Installable Vehicle HVAC Module With Auxiliary Battery Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HVAC systems in vehicles, reliant on engine-belt driven compressors, cannot operate when the engine is turned off, forcing truck drivers to choose between running the engine for temperature control or sacrificing comfort due to lack of air conditioning or heating.

Innovation Solution

An installable HVAC system with a housing containing a compressor, motor, condenser, and power management controller, allowing operation with a given power source, including auxiliary batteries, to provide temperature control to both the driving and sleeping compartments independently of the engine's status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If engine-belt driven compressors are used for air conditioning, then the system can cool the driving compartments, but the system cannot operate when the engine is turned off

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHVAC system operation availabilityVSAvoidTemperature control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the engine-belt driven mechanical compressor with an electric compressor that can be independently powered. This substitution allows the HVAC system to operate without the engine running, as the electric compressor can be powered by alternative sources such as auxiliary batteries or external power supplies, thereby resolving the contradiction between operation availability and temperature control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a multi-functional power supply system that can draw power from multiple sources including the engine, auxiliary batteries, and external power supplies. This universal power approach enables the HVAC system to maintain temperature control capability regardless of engine status, allowing operation in both engine-on and engine-off conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the engine is kept running to operate the temperature control system, then air conditioning and heating are available, but additional fuel is required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTemperature control capabilityVSAvoidFuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into multiple independent sources: the engine power train, auxiliary batteries, and external power supplies. This segmentation allows the HVAC system to draw power from the most efficient source available at any given time, reducing the need to run the engine solely for climate control and thereby reducing fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces auxiliary batteries as an intermediary energy storage device between the engine and the HVAC system. These batteries can store energy when the engine is running and provide power when the engine is off, acting as a buffer that reduces the direct coupling between engine operation and HVAC operation, thus lowering fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the engine is turned off to conserve fuel, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the air conditioning and heating systems cannot operate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFuel consumptionVSAvoidHVAC system operation availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary charging of auxiliary batteries during periods when the engine is running and fuel is available. This preliminary action stores energy in advance, enabling the HVAC system to operate later when the engine is turned off for fuel conservation, thus maintaining operation availability without compromising fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous temperature control capability by maintaining multiple power sources that can seamlessly take over when one source is unavailable. The auxiliary batteries and external power supplies provide continuous power to the electric compressor, ensuring the HVAC system remains operational even when the engine is turned off, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling fuel conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables continuous temperature control in vehicles without relying on the engine, conserving energy and extending operation duration by using a variable speed compressor and power management controller to modulate energy usage, ensuring driver comfort during rest stops.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor; a motor operatively coupled to the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8381540B2Installable HVAC systems for vehicles

Publication Date: 2013.02.26 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

An installable HVAC system used for a vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a housing, a compressor, a motor operatively coupled to the compressor; a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor; and a power management controller configured to run the motor with power from a given power source. The compressor, the motor, the condenser, and the power management controller are located within the housing. The housing is configured to attach to an existing HVAC system of the vehicle.