Vehicle HVAC Layout With Horizontal Heat Exchangers and PTC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC apparatuses for vehicles face challenges in miniaturization, leading to increased size and ventilation resistance, which compromises indoor space and cooling efficiency due to vertically aligned evaporator cores, internal condensers, and high voltage PTCs, and expose the second row duct connection, affecting aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC apparatus is designed with evaporator cores, internal condensers, and high voltage PTCs aligned parallel to the ground, reducing the flow path complexity and ventilation resistance, and integrating the second row duct connection between the dash panel and the air conditioning unit to conceal it, enhancing aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the evaporator core, internal condenser, and high voltage PTC are vertically aligned perpendicular to the ground, then the air conditioning function is achieved, but the HVAC apparatus size increases and indoor space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension from vertical (perpendicular to ground) to horizontal (parallel to ground). The evaporator core, internal condenser, and high voltage PTC are arranged side-by-side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle rather than stacked vertically, reducing the HVAC apparatus size in the vertical dimension and increasing indoor space while maintaining air conditioning functionality
2Device complexity
If the evaporator core, internal condenser, and high voltage PTC are vertically aligned, then the air conditioning components are integrated, but the flow path becomes complicated and ventilation resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacked arrangement to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement, simplifying the air flow path. Air can flow horizontally through all three components (evaporator core, internal condenser, and high voltage PTC) in sequence without rapid bending, reducing ventilation resistance while maintaining component integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical arrangement by placing components horizontally. This inversion changes the air flow direction from vertical with rapid bends to horizontal with smoother transitions, reducing ventilation resistance while achieving the same air conditioning effect
3Ease of operation
If the second row duct is connected from the internal side of the vehicle, then air supply to the second row is achieved, but the connection portion is exposed and aesthetics are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the dash panel as an intermediary structure to conceal the second row duct connection. The duct is routed through or behind the dash panel, which acts as a visual barrier, hiding the connection portion from view while maintaining the air supply function to the second row
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 configuration miniaturizes the HVAC system, increases indoor space, improves air conditioning performance by reducing ventilation resistance, and maintains vehicle aesthetics by hiding the second row duct connection.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator core 121 which is a heat exchanger for cooling
Implementation Method 2
an internal condenser 122 which is a heat exchanger for heating
Implementation Method 3
a high voltage Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) 123
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC apparatus for a vehicle that can simplify air flow path therein and occupy a small installation space, includes a housing; an evaporator core provided in parallel with the ground within a predetermined angular range to the ground; an internal condenser provided the evaporator core, and a high voltage PTC provided the internal condenser, the evaporator core, the internal condenser, and the high voltage PTC are provided in parallel with the ground within a predetermined angular range from the ground.