Electric Compartment Cooling Valve for HVAC Air Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrically-powered vehicles, the recirculation of heated exhaust air from the electric compartment back into the passenger cabin due to poorly positioned intake and exhaust openings reduces the effectiveness of cooling and compromises occupant comfort, especially in recirculate HVAC modes.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with an air duct connecting the electric compartment to the HVAC intake and an air dump opening directing exhaust air to a non-passenger portion of the vehicle, controlled by a valve that directs air flow based on the HVAC system mode, allowing for efficient cooling and ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric compartment is located close to the passenger cabin with intake and exhaust openings near the same seating row, then the cooling system structure is simplified, but heated exhaust air recirculates back to the inlet reducing cooling effectiveness and warming the seating row
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable valve that dynamically switches between two exhaust paths based on HVAC mode. In recirculate mode, the valve directs exhaust air through the HVAC system for cooling. In fresh air mode, it directs exhaust air to a rear cargo area vent. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining cooling effectiveness across different operating conditions without requiring a complex multi-path fixed system.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC system acts as an intermediary for exhaust air routing. Instead of directly venting exhaust air to the cargo area or recirculating it, the system uses the HVAC system as a mediator to condition and redistribute the air appropriately based on mode, thereby maintaining cooling effectiveness while simplifying the overall architecture.
2Reliability
If the exhaust air is directed to the trunk or rear cargo area, then the passenger cabin cooling is improved, but the heated exhaust air may rise and enter the passenger cabin degrading cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The movable valve dynamically selects the exhaust path based on HVAC mode. In fresh air mode, it directs exhaust air to the rear cargo area vent, preventing heated air from entering the passenger cabin. In recirculate mode, it routes exhaust air through the HVAC system which conditions and redistributes it, eliminating the harmful thermal effect while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Productivity
If the intake opening is positioned at a relatively high position behind the headrest, then the cooling air intake is optimized, but the recirculation of warm exhaust air makes that seating row uncomfortably warm for occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic valve system adapts the exhaust path based on HVAC mode. In recirculate mode, exhaust air is routed through the HVAC system which redistributes it away from the seating row. In fresh air mode, exhaust air is vented to the rear cargo area, preventing it from warming the seating row. This maintains optimal intake positioning without the harmful recirculation effect.
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 the cooling of electric components and improves passenger comfort by preventing the recirculation of warm air, ensuring effective air flow and temperature control regardless of the HVAC mode.
Implementation Method 1
a valve movable to direct air exiting the electric compartment toward the air duct or toward the air dump opening
Implementation Method 2
the air exiting the electric compartment is drawn through the HVAC system for cooling before being returned to the passenger cabin
Implementation Method 3
it may be directed to the non-passenger portion from which it is expelled out of the vehicle through, for example, an air extractor vent
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive vehicle has a passenger cabin, an HVAC system adjustable between a fresh air mode and a recirculate mode, a compartment containing a heat-producing electrical component, and a non-passenger compartment that is ventilated to outside of the vehicle. A duct has an inlet end adjacent the compartment and an outlet end adjacent an air intake of the HVAC system. A valve controls whether cooling air exiting the compartment is directed into the duct or into the non-passenger compartment. The valve is operated to direct a majority of the cooling air into the duct when the HVAC system is in the recirculate mode, and into the non-passenger compartment when the HVAC system is in the fresh air mode. Air from the non-passenger compartment may be vented out of the vehicle through an air extractor vent.