The Nissan Path

What does the little vent in the dashboard by right knee do? It has a
Tiny fan in it. Is it a sensor for climate control? My climate
Control has become a little erratic- hot air then cold the.n back to hot for no reason. Does air go in or come out of this little vent?
I would add a pic if I could figure out how.

There's a small fan behind it and the cabin temperature sensor for the climate control system. Sometimes it can get clogged up with dust and throw the sensor readings off. It can be accessed and cleaned up by removing the lower dash panel.