Air conditioning system for a room with a seat, and method for air conditioning a room with a seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems in passenger railway vehicles suffer from significant vertical temperature differences between the leg and head regions, leading to discomfort due to inefficient airflow distribution, high energy consumption, and noise issues when trying to increase airflow velocity to reach the entire carriage.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a main supply air inlet near the floor, an air outlet near the ceiling, and an assisting supply air inlet positioned between the highest point of the seat and the armrest, which reduces vertical temperature distribution by controlling airflow volume and temperature differences to create a more homogeneous temperature environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the velocity of the flow of cold air from the inlet is increased to supply conditioned air as far as possible, then the cooling coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases and uncomfortable noise and draught air are generated around the head region of passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is divided into two separate inlets: a main supply air inlet at floor level and an assisting supply air inlet at seat level. This segmentation allows different airflow velocities to be applied at different heights, with the main inlet providing bulk cooling coverage and the assisting inlet providing targeted supplemental cooling without generating excessive velocity-related discomfort or energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the carriage receive different airflow characteristics. The main supply air inlet at floor level provides low-velocity airflow for general cooling, while the assisting supply air inlet positioned near seats provides localized supplemental cooling. This local quality approach ensures adequate cooling coverage without requiring high velocities throughout the entire carriage, thereby reducing energy consumption and avoiding draught discomfort.
2Use of energy by moving object
If air is supplied from floor level only, then noise and energy loss are reduced, but a large vertical temperature difference is created with cold leg region and warm head region, decreasing passenger comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into two vertical levels: floor level for main supply and seat level for assisting supply. This segmentation enables temperature stratification control, where the assisting supply air inlet introduces cooler air at seat level to reduce the vertical temperature gradient, while the main floor-level inlet maintains low velocity for reduced energy loss and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply approach transitions from a single horizontal dimension (floor level only) to two vertical dimensions (floor level and seat level). By adding the vertical dimension of air supply at seat level, the system addresses the vertical temperature gradient problem without sacrificing the energy efficiency benefits of floor-level supply.
3Ease of manufacture
If the return air outlet is located on the ceiling, then installation is simplified, but conditioned air is unintentionally returned to the outlet, reducing cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The assisting supply air inlet acts as an intermediary element between the main floor-level supply and the ceiling return outlet. By introducing fresh air at seat level, it creates a more direct airflow path that reduces the tendency for conditioned air to be immediately recaptured by the ceiling return, thereby maintaining cooling effectiveness while preserving the installation simplicity of ceiling-mounted return outlets.
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 a more than 30% reduction in vertical temperature difference, enhancing comfort by maintaining a consistent temperature from the feet to the head region, while reducing energy consumption and noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
air is blown into the room through at least one main supply air inlet which opens into the room and is arranged at a height of ≤0.3 m above a floor of the room... air is blown into the room through at least one assisting supply air inlet which opens into the room and is arranged at a height between a first point of the seat and a second point of the seat
Data Source
AI summary
Air conditioning system is at least partially located in a room comprising at least one seat. The system comprises at least one main supply air inlet opening into the room and arranged at a height of ≤0.3 m above a floor of the room, or on the floor, at least one air outlet opening into the room and arranged at a height of <0.3 m below a ceiling of the room, or in the ceiling, and at least one assisting supply air inlet opening into the room and arranged at a height between first and second points of the seat. The first point is the point of the seat having the largest distance to the floor of the room in a direction perpendicular to the floor. The second point is the point of the armrest of the seat having the largest distance to the floor in the direction.