Vehicle Cabin HVAC with Sorption Dehumidification and Battery Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large tractor or truck cabins are poorly insulated, leading to inefficient and expensive air conditioning due to frequent cycling of multiple mechanically driven vapor compression systems, which consume excessive power from the primary engine or auxiliary power units.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a well-insulated cabin equipped with a HVAC system that includes a sorption system using a desiccant to dehumidify air, a cooling system, and a heating system, powered by a battery that operates in both driving and standby modes, reducing the need for frequent system cycling and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple mechanically driven vapor compression air conditioning systems are used to condition the cabin, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the systems cycle on and off very frequently causing inefficient and expensive conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanically driven vapor compression air conditioning system with an absorption chiller system that uses thermal energy from the exhaust manifold to drive the cooling process. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical compressors and reduces frequent cycling by utilizing continuous waste heat from the engine exhaust, thereby improving energy efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cabin is poorly insulated, then the structure is simpler and cheaper, but the air conditioning systems must work harder and cycle more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite insulation materials in the cabin walls and structure to reduce thermal energy loss. These composite materials provide superior insulation properties compared to traditional single-material constructions, maintaining cabin temperature stability and reducing the workload on the air conditioning system without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Power
If the air conditioning systems are powered by the primary engine, then the power supply is adequate, but the engine consumes more fuel and produces more emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the engine exhaust into a useful resource by using it to drive the absorption chiller. This approach eliminates the need to draw additional power from the primary engine for air conditioning, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining adequate cooling power.
4Ease of operation
If an auxiliary power unit with a secondary engine is used to supply power to air conditioning systems during standby mode, then the primary engine can remain off, but the secondary engine consumes additional fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the secondary engine in the auxiliary power unit with an absorption chiller system that operates during standby mode. This system uses thermal energy stored in thermal energy storage units or from the primary engine when running to provide cooling without requiring a secondary combustion engine, thereby eliminating additional fuel consumption during standby operations.
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 solution provides efficient and cost-effective cabin conditioning by minimizing power usage through insulation and the sorption system's ability to dehumidify air, extending battery power life during standby operations and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The sorption system adsorbs moisture from the airflow using the desiccant such that the airflow is substantially dehumidified by the sorption system
Implementation Method 2
conditioning the airflow via heat exchange relationship with one of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator assembly
Implementation Method 3
conditioning the airflow via heat exchange relationship with one of the coolant flowing through the heater coil
Implementation Method 4
The cabin includes walls that define a space and that have insulation that insulates the space
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle that includes a frame, a prime mover, an alternator, a cabin, a HVAC system, and a power source. The prime mover is operable in a first mode that is configured for driving the vehicle and a second mode that is configured for standby operation of the vehicle. The cabin includes walls that define a space and that have insulation to insulate the space. The HVAC system is in communication with the cabin to condition the space, and includes a cooling system, a heating system, and a sorption system that dehumidifies air provided to the space. The power source has a battery that is in electrical communication with the alternator and the HVAC system to supply power to the HVAC system from the battery when the prime mover is in the first mode and when the prime mover is in the second mode.