Air Diffusion Profiles for Aisle Thermal Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
In passenger transport vehicles, particularly rail transport, the air diffusion system that blows treated air above bay windows creates thermally dead zones in the passenger circulation corridor, leading to discomfort due to low wall temperatures and is inefficient, with existing solutions like heated floors being costly and complex to integrate, and additional air pipes adding size and weight.
Innovation Solution
An air diffusion system that uses profiles along the circulation corridor to sample treated air from above the windows and reinject it into the corridor through perforated sections, creating a more efficient air mixing and temperature distribution without the need for additional heating or ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If treated air is blown along the surface above the windows of the passenger compartment, then air mixing at the seating level is improved, but a thermally dead zone is created in the passenger aisle with low wall temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffusion system is segmented into multiple injection points: the original diffusers above the windows continue to provide air mixing at seating level, while new diffusers integrated into the circulation aisle profiles inject treated air directly into the aisle at multiple locations. This segmentation allows independent optimization of air mixing in seating areas and temperature maintenance in the circulation aisle.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation aisle profiles serve as intermediary structures that dual-purpose: they delimit the circulation aisle and simultaneously function as air diffusion conduits. By integrating air injection capability into the existing profiles, the system uses these structural elements as mediators to deliver treated air into the circulation aisle without requiring separate dedicated ducting systems.
2Temperature
If underfloor heating is added to increase the temperature in the aisle, then thermal comfort is improved, but cost and integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffusion system serves the dual function of both air distribution and thermal comfort provision. By injecting treated air into the circulation aisle, the system self-generates thermal comfort through the thermal energy already present in the treated air, eliminating the need for separate underfloor heating systems and their associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air diffusion function and thermal comfort function are merged into a single system. The same air treatment system that conditions air for passenger comfort also maintains thermal comfort in the circulation aisle by injecting treated air, combining multiple functions into one integrated solution rather than requiring separate heating infrastructure.
3Temperature
If additional pipes and ducts are installed to blow treated air into the corridor, then air circulation in the aisle is improved, but space requirements and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation aisle profiles are given multi-functionality: they continue to serve as structural delimiters of the circulation aisle while simultaneously functioning as air distribution conduits. This universality eliminates the need for additional dedicated air pipes and ducts, reducing the overall weight and space requirements of the air distribution system.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiles incorporate porous or perforated sections that allow treated air to pass through from the upper compartment space into the circulation aisle. This porous approach eliminates the need for complex internal ducting within the profiles, using the profile walls themselves as the diffusion medium, thereby reducing weight and simplifying the system.
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
This solution improves passenger comfort by increasing wall temperatures and reducing thermal gradients within the corridor, eliminating the need for underfloor heating and additional ducts, while maintaining modularity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an air diffusion system within said passenger compartment... The diffusion system is designed to blow treated air along the surface located above the passenger compartment windows
Implementation Method 2
said diffusion system is configured to take a portion of the treated air suitable for being blown along the face located above the windows of the passenger compartment, and reinject this portion through each profile suitable for diffusing the portion taken from the treated air within the circulation aisle
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an air diffusion system (10) within a passenger compartment comprising at least two passenger seating areas, distributed on either side of a circulation aisle (12), and raised on a platform relative to the floor of the aisle leading from the entrance (14) to the rear (16) of the passenger compartment, and being delimited with respect to each platform, by a profile (18A, 18B) placed on each longitudinal edge of said aisle (12), the diffusion system being configured to take a portion of the treated air suitable for being blown along the face located above the glazed bays of the passenger compartment, and reinject this portion through each profile suitable for diffusing the portion taken of treated air within the circulation aisle.