Airflow optimization for cabin comfort

A vehicle HVAC system, comprising:

• an HVAC apparatus including:
• a suction HVAC unit comprising a plenum;
• a hot air pocket extraction duct connected to the plenum;
• and
• one or more suction intakes connected to the hot air pocket extraction duct, wherein the hot air pocket extraction duct is configured to draw hot air from a hot air pocket in a vehicle through the one or more suction intakes into the plenum;
• one or more air outlets connected to the plenum;
• and
• one or more air director valves configured to selectively direct conditioned air from the plenum to the one or more air outlets.

A vehicle comprising:

• a cabin;
• a dashboard;
• a windshield;
• and
• a vehicle HVAC system comprising:
• a suction HVAC unit comprising a plenum;
• a hot air pocket extraction duct connected to the plenum;
• one or more suction intakes positioned in a region between the windshield and the dashboard and connected to the hot air pocket extraction duct, wherein the hot air pocket extraction duct is configured to draw hot air from a hot air pocket in the region through the one or more suction intakes into the plenum;
• one or more air outlets connected to the plenum;
• and
• one or more air director valves configured to selectively direct conditioned air from the plenum to the one or more air outlets.

A method of controlling climate in a vehicle cabin, the method comprising:

• activating a suction HVAC unit to create suction pressure;
• drawing hot air from a hot air pocket in the vehicle cabin through one or more suction intakes connected to a hot air pocket extraction duct;
• cooling the drawn hot air in the suction HVAC unit;
• and
• distributing the cooled air back into the vehicle cabin.

A method of manufacturing a vehicle having a climate control system, the method comprising:

• installing a suction HVAC apparatus in the vehicle, the suction HVAC apparatus comprising:
• a suction HVAC unit including a plenum;
• a recirculation inlet connected to the plenum;
• a hot air pocket extraction duct connected to the plenum;
• and
• one or more suction intakes connected to the hot air pocket extraction duct;
• positioning the one or more suction intakes in regions prone to hot air pocket formation in a vehicle cabin;
• connecting the suction HVAC unit to a vehicle climate control system;
• and
• configuring the vehicle climate control system to selectively activate the suction HVAC unit to draw hot air from hot air pockets through the one or more suction intakes.

A method of optimizing a vehicle HVAC system, comprising:

• identifying regions in a vehicle cabin prone to hot air pocket formation;
• installing a hot air pocket extraction duct and suction intake configuration to target the identified regions;
• integrating the installed hot air pocket extraction duct and suction intake configuration with a suction HVAC unit;
• testing the integrated system to measure temperature gradients in the vehicle cabin;
• and
• adjusting the suction HVAC unit configuration based on the measured temperature gradients to maximize thermal comfort and minimize energy consumption.