Battery-Powered Parking Cooler With Variable Cooling Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over-the-road trucks face challenges in providing environmentally friendly and efficient air conditioning for drivers during rest periods, as existing systems require engine idling, leading to fuel wastage and emissions, and there is a need for a system that can operate solely on battery power to maintain comfortable conditions without adding numerous parts for varying cooling capacities.
Innovation Solution
A mobile air conditioning system using a DC brushless variable speed compressor, expansion valve, evaporator, and condensers, with a controller on a printed circuit board that manages the system's operation, allowing for efficient battery-powered operation and adjustable cooling capacity by varying the compressor speed based on temperature differences, and optionally includes additional condensers for increased cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the truck engine is idled to operate the air conditioning system, then the driver comfort and cooling capacity are maintained, but fuel consumption increases and emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engine-driven air conditioning system with an electric battery-powered system. The compressor is driven by an electric motor powered by the vehicle battery, eliminating the need for engine idling to provide cooling during driver rest periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a variable speed compressor that can adjust its operating speed based on cooling demands and battery state of charge. This allows the system to optimize energy consumption by reducing compressor speed when full cooling capacity is not needed, extending battery operation time while maintaining driver comfort.
2Power
If the compressor speed is increased to meet higher cooling capacity demands, then the cooling performance is improved, but the battery power is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic variable speed compressor that can adjust its operating speed continuously based on real-time conditions including cooling demands, battery state of charge, and ambient temperature. This allows the system to provide high cooling capacity when needed while conserving battery power during milder conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates the compressor in periodic cycles rather than continuously, modulating the compressor speed and operation intervals based on temperature differential between the cabin and ambient environment, thereby extending battery life while maintaining adequate cooling.
3Power
If additional condensers are added to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling performance for larger vehicles is improved, but the system complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a variable speed compressor to provide adjustable cooling capacity ranging from low to high levels, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-capacity condensers. The single condenser unit can accommodate varying cooling demands through electronic control of the compressor speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a universal single condenser design that can serve different vehicle sizes and cooling requirements when combined with the variable speed compressor. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware configuration to adapt to various cooling capacities without requiring additional condenser units.
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 for over-the-road trucks, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by operating on battery power, while accommodating different cooling needs without requiring a large number of additional parts, thus extending battery life and maintaining comfortable conditions for drivers.
Implementation Method 1
a DC brushless variable speed compressor
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator and at least one condenser
Implementation Method 4
at least one condenser
Implementation Method 5
an expansion valve
Data Source
AI summary
A parking cooler which is capable of battery powered operation during engine off operation. The parking cooler or air conditioning system may vary in cooling capacities to maximize cooling or maximize battery life. The parking cooler includes one or more condensers and a housing to accommodate such variation of cooling capacity.