Transport Climate Control Noise Adaptation Using Ambient Sound Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transport climate control systems (TCCS) often generate noise that can be distracting and annoying to users, particularly in vehicles with electric powertrains where ambient noise is low, and existing solutions fail to effectively manage noise levels in response to varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that use a controller to adjust the operation of TCCS components such as condenser fans, evaporator fans, and compressors based on noise tolerance settings, tracking ambient noise levels to maintain or marginally lower the noise generated by the TCCS, thereby reducing user distraction and annoyance while allowing increased climate control capacity when ambient noise exceeds tolerance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the TCCS operates at high capacity, then climate control performance is improved, but noise level increases and becomes more distracting to users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimate control capacityVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts TCCS component speeds (compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan) based on real-time ambient noise level detection. When ambient noise is high, the system allows higher TCCS noise output; when ambient noise is low, the system reduces TCCS noise output to maintain user comfort while preserving climate control capacity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses noise detection devices to continuously monitor ambient noise levels and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts TCCS operating parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts noise output to environmental conditions and user tolerance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the TCCS noise level is reduced to meet user tolerance, then user comfort is improved, but climate control capacity is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidclimate control capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts TCCS component speeds (compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan) based on real-time ambient noise level detection. When ambient noise is high, the system allows higher TCCS noise output; when ambient noise is low, the system reduces TCCS noise output to maintain user comfort while preserving climate control capacity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters of TCCS components (speed, power) based on ambient noise conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed settings, the system can optimize both noise output and climate control capacity according to environmental context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If the TCCS operates at high speed to meet cooling demands, then climate control effectiveness is improved, but noise generated by the TCCS exceeds user tolerance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts TCCS component speeds (compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan) based on real-time ambient noise level detection. When ambient noise is high, the system allows higher TCCS noise output; when ambient noise is low, the system reduces TCCS noise output to maintain user comfort while preserving climate control capacity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters of TCCS components (speed, power) based on ambient noise conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed settings, the system can optimize both noise output and climate control capacity according to environmental context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the TCCS noise output is limited to meet user tolerance, then user distraction is reduced, but the system cannot provide sufficient climate control capacity during high demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidclimate control sufficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses noise detection devices to continuously monitor ambient noise levels and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts TCCS operating parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts noise output to environmental conditions and user tolerance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts TCCS component speeds (compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan) based on real-time ambient noise level detection. When ambient noise is high, the system allows higher TCCS noise output; when ambient noise is low, the system reduces TCCS noise output to maintain user comfort while preserving climate control capacity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4273001A1Method and system of providing variable sound control of a transport climate control system
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 THERMO KING CORP
  • EP4273001A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4273001A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4273001A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Methods and systems for controlling noise generated by a transport climate control system (TCCS) that provides climate control within a climate controlled space of a transport unit are disclosed. The methods and systems include a controller obtaining a noise tolerance, wherein the noise tolerance is a threshold noise level that includes at least a noise level generated by the TCCS; the controller monitoring the noise level generated by the TCCS; the controller comparing the noise tolerance with the noise level generated by the TCCS; upon the controller determining that the noise level generated by the TCCS is greater than the noise tolerance, the controller determining a target operating condition of the TCCS for matching the noise level generated by the TCCS with the noise tolerance; and the controller adjusting the TCCS to the target operating condition to adjust the noise level generated by the TCCS.