Modular Vehicle Climate Control Housing for Compact Multi-Zone Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-zone climate control systems for vehicles are expensive, space-intensive, and require significant manufacturing efforts due to their distributed configuration, making them unsuitable for compact or small cars.
Innovation Solution
A modular climate control system design that uses a single housing with interchangeable partitions and adjustable doors to create 1 to 4 zones, allowing for efficient use of identical air tempering and distribution devices, reducing part variety and storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed multi-zone climate control systems are used, then different climate zones for multiple passengers can be achieved, but the system becomes expensive and space-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple air tempering devices (evaporators and heaters for different zones) into a single integrated housing unit. This merging approach allows the system to provide multi-zone climate control while reducing the number of separate components, lowering manufacturing costs, and minimizing installation space compared to distributed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single housing unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it contains evaporators and heaters for multiple climate zones, air distribution channels for different regions, and control mechanisms for various airflow paths. This multi-functionality enables compact multi-zone control without requiring separate dedicated devices for each zone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed air conditioning devices are used for multi-zone control, then zone-specific climate control is achieved, but manufacturing and stock-holding efforts increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing unit is segmented into functional modules with separate evaporator and heater assemblies that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the same basic housing design to be adapted for different zone configurations (1-zone, 2-zone, 3-zone, or 4-zone systems) by simply adjusting which modules are activated, rather than manufacturing entirely different devices for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design incorporates universal mounting structures and standardized interfaces that allow the same physical housing to support different zone configurations. This universality means manufacturers can produce a single housing design that serves multiple market segments, reducing the variety of parts that need to be manufactured and stocked.
3Volume of moving object
If compact housing with single housing design is used, then installation space is reduced, but adaptability to different zone configurations must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates movable doors and adjustable air distribution channels that can be dynamically reconfigured to create different zone configurations. This dynamic adjustability allows a single compact housing to adapt between 1-zone, 2-zone, 3-zone, and 4-zone modes by simply repositioning internal components rather than requiring multiple fixed-configuration units.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design nests multiple air distribution channels and flow paths within a single compact structure. Different zone configurations are achieved by selectively opening or closing nested channels and using movable partitions, allowing the system to expand or contract its functional zones within the fixed external housing boundaries.
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 modular design simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and enables compact multi-zone climate control systems by using a single housing with interchangeable components, making it suitable for vehicles with limited installation space.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a heater
Data Source
AI summary
A modular system for a 1-to-4 zone climate control system for vehicles, which is provided with at least one housing and several air tempering and air distribution devices including a fan, optionally a filter, an evaporator, a heater and several doors arranged at a partition that is placed orthogonal to the evaporator and provided to divide the total volume flow into two partial volume flows for the left and right vehicle sides. In the first configuration the partition is provided with several blind fittings for the closing of the flow paths associated with air outlets and air channels of a second configuration. In the second configuration, the blind fittings are replaced with additional doors enabling the use of the air outlets and air channels of additional zones.