Mobile air conditioning unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional HVAC systems often require centralized units that cannot efficiently communicate or provide conditioned air to specific areas within a building, and standalone units lack mobility to effectively heat or cool desired spaces.

Innovation Solution

A mobile HVAC unit equipped with a refrigerant circuit and drive system that can autonomously relocate to docking stations to provide conditioned air, allowing it to move throughout a building and dock for charging, heat dissipation, and condensate drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a centralized HVAC system is used, then heating and cooling can be provided to multiple areas, but the units cannot efficiently communicate or provide conditioned air to specific areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to provide conditioned air to specific areasVSAvoidcommunication efficiency between units

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the building into multiple zones with separate docking stations, each capable of independently controlling and communicating with the mobile HVAC unit. This segmentation allows specific areas to receive conditioned air on demand without requiring complex communication across the entire building, as each docking station acts as an independent control node.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each docking station is equipped with local control capabilities and can autonomously manage the mobile HVAC unit's operations for its specific area. The docking stations can independently initiate conditioning requests, track the mobile unit's location, and coordinate docking without requiring centralized coordination, reducing overall system communication complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If standalone HVAC units are used for specific areas, then conditioned air can be provided to targeted locations, but the units lack mobility to move to areas that should be heated or cooled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility to different locationsVSAvoidautonomous relocation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The HVAC system transitions from static standalone units to a dynamic mobile unit that can physically relocate between areas. The mobile HVAC unit is equipped with a transportation system that enables it to autonomously navigate to different docking stations based on real-time cooling or heating demands, providing adaptability without requiring complex autonomous decision-making capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The docking stations serve as intermediaries between the mobile HVAC unit and the building areas. They receive conditioning requests from occupied spaces, communicate the need for service to the mobile unit, and facilitate docking/undocking operations. This intermediary system simplifies the mobile unit's operation by handling communication and positioning coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a mobile HVAC unit is used, then the unit can relocate to provide conditioned air to different areas, but the unit requires docking for charging, heat dissipation, and condensate drainage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace coverage efficiencyVSAvoiddocking infrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The docking stations are designed as multi-functional infrastructure elements that simultaneously provide electrical charging, thermal heat dissipation, and condensate drainage capabilities. By combining these functions into single docking points, the system maximizes the mobile HVAC unit's productivity and space coverage efficiency without requiring separate infrastructure for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient and flexible climate control in areas without built-in HVAC systems by allowing the mobile unit to provide heating, cooling, and ventilation while moving and docking for power and maintenance, optimizing energy use and space coverage.

Implementation Method 1

HVAC systems operate by implementing a thermodynamic cycle in which a refrigerant undergoes alternating phase changes to remove heat from or deliver heat to a conditioned interior space of a building

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase changes: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

The mobile air conditioning unit includes a refrigerant circuit configured to condition an airflow to produce a conditioned airflow and a transportation system configured to autonomously relocate the mobile air conditioning unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11320160B2Mobile air conditioning unit

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 JOHNSON CONTROLS LIGHT COMMERCIAL IP GMBH

AI summary

A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a mobile air conditioning unit configured to separately dock with each docking station of a plurality of docking stations. The mobile air conditioning unit includes a refrigerant circuit configured to condition an airflow to produce a conditioned airflow and a transportation system configured to autonomously relocate the mobile air conditioning unit.