Liquid Cabin Thermal Circuit for Rapid Vehicle Interior Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle temperature-control systems are inefficient in rapidly and cost-effectively heating the interior, particularly in vehicles with liquid-cooled engines, as they require significant space and complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-control system utilizing a liquid temperature-control medium that connects a source temperature-control system to an interior temperature-control system via a temperature-control circuit, allowing for efficient heat transfer and distribution using a heat exchanger or chiller, with flexible interior temperature-control systems like roof, seat, and floor units, and an air conditioning device for targeted heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a liquid temperature-control medium is used in a temperature-control circuit to transport thermal energy from the source temperature-control system to the interior temperature-control system, then heat can be efficiently and rapidly transported with high energy density, but the system requires careful thermal management and additional heat exchanger components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid temperature-control medium as an intermediary substance that circulates through a temperature-control circuit between the source temperature-control system and the interior temperature-control system. This liquid medium absorbs thermal energy from the source system via a first heat exchanger and releases it to the interior system via a second heat exchanger, enabling efficient heat transport while maintaining system modularity and controllability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic system using a liquid temperature-control medium circulating through closed-loop circuits with pumps and heat exchangers. The liquid medium (typically water or water-glycol mixture) is pumped through the temperature-control circuit to transport thermal energy efficiently, leveraging the high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of liquids for rapid and controllable heat transfer
2Area of stationary object
If the source temperature-control system is arranged outside the passenger cell (e.g., in the engine compartment), then space in the passenger cell is extended and the system can utilize engine heat more effectively, but the liquid lines require careful routing and insulation to maintain thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature-control system into distinct functional segments: the source temperature-control system (engine cooling system) located in the engine compartment, the temperature-control circuit with liquid medium circulation, and the interior temperature-control system components distributed within the passenger cell. This segmentation allows the source system to occupy space outside the passenger cell while delivering thermal energy to interior components through insulated liquid lines routed through vehicle structure
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid temperature-control medium acts as an intermediary carrier that transports thermal energy from the engine compartment through insulated connecting lines to the interior temperature-control systems. The insulation on these liquid lines minimizes thermal losses during transport, while the high thermal capacity of the liquid medium ensures efficient energy delivery despite the spatial separation between source and destination
3Volume of moving object
If interior temperature-control systems are designed with flat design (e.g., roof, seat, and floor units), then the systems can be integrated into vehicle interior surfaces with minimal space requirements, but the heat exchanger surface area must be optimized to maintain effective heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional bulky heat exchanger designs to flat, planar temperature-control units that can be integrated into vehicle interior surfaces such as the roof, seats, and floor. These flat designs utilize two-dimensional heat exchange surfaces with optimized thermal pathways, allowing effective heat transfer while minimizing volumetric occupancy and enabling seamless integration into the vehicle's interior architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thermal parameters of the flat heat exchanger surfaces, including surface area, thickness, material thermal conductivity, and flow channel geometry, to maximize heat transfer efficiency within the constrained volume. By carefully controlling these parameters, the flat designs achieve effective thermal performance despite their reduced dimensional footprint
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 system efficiently heats or cools the vehicle interior with minimal structural volume, allowing for rapid and perceivable temperature changes, even in open vehicles, while reducing energy consumption and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature-control medium guided in the temperature-control circuit of the temperature-control system can be thermally influenced by the source temperature-control system
Implementation Method 2
a liquid temperature-control medium because of its relatively high energy density can transport heat rapidly and efficiently to or from a first location of the temperature-control circuit to a second location of the temperature-control circuit
Implementation Method 3
a transfer heat exchanger or a chiller can be arranged or formed between the source temperature-control system and the temperature-control circuit
Implementation Method 4
the temperature of the interior of the vehicle is actually controlled by thermal energy being output to or absorbed from the interior of the vehicle by means of the temperature-control circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided with a temperature-control system for controlling the temperature of an interior of the vehicle. The system has a temperature-control medium, preferably a liquid temperature-control medium, guided in a temperature-control circuit. The temperature-control system is operatively connectable or operatively connected to a source temperature-control system such that the temperature-control medium guided in the temperature-control circuit of the temperature-control system may be thermally influenced by the source temperature-control system. The temperature-control circuit also is operatively connectable or operatively connected to at least one interior temperature-control system such that the temperature of the interior of the vehicle may be modified by the temperature-control medium in the temperature-control circuit.