Device for air conditioning a room with an air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems for renovated buildings are too complex and inefficient for low-energy houses, especially in multi-story buildings, due to high distribution line losses and the need for central heating and hot water concepts, which are not suitable for the marginal heating outputs required in modern, insulated structures.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated unit combining a Peltier element, a countercurrent heat exchanger, and a control/regulating device, powered by a photovoltaic system, is integrated into a building's facade or window, allowing for efficient heating and cooling with minimal effort and energy self-sufficiency, using a Peltier element between room and outside air ducts to manage thermal energy distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a central heat pump with conventional distribution system is installed, then heating and cooling can be provided for multiple rooms, but distribution line losses are high and the system becomes too complex for low-energy houses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution line lossesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the central heating system into individual decentralized air conditioning units for each room. Each unit contains its own Peltier element and heat exchanger, eliminating the need for complex distribution pipes and reducing energy losses in heat transfer. This segmentation allows each room to be independently controlled and heated/cooled without relying on a central system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical heat pump system with compression-based heat transfer with a Peltier element-based thermoelectric system. The Peltier element uses electrical current to directly transfer heat between indoor and outdoor air, eliminating the need for compressors, refrigerants, and complex mechanical distribution infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a Peltier heat pump is used for room temperature control, then heating and cooling can be achieved with simple structure, but the heating output is limited to marginal values suitable only for low-energy houses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidheating output
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the Peltier element with a heat exchanger that utilizes both indoor and outdoor air flows in a counterflow arrangement. This merging of components creates a system where the Peltier element's limited heating output is amplified by efficient heat exchange with the outdoor air, enabling the system to meet the heating demands of low-energy houses while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a central heat pump system is installed in renovated buildings, then existing buildings can be upgraded, but the system becomes too complex and inefficient for modern low-energy house requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding renovation compatibilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements decentralized air conditioning units that can be independently installed in each room of renovated buildings. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive retrofitting of central distribution systems while providing efficient, localized climate control that adapts to the specific thermal requirements of low-energy house renovations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides efficient and energy-self-sufficient thermal management for low-energy houses with minimal installation complexity, suitable for both new and old buildings, by leveraging a facade-integrated photovoltaic panel to power the Peltier element, reducing energy losses and enhancing energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

which has at least one Peltier element between at least two air ducts, which transports heat from one air duct to the other air duct by means of electrical current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

which has a heat exchanger, in particular a counterflow heat exchanger, through which room air can flow on the one hand and outside air on the other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

the at least one Peltier element is connected to a control/regulating device which is preferably supplied with the necessary energy by a photovoltaic system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4043808B1Device for air conditioning a room with an air conditioner
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 ASCHAUER JOHANN
  • EP4043808B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043808B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043808B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for air conditioning a room with an air conditioning unit (1) is described, which has at least one Peltier element (4) between two air ducts, which transports heat from one air duct to the other air duct by means of an electric current, wherein the Peltier element (4) is connected to an energy supply, in particular a photovoltaic system, via a control/regulating device (5) to specify the heat pump power and heat pump direction.To create advantageous temperature control conditions, a heat exchanger (6) is provided which can be permeated by room air on one side and by outside air on the other, and which has a room air duct (2) and a separate outside air duct (3), wherein the at least one Peltier element (4) is arranged between the room air duct (2) and the outside air duct (3), and wherein at least parts of the room air duct, the outside air duct and the at least one Peltier element (4) are combined to form a prefabricated building unit (15), characterized in that the prefabricated building unit (15) is arranged on a building wall (16) in a facade (F), in particular an insulated facade.