Vehicle Cabin Air Conditioning Using Peltier Airflow Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle air conditioning systems face challenges in improving energy efficiency, reducing noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) characteristics, and minimizing energy consumption, particularly in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), where existing systems often inefficiently transfer heat and generate noise due to the use of traditional heating and cooling elements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Peltier device-based air conditioning system that draws airflows from inside the passenger cabin, using independently operable blowers to direct airflows over the Peltier device's sides, with one airflow being discharged inside the cabin for heating or cooling and the other outside to remove waste thermal energy, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional heating and cooling elements are used in vehicle air conditioning systems, then the system can provide heating and cooling functions, but the energy efficiency is poor and noise-vibration-harshness characteristics are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical compression-based HVAC systems with a Peltier device that uses the electrocaloric effect to transfer heat. This substitution of mechanical systems with field-based systems (electrical to thermal conversion) reduces moving parts, noise, and vibration while improving energy efficiency in battery electric vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The Peltier device utilizes the electrocaloric effect, which involves phase transitions or significant thermal property changes in materials when subjected to electrical fields. This allows direct conversion of electrical energy to thermal energy transfer without mechanical compression cycles, reducing NVH characteristics.
2Use of energy by moving object
If airflows are drawn from outside the passenger cabin, then the air conditioning system can provide fresh air, but the energy efficiency decreases when external air temperature differs significantly from desired cabin temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses cabin air that is already at or near the desired temperature for one side of the Peltier device, reducing the energy required for temperature adjustment. The system essentially serves itself by recycling cabin air rather than always importing external air that requires significant conditioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the temperature parameter of airflows by using the Peltier device to create temperature differences between two airflows. By controlling which air source (cabin or external) is used and adjusting flow rates, the system adapts to different operating conditions while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Temperature
If high flow rates are used to achieve desired cooling effect, then the cooling performance is improved, but the power consumption of blowers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste heat from the Peltier device into useful cooling by directing it to pre-cool external air or to provide heating when needed. This回收利用 of waste thermal energy reduces the total energy required and allows lower blower flow rates to achieve the same effective cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning system is segmented into two independent airflow paths that can be controlled separately. This allows optimization of each airflow path's flow rate and temperature control independently, reducing total blower power consumption while maintaining overall cooling performance.
4Temperature
If external air is used for cooling, then the air conditioning system can provide cooling capacity, but the air contains turbulence and contaminants that can damage system components
Solution Approach 1:
The Peltier device acts as an intermediary that processes external air before it contacts sensitive components. By using the electrocaloric effect to condition the air and separate it from the main system, the harmful turbulence and contaminants are managed without directly damaging the Peltier device or other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and separates the airflow paths, allowing external air to be drawn through dedicated intake paths away from sensitive components. This extraction of the air intake function from the main system reduces exposure to turbulence and contaminants while maintaining cooling capacity.
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 improves energy efficiency by utilizing cabin air closer to desired temperatures, reduces noise and vibration through smoother airflow and reduced turbulence, and protects system components from external contaminants and turbulence, leading to enhanced occupant comfort and extended vehicle range.
Implementation Method 1
The Peltier device is operable as a heat pump to transfer heat energy between the first airflow directed over the first side and the second airflow directed over the second side
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprising a passenger cabin and an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system comprises a Peltier device, a first blower for directing a first airflow over a first side of the Peltier device, and a second blower for directing a second airflow over a second side of the Peltier device. The second blower draws the second airflow from inside the passenger cabin, and the second airflow is discharged to outside the passenger cabin.