Superabsorbent Polymer Textile for Vehicle Interior Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioning systems require high energy, leading to increased fuel consumption and reduced range in electric vehicles, making them inefficient for energy-saving cooling solutions, especially in passenger cabins where cooling is essential.
Innovation Solution
A moisture-loadable textile with a nonwoven fabric coated with superabsorbent polymers that absorbs and evaporates water to provide a cooling effect, potentially replacing or supporting air conditioning systems, utilizing a moistening device and ventilation mechanism to enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems are used to cool vehicle interiors, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from the conventional air conditioning system by using a textile with superabsorbent polymer that can be loaded with water externally. The textile is arranged in the interior (e.g., on seats, headliner, or as a curtain) and provides cooling through water evaporation from the polymer, thereby separating the cooling effect from the high-energy AC system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of water by using superabsorbent polymer to absorb and retain water in a gel-like state within its structure. The polymer can bind large amounts of water (sometimes more than 1000 times its own weight) and release it through controlled evaporation, changing how water is stored and released for cooling purposes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If superabsorbent polymer is used in nonwoven fabric for cooling, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The superabsorbent polymer in the textile performs the cooling function autonomously through passive evaporation of water. The textile can be loaded with water using simple spray nozzles or atomizers that distribute water onto the textile surface, and the cooling effect is generated automatically as water evaporates from the polymer, requiring no active control or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The textile with superabsorbent polymer acts as an intermediary between the water supply and the interior space. The polymer absorbs water and controls its release through evaporation, mediating the cooling process without requiring direct contact between water and the interior environment or complex distribution systems.
3Temperature
If textile is loaded with water for evaporation cooling, then cooling effect is improved, but moisture control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The superabsorbent polymer is a porous material with a three-dimensional cross-linked network structure that can absorb and retain large amounts of water within its pores. This porous structure allows the polymer to hold water firmly without releasing liquid water, while still permitting controlled evaporation of water molecules from the polymer matrix, thereby managing moisture effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining nonwoven fabric with superabsorbent polymer particles or coating. The nonwoven fabric provides the structural base and breathability, while the superabsorbent polymer provides water absorption and controlled release capabilities. This composite material combines the advantages of both components for effective moisture management and cooling.
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 offers an energy-efficient cooling method that reduces energy consumption, maintains a comfortable cabin climate, and extends the range of electric vehicles by leveraging the evaporation of water from superabsorbent polymers, while being adaptable for use in both passenger and cargo spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The superabsorbent polymer can bind large amounts of water inside, sometimes more than 1000 times their own weight of water
Implementation Method 2
The nonwoven or, more precisely, the superabsorbent polymer of the nonwoven can be continuously or repeatedly loaded with water, which then gradually evaporates from the nonwoven or polymer, so that a cooling effect is achieved
Implementation Method 3
It can only be evaporated from the polymer again with the expenditure of thermal energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle comprising an interior, preferably a passenger compartment or a cargo space; a fabric comprising a non-woven material loaded with a super-absorbent polymer is located in the interior or positioned in such a way as to be in thermal contact with the interior.