Portable air-conditioning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable air-conditioning devices face challenges in maintaining efficient cooling performance due to the difficulty in determining when phase change material (PCM) packages need to be replaced, leading to incomplete heat storage and discharge, which affects transportability and user preference.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a temperature sensing thermistor within the heat storage chamber or on the PCM packages, connected to a control unit that alerts users via lighting or alarms when the PCM packages' temperature exceeds a set limit, indicating the need for regeneration or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable air-conditioning device is designed to be movable and installable in various locations, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for both cooling function and movable structure with power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a movable body housing the power supply and control unit, and a stationary cooling unit housing the compressor and heat exchangers. This segmentation allows the power supply to be relocated to the movable body while maintaining cooling functionality, thereby improving adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable body is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the power supply, acts as a control unit, and provides mobility through wheeled structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving adaptability while controlling device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the power supply is disposed in the movable body, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to distance from the cooling unit
Solution Approach 1:
A power transmission mechanism (such as a belt drive or gear system) is introduced as an intermediary to transmit power from the movable body to the stationary cooling unit. This intermediary allows the power supply to remain in the movable body for ease of operation while maintaining reliable power transmission to the cooling unit, thereby resolving the reliability concern.
3Ease of operation
If the power supply is disposed in the movable body, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of energy increases due to distance from the cooling unit
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission mechanism serves as an efficient intermediary that minimizes energy loss during power transmission from the movable body to the cooling unit. By using a direct mechanical coupling or high-efficiency transmission system, the energy loss due to distance is reduced, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing energy loss.
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
Ensures timely replacement of PCM packages, enhancing cooling performance and user convenience by providing precise temperature measurements and alerts, thus maintaining efficient operation of the portable air-conditioning device.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensing thermistor placed in a heat storage chamber or on a PCM package
Implementation Method 2
PCM packages (phase change material packages) are used, storing residual heat discharged by the condenser
Implementation Method 3
storing thermal energy on the phase change material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a portable air-conditioning device (1), comprising a compressor (2) enabling the cooling cycle, a condenser (3) enabling heat to be discharged to the outer environment by condensing a refrigerant, an evaporator (4) enabling cooling the ambient air, at least one PCM package (5) obtained by packing phase change material (PCM) with high heat storage capacity into a container, transferring and storing the heat of the condenser (3), and a thermistor (6) measuring the temperature of the PCM packages (5).