Modular Air Grill Assembly for Rapid Area Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in recreational vehicles and marine structures are designed to cool entire spaces equally, making it difficult to rapidly cool specific areas, which is not efficiently addressed due to weight and size limitations of larger cooling units.
Innovation Solution
A modular air grill assembly with interchangeable components that can be positioned on the ceiling to direct airflow, allowing for quick cooling of specific areas or even distribution throughout the vehicle, featuring a ceiling template, modular air grill, and adjustable louvers, along with optional features like Bluetooth communication and insect repellent materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an air conditioning unit capable of quickly cooling the entire interior is provided, then rapid cooling of specific areas is achieved, but weight and size limitations are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is segmented into a roof-mounted unit and multiple interchangeable ceiling registers (quick cool register, equal cool register, blank). By segmenting the airflow control function into modular registers, the system can direct conditioned air to specific areas without requiring a larger roof-mounted unit, thus maintaining rapid cooling capability while respecting weight and size constraints of the main AC unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by providing different register types for different cooling needs. The quick cool register with adjustable louvers directs air to specific areas for rapid cooling, while the equal cool register distributes air evenly throughout the vehicle. This localized control allows the same roof-mounted AC unit to adapt to different cooling scenarios without changing the unit itself.
2Ease of operation
If existing air conditioning systems are used, then equal cooling throughout the vehicle is provided, but rapid cooling of specific areas is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamics through interchangeable registers and adjustable louvers that allow users to change airflow patterns in real-time. The quick cool register features adjustable louvers that can be positioned at different angles to direct air to specific areas, enabling dynamic adaptation to changing cooling needs without replacing the entire AC system.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting template and standardized register design allow the same roof-mounted AC unit to serve multiple functions: rapid cooling of specific areas, equal cooling throughout the vehicle, and adjustable airflow distribution. The interchangeable registers provide multi-functionality, allowing a single AC unit to adapt to different cooling scenarios.
3Speed
If modular registers with adjustable louvers are used, then rapid cooling of specific areas is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity is segmented into modular components: a universal mounting template, interchangeable registers, and adjustable louvers. Each component is independently simple, but together they provide complex functionality. The segmentation allows users to only handle simple individual components during installation and maintenance, while the system as a whole achieves rapid localized cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting template provides equipotentiality by creating a standardized interface that simplifies installation. All registers mount to the same template using the same fastening mechanism, reducing installation complexity despite the variety of register types available. This standardized interface makes the system as simple as possible at the installation level.
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 rapid cooling of specific areas while maintaining the ability to provide equal cooling throughout the vehicle, improving user comfort and efficiency without the need for larger, heavier cooling units.
Implementation Method 1
a first opening in fluid communication with a supply of the air conditioning unit and a second opening in fluid communication with a return of the air conditioning unit
Data Source
AI summary
A modular air grill is taught having a removable return register and a removable supply register. The supply register may be replaced with a blank when adequate cooling or rapid cooling has occurred and the cooling through the ducts is desired rather than immediately adjacent to an air conditioning unit.