronically (e.g., using wired or wireless communications) with the user interface  954 , the sensors  958 , and the HVAC module  960 . The controller  956  may receive information (e.g., signals and/or data) from the user interface  954 , from the sensors  958 , and/or from other portions (not shown) of the climate control system  900 . 
     The sensors  958  may capture or receive information related, for example, to an environment where the climate control system  900  is located. The environment can be an exterior or an interior of a vehicle cabin, and information captured or received by the sensors  958  can relate to particulate levels, temperature, humidity, airflow rate, or other ambient conditions within or outside of the vehicle cabin. 
     The climate control system  900  can automatically change an operational mode of the HVAC module  960  based on a control signal, such as a signal from the controller  956 . The control signal may cause the HVAC module  960  to vary mode door or partition positions, airflow paths, airflow volumes, blower speeds, air temperatures, humidity levels, heat exchanger operation, etc. For example, a control signal can cause the HVAC module  960  to change from a first operational mode where airflow follows a flow path passing through an evaporator prior to entering a vehicle cabin and a second operational mode where airflow follows a flow path passing through a gas cooler prior to entering the vehicle cabin. Various technologies that may be used to implement the climate control system  900  include thermal loops, heat exchangers such as condensers, resistance heaters, gas coolers, or evaporators, blowers or fans, compression devices, expansion devices such as nozzles or valves, ducts, vents, mode doors, partitions, etc. 
       FIG.  10    shows an example of a hardware configuration for a controller  1062  that may be used to implement the controller  956  and/or other portions of the climate control system  900 . In the illustrated example, the controller  1062  includes a processor  1064 , a memory device  1066 , a storage device  1068 , one or more input devices  1070 , and one or more output devices  1072 . These components may be interconnected by hardware such as a bus  1074  that allows communication between the components. 
     The processor  1064  may be a conventional device such as a central processing unit and is operable to execute computer program instructions and perform operations described by the computer program instructions. The memory device  1066  may be a volatile, high-speed, short-term information storage device such as a random-access memory module. The storage device  1068  may be a non-volatile information storage device such as a hard drive or a solid-state drive. The input devices  1070  may include sensors and/or any type of human-machine interface, such as buttons, switches, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen input device, a gestural input device, or an audio input device. The output devices  1072  may include any type of device operable to provide an indication to a user regarding an operating mode or state, such as a display screen, an interface for a climate control system such as the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 , or an audio output. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources, such as from sensors  130 ,  958  or user profiles, to improve the function of climate control systems such as the climate control systems  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 . The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver changes to operational modes of climate control systems to best match user preferences. Other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also possible. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. 
     Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of user-profile-based cabin temperature regulation through a climate control system, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, changes in operational modes in climate control systems can be implemented for a given user by inferring user preferences based on non-personal information data, a bare minimum amount of personal information, other non-personal information available to the system, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220719
Publication Date: 20240625
Grant Date: 20240625
Priority Date: 20210902
Inventors: YEOMANS, PAUL D.
KEARNEY, JOHN M.
KRULL, JUSTIN T.
WUJEK, Scott
CONNICK, KEGAN J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60H2001/00942", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H3/0608", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/248", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00664", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00321", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00242", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00207", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00907", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/039", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00942", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H3/0608", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/248", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/008", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00664", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00321", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00907", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 82851649