FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
“INTELLIGENT MOBILE HVAC FOR REDUCTION IN HEAT LOAD”
Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED, Bombay House, 24
Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai – 400001, Maharashtra, India.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner
in which it is to be performed.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to air conditioning system and more particularly relates to
removing the hot air accumulated in vehicle cabin due to its soaking in sunlight or hot
ambient condition to reduce heat load on air conditioning system.
BACKROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In summer, when the temperature conditions are unbearable due to the sun’s heat and
radiation, the vehicle cabin temperatures also tends to heat up if the car is in idle or it is
parked under the sun for a brief amount of time. The temperature during summer season can
reach upto 40º C to 45º C and in this condition when a vehicle is parked for more than ten
minutes the average temperature inside of the vehicle cabin reaches to about 50 º C - 55 º C.
The vehicle cabin temperature tends to heat up due to the sun’s rays falling directly onto the
car. The air within the vehicle cabin heats up by convection process and sun’s radiation. This
process is called as hot soaking. A hot soaked vehicle is very uncomfortable for the
passengers since the temperature within the vehicle cabin will be higher than the atmospheric
temperature. This is because all the windows of the vehicle are closed which blocks air
entering into the vehicle cabin resulting in hot soak. If the air conditioner is switched on
when the cabin is hot soaked, it will take long time to cool down the cabin to thermal comfort
level even if air conditioner is kept at its highest blower speed and maximum cooling option.
The air condition effect can only be felt only after all the hot soaked cabin air is circulated out
by lowering the windows. The passengers within the vehicle cabin feel discomfort until the
hot soaked air is circulated out of the cabin. Certain amount of time is required to expel the
hot soaked air from the vehicle cabin in order to feel the air conditioning effect.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems generally comprises of a blower,
compressor and heating and cooling unit which conditions the air of an enclosed space. The
existing HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system is of various types with
intelligent sensing instruments, which senses the climatic conditions within the cabin and
outside the cabin and suitably adjusts the temperature settings within the cabin of the vehicle
for e.g. Automatic climate control system.
The existing air condition systems have the following disadvantages. When the vehicle cabin
is hot soaked and when the occupants turn on the air conditioner there is no AC effect felt in
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the initial stages. Due to this, in order to feel the AC effect, the passengers faces thermal
discomfort for longer time even if air conditioning system is running with its full capacity.
Hence, there exists a need to develop a HVAC (Heating, ventilation and Air conditioning)
system to overcome the aforementioned problems.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
An objective of the present disclosure is to a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning) unit which comes into action intelligently for removing the hot soaked air from
the vehicle cabin when the person unlocks the vehicle manually or with a key less entry
feature.
One objective of the present invention is to improve the cooling effect of the air conditioning
system without reducing engine efficiency and load on the engine.
One objective of the present invention is to provide immediate cooling effect of the air
conditioner during summer season when the vehicle cabin is hot soaked.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided
through the provision as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and
advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments
and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the
claimed disclosure.
In an embodiment of the disclosure an air conditioning system is disclosed, the system
comprising a blower unit having a recirculated air entry duct at one end and plurality of
evaporator cooling coils at other end. The blower unit blows recirculated air into the
evaporator cooling coils through the recirculated air entry duct. A temperature sensor located
within the vehicle cabin to measure the ambient cabin temperature and to compare the
measured ambient cabin temperature with the preset vehicle cabin temperature. A motorized
air extractor in response to the temperature sensor extracts the hot soaked air from the vehicle
cabin and directs it into the blower unit. A bypass duct is connected to the blower unit to
direct hot air from the vehicle cabin to at least one of an evaporator cooling coil and
atmosphere. A flap fixed within the blower unit configured to route the hot air to the
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atmosphere. Plurality of air ducts fixed to the air conditioning system for supplying
conditioned air to the vehicle cabin through one or more air vents configured on the
dashboard.
In an embodiment of the disclosure air conditioning system is disclosed, wherein the
temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature of the vehicle cabin and regulates the
blower action.
In an embodiment of the disclosure air conditioning system is disclosed, wherein the flap acts
as a directional member for the recirculated air the flap directs the recirculated air to the
evaporator cooling coils when the Air Condition is switched on. Alternatively, the flap directs
the hot soaked air from the vehicle cabin to the atmosphere when the blower unit is switched
on and the Air condition is switched off.
In an embodiment of the disclosure method of maintaining ambient temperature within the
vehicle cabin is disclosed, the method comprising steps of; sensing the temperature of the
vehicle cabin with the help of temperature sensor and the sensed temperature of the vehicle
cabin is compared with preset ambient vehicle cabin temperature. Later the hot soaked air
within the vehicle cabin is extracted by motorized air extractor when sensed temperature of
the vehicle cabin is greater than preset ambient vehicle cabin temperature. The extracted hot
soaked air is directed to a bypass duct connected to a blower unit to maintain ambient
temperature within the vehicle cabin by performing at least one of, directing the hot soaked
air to the atmosphere when the air condition is switched off and directing hot soaked air to
the evaporator cooling coils through a flap connected to a blower unit for conditioning of air
when the air condition is switched on.
In an embodiment of the disclosure method of maintaining ambient temperature within the
vehicle cabin is disclosed, wherein preset ambient vehicle cabin temperature is in the range
of (32°C to 35°C).
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In
addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and
the following detailed description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims.
The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description
of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One
or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates working of a conventional air conditioning system.
Figure 2 illustrates a cut sectional view of the vehicle cabin installed with an Air conditioning
system.
Figure 3 illustrates working of air conditioning system according to the present disclosure
showing “Case A” wherein the bypass duct is closed and air is directed to evaporator unit.
Figure 4 illustrates working of air conditioning system according to the present disclosure
showing “Case B” wherein the bypass duct is open and air is directed out to atmosphere.
Figure 5 illustrates the logic of working of the air conditioning system according to the
present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One
skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative
embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without
departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present
disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter
which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily
utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same
purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that
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such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set
forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects
and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in
connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that
each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not
intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood
that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the
figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating a
exemplary embodiment of the disclosure only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Figure 1 illustrates working of a conventional air conditioning system; the air condition
system (1) has a blower unit (2) as shown. The air conditioning system (1) comprises
evaporator cooling coils (4) and an additional flap (9) provided within the air conditioning
unit. A temperature sensor (5) placed within the vehicle cabin (6) senses the temperature
within the vehicle cabin (6). The temperature sensor (5) has a preset ambient vehicle cabin
(6) temperature, ranging from about 32º C to 35º C. The temperature sensor (5) is directly
linked to the ECU (Electronic control unit) of the vehicle / air conditioning system controller
which in turn is linked to the movement of the flap (9) and blower unit (2) operation. When
the vehicle cabin (6) is hot soaked under the sun’s heat and radiation the vehicle cabin (6)
temperature tends to increase and cross the ambient temperature mark. Also, since all the
windows are closed, there is no free movement of air and the air temperature within the
vehicle cabin (6) tends to increase above the ambient temperature. Once the temperature
range crosses above the ambient temperature the blower unit (2) becomes operational and
directs the hot soaked air to the atmosphere. The motorized air extractor (7) helps to air
extraction by blower unit (2) by allowing atmospheric air to enter in cabin (6). Once the air
conditioning is switched on, the flap (9) closes and retains its position as shown in case A,
wherein the air is directed into the evaporator cooling coils (4) for further conditioning of the
hot soaked air.
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Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure and illustrates a cut sectional view of
the vehicle cabin installed with an Air conditioning system, comprising of a blower unit (2)
having a recirculation air entry duct (3) through which the hot soaked air from the vehicle
cabin (6) is directed. The end of the blower unit (2) is connected to a plurality of evaporator
cooling coils (4). The air conditioning unit (12) has a plurality of conditioned air ducts (13)
which is fixed to the air vents (10) provided on the dashboard (11) of the vehicle. When the
air condition is switched on, the blower unit (2) directs the air to the evaporator cooling coils
(4) and the compressor of the air conditioning system starts off and blower unit (2) circulates
conditioned air to the vehicle cabin (6) through a plurality of conditioned air ducts (13) which
is fixed to the air vents (10) provided on the dashboard (11) of the vehicle, based on the
requirement of the passengers. The same air is recirculated again or fresh air from outside is
conditioned and directed into the vehicle cabin. In case of a hot soaked vehicle cabin (6)
cooling, the air condition effect is not felt immediately as the air in the vehicle cabin (6) is at
a high temperature and it takes certain amount of time for the cooling effect to initialize.
Figure 3 illustrates working of an air conditioning system according to the present disclosure
showing “Case A” wherein the bypass duct is closed and air is directed to evaporator unit.
The temperature sensor (5) senses the ambient vehicle cabin (6) temperature and sends
signals to the ECU (Electronic control unit) which in turn controls the flap (9) provided
within the blower unit (2). The bypass duct (8) is fixed to the blower unit (2) for directing the
hot soaked air from within the vehicle cabin (6) to the atmosphere. When the vehicle cabin
(6) door is opened or when the vehicle is unlocked using a remote the motorized air extractor
(7) sucks the air from within the vehicle cabin (6) and directs it to the blower unit (2) blows
out the hot soaked air to the atmosphere through the bypass duct (8). When the air condition
system (1) is switched on, the flap (9) closes the bypass duct (8) and the air is directed into
the evaporator cooling coils (4) for conditioning of the air. The conditioned air is directed to
the conditioned air ducts (13) and cool exits from the air vents (10) provided on the
dashboard (11) of the vehicle.
Figure 4 illustrates working of air conditioning system according to the present disclosure
showing “Case B” wherein the bypass duct is open and air is directed out to atmosphere. In
case b, of the present disclosure when the vehicle is unlocked with a remote or when the
vehicle cabin door is opened. The hot soaked air within the vehicle cabin (6) is sucked out by
blower unit (2) and the motorized air extractor (7) allows fresh air to rush inside cabin. The
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flap (9) controlled by the ECU (Electronic control unit) / air conditioning system controller
changes its position and directs the air towards the bypass duct (8) into the atmosphere. The
blower unit (2) is on for a predetermined amount of time based on the amount of hot soaked
air and the cabin size. After all the hot soaked air sucked and directed to the atmosphere, the
blower unit (2) switches off, and if the air condition is switched on, the flap (9) regains its
position as shown in case A.
Figure 5 illustrates the logic for working of the air conditioning system according to the
present disclosure. When the vehicle is in a parked position or idle position for more than 10
minutes, the vehicle cabin (6) tends to heat up and hence the ECU (Electronic control unit) /
air conditioning system controller changes the flap (9) position to Case B to open the bypass
duct (8). The motorized air extractor (7) allows fresh air to rush inside vehicle cabin (6) and
helps to the blower unit (2). The blower unit (2) blows the hot soaked air to the atmosphere
through the bypass duct (8). The flap (9) directs the hot soaked air from the motorized air
extractor (7) for about 40 seconds (depending upon the amount of hot soaked air and the
cabin space). When the air condition is switched on, the flap (9) closes the bypass (8) duct
and blower unit (2) is switched off and motorized air extractor (7) is also closed. The flap (9)
changes its position to case A wherein the air is directed to the evaporator cooling coils (4)
and bypass duct (8) is closed. After a brief amount of time the blower unit (2) is turned on
and the compressor starts. The air conditioning effect is felt immediately and normal Air
Conditioning operation is resumed.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Air conditioning system
2 Blower unit
3 Air entry duct
4 Evaporator cooling coils
5 Temperature Sensor
6 Vehicle cabin
7 Motorized air Extractor
9
8 Bypass duct
9 Flap
10 Air Vents
11 Dashboard
12 Air conditioning Unit
13 Conditioned air ducts
EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having
skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural
permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially
in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open”
terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the
term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be
interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those
within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such
intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims
may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce
claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the
introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular
claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such
recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at
least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be
interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of
definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of
an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that
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such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the
bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two
recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention
analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is
intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a
system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that
have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or
A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one
of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having
skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B,
or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and
B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase
presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings,
should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of
the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the
possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush
groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in
terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and
embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
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WE CLAIM:
1. An air conditioning system (1) comprising;
a blower unit (2) comprising a recirculated air entry duct (3) at one end, and
plurality of evaporator cooling coils (4) at other end, wherein the blower unit (2)
blows recirculated air into the evaporator cooling coils (4) through the recirculated
air entry duct (3);
a temperature sensor (5) located within the vehicle cabin (6) to measure the
ambient cabin temperature and to compare measured ambient cabin temperature
with the preset vehicle cabin (6) temperature;
a motorized air extractor (7) in response to the temperature sensor (5) output
allows fresh air entry to the vehicle cabin (6) and helps to the blower unit (2) for
extraction of hot soaked air from vehicle cabin (6);
a bypass duct (8) is connected to the blower unit (2) to direct hot air from the
vehicle cabin (6) to atmosphere;
a flap (9) fixed within the blower unit (2) configured to route the hot air to
the atmosphere or to evaporator coil (4);
plurality of air ducts (3) fixed to the air conditioning system (1) for supplying
conditioned air to the vehicle cabin (6) through one or more air vents (10)
configured on the dashboard (11).
2. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor (5)
senses the ambient temperature of the vehicle cabin (6) and regulates the blower
action and additional flap (9) position.
3. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap (9) acts as a
directional member for the recirculated air.
4. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap (9) directs the
recirculated air to the evaporator cooling coils (4) when the Air Condition is switched
on.
5. The air conditioning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap (9) directs the hot
soaked air from the vehicle cabin (6) to the atmosphere when the blower unit (2) is
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switched on, the Air condition is switched off and when cabin temperature is above
the preset value.
6. The method of maintaining ambient temperature within the vehicle cabin (6)
comprising steps of;
sensing the temperature of the vehicle cabin (6) with the help of temperature
sensor (5);
comparing the sensed temperature of the vehicle cabin (6) with preset ambient
vehicle cabin (6) temperature;
extracting the hot soaked air within the vehicle cabin (6) by blower unit (2)
supported by motorized air extractor (7) to help the fresh air rush inside the cabin (6),
when sensed temperature of the vehicle cabin (6) is greater than preset ambient
vehicle cabin (6) temperature;
directing the extracted hot soaked air to a bypass duct (8) connected to a
blower unit (2) to maintain ambient temperature within the vehicle cabin by
performing at least one of,
directing the hot soaked air to the atmosphere when the air condition is
switched off and
directing hot soaked air to the evaporator cooling coils (4) through a
flap (9) connected to a blower unit (2) for conditioning of air when the air
condition is switched on.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein preset ambient vehicle cabin (6)
temperature is in the range of (32°C to 35°C).
8. A vehicle comprising a air conditioning system as claimed in claims 1.