Closed-loop climate control system with thermoelectric cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems consume high energy, have complex setups, use harmful refrigerants, and are inadequate on hot and/or humid days, necessitating a more efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solution.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop climate control system combining evaporative cooling with a thermoelectric cooler and cellulose honeycomb pads, utilizing a thermoelectric water cooler to reduce energy consumption and eliminate harmful refrigerants, with a control unit for precise temperature regulation and moisture addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If evaporative cooling is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates on hot and/or humid days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines evaporative cooling with thermoelectric cooling in a hybrid system. The evaporative cooler handles mild conditions while the thermoelectric cooler activates when temperatures exceed 30-35°C or humidity exceeds 50%, providing reliable cooling across all weather conditions while maintaining lower energy consumption compared to traditional AC systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts cooling parameters by switching between evaporative and thermoelectric modes based on environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). This parameter-based control optimizes energy consumption by using the more efficient evaporative cooling when conditions permit, while ensuring reliability through thermoelectric backup when needed.
2Reliability
If traditional air conditioning is used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases due to refrigerants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates harmful refrigerants entirely by using water as the cooling medium in the evaporative cooler and thermoelectric modules. This converts the traditionally harmful vapor-compression refrigeration cycle into an environmentally benign system that uses only water and electricity, achieving both cooling effectiveness and environmental protection.
3Reliability
If traditional air conditioning is used, then cooling performance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into two independent modules: an evaporative cooling unit and a thermoelectric cooling unit. Each module can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to achieve reliable cooling performance while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. The control system selectively activates only the necessary module based on environmental conditions.
4Use of energy by moving object
If evaporative cooling is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the evaporative cooler and thermoelectric cooler into a single integrated unit with shared components such as the water tank, control system, and housing. This integration reduces setup complexity compared to having separate systems, while maintaining the low energy consumption benefits of evaporative cooling for mild conditions.
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, localized cooling or heating with low energy use, minimal noise pollution, and precise temperature control, being compact and portable, while avoiding dry air atmospheres and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric effect is a phenomenon where the application of an electric current of two different conductors creates a temperature difference. In a thermoelectric water cooler, one side of a thermoelectric module is placed in contact with the water to be cooled or heated, while the other side is placed in contact with a heat sink cooled by an axial fan for absorbing the opposite energy.
Implementation Method 2
Evaporative cooling exploits the fact that water will absorb a relatively large amount of heat in order to evaporate. The temperature of dry air can be dropped significantly through the phase transition of liquid water to water vapor (evaporation).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A closed-loop climate system including a a water tank; cooling pads positioned above the water tank, a thermoelectric unit (TEU) connectable to a power supply, and configured to cool/heat water received from the water tank, a sprinkler tube positioned above the cooling pads and configured to sprinkle the water heated by the TEU onto the cooling pads.