Split Vehicle Air Conditioner Layout for Cabin Space Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioners have a structure that makes it difficult to secure space at the interior of the vehicle room, limiting space utilization and passenger convenience.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner is configured with a first unit mounted at the engine compartment and a second unit at the interior of the vehicle room, connected by an air guide through a dash panel, minimizing the interior space occupied and ensuring smooth air flow without loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air conditioner is mounted at the interior of the vehicle room with respect to the dash panel, then the air conditioner can be easily installed and maintained, but the space at the interior of the vehicle room cannot be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner is divided into two separate units: a first air conditioner mounted at the engine compartment and a second air conditioner mounted at the interior of the vehicle room. This segmentation allows the bulk of the system to be located outside the passenger space while maintaining ease of installation and maintenance for both units.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide connects the two air conditioners through a through-hole formed in the dash panel, utilizing the spatial dimension created by the dash panel separation. This allows air to be transferred from the engine compartment to the vehicle interior without occupying additional interior space.
2Volume of moving object
If the first air conditioner and second air conditioner are separated and mounted at different locations, then the interior space is secured, but air flow loss may occur between the units
Solution Approach 1:
An air guide is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the first air conditioner at the engine compartment with the second air conditioner at the vehicle interior through a through-hole in the dash panel. This intermediary structure ensures smooth air flow transfer while minimizing air flow loss despite the spatial separation of the two units.
3Volume of moving object
If the air conditioner components are distributed across engine compartment and vehicle interior, then space utilization is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner system is segmented into two functional units located in different spaces (engine compartment and vehicle interior), with each unit performing specific functions. This segmentation improves space utilization while maintaining relatively simple individual unit designs that are easier to install and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide serves as a combining element that merges the functionality of the two separated air conditioner units, allowing them to operate as an integrated system despite being physically distributed across different locations. This reduces the perceived complexity by providing a clear, simple connection mechanism.
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 configuration minimizes the interior space required for the air conditioner, enhances space utilization, and maintains efficient cooling and heating performance by ensuring uninterrupted air flow between the units.
Implementation Method 1
an air guide being mounted therebetween to guide movement of air
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner for a vehicle may include a first air conditioner provided on the engine compartment side with respect to a dash panel, and including an intake unit of suctioning internal or external air and blowing same to the vehicle interior side; and a second air conditioner provided on the vehicle interior side with respect to the dash panel, and including a duct for discharging conditioned air to the vehicle interior side. The dash panel has a through hole formed therein, and has an air guide which connects the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to each other through the through hole.