Microwave Vehicle Heating Unit for Lower HVAC Power Draw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle air conditioning systems in hybrid and electric vehicles consume high power, reducing the running distance and shortening the battery charging cycle due to high power consumption rates, especially when ambient temperatures are low or during initial vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A heating unit is integrated into the vehicle's air conditioning system using microwave absorbing/heat emitting members arranged in the air flow path, with a casing for electromagnetic shielding and a microwave outputting means to heat blown air by absorbing microwaves, reducing power consumption and extending the vehicle's running distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a PTC heater is used for vehicle heating, then the heating function is provided, but the power consumption rate is high when the air conditioning temperature and heater temperature are not high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional PTC heater (electrical resistance heating) with a microwave heating system. The microwave output unit emits microwave waves that are absorbed by the microwave absorbing member, generating heat through dielectric loss rather than electrical resistance. This substitution fundamentally changes the heating mechanism from Joule heating to microwave dielectric heating, achieving lower power consumption rates while maintaining effective heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from electrical resistance (PTC effect) to microwave absorption characteristics. The microwave absorbing member is designed with specific dielectric properties that allow it to efficiently absorb microwave energy and convert it to thermal energy. By controlling the microwave output power and the absorption characteristics of the microwave absorbing member, the system achieves efficient heating at lower power consumption rates compared to PTC heaters.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the battery capacity is increased to extend cruising distance, then the cruising distance is increased, but the vehicle weight increases which lowers power consumption efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional high-power heating system (PTC heater) with a microwave heating system that consumes less electrical power. This substitution reduces the electrical load on the battery, thereby extending the cruising distance without requiring an increase in battery capacity or vehicle weight. The microwave heating system achieves the same heating effect with lower power consumption, improving overall energy efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If conventional heating members are used in vehicle air conditioning, then the heating function is provided, but the running distance is reduced due to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional heating members (PTC thermistors) with a microwave-based heating system. The microwave output unit generates microwave waves that are absorbed by the microwave absorbing member, which then heats the air passing through the air conditioning system. This substitution dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining effective heating capability, thereby extending the running distance of electric and hybrid vehicles.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the battery is charged frequently to maintain cruising distance, then the power consumption efficiency is maintained, but the time loss due to charging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-power PTC heating system with a low-power microwave heating system, significantly reducing the electrical power consumption of the air conditioning system. This reduction in power consumption decreases the rate at which battery charge is depleted, thereby extending the interval between charging cycles and reducing the time loss associated with frequent charging.
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
The solution effectively reduces power consumption for heating, thereby increasing the vehicle's running distance and prolonging the battery charging cycle by efficiently heating air using microwave-absorbing materials.
Implementation Method 1
microwave absorbing/heat emitting members arranged at the support at appropriate intervals, each having a hollow section with an upstream side opening and a downstream side opening at the opposite ends of the support as viewed in the air blowing direction; and blown air being heated by heat generated as a result of absorption of microwaves by the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members
Implementation Method 2
a casing made of a metal material capable of electromagnetically shielding microwaves and arranged in the blown air flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A heating unit can reduce the rate of power consumption for heating a vehicle, so that the running distance of the vehicle is increased and hence the battery charging cycle of the vehicle is prolonged. A heating unit of a vehicle heating system includes a casing made of a metal material capable of electromagnetically shielding microwaves, a support arranged in the hollow section of the casing, a plurality of microwave absorbing/heat emitting members arranged at the support and a microwave outputting unit arranged in the casing to output microwaves toward respective microwave absorbing/heat emitting members, blown air being heated by heat generated as a result of absorption of microwaves by the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members at the time for blown air to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in the hollow sections of the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members.