Integrated Air Compressor and Liquid Tank for Sensor Defrosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern passenger vehicles have inefficient and redundant pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronic systems that operate independently, leading to wasted energy, increased complexity, and potential malfunctions due to dirt and frost, resulting in reduced gas mileage, increased emissions, and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system where the air compressor's thermal energy is transferred to a liquid tank to heat the fluid, and this heated fluid or air is used to clean and defrost electronic sensors, while a single motor operates both the air compressor and water pump, reducing redundancy and energy waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronic systems operate independently, then each system can be designed and maintained separately, but energy is wasted and the vehicle becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent vehicular systems (pneumatic air compressor, hydraulic liquid tank, electronic sensor cleaning) into a single integrated system. The air compressor and liquid tank are positioned in thermal contact, and both systems share a common motor drive, eliminating redundancy and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system enables a single motor to perform multiple functions by driving both the air compressor and water pump through the common drive mechanism. The air compressor serves dual purposes: generating pneumatic pressure for suspension and creating thermal energy for sensor cleaning. The liquid tank serves both hydraulic functions and thermal storage, allowing one component to fulfill multiple system requirements.
2Ease of operation
If separate air compressors and heating systems are used for pneumatic and hydraulic systems, then each system operates independently, but gas and electric power are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat generated by the air compressor into a useful resource for cleaning electronic sensors and potentially heating the liquid in the tank. The thermal energy that would normally be dissipated to the environment is now captured and utilized through thermal conduction between the air compressor and liquid tank, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The air compressor serves itself by using its own generated thermal energy to clean electronic sensors and maintain the liquid temperature in the tank. The system is self-sufficient, where the byproducts of one component (heat from compression) are utilized by other components, eliminating the need for external heating systems and reducing total power consumption.
3Reliability
If redundant pneumatic systems with separate air compressors are used, then system reliability is maintained, but the vehicle becomes heavier and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pneumatic systems into a single integrated pneumatic system that serves both suspension and sensor cleaning functions. One air compressor replaces what would traditionally require separate compressors for different pneumatic applications, reducing vehicle weight while maintaining system reliability through the unified design that eliminates redundant components.
4Device complexity
If electronic sensors are exposed to dirt and frost without protection, then the system remains simple, but sensor malfunction increases and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic sensors clean themselves using the integrated system's heated air or liquid from the thermal communication between the air compressor and liquid tank. The sensors are protected from dirt and frost accumulation through automatic cleaning without requiring external protection systems, maintaining simplicity while ensuring continuous reliable operation.
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 enhances efficiency by repurposing thermal energy, reduces manufacturing costs and weight, and minimizes electronic sensor malfunctions, thereby improving gas mileage and safety.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange is achieved between the partially contacting portions of the air compressor and liquid tank by conduction, raising the temperature of the internal wall of the liquid tank by conduction
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange is then achieved between the internal wall of the liquid tank and the at least one fluid by way of convection, creating thermal communication between the pump and the at least one fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger car multi-system integration system includes at least an air compressor and a liquid tank. The air compressor and the liquid tank have exterior walls that at least partially contact. During operation of the air compressor, heat as a byproduct is transferred from the air compressor to the liquid tank by conduction, and is then transferred to the contents of the liquid tank by convection. The passenger car multi-system may also include at least one electromagnetic clutch in communication with the motor and the air compressor or the motor and a water pump, such that power can be optionally directed to the air compressor or the water pump during operation of the motor.