Truck Cab HVAC Auxiliary Battery Operation Without Engine Idling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles and remote structures face challenges in providing efficient heating and cooling due to limited battery capacity and inefficiencies in existing systems, particularly when utility power is unavailable, leading to engine idling and increased pollution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle heating and cooling system that includes a battery, evaporator coil, HVAC user interface, compressor, and control system, allowing for an auxiliary mode that disconnects from the internal combustion engine to operate independently using an auxiliary battery and compressor, reducing battery drain and engine idling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the internal combustion engine is operated in idle mode to provide power to the heating and cooling system when the vehicle is parked, then the heating and cooling system can operate, but the engine idling is inefficient and creates unnecessary pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection between the internal combustion engine and the compressor with an electrical connection. The compressor is now driven by an auxiliary battery through an electrical motor, rather than being mechanically driven by the engine. This substitution allows the HVAC system to operate independently of the engine, eliminating the need for engine idling and the associated pollution while maintaining heating and cooling functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a large battery array is installed to provide power for heating and cooling systems, then the system can operate without engine idling, but the size of the batteries takes up valuable space and the weight reduces vehicle efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into two separate components: the vehicle's existing battery (used for primary vehicle functions) and a smaller auxiliary battery (dedicated to the HVAC compressor). This segmentation allows the HVAC system to have its own dedicated power source without requiring a large battery array, thus reducing overall weight and space requirements while enabling independent HVAC operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the compressor is mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine, then the HVAC system can be powered by the engine, but the system cannot operate independently when the vehicle is stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dual-power system where the compressor can be driven by either the internal combustion engine (when the vehicle is running) or the auxiliary battery (when the vehicle is stationary). This multi-functionality allows the HVAC system to adapt to different operating conditions, providing versatility in power sources while enabling independent operation when the vehicle is parked, thereby reducing the need for the main vehicle battery to power the HVAC 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
Enables efficient heating and cooling without engine idling, conserving battery power and reducing pollution by allowing the HVAC system to operate autonomously when the vehicle is stationary, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor and a compressor coil
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle evaporator coil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A vehicle heating and cooling system has a vehicle evaporator coil, a vehicle HVAC user interface, a compressor, a compressor coil, and a controller. The controller is connected between the vehicle HVAC user interface and the compressor. The compressor and compressor coil are connected to the vehicle evaporator coil.