Vehicle Cabin Airflow Selector for Independent Front-Rear Blower Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning apparatuses for larger vehicles, such as SUVs and mini-vans, require auxiliary HVAC units to ensure rear occupant heating, leading to increased components, weight, and cost, while failing to separately control airflow levels for the front and rear areas.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with two blowers and an airflow selecting mechanism, controlled by an electronic unit, allows for independent airflow management between the front and rear areas, enabling separate setting and control of airflow levels through distinct modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single HVAC unit with two blowers is used to provide conditioned air to both front and rear areas, then the number of components is reduced, but the airflow amounts to front and rear areas cannot be controlled separately
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow control system is segmented into two independent control paths: a first airflow control mechanism controlling airflow to the front area, and a second airflow control mechanism controlling airflow to the rear area. This allows each zone to be controlled independently while using a single HVAC unit, resolving the contradiction between reduced component complexity and separate airflow control capability.
2Reliability
If an auxiliary HVAC unit is added to ensure rear occupant heating, then heating performance for rear occupants is improved, but components, vehicle weight, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of a primary HVAC unit and an auxiliary HVAC unit into a single integrated system. The single HVAC unit is equipped with two blowers and separate airflow control mechanisms that together perform the functions previously requiring two separate units, thereby reducing component count and vehicle weight while maintaining reliable heating performance for rear occupants.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single HVAC unit with shared airflow passages is used, then space and cost are reduced, but airflow amounts to front and rear areas affect each other
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow control system is divided into separate control mechanisms for front and rear areas. The first airflow control mechanism independently controls airflow to the front area, while the second airflow control mechanism independently controls airflow to the rear area. This segmentation enables independent airflow adjustment in each zone despite using a compact single HVAC unit design.
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 allows for independent control of airflow in both the front and rear areas, reducing the need for additional components and complexity, while enhancing user customization and reducing vehicle weight and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The first blower is configured to create airflow in the first airflow passage
Implementation Method 2
The second blower is configured to create airflow in the second airflow passage
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cabin air conditioning apparatus including an airflow selecting mechanism movable between a first position to provide a first airflow mode and a second position to provide a second airflow mode. The airflow selecting mechanism restricts first airflow from flowing from a first airflow conduit to a second airflow conduit when in the first position, and permits the first airflow from flowing from the first airflow conduit to the second airflow conduit when in the second position. An electronic control unit is configured to control a first blower based on a user set front cabin airflow level and a second blower based on a user set rear cabin airflow level when in the first airflow mode. The electronic control unit controls the first blower based on the user set front cabin airflow level and the user set rear cabin airflow level when in the second airflow mode.