Portable multi-function air conditioner with a lid-based fluid pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for portable multi-function air conditioners that can effectively condition air in various environments, addressing issues of humidity and temperature regulation, especially in climates without traditional air conditioning systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable multi-function air conditioner comprising an insulated reservoir for holding liquid and ice, a heat exchanger, a pump to circulate liquid through the heat exchanger and discharge it through a spray nozzle, and a fan to move air across the heat exchanger, conditioning the air by intermingling it with the discharged liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a portable air conditioner uses traditional compression-based cooling systems, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical compression-based cooling system with an evaporative cooling system that uses water evaporation and capillary action in a wick material to achieve cooling without compressors, motors, or complex mechanical components. This substitution dramatically simplifies the device while maintaining portable cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing capillary action through a wick material to transport water from a reservoir to the evaporation surface. This passive fluid transport mechanism eliminates the need for pumps or fans to move the cooling medium, further reducing device complexity and power requirements.
2Device complexity
If a portable air conditioner uses evaporative cooling with water evaporation, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling effectiveness decreases in high humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials (such as salt hydrates) that undergo solid-liquid phase transitions at specific temperatures to provide cooling effect independent of ambient humidity. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain cooling effectiveness in high humidity environments where traditional evaporative cooling fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials combining traditional evaporative cooling elements with phase change materials and thermally conductive substances. This composite structure allows the system to leverage multiple cooling mechanisms simultaneously, maintaining simplicity while improving cooling effectiveness across various humidity conditions.
3Temperature
If a portable air conditioner uses phase change materials for cooling, then cooling effectiveness in humid environments is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hybrid system where phase change materials are used partially to supplement rather than completely replace evaporative cooling. This partial application approach provides enhanced cooling effectiveness in humid conditions while minimizing the amount of heavy phase change material required, thus controlling overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies phase change materials locally in specific zones within the cooling chamber rather than uniformly throughout the entire device. This localized application provides targeted cooling enhancement where needed while reducing the total mass of phase change materials, thereby managing device weight more effectively.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a portable air conditioner uses passive evaporative cooling without active components, then power consumption is reduced, but control precision and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the system to be largely self-regulating, where the evaporative cooling process automatically adjusts to ambient conditions through natural evaporation rates and capillary action. The system serves itself by utilizing environmental humidity and temperature gradients to control the cooling process without requiring external power input for regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates passive feedback mechanisms where the cooling performance automatically responds to environmental conditions. As ambient temperature and humidity change, the evaporation rate and capillary flow adjust accordingly, providing automatic adaptation to different environments without active control systems or power consumption.
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 effective air conditioning by regulating temperature and humidity, extending the life of ice and maintaining a comfortable environment in diverse climates, while also serving as a beverage cooler or ice chest.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger, at least one pump configured to move a first portion of the liquid through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
at least one pump configured to move a first portion of the liquid through the heat exchanger as a first function and discharge a second portion of the liquid through a spray nozzle
Implementation Method 3
a fan configured to move air across the heat exchanger, and discharge the air through an outlet port
Implementation Method 4
the discharged air intermingling with the discharged second portion of the liquid to condition the air
Implementation Method 5
the discharged air intermingling with the discharged second portion of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A portable multi-function air conditioner comprises a fluid pump disposed in a lid associated with an insulated reservoir configured to hold a liquid and ice, a heat exchanger configured to cool air flowing through the heat exchanger. A fan may be configured to move air across the heat exchanger and discharge the air through an outlet port associated with one of the reservoir or the lid. A power connection may be carried on the lid and may provide power to the at least one pump.