Climate management system for a compartment of a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12459333-B2
Application number	US-202318127995-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2023
Priority date	Mar 29, 2023
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A climate management system for a compartment of a vehicle includes a divider selectively disposed in the compartment to divide the compartment into two zones in response to connection with a wall of the compartment. The system further includes a sensor monitoring the compartment and configured to detect the divider in the compartment. The system further includes at least one fluid connection in the compartment. The system further includes at least one actuator configured to control fluid flow through the at least one fluid connection. The system further includes control circuitry in communication with the sensor and the at least one actuator and is configured to communicate a signal to adjust the at least one actuator based on the detection of the divider.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A climate management system for a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
a divider selectively disposed in the compartment to divide the compartment into two zones in response to connection with a wall of the compartment; a sensor monitoring the compartment and configured to detect the divider in the compartment; at least one fluid connection in the compartment; at least one actuator configured to control fluid flow through the at least one fluid connection; control circuitry in communication with the sensor and the at least one actuator and configured to communicate a signal to adjust the at least one actuator based on the detection of the divider, wherein the at least one fluid connection includes a first fluid connection controlled by a first actuator and in fluid communication with a first zone of the two zones; a thermal imager in communication with the control circuitry and configured to capture thermal data of the compartment, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a plurality of climates in the compartment based on the thermal data; a camera in communication with the control circuitry and configured to capture images of a region exterior to the vehicle, wherein the control circuitry further comprises an image processor configured to estimate an identity of the objects to be stored in the compartment based on the images, wherein the image processor is further configured to determine target placements for the objects based on the identity of the objects and the plurality of climates, wherein determining the target placements is based further on a target temperature for the objects, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to estimate the target temperature for the objects based on the identity of the objects, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to communicate an indication to place the objects in the target placements; and a projector in communication with the control circuitry and configured to project the indication in the compartment.

2 . The climate management system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a container coupled with the first fluid connection providing fluid communication to an inside of the container.

3 . The climate management system of claim 2 , wherein the inside of the container is fluidly isolated from a remainder of the first zone.

4 . The climate management system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wireless communication circuit in communication with the control circuitry and configured to receive purchase information for a user, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to estimate an identity of objects to be placed in the compartment based on the purchase information.

5 . The climate management system of claim 1 , wherein the indication includes a light pattern illuminating the target placements.

6 . The climate management system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid connection includes a second fluid connection controlled by a second actuator and in fluid communication with a second zone of the two zones, wherein the plurality of climates includes a first climate corresponding to the first zone and a second climate corresponding to the second zone.

7 . The climate management system of claim 6 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to selectively activate the first and second actuators to adjust the first climate and the second climate.

8 . The climate management system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display in communication with the control circuitry and configured to present options to a user, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control heating and cooling of the compartment based on selection of the options.

9 . A climate management system for a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
a divider selectively disposed in the compartment to divide the compartment into two zones in response to connection with a wall of the compartment; a sensor monitoring the compartment and configured to detect the divider in the compartment; a camera configured to capture an image of objects to be stored in the compartment; and control circuitry in communication with the sensor, the camera, and a first actuator, and is configured to determine an identity of an object to be stored in the compartment based on the image, determine one of the two zones to place the object based on the identity, and communicate an instruction to present an indication of the one of the two zones to place the object.

10 . The climate management system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a thermal imager in communication with the control circuitry and configured to capture thermal data of the compartment, wherein the determination of the one of the two zones to place the object is based further on the thermal data.

11 . The climate management system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a projector in communication with the control circuitry and configured to project the indication in the compartment.

12 . A climate management system for a compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
a divider selectively disposed in the compartment to divide the compartment into two zones in response to connection with a wall of the compartment; a sensor monitoring the compartment and configured to detect the divider in the compartment; a camera configured to capture an image of objects to be stored in the compartment; control circuitry in communication with the sensor, the camera, and a first actuator, and is configured to determine an identity of an object to be stored in the compartment based on the image, determine one of the two zones to place the object based on the identity, and communicate an instruction to present an indication of the one of the two zones to place the object; and a projector in communication with the control circuitry and configured to project the indication in the compartment.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Hrecznyj Michael
• Shaw Sarah Marie
• Seaman Jeff Robert
• Diamond Brendan
• Huebner Annette Lynn

Classifications

• B60H1/00807

  the input being a specific way of measuring or calculating an air or coolant temperature · CPC title

• B60H1/00985

  Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators (characterised by the input of sound using a voice synthesizer B60H1/00757; B60H1/00978 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60H1/00592

  Add-on devices, e.g. heat/cooling boxes, compartment dividers, upgrade sets · CPC title

• B60H1/00271

  HVAC devices specially adapted for particular vehicle parts or components and being connected to the vehicle HVAC unit · CPC title

• B60N3/104

  with refrigerating or warming systems · CPC title