Active Air Curtain for Vehicle Sunload Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive HVAC systems struggle to effectively mitigate high sunloading, particularly on one side of the vehicle, as they often direct cooled air to undesirable areas and lack adequate ambient air coverage for occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
An air curtain system with adjustable vanes that can change configurations to provide either ambient or direct cooling solutions, utilizing the Coanda effect to direct cooled air between the occupant and the sun, and a control unit that responds to light sensor inputs to optimize airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional HVAC systems direct cooled air to dashboard and floor areas, then some cooling coverage is achieved, but the cooling is not effective for mitigating high sunloading on one side of the vehicle and does not provide adequate occupant comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The air curtain system employs dynamically adjustable vanes that can change their angle and position in real-time based on sunload detection. The system transitions from static conventional HVAC airflow to dynamic adaptive airflow that responds to changing solar radiation conditions, allowing the cooled air to be precisely directed at the occupant and interior surfaces affected by sunloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies cooling locally to the specific areas affected by sunloading rather than providing uniform cooling throughout the vehicle. The adjustable vanes enable targeted delivery of cooled air to the occupant's body and the sun-exposed interior surfaces (door, window, dashboard, headliner), creating localized cooling zones where they are most needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If ambient air vents are positioned below the beltline of the occupant, then installation is simplified, but full coverage of the occupant is difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than relying on fixed vent positioning, the system uses dynamically adjustable vanes that can redirect airflow upward and outward to cover areas above the beltline. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to overcome the limitations of fixed vent positions while maintaining the simplicity of standard vent installation locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system expands cooling coverage from the traditional horizontal plane near the dashboard to include vertical coverage above the beltline. The adjustable vanes enable airflow to be directed in multiple dimensions (upward, outward, and toward the occupant), transforming the cooling coverage from a limited 2D area to a comprehensive 3D zone that encompasses the entire occupant body.
3Temperature
If directed air is used to cool specific areas, then localized cooling is achieved, but the cooling does not mitigate sunloading effects comprehensively and may cool only parts of an already-hot occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of airflow delivery by using adjustable vanes to modify flow direction, velocity, and distribution. This allows the system to adapt the cooling parameters in real-time based on sunload intensity and position, ensuring comprehensive mitigation of sunloading effects rather than static localized cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The air curtain system serves multiple functions: it provides direct cooling to the occupant, cools interior surfaces affected by sunloading (door, window, dashboard, headliner), and creates a protective cooled air barrier. This multi-functionality allows a single system to comprehensively address various aspects of sunloading rather than providing only localized cooling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves occupant comfort by effectively mitigating the effects of high sunloading through adaptive airflow management, providing targeted cooling solutions based on sensor inputs.
Implementation Method 1
The airflow induces the coanda effect, and the airflow adheres to the interior surface as it flows. Thus, a volume of cooled air is positioned between the occupant and the sun to mitigate the effects of sunloading.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described herein that provide a localized temperature solution to a local temperature issue. Sunloading on one side of a vehicle can create a localized heating issue for an occupant on the same side of the vehicle. An air curtain system on the driver's side of the vehicle can detect high sunloading and then direct airflow onto an interior surface of the vehicle such as a door and window. The airflow provides an ambient cooling solution between the occupant and the sun to mitigate the effects of high sunloading. The air curtain system can receive a further input to redirect airflow away from the interior surface and onto the occupant to provide a direct cooling solution to further mitigate the effects of high sunloading. Other features, including sensors and a control unit, for controlling the air curtain system are described herein.