Rail Vehicle Air Outlet Device for Flexible Seating Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in passenger vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, are complex and require significant conversion costs when seating layouts change, as they are designed to meet specific temperature and air speed requirements at different points in the compartment, often competing with interior space for air outlet openings.
Innovation Solution
The air outlet device is positioned in the foot area of the door pillar trim, allowing air to be blown into the passenger compartment independently of seating arrangements, eliminating the need for floor ducts and enabling easy replacement or redesign to meet temperature and air speed requirements without altering the underlying air conditioning system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If floor ducts are provided along the sides of the passenger compartment to distribute warm air, then air distribution to seating areas is improved, but device complexity increases and adaptability to seating layout changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air discharge function from the complex floor duct system and concentrates it into a single air discharge device located in the foot area. This eliminates the need for multiple floor ducts running along the side walls, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective air distribution to the seating area.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge device is designed with multiple air discharge openings that can be configured to blow air in different directions (along the side wall and/or towards the seating area). This multi-functional design allows the same device to adapt to different seating arrangements and spatial requirements without requiring system modifications.
2Temperature
If floor ducts are installed in the lower section of the side wall, then warm air distribution is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to individual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge device is segmented into multiple independent air discharge openings, where at least a first part is oriented to blow air along the side wall and a second part is oriented to blow air towards the seating area. This segmentation allows each opening to be independently optimized for different airflow directions while maintaining a standardized overall device structure that simplifies manufacturing.
3Temperature
If air outlets are positioned in the lower part of the side wall, then heating performance is improved, but adaptability to interior fitting changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge device incorporates adjustable or reconfigurable air discharge openings that can modify their airflow direction and distribution characteristics. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different seating arrangements and interior configurations while maintaining effective heating performance, as the airflow can be directed along side walls or towards seating areas as 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
This solution reduces component complexity and conversion costs, allowing for flexible seating arrangements while maintaining effective air distribution across the passenger compartment, with adaptable air outlet designs that can be optimized using computational fluid dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioning unit located in the roof area of the vehicle, a main air duct supplied with conditioned supply air by the air conditioning unit
Implementation Method 2
the air outlet device is positioned in the foot area of the door pillar trim, allowing air to be blown into the passenger compartment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle for passenger transport purposes with an air conditioning arrangement comprising an air conditioning unit located in the roof area of the vehicle, a main air duct supplied with conditioned air by the air conditioning unit and extending longitudinally in the roof area of the vehicle, and at least one air duct branch (3) extending from the main air duct downwards along the side walls of the vehicle towards the floor of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein a lower end section of the air duct branch (3) opens into a container-shaped air discharge device (1) which has several air discharge openings (5) that open directly into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.