Condenser Air Outlet Layout to Prevent Hot Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems for vehicles, such as those mounted on caravans or motorhomes, face inefficiencies in heat dissipation and re-circulation of heated air, leading to reduced cooling performance and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning system incorporates a condenser heat exchanger and fan that transfers thermal energy to outside air through strategically designed air inlets and outlets, ensuring the heated air is expelled in a straight line to minimize re-circulation and enhance energy efficiency, while the evaporator heat exchanger is supported by ribs to optimize cooling performance and prevent air from flowing underneath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the condenser fan expels heated outside air through conventional air outlets, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the heated air may be re-circulated back into the air conditioning unit reducing cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlets are designed to direct heated air in a straight line away from the unit, utilizing directional airflow in a specific dimension to prevent re-circulation. The outlets are positioned and angled to expel air laterally or rearward, changing the discharge dimension from conventional upward or omnidirectional patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The air outlet is divided into multiple segments or openings arranged to create multiple straight airflow streams. This segmentation allows different portions of heated air to be directed along straight paths, reducing turbulence and preventing re-intake while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
2Productivity
If the evaporator heat exchanger is supported directly on the housing floor, then installation is simple, but air can flow underneath reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple ribs instead of a single continuous support. These ribs are distributed beneath the evaporator heat exchanger, providing structural support while blocking airflow paths underneath. The segmented rib structure achieves both support and airflow prevention functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs act as intermediary elements between the housing floor and the evaporator heat exchanger. They provide the necessary structural support while simultaneously serving as airflow barriers, preventing uncooled air from passing underneath the heat exchanger.
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
This design improves cooling efficiency by effectively dissipating heat away from the vehicle, reducing the risk of re-circulating heated air and enhancing the overall performance of the air conditioning system.
Implementation Method 1
the condenser heat exchanger transfers thermal energy of the air to be cooled to outside air
Implementation Method 2
the condenser fan introduces the outside air into the housing via the air inlet and expels it via the air outlet
Implementation Method 3
One fan and an associated heat exchanger belong to the evaporator, in which the air in the room to be cooled is cooled through interaction with the refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to an air conditioning system (1) for cooling air comprising a condenser heat exchanger (41), a condenser fan (40) and a housing (10). The condenser-heat exchanger (41) transfers thermal energy of the air to be cooled to outside air. The housing (10) comprises at least one air inlet (42) and one air outlet (43) for the outside air. The condenser fan (40) brings the outside air into the housing (10) via the air inlet (42) and out via the air outlet (43). The air outlet (43) is designed in such a way that the outside air continues to move in as straight a line as possible after leaving the air outlet (43).