Parking cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over-the-road trucks face challenges in providing environmentally friendly and efficient air conditioning for driver comfort during rest periods without engine idling, leading to increased fuel consumption and emissions, while also requiring varying cooling capacities for different vehicle sizes.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered mobile air conditioning system with a variable speed compressor and modular design, allowing for single or dual housing configurations, utilizing DC brushless technology and additional condensers for enhanced cooling capacity, controlled by a printed circuit board to optimize energy use and prolong battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the truck engine is idled to operate the air conditioning system, then the air conditioning can provide suitable conditions for driver rest, but fuel consumption increases and emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engine-driven air conditioning system with an electrical system powered by batteries. The compressor is changed from an engine-driven mechanical compressor to an electrically-driven compressor, eliminating the need for engine idling and thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining air conditioning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power source parameter from mechanical (engine) to electrical (batteries). This parameter change allows the air conditioning system to operate independently of the engine, enabling the truck to meet rest period requirements without generating harmful emissions from idle engines.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the air conditioning system operates solely on battery power, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, but the operating duration is limited by battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a variable speed compressor that can dynamically adjust its operating speed based on cooling demands and battery status. This dynamic operation allows the system to optimize power consumption, extending battery-operated duration by matching compressor output to actual cooling needs rather than running at constant high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates the compressor in periodic cycles rather than continuously, turning it on and off based on temperature thresholds and battery charge levels. This periodic operation conserves battery power while maintaining adequate cooling, thereby extending the duration of battery-powered air conditioning operation.
3Device complexity
If a single housing configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling capacity is limited for larger vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the housing as separable modules that can be configured in different arrangements. The housing can be divided into multiple sections that may be positioned in series or parallel, allowing the system to be segmented and reconfigured to match different vehicle sizes and cooling requirements without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design is universal and adaptable, capable of serving multiple configurations (single housing, two housings in series, two housings in parallel) to accommodate different vehicle types and cooling capacities. This multi-functional housing design allows the same basic component to serve various cooling needs without requiring entirely different systems.
4Power
If additional condensers are added to increase cooling capacity, then power is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser system is segmented into modular units that can be added or removed based on cooling requirements. Rather than using a single large complex condenser, the system uses multiple smaller condenser modules that can be independently installed, maintaining lower device complexity while achieving higher total cooling capacity when needed.
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 system provides efficient and environmentally friendly air conditioning independent of engine operation, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, while accommodating different cooling needs through modular design and optimized energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a DC brushless variable speed compressor
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator and at least one condenser
Implementation Method 3
at least one condenser
Implementation Method 4
an expansion valve
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator
Implementation Method 6
an evaporator and at least one condenser
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Various embodiments of a parking cooler 10 are provided which may be operated from battery power, for example during engine off operation. Further, the parking cooler 10 or air conditioning system 10 may have varying cooling capacities based on operating modes in order to maximize performance or maximize battery life. The parking cooler 10 may include one or more condensers 44, 144 and a housing 16, 116, 216 to accommodate such variation of cooling capacity.