HVAC Climate Sensor in Recirculation Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional climate control systems in passenger vehicles face challenges in accurately measuring interior temperature and humidity due to inadequate airflow and distracting noises caused by suction or motor operation of sensors located on the instrument panel.
Innovation Solution
Relocating the climate sensor to the recirculation air intake of the HVAC unit and maintaining a partial recirculation condition to ensure sufficient airflow, eliminating the need for a motor or suction, and providing a dedicated opening for continuous air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a climate sensor is located on the instrument panel and uses suction or a motor to draw air over the sensor, then the sensor can obtain airflow for measurement, but the airflow may be inadequate and distracting noises are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The climate sensor is extracted from its conventional location on the instrument panel and relocated to the recirculation air intake within the HVAC air handling case. This extraction removes the sensor from the noisy environment requiring suction or motors, while placing it directly in the high-velocity recirculation airflow path, thereby eliminating noise and ensuring adequate airflow simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation air intake serves as an intermediary location that provides a natural high-velocity airflow path from the recirculation duct. By positioning the sensor at this intermediary point, the system leverages the existing HVAC recirculation airflow to provide sufficient air movement over the sensor without requiring additional suction devices or motors, thus eliminating noise while maintaining measurement capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the climate sensor is relocated to the recirculation air intake, then sufficient airflow and reduced noise are achieved, but the sensor placement becomes more complex within the HVAC system
Solution Approach 1:
The climate sensor is merged with the recirculation air intake structure within the HVAC air handling case. Rather than being a separate component requiring additional mounting hardware and wiring, the sensor is integrated directly into the recirculation air intake pathway, leveraging the existing structural framework to simplify installation and reduce overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation air intake structure serves multiple functions: it provides the airflow path for HVAC recirculation and simultaneously serves as the mounting location and airflow source for the climate sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor housing and airflow generation components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving the desired performance
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
Improves temperature control accuracy, reduces noise, and enhances aesthetics by ensuring consistent airflow over the sensor, regardless of HVAC settings, while maintaining existing HVAC system adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A blower is mounted to the blower section for driving an airflow from the HVAC housing out through the output section into the passenger cabin
Implementation Method 2
A climate sensor is fluidically coupled within the base recirculation flow for sensing a climate characteristic representative of the air in the passenger cabin
Implementation Method 3
sensing a climate characteristic representative of the air in the passenger cabin
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC unit is provided for treating air in a passenger cabin of a vehicle. An HVAC housing has a recirculation entry section, a fresh entry section, a blower section, and an output section. A blower is mounted to the blower section for driving an airflow from the HVAC housing out through the output section into the passenger cabin. A recirculation opening is provided proximate the recirculation entry section for providing at least a base recirculation flow from the passenger cabin into the HVAC housing whenever the blower drives the airflow. A climate sensor is fluidically coupled within the base recirculation flow for sensing a climate characteristic representative of the air in the passenger cabin.