Modular Air Conditioning Core for Serviceable Thermal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable air conditioning apparatuses face challenges in being easy to service and thermally efficient, particularly due to the diminishing supply and increasing costs of fossil fuels, which necessitate improved design for maintenance and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an exterior case with an air plenum and interchangeable air conditioning core, featuring a fan for air movement and an air jacket for insulation, allowing for easy access and replacement of components, along with multiple sources of thermal energy that can be removably installed to enhance thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the air conditioning apparatus uses a fixed, integrated design, then structural simplicity is maintained, but serviceability and ease of maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning apparatus is divided into distinct modular components: an interchangeable air conditioning core, an air plenum, and an exterior case. The core can be removed and replaced independently through the open top of the air plenum, allowing easy servicing without disassembling the entire unit. This segmentation directly improves serviceability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermal energy sources are permanently installed, then thermal efficiency is maximized, but adaptability and ease of maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy sources (heating elements) are designed to be removable and interchangeable within the air conditioning core. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements - heating elements can be installed when heating is needed and removed when not needed, maintaining thermal efficiency while providing adaptability. The modular design enables easy replacement and reconfiguration of thermal components.
3Loss of energy
If the exterior case is sealed and enclosed, then thermal insulation is improved, but serviceability and access to components deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning core is extracted as a separate, removable component from the enclosed air plenum. The open top of the air plenum provides direct access to the core, which contains the thermal energy sources and other components. This extraction allows the exterior case to remain sealed for thermal insulation while enabling easy access to and removal of the core for servicing, resolving the contradiction between insulation and serviceability.
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 configuration enables improved serviceability and thermal efficiency, allowing the apparatus to effectively condition air while maintaining a cool exterior and efficiently utilizing thermal energy sources, thus addressing the need for cost-effective and sustainable air conditioning solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A fan communicates with the air inlet for moving air through the air plenum, and an interchangeable air conditioning core is removably installed within the air plenum and interposed between the air inlet and air outlet such that air moving along the primary air pathway is forced to proceed through the interchangeable air conditioning core
Implementation Method 2
An air jacket extends at least partially between the exterior case and the interchangeable air conditioning core, the air jacket being in fluid communication with the secondary air pathway
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of sources of thermal energy are installed within the interchangeable air conditioning core such that air moving along the primary airflow pathway is heated by the plurality of sources of thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus is provided with an air plenum in fluid communication with an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan moves air through the air plenum. An interchangeable air conditioning core is removably installed within the air plenum and interposed between the air inlet and air outlet such that air moving along an air pathway is forced to proceed through the interchangeable air conditioning core.