Vehicle HVAC Mixing Flap Recess for Air Stratification Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning devices in motor vehicles suffer from poor mixing of cold and hot air streams due to their design, leading to stratification and inconsistent temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning device with a mixing flap having a recess to connect air ducts, allowing for pre-mixing of cold and hot air streams before entering the mixing chamber, and incorporating heat exchangers aligned at specific angles to optimize air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a sliding-door type mixing flap is used to control cold-air and hot-air duct outlets, then the device can regulate temperature by apportioning air streams, but the cold air and hot air tend to stratify and not mix well, leading to poor temperature regulation compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing flap is segmented into multiple independent flaps (first mixing flap for hot air, second mixing flap for cold air) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows each flap to independently regulate its respective air stream without interfering with the other, enabling precise control of the mixing ratio while maintaining proper air stream separation and mixing characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
A mixing chamber is introduced as an intermediary space between the hot-air and cold-air duct outlets. This mixing chamber provides a dedicated region where the two air streams can properly mix before being distributed to the passenger compartment, preventing direct stratification and ensuring homogeneous temperature distribution
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mixing flap transfers from hot end position to cold end position, then the air apportionment changes, but cold air enters the mixing chamber from a region away from the hot air outlet, causing stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The single mixing flap is divided into multiple segmented flaps that can be independently positioned. This allows the system to maintain adaptability in air apportionment while ensuring that cold air always enters the mixing chamber in proper proximity to hot air outlets, preventing stratification regardless of the mixing ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing flaps are designed to be dynamically adjustable with multiple positioning options, allowing the system to adapt to different temperature requirements while maintaining optimal mixing geometry. The flaps can be positioned at various angles to control air flow distribution without causing stratification
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
Enhances air mixing, reducing stratification and ensuring consistent temperature regulation by promoting uniform air distribution throughout the vehicle passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
said first sliding door has at least one recess, so as to fluidically connect the first air duct and the second air duct, when said at least one mixing flap is arranged in an intermediate position between the first and the second end position
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger are arranged within the device
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilating and/or air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing that defines a flow channel having at least a first duct for the flow of a first stream of air, defining a first air outlet, at least a second duct for the flow of a second stream of air, defining a second air outlet, at least one mixing chamber communicating with the respective air outlets of said ducts, and at least one mixing flap comprising a first sliding door arranged so as to control the apportionment of the first stream of air and second stream of air in said at least one mixing chamber, said at least one mixing flap being arranged so as to be movable between a first end position, in which it closes the first duct, and a second end position, in which it closes the second duct. According to the invention, said first sliding door has at least one recess, so as to fluidically connect the first air duct and the second air duct, when said at least one mixing flap is arranged in an intermediate position between the first and the second end position.