Interchangeable Operable Duct with Blocking Component for Driver-Only HVAC
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air-handling systems lack the ability to efficiently direct blower air specifically to the driver section while minimizing energy consumption and noise, especially in electric vehicles where providing air to the entire cabin is not necessary.
Innovation Solution
An operable duct system with a driver and passenger portion, where the passenger portion can be selectively closed off using a blocking member, allowing a common heat exchanger and blower to serve only the driver section, reducing energy usage and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common heat exchanger and blower serve both driver and passenger sections, then device complexity is reduced, but energy consumption increases when only driver section is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is segmented into a driver portion and a passenger portion with separate controllable shutters. This allows independent control of air flow to each section, enabling the blower to serve only the occupied driver section when the passenger shutter is closed, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The duct system incorporates dynamically adjustable shutters that can open or close to control air flow paths. The passenger portion shutter can be closed when no passenger is present, dynamically redirecting all blower output to the driver section. This dynamic adjustment optimizes energy efficiency without requiring separate blowers for each section
2Ease of operation
If blower air is delivered to the entire cabin, then passenger comfort is maintained, but noise level increases in driver-only operation
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is divided into separate driver and passenger portions with independent shutters. When only the driver is occupied, the passenger shutter closes to block air flow to the passenger section, concentrating the blower output solely in the driver section. This reduces the volume of air moving through the cabin, thereby lowering noise levels while maintaining driver comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The air handling system provides localized climate control to the driver section by closing the passenger shutter. This concentrates cooling or heating resources where needed (driver section only), improving local comfort efficiency while reducing overall system noise generation from moving large volumes of air through the entire cabin
3Use of energy by moving object
If separate blowers are used for driver and passenger sections, then energy efficiency improves for driver-only operation, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single blower unit is designed to serve multiple functions by controlling air flow to both driver and passenger sections through a shared duct system with adjustable shutters. The same blower can efficiently serve only the driver section when the passenger shutter is closed, or serve both sections when both shutters are open, eliminating the need for separate blowers while maintaining energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Controllable shutters act as intermediaries between the single blower and the separate driver/passenger duct portions. These shutters regulate and redirect air flow from the common blower output to the appropriate sections, enabling efficient driver-only operation without requiring separate blowers, thus balancing energy efficiency with system simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air-handling system includes a heat exchanger, a blower in communication with the heat exchanger, and an operable duct having driver and passenger portions that are each in communication with the heat exchanger and the blower. When the blower is activated, the driver portion continuously delivers blower air and the passenger portion selectively delivers blower air.