Hvac flow control for micro-zone system

Abstract

A ventilation system for use in a vehicle that provides individual control of micro-zones in the vehicle and the system includes a blower for pushing air through the ventilation system, an evaporator for conditioning the air being pushed by the blower, a first duct for supplying air to a first micro-zone and a second duct for supplying air to a second micro-zone, the second duct partitioned form the first duct, the first and second ducts receiving air once it has been blown through the evaporator and a flow diverter for selectively opening the partition wall and connecting the first duct and second duct so that air continues to flow through the evaporator even when one microzone is completely closed and no air flows through the related duct.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A ventilation system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
 a blower for pushing air through the ventilation system;   an evaporator for conditioning the air;   a first duct and a second duct having a partition wall there between, the first and second duct receiving air blown through the evaporator; and   a flow diverter for selectively creating an opening in the partition wall and connecting the first duct and second duct.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter includes a selectively movable actuator for positioning the flow diverter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flow diverter comprises a pivoting door. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flow diverter comprises a sliding hole system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the system further comprises a third duct connected to the first duct, positioned downstream of the flow diverter, and a duct closeoff positioned within the third duct. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the evaporator includes a first side and a second side, connected with the first duct and second duct, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a control system to selectively open the flow diverter to maintain flow through first side and second side of the evaporator. 
     
     
         8 . A ventilation system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
 a blower for pushing air through the ventilation system;   an evaporator for cooling the air having a first portion exit and a second portion exit;   a first duct connected to the first portion exit;   a second duct connected to the second portion exit;   a partition wall between the first duct and second duct; and   a flow diverter for selectively connecting the first duct and second duct.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the blower selectively pushes air through the evaporator. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the flow diverter selectively opens and closes to create an opening in the partition wall between the first and second duct. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the flow diverter may substantially close off flow through the second duct and route the air to the first duct. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the flow diverter does not close off flow through the second duct. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a duct closeoff positioned after the flow diverter within the second duct. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein duct closeoff prevents the flow of air out of the second duct and forces the air through the diverter to the first duct. 
     
     
         15 . A ventilation system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
 a blower for pushing air through the ventilation system;   an in-line evaporator;   a first duct and a second duct having a partition wall there between, the first and second duct receiving air blown through the in-line evaporator, the in-line evaporator having a first evaporator portion connected to the first duct and a second evaporator portion connected to the second duct; and   a flow diverter for selectively creating an opening in the partition wall and connecting the first duct and second duct.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a control system controllably moves the flow diverter for maintaining air flowing through the in-line evaporator. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the control system substantially prevents portions of the in-line evaporator having no airflow. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control system controllably opens flow pathway between the first duct and second duct to maintain air flowing through the first evaporator portion and the second evaporator portion. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the flow diverter comprises a pivoting door. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the flow diverter comprises a sliding opening arrangement.