Vehicle A/C Humidity Control With Honeycomb Airflow Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in moisture adsorption, leading to energy loss and reduced cruising range in battery electric vehicles, particularly due to inadequate control of air flow velocity in humidity controlling devices.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning system with a humidity controlling device featuring a honeycomb structure and moisture absorbing layer, controlled by a unit that adjusts air flow velocity between 0.23 to 1.40 m/s for efficient moisture adsorption and 0.06 to 0.30 m/s for regeneration, optimizing processes to enhance moisture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ventilation is used to control humidity in the vehicle interior, then humidity control is improved, but heater energy loss increases significantly in winter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a honeycomb structure with porous moisture absorbing material coated on the partition walls. This porous structure provides large surface area for moisture adsorption while allowing air to pass through with minimal resistance, enabling effective humidity control without requiring high-velocity air flow that would cause energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the flow velocity parameter to a specific range (0.23 to 1.40 m/s) that balances moisture adsorption efficiency with energy consumption. By controlling the air flow velocity within this optimized range, the system achieves effective humidity control while minimizing heater energy loss compared to conventional ventilation systems.
2Productivity
If air flow velocity is increased to improve moisture adsorption efficiency, then moisture adsorption is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and controls the flow velocity parameter within the optimized range of 0.23 to 1.40 m/s. This parameter optimization ensures that air flows fast enough to maintain effective moisture adsorption at the honeycomb structure surfaces, but not so fast as to create excessive pressure drop and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous moisture absorbing coating on the honeycomb partition walls provides extensive adsorption surface area, allowing efficient moisture removal even at moderate flow velocities. This reduces the need for high air flow rates that would otherwise be required to achieve the same moisture adsorption efficiency.
3Temperature
If only a heater element with PTC property is used, then heating function is provided, but moisture adsorption efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function (PTC heater element) with the humidity control function (moisture absorbing layer on honeycomb structure) into a single integrated device. The PTC heater warms the air passing through the honeycomb structure, while the moisture absorbing coating on the partition walls simultaneously adsorbs moisture, achieving both heating and dehumidification in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The honeycomb structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates tortuous flow paths for enhanced moisture adsorption, and supports the moisture absorbing coating. The integrated device simultaneously performs heating, humidity control, and air filtration functions, making it a universal air treatment component.
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
The system effectively adsorbs moisture, improving energy efficiency by reducing heater energy loss and extending cruising range in electric vehicles, while ensuring dry air supply to prevent window fogging.
Implementation Method 1
a functional material-containing layer for adsorbing water vapor and the like on surfaces of the partition walls
Implementation Method 2
at least the partition walls having a material having a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) property
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning system includes: an air conditioning duct through which air can flow; at least one humidity controlling device including: a honeycomb structure having an outer peripheral wall and partition walls provided on an inner side of the outer peripheral wall, the partition walls defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells extending from a first end face to a second end face; and a moisture absorbing layer provided on a surface of each of the partition walls, the humidity controlling device being provided in the air conditioning duct; and a control unit configured to control a flow velocity of the air flowing through the cells of the humidity controlling device. The control unit includes controlling the flow velocity of the air flowing in the humidity controlling device to 0.23 to 1.40 m/s in the moisture absorption process of the humidity controlling device.