Vehicle Air Ventilation Re-circulation Flow Path Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air ventilation systems in vehicles are not energy-efficient as they only partially re-circulate air discharged to the rear side, failing to effectively re-introduce and re-condition air, which limits energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air ventilation device with a housing, cooling and heating cores, and flow paths that allow air discharged from the front seat to be re-introduced and re-circulated to the rear side when the rear ventilation function is not in use, utilizing an opening and closing door structure controlled by a controller to manage air circulation between flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If only an existing inside air circulation structure is used, then the system is simple, but only a portion of air already discharged to a rear side of a vehicle may be re-circulated, which is not energy-efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rear extending flow path is designed to serve dual functions: it can discharge air-conditioned air to the back seat when needed, and simultaneously serve as a re-circulation path to return air to the air inlet when the back seat ventilation is not in use. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate re-circulation structures, improving energy efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The opening and closing door structure dynamically switches the flow path configuration based on operational requirements. When the rear ventilation function is not in use, the door directs air from the rear extending flow path back to the air inlet, enabling re-circulation. When rear ventilation is needed, the door redirects air to the back seat. This dynamic switching optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining system simplicity
2Productivity
If air discharged from front seat is re-introduced and re-circulated to rear side, then air-conditioning efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback about the operational state (whether rear ventilation function is in use) and automatically adjusts the opening and closing door structure accordingly. When rear ventilation is not in use, the system automatically routes air through the re-circulation path to improve air-conditioning efficiency. This feedback-based automatic control enhances productivity while keeping the control system manageable through rule-based logic
3Loss of energy
If opening and closing door structure is added to control air circulation, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing door structure is integrated into the existing air ventilation device, allowing the same component to serve both as a discharge control for back seat ventilation and as a re-circulation control when not in use. This multi-functional design improves energy efficiency by enabling re-circulation without adding separate dedicated components, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity
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 solution significantly improves air-conditioning efficiency by re-introducing and re-circulating air-conditioned air from the front seat to the rear seat, optimizing energy use and enhancing comfort by controlling air circulation modes based on occupancy and operational needs.
Implementation Method 1
a housing (100) including an air inlet (120) and an air outlet (140) and a cooling core (160) and a heating core (170) disposed between the air inlet (120) and the air outlet (140)
Data Source
AI summary
An air ventilation device of a vehicle includes: a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet and a cooling core and a heating core disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet; a rear extending flow path extending to the rear of the vehicle, and having a first end connected to the air outlet of the housing and a second end connected to a back seat air vent disposed to face a back seat space; an air collecting flow path directly connecting the rear extending flow path and the air inlet of the housing; and an opening and closing door structure opening and closing air circulation between the rear extending flow path and the air outlet and air circulation between the air collecting flow path and the air inlet.