Vehicle Cabin Climate Control With Recirculation and Extraction Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional climate control systems in vehicles, especially those with electric or hybrid-electric configurations, face inefficiencies in achieving adequate climate control and occupant comfort due to limited excess or waste heat from the propulsion system, particularly in novel cabin configurations.
Innovation Solution
A climate control system with multiple operational modes, featuring heat exchangers, recirculation and extraction paths, and mode doors or partitions to selectively direct airflow for thermal conditioning, heat or cold recapture, and pressure control, enhancing efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional duct routing and vent design are used in novel cabin configurations, then the system structure is simple, but climate control efficiency and occupant comfort are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is divided into multiple independent zones with separate heat exchangers and airflow paths for different cabin sections (front, rear, driver, passenger areas). Each zone can be controlled independently, allowing optimized climate control for novel cabin configurations while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamically adjustable components including variable speed blowers, electronically controlled mode doors, and adjustable air distribution vents that can adapt airflow patterns in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the system to optimize climate control efficiency for different cabin configurations and operational modes without requiring complete redesign of the physical duct structure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If excess waste heat from propulsion system is limited (electric/hybrid configuration), then energy consumption is reduced, but climate control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers waste heat from the electric motor and power electronics that would otherwise be dissipated, using heat exchangers to capture thermal energy from these components and redirect it into the cabin heating system. This converts previously wasted thermal energy into a useful heating resource, maintaining heating capability in electric vehicles without increasing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers are designed to serve multiple functions: they can extract heat from the motor for cabin heating, cool the motor through heat dissipation, and provide defrosting capability for windows. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain comprehensive temperature control capability while using the same thermal management infrastructure, reducing the need for separate heating systems in electric vehicles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If single heat exchanger configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operational modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Mode doors with variable positioning capabilities allow the system to dynamically reconfigure airflow paths between different heat exchangers based on operational requirements. The electronic control system can switch between various operational modes (heating, cooling, defrosting, heat recapture) by adjusting door positions, providing high adaptability without requiring physically reconfigurable heat exchanger components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple thermal functions depending on operational mode: heat exchangers can operate as heaters, coolers, or heat recovery devices. The system can selectively activate different heat exchangers and combine their outputs to achieve various climate control objectives, providing operational versatility while maintaining a relatively fixed physical configuration.
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 improves climate control efficiency and occupant comfort by effectively utilizing heat or cold recapture, maintaining cabin pressure, and optimizing airflow in various operational modes, particularly beneficial for electric and hybrid vehicles with limited waste heat.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from an environment external to a vehicle cabin, a second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the vehicle cabin
Implementation Method 2
The third heat exchanger may be configured to operate in a heat pump operational mode and a cold pump operational mode
Implementation Method 3
The second and third heat exchangers may selectively operate as one of evaporators, gas coolers, or condensers
Implementation Method 4
The second and third heat exchangers may selectively operate as one of evaporators, gas coolers, or condensers
Data Source
AI summary
A climate control system includes a front-end or first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from an environment external to a cabin, a rear-end or second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the cabin, a recirculation path configured to return airflow from the second heat exchanger to the cabin, and an extraction path configured to vent airflow from the second heat exchanger to the environment external to the cabin. Various operational modes of the climate control system direct airflow to either the recirculation path or the extraction path.