You could also use it to dry your gear after a time spent in the water.
Rivian has a patent for an unusual, but potentially useful idea for attaching a blowdryer to a vehicle’s HVAC system. This could prove to be very useful for people who canoe, surf, or do other water-related activities. The patent describes a flexible tube and coupler that attaches to either an interior HVAC vent or an exterior opening. The vehicle will know that the blowdryer is the only way to direct the system’s airflow, according to one example. The blowdryer’s air doesn’t have to be heated. It is also possible to use cold air according to the patent. However, the documentation doesn’t specify how one would change the temperature.
Rivian points out that an EV’s HVAC system is more powerful than an engine in an internal combustion vehicle. The coupler could also be equipped with a blower that would increase the acceleration of the air coming out the tube. Rivian’s blowdryer will also include a timer function. The user could turn the blowdryer on and then go. It could be used to dry your swimsuit while you eat lunch.
Rivian applied for the patent on June 30, 2020. The United States Patent and Trademark Office published the patent on December 30, 2021. There is no guarantee that this technology will be used on any vehicle, as with all these registrations. This solution is easy to implement. It also fits in with outdoor marketing for Rivian’s vehicles equipped with features such as a slide-out kitchen. The USPTO also published Rivian patents on December 30 for multi-function tailgate feature. Also published on December 30 was the a data-inline-widget=”internal-links” data-params=”%7B%22article_edition_id%22%3A%22561375%22%2C%22section%22%3A%221%22%2C%22alias%22%3A%22rivian–r1t–multifunction–tailgate–patents/”>USPTO Rivian patents for multi-function tailgate features/a>.