HVAC Bypass Throttle Door for Air Mixing Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact HVAC systems in vehicles face challenges in achieving complete mixing of hot and cold air, leading to incomplete temperature uniformity in the passenger compartment due to limited mixing space, which affects passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flue door mechanism with a pivot member and doors that rotate between different positions to fluidly couple heat exchangers and evaporators, allowing for selective airflow through various flues to enhance air mixing without increasing the system's size, including a mixing flue that combines air flows from both heat exchangers for uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact HVAC system is used, then the system size is reduced and fits in more compact vehicles, but the mixing space becomes relatively small resulting in incomplete mixing of hot and cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is segmented into multiple stages by introducing a bypass flue that creates a secondary mixing path. Hot air from the heater core can bypass the evaporator and mix with cold air in a dedicated mixing section, achieving more complete temperature uniformity without increasing overall system volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flue and mixing sections are nested within the existing HVAC housing structure. The third flue is positioned to allow hot air to bypass the evaporator and join the cold air stream in a compact mixing arrangement, effectively nesting the mixing function within the limited available space.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a bypass flue is added to improve air mixing, then temperature uniformity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flue mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the mixing ratio of hot and cold air, provides an alternative airflow path to improve temperature uniformity, and integrates with the existing door actuation system. The third flue acts as both a bypass passage and a mixing chamber, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flue is merged with the existing flue structure, and the door mechanism controls multiple flues simultaneously. The third flue combines the bypass function and mixing function in a single integrated passage, reducing overall system complexity despite adding mixing capability.
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 ensures more complete mixing of hot and cold air, resulting in a more uniform air temperature in the passenger compartment, enhancing comfort without enlarging the HVAC system's footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The first door can inhibit fluid communication through the second flue when the first door is in the first position. The first door can inhibit fluid communication through the first flue when the first door is in the second position. The first door can permit fluid communication through the first and second flues when the first door is in the third position.
Implementation Method 2
The mixing flue can be configured to combine air flows from both heat exchangers for uniform temperature distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings provide for an HVAC assembly. A first flue can be configured to fluidly couple a first heat exchanger to a mixing flue. A second flue can be configured to fluidly couple a second heat exchanger to the mixing flue. A door can inhibit fluid communication through the second flue when in a first position. The door can inhibit fluid communication through the first flue when in a second position. The door can permit fluid communication through the first and second flues when in a third position. The third flue can be configured to fluidly couple the first heat exchanger to a portion of the second flue downstream of the second heat exchanger and upstream of the mixing flue when the door is in the third position.