Vehicle Air-Conditioning System with Engine Room Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems for vehicles face challenges in securing interior space due to the large size of the air-conditioning case and blower unit, which are mounted inside the vehicle relative to the dash panel, and struggle to efficiently distribute air to maximize comfort and prevent temperature reversal phenomena.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning system is configured with the air-conditioning module and blower unit positioned at the engine room side relative to the dash panel, and a distribution duct with defrost, face, and floor vents is placed inside the vehicle, where the floor vent is strategically located to discharge warmer air and the face vent to discharge colder air, optimizing air distribution and reducing the system's size to maximize interior space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air-conditioning case and blower unit are mounted inside the vehicle relative to the dash panel, then the air distribution can be optimized, but the interior space of the vehicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution optimizationVSAvoidinterior space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air-conditioning case and blower unit are extracted from the vehicle interior and mounted in the engine room. This separation removes the bulky components from the passenger compartment, thereby preserving interior space while maintaining air distribution functionality through the distribution duct system that extends into the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a two-dimensional layout (mounting components directly in the vehicle interior behind the dash panel) to a three-dimensional arrangement by utilizing the engine room space. This spatial reconfiguration allows the air-conditioning case to be positioned in the engine room while still delivering air to the vehicle interior through ducts, effectively using unused space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the floor vent is placed far from the dash panel, then the air distribution is simplified, but temperature reversal phenomenon occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution simplicityVSAvoidtemperature distribution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The floor vent is positioned at a specific location within the mixing chamber where the local air temperature and flow characteristics are optimal. By placing the floor vent on one side of the area where hot air flows (adjacent to the dash panel), the system ensures that warmer air is discharged to the floor while colder air is discharged to the face, preventing temperature reversal and ensuring reliable thermal comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the air-conditioning case is made large to accommodate all components, then all functions can be integrated, but the interior space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction integrationVSAvoidinterior space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air-conditioning case and blower unit are extracted from the vehicle interior and mounted in the engine room. This separation removes the bulky components from the passenger compartment, thereby preserving interior space while maintaining air distribution functionality through the distribution duct system that extends into the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enhances passenger comfort by effectively managing temperature distribution, prevents temperature reversal, and reduces the overall size of the distribution duct, thereby maximizing interior vehicle space.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporator 4 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air blown to the interior of the vehicle by a blower (not shown) and for evaporating the refrigerant to cool the air discharged to the interior of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The evaporator 4 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air blown to the interior of the vehicle by a blower (not shown). Then, the refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator 4 and discharged in a gaseous phase of low-temperature and low-pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative latent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

a condenser 2 for condensing the refrigerant of high pressure discharged from the compressor 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3406469B1Vehicle air-conditioning system
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 HANON SYST CO LTD
  • EP3406469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3406469B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3406469B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system for a vehicle in which an air-conditioning module having an air-conditioning case and a blower unit is disposed at a side of an engine room relative to a dash panel, and a distribution duct having a defrost vent, a face vent, and a floor vent is disposed in the interior of a vehicle relative to the dash panel so as to distribute cold air and hot air discharged from the air-conditioning case into the interior of the vehicle, wherein the floor vent is placed on one side of an area, in which a relatively large amount of hot air flows, in a mixing chamber of the distribution duct where cold air and hot air are mixed, i.e. a side adjacent to the dash panel.