Dual Cabin Cooling With Cold Storage for Engine-Off Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior cooling systems face challenges in maintaining cab temperature comfort while minimizing fuel consumption and reducing engine idling, especially for Class 8 vehicles, as long-term idling leads to increased fuel consumption, pollution, and battery drain, necessitating the development of efficient cooling systems for both engine-on and engine-off conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dual cabin cooling system is introduced, comprising a main engine-driven cooling system and an electrically driven cold storage cooling system with a separate condenser, allowing for thermal charging and discharging of a cold storage device, which can cool the cabin independently of the main system, reducing the load on the engine and enabling cooling even when the engine is off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine is run at idle to maintain cabin cooling, then the cabin temperature remains comfortable, but fuel consumption increases and battery life reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent subsystems: a first cabin cooling system driven by the engine and a second cabin cooling system driven by electrical power. This segmentation allows the vehicle to use electric cooling when the engine is off, eliminating the need for continuous idle operation and reducing fuel consumption while maintaining cabin temperature comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
A cold storage device serves as an intermediary thermal energy storage component between the two cooling systems. It stores cold thermal energy when the engine is running and releases it when the engine is off, mediating the transition from engine-driven cooling to electrically-driven cooling and enabling extended cooling operation without continuous fuel consumption.
2Power
If the engine RPM is increased above idle to support auxiliary sleeper air conditioning, then sufficient electrical current is produced, but fuel consumption and pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling systems are segmented such that the second electrically-driven system can operate independently without requiring high engine RPM. The electric motor drives the compressor and associated components directly, eliminating the need to run the engine at high RPM solely to generate electrical current for cooling operations, thereby reducing pollution while maintaining adequate power output.
3Device complexity
If a single cabin cooling system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot cool the cabin effectively when the engine is off
Solution Approach 1:
The dual cooling system configuration provides multi-functionality: the first engine-driven system handles cooling when the engine is running, while the second electrically-driven system handles cooling when the engine is off. Both systems share common components like condensers and airflow paths, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions (engine on/off) without requiring completely separate independent systems, thus balancing complexity with versatility.
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 enhances fuel efficiency, reduces engine idling-related issues, and maintains cabin comfort by utilizing a separate cold storage system that can cool and recharge independently, minimizing battery drain and pollution, while optimizing cooling capacity and reducing component costs.
Implementation Method 1
The second cabin cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on position
Implementation Method 2
The second cabin cooling system is also selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in an off position
Implementation Method 3
a first condenser... a second condenser, wherein the first condenser and the second condenser are in an airflow line
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior cooling system (200) for a vehicle having a cabin (208) and an engine (207) for providing propulsion power generally includes a first cabin cooling system (202) driven by the engine of the vehicle having a first condenser (214). The vehicle interior cooling system also generally includes a second cabin cooling system (203) driven by electrical power having a cold storage device (210) and a second condenser (232), with the first condenser and the second condenser being in an airflow line (260). The second cabin cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on position. The second cabin cooling system is also selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in an off position and selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in the on position.