Climate control system for hybrid vehicles using thermoelectric devices

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system for controlling the climate of a vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module and a heat exchanger. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. The thermoelectric module and the heat exchanger heat or cool the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A climate control system for heating or cooling a passenger cabin of a vehicle during shutdown of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, the climate control system comprising:
 a coolant conduit configured to convey a coolant therein and selectively in thermal communication with an engine coolant system, wherein the engine coolant system is in thermal communication with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle;   a heater core disposed in an air flow provided to a passenger cabin of the vehicle and in thermal communication with the engine coolant system;   a thermoelectric module including a thermoelectric element and in thermal communication with the coolant conduit, the thermoelectric element configured to transfer thermal energy between the coolant conduit and a heat transfer medium;   a heat exchanger disposed in the air flow and in thermal communication with the thermoelectric module; and   a controller configured to operate the climate control system in a plurality of modes of operation, and wherein the plurality of modes of operation comprises:
 a heating mode wherein the internal combustion engine is configured to heat the air flow via the heater core while the internal combustion engine is running and while operation of the thermoelectric module is ceased; and 
 an engine off heating mode wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to heat the air flow via at least the heat exchanger by the thermoelectric element transferring thermal energy from the heat transfer medium to the coolant while receiving electric current supplied in a first polarity and while the internal combustion engine is shut down, 
   wherein, in the engine off heating mode, the thermoelectric module provides heat to the air flow while allowing the engine to shut down and save fuel.   
     
     
         22 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , wherein, in the engine off heating mode, thermal inertia of an engine block of the internal combustion engine heats the air flow while the thermoelectric element receives electric current supplied in the first polarity. 
     
     
         23 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , wherein, in the engine off heating mode, thermal inertia of the coolant heats the air flow while the thermoelectric element receives electric current supplied in the first polarity. 
     
     
         24 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , further comprising a valve coupled to the coolant conduit, wherein the valve is configured to move from a first position fluidly connecting the coolant conduit with the engine coolant system to a second position fluidly isolating the coolant conduit from the engine coolant system. 
     
     
         25 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , further comprising a pump configured to pressurize the coolant in the coolant conduit. 
     
     
         26 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of modes of operation further comprises an engine off cooling mode wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to cool the air flow by the thermoelectric element transferring thermal energy from the coolant to the heat transfer medium while receiving electric current supplied in a second polarity and while the internal combustion engine is shut down. 
     
     
         27 . The climate control system of  claim 26 , wherein, in the engine off cooling mode, thermal inertia of the coolant cools the air flow while the thermoelectric element receives electric current supplied in the second polarity. 
     
     
         28 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , wherein the heat exchanger is upstream of the heater core such that the heat exchanger heats the air flow before the heater core heats the air flow. 
     
     
         29 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , further comprising an air duct within which the heater core and the heat exchanger are located. 
     
     
         30 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , further comprising a fluid line configured to provide fluid communication between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         31 . The climate control system of  claim 21 , further comprising a regenerative braking system, wherein the controller is configured to direct electric current generated by the regenerative braking system to the thermoelectric module to generate a temperature change in the thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         32 . The climate control system of  claim 31 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor speed and braking of the vehicle to predict an imminent stop of the vehicle and direct electric current generated by the regenerative braking system to the thermoelectric module to generate the temperature change in the thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         33 . A climate control system for heating or cooling a passenger cabin of a vehicle during shutdown of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, the climate control system comprising:
 a coolant conduit configured to convey a coolant therein and selectively in thermal communication with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle;   a heater core disposed in an air flow provided to a passenger cabin of the vehicle and in thermal communication with the internal combustion engine;   a thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the coolant conduit, the thermoelectric module configured to transfer thermal energy between the coolant conduit and a heat transfer medium;   a heat exchanger disposed in the air flow and in thermal communication with the thermoelectric module; and   a controller configured to operate the climate control system in a plurality of modes of operation, and wherein the plurality of modes of operation comprises:
 an engine off heating mode wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to heat the air flow via at least the heat exchanger by transferring thermal energy from the heat transfer medium to the coolant while receiving electric current supplied in a first polarity and while the internal combustion engine is shut down, 
   wherein, in the engine off heating mode, the thermoelectric module provides heat to the air flow while allowing the engine to shut down and save fuel.   
     
     
         34 . The climate control system of  claim 33 , wherein, in the engine off heating mode, thermal inertia of an engine block of the internal combustion engine heats the air flow via at least the heater core while the thermoelectric module receives electric current supplied in the first polarity. 
     
     
         35 . The climate control system of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of modes of operation further comprises a heating mode wherein the internal combustion engine is configured to heat the air flow while the internal combustion engine is running and while operation of the thermoelectric module is ceased. 
     
     
         36 . The climate control system of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of modes of operation further comprises an engine off cooling mode wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to cool the air flow by transferring thermal energy from the coolant to the heat transfer medium while receiving electric current supplied in a second polarity and while the internal combustion engine is shut down. 
     
     
         37 . The climate control system of  claim 36 , wherein, in the engine off cooling mode, thermal inertia of the coolant cools the air flow while the thermoelectric module receives electric current supplied in the second polarity. 
     
     
         38 . The climate control system of  claim 33 , wherein the heat exchanger is upstream of the heater core such that the heat exchanger heats the air flow before the heater core heats the air flow. 
     
     
         39 . The climate control system of  claim 33 , further comprising an air duct within which the heater core and the heat exchanger are located. 
     
     
         40 . The climate control system of  claim 33 , further comprising a fluid line configured to provide fluid communication between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         41 . A system for controlling climate of a passenger cabin of a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a coolant conduit configured to convey a coolant therein and selectively in thermal communication with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle;   a heater core disposed in an air flow provided to a passenger cabin of the vehicle and in thermal communication with the internal combustion engine;   a thermoelectric module in thermal communication with the coolant conduit, the thermoelectric module configured to transfer thermal energy between the coolant conduit and a heat transfer medium; and   a controller configured to operate the system in a plurality of modes of operation, and wherein the plurality of modes of operation comprises:
 an engine off heating mode wherein thermal inertia in an engine block of the internal combustion engine heats the air flow via at least the heater core and while the internal combustion engine is shut down. 
   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein, in the engine off heating mode, the thermoelectric module is configured to heat the air flow via at least a heat exchanger by transferring thermal energy from the heat transfer medium to the coolant while receiving electric current, the heat exchanger disposed in the air flow and in thermal communication with the thermoelectric module, wherein, in the engine off heating mode, the thermoelectric module provides heat to the air flow while allowing the engine to shut down and save fuel.