WO2024030979A1 - Conditionnement thermique - Google Patents

Conditionnement thermique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024030979A1
WO2024030979A1 PCT/US2023/071549 US2023071549W WO2024030979A1 WO 2024030979 A1 WO2024030979 A1 WO 2024030979A1 US 2023071549 W US2023071549 W US 2023071549W WO 2024030979 A1 WO2024030979 A1 WO 2024030979A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
interior
vehicle
window
vent
direct
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2023/071549
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John M. Kearney
Paul D. Yeomans
Aaron J. GRENKE
Original Assignee
Apple Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Apple Inc. filed Critical Apple Inc.
Publication of WO2024030979A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024030979A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00507—Details, e.g. mounting arrangements, desaeration devices
    • B60H1/00557—Details of ducts or cables
    • B60H1/00564—Details of ducts or cables of air ducts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/24—Devices purely for ventilating or where the heating or cooling is irrelevant
    • B60H1/241—Devices purely for ventilating or where the heating or cooling is irrelevant characterised by the location of ventilation devices in the vehicle
    • B60H1/245—Devices purely for ventilating or where the heating or cooling is irrelevant characterised by the location of ventilation devices in the vehicle located in the roof

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to ventilation systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to environmental conditioning systems.
  • HVAC heating, cooling, and air-conditioning
  • HVAC systems typically include vents that are, or can be, directed at users.
  • traditional HVAC systems do not include vents that account for the multi-variable contributors of heat transfer affecting the interior temperature and climate of the closed environment, including conductive, convective, and radiative heat transfer contributors. These contributors can include the users, the external environment, and the system itself.
  • the materials and geometries of the closed interior environment can effect conductive and radiative heat transfer within the interior volume.
  • a system in at least one example of the present disclosure, includes a structural beam defining an interior beam volume, a first window adjacent the structural beam, a second window adjacent the structural beam, and an environmental conditioning system.
  • the environmental conditioning system can include a first indirect vent configured to direct air from the interior beam volume onto the first window, and a second indirect vent configured to direct the air from the interior beam volume onto the second window.
  • the first window and the second window define an interior cabin and the environmental conditioning system further includes a direct vent configured to direct air from the interior beam volume away from the first window and the second window, and into the interior cabin.
  • the system can further include a seat disposed in the interior cabin and the direct vent is configured to direct air from the interior beam volume toward the seat.
  • at least a portion of the first window is disposed above the seat.
  • the structural beam is disposed between the first window and the second window.
  • the structural beam includes an overhead structural beam disposed above a seat positioned in the interior cabin.
  • the system includes a front end and a rear end, and the overhead structural beam extends longitudinally from the front end to the rear end.
  • a system in one example of the present disclosure, includes a beam defining an interior beam volume, a roof, an interior cabin defined by the roof and the beam, a direct ventilation system carrying first conditioned air through the interior beam volume and into the interior cabin through a first vent directing the first conditioned air away from the roof, and an indirect ventilation system carrying second conditioned air through the interior beam volume and into the interior cabin through a second vent directing the second conditioned air toward the roof.
  • the roof includes the beam.
  • the roof includes a window.
  • the window includes a top edge defined where the window meets the beam and an interior surface defining the interior cabin.
  • the second vent directs the second conditioned air at or near the top edge and downward across the interior surface of the window.
  • the beam defines the first vent and the second vent.
  • the direct ventilation system is configured to move the first conditioned air through the first vent at a first velocity
  • the indirect ventilation system is configured to move the second conditioned air through the second vent at a second velocity different than the first velocity.
  • the direct ventilation system includes a first duct disposed in the interior beam volume.
  • the indirect ventilation system includes a second duct disposed in the interior beam volume.
  • an adaptive structural conditioning system for a system having a body defining an interior cabin volume includes a duct disposed within an interior structural volume of the body, and a vent configured to direct air from the duct into the interior cabin toward the body to affect a temperature of the body.
  • the body includes transparent material including an interior surface defining the interior cabin and an exterior surface defining an exterior surface of the body.
  • the vent is configured to direct air toward the interior surface of the transparent material to cool the transparent material.
  • the duct is a first duct
  • the vent is a first vent
  • the adaptive structural conditioning system further includes a second duct disposed in the interior structural volume of the body, and a second vent configured to direct air away from the interior surface of the transparent material to heat or cool the interior cabin volume.
  • FIG. 1 shows a front, cross-sectional view of a system with thermal conditioning including an occupant seated in an interior cabin volume of the system;
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an example of a system with thermal conditioning
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an example of a system with thermal conditioning
  • FIG. 4 shows a side, cross-sectional view of an example of system with thermal conditioning
  • FIG. 5 shows a side, cross-sectional view of an example of a system with thermal conditioning
  • FIG. 6 shows a side, cross-sectional view of an example of a system with thermal conditioning
  • FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an example of a system with thermal conditioning .
  • FIG. 8 shows a front, cross-sectional view of an example of a system with thermal conditioning.
  • a structural beam of a vehicle defines an interior beam volume and an environmental conditioning system is at least partially disposed in the interior beam volume.
  • One or more windows can be adjacent to the beam and the environmental conditioning system can include direct vents and indirect vents.
  • Indirect vents can be configured to direct air from the interior beam volume onto the windows in order to cool the interior surface of the windows. This cooling can reduce radiative heat transfer generated from external sunlight and heat passing through the windows.
  • the direct vents can be configured to direct air away from the windows and more directly into the interior cabin volume of the vehicle. In one example, the direct vents can direct air at occupants seated in the cabin.
  • multiple indirect vents of a single environmental conditioning system for example within a single structural beam of the vehicle, can direct air at multiple windows or other surfaces of the vehicle.
  • the positioning, size, and orientation of the indirect vents can be designed to optimize the reduction of radiative heating through windows and other transparent materials of the vehicle.
  • Vehicles having structural bodies substantially incorporating transparent windows may tend to suffer from unwanted radiative heat transfer more than others.
  • the direct air may not evenly heat or cool the occupant.
  • a front or rear vent blowing air at the occupant may cool the front or rear of the occupant, respectively, while a window disposed just to the side or above the occupant heats the side or top of the occupant, respectively, by radiative heat transfer.
  • a comfortable average temperature of the overall cabin volume may be achieved, the occupant may continue to be exposed to an imbalanced temperature on one side of the body versus another. This imbalance of heat transfer felt by the occupant is typically perceived as an uncomfortable condition.
  • the cooling of the structure of the vehicle itself due to the cooling effects of the indirect vents, can manage the heat transfer contributed by that structure, for example windows, in order to affect the ambient temperature of the interior cabin volume where occupants are seated.
  • This indirect conditioning can reduce temperature imbalances imposed on the occupant and can create a more temperate and comfortable environment within the cabin, without relying only on vents directing conditioned air directly at the occupants.
  • the systems, devices, and methods described herein can control the temperature and climate of vehicle interiors, taking into account multiple heattransfer contributions within the vehicle, to provide a comfortable travelling experience.
  • a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature including at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood as referring to a system, a method, an article, a component, a feature, or a sub-feature that can include one of each listed option (e.g., only one of the first option, only one of the second option, or only one of the third option), multiple of a single listed option (e.g., two or more of the first option), two options simultaneously (e.g., one of the first option and one of the second option), or combination thereof (e.g., two of the first option and one of the second option).
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a front, cross-sectional view of an example of a vehicle 10.
  • the vehicle 10 includes a body 12 defining an interior cabin volume 14.
  • the interior cabin volume 14 can also be referred to as the occupant cabin or simply the cabin 14.
  • the cabin 14 is configured to receive one or more occupants 18.
  • the vehicle 10 can also include one or more seats 17 on which the occupant 18 can sit, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the body 12 of the vehicle 10 can include one or more portions, including one or more transparent materials or windows 16. Due to various internal and external factors, the temperature, humidity, and climate of the cabin 14 can be affected by a number of heat transfer contributors. These contributors to heat transfer in and out of the cabin 14 can depend on the size, configuration, materials, and conditions of the vehicle 10, including the body 12, the windows 16, internal heat generating components, and external heat generating components. The occupant 18 is subject to the various heat transfer components of the vehicle 10 such that the temperature and climate of the cabin 14 can affect the comfort of the occupant 18 seated on the seat 17.
  • the body 12 of the vehicle 10 can be subject to convective heat transfer indicated at 20 due to external airflow over the vehicle 10 while moving during operation.
  • This convective heat transfer 20, due to airflow external to the vehicle 10 can affect the temperature of the body 12 and thus the temperature transferred in and out of the cabin 14 by the occupant 18.
  • a solar load indicated at 24 can also impinge on the vehicle 10 due to heat from the sun external to the vehicle 10.
  • This solar load 24 can vary throughout a single day and throughout seasons such that the solar load 24 effects the temperature and climate of the cabin 14 to various, and sometimes unpredictable, degrees.
  • the various surfaces of the body 12 can emit radiation indicated at 26 into the cabin 14, further affecting the heat transfer through the body 12 felt by the occupant 18.
  • heat transfer contributions from the occupant 18 can include evaporative heat transfer indicated at 30, convective heat transfer indicated at 32 due to airflow from heating and air-conditioning vents within the vehicle 10, and conductive heat transferred between the occupant 18 and various surfaces of the vehicle, for example the seat 17. These heat transferring contributions from the occupant 18 also affect the temperature and climate of the cabin 14 and thus affect the comfort of the occupant 18.
  • the body 12 of the vehicle 10 can also include one or more transparent portions or windows 16 where heat transfer and radiation indicated at 22 affects the temperature and climate of the cabin 14.
  • the radiation 22 through the window 16 can especially affect the comfort of the occupant 18 when the window 16 is next to and/or above the occupant 18 and near the surface of the occupant’ s body. That is, even if the average temperature and humidity of the cabin 14 is comfortable, radiation 22 through the window 16 adjacent the occupant 18 can cause the occupant 18 to feel a thermal difference on one side or portion of the body relative to another. This imbalance of temperature due to radiation 22 through the window 16 and next to the occupant 18 can cause discomfort.
  • the vehicle 10 can include one or more environmental conditioning systems 34 integrated with or in the body 12 of the vehicle 10 to manage the effects of the various heat transfer contributors noted above and shown in FIG. 1.
  • the environmental conditioning system 34 of the vehicle 10 can be defined by, and or disposed within, the body 12 and configured to reduce the effects of many of the heat transfer contributors without directly ventilating or blowing air at the occupant 18.
  • the environmental conditioning system 34 can be configured to directly address the radiation heat transfer 22 due to the presence of the windows 16 or other transparent materials and surfaces negatively affecting the comfort of the occupant 18.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 1 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective to view of an example of a vehicle 100 including various structural elements.
  • the vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 2 can include a body 102 having a roof, or a roof structure 112.
  • the roof or roof structure 112 can refer to a top covering or portion of the vehicle 100 and can be formed of any number of materials and elements.
  • the body 102 can define a front end or portion 108, and a rear end or portion 110.
  • the body 102 can also include one or more structural beams 104, as well as one or more transparent material portions or windows 106.
  • the term “beam” is not intended to infer a cross-sectional shape or configuration of the structural element, and the “beam” can have any number of cross-sectional geometries.
  • the terms “structural,” “structure,” “structurally,” and related terms refer to load bearing components and elements, or components and elements contributing to the physical form of an object, such as a vehicle.
  • the body of a vehicle can be formed of various structural elements adding to the form and shape of the vehicle, including load bearing elements such as load bearing structural beams, structural roof elements including load bearing or shape forming beams, plates, windows, sheets, and so forth.
  • any of the structural beams 104 can be a part of a structural frame of the vehicle 100.
  • the structural beams 104 can be disposed between adjacent windows 106, or around windows 106 on various external portions of the vehicle 100.
  • the various windows 106 adjacent to the beams 104 can be disposed on the front end 108, the rear end 110, sides, or on top at the roof structure 112 of the vehicle 100.
  • the roof structure 112 includes an overhead structural beam 104 disposed between two adjacent overhead windows 106.
  • the beam 104 of the roof structure 112 can be situated generally horizontally, extending from the front end 108 to the rear end 110. Beams 104 of the roof structure 112 can be referred to as “roof beams,” “cross-beams,” or other related terms.
  • the vehicle 100 can also include a beam 104 situated on the side of the vehicle 100 and disposed between two adjacent windows 106 such that the beam 104 is configured vertically up and down between the windows 106.
  • Such structural beams 104 can be referred to as “side pillars.”
  • Structural beams 104 can also be disposed at the corner edges of the body 102, either horizontally or vertically as shown.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 2 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another example of the vehicle 200 including a body 202 having a roof structure 212 and various structural beams 204 and windows 206.
  • the roof structure 212 includes a horizontal beam 204 spanning a width of the vehicle 200 rather than extending from the front end 208 to the rear end 210, like the example vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 2.
  • the vehicle 200 shown in FIG. 3 also includes first and second windows 206 disposed adjacent the beam 204 of the roof structure 212 such that the beam 204 of the roof structure 212 is disposed between the adjacent windows 206. In this way, the two windows 206 form a part of the roof structure 212.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the vehicle 200 having a single window 206 on the side of the vehicle 200 and a single window 206 disposed at or near the front end 208 of the vehicle 200.
  • the various examples of vehicles described and shown herein are not meant as limiting, but rather illustrative of the variety of possible configurations of the vehicle bodies, such as body 102 of vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 2, and body 202 of vehicle 200 shown in FIG. 3.
  • vehicles can include any number and arrangement of structural beams and windows that define an interior cabin volume configured to receive and transport occupants.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 3 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross sectional view of an interior portion of a vehicle 400 including a body 402 defining a cabin 414 configured to transport occupants.
  • the cross sectional view of FIG. 4 also illustrates the first window 406a and a second window 406b, which also define the cabin 414.
  • the body 402 of the vehicle 400 can include a beam 404 disposed between and adjacent to the first window 406a and the second window 406b.
  • the vehicle 400 can include an environmental conditioning system 418 integrated into the body 402.
  • the environmental conditioning system 418 can be integrated with, or disposed at least partially within, the beam 404 and can define vents 420a and 420b.
  • the vents 420a and 420b can allow conditioned air 422 from inside an interior volume of the beam 404 to enter the cabin 414.
  • the position, orientation, and size of the beam 404 shown in the example of FIG. 4 is a non- limiting example.
  • Other examples can include the environmental conditioning system 418 in other beams of the vehicle 400, including side beams, horizontal beams, roof beams and perimeter roof structures, and so forth.
  • the first vent 420a can be referred to as a first indirect vent 420a, which is configured to direct air 422 from the interior volume of the beam 404 onto the first window 406a adjacent to the beam 404.
  • the second vent 420b can be referred to as a second indirect vent 420b, which is configured to direct air 422 from the interior volume of the beam 404 onto the second window 406b.
  • the beam 404 can be a vertical beam extending up a side of the vehicle 400, and the air 422 can be directed onto both the first and second windows 406a and 406b adjacent to the beam 404, and can be disposed on either side thereof.
  • the first and second windows 406a and 406b can include interior surfaces defining the cabin 414, and the air 422 directed onto the windows 406a, 406b can pass over those interior surfaces to cool or otherwise affect heat transfer through the windows 406a, 406b due to radiation.
  • the air 422 exiting the first and second indirect vents 420a, 420b can indirectly affect the temperature and climate of the cabin 414 by directly impinging on and affecting the temperature of the interior surface of the windows 406a, 406b.
  • This indirect effect on the cabin 414 can be referred to as indirect ventilation, or an indirect ventilation system, which does not direct the flow of air primarily at an occupant within the cabin 414.
  • This indirect ventilation can reduce the temperature imbalances discussed above, and can increase the comfort of the occupant and affect the overall temperature and climate of the cabin 414 by reducing radiation heat transfer through the windows 406a, 406b.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of another example of a vehicle 500 including a body 502 defining an interior cabin volume 514, otherwise referred to as a cabin 514.
  • the body 502 includes a first overhead window 506a and a second overhead window 506b, each positioned adjacent to a structural beam 504 that is disposed between the first and second overhead windows 506a, 506b.
  • the beam 504 shown in FIG. 5 can be disposed “overhead” such that the beam 504 is situated above the one or more occupants that may be seated in the cabin 514.
  • the term “overhead” should be interpreted broadly to include a beam 504 that is directly above one or more occupants, or above and to the side of the occupant.
  • the beam 504 can also define an interior structural volume 516, which can also be referred to as an interior beam volume 516.
  • the vehicle 500 can also include an environmental conditioning system 518.
  • the environmental conditioning system 518 can be an adaptive structural cooling system configured to cool the structure of the body 502, including the first and second overhead windows 506a, 506b.
  • the environmental conditioning system 518 can include a duct 524 disposed within the interior structural volume 516 of the beam 504 as part of the body 502.
  • at least one example of the environmental conditioning system 518 can include a first vent 520a and/or a second vent 520b.
  • the first and/or second vents 520a, 520b of the environmental conditioning system 518 can be configured to direct air from the duct 524 into the interior cabin 514.
  • the first and/or second vents 520a, 520b of the environmental conditioning system 518 shown in FIG. 5 can direct air 522 toward the body 502 to lower a temperature of the body 502.
  • the air 522 is directed at the first and/or second overhead windows 506a, 506b.
  • the first vent 520a can direct air 522 at, toward, or onto an interior surface 526 of the first window 506a.
  • the first window 506a can also include an exterior surface 528 that defines an outer surface of the body 502 of the vehicle 500. Additionally or alternatively, the second vent 520b of the environmental can addition system 518 can direct air at, toward, or onto an interior surface of the second window 506b. The air 522 directed onto the first and/or second overhead windows 506a and 506b can reduce a temperature of the interior surface 526 of the windows 506a, 506b to reduce or otherwise manage radiation due to the windows 506a, 506b via convective heat transfer.
  • the overhead windows 506a, 506b which may introduce heat transfer to an occupant within the cabin 514 and would otherwise create a temperature imbalance or an uncomfortable temperature for the occupant, can be cooled by the environmental conditioning system 518 such that the discomfort is minimized.
  • the air 522 directed by the first and second vents 520a, 520b directly impinges upon the interior surface 526 of the windows 506a, 506b, the air 522 can subsequently be circulated and recirculated around the volume of the cabin 514 to more generally affect the overall or average temperature and climate of the cabin 514.
  • the air 522 extending from the vents 520a, 520b of the environmental conditioning system 518 disposed in the beam 504 is configured to affect the heat transfer due to radiation through the overhead windows 506a and 506b.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 5 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 5.
  • a vehicle not shown in FIGS. 4 or 5 can include a vertical side beam and an overhead beam with environmental conditioning systems disposed in both beams. That is, the environmental conditioning system 418 shown in FIG. 4 can be combined with the environmental conditioning system 518 shown in FIG. 5 within a single vehicle that includes a vertical side beam and a horizontal beam as part of a single vehicle structure.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of another example of a vehicle 600 including a body 602 having a roof structure 612.
  • the roof structure 612 can include a structural beam 604 defining an interior beam volume 616 disposed between adjacent overhead windows 606a and 606b.
  • the body 602, including the first and second windows 606a and 606b and the beam 604 of the roof structure 612, can define an interior volume or cabin 614 configured to house one or more occupants in the vehicle 600.
  • the vehicle 600 can also include an environmental conditioning system 618, otherwise referred to as a ventilation system, including one or more vents.
  • the vents can include a first indirect vent 620a directing first conditioned air 622 at the first window 606a and a second indirect vent 620b directing the first conditioned air 622 at the second window 606b.
  • the first conditioned air 622 exiting the first and second indirect vent 620a and 620b is not necessarily the same conditioned air in all contemplated examples.
  • the air exiting one indirect vent 620a may be conditioned at a different temperature or humidity than the conditioned air 622 exiting at the second indirect vent 620b.
  • FIG. 6 is one non-limiting example of a location for the environmental conditioning system 618.
  • Other examples can include the environmental conditioning system 618 in other beams of the vehicle 600, including other roof beams to the sides of windows 606a, 606b, side horizontal and vertical beams, and so forth.
  • the environment of conditioning system 618 can include a direct vent 630 configured to direct a second conditioned air 632 away from the first and second windows 606a and 606b.
  • the direct vent 630 of the environmental conditioning system 618 can be configured to direct or steer the second conditioned air 632 directly at occupants within the cabin, for example, occupants seated at or on the first seat 634a and/or the second seat 634b.
  • the direct vent 630 can be one of multiple direct vents of the environmental conditioning system 618 that can be manipulated to change the direction of the second conditioned air 632 based on preferences of the occupants within the cabin 614.
  • the first window 606a and the second window 606b are disposed above the one or more seats 634a, 634b where the occupants may be seated.
  • the first window 606a is disposed over and above the first seat 634a and the second window 606b is disposed over and above the second seat 634b.
  • the beam 604 can be an overhead beam disposed above the area or volume occupied by the seats 634a and 634b, and/or occupants seated thereon.
  • the indirect vents 620a, 620b direct the first conditioned air 622 at or toward the interior surfaces of the window 606a, 606b, while the direct vent 630 directs the second conditioned air 632 away from the first and second windows 606a, 606b toward the inside of the cabin 614, as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the first conditioned air 622 can be a different temperature than the second conditioned air 632.
  • the first and second conditioned air 622, 632 can be the same temperature and/or humidity and can be generated from the same source.
  • the indirect vents 620a, 620b can direct the first conditioned air 622 at a first velocity and the direct vent 630 can direct the second conditioned air 632 at a second velocity.
  • the second velocity can be the same or different than the first velocity.
  • the beam 604 can define an interior beam volume 616 through which the first and second conditioned air 622 and 632 is transported and ultimately exits the vents 620a, 620b, and 630.
  • the beam 604 defines one or more of the vents 620a, 620b, and 630.
  • the vents 620a, 620b, and 630 can be formed as apertures defined by the beam 604.
  • one or more ducts disposed within the interior beam volume 616 can transport the air 622 and 632 from an external source or intake component, through the duct in the beam 604, and out the various events 620a, 620 B, and 630.
  • the environmental conditioning system 618 includes both indirect ventilation through the direct vents 620a, 620b as well as direct ventilation through the direct vent 630.
  • the direct vent 630 can be manipulated and controlled by one or more occupants in the cabin 614 to change the direction, temperature, velocity, or other characteristic of the second conditioned air 632.
  • the first conditioned air 622 directed at the window 606a, 606b can be automatically adjusted based on a sensed temperature of the windows 606a, 606b or radiation heat transfer through the windows 606a, 606b. In this way, the first conditioned air 622 can be temperature and humidity adjusted without manual input by the occupant in the cabin 614 to adapt to the changing external environment producing the radiation to the windows 606a, 606b.
  • the first conditioned air 622 can be manually adjusted or controlled by the occupants in the cabin 614 and the second conditioned air 632 exiting the direct vent 630 can be automatically controlled.
  • the first conditioned air 622 exiting the first and second indirect vents 620a, 620b can be configured to directly impinge on and manage the temperature and heat transfer of the body 602 of the vehicle, and in particular, the temperature of the interior surfaces of the window 606a, 606b.
  • This heat transfer management of radiation at the windows 606a, 606b can reduce the uncomfortable contribution from the radiation to the occupants seated on the seats 634a, 634b or elsewhere in the cabin 614.
  • the occupants can adjust or control the direct vent 630 and the second conditioned air 632 to further adjust comfort according to preferences of the occupants.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 6 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another example of a vehicle 700 including a body 702 having a roof structure 712.
  • the roof structure 712 can include a horizontal beam 704 extending between two or more adjacent windows 706.
  • the 2 windows 706 extend over an edge of the roof structure 712 and continue downward along either side of the vehicle 700.
  • the beam 704 defines an interior beam volume 716.
  • the vehicle 700 can also include an environmental conditioning system 718 disposed within the body 702. More particularly, in at least one example, the environmental conditioning system 718 can include one or more ducts disposed in the interior been volume 716 of the beam 704.
  • the environmental conditioning system 718 can include a direct ventilation system 718a and an indirect ventilation system 718b.
  • the direct ventilation system 718a can include a first duct 724a disposed in the interior beam volume 716.
  • the environmental conditioning system 718 can include an indirect ventilation system 718b.
  • the indirect ventilation system 718b can include a second duct 720b disposed within the interior beam volume 716 of the beam 704.
  • the first and second ducts 724a and 724b can be disposed within the same interior beam volume 716 of the same beam 704 of the roof structure 712.
  • the interior beam volume 716 can also be referred to as an interior structural volume of the structural body 702 that includes the beam 704 defining the interior beam volume 716.
  • the environmental conditioning system 718 can include an HVAC unit 723.
  • the HVAC unit 723 can include one or more components of an HVAC system, for example an air mover (such as a compressor), a heat exchanger, a heat pump, an expander, an evaporator, a blower, and so forth.
  • the HVAC unit 723 can be a part of both the direct ventilation system 718a and the indirect ventilation system 718b.
  • the direct ventilation system 718a and the indirect ventilation system 718b can each include a separate HVAC unit 723 with separate components for conditioning air for the respective systems 718a and 718b individually.
  • the direct ventilation system 718a can include a direct vent 730.
  • the direct ventilation system 718a can route air through the first duct 724a and into an interior cabin volume defined by the body 702 of the vehicle 700.
  • the indirect ventilation system 718b can include an indirect event 720.
  • the indirect ventilation system 718b can route air through the second duct 724b and into an interior cabin volume defined by the body 702 of the vehicle 700.
  • the direct vent 730 can be configured to direct air away from the interior surfaces of the transparent materials of the body, for example windows 706, to heat or cool the interior volume of the cabin.
  • the indirect vent 620 can be configured to direct air toward the interior surfaces of the transparent materials of the body, for example the windows 706, to cool the interior surfaces thereof and to mitigate the effect of radiation on the occupants.
  • separate HVAC units can each include both direct and indirect components, including direct and indirect air conditioning, vents, and ducts.
  • more than two HVAC systems can be implemented to cool multiple zones or areas of a cabin vehicle, for example three, four, or more than four HVAC systems, with each system including direct and/or indirect vents, can each serve the individual zones and occupants seated in those zones.
  • one or more HVAC systems can include direct and indirect vents serving four distinct zones (or volumes) of a cabin. These one or more HVAC systems can be activated, automatically and/or manually, depending on the presence of occupants in those zones such that each zone of conditioned air is customized to each user in each zone.
  • ducts 724a, 724b and other components of the environmental conditioning system 718 shown in FIG. 7 can be included in any other structural member or beam of the vehicle 700, including any of those beams 104 shown in FIG. 1, including vertical, horizontal, side, roof, or other beam structures.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 7 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of another example of a vehicle 800 including a body 802 defining an interior cabin 814.
  • One or more seats 834 can be disposed in the cabin 814 to provide seating for occupants within the vehicle 800.
  • the body 802 can include one or more windows, including for example a first window 806a and a second window 806b.
  • the first and the second windows 806a and 806b are disposed at least partially above the seats 834 and extend outward from the roof structure 812, and over an edge to extend downward vertically on either side of the body 802.
  • the roof structure 812 also includes a beam 804 extending above the seats 834 and between adjacent first and second windows 806a and 806b.
  • the beam 804 can define an interior beam volume 816 within which at least a portion of an indirect environmental conditioning system 818b is disposed, and at least a portion of a direct environmental conditioning system 818a is disposed.
  • the indirect environmental conditioning system 818b includes a first duct 824b disposed in the interior beam volume 816.
  • the first duct 824b can transport first conditioned air 822 through the duct 824b and out first and second indirect vents 820a, 820b onto respective first and second windows 806a, 806b.
  • the direct ventilation system 818a can include a second duct 824b carrying second conditioned air 832 to exit first and second direct vents 830a and 830b.
  • the indirect vents 820a, 820b can be configured to direct first conditioned air 822 directly at the body 802, for example, directly at the first and second windows 806a and 806b, respectively.
  • the direct vents 830a, 830b can be configured to direct second conditioned air 832 away from the body 802, for example away from the first and second windows 806a, 806b, and toward the seats 834, or toward occupants seated thereon.
  • the first window 806a includes a top edge 836a defined at or near where the first window 806a meets or contacts the beam 804.
  • the first window 806a can also include or define an interior surface 826a that defines the cabin 814.
  • the first indirect vent 820a can direct the first conditioned air 822 toward, at, or near the top edge 836a on the interior surface 826a, and downward across the interior surface 826a of the first window 806a.
  • the first indirect vent 820a can direct the first conditioned air 822 to spread across and travel over the interior surface 826a of the first window 806a to cool the first window 806a by convective heat transfer, thus reducing the radiation effects of the first window 806a.
  • the second window 806b includes a top edge 836b defined at or near where the second window 806b meets or contacts the beam 804.
  • the second window 806b can also include or define an interior surface 826b that defines the cabin 814.
  • the second indirect vent 820b can direct the first conditioned air 822 toward, at, or near the top edge 836b on the interior surface 826b, and downward across the interior surface 826b of the second window 806b.
  • the second indirect vent 820b can direct the first conditioned air 822 to spread across and travel over the interior surface 826b of the second window 806b to cool the second window 806b by convective heat transfer, thus reducing the radiation effects of the second window 806b on the occupants.
  • the air 822 exiting the first and second indirect vents 820a, 820b can be separately conditioned such that the temperature or humidity of air exiting either indirect vent 820a, 820b is different or the same.
  • the velocity of air exiting either vent 820a or 820b can be different or the same.
  • the second conditioned air 832 exiting the first and second direct vents 830a, 830b can be the same or different velocities and temperatures than the first conditioned air 822 of either indirect vent 820a and 820b.
  • the second conditioned air 832 exiting the first direct vent 830a can be a different temperature or velocity than that of the second conditioned air 832 exiting the second direct vent 830b.
  • the temperature, velocity, humidity, or other characteristics of any air exiting any of the events described above can be the same or different.
  • the air and each vent described above can also be manually controlled by the occupants or controlled by one or more systems of the vehicle 800, which incorporate one or more temperature sensors as part of a control feedback loop.
  • vents 820a, 820b and other components of the environmental conditioning systems 818a and 818b shown in FIG. 8 can be included in any other structural member or beam of the vehicle 800, including any of those beams 104 shown in FIG. 1, including vertical, horizontal, side, roof, or other beam structures.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown in FIG. 8 can be included, either alone or in any combination, in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures described herein.
  • any of the features, components, and/or parts, including the arrangements and configurations thereof shown and described with reference to the other figures can be included, either alone or in any combination, in the example of the devices, features, components, and parts shown in FIG. 8.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un véhicule (400) comprenant un système de conditionnement environnemental (418) comportant un premier évent indirect (420a) conçu pour diriger l'air à partir d'un volume de poutre intérieur d'une poutre structurale (404) sur une première surface (406a) et un second évent indirect (402b) conçu pour diriger l'air du volume de poutre intérieur de la poutre structurale (404) sur une seconde surface (406b).
PCT/US2023/071549 2022-08-03 2023-08-02 Conditionnement thermique WO2024030979A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202263370349P 2022-08-03 2022-08-03
US63/370,349 2022-08-03

Publications (1)

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WO2024030979A1 true WO2024030979A1 (fr) 2024-02-08

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PCT/US2023/071549 WO2024030979A1 (fr) 2022-08-03 2023-08-02 Conditionnement thermique

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WO (1) WO2024030979A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1214719A (en) * 1967-11-08 1970-12-02 Budd Co Automobile body side sill construction
JP2003341351A (ja) * 2002-05-30 2003-12-03 Denso Corp 車両用空調装置
EP3581411A1 (fr) * 2018-06-11 2019-12-18 FERRARI S.p.A. Voiture de sport
FR3105760A1 (fr) * 2019-12-31 2021-07-02 Altran Prototypes Automobiles Système d’aération dans un véhicule automobile.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1214719A (en) * 1967-11-08 1970-12-02 Budd Co Automobile body side sill construction
JP2003341351A (ja) * 2002-05-30 2003-12-03 Denso Corp 車両用空調装置
EP3581411A1 (fr) * 2018-06-11 2019-12-18 FERRARI S.p.A. Voiture de sport
FR3105760A1 (fr) * 2019-12-31 2021-07-02 Altran Prototypes Automobiles Système d’aération dans un véhicule automobile.

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