Vehicle Air Conditioner Flat-Type Side-by-Side Component Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioners installed in the trunk face challenges such as complex duct structures, vibration issues due to integrated driving parts, increased interior temperature from waste heat, and difficulty in moving or rotating the seat due to insufficient space and complex air-conditioning performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact, flat-type air conditioner design with a blower, compressor, and heat exchanger arranged side by side within a case, allowing for efficient cooling and heating while minimizing installation space and preventing interior temperature rise by discharging waste heat outside the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the air conditioner is installed in the trunk to be compact, then the installation space is reduced, but the air-conditioning performance may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional vertical stacking arrangement of components to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement within the case. This dimensional change allows the blower, compressor, and heat exchanger to be positioned adjacently rather than one above another, reducing the vertical height while maintaining functional performance and enabling compact installation in the trunk space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the air conditioner into modular functional units (blower unit, compressor unit, heat exchanger unit) that are independently positioned side by side within the case. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally sized and positioned for its specific function while collectively forming a compact overall structure that fits trunk installation constraints.
2Volume of moving object
If the air conditioner uses a flat type design with components arranged side by side, then the installation space is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blower, compressor, and heat exchanger into a single integrated case structure where all components are housed together in a unified enclosure. This merging approach consolidates multiple functional elements into one compact unit, reducing the need for separate housings and mounting structures, thereby simplifying the overall system installation despite the side-by-side component arrangement.
3Temperature
If the air conditioner discharges waste heat to the trunk or outside, then the interior temperature rise is prevented, but the heat discharge system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waste heat discharge function from the interior environment by positioning the heat exchanger to reject heat directly to the trunk space or outside the vehicle. The exhaust air outlet is configured to discharge heated air away from the passenger compartment, effectively separating the heat rejection path from the interior climate control zone and preventing interior temperature rise without requiring complex active heat management systems.
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 compact design enhances air-conditioning performance, reduces installation space, and prevents interior temperature increases by effectively managing waste heat, resulting in improved thermal efficiency and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor for compressing refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and air
Implementation Method 3
an expansion means for throttling the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, which takes up less installation space due to its compact-sized structure and effectively performs cooling and heating with a simple structure. The air conditioner for a vehicle includes: a case (10) having an air inflow port and an air outflow port; a blower for introducing air into the air inflow port to send the air into the case (10); a compressor (30) for compressing refrigerant; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and air; and an expansion means for throttling the refrigerant, wherein the blower, the compressor (30), and the heat exchange are arranged inside the case (10) side by side to be formed in a flat type.