Vehicle HVAC Cooler Box Control for Cabin Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle HVAC systems lack control integration between the cooling of passenger compartments and storage bins or individual items, leading to inefficient operation that can adversely affect cabin comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle HVAC system with a control unit that manages airflow and power delivery to a cooler box via a valve and fan, allowing for independent control of cooling items using a cooler box signal, adjusting HVAC modes and fan power to optimize refrigeration cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the HVAC system is used to cool a storage bin or individual beverages, then cooling functionality is provided, but the system operation can adversely affect the comfort of the vehicle cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the airflow paths by using separate valves (cabin outlet valve and cooler box outlet valve) to independently control air distribution to different zones. This allows the system to direct cooled air preferentially to the cabin or to the cooler box based on demand, resolving the conflict between item cooling and cabin comfort by enabling independent temperature control of each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating modes based on real-time conditions. The controller receives inputs from temperature sensors in both the cabin and cooler box, and automatically switches between different operational modes (cabin cooling mode, cooler box cooling mode, or combined mode) to optimize comfort while providing item cooling when needed.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical shut-off valve is used to turn the cooling system on and off, then the system can be controlled, but there is no control link between the cooler box operation and the vehicle HVAC operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control of the cooler box with the main HVAC system by integrating multiple control functions into a single controller. This controller manages both the cabin cooling operations and the cooler box operations, coordinating valve positions, fan speeds, and compressor operation to provide unified control without requiring separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor conditions in both the cabin and cooler box. The controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts system operation, switching between different operational modes based on which zone requires cooling, thereby providing intelligent coordinated control without complex manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the HVAC system cools both the cabin and cooler box simultaneously, then both functions are provided, but the compressor and fan demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic cycling of the compressor and fan based on thermal accumulation in the cooler box. Rather than running continuously for both cabin and cooler box cooling, the system alternates operation phases - cooling the cabin while allowing the cooler box to passively cool during certain periods, then switching to cooler box cooling when needed, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality control by directing cooled air preferentially to the zone that requires it most at any given time. Using zone-specific temperature sensors and controlled airflow paths, the system can provide intensive cooling to either the cabin or the cooler box as needed, rather than splitting cooling capacity equally, thereby optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining adaptability to different cooling demands.
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 enables efficient cooling of items while minimizing the impact on the HVAC system's operation, maintaining cabin comfort by dynamically managing compressor and fan demands based on cooler box usage.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator downstream from the fan
Implementation Method 2
a compressor in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
a fan, an evaporator downstream from the fan
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system includes an HVAC control, a fan, an evaporator downstream from the fan, a cooler box downstream from the evaporator, a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator and a compressor in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator. A method for cooling items using the HVAC system includes detecting a cooler box signal from the HVAC control, in response to detecting the cooler box signal, opening or closing a valve interposed between the evaporator and the cooler box, and in response to detecting the cooler box signal, performing at least one of the following: changing an HVAC mode or adjusting power delivered to the fan. Opening the valve can allow cool air to travel through a passage toward the cooler box. Closing the valve can block cool air from traveling through the passage toward the cooler box.