Abstract:
A fast cooling system for a car includes an active or passive energy storage device, a temperature mixer and a control module. The energy storage device is located in the temperature mixer. The control module compares the temperatures of the energy storage device and an evaporator in the temperature mixer and the temperature in the car. Based on the result of the comparison, the control module controls the path of air that travels through the temperature mixer to guide the air flow to travel past the evaporator and/or the energy storage device. The air gets cool when it travels past the energy storage device in the form of a cold storage device. The cool air enters the car and rapidly reduces the temperature in the car.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to air-conditioning in a car and, more particularly, to a fast cooling system in a car. 
         [0003]    2. Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    When a car is parked outdoors in the day, the temperature in the car rises fast and reaches as high as 70° C. due to the heat of the sun light, the thermal conductivity of the sheet-metal of the car, and poor convection in the car. People feel uncomfortable in the car at such high temperature. In an attempt to rapidly cool the cabin of the car, it is a common practice to open all of the windows of the car and turn on the air-conditioner of the car to provide the maximum nominal airflow at the lowest nominal temperature. However, the air conditioner does not immediately provide a high airflow at low temperature into the car because it takes time for the refrigerant compressor thereof to reach the highest power. In practice, it takes about 180 to 300 seconds to reduce the temperature in the car to a comfortable range of 20° C. to 25° C. from the uncomfortable range of 60° C. to 70° C. Obviously, a conventional air conditioner does not cool the cabin of the car fast enough. 
         [0005]    To solve the above-mentioned problem, methods are used to shade the cabin of the car from the sun. For example, sheathing paper and visor curtains are used to prevent the temperature in the car from getting too high. However, the use of sheathing paper and visor curtains is not satisfactory in suppressing the rise of the temperature in the car. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, a sprayer is used to spray refrigerant in the car. However, the use of the refrigerant is not satisfactory in cooling the cabin of the car. The refrigerant might release volatile gases that might impose risks to health. 
         [0007]    Alternatively, a radiator is used to remove heat from the cabin of the car. However, the radiator consumes electricity in use. To prevent the battery of the car from running out of electricity, it would be better to power the radiator with an auxiliary power supply such as a photovoltaic device. It is difficult to make room for the radiator and the auxiliary power supply. It is inevitable to damage the sheet-metal of the car and change the look of the car in an attempt to attach the radiator and the auxiliary power supply to the car. It is troublesome to attach the radiator and the auxiliary power supply to the car. The radiator and the auxiliary power supply together add a lot of weight to the car. These downsides prevent users from using radiators for their cars. 
         [0008]    The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a car with a fast cooling system for rapidly reducing the temperature in the car to a comfortable range of 20° C. to 25° C. from an uncomfortable range of 60° C. to 70° C. in about 30 to 60 seconds. 
         [0010]    To achieve the foregoing objective, the fast cooling system includes an active or passive energy storage device, a temperature mixer and a control module. The energy storage device is located in the temperature mixer. The control module compares the temperatures of the energy storage device and an evaporator in the temperature mixer and the temperature in the car. Based on the result of the comparison, the control module controls a path of air that travels through the temperature mixer to guide the air flow to travel past the evaporator and/or the energy storage device. The air gets cool when it travels past the energy storage device in the form of a cold storage device. The cool air enters the car and rapidly reduces the temperature in the car. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the temperature mixer includes an energy storage device channel for containing the energy storage device, and insulation linings are used in the energy storage device channel to keep the energy storage device in a coolness-storing status for a period of 18 to 48 hours. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, the energy storage device is used in coordination with an air conditioner of the car that includes an evaporator or refrigerant pipe to cause the passive or active energy storage device to store energy in the form of coolness. 
         [0013]    The passive energy storage device does not require an additional power supply. The active energy storage device is energized by the refrigerant compression system, which is powered by the power supply of the car. Generally speaking, the operation of the present invention does not require the use of an additional power supply. 
         [0014]    The cool air provided by the energy storage device travels into the car to reduce the temperature in the car immediately after the car and the air conditioner are turned on. This helps reduce the temperature in the car after it is has been parked under the sun for a long period of time because the cool air immediately travels into the car from the energy storage device even in this situation. 
         [0015]    The energy storage device in the coolness-storing status reduces the temperature in the car to the comfortable range of 20° C. to 25° C. from the uncomfortable range of 60° C. to 70° C. in about 30 to 60 seconds. 
         [0016]    The fast cooling system rapidly reduces the temperature in the car after the air conditioner of the car is turned on. Then, the air conditioner takes over to keep the temperature in the car at the temperature set by the user. 
         [0017]    The fast cooling system of the present invention reduces the burden on the air conditioner of the car when the air conditioner is just turned on. In the operation of the air conditioner equipped with the energy storage device of the present invention, the airflow can be set to low or medium since the temperature of the energy storage device is low, the temperature of the cool air provided from the energy storage device is low, and a low or medium airflow is enough to mix the cool air with the hot air in the car for efficient heat exchange. This does not bring a heavy burden on the generator of the car. 
         [0018]    The energy storage device of the present invention is small, light, and compatible with temperature mixture systems provided by different car manufacturers. Simple control over the air doors is all it takes to use the energy storage device of the present invention with the air conditioner of the car. The installment and use of the energy storage device of the present invention with the air conditioner of the car are easy. 
         [0019]    Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention will be described through detailed description of two embodiments referring to the drawings wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an energy storage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a temperature mixer that includes the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer of  FIG. 5  illustrating an operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer of  FIG. 5  illustrating another operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer of  FIG. 5  illustrating yet another operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an energy storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer that includes the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 9 , illustrating an operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer that includes the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 9 , illustrating another operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer that includes the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 9 , illustrating yet another operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer that includes the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 9 , illustrating yet another operational status of the temperature mixer; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the temperature mixer that includes the energy storage device shown in  FIG. 9 , illustrating yet another operational status of the temperature mixer; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a simplified view of a car that includes the temperature mixer shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , a car (not numbered) includes an air conditioner (not numbered) that includes a refrigerant compression system  90 . The refrigerant compression system  90  includes a condenser  91 , a compressor  92 , an expansion valve  93  and a refrigerant piping  94 . The expansion valve  93  includes one inlet (not numbered) and two outlets (not numbered). 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4  and  15 , the car is further equipped with a fast cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The fast cooling system includes a temperature mixer (not numbered) that includes an active energy storage device  30 . The active energy storage device  30  includes an energy storage pipe  31 , radiators  32  and a refrigerant pipe  33 . The radiators  32  are fins that extend parallel to one another. The radiators  32  can however be made in another proper configuration in another embodiment. 
         [0038]    The energy storage pipe  31  extends through the radiators  32  in a multi-pass manner. The energy storage pipe  31  is a closed metal pipe filled with an energy storage material. The energy storage pipe  31  is made of aluminum, copper, stainless steel or any other proper metal. The energy storage material is a coolant material that includes, but not limited to, water, cryogen-containing liquid, ionized liquid, a mixture of water with carbon nanotubes, or a mixture of water with a metal oxide. The coolness storage material is characterized in that it is switched into a coolness-storing status (such as frozen) from a normal status (such as liquid) at low temperature (such as 0° C. to 10° C.) and that it is switched back into the normal status from the coolness-storing status at high temperature because of heat exchange. The switch between the coolness-storing status and the normal status can be repeated for many times. 
         [0039]    The radiators  32  and the energy storage pipe  31  are formed in one piece, or made separately and then joined together. The radiators  32  are used to enhance the heat exchange of the energy storage pipe  31 . 
         [0040]    The refrigerant pipe  33  also extends through the radiators  32  in a multi-pass manner. In operation, the refrigerant pipe  33  is connected to an evaporator  152  ( FIG. 5 ) of the compressor  92  of the refrigerant compression system  90  of a car. 
         [0041]    Because the refrigerant pipe  33  is connected to the evaporator  152 , the active energy storage device  30  can be cooled by the air conditioner of the car. Thus, the coolness storage material can be switched into the coolness-storing status from the normal status. To connect the refrigerant pipe  33  to the evaporator  152 , an auxiliary expansion valve is used in addition to an original expansion valve, or the original expansion valve, which includes one inlet and one outlet, is replaced with the expansion valve  93 , which includes one inlet and two outlets. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the temperature mixer includes a box  10  and an air inlet device  20 . The box  10  includes two opposite ends  11  and  12 . The air inlet device  20  is connected to the first end  11  of the box  10 . 
         [0043]    The box  10  includes an air outlet device (not numbered) including an air distributor  13  and an air vent  25 . The air distributor  13  includes a demister pipe  131 , a shotgun seat pipe  132  and a driver&#39;s seat pipe  133 . The demister pipe  131  is connected to the second end  12  of the box  10 . The shotgun seat pipe  132  is connected to a side of the box  10 , near the second end  12 . The driver&#39;s seat pipe  133  is connected to an opposite side of the box  10 , near the second end  12 . An air vent  25  is arranged on another side of the box  10 , near the second end  12 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the box  10  includes therein an air inlet channel  14 , an evaporator channel  15 , an energy storage device channel  16 , a heater core channel  17  and a temperature-mixing channel  18 . The air inlet channel  14  is disposed at the first end  11  of the box  10 . The evaporator  152  is located in the evaporator channel  15 . The active energy storage device  30  is located in the energy storage device channel  16 . The refrigerant pipe  33  of the active energy storage device  30  can extend through walls of the box  10  in an air-tight manner. 
         [0045]    An air door  141  is arranged amid the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15  and the energy storage device channel  16 . The air door  141  is used to selectively communicate the air inlet channel  14  with the evaporator channel  15  or the energy storage device channel  16 . 
         [0046]    The heater core channel  17  is disposed above the evaporator channel  15  and the energy storage device channel  16 . A heater core  171  is located in the heater core channel  17 . Another air door  151  is arranged between the evaporator channel  15  and the heater core channel  17 . Another air door  161  is arranged between the energy storage device channel  16  and the heater core channel  17 . 
         [0047]    The temperature-mixing channel  18  is disposed at the second end of the box  10 . The temperature-mixing channel  18  is in communication with the air distributor  13  and the air vent  25 . 
         [0048]    An insulation lining  71  is provided on a side of the air door  141  that faces the energy storage device channel  16 . Another insulation lining  71  is provided on a side of the air door  161  that faces the energy storage device channel  16 . At least one other insulation lining  71  is provided on an internal face of the energy storage device channel  16 . The insulation linings  71  are made of a PE foam material for example. The insulation linings  71  are 2 to 5 centimeters thick, and respectively attached to the air doors  141  and  161  and the internal face of the energy storage device channel  16  by adhesive. 
         [0049]    When the energy storage device channel  16  is shut by the air doors  141  and  161 , the insulation linings  71  keep the active energy storage device  30  in the coolness-storing status for 18 to 48 hours. The period in which the coolness-storing status is kept depends on the material used to make the insulation linings  71 . 
         [0050]    The air inlet device  20  includes an air inlet pipe  21  and a blower  26 . The blower  26  is arranged between a first end of the air inlet pipe  21  and a manifold (not numbered). A second end of the air inlet pipe  21  is connected to the air inlet channel  14 . The manifold includes an external air inlet  22  and an internal air inlet  23 . The internal air inlet  23  can be located in the car. An air door  24  is arranged between the external air inlet  22  and the internal air inlet  23 . The air door  24  selectively opens one of the air inlets  22  and  23 . The blower  26  drives air into the air inlet channel  14  from the external air inlet  22  or the internal air inlet  23  through the air inlet pipe  21 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194  and  195  are located in the evaporator  152 , evaporator channel  15 , the active energy storage device  30 , the energy storage device channel  16  and the car, respectively. The temperature sensor  191  continuously measures the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152 . The temperature sensor  192  continuously measures the temperature T 2  of the evaporator channel  15 . The temperature sensor  193  continuously measures the temperature T 3  of the active energy storage device  30 . The temperature sensor  194  continuously measures the temperature T 4  of the energy storage device channel  16 . The temperature sensor  195  continuously measures the temperature T 0  of the car. Signals representative of the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  and T 0  are sent to a control module  50 . 
         [0052]    The control module  50  includes a temperature comparator  51  and an air door controller  53 . The temperature comparator  51  receives, processes, compares, and analyses the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  and T 0  and a temperature Tt set by a user of the car. The temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53  according to the result of the analysis. The air door controller  53  controls the air doors  141 ,  151  and  161 . 
         [0053]    The operation of the fast cooling system will be described regarding several scenarios. In the first scenario, the fast cooling system is turned on the first time, or it is turned on again after it has been stopped for more than 18 to 48 depending on the material used to make the insulating linings  71 . That is, the active energy storage device  30  is not in the coolness-storing status. The car and the refrigerant compression system  90  are turned on. The control module  50  controls the operation of the temperature mixer. 
         [0054]    The temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194 ,  195  respectively send the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  and T 0  to the temperature comparator  51 . The temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194  and  195  continuously sense the temperatures in the operation of the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 . 
         [0055]    Then, the temperature comparator  51  compares the temperatures. If the temperature T 0  in the car is higher than the temperature Tt set by the user, and temperature T 3  of the active energy storage device  30  is higher than or equal to the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (T 3 ≧T 1 ), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . According to the control signal, the air door controller  53  uses the air door  141  and the air door  161  to close the energy storage device channel  16 , and open the air door  151 . Thus, air travels into the car from the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13  via the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the heater core channel  17 , the temperature-mixing channel  18 , the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . The refrigerant compression system  90  operates to reduce the temperature of the evaporator  152  and the temperature of the active energy storage device  30 , which is equipped with the refrigerant pipe  33 . That is, the temperature T 2  of the air that travels through the evaporator channel  15  is reduced by the operation of the evaporator  152 . In addition, the heater core  171  regulates the temperatures by using the cool air that travels into the car from the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13  to reduce the temperature T 0  in the car to the temperature Tt set by the user. Due to the operation of the refrigerant piping  94  of the refrigerant compression system  90 , the coolness storage material filled in the energy storage pipe  31  of the active energy storage device  30  is switched into the coolness-storing status from the normal status. That is, the active energy storage device  30  stores energy in the form of coolness. 
         [0056]    When the car and the refrigerant compression system  90  operate, the air travels into the box  10  from the air inlet device  20 , and then travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the heater core channel  17  and the temperature-mixing channel  18 , and then leaves the box  10 . The air doors  141  and  161  continue to close the energy storage device channel  16 . 
         [0057]    When the user turns off the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 , the air doors  141  and  161  continue to close the energy storage device channel  16 , the insulation linings  71  continue to keep the active energy storage device  30  in the coolness-storing status for about 18 to 48 hours. 
         [0058]    In the second scenario, the car and refrigerant compression system  90  are turned on within 18 to 48 hours after it was previously turned off, and the active energy storage device  30  is still in the coolness-storing status. The control module  50  controls the temperature mixer. 
         [0059]    At first, the temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194 ,  195  respectively send the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  and T 0  to the temperature comparator  51  of the control module  50 . The temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194 ,  195  continuously sense the temperatures during the operation of the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 . 
         [0060]    Then, referring to  FIG. 7 , the temperature comparator  51  compares the temperatures. If the temperature T 0  in the car is higher than the temperature Tt set by the user (T 0 &gt;Tt), and the temperature T 3  of the active energy storage device  30  is lower than the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (T 3 &lt;T 1 ), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 , and the air door controller  53  uses the air doors  141  and  151  to close the evaporator channel  15 , and opens the air door  161 . Thus, the air from the air inlet device  20  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the energy storage device channel  16 , the heater core channel  17 , and the temperature-mixing channel  18 . Finally, the air leaves the box  10  from the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . Since the active energy storage device  30  is in the coolness-storing status, heat exchange occurs between the active energy storage device  30  and the air that flows past it, and the temperature of the air drops quickly. Thus, the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13  provide cool air. The cool air is mixed with hot air in the car, and the temperature T 0  in the car is rapidly reduced. The cooling effected by the active energy storage device  30  reduces the temperature T 0  in the car quickly even if the car has been parked under the sun and the temperature T 0  in the car has reached 60° C. to 70° C. At the same time, the refrigerant piping  94  of the refrigerant compression system  90  reduces the temperature of the evaporator  152 . 
         [0061]    The cool air provided by the active energy storage device  30  rapidly reduces the temperature in the car. If the temperature comparator  51  determines that the temperature T 0  in the car to is equal to the temperature Tt set by the user (T 0 =Tt), or the temperature T 0  in the car has dropped to a considerable extent (20° C. to 40° C. for example), and the temperature T 3  of the active energy storage device  30  becomes higher than the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (the heat exchange by the active energy storage device  30  is saturated), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the air door controller  53  uses the air doors  141  and  161  to close the energy storage device channel  16 , and opens the air door  151 . Thus, the air from the air inlet device  20  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the heater core channel  17 , and the temperature-mixing channel  18 . Then, the air leaves the box  10  through the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . Since the temperature of the evaporator  152  has dropped, heat exchange occurs between the evaporator  152  and the air that flows past it, and the temperature of the air drops. Then, the heater core channel  17  regulates the temperature to reach the temperature Tt set by the user. The air travels through the temperature-mixing channel  18  and then leaves the box  10  from the air distributor  13  and the air vent  25  to keep the temperature T 0  in the car at the temperature Tt set by the user. 
         [0062]    The air door controller  53  uses the air doors  141  and  161  to close the energy storage device channel  16 , the coolness storage material filled in the energy storage pipe  31  of the active energy storage device  30  is switched into the coolness-storing status from the normal status because of the cooling provided by the refrigerant piping  94  of the refrigerant compression system  90 . That is, the active energy storage device  30  stores coolness. Finally, the user turned off the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 . Thus, the air doors  141  and  161  continue to close the energy storage device channel  16 , and the insulation linings  71  continue to keep the active energy storage device  30  in the coolness-storing status for 18 to 48 hours. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a passive energy storage device  35  includes an energy storage pipe  31  and radiators  32  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the radiators  32  are fins extending from the energy storage pipe  31  in a radial manner. The radiators  32  can however be made in other configurations in other embodiments. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 14 , there is a temperature mixer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The temperature mixer of the second embodiment is identical to the temperature mixer of the first embodiment except that it includes another door  162  arranged between the evaporator channel  15  and the energy storage device channel  16 . Another insulation lining  71  is attached to a side of the air door  162  facing the energy storage device channel  16 . 
         [0065]    The operation of the temperature mixer under the control of the control module  50  will be described. In the third scenario, the fast cooling system of the car is parked for over 18 to 48 hours, dependent on the material used to make the insulation linings  71 . That is, the passive energy storage device  35  is not in the coolness-storing status. The car and the refrigerant compression system  90  are turned. 
         [0066]    Firstly, the temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194  and  195  send the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  and T 0  to the temperature comparator  51  of the control module  50 , respectively. The temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194 ,  195  continuously sense the temperatures during the operation of the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , if the temperature comparator  51  determines that the temperature T 0  in the car is higher than temperature Tt set by the user, and the temperature T 3  of the energy storage device  35  is higher than or equal to the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (T 3 ≧T 1 ), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . According to the control signal, the air door controller  53  uses the air door  141  to close the energy storage device channel  16 , opens the air door  162 , uses the air door  151  to close the evaporator channel  15 , and opens the air door  161 . The air from the air inlet pipe  21  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the energy storage device channel  16 , the heater core channel  17 , and the temperature-mixing channel  18 , and travels into the car from the box  10  via the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . The refrigerant compression system  90  reduces the temperature of the evaporator  152 . The air that travels past the evaporator channel  15  becomes cool air because of heat exchange with the evaporator  152 . That is, the temperature T 2  is reduced. The energy storage device  35  is cooled and switched into the coolness-storing status by the cool air from the evaporator channel  15 . 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , if the temperature comparator  51  determines the temperature T 3  of the energy storage device  35  to be equal to or lower than the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (T 3 ≦T 1 ), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . According to the control signal, the air door controller  53  opens the air door  151 , and uses the air doors  141 ,  162  and  161  to close the energy storage device channel  16 . The insulation linings  71  cause the energy storage device channel  16  to keep the passive energy storage device  35  in the coolness-storing status for 18 to 48 hours. The air from the air inlet pipe  21  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the heater core channel  17  and the temperature-mixing channel  18 . Then, the air travels into the car from the box  10  through the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13  to keep the temperature T 0  in the car at the temperature Tt set by the user (T 0 =Tt). 
         [0069]    When the user turns off the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 , the air doors  141 ,  161  and  162  continue to close the energy storage device channel  16 . The insulation linings  71  keep the energy storage device  35  in the coolness-storing status for 18 to 48 hours. 
         [0070]    In the fourth scenario, the car is parked for less than 18 to 48 hours so that the energy storage device  35  is still in the coolness-storing status. When the car and the refrigerant compression system  90  are turned on again, the control module  50  controls the operation of the temperature mixer. 
         [0071]    Firstly, the temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194  and  195  send the temperatures T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4  and T 0 , respectively, to the temperature comparator  51  of the control module  50 . The temperature sensors  191 ,  192 ,  193 ,  194  and  195  continuously sense the temperatures during the operation of the car and the refrigerant compression system  90 . 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , if the temperature comparator  51  determines that the temperature T 0  in the car is higher than the temperature Tt set by the user, and the temperature T 3  of the passive energy storage device  35  is lower than the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (T 3 &lt;T 1 ), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . According to the control signal, the air door controller  53  uses the air doors  141  and  151  to close the evaporator channel  15 , closes the air door  162 , and opens the air door  161 . The air from the air inlet device  20  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the energy storage device channel  16 , the heater core channel  17  and the temperature-mixing channel  18 , and leaves the box  10  through the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . Since the passive energy storage device  35  is in the coolness-storing status, heat exchange occurs between the energy storage device  35  and the air that travels past it. Thus, the air is rapidly turned into cool air. The cool air travels into the car from the box  10  through the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . The cool air is mixed with hot air in the car to rapidly reduce the temperature T 0  in the car. The cooling effected by the passive energy storage device  35  reduces the temperature T 0  in the car quickly even if the car has been parked under the sun and the temperature T 0  in the car has reached 60° C. to 70° C. At the same time, the refrigerant piping  94  of the refrigerant compression system  90  reduces the temperature of the evaporator  152 . 
         [0073]    If the temperature comparator  51  determines that the temperature T 0  in the car is equal to the temperature Tt set by the user (T 0 =Tt), or the temperature T 0  in the car has dropped to a considerable extent (20° C. to 40° C. for example), and the temperature T 3  of the passive energy storage device  35  becomes higher than the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (the heat exchange by the passive energy storage device  35  is saturated), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , the air door controller  53  uses the air door  141  to close the energy storage device channel  16 , and opens the air door  162 . Thus, the air from the air inlet pipe  21  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the energy storage device channel  16 , the heater core channel  17 , and the temperature-mixing channel  18 . Then, the air travels into the car from the box  10  through the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13 . As the temperature of the evaporator  152  drops, the evaporator  152  cools and turns the air, which travels through the evaporator channel  15 , into cool air. The coolness storage material filled in the passive energy storage device  35  is cooled by the cool air that leaves the evaporator channel  15  and turned into the coolness-storing status from the status of saturated heat exchange. 
         [0074]    If the temperature comparator  51  determines the temperature T 3  of the energy storage device  35  to be lower than the temperature T 1  of the evaporator  152  (T 3 &lt;T 1 ), the temperature comparator  51  sends a control signal to the air door controller  53 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the air door controller  53  uses the air doors  141 ,  161  and  162  to close the energy storage device channel  16 . The insulation linings  71  cause the energy storage device channel  16  to keep the passive energy storage device  35  in the coolness-storing status for 18 to 48 hours. The air from the air inlet pipe  21  travels through the air inlet channel  14 , the evaporator channel  15 , the heater core channel  17 , and the temperature-mixing channel  18 , and then travels into the car from the box  10  via the air vent  25  and the air distributor  13  to keep the temperature T 0  in the car at the temperature Tt set by the user (T 0 =Tt). 
         [0075]    As discussed above, the present invention exhibits some advantages over the prior art. The passive energy storage device  35  does not require an additional power supply. The active energy storage device  30  is energized by the refrigerant compression system  90 , which is powered by the power supply of the car. Generally speaking, the operation of the present invention does not require the use of an additional power suppl. 
         [0076]    The cool air provided by the energy storage device travels into the car to reduce the temperature in the car immediately after the car and the air conditioner are turned on. This helps reduce the temperature in the car after it has been parked under the sun for a long period of time because the cool air immediately travels into the car from the energy storage device even in this situation. The temperature in the car can be reduced to a comfortable range of 20° C. to 25° C. from an uncomfortable range of 60° C. to 70° C. in about 30 to 60 seconds. 
         [0077]    It takes a conventional air conditioner about 180 to 300 seconds to the comfortable range of 20° C. to 25° C. from the uncomfortable range of 60° C. to 70° C. In the beginning of this period of 180 to 300 seconds, people are forced to endure the heat in the car. This problem with the prior art is solved by the fast cooling system of the present invention that rapidly reduces the temperature in the car after the air conditioner is turned on. The fast cooling system uses the energy storage device  30  or  35  to provide and mix the cool air with the hot air in the car. Thus, rapid heat exchange occurs between the cool air and the hot air in the car, and the temperature in the car rapidly drops. Then, the air conditioner takes over to keep the temperature in the car at the temperature set by the user. 
         [0078]    In the operation of the conventional air conditioner, the airflow must be set to high and the temperature must be set to low when the air conditioner is just turned on. However, such setting brings a heavy burden onto the generator of the car, which is used to energize the air conditioner. The present invention reduces the burden on the air conditioner of the car when the air conditioner is just turned on. In the operation of the air conditioner equipped with the energy storage device of the present invention, the airflow can be set to low or medium since the temperature of the energy storage device is low, the temperature of the cool air provided from the energy storage device is low, and a low or medium airflow is enough to mix the cool air with the hot air in the car for efficient heat exchange. This does not bring a heavy burden on the generator of the car. 
         [0079]    The energy storage device of the present invention is small, light, and compatible with temperature mixture systems provided by different car manufacturers. Simple control over the air doors is all it takes to use the energy storage device of the present invention with the air conditioner of the car. The installment and use of the energy storage device of the present invention with the air conditioner of the car are easy. 
         [0080]    The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.