Rail Train Unitary Air Conditioning Unit Embedded Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning units in railway trains increase running resistance and suffer from poor sealing, leading to discomfort due to pressure fluctuations when passing through tunnels, and are inconvenient to install.

Innovation Solution

A unitary air conditioning unit with an integrated structure, including a mounting base, mixed air tank, and a grille-type pressure wave protection device with strip-shaped sealing members and a driver, which is embedded and sunk into the train, reducing resistance and improving sealing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate air conditioning units are installed for each train car, then each car can be independently controlled, but the overall system complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control of each train carVSAvoidSystem complexity and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air conditioning units into a single integrated modular unit that can serve multiple train carriages. The modular design allows multiple units to be coupled together longitudinally, sharing common components such as the controller, refrigerant circulation system, and housing structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent control capability for each carriage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air conditioning unit is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple train carriages simultaneously. The modular configuration enables a single unit to provide cooling, heating, and air circulation services to multiple carriages, reducing the need for separate dedicated units for each carriage and thereby lowering system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional air conditioning units are used with large diameter ducts, then air circulation capacity is sufficient, but the unit height and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAir circulation capacityVSAvoidUnit height and installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional large-diameter duct designs to a planar duct structure that distributes air circulation in a two-dimensional plane rather than relying on vertical height. This dimensional change allows sufficient air circulation capacity to be achieved while significantly reducing the unit height and installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The duct system is segmented into multiple smaller ducts arranged in a planar configuration, allowing air to be distributed efficiently across multiple carriages without requiring large diameter ducts or excessive vertical space. The segmented duct structure maintains adequate air circulation capacity while reducing overall unit height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If refrigerant is stored in large external tanks, then sufficient refrigerant capacity is available, but the unit size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRefrigerant capacityVSAvoidUnit size and weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant storage tanks are nested within the existing hollow structural members of the train car, such as the floor beams or wall cavities. This nesting approach allows sufficient refrigerant capacity to be achieved without increasing the external dimensions or weight of the air conditioning unit, as the storage space utilizes already-present structural voids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible or thin-walled refrigerant storage tanks that can be conformally integrated into the available space within the train car structure. These flexible shells maximize refrigerant storage capacity while minimizing the volume and weight added to the air conditioning unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively reduces running resistance, enhances sealing and comfort by preventing pressure fluctuations and facilitating installation, while ensuring strength and rigidity requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum insulating layer is formed inside the expansion tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator heat exchanger is disposed inside the train car

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

the expansion tank is connected to a refrigerant circulation system including an evaporator heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

a condenser heat exchanger provided outside the train car

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 5

a vacuum insulating layer is formed inside the expansion tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3611070B1Rail train and unitary air conditioning unit complete equipment thereof
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 CRRC CHANGCHUN RAILWAY VEHICLES CO LTD
  • EP3611070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611070B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3611070B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Unitary air conditioning unit complete equipment of a rail train and the rail train. The unitary air conditioning unit complete equipment is of an integrated structure, and comprises a main body (12), a mounting base (1), an air grille (3), and a mixed air box (11); a unitary air conditioning unit is mounted at an air conditioning unit mounting port at the top of the rail train by means of the mounting base (1) in a recessed manner; the mounting base (1) and a train body are provided with a sealing component therebetween and are connected by means of a connecting piece; the top surface of the unitary air conditioning unit is lower than or flush with the top of the train body; a grille type pressure wave protection device is provided at both sides of the unitary air conditioning unit.