Rotatable Door Unit for Multi-Channel Air Conditioning Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems for vehicles are complex and require a high number of components, leading to a large housing volume due to the need for multiple door units to manage different air flows and climate options, which complicates their design and operation.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a unique door unit configuration that includes a rotatable outer casing part and a stationary inner screen part, allowing for efficient control of air flows between different channels, enabling a single door unit to manage multiple air flows and reduce the overall system volume, while also providing flexible temperature and speed control through separate fan units and heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multiple door units are used to manage different air flows and climate options, then the system can provide comprehensive climate control functionality, but the housing volume and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door unit functions into a single integrated door unit structure that includes a housing, inner screen part, outer casing part, and flap member. This single door unit performs the functions that would traditionally require multiple separate door units, thereby reducing housing volume while maintaining comprehensive climate control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single door unit is designed with multi-functionality to manage multiple air flows and provide various climate options. The outer casing part can be rotated to different positions, and the flap member can be positioned to direct air flows differently, enabling the same component to perform multiple climate control functions that would otherwise require separate dedicated components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multiple door units are used to manage different air flows, then comprehensive air flow control is achieved, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple door unit components into a single integrated assembly. The housing, inner screen part, outer casing part, and flap member work together as one unified door unit structure, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining the capability to control multiple air flows through coordinated operation of these integrated parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The door unit incorporates dynamic elements including the rotatable outer casing part and the positionable flap member. These dynamic components allow the single door unit to adapt its configuration to manage different air flows and provide various climate options, replacing what would traditionally require multiple static door units.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single door unit is used to reduce system volume, then housing space is optimized, but the door unit must perform multiple functions increasing its design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The single door unit is segmented into distinct functional parts: housing, inner screen part, outer casing part, and flap member. Each segment has a specific function, and their coordinated operation enables the door unit to perform multiple functions. This segmentation allows for manageable design and assembly while achieving space optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The door unit employs dynamic mechanisms including the rotatable outer casing part with defined rotational positions and the positionable flap member. These dynamic features enable a single door unit to perform multiple air flow control functions that would otherwise require multiple separate components, achieving volume reduction while maintaining functional capability through clever mechanical design.
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 achieves a compact and efficient air distribution solution, reducing the number of components needed and allowing for flexible climate control options, thereby improving the packing efficiency and operational simplicity of vehicle air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first heat exchanger is arranged in the first air flow channel
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger is arranged in the second air flow channel
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A door unit (5) for an air conditioning system (1), comprising a stationary inner screen part (5a), an outer casing part (5b) rotatably arranged between different operational positions in relation to the inner screen part (5a), and a flap member (5c) attached to the outer casing part (5b). The outer casing part (5b) comprises a first inlet opening (9a) and a second inlet opening (9b), wherein the door unit (5) is configured for directing a first flow of air (F1) in a first air flow channel (3a) and a second flow of air (F2) in a second air flow channel (3b) to a third air flow channel (6) or to the third air flow channel (6) and a fourth air flow channel (7). The flap member (5c) is configured for blocking the first air flow channel (3a) or the second air flow channel (3b), wherein an internal volume (8) of the door unit (5) enclosed by the inner screen part (5a) and the outer casing part (5b) is configured for forming the fourth air flow channel (7). The outer casing part (5b) is configured for directing the first flow of air (F1) to the fourth air flow channel (7) via the first inlet opening (9a) and for directing the second flow of air (F2) to the fourth air flow channel (7) via the second inlet opening (9b).