Transport Vehicle Cooling System Fresh Air Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for transport units, such as refrigerated semi-trailers and containers, lack precise control over air parameters like CO2, humidity, and temperature, leading to inefficient thermal insulation and potential moisture introduction, which affects the quality of perishable goods during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The cooling system integrates fresh air and exhaust air openings within the air ducts, utilizing evaporator and condenser elements to control air flow and humidity, with a supply air fan and adjustable mechanisms to regulate air flow, and includes sensors and control units for monitoring and adjusting air parameters to maintain optimal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fresh air openings are integrated into the cooling system, then thermal insulation is improved, but air distribution control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fresh air opening functionality into the cooling system itself, specifically integrating it into the air duct structure. This eliminates the need for separate fresh air openings in the transport unit walls, thereby improving thermal insulation while maintaining air distribution capabilities through the existing cooling system infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides thermal management through cooling, facilitates fresh air intake through integrated openings, and enables air distribution throughout the transport unit via its duct network. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and improves overall efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If fresh air enters through the supply air opening, then air distribution is improved, but moisture control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling and dehumidification of fresh air through the evaporator element before the air enters the transport unit interior via the supply air opening. This preliminary treatment removes excess moisture from the fresh air, preventing unwanted moisture introduction while maintaining effective air distribution throughout the space.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator element acts as an intermediary between the fresh air intake and the transport unit interior. It conditions the fresh air by cooling and dehumidifying it before the air is distributed into the cargo space, thereby mediating the moisture content and preventing harmful moisture introduction while maintaining good air distribution.
3Temperature
If the evaporator element is arranged in the airflow path, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator element is merged with the air duct structure, specifically integrated into the path between the fresh air opening and the supply air opening. This integration allows the evaporator to cool both fresh air and recirculated air efficiently without requiring separate cooling pathways, thereby improving cooling efficiency while minimizing additional complexity through unified design.
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 configuration enhances thermal insulation, prevents unwanted moisture entry, and allows for precise control of the atmosphere within the transport unit, improving the preservation of perishable goods by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
An evaporator element of a cooling circuit is located in the air duct connecting the recirculation and supply air openings. This evaporator cools the air entering through the recirculation opening via heat exchange, resulting in the air leaving the supply air opening having a lower temperature
Implementation Method 2
The moisture or water in the ambient air is condensed at the evaporator and does not enter the room being cooled, thus preventing any unwanted moisture from affecting the cooled goods
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Cooling system (1) for a transport unit, comprising an air supply opening (2) for the outflow of conditioned air (SA), a recirculation opening (3) for the inflow of air (RA) from a space to be conditioned, an air duct (4) connecting the recirculation opening (3) and the air supply opening (2), wherein an evaporator element (5) of a cooling circuit is arranged in the air duct (4), wherein at least one fresh air opening (6) is provided for the inflow of ambient air (FA) into the air duct (4).