Outer Panel-Mediated Cooling System for Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outer panel-mediated heat exchanger systems in transportation machines face challenges such as increased size and complexity due to the need for filters and humidity/pressure regulation, with limited choices for cooling targets since they primarily use air as the circulating fluid.

Innovation Solution

An outer panel-mediated cooling system that uses a cooled gas from heat exchange with external air via an outer panel, where the cooled gas does not circulate inside the machine, allowing any gas or liquid to be used as the heat medium, thereby increasing the variety of cooling targets and eliminating the need for filters and humidity/pressure regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooled gas is circulated in the interior of the transportation machine, then cooling effect is achieved, but system size increases and complexity increases due to need for filters and humidity/pressure regulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cooled gas from the interior circulation system and directs it externally through discharge openings. The cooling function is maintained while the problematic circulation components (filters, humidity regulators, pressure controllers) are eliminated by not circulating gas inside the cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooled gas acts as an intermediary cooling medium that transfers thermal energy externally. Instead of directly cooling the cabin interior with circulated gas, the system uses the cooled gas in external heat exchange pathways, mediating the cooling effect without introducing complexity inside the cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If air is used as the circulating fluid, then cooling function is provided, but variety of cooling targets is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of cooling targetsVSAvoidfluid choice limitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables multiple fluid types (gases and liquids) to be used as cooling media through the external circulation pathway. Different fluids can be selected based on specific cooling requirements, making the system universal and adaptable to various cooling targets including electronics, batteries, and cabin air conditioning.

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

This solution enhances the flexibility of cooling targets and simplifies system maintenance by allowing any heat medium to be used, reducing the complexity and size of the system while preventing dust and humidity issues.

Implementation Method 1

heat exchange with external air via an outer panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a gas releases heat outside through the outer panel and is thus cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a heat-insulating layer located between the outer and inner panels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

a fan located in the cooling chamber to exert a drive force on the gas to allow the gas to circulate in the circulation path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3904212B1Outer panel-mediated cooling system
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3904212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3904212B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3904212B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An outer panel-mediated cooling system includes: an outer shell including an outer panel, an inner panel located inward of the outer panel, and a heat-insulating layer located between the outer and inner panels; a cooling chamber that is located between the outer and inner panels and in which a gas releases heat outside through the outer panel and is thus cooled; a circulation loop in which a heat medium circulates, the circulation loop including a heating section located inward of the inner panel to heat the heat medium and a cooling section located in the cooling chamber to cool the heat medium; a flow path-forming structure located in the cooling chamber to form a circulation path for the gas; and a fan located in the cooling chamber to exert a drive force on the gas to allow the gas to circulate in the circulation path.