VEHICLE MICROCLIMATE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME

A HVAC thermal conditioning system provides a macroclimate environment. An auxiliary thermal conditioning system has multiple microclimate devices. The microclimate devices are configured to be arranged within an interior space that provides the macroclimate environment to an occupant. The microclimate devices provide a microclimate environment to the occupant different than the macroclimate environment. The microclimate devices are in close proximity to a region of the occupant. A controller calculates an occupant personal comfort based upon a thermal energy experienced by the occupant from thermal radiation sources, thermal convection sources, and thermal conduction sources, and to automatically command the microclimate devices in response to the calculated occupant personal comfort based upon occupant characteristics to achieve a desired occupant personal comfort. The automatic command is to adjust and apportion the thermal conduction sources and/or thermal radiation sources experienced by the occupant to achieve the desired occupant personal comfort.