Cooling system for an instrument panel of a vehicle

• Main Authors: HUANG LIN-JIE, PAWLAK JOHN L.III
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.03.2006
• Subjects: AIR-CONDITIONING, AIR-HUMIDIFICATION, VENTILATION, USE OF AIRCURRENTS FOR SCREENING; BLASTING; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; RANGES; VENTILATING; WEAPONS

The subject invention provides a heat transfer device ( 24 ) for controlling the temperature of an instrument panel ( 18 ) extending from and under a windshield ( 16 ) of a vehicle ( 10 ). Sunlight ( 22 ) passes through the windshield ( 16 ), thereby heating the surface of the instrument panel ( 18 ). The instrument panel ( 18 ) then transfers the heat to an interior compartment ( 14 ) of the vehicle ( 10 ) affecting the thermal comfort of a passenger. The heat transfer device ( 24 ) directly removes the heat stored in the instrument panel ( 18 ) to limit the transfer of heat from the instrument panel ( 18 ) to the interior compartment ( 14 ). Preferably, the heat transfer device ( 24 ) circulates a flow of cooling air ( 40 ) over the surface of the instrument panel ( 18 ) to remove the heat stored therein. As such, the heat transfer device ( 24 ) limits the heat transfer into and thereby cools the interior compartment ( 14 ) of the vehicle ( 10 ) to meet the desired thermal comfort level of the passenger in less time and with less energy.