GM wants to use the car’s existing air-conditioning or climate control system to create what it calls a desirable passenger thermal comfort system, which is fancy legal jargon for a comfortable interior. According to the patent filing, vehicles operate in temperatures ranging from 0°F to over 100°F, which is why thermal management is so important.
GM’s complete thermal solution will consist of a climate control system as we know it and seatbelts with a porous sleeve connected to said system. To get the full effect, GM also mentions including heated/ventilated seat bottoms and seatbacks.
Whatever temperature the occupant chooses will be fed to the porous sleeve via the climate control system. So not only will it keep the interior at a set temperature, but you’ll have a toasty or icy cold seatbelt in direct contact with your body.
