Single Blower HVAC Module for Multi-Zone Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC modules require excessive space, energy, and complexity to achieve multi-zone climate control, leading to increased vehicle costs and emissions, as they often necessitate separate modules and additional components for each discrete number of temperature-controlled streams.
Innovation Solution
A high-performance HVAC module with a single blower fan, evaporator, and heater, utilizing advanced design features like brushless motors and low pressure drop heat exchangers, controls airflow and temperature distribution across multiple zones by adjusting blower voltage and valve resistance to minimize power consumption and optimize airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional HVAC modules are used to achieve multi-zone climate control, then multiple temperature-controlled zones can be provided, but the system requires excessive space, additional components, and increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature-controlled zone capabilities into a single integrated HVAC module. The module includes a single evaporator, single heater, single blower, and multiple mixing valves that share common fluid passages, allowing multiple zones to be controlled without requiring separate HVAC modules for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC module is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. The single evaporator and heater can condition air for multiple zones simultaneously, and the mixing valves can distribute conditioned air to different zones with independent temperature control, making the system adaptable to various zone configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional HVAC modules are used to achieve multi-zone climate control, then multiple temperature-controlled zones can be provided, but the system requires excessive space and additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple HVAC functions into a single compact module. The mixing valves are integrated within the module housing and share common fluid passages with the evaporator and heater, eliminating the need for separate HVAC modules and reducing the overall space required in the vehicle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional HVAC modules are used to achieve multi-zone climate control, then multiple temperature-controlled zones can be provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple temperature control functions into a single HVAC module with shared components. The single evaporator, heater, and blower serve all zones, and the mixing valves efficiently distribute conditioned air with minimal energy loss, reducing overall energy consumption compared to multiple separate modules.
4Device complexity
If a single HVAC module is used to provide multiple temperature-controlled zones, then space and complexity are reduced, but control precision for each zone may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control through individual mixing valves for each temperature-controlled zone. Each mixing valve independently adjusts the temperature of air delivered to its respective zone by controlling the mixing ratio of hot and cold air streams, ensuring precise temperature control for each zone despite the integrated module 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
This solution enables efficient, multi-zone climate control with reduced energy consumption and complexity, allowing a single module to replace dual modules, thereby lowering vehicle costs and emissions while maintaining passenger comfort.
Implementation Method 1
brushless motors
Implementation Method 2
low pressure drop heat exchangers
Data Source
AI summary
HVAC unit has a single blower fan, an evaporator downstream of the blower and a heater downstream of the evaporator, wherein each zone outlet includes a temperature mixing door for controlling portions of hot and cold air and an output valve for controlling a zonal output flow rate. A method is devised to control the discharge of temperature-conditioned air from a plurality of zone outlets of an automotive HVAC system via such an HVAC unit by the steps of reading an operator-requested zonal discharge blower level for each of the zone outlets; converting each zonal discharge blower level request to a zonal flowrate request; calculating a total requested output flowrate as a summation of all zonal flowrate requests; and adjusting a blower voltage to a minimum voltage required for generating the total requested output flowrate.