Seat-Specific Airflow Control for Mobility Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicles have inefficient air-conditioning systems that fail to provide individual temperature control for each seat, leading to energy wastage and discomfort, especially in vehicles with slimmed interior designs and autonomous driving features.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning device with a switchable slit nozzle blower and air-conditioning casing that allows for independent temperature control at each seat, using a sensor unit to detect passenger presence and control the air conditioner and blower to direct temperature-regulated air to specific seats, optimizing energy use and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conditioned air is discharged from the front of the vehicle, then the air conditioning system is simple to install, but the flow of conditioned air is blocked by front seats, providing limited conditioned air to rear seat passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is segmented into multiple discharge locations: front discharge ports for front seat passengers and rear discharge ports for rear seat passengers. This segmentation allows conditioned air to be delivered directly to each seating area without being blocked by seat structures, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and effective air delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge system transitions from a single-dimensional front discharge approach to a multi-dimensional configuration with both front and rear discharge ports positioned at different locations. This dimensional change enables conditioned air to reach rear seat passengers effectively without compromising installation simplicity.
2Productivity
If conditioned air is provided through rear consoles, then rear seat passengers receive conditioned air, but the path for air provision becomes complicated and the blowing direction from front to rear is fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The air provision system is segmented into independent front and rear discharge paths with separate control mechanisms. Each path can operate independently, allowing flexible air distribution to different seating areas without requiring a complicated unified path through rear consoles.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing direction is made dynamic through adjustable nozzles and controllable blowers that can direct air flow flexibly to different seats. This eliminates the fixed front-to-rear blowing direction and allows adaptive air distribution based on passenger needs and seat occupancy.
3Ease of operation
If the entire interior space is cooled or heated without distinction between seats, then the air conditioning system is simple to operate, but air conditioning efficiency decreases and electrical energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system implements local quality control by providing independent temperature regulation for different seating areas. Each seat or seating area has its own discharge ports and control mechanisms, allowing the system to adjust air conditioning locally based on actual passenger needs rather than uniformly cooling or heating the entire interior space, thus reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect seat occupancy and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts air conditioning operation accordingly. When a seat is occupied, the system activates air discharge to that specific area; when unoccupied, it reduces or stops air discharge, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining simple operation through automated control.
4Volume of moving object
If future electric vehicles have slimmed interior front portions to increase utilization of interior space, then interior space utilization improves, but restrictions are imposed on the installation of air conditioners
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is segmented into modular components that can be distributed throughout the vehicle interior, including front discharge ports, rear discharge ports, and intermediate discharge locations. This segmentation allows the air conditioner to be installed in available spaces without requiring a large consolidated front portion, accommodating slimmed interior designs while maintaining installation feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning system is designed with multi-functional discharge ports and blowers that can serve multiple seating areas from different locations. This universality allows the system to adapt to various interior configurations and slimmed designs, as the same components can be positioned and configured to optimize space utilization while maintaining effective air distribution.
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 enables efficient energy use by providing individual air conditioning based on passenger presence, ensuring comfort and reducing energy consumption by directing conditioned air precisely to occupied seats, thus enhancing passenger comfort and reducing energy wastage.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioner (200) installed in the air-conditioning casing (100) and configured to cool or heat the circulated air to regulate a temperature of the air
Implementation Method 2
a slit nozzle blower (300) whose position is switchable in the air-conditioning casing (100), the slit nozzle blower (300) communicating with the air-conditioning casing (100) to blow the conditioned air whose temperature is regulated by the air conditioner (200)
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning device for mobilities and an air-conditioning control system for mobilities using the same, which are capable of performing independent air-conditioning control for each seat when a mobility is heated and cooled, thereby preventing wastage of heating and cooling energy by performing individual air conditioning for each seat depending on whether a passenger is seated, and ensuring comfort of all passengers by providing conditioned air to each seat.