Vehicle Cab Climate System Thin Flexible Conduit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Climate systems in vehicles, particularly working machines, face challenges in space constraints due to bulky air ducts, which obstruct operator visibility and are difficult to install and service.

Innovation Solution

A climate system utilizing a thin, flexible air conduit with a pressurized air source that compresses air to a high pressure, allowing for a smaller cross-sectional area and easier routing, along with a nozzle for air speed reduction and heat exchangers for temperature control, enabling reduced space usage and improved installation and servicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional air ducts are used in the climate system, then air can be supplied to the cab, but the ducts consume large space and obstruct operator visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace consumption of air ductsVSAvoidoperator visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using a pressurized air source to deliver compressed air through a thin conduit to the cab. The compressed air is expanded at the outlet to provide sufficient airflow for climate control. This pneumatic approach replaces traditional bulky air ducts with a thin, flexible conduit that consumes minimal space and does not obstruct operator visibility, while still delivering adequate air flow to the cab.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional air ducts are used in the climate system, then air can be supplied to the cab, but the ducts are difficult to install and service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation and servicing easeVSAvoidcomplexity of air duct routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin, flexible conduit instead of rigid air ducts. This flexible conduit can be easily routed through narrow spaces and around obstacles within the vehicle, simplifying installation. The thin-walled construction makes the conduit lightweight and adaptable to various routing configurations. For servicing, the flexible nature allows for easier removal and reinstallation compared to traditional rigid ductwork, reducing service complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of moving object

If a thin conduit is used to supply air to the cab, then space is minimized and visibility is improved, but the conduit requires high pressure to maintain adequate air flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace consumption of conduitVSAvoidair pressure in conduit
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by compressing air to high pressure at the source, transporting it through the thin conduit, and then expanding it at the outlet end within the cab. This pressure transformation allows the system to overcome the limitations of the thin conduit's small cross-sectional area, maintaining adequate air flow velocity and volume despite the reduced conduit size. The high pressure enables the thin conduit to deliver sufficient air for climate control while minimizing space consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system minimizes space consumption, enhances operator visibility, and facilitates easier installation and servicing by using a thin, flexible conduit and efficient air distribution, while maintaining effective air quality and temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

a pressurized air source, an inlet end of the first conduit being connected to the pressurized air source for supplying compressed air into the cab by means of the first conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

with a heat exchanger arranged so as for heat to be exchanged between the air supplied by the first conduit from the pressurized air source into the cab, and the surrounding environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3463947B1A climate system for providing air to a cab of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP3463947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3463947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3463947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a climate system (3) for providing air to a cab (2) of a vehicle, the climate system comprising a first conduit (302), an outlet end (312) of the first conduit being adapted to be arranged inside of the cab (2), characterized in that the climate system comprises a pressurized air source (324), an inlet end (315) of the first conduit (302) being connected to the pressurized air source (324) for supplying compressed air into the cab (2) by means of the first conduit (302).