PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10752082-B1
Application Number: US-201715606179-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Climate control system with slit-vent fluid delivery

Abstract:
A climate control system includes a fluid delivery module. The fluid delivery module includes a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet with the outlet having an elongated, slit-like shape and is not visible within a sight line of a user. The fluid delivery module further includes a fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet and movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid delivery module, comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet, wherein a width of the outlet is at least an order of magnitude greater than a height of the outlet, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the inlet is at least an order of magnitude greater than a cross-sectional area of the outlet; 
 a fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet and movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing, wherein the fluidic control device is spaced from the outlet such that movement of the fluidic control device is blocked from view of a user positioned at a location outside the housing; 
 a shutter device extending at least partially across the outlet and positionally controllable to vary the cross-sectional area of the outlet, wherein varying the cross-sectional area of the outlet generates oscillations or bursts of fluid flow from the outlet; and 
 a control unit controlling movement of the fluidic control device and the shutter device. 
 
     
     
       2. The module of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic control device is movable to modify or block the fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet in a portion or zone of the housing and wherein the portion or zone is less than an entirety of the housing. 
     
     
       3. The module of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls movement of the fluidic control device and the shutter device based on an input received from a mobile device associated with a user. 
     
     
       4. The module of  claim 3 , wherein the input defines a fluid delivery profile, wherein the fluidic control device and the shutter device are controlled to move according to the fluid delivery profile, and wherein the fluid delivery profile dictates flow pattern, speed, temperature, humidity, scent, or type of a fluid being delivered to the user by the fluid delivery module. 
     
     
       5. The module of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an olfactory passage defined within the housing between the inlet and the outlet that delivers scented fluid to the fluid flow path according to the fluid delivery profile. 
 
     
     
       6. The module of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a thermal passage defined within the housing between the inlet and the outlet that carries thermally conditioned working fluid that heats or cools the fluid flow along the fluid flow path according to the fluid delivery profile. 
 
     
     
       7. The module of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises opposing side surfaces, and wherein the fluidic control device extends from a first side surface of the housing to a second side surface of the housing. 
     
     
       8. The module of  claim 7 , wherein the fluidic control device is a transverse fluidic control device having an airfoil shape, and wherein the transverse fluidic control device is configured to provide a fine level of directional control to fluid moving along the fluid flow path, the module comprising:
 a vertical fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the transverse fluidic control device that is movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing and configured to provide a coarse level of directional control to fluid flow along the fluid flow path. 
 
     
     
       9. The module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outlet treatment disposed proximate to the outlet, wherein the outlet treatment comprises a porous material covering the outlet, wherein the porous material comprises at least one of a ferromagnetic fabric, a roller-blind cover, or a flexible fabric with openings that vary in size based on stretch of the flexible fabric, and wherein the outlet treatment blocks visibility of the outlet from the user positioned at the location outside the housing. 
 
     
     
       10. A climate-control method, comprising:
 receiving, at a control unit, information associated with a fluid delivery profile based on a user input, wherein the fluid delivery profile dictates a flow pattern having semi-random, sinusoidal, or oscillating directional changes in fluid flow exiting an outlet of a fluid delivery module; and 
 sending, from the control unit, a command to modify movement of a top surface portion or a bottom surface portion of the fluid delivery module based on the fluid delivery profile, 
 wherein the fluid delivery module includes an outlet treatment formed of a porous material covering the outlet and extending between the top surface portion and the bottom surface portion of the fluid delivery module, and 
 wherein the flow pattern is achieved based on movement of the top surface portion or the bottom surface portion that modifies a cross-sectional area of the outlet and stretches the porous material to achieve the flow pattern according to the fluid delivery profile. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein a width of the outlet is at least an order of magnitude greater than a height of the outlet. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the user input is received at a mobile device in communication with the control unit. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid delivery profile dictates speed, temperature, humidity, scent, or type of a fluid being delivered to the user by the fluid delivery module. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid delivery module includes an olfactory passage that delivers scented fluid to the fluid flow according to the fluid delivery profile. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid delivery module includes a thermal passage that carries thermally conditioned working fluid that heats or cools the fluid flow along the fluid flow according to the fluid delivery profile. 
     
     
       16. A fluid delivery module, comprising:
 a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet; 
 a fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet and movable according to commands from a control unit to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing according to a fluid delivery profile,
 wherein the fluid delivery profile dictates a flow pattern of fluid flow along the fluid flow path, 
 wherein the flow pattern includes one or more of semi-random, oscillating, or sinusoidal direction changes in the fluid flow moving from the inlet along the fluid flow path before exiting the outlet, and 
 wherein the flow pattern is achieved based on motion of the fluidic control device according to the commands; and 
 
 an outlet treatment movable according to the commands from the control unit to change characteristics of the fluid flow exiting the outlet according to the fluid delivery profile,
 wherein the outlet treatment comprises a porous material extending between surface portions of the housing and covering the outlet, and 
 wherein the flow pattern is achieved based on moving at least one of the surface portions of the housing and stretching the porous material according to the commands from the control unit. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The module of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an olfactory passage defined within the housing between the inlet and the outlet that delivers scented fluid to the fluid flow path according to the fluid delivery profile. 
 
     
     
       18. The module of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a thermal passage defined within the housing between the inlet and the outlet that carries thermally conditioned working fluid that heats or cools the fluid flow along the fluid flow path according to the fluid delivery profile. 
 
     
     
       19. The module of  claim 16 , wherein the first fluidic control device is spaced from the outlet such that movement of the first fluidic control device is blocked from view of a user positioned at a location outside a housing of the fluid delivery module. 
     
     
       20. The module of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid delivery profile dictates speed, temperature, humidity, scent, or type of a fluid being delivered to thea user by the fluid delivery module.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/341,687, filed May 26, 2016, and entitled “Climate Control System with Slit-Vent Fluid Delivery,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicle climate control systems. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a low-profile, slit-vent fluid delivery module leveraging internal fluidic control devices to vary a fluid delivery profile. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicle climate control systems are designed to change environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature within a vehicle cabin. Many climate control systems adjust environmental conditions by providing thermally conditioned fluid, generally air, to the vehicle cabin using a series of ducts, outlets, and user-manipulated directional control devices. For example, many climate control systems include manually-adjustable vanes or registers positioned across rectangular duct outlets located on interior surfaces such as the instrument panel or the center console within the vehicle. These outlet and vane combinations use a large amount of space within the vehicle and grant a limited amount of fluid delivery control to the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure relates to fluid delivery modules and climate-control methods. In one aspect of the disclosure, a fluid delivery module includes a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The outlet has a slit-like shape and is not visible within a sight line of a user. The fluid delivery module further includes a fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic control device is movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a climate-control method includes receiving information associated with a fluid delivery profile based on a user input at a control unit and sending, from the control unit, a command to modify movement of a fluidic control device within a fluid delivery module based on the fluid delivery profile. The fluid delivery profile defines a pattern of fluid flow exiting an outlet of the fluid delivery module. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, the fluid delivery module includes a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet, a fluidic control device disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet and movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing according to a fluid delivery profile, and an outlet treatment disposed proximate to the outlet and comprising at least one of a porous material covering the outlet, a shutter device movable to alter a cross-sectional area of the outlet, or a lighting feature masking visibility of the outlet from a location outside the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure is best understood using the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar reference numerals in the drawings designate similar elements. Note that the dimensions of the various features can be expanded or reduced for clarity. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a climate control system for a vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cutaway front perspective view of a slit-vent fluid delivery module in the climate control system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a vertical sectional view through section  3 - 3  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows another vertical sectional view through section  3 - 3  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a horizontal sectional view through section  5 - 5  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  shows another horizontal sectional view through section  5 - 5  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an example of a computing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A fluid delivery module with a slit-vent, low-profile outlet providing fluid flow according to a variety of fluid delivery profiles controlled by user input is described. The fluid delivery module includes a housing defining a fluid flow path between an inlet and the slit-vent, low-profile outlet, The outlet is generally not visible to the user based on a location of the outlet in respect to other components within a sight line of the user, a shape and size of the outlet, or use of various outlet treatments to hide the outlet from view. The housing includes one or more fluidic control devices movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing in order to implement the fluid delivery profiles. The fluid can be a gas and/or a liquid. Examples of the fluid include air, water, and scented media such as oil, the provision of each being controlled in content and direction in order to meet the desired fluid delivery profile. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a climate control system usable, for example, with a vehicle  100 . The vehicle  100  can include a power unit, a thermal transfer module, and a control unit. The power unit can be an internal combustion engine and/or a battery  102  that provides both heat and power to the thermal transfer module, the control unit, and/or any other components or systems within the vehicle  100  that require electrical energy or thermal conditioning to operate. The control unit can be an ECU  104  configured to control the various components of the thermal transfer module. 
     The thermal transfer module can include a heating module  106 . The heating module  106  can include the battery  102 , a heating element, such as a heater core  108 , and a cooling element, such as a radiator  110 . The heating module  106  can circulate a working fluid, such as a glycol-based coolant, between the battery  102 , the heater core  108 , and the radiator  110  to generate heat for the heating module  106 . Other examples of working fluids include water and air. The working fluid is separate from the fluid flow delivered to a user as described in additional detail below, as the working fluid is generally used to thermally condition the fluid flow. 
     The thermal transfer module can also include a cooling module  112 . The cooling module  112  can include cooling elements such as an evaporator core  114 , a compressor  116 , and a condenser  118  that function in a traditional manner, for example, as a vehicle-based air conditioner. The cooling module  112  can circulate a second working fluid, such as refrigerant, between the evaporator core  114 , the compressor  116 , and the condenser  118  to generate cooling for the cooling module  112 . Again, the second working fluid is separate from the fluid flow delivered to the user, as the second working fluid is also generally used to thermally condition the fluid flow. 
     The thermal transfer module can also include a blower  120  and a fluid delivery module  122 . The blower  120  can draw the fluid delivered to the user, such as air or water in the case of added humidity, through the heater core  108  and the evaporator core  114  in order to thermally condition the fluid entering the fluid delivery module  122 . The fluid delivery module  122 , though shown here only schematically, can be designed to direct the conditioned fluid to various locations within the vehicle  100 . In one example, the fluid delivery module  122  can be divided into portions or zones  124   a - d  with each of the zones  124   a - d  covering only some portion of the fluid delivery module  122 . Each zone  124   a - d  can be located proximate to one of the seats  126   a - d  within the vehicle  100 . Though four zones  124   a - d  of the fluid delivery module  122  are shown in  FIG. 1  as generally aligned with the seats  126   a - d  in the vehicle  100 , additional zones can be positioned at a variety of locations in the vehicle  100  to supply the conditioned fluid. 
     Each of the zones  124   a - d  can include at least one low-profile outlet for the fluid delivery module  122 , with the outlet being hidden from view based on a location of the outlet in respect to other components within the vehicle. In other words, the outlet is not visible in respect to user sight lines. For example, in the zones  124   a  and  124   d , the outlet of the fluid delivery module  122  can be located along a lower portion of an instrument panel such that an upper portion of the instrument panel hides the outlet from view of the seats  126   a  and  126   d . In another example, applicable to all of the zones  124   a - d , the outlet of the fluid delivery module  122  can be located along a belt line of the door such that a trim component hides the outlet from view of the seats  126   a - d . Other locations for the outlet include within a foot well, along a roof line, hidden by a trim component of the headliner, etc. The examples of components that block the outlet from view are non-limiting. 
     The ECU  104  can be used to control the heating module  106 , the cooling module  112 , the blower  120 , and the fluid delivery module  122  to condition and deliver fluid according to a fluid delivery profile that is determined based on a user input to the climate control system. For example, users located in the seats  126   a - c  can each possess a mobile device  128   a - c . The mobile devices  128   a - c  can include interfaces allowing the respective user to select, for example, a fluid delivery profile for the user&#39;s respective zone  124   a - c  that dictates the speed/intensity, temperature, flow pattern, types of fluid such as air, water, or scented oil, and/or overall direction of the fluid being delivered to the user by the fluid delivery module  122  in the respective zone  124   a - c.    
     In another example, the fluid delivery profile can be determined automatically by the ECU  104  in order to provide specific fluid types, temperatures, speeds/intensities, humidity levels, flow patterns, etc. within the vehicle  100 . Other means of selecting the fluid delivery profile are also possible, such as by an input received through an interface (not shown) within the vehicle  100  or data provided to the ECU  104  by sensors (not shown) located throughout the vehicle  100 . The fluid delivery module  122  can also include fluidic control devices used to adjust the direction, flow rate, flow pattern, etc. of fluid provided from each zone  124   a - d  without impacting other zones  124   a - d.    
     Details of various embodiments of the fluid delivery module  122  and the fluidic control devices are described in reference to  FIGS. 2-6  below. The ECU  104  can be implemented to control the heating module  106 , the cooling module  112 , the blower  120 , the fluid delivery module  122 , and the fluidic control devices as described with respect to a computing device further detailed in  FIG. 7 . Though rotatable fluidic control devices are described in reference to  FIGS. 2-6  below, other types of fluidic control devices, such as pressure-changing air bladders and shape-changing shape-memory alloy devices can also be used to control a direction of fluid flow within the fluid delivery module  122 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cutaway front perspective view of a slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  in the climate control system of  FIG. 1 . The slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  includes a housing  230  comprising a top surface  232  and a bottom surface  234  between which are defined an inlet  236  and an outlet  238 . A fluid flow path (further described in the sectional views of  FIGS. 3 and 4  below) extends through the housing  230  between the top surface  232  and the bottom surface  234  from the inlet  236  to the outlet  238 . Two types of fluidic control devices  240   a - b  are disposed within the housing  230  between the inlet  236  and the outlet  238 . 
     The inlet  236  in the example of  FIG. 2  has a generally rectangular shape, and a width of the inlet  236  can be generally equivalent to a width of the outlet  238 . A height of the inlet  236  can be greater than a height of the outlet  238 . In one example, a cross-sectional area of the inlet  236  (here, the height multiplied by the width) can be at least an order of magnitude greater than a cross-sectional area of the outlet  238 . The outlet  238  in the example of  FIG. 2  has a generally rectangular, slit-like shape in that the width of the outlet  238  is at least an order of magnitude greater than a height of the outlet  238 . In one example, the height of the outlet  238  can vary between fifty microns and one centimeter and the width of the outlet  238  (and in this example, the inlet  236 ) can vary between ten centimeters and several meters. 
     The tapered shape of the bottom surface  234  of the housing  230  and the difference between the cross-sectional area of the inlet  236  and the outlet  238  are such that an increase in fluid flow speed and a decrease in fluid flow pressure will occur as fluid, for example, humidified air, travels along the fluid flow path between the inlet  236  and the outlet  238 . The placement and shape of the top surface  232  and the bottom surface  234  as well as the size and shape of the inlet  236  and the outlet  238  can be modified to control a pressure differential between the inlet  236  and the outlet  238  such that the slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  can be used to provide fluid according to a variety of fluid delivery profiles. 
     The fluidic control devices  240   a - b  disposed between the inlet  236  and the outlet  238  are movable to vary a direction of the fluid flow path within the housing  230 . For example, the fluidic control devices  240   a  that extend from the top surface  232  to the bottom surface  234  near the inlet  236  include pivots  242  around which the fluidic control devices  240   a  can be controlled to rotate. Similarly, the fluidic control devices  240   b  that extend transversely across the housing  230  include pivots  244  around which the fluidic control devices  240   b  can be controlled to rotate. The fluidic control devices  240   a - b  can be rotated to vary the direction of fluid flow along the fluid flow path in order to control fluid delivery from the outlet  238 . Operation of the fluidic control devices  240   a - b  can be directed by the ECU  104  of  FIG. 1 . Additional details and control features of the fluidic control devices  240   a - b  are described in reference to the sectional views of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  in  FIGS. 3-6  below. 
       FIG. 3  shows a vertical sectional view through section  3 - 3  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  of  FIG. 2 . In the  FIG. 3  example, a slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  includes a housing  330  having a top surface  332  and a bottom surface  334  defining a fluid flow path  346  generally designated using a dotted line between an inlet  336  and an outlet  338 . Two types of fluidic control devices  340   a - b  are disposed within the housing  330 , the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  having an airfoil shape and rotatable about pivots  344  and the vertical fluidic control device  340   b  extending between the top surface  332  and the bottom surface  334  and rotatable about an axis A. 
     In addition to the outlet  338  having a slit-like shape such that the outlet  338  is generally hidden from view of a user, the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  are spaced from the outlet  338  such that movement of the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  is not visible to a user through the outlet  338  from a location outside of the housing  330 . For example, the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  would not be visible to users located in the seats  126   a - d  of the vehicle  100  of  FIG. 1  through the outlet  338  should the outlet  338  be located along an instrument panel, along a door belt line, or along a headliner of the vehicle  100  as non-limiting examples. Lack of visibility of the movement of the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  can be based on the location of the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  within the housing in respect to the location of the outlet  338 , the shape of the top surface  332  and the bottom surface  334  near the outlet  338  as having, for example, a lip or edge, and/or a diminutive height of the outlet  338  that forms the slit-like shape of the outlet  338 . Movement of the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  can provide a fine level of directional control to the fluid exiting the outlet  338 . 
     The vertical fluidic control device  340   b  in the example of  FIG. 3  is located proximate to the inlet  336 . Given the spacing between the outlet  338  and the vertical fluidic control device  340   b  as well as the location of the vertical fluidic control device  340   b  upstream of the transverse fluidic control device  340   a , the vertical fluidic control device  340   b  can also be blocked from view of a user through the outlet  338  from a location outside the housing  330 . The vertical fluidic control device  340   b  can provide a coarse level of directional control to the fluid exiting the outlet  338 . Movement of both types of fluidic control devices  340   a - b  can be controlled by a control unit, such as the ECU  104  of  FIG. 1 , based on an input received, for example, from a user that defines a fluid delivery profile. 
     Using the coarser directional control of the vertical fluidic control device  340   b  and the finer directional control of the transverse fluidic control devices  340   a  in combination with a variation in, for example, fan speeds, fluid delivery profiles of varying patterns can be achieved by the slit-vent fluid delivery module  322 . For example, a breeze-style pattern or profile can include generating semi-random or oscillating fluid flow exiting the outlet  338 . In another example, an open-window-style or open-sunroof-style pattern or profile can include generating sinusoidal direction changes in the fluid flow exiting the outlet  338  without the need for an open window or an open sunroof in the vehicle  100 . 
     The slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  can also include thermal transfer devices such as thermal passages  348  adjacent to, or as shown in the example of  FIG. 3 , within the top surface  332 . The thermal passages  348  can carry one or more thermally conditioned working fluids, such as water, coolant-based glycol, refrigerant, air, etc. that can heat or cool the fluid flow along the fluid flow path  346  for at least a portion of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  322 . Using thermal passages  348  in combination with a main thermal module such as that shown in  FIG. 1  allows for general heating and cooling of fluid flow as delivered to the entire slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  and site-specific or zone-specific heating and cooling delivered by portions of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  that can be aligned with inputs or fluid delivery profiles selected by various users in the vehicle  100 . 
     The slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  can also include an outlet treatment such as a shutter  350 . In addition to hiding the outlet  338  from view of a user by further diminishing a cross-sectional area of the outlet  338 , the shutter  350  can be controlled to alter the cross-sectional area of the outlet  338  in order to change the characteristics of the fluid flow exiting the outlet, for example, to generate oscillations or bursts of fluid flow consistent with a breeze-style pattern, an open-window-style pattern, or an open-sunroof-style pattern. Other fluid flow patterns can also be generated based in part of a position of the shutter  350 . 
     Another outlet treatment suitable for use with the slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  to hide visibility of the outlet  338  is a lighting feature (e.g., lighting feature  245  shown in  FIG. 2 ) that can be located proximate to the outlet  338  in order to mask visibility of the outlet  338  from any location or user sight line outside the housing  330 . The lighting feature can provide accent lighting or highlighting of certain areas of the vehicle while at the same time making it difficult for users in various positions within the seats  126   a - d  to see the outlet  338 . The lighting feature could also be used to represent characteristics of the fluid flow exiting the outlet  338 . Characteristics of fluid flow represented by, for example, different colors or patterns of light can include temperature, speed, fluid type, fluid direction, etc. 
     The slit-vent fluid delivery module  322  can also include an olfactory passage  352 . The olfactory passage  352  can be used to deliver scented fluid such as scented oil in the form of a mist to the fluid flow path  346  according to the fluid delivery profile. For example, the fluid delivery profile selected by a user can be an ocean-breeze profile. In this example, the fluidic control devices  340   a - b  can move in a pattern to deliver a breeze-like fluid flow through the outlet  338  and the olfactory passage  352  can be used to infuse the main fluid, in this case, air, with scented oils or other fluids that give the impression of salt, sand, or sea creature to the user. In other examples, other scents, such as bonfires, evergreen trees, spring flowers, etc. can be associated with other fluid-delivery profiles selectable by a user. 
       FIG. 4  shows another vertical sectional view through section  3 - 3  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  of  FIG. 2 . In the  FIG. 4  example, the slit-vent fluid delivery module  422  includes a housing  430  having a top surface  432  and a bottom surface  434  defining a fluid flow path  446  generally designated using a dotted line between an inlet  436  and an outlet  438 . Two types of fluidic control devices  440   a - b  are disposed within the housing  430 , the transverse fluidic control devices  440   a  having an airfoil shape and rotatable about pivots  444  and the vertical fluidic control device  440   b  extending between the top surface  332  and the bottom surface  334  and rotatable about an axis B. The fluidic control devices  440   a - b  operate in a manner similar to that described in respect to the fluidic control devices  340   a - b  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The slit-vent fluid delivery module  422  of  FIG. 4  can also include a top surface portion  454  and a bottom surface portion  456 , both of which are movable to alter a cross-sectional area of the outlet  438 . The top surface portion  454  is shown as rotated at an angle α in respect to the top surface  432 . The bottom surface portion  456  is shown as rotated at an angle β in respect to the bottom surface  434 . Though shown as slightly different angles in  FIG. 4 , the angles α and β can be equal, can differ slightly, or can differ greatly depending on the fluid delivery profile being executed by the slit-vent fluid delivery module  422 . The ECU  104  can be used to modify the angle α and/or the angle β to change the fluid flow path  446  to meet a specific fluid delivery profile. 
     The slit-vent fluid delivery module  422  can also include an outlet treatment such as a porous material  458  that both hides visibility of the outlet  438  and implements various fluid delivery profiles. For example, the porous material  458  can be controlled in order to change the characteristics of the fluid flow exiting the outlet  438 , for example, to restrict the flow, to change the direction of the flow, or to oscillate the flow to meet a variety of flow patterns corresponding to a variety of fluid delivery profiles. The porous material  458  can also be semi-porous, have variable porosity, have a variety of colors or shadings, and can hide the outlet  438  from view of a user while at the same time only minimally impacting the fluid flow path  446  at the outlet  438 . Examples of the porous material  458  include a ferromagnetic fabric with controllable chains, a roller-blind-style cover, and a flexible fabric with openings of varying sizes depending on how taught the fabric is stretched. 
       FIG. 5  shows a horizontal sectional view through section  5 - 5  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  of  FIG. 2 . In the  FIG. 5  example, the slit-vent fluid delivery module  522  extends from an inlet  536  to an outlet  538 . Two types of fluidic control devices  540   a - b  are disposed between the inlet  536  and the outlet  538 , the transverse fluidic control device  540   a  rotatable about axis C and the spaced, vertical fluidic control devices  540   b  having airfoil shapes and rotatable about pivots  542 . The fluidic control devices  540   a - b  operate in a manner similar to that described in respect to the fluidic control devices  340   a - b  of  FIG. 3 . 
     With the spaced, vertical fluidic control devices  540   b  oriented in a manner that is generally perpendicular to cross-sectional areas of the inlet  536  and the outlet  538 , fluid flow paths  546  can extend between the vertical fluidic control devices  540   b . Similarly, with the transverse fluidic control device  540   a  oriented in a manner that is also generally perpendicular to the cross-sectional areas of the inlet  536  and the outlet  538 , the fluid flow paths  546  can further extend across a surface of the transverse fluidic control device  540   a  as shown. With the fluidic control devices  540   a - b  in the shown orientation, the fluid flow paths  546  are generally unobstructed between the inlet  536  and the outlet  538 . 
       FIG. 6  shows another horizontal sectional view through section  5 - 5  of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  222  of  FIG. 2 . The  FIG. 6  example is similar to the  FIG. 5  example except for the orientation of fluidic control devices  640   a - b . Thus, a slit-vent fluid delivery module  622  extends from an inlet  636  to an outlet  638  and includes the transverse fluidic control device  640   a  rotatable about axis D and the spaced, vertical fluidic control devices  640   b  having airfoil shapes and rotatable about pivots  642 . The fluidic control devices  640   a - b  operate in a manner similar to that described in respect to the fluidic control devices  340   a - b  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The spaced, vertical fluidic control devices  640   b  are oriented in a manner that is generally parallel to cross-sectional areas of the inlet  636  and the outlet  638  such that fluid flow paths  646  are generally blocked between the vertical fluidic control devices  640   b . Similarly, the transverse fluidic control device  640   a  is oriented in a manner that is also generally parallel to the cross-sectional areas of the inlet  636  and the outlet  638  such that any fluid flow paths  646  that manage to extend between the vertical fluidic control devices  640   b  are blocked by the transverse fluidic control device  640   a  as shown. With the fluidic control devices  640   a - b  in the described orientations, the fluid flow paths  646  are generally obstructed between the inlet  636  and the outlet  638 . These orientations of the fluidic control devices  640   a - b  can be employed when a user input dictates that no fluid be delivered from a specific region or zone of the slit-vent fluid delivery module  622 . 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an example of a computing device  760 . The computing device  760  can be a single computing device or a system that includes multiple computing devices working cooperatively. As an example, the computing device  760  could be a vehicle-based computing device such as the ECU  104 . Alternatively, the computing device  760  could be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, or a mobile device such as a smart phone. 
     In the illustrated example, the computing device  760  includes a processor  762 , a memory device  764 , a storage device  766 , one or more input devices  768 , and one or more output devices  770  which are interconnected by a bus  772 . The computing device  760  can also include a bus interface  774  for connecting peripheral devices to the bus  772 . 
     The processor  762  can be any type of device that is able to process or manipulate information, including devices that are currently known and devices that may be developed in the future. As an example, the processor  762  can be a conventional central processing unit (CPU). Although the illustrated example shows a single processor, multiple processors can be used instead of a single processor. 
     The memory device  764  can be used to store information for immediate use by the processor  762 . The memory device  764  includes either or both of a random access memory (RAM) device and a read only memory (ROM) device. The memory device  764  can be used to store information, such as program instructions that can be executed by the processor  762 , and data that is stored by and retrieved by the processor  762 . In addition, portions of the operating system of the computing device  760  and other applications that are being executed by the computing device  760  can be stored by the memory device during operation of the computing device  760 . 
     The storage device  766  can be used to store large amounts of data persistently. As examples, the storage device  766  can be a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. 
     The input devices  768  can include any type of device that is operable to generate computer interpretable signals or data in response to user interaction with the computing device  760 , such as physical interaction, verbal interaction, or non-contacting gestural interaction. As examples, the input devices  768  can include one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-sensitive panel with or without an associated display, a trackball, a stylus, a microphone, a camera, or a three-dimensional motion capture device. 
     The output devices  770  can include any type of device that is able to relay information in a manner that can be perceived by a user. As examples, the output devices  770  can include one or more of an LCD display screen, an LED display screen, a CRT display screen, a printer, an audio output device such as a speaker, or a haptic output device. In some implementations, the output devices  770  include a display screen and the input devices  768  include a touch sensitive panel that is integrated into the display screen to define a touch-sensitive display screen. 
     The bus  772  transfers signals and/or data between the components of the computing device  760 . Although depicted as a single bus, it should be understood that multiple or varying types of buses can be used to interconnect the components of the computing device  760 . The bus interface  774  can be any type of device that allows other devices, whether internal or external, to connect to the bus  772 . In one implementation, the bus interface  774  allows connection to a controller area network (CAN) bus of a vehicle.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170526
Publication Date: 20200825
Grant Date: 20200825
Priority Date: 20160526
Inventors: KEARNEY, JOHN M.
MAZUIR, Clarisse
ZHANG, Arthur Y.
SCHAEVITZ, SAMUEL B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60H1/345", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/243", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/242", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00871", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/0025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00092", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00035", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00664", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00114", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00642", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00721", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00685", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00671", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00035", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00721", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00092", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H2001/00114", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00642", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00664", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00685", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/0025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60H1/00671", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 72140875