Vehicle Air Conditioning Throttle for Uniform Cabin Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air conditioning arrangements in vehicles, particularly those with air conditioning units centrally located on the roof, face challenges in distributing conditioned supply air uniformly into the passenger compartment due to differences in air volume between sections and high flow velocities, which hinder even airflow through the inner ceiling.
Innovation Solution
A throttle arrangement and deflection device are implemented to equalize pressure between air duct sections and adjust flow velocity gradients, using a curved sheet metal deflection device and perforated plates to ensure uniform airflow through the inner ceiling, decoupling and redirecting a portion of the supply air to achieve even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If supply air is deflected into two opposite directions by the air distribution device, then the air conditioning unit can serve the entire vehicle length, but the air volume differs between sections causing non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is divided into multiple sections (first air duct section and second air duct section) with different air volumes. The throttle arrangement is specifically placed in the first air duct section to independently control airflow in each segment, allowing precise adjustment to achieve uniform air distribution throughout the entire vehicle length.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle arrangement is selectively installed only in the first air duct section where higher airflow occurs, rather than uniformly in all sections. This localized adjustment approach addresses the specific imbalance in air volume distribution while maintaining simplicity of the overall system.
2Productivity
If supply air flows at high velocity through the air calming chamber, then more air can be distributed, but air cannot escape uniformly through the inner ceiling
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle arrangement modifies the flow velocity parameter of the supply air in the first air duct section. By reducing the velocity through the throttle, the air can escape more uniformly through the inner ceiling while still maintaining adequate airflow rate to serve the passenger compartment effectively.
3Device complexity
If the air calming chamber section below the air distribution device is used, then air distribution is simplified, but high flow velocity prevents uniform air escape
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the air distribution device and the air calming chamber. It mediates the high-velocity airflow from the distribution device, reducing it to a uniform velocity that allows even air escape through the inner ceiling while maintaining the simplicity of the air calming chamber structure.
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 solution ensures a uniform supply air flow into the passenger compartment by setting a suitable gradient for flow velocity, allowing for precise adjustment of airflow rates and achieving even outflow through the inner ceiling, enhancing air distribution efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
suitable gradient for the flow velocity of the supply air can be set in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
suitable gradient for the flow velocity of the supply air can be set in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, particularly in the area of the air calming chamber below the air distribution device
Implementation Method 3
supply air flows out as uniformly as possible from the air calming chamber into the passenger compartment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle having an air conditioning assembly, comprising: an air conditioner (1), which provides conditioned supply air for a vehicle interior; an air channel (9), which extends horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; an air distribution device (6), which is fluidically connected to a supply air outlet (3) of the air conditioner (1) and is provided in an air distribution segment of the air channel (9) and deflects the supply air provided by the air conditioner (1) into the air channel (9) in such a way that in a first air channel segment (7, 8) a first portion of the supply air is guided in a first flow direction and in a second air channel segment (7, 8) a second portion of the supply air, which, with respect to the volume of said second portion, is less than the first portion of supply air, is guided in a second flow direction opposite the first flow direction; and an air-calming chamber (11), which extends below and along the air channel (9) in the region of the air distribution device (6) and is fluidically connected to the air channel (9) by means of bottom openings (10) in the air channel (9) and is delimited on the bottom side of the air-calming chamber toward a vehicle interior by an air-permeable interior ceiling, wherein in the region of the first air channel segment (7, 8) a single deflection device (14) is arranged, which deflects part of the first portion of the supply air in the opposite direction in such a way that the deflected part of the first portion of the supply air flows along in an air-calming chamber segment (19) below the air distribution device (6), and along said air-calming chamber segment (19) a throttle assembly is provided, which is designed and arranged in such a way that a supply air outflow volume through the air-permeable interior ceiling (12) in the region of the air-calming chamber segment (19) below the air distribution device is matched to a supply air outflow volume through the air-permeable inner ceiling in the region of air-calming chamber segments laterally adjacent to the air-calming chamber segment (19).