Vehicle Heating System with Convector Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle heating systems lack robustness and cost efficiency while having suboptimal heat exchange properties, making them inadequate for efficiently heating large commercial vehicle passenger compartments.
Innovation Solution
A heating system comprising an elongated radiator, a convector with protruding flanges, and an air distribution arrangement with directed airflow, which combines radiation and forced convection for efficient heating, and is designed to be modular and durable with extruded metal components for enhanced strength and manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heating systems are used in commercial vehicles, then basic heating function is provided, but heat exchange efficiency is suboptimal and system robustness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The convector is segmented into multiple protruding flanges that create separate airflow channels. This segmentation increases the surface area for heat exchange while maintaining structural robustness, directly addressing the contradiction between system reliability and heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system transitions from a conventional two-dimensional flat convector to a three-dimensional structure with protruding flanges. This dimensional change creates multiple airflow paths and increases heat exchange surface area without significantly increasing system footprint, resolving the contradiction between robustness and efficiency
2Reliability
If heating system components are made more durable with extruded metal, then manufacturing cost increases, but system robustness and strength are improved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies extruded metal with particular geometric parameters for the flanges and channels. By optimizing the extrusion parameters and cross-sectional geometry, the system achieves high durability and strength while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system utilizes extruded metal components that combine structural strength with heat exchange functionality. The extruded metal structure integrates multiple functions (structural support, heat conduction, airflow channeling) into a single material system, improving durability while controlling manufacturing costs
3Productivity
If air distribution arrangement directs airflow through convector flanges, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution arrangement is merged with the convector structure itself. The protruding flanges of the convector serve dual purposes: they are both heat exchange surfaces and airflow directors. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex air distribution components, achieving high heating efficiency while maintaining system simplicity
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 achieves rapid and even temperature increase in vehicle compartments with improved durability and cost-effectiveness, effectively countering cold air drafts and suitable for various compartment sizes through modular design.
Implementation Method 1
The heating arrangement can be arranged to heat up its surroundings, such as a vehicle motor-, driver- and/or passenger compartment, very efficiently by a combination of radiation and forced convection
Implementation Method 2
The heating arrangement can be arranged to heat up its surroundings, such as a vehicle motor-, driver- and/or passenger compartment, very efficiently by a combination of radiation and forced convection
Implementation Method 3
an elongated convector comprising a convector wall and a plurality of elongated convector flanges which protrude out from the convector wall
Implementation Method 4
The at least one air outlet is/are directed towards the second edges of the convector flanges, to direct an expelled airflow thereupon. Since the heating system comprises an air distribution arrangement having an elongated hollow body, and where at least one air outlet is directed towards the second edges of the convector flanges, an airflow will pass between the second edge and the first edge of the convector flanges via gaps formed between the convector flanges. Hereby efficient heating of the airflow by the convector flanges is enabled
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~7
AI summary
A vehicle (60), a method (100) and a heating system (1) for vehicles are provided. The heating system (1) comprises an elongated radiator (3) having at least one fluid channel (9) for receiving a heated fluid and an elongated convector (11) with a convector wall (13) and a plurality of elongated convector flanges (15) which protrude out from the convector wall (13), each convector flange (15) having a first edge (15a), a second edge (15b) and a distal edge (15c) respectively. The heating system (1) further comprises an air distribution arrangement (20) which comprises an elongated hollow body (21) having at least one air inlet (23) adapted to receive an airflow and at least one air outlet (25) for expelling the received airflow, the at least one air outlet (25) being directed towards the second edges (15b) of the convector flanges (15), to direct an expelled airflow thereupon.