External HVAC Ducting for Retrofit Cooling of Vehicle Storage Bins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems in vehicles cannot be easily retrofitted to provide conditioned air to remote locations within the passenger compartment, such as auxiliary storage bins, due to space and modification complexities.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC system includes an auxiliary duct externally connecting the HVAC housing to a remote auxiliary compartment, with an actuatable door and control system to manage airflow, allowing for retrofittable and maintainable temperature control in auxiliary compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional HVAC systems are designed with internal ducting for temperature-controlled storage, then the system provides integrated cooling capability, but the system cannot be retrofitted to existing vehicles and requires complex integration during initial vehicle development
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC system is segmented into separate functional modules: the main HVAC housing remains independent while the auxiliary cooling system (including auxiliary duct, evaporator, and control components) is added as a separate retrofit package. This segmentation allows the auxiliary cooling function to be added without redesigning the entire HVAC system, enabling retrofit capability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary cooling function is extracted from the main HVAC housing and implemented as an external add-on system. The auxiliary duct connects to the HVAC housing through an exterior sidewall opening, allowing the cooling function to be taken out and added independently to existing vehicles without integrating into the original HVAC design.
2Ease of repair
If the auxiliary duct is integrated within the HVAC housing, then the system provides compact design, but maintenance and service become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary duct is extracted from the internal HVAC housing structure and positioned externally, connecting to the HVAC housing through an opening in the exterior sidewall. This extraction makes the duct accessible for maintenance and service while still maintaining a relatively compact overall system configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary cooling system is added to provide remote temperature control, then the system expands functionality to remote locations, but the ducting and controls must be designed at initial vehicle development
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separable components that can be manufactured and installed independently. The auxiliary duct, evaporator, and control system are designed as discrete units that can be added to existing vehicles without requiring redesign of the entire HVAC system, enabling functional expansion while maintaining ease of manufacture and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC housing is designed with a pre-configured duct opening in its exterior sidewall, prepared in advance to receive the auxiliary duct. This preliminary preparation simplifies the retrofit process by eliminating the need to create new openings or modify the HVAC housing structure during installation.
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 retrofitting of existing HVAC systems to provide cooling or heating to remote compartments, simplifying maintenance and service while allowing for flexible temperature control in auxiliary storage areas.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator having an upstream side and a downstream side, wherein the evaporator accepts air from the upstream side and exhausts air to the downstream side. The exhausted air is cooler than the air on the upstream side
Implementation Method 2
An auxiliary duct fluidly interconnects the HVAC housing and the auxiliary compartment via the duct opening for transmitting the cool exhausted air to the auxiliary compartment
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system is provided for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment volume. The HVAC system includes a HVAC housing having a duct opening formed in an exterior sidewall thereof. An evaporator is further provided for exhausting air downstream that is cooler than the air on the upstream side. An auxiliary compartment, such as a storage bin, is spaced apart from the HVAC housing, such as in a remote location of the passenger compartment. An auxiliary duct fluidly interconnects the HVAC housing and the auxiliary compartment via the duct opening for transmitting the cool exhausted air to the auxiliary compartment to provide a cooling effect within the auxiliary location. The auxiliary duct, in some embodiments, is disposed external from the HVAC housing for improved service and retrofitting to existing HVAC systems.