Vehicle Air Conditioning Smoke Extraction Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In rail vehicles, conventional air-conditioning systems are unable to efficiently extract combustion gases or smoke from the interior during a fire due to structural separation between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides, limiting the use of powerful fans for smoke extraction.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning device with a smoke extraction opening between the high-pressure and low-pressure housing sections, controlled by a pyrotechnic actuation mechanism, allows for the creation of a flow connection to facilitate the extraction of smoke or fire gases from the interior by utilizing the powerful fan on the high-pressure side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air conditioning system maintains structural separation between high-pressure and low-pressure sides, then safety and operational reliability are improved, but smoke extraction capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is divided into separate high-pressure and low-pressure housing sections during normal operation, maintaining safety and reliability. A smoke extraction opening with closure element connects these sections, allowing smoke extraction when needed without compromising the structural separation during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element dynamically controls the smoke extraction opening, remaining closed during normal operation to maintain pressure separation, and opening when smoke extraction is required. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt between safety mode and smoke extraction mode.
2Productivity
If a smoke extraction opening is introduced between housing sections, then smoke extraction capability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element and smoke extraction opening serve multiple functions: they maintain pressure separation during normal AC operation, enable smoke extraction when activated, and can be integrated with existing control systems. This multi-functionality adds minimal complexity while providing dual benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically activates the smoke extraction opening when fire detection signals are received, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-activates the smoke extraction function, reducing operational complexity.
3Speed
If the closure element is pyrotechnically operated for rapid opening, then smoke extraction speed is improved, but safety risks are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that converts electrical activation signals into rapid mechanical opening action. This intermediary provides controlled, reliable, and rapid opening without requiring direct manual intervention or complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is pre-positioned to seal the smoke extraction opening during normal operation. In the event of fire, the pyrotechnic actuator rapidly opens this pre-positioned closure, ensuring immediate smoke extraction capability without delay.
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
Enables rapid and effective smoke extraction from the vehicle interior by opening a flow connection between the housing sections, leveraging the powerful fan on the high-pressure side to enhance smoke removal capacity during a fire event.
Implementation Method 1
it is advantageous if the closure element is a pyrotechnically operating closure element whose pyrotechnic drive is ignited when the actuation signal is present
Implementation Method 2
the fan sucks additional interior air through the interior opening into the first housing section and from there through the smoke extraction opening into the second housing section and blows it out of the latter through the exhaust air opening to the outside
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to, inter alia, an air conditioning device (10) comprising a heat exchanger (40) on a low-pressure side (11) of the air conditioning device (10) and a heat exchanger (60) on a high-pressure side (12) of the air conditioning device (10). A cooling medium (M) which can be found in a cooling circuit (20) of the air conditioning device (10) is under a higher pressure on the high-pressure side (12) than on the low-pressure side (11). According to the invention, the heat exchanger (40) is arranged in a first housing portion (81) of the air conditioning device (10) on the low-pressure side (11), and the heat exchanger (60) is arranged in a second housing portion (82) of the air conditioning device (10) on the high-pressure side (12). A smoke removal opening (400) is arranged between the first and the second housing portion (81, 82), and the smoke removal opening is closed during the normal operation of the air conditioning device (10) and can be opened in the event of a fire and allow a flow of air from the first housing portion into the second housing portion (81, 82).