Mobile Machine Cabin HVAC Using Frame Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems for mobile machines are bulky, inefficient, and costly to maintain, with air-to-air heat pumps suffering from low coefficient of performance due to reliance on ambient air as a coolant and heat source.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC system featuring a frame heat exchanger and pump to circulate coolant, combined with an air heat exchanger and fan to generate airflow, utilizing the frame and engines as large thermal masses for efficient heating and cooling, and an optional refrigeration unit for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional high-pressure air conditioners are used for cooling, then cooling effect is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling and heating functions into a single heat pump system that uses the machine frame as a shared thermal mass, eliminating the need for separate air conditioner and heater units. This integration reduces overall system size while maintaining both cooling and heating capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine frame serves as its own thermal storage medium, absorbing excess heat during operation and releasing it when needed for heating. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external thermal storage systems, reducing overall system volume.
2Use of energy by moving object
If air-to-air heat pumps are used for heating and cooling, then system efficiency improves, but maintenance costs and component expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex heat pump components (compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant) and replaces them with a simplified system using the machine frame as the thermal exchange medium. This extraction of complex components directly reduces maintenance requirements and operating costs while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses readily available coolant and simple heat exchanger components rather than expensive heat pump parts. The frame-based thermal storage is a durable, long-lasting solution that eliminates the need for frequent refrigerant recharging and component replacement.
3Device complexity
If ambient air is used as coolant and heat source, then system simplicity is maintained, but coefficient of performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine frame continuously absorbs and stores thermal energy during operation, preparing a thermal reservoir in advance. This preliminary thermal storage action ensures that when heating or cooling is needed, the system can draw from the pre-stored thermal energy rather than relying solely on ambient air, improving coefficient of performance.
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 provides efficient heating and cooling with a higher coefficient of performance and reduced maintenance requirements, operating effectively in a compact configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between coolant and the frame of the mobile machine
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger configured to receive coolant from the first heat exchanger, and a fan configured to generate a flow of air through the second heat exchanger and into the cabin
Implementation Method 3
a first pump configured to circulate coolant through the first heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system for a mobile machine having a frame and a cabin supported by the frame. The HVAC system includes a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between coolant and the frame of the mobile machine and a first pump configured to circulate coolant through the first heat exchanger. The HVAC system also includes a second heat exchanger configured to receive coolant from the first heat exchanger and a fan configured to generate a flow of air through the second heat exchanger and into the cabin.