Dual-Mode Car Air Conditioning for Engine-Off Pre-Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automobile air-conditioning systems are inoperable until the engine is started, lacking the ability to be remotely controlled or powered by a fully electrical source, such as renewable energy, when the engine is not running.
Innovation Solution
A dual-power-mode air-conditioning system that includes a modified compressor driven by either a traditional engine-mounted pulley system or a DC motor powered by an independent electrical source, with a programmable controller enabling remote operation and energy management, and an optional thermal-electric-cooling system powered by solar energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional refrigerant-compression system is used with engine-driven pulleys, then the air-conditioning system can be reliably powered, but it cannot operate when the engine is not running
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is designed with dual drive capability: it can be driven by the traditional engine-mounted pulley system when the engine is running, or by a DC motor with independent electrical power source when the engine is not running. This multi-functionality allows the air-conditioning system to operate in both engine-on and engine-off modes, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the air-conditioning system is remotely controlled via wireless device, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A programmable controller serves as an intermediary between the user's wireless device and the air-conditioning system components. The controller receives wireless signals, processes control commands, and manages the DC motor, clutch assembly, and compressor operations. This intermediary approach enables remote control functionality while consolidating control logic in a single unit, thereby managing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a DC motor with independent electrical power source is used to drive the compressor, then the air-conditioning system can run without the engine, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DC motor, clutch assembly, and compressor are integrated into a unified drive system where the DC motor couples to the compressor shaft through a clutch mechanism. This merging of components allows the system to switch between engine-driven and electric-driven modes using shared mechanical infrastructure, thereby achieving adaptability while managing complexity through component integration rather than complete separation of systems.
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
Enables the air-conditioning system to operate without the engine running, providing pre-cooling and maintaining ambient temperature through remote control and renewable energy sources, enhancing user convenience and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a DC motor powered by an independent electrical source
Implementation Method 2
an optional thermal-electric-cooling system powered by solar energy
Implementation Method 3
thermal-electric-cooling system powered by solar energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive disclosure is directed generally to an improved automobile air-conditioning system that can be operated while the automobile's engine is not running. In variations, a typical vapor-compression-cycle air-conditioning system is modified to allow the refrigerant compressor to be driven from either of two power sources: (1) from a traditional engine-mounted pulley system, or (2) from a DC-motor powered by an electrical source independent from the engine. In another variation, the air-conditioning system is driven by one or more thermal-electric-cooling (TEC) modules, wherein the TEC-based system is powered by an auxiliary DC-power source that in some variations is powered by, or at least supplemented by, a solar-energy grid. Additionally, a variation of the modified automobile air-conditioning system includes both the modified-compressor-based system and the TEC-based system, wherein the compressor-based system is used to initially cool-down an automobile passenger compartment, then is shutdown in favor of the TEC-based system.