Switchable Vehicle Venting for Window Heat and Occupant Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal conditioning systems in vehicles fail to maintain comfortable interior environments due to their inability to adapt to changing external and internal factors, leading to temperature imbalances and discomfort for occupants.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a switchable environmental conditioning system with both indirect and direct vent configurations, where air can be directed either towards the windows or occupants, and is automatically or manually operable based on sensors to accommodate changing conditions, such as solar load and occupant preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is directed directly toward occupants, then occupants can be heated or cooled directly, but this does not effectively control all heat transfer contributors and can irritate the user
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system dynamically switches between direct and indirect modes based on environmental conditions. The switchable configuration allows the system to adapt its air delivery method, selecting indirect mode when external heat transfer factors (solar load, humidity) suggest that direct air delivery would be insufficient or irritating, and direct mode when rapid occupant temperature adjustment is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delivery parameter (air direction) based on environmental parameters (solar load, temperature, humidity). By monitoring these parameters and switching between direct and indirect vent configurations, the system optimizes thermal comfort while minimizing user irritation from direct air exposure under inappropriate conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermal conditioning systems use fixed vent configurations, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to changing factors affecting interior temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system incorporates a switchable mechanism that allows dynamic reconfiguration between direct and indirect modes. This dynamic element enables the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions (solar load, temperature, humidity) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The switch itself is a minimal complexity addition that provides significant adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same vent structure can operate in both direct and indirect modes. This universal design allows a single vent assembly to perform multiple thermal conditioning functions depending on the selected mode, reducing the need for separate dedicated vents for each mode and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 effectively reduces temperature imbalances by managing heat transfer through windows and maintaining a comfortable cabin environment by adaptively adjusting ventilation modes to suit varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The indirect configuration can direct the air from the interior beam volume onto the window, and the direct configuration can direct the air from the interior beam volume toward the occupant seat
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilation system can include structural beam defining an interior beam volume, a window adjacent the structural beam, an interior cabin defined by the structural beam and the window, and an environmental conditioning system. The environmental conditioning system can include a switch operable between a first position and a second position, an indirect configuration with the switch operating in the first position and a direct configuration with the switch operating in the second position. The indirect configuration can direct the air from the interior beam volume onto the window and the direct configuration can direct the air from the interior beam volume toward the user.