U.S. patent application number 14/068265 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for hvac flow control for micro-zone system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Bryan Hoke, Clay Wesley Maranville.
Application Number | 20150114325 14/068265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52010918 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150114325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoke; Paul Bryan ; et
al. |
April 30, 2015 |
HVAC FLOW CONTROL FOR MICRO-ZONE SYSTEM
Abstract
A ventilation system for use in a vehicle that provides
individual control of micro-zones in the vehicle and the system
includes a blower for pushing air through the ventilation system,
an evaporator for conditioning the air being pushed by the blower,
a first duct for supplying air to a first micro-zone and a second
duct for supplying air to a second micro-zone, the second duct
partitioned form the first duct, the first and second ducts
receiving air once it has been blown through the evaporator and a
flow diverter for selectively opening the partition wall and
connecting the first duct and second duct so that air continues to
flow through the evaporator even when one microzone is completely
closed and no air flows through the related duct.
Inventors: |
Hoke; Paul Bryan; (Plymouth,
MI) ; Maranville; Clay Wesley; (Ypsilanti,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
52010918 |
Appl. No.: |
14/068265 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/41.54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 2001/00192
20130101; B60H 2001/00135 20130101; B60H 1/00064 20130101; F01P
7/02 20130101; B60H 2001/00092 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/41.54 |
International
Class: |
F01P 7/02 20060101
F01P007/02 |
Claims
1. A ventilation system for use in a vehicle, comprising: a blower
for pushing air through the ventilation system; an evaporator for
conditioning the air; a first duct and a second duct having a
partition wall there between, the first and second duct receiving
air blown through the evaporator; and a flow diverter for
selectively creating an opening in the partition wall and
connecting the first duct and second duct.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow diverter includes a
selectively movable actuator for positioning the flow diverter.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow diverter comprises a
pivoting door.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the flow diverter comprises a
sliding hole system.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the system further comprises a
third duct connected to the first duct, positioned downstream of
the flow diverter, and a duct closeoff positioned within the third
duct.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the evaporator includes a first
side and a second side, connected with the first duct and second
duct, respectively.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a control system to
selectively open the flow diverter to maintain flow through first
side and second side of the evaporator.
8. A ventilation system for use in a vehicle, comprising: a blower
for pushing air through the ventilation system; an evaporator for
cooling the air having a first portion exit and a second portion
exit; a first duct connected to the first portion exit; a second
duct connected to the second portion exit; a partition wall between
the first duct and second duct; and a flow diverter for selectively
connecting the first duct and second duct.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the blower selectively pushes air
through the evaporator.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the flow diverter selectively
opens and closes to create an opening in the partition wall between
the first and second duct.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the flow diverter may
substantially close off flow through the second duct and route the
air to the first duct.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the flow diverter does not
close off flow through the second duct.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a duct closeoff
positioned after the flow diverter within the second duct.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein duct closeoff prevents the flow
of air out of the second duct and forces the air through the
diverter to the first duct.
15. A ventilation system for use in a vehicle, comprising: a blower
for pushing air through the ventilation system; an in-line
evaporator; a first duct and a second duct having a partition wall
there between, the first and second duct receiving air blown
through the in-line evaporator, the in-line evaporator having a
first evaporator portion connected to the first duct and a second
evaporator portion connected to the second duct; and a flow
diverter for selectively creating an opening in the partition wall
and connecting the first duct and second duct.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein a control system controllably
moves the flow diverter for maintaining air flowing through the
in-line evaporator.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the control system
substantially prevents portions of the in-line evaporator having no
airflow.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control system controllably
opens flow pathway between the first duct and second duct to
maintain air flowing through the first evaporator portion and the
second evaporator portion.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the flow diverter comprises a
pivoting door.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the flow diverter comprises a
sliding opening arrangement.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Current heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems for automotive use with multi-zone cooling may include a
common evaporator system. When one zone is off, the portion of the
evaporator may have little to no airflow through it and it may
begin to accumulate ice or condensation. This can lead to
undesirable liquids in the HVAC system and associated ducts. In
addition to possibly damaging the evaporator, the water may lead to
undesirable smells when the HVAC system is used. Moreover, the
current systems for HVAC are inefficient for energy consumption
with a single occupant in the vehicle. Additionally, the current
systems may lead to increased warranty claims and/or unpleasant
odors in the vehicle HVAC systems.
[0002] Therefore, to support reduced energy consumption in vehicles
with a single occupant or with un-occupied seats in the vehicle,
there is a need to reduce or eliminate active heating or cooling to
that region of the vehicle.
DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary HVAC flow control
system.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary diverter having a
pivoting door in a first position.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary diverter having a
pivoting door in a second position.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an alternative diverter.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow diverter having a sliding
hole pattern in a fully closed position.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the sliding flow diverter in a
fully open position.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the sliding flow diverter in a
partially open position.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the system diverting flow through the
pivoting door system.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the system diverting flow through the
sliding hole system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] In order to support reduced energy consumption in vehicles
with a single occupant or with un-occupied seats in the vehicle, a
segmented airflow system can selectively reduce or eliminate active
heating or cooling to a region of the vehicle. This can reduce load
on an evaporator and thus, the compressor. This may also reduce
vehicle fuel or electrical usage, which may in turn improve fuel
economy and/or extend electric range.
[0013] In an example, the system may close passages, ducts or
outlets in the HVAC or associated ducting and distribution system.
In a dual or multi-zone system this may cause a non-uniform airflow
distribution across the evaporator core. This can lead to degraded
performance of the evaporator and/or regions of evaporator icing.
Evaporator icing can lead to warranty or customer complaints due to
ice formation damaging the evaporator or causing a wet odor being
detected by the customer. Single zone HVAC systems (without
independent occupant mode/temperature controls) often have a
divider plate in the center of the HVAC for structure and
commonality in design. Base HVAC performance is ensured by
directing uniformity coverage of the evaporator; micro-zone
concepts may significantly compromise the uniformity of
coverage.
System Overview
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary HVAC flow control
system. The HVAC system 100 includes a blower 110, and a manifold
duct 120. An evaporator 120, as part of the air conditioning
system, selectively cools the air as it passes through it to a
driver side primary duct 140A and a passenger side primary duct
140B. The driver side primary duct 140A and passenger side primary
duct 140B are separated by a partition wall 140C. The air blown
there through may then pass through a heater core 150 before
passing to a driver side secondary duct 160A and passenger side
secondary duct 160B. Moreover, each secondary duct may also include
duct closeoffs 170A and 170B, respectively.
[0015] The partition wall 140C provides for separation of the
airflow after the evaporator 120 for zone controlled functions. As
discussed herein, exemplary embodiments of flow diverters
(discussed below) may be located along partition wall 140C to
provide for cross-flow of air after the evaporator 120.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary diverter 200 having a
moveable (pivoting) door 220 in a first position. The pivoting door
220 may include a pivot point 210 engaged with a controllable
actuator. When the door 220 is open, partition wall 140C will have
an opening 230 there through allowing flow of air from driver side
primary duct 140A to/from passenger side primary duct 140B. Such an
arrangement allows for air to flow through evaporator 130, while
controlling the amount of air passing through to the driver side
secondary duct 160A and passenger side secondary duct 160B.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram of exemplary diverter 200 having a
pivoting door 220 in a second position. Here, pivoting door 220
opens into driver side primary duct 140A and is not in a fully
opened position. This provides a controllable size of the opening
230.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an alternative diverter having a
dual flap arrangement. A first flap 410 may be opened independently
or along with a second flap 420. This may allow for control of the
air flowing there through. It may also provide for various control
mechanisms that close between the opening 230, rather than at the
extents of the opening.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow diverter having a sliding
hole pattern in a fully closed position. As an alternative to
pivoting door 220 (see FIG. 2), the sliding diverter may be placed
along partition wall 140C to allow flow between (when open), or to
substantially prevent flow between (when closed). A first sliding
diverter portion 510 includes two holes there through 510A. A
second sliding diverter portion 520 includes two holes there
through 520A. When overlaid as shown in FIG. 5, the holes 520A,
520B do not align. Therefore, there should be substantially no flow
there through. The partitions, when operating, may be moved by a
linear actuator to allow them to slide along one another to align
or not align holes 520A, 520B.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the sliding flow diverter in a
fully open position. Here, first sliding diverter portion 510 and
second sliding diverter portion 520 are moved so that holes 510A,
520B are aligned and air may flow through partition wall 140C,
effectively connecting driver side primary duct 140A to passenger
side primary duct 140B.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the sliding flow diverter in a
partially open position. When first sliding diverter portion 510
and second sliding diverter portion 520 are moved to partially
align holes 510A, 520B then air may flow through partition wall
140C at a rate decided amount by the of the opening and the
pressure of air provided.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the system 800 diverting flow through
the pivoting door system. In this example, pivoting door system
(see FIG. 2) is used to fully open opening 230 and fully close off
passenger side primary duct 140B from air reaching passenger side
secondary duct 160B. Flow is diverted 810 entirely to driver side
170.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the system 900 diverting flow through
the sliding hole system. When sliding hole system 500 is open (see
FIG. 6) and a passenger side duct closeoff 170B is closed 920, air
will flow through evaporator 130 and be redirected into the
driver's side conduit 140A, 160A.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the airflow 820 continues
to flow through both the driver side and passenger side of the
evaporator 130. Even with airflow cutoff to passenger side
secondary duct 160B, the evaporator 130 will not accumulate ice or
otherwise collect condensation. In this way, the pivoting door 220
may be used to provide airflow through the evaporator while not
providing air to the passenger side. Similarly, by using passenger
side duct closeoff 170B, air flows through evaporator 130 and
through sliding hole system 500.
[0025] It is understood that while current descriptions include
shutting off, or reducing flow, to the passenger side vents, the
same may be done with the driver's side. Alternatively, the system
may be applied to multi-zone systems that may include many vents.
For example, the driver's side may include separate foot vents,
dash vents, and windshield vents, among others. Moreover, the
system may be applied to first, second, and third row venting
systems.
Conclusion
[0026] It will be further understood by those skilled in the art
that many of the details provided above are by way of example only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is
to be determined with reference to the following claims.
[0027] In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate the
same elements. Further, some or all of these elements could be
changed. With regard to the mechanisms, processes, systems,
methods, etc. described herein, it should be understood that,
although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as
occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes
could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order
other than the order described herein. It further should be
understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously,
that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described
herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of
processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating
certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to
limit the claimed invention.
[0028] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above
description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.
Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided
would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the
above description. The scope of the invention should be determined,
not with reference to the above description, but should instead be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is
anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the
arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods
will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it
should be understood that the invention is capable of modification
and variation and is limited only by the following claims.
[0029] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their
broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as
understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit
indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of
the singular articles such as "a," "the," "said," etc. should be
read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim
recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
* * * * *