Integrated Dashboard Heat Exchanger for Ductless Vehicle Airflow
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive HVAC systems suffer from poor airflow control, vibration, noise, and space constraints due to complex ducts and concentrated air outflow, which affect occupant comfort and increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment system featuring integrated heat exchangers with lattice structures and fans for controlled airflow, eliminating the need for external ducts, and incorporating a regenerator for efficient heat exchange and air purification, allowing for distributed airflow and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If concentrated air outflow through openings is used, then the HVAC system structure is simplified, but airflow control and occupant comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger surface is segmented into multiple independent airflow outlets distributed across the dashboard. Each outlet can independently control airflow direction and intensity, transforming a single concentrated outlet into multiple distributed outlets for improved airflow control while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow outlets are distributed across two-dimensional dashboard surface rather than concentrated at a single point. This spatial distribution across the dashboard area enables precise directional control of airflow to different zones of the passenger compartment, improving comfort without adding complex ducting.
2Ease of operation
If complex ducts are used to guide air flow, then airflow direction control is improved, but vibration, noise and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional separate duct system is completely removed from the HVAC design. Instead of using ducts to guide airflow, the heat exchanger itself is designed with integrated airflow outlets that directly discharge air into the passenger compartment, eliminating the source of vibration and noise associated with ducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow guidance function previously performed by separate ducts is merged directly into the heat exchanger structure. The heat exchanger outlets are positioned and oriented to provide directional airflow control, combining the heat exchange and airflow direction control functions into a single integrated component.
3Ease of operation
If complex ducts are used to guide air flow, then airflow direction control is improved, but dashboard space is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger and airflow distribution system are merged into a single integrated unit. The heat exchanger structure itself serves as the airflow distribution network, eliminating the need for separate ducts and freeing up dashboard space while maintaining directional airflow control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: heat exchange, airflow distribution, and directional control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, maximizing dashboard space utilization.
4Ease of operation
If distributed airflow through heat exchanger passages is used, then airflow control and comfort are improved, but the heat exchanger structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple airflow passages and outlets distributed across its surface. This segmentation is achieved through the lattice structure geometry rather than complex internal ducting, allowing distributed airflow control while maintaining a relatively simple overall heat exchanger design.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger employs a lattice structure that provides multiple flow passages through its porous-like geometry. This lattice design naturally creates distributed outlets across the heat exchanger surface, enabling airflow control without requiring additional complex internal structures or ducting.
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
Improves airflow control and comfort by directing air flows precisely, reduces noise and vibration, minimizes dashboard space, and enhances energy efficiency by recovering exergy from internal air, while simplifying manufacturing and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchangers (12, 16) are adapted to be crossed by an air flow (F2) coming from outside the motor vehicle (1) and to exchange heat with the air flow (F2)
Implementation Method 2
a regenerator (30) adapted to exchange heat between the air contained within the motor vehicle (1) and the air entering the motor vehicle (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
System (10) for treating air for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a transversal structural element (11) adapted to be fixed to a frame (2) of the motor vehicle (1) or integrated into the frame (2), and a heat exchanger (16) integrated into or fixed to the structural element (11), wherein the heat exchanger (16) comprises first passages (18) adapted to be crossed by an air flow and is adapted to subject said air flow to a heat exchange as it crosses the first passages (18), and the first passages (18) are adapted to be fluidly connected to the passenger compartment (3) of the motor vehicle (1).