Integrated Vehicle Compressor With Dual Chambers for Shared Air and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face inefficiencies and challenges with multiple specialized compressors for air suspension and refrigeration, leading to higher costs, complexity, and issues with noise, vibration, electromagnetic compatibility, and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
An integrated compressor system that combines a motor, inverter, and control unit, featuring dual compression chambers and valves, allowing shared use for both air suspension and refrigeration functions, with a single motor and controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized compressors are used for air suspension and refrigeration, then each compressor can be optimized for its specific function, but the system complexity, cost, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a single compressor unit that can perform both air suspension compression and refrigeration compression. The compressor includes multiple compression chambers (first compression chamber for air suspension, second compression chamber for refrigeration) that share common components like the motor, crankshaft, and valve mechanisms, allowing one device to fulfill multiple specialized functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate air suspension compressor and refrigeration compressor into a single integrated unit. The merging is achieved by combining multiple compression chambers, sharing the motor and drive mechanisms, and integrating control systems, thereby reducing the total number of compressors while maintaining specialized functionality for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized compressors are used, then each can be optimized for its task, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple compressors into one integrated unit, the patent reduces production costs through economies of scale. Common components like the motor, crankshaft, and housing are manufactured once and serve multiple functions, reducing total material costs, assembly complexity, and manufacturing time compared to producing separate compressors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional design allows a single manufacturing process to produce a compressor that serves multiple purposes. The universal design reduces tooling costs, simplifies supply chain management, and lowers per-unit costs by consolidating production resources while maintaining optimized performance for each specific application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrically driven compressors are used, then the vehicle can operate without engine-driven compressors, but electromagnetic interference and noise issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses electromagnetic interference and noise by incorporating shielding structures, noise-dampening materials, and optimized motor designs that convert potential harmful effects into acceptable levels. The inverter and motor are designed with electromagnetic compatibility features that reduce interference while maintaining the benefits of electric drive independence from the engine.
4Loss of energy
If intermittent operation is used for air suspension and refrigeration compressors, then energy is saved when not needed, but utilization efficiency decreases compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated compressor enables continuous operation by allowing the motor to switch between serving the air suspension chamber and the refrigeration chamber without shutting down. This continuous useful action maintains high utilization efficiency while saving energy compared to having two separate compressors that would each experience idle periods, as the single motor remains constantly productive.
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
Reduces production costs, system complexity, and size while addressing noise and electromagnetic compatibility issues, providing flexible and efficient operation for both air suspension and refrigeration.
Implementation Method 1
a motor; an inverter connected to the motor or integrated into the motor
Implementation Method 2
a first compression chamber (1) and a second compression chamber (2), both of which are connected to the motor (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an integrated compressor for a vehicle, the integrated compressor comprising: a motor; an inverter connected to or integrated into the motor; a control unit electrically connected to the inverter to control the starting and stopping of the motor via the inverter; characterized in that the integrated compressor comprises: a first compression chamber and a second compression chamber, which are connected to the motor, respectively; a first two-position-two-way valve connected to the first compression chamber; a second two-position-two-way valve connected to the second compression chamber; and a first inlet line which receives ambient air input at one end and is connected to the second compression chamber at the other end. The present invention also discloses a system in a vehicle comprising an on-board refrigerator, an air suspension device, and the integrated compressor connected to both.