Adaptive Cabin Air Conditioning with Liquid and Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems in transportation equipment fail to efficiently and uniformly control the temperature of both air and internal installations within the cabin, leading to discomfort due to differences in heat capacities, resulting in prolonged cooling or heating times and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive air conditioning system incorporating a liquid circulation unit, air circulation unit, data collecting apparatus, and microcontroller that measures and responds to temperature differences across the cabin, including internal installations and transported objects, to dynamically adjust temperatures and utilize phase change materials for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems control only air temperature, then air temperature can be adjusted easily, but internal installation temperature cannot be effectively controlled leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is divided into two independent control loops: one for air temperature control and another for internal installation temperature control. This segmentation allows each component (air and internal installations) to be controlled independently, resolving the contradiction by enabling effective temperature control for both air and internal installations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature control strategies are applied to different parts of the cabin. The system applies air circulation for general air temperature control and liquid circulation specifically for internal installation temperature control. This local quality approach ensures that each component receives appropriate temperature management, improving overall temperature control effectiveness.
2Speed
If air conditioning system operates at full capacity to cool cabin, then air temperature can be reduced quickly, but internal installation takes prolonged time to cool down
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling action on internal installations by circulating liquid through channels in seats, steering wheels, and dashboard before passengers enter or while the vehicle is stationary. This preliminary action reduces the initial temperature of internal installations, so when the vehicle operates, the cooling time is significantly reduced and comfort is improved.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid circulation system acts as an intermediary between the cooling source and internal installations. The liquid (water or glycol solution) absorbs heat from internal installations more efficiently than air, serving as a heat transfer medium that accelerates the cooling process of high heat capacity components.
3Device complexity
If conventional air conditioning systems are used, then system structure is simple, but temperature uniformity across cabin components is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid circulation system serves multiple functions: it cools seats, steering wheels, dashboard, and other internal installations simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach achieves temperature uniformity across all internal installations without significantly increasing system complexity, as the same liquid circulation infrastructure serves multiple cooling needs.
4Temperature
If air conditioning system runs continuously to maintain temperature, then temperature control is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of internal installations when the vehicle is stationary or before passengers enter. This preliminary action pre-conditiones the internal installations, reducing the energy required for continuous operation during vehicle use. By doing work in advance, the system reduces subsequent energy consumption while maintaining temperature control.
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
The system achieves rapid, uniform, and flexible temperature control, improving passenger comfort and reducing energy consumption by efficiently managing thermal energy changes and allowing for external heat exchange even when the vehicle is stationary.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid circulation unit (131) thermally connected to at least one piece of the internal installation (333)
Implementation Method 2
the liquid circulation unit (131) is thermally connected to at least one piece of the internal installation (333)
Implementation Method 3
an air circulation unit (133) thermally connected to the compartment (331)
Implementation Method 4
utilize phase change materials for enhanced performance
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive air conditioning system, a method for the system, and a carrier equipped with the system are disclosed. The carrier includes at least one adaptive air conditioning system. The carrier has a body, which includes at least one cabin defining a compartment for accommodating transported objects, such as passengers or cargos. The adaptive air conditioning system includes data collecting apparatus, temperature control apparatus, and a microcontroller. The temperature control apparatus includes a liquid circulation unit, an air circulation unit, and a control switch. With the adaptive air conditioning system, the air and internal installation in the compartment can be controlled at a predetermined temperature more promptly, efficiently, uniformly, and flexibly, thus increasing comfort level for the passengers or meeting the temperature requirements for the cargos.