Vehicle Air Conditioning Using Compressed Air Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems take time to cool the passenger space after the engine is started, leading to discomfort in hot conditions, as they rely on direct heat exchange and require engine power for cooling cycles.
Innovation Solution
A rapid air conditioning system that uses a tank to store compressed air, which is compressed and cooled/heated using energy generated without workload on the vehicle's power source, and then released into the passenger space to cool it quickly, utilizing rotational force, air brakes, and vehicle heat sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the air conditioning apparatus starts a cooling cycle when the user operates the ignition key, then the cooling operation begins, but time delay occurs until the passenger space is actually cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-compresses air into a storage tank using waste energy from the vehicle's deceleration period before the user needs cooling. When the user enters the vehicle and starts the engine, the pre-compressed air is immediately released into the passenger space, eliminating the time delay associated with starting the cooling cycle. This preliminary compression action stores cooling capacity in advance, allowing instant cooling effect without waiting for the conventional cooling cycle to initiate and reach effective temperature.
2Productivity
If compressed air is released into the passenger space, then rapid cooling is achieved, but energy is consumed for compressing the air
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste energy generated during the vehicle's deceleration period into useful compressed air for cooling. During braking or deceleration, the vehicle's kinetic energy would normally be dissipated as heat through friction in the brakes. Instead, this energy is captured and used to drive the air compressor, storing energy in the form of compressed air in the tank. This transforms what would be wasted energy into a valuable resource for rapid cooling, reducing the overall energy burden on the vehicle's power source.
3Reliability
If the cooling cycle is started using the vehicle's power source, then the air conditioning operates, but the power source and electric power are put under workload
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the vehicle's deceleration process self-productive by using the kinetic energy generated during braking to compress air for the air conditioning system. Instead of requiring external power from the engine or battery to operate the compressor, the system uses the vehicle's own motion energy during deceleration. This self-service approach reduces the workload on the vehicle's power source while maintaining reliable air conditioning operation, as the compressed air is stored and available whenever needed regardless of the current engine state.
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 system rapidly cools the passenger space by releasing compressed air, reducing the time needed to achieve a comfortable temperature and conserving vehicle energy by using alternative energy sources for compression, cooling, and heating processes.
Implementation Method 1
compressed air stored in the tank may be compressed by one of rotational force transmitted from wheels during a deceleration period of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The passenger space is cooled by the compressed air released into the passenger space
Implementation Method 3
compressed air stored in the tank may be compressed by one of discharge pressure of air brakes
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus and an air conditioning method for cooling a passenger space of a vehicle that accommodates a user include a tank that is capable of storing compressed air, and a control unit to release the compressed air stored in the tank into the passenger space. Energy that is generated without putting a workload on the power source or electric power of the vehicle is used for at least one process of compressing air in the tank, cooling the compressed air stored in the tank, and heating the compressed air stored in the tank.