Vehicle Cabin Door Air Intake for Peltier HVAC Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems face challenges in improving performance, reducing noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) characteristics, and enhancing energy efficiency, particularly for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to maximize driving range.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning system incorporates a Peltier device and a blower with ducting that draws airflow from an underside inlet of the passenger cabin door, reducing contamination and noise, and features independent blowers for controlled airflow rates and improved thermal transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the ducting inlet is located on the underside of the door, then the airflow cleanliness is improved and contamination is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ducting inlet is positioned on the underside of the door (changing the spatial dimension of inlet location) to draw air from a cleaner source below the door level, reducing contamination while maintaining a manageable ducting configuration
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the ducting inlet is located on the underside of the door, then noise and turbulence are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The underside inlet location allows the vehicle's own door structure and sill to naturally shield the inlet from turbulent external airflow and noise sources, using the vehicle body itself to reduce harmful factors without requiring additional precision-engineered shields
3Use of energy by moving object
If independent blowers are used for each Peltier device, then the energy efficiency is improved and airflow rates are optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is segmented into independent zones, with separate blowers for each Peltier device, allowing independent control of airflow rates to optimize energy efficiency for each zone while managing overall system complexity through modular design
4Temperature
If the Peltier device is used for heating or cooling, then the cabin temperature control is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters by using independent blowers to optimize airflow rates through the Peltier devices, allowing the Peltier effect to operate at peak efficiency for both heating and cooling modes, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective cabin temperature control
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 airflow cleanliness, reduces noise and turbulence, improves energy efficiency by utilizing cleaner and more stable cabin air, and allows for optimized airflow rates to enhance occupant comfort and extend vehicle range.
Implementation Method 1
The Peltier device is operable as a heat pump to transfer heat energy between first and second sides of the Peltier device. The airflow may thus be heated or cooled by the Peltier device as it passes over the first side by exchange of thermal energy with a second side of the Peltier device.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising, a passenger cabin, a door to the passenger cabin, and an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system comprise a Peltier device, a blower for directing an airflow over a first side of the Peltier device and ducting for ducting air to the blower, the ducting comprising an inlet located on an underside of the door.