Vehicle Proximity Airflow Layout for Efficient Localized Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles face challenges in efficiently performing air-conditioning while minimizing energy consumption, as they cannot utilize exhaust heat and existing proximity air-conditioning technologies struggle to provide comfortable heating efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A proximity air-conditioning unit for vehicles with a housing on the lateral side of a seat, containing a temperature adjustment unit and a duct with a blowout port positioned to direct conditioned air effectively to the occupant's thighs, reducing heat and pressure loss, and integrating with vehicle components like a center console box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air-conditioning is performed only on a portion close to an occupant (proximity air-conditioning), then energy consumption is reduced, but heating efficiency and comfort are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blowout port is positioned at a specific location (upper end above seat surface, one end portion on front side) to direct conditioned air locally to the occupant's body parts that most need heating (thighs, lower body), rather than uniformly distributing air throughout the compartment. This localized air delivery optimizes heating efficiency while maintaining low energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional full-compartment air-conditioning to proximity air-conditioning that targets specific local areas near the occupant. By changing the spatial dimension of air delivery from global (entire compartment) to local (specific body parts), the system achieves energy savings while maintaining comfort through precise thermal targeting.
2Device complexity
If the same automobile battery is used as power sources for both the electric motor and the electric heater, then system complexity is reduced, but travelable distance is shortened when heating energy demand is high
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating the entire vehicle compartment (excessive action), the system performs partial air-conditioning only on portions close to the occupant. This reduces the total heating energy required, allowing the single battery to power both the motor and heater without significantly reducing travelable distance, while still providing adequate comfort.
3Device complexity
If air is merely blown to the occupants without optimized delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but heating efficiency and occupant comfort are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning system is segmented into a compact unit integrated with the seat, with the blowout port positioned to deliver air to specific body parts (thighs, lower body) rather than treating the occupant as a single target. This segmentation of the air delivery function enables efficient heating with minimal system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity air-conditioning unit is integrated directly into the seat structure, allowing the seat itself to serve as the air delivery mechanism. The blowout port is built into the seat housing, enabling the seat to provide heating service to the occupant without requiring separate complex air delivery systems.
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 enhances energy-saving and efficient air-conditioning by reducing energy consumption and improving heating efficiency, allowing occupants to perceive a comfortable temperature with less heat, thus optimizing cooling and heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature adjustment unit including a temperature adjuster and a blower
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjustment unit including a temperature adjuster and a blower
Implementation Method 3
a temperature adjustment unit including a temperature adjuster and a blower
Data Source
AI summary
A proximity air conditioner is capable of performing energy-saving and efficient air-conditioning. A proximity air-conditioning unit for vehicles includes: a housing; a temperature adjustment unit including a temperature adjuster and a blower; and ducts, wherein upper ends of blowout ports of ducts are located above seat surfaces of seats, end portions in a long-side direction of the blowout ports are located on a front side with respect to other end portions thereof in a front-back direction of the seats, and the temperature adjustment unit is disposed between both end portions in the long-side direction of each of the blowout ports.