Compact Air Conditioner Layout for Wide-Range Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning devices for extreme climatic conditions, such as those used in tents, struggle to efficiently heat and cool over a wide temperature range (-32°C to +60°C) without increasing their structural volume or power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fuel heater in the condenser part and a heat exchanger in the evaporator part, with a buffer storage tank to stabilize the fuel heating system, allowing for high heat outputs without volume increase, and using a centrifugal fan for efficient air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a fuel heater is added to increase heating output for extreme cold conditions, then heating capability is improved, but device volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel heater is integrated into the existing condenser part structure, merging the heating function with the cooling system housing. This allows the fuel heater to utilize the available space within the condenser part without requiring additional external housing or increasing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser part housing serves dual purposes: it houses the condenser for cooling operation and simultaneously accommodates the fuel heater for heating operation. This multi-functional design allows one structural component to support multiple functions, avoiding the need for separate housing for the fuel heater.
2Reliability
If a buffer storage tank is added to stabilize fuel heating system operation, then heating stability is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage tank is positioned to extend below both the condenser part and evaporator part housings. This nested arrangement allows the tank to utilize the vertical space underneath the existing components, effectively integrating the storage function into the available void space without increasing the footprint or overall volume of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer storage tank is arranged in a vertical dimension below the horizontal housings, utilizing the z-axis space rather than expanding the x-y footprint. This dimensional repositioning allows the tank to be integrated into the existing device envelope without increasing overall volume.
3Ease of operation
If the air conditioning device is designed as a compact unit, then ease of transport is improved, but space for heating components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning device is divided into functionally separate but spatially integrated modules: the condenser part houses the fuel heater and condenser, while the evaporator part contains the evaporator and heat exchanger. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its function while maintaining overall compactness through their integrated arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer storage tank extends in the vertical dimension below the horizontal housings, utilizing unused vertical space rather than expanding the horizontal footprint. This allows the compact horizontal design to be maintained while accommodating additional heating components in the vertical direction.
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
Enables high heating outputs of up to 7,200 W with compact device design, effectively cooling and heating over a broad temperature range while maintaining compactness and allowing for efficient transport and stacking.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel heater through which a heat carrier flows is arranged in the condenser part
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger through which the heat carrier flows is arranged in the evaporator part
Implementation Method 3
In order to prevent the fuel heating system from pulsing, a buffer storage tank is provided, through which the heat exchanger flows
Implementation Method 4
the air sucked in by the fan can flow through both the evaporator and the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The air conditioner (10) has a condenser part (34) containing a condenser, a compressor and a ventilator. An evaporator part (36) has an evaporator and a supply air fan. The condenser part of the evaporator part is separated by a partition. A combustible heating flowed through by a heat carrier is arranged in a condenser part. A heat exchanger is arranged in an evaporator part.