Thermal module

Abstract

A climate control device includes a first and a second thermal module. The first module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a first portion of a seat. The second module is configured to provide climate conditioned air to a second portion of the seat. A control system is provided for controlling the climate control device. The control system includes an input device for providing a set point for the system. A first control unit of the control system is provided for the first thermal module and a second control unit is provided for the second thermal module.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A climate control assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a protective casing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, said protective casing defining an enclosed interior space;   a thermal conditioning device;   a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the thermal conditioning device;   a fluid pump configured to transfer a fluid from the at least one fluid inlet to the at least one fluid outlet at least partially through the first heat exchanger to selectively heat or cool the fluid exiting the at least one fluid outlet; and   a controller for selectively controlling at least one of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump; and   wherein the thermal conditioning device, the first heat exchanger, the fluid pump and the controller are situated within the enclosed interior space of the protective casing;   and wherein the climate control assembly does not require another physically separate independent controller in order to control the at least one of the thermoelectric device and the fluid pump.   
     
     
         12 . The climate control assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a temperature sensor operatively connected to the controller. 
     
     
         13 . The climate control assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a temperature sensor indicative of the temperature of the fluid conditioned by the thermal conditioning device. 
     
     
         14 . (The climate control assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the controller adjusts the operation of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump based upon predetermined logic. 
     
     
         15 . The climate control assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the controller comprises a single controller configured to adjust operation of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump based upon the predetermined logic. 
     
     
         16 . The climate control assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined logic uses a temperature signal and an occupant input to adjust the operation of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump. 
     
     
         17 . The climate control assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the occupant input includes a temperature setting. 
     
     
         18 . The climate control assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a power control unit to provide electrical capacity to the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump. 
     
     
         19 . The climate control assembly of  claim 11  wherein the thermal conditioning device comprises a thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         20 . A climate control assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a protective casing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, said protective casing defining an enclosed interior space;   a thermal conditioning device;   a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the thermal conditioning device;   a temperature sensor;   a fluid pump configured to transfer a fluid from the at least one fluid inlet to the at least one fluid outlet at least partially through the first heat exchangers to selectively heat or cool the fluid exiting the at least one fluid outlet; and   a controller configured to selectively control at least one of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump according to predetermined logic based upon temperature information from the temperature sensor and an input from a user input device; and   wherein the thermal conditioning device, the first heat exchanger, the fluid pump and the controller are situated within the enclosed interior space of the protective casing.   
     
     
         21 . The climate control assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the temperature sensor is indicative of the temperature of the fluid conditioned by the thermal conditioning device. 
     
     
         22 . The climate control assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the controller adjusts the operation of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump based upon the predetermined logic. 
     
     
         23 . The climate control assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the controller comprises a single controller configured to adjust the operation of the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump based upon the predetermined logic. 
     
     
         24 . The climate control assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the input from the user input device includes a temperature setting. 
     
     
         25 . The climate control assembly of  claim 20 , comprising a power control unit to provide electrical capacity to the thermal conditioning device and the fluid pump. 
     
     
         26 . The climate control assembly of  claim 20  wherein the thermal conditioning device comprises a thermoelectric device.