Abstract:
Disclosed is a portable air conditioning device for vehicles. The device includes a plurality of air duct hoses and an exhaust hose that is connected to a housing member that encloses a thermoelectric cooling module capable of producing heated or cooled air, and a fan with a fan speed control switch. The air duct hoses supply cool air to the interior of a vehicle while the exhaust hose releases heat to the outdoors. The device may be internally powered via a battery or externally powered via a power adaptor or outlet. The device may be conveniently placed inside of a vehicle and secured in place via a strap system disposed thereon. In this way, the device may be ideally used with existing vehicles lacking an operable air conditioning and/or heating system. Additionally, the device may be used to supplement an operable air conditioning system for a vehicle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/018,789 filed on Jun. 30, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an air conditioning device for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a portable air conditioning device that utilizes a thermoelectric cooling module to circulate cool air or heated air within the interior of a vehicle to increase comfort to the vehicle passengers. The present air conditioning device may be used with existing vehicles having no air conditioner or heating unit or to replace an inoperable air conditioner or heating unit. 
         [0004]    Vehicle air conditioning systems cool the occupants of a vehicle in hot weather, and have come into wide and popular use throughout the automobile industry. Most air conditioning systems are installed into vehicles during the manufacturing process. These systems use an engine-mounted compressor, driven off of the crankshaft of the engine via a drive belt, with an evaporator in the trunk of a vehicle to deliver cold air through the rear parcel shelf and overhead vents. In this way, vehicle air conditioning systems move heat from inside of a vehicle to the outdoors. Conventional air conditioning systems, however, decrease the fuel efficiency of a vehicle because these systems use energy supplied by the alternator, which comes from the engine that uses the fuel. The air conditioning systems cannot function properly when the vehicle is not running because the belt that engages the compressor, which is used to compress the coolant, will only run with the engine started. 
         [0005]    Additionally, diagnosing and repairing vehicle air conditioning systems can be very complicated. If a vehicle air conditioning system is not fixed, however, passengers can be subjected to excessive heat, which may be potentially dangerous during hot weather. Nonetheless, it is impracticable and expensive to install an air conditioning system in existing vehicles. More specifically, installing a new air conditioning system to an existing vehicle requires a user to modify the structure of the vehicle. It is recognized that portable cooling units may be used as a means of cooling the interior of a vehicle. It is submitted, however, that existing portable cooling units are bulky and lack the means to secure the cooling unit to the inside of a vehicle, and further lack means to effectively ventilate cool and hot air. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to air conditioning systems for vehicles, and further to those emphasizing portability of the system. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these patents describe air conditioners that are built into vehicles during the manufacturing process. Others describe portable air conditioner devices that utilize air vents disposed on the housing of the air conditioner. These devices, however, are not specifically designed to be used with existing vehicles and lack a flexible air duct system to facilitate the direction of the air flow within the interior of a vehicle. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0008]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,477 to Klein and U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,572 to Howard disclose solar-thermoelectric air-conditioning units that comprises a solar photovoltaic panel that is positioned in a window or another exterior portion of a vehicle to provide current to a thermoelectric assembly, which pumps excess heat out of the interior of the vehicle. Additionally, the solar photovoltaic panel blocks a portion of sun rays from entering the vehicle. Klein, however, does not disclose an air conditioning unit that comprises thermoelectric cooling module that includes aluminum plates. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,043 to Zoleta, U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,934 to Roane, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,164 to Rice disclose automobile air conditioning systems that comprises thermoelectric devices. Zoleta discloses a Seebeck generator that is operated via an engine exhaust. The generator supplies electrical current to a Peltier unit that is located in a vehicle cabin for removing heat from the same. Roane discloses finned aluminum plates and a fan for generating an air flow. Rice discloses a housing with an elongated vent for allowing air to exit therethrough. While the foregoing devices disclose thermoelectric devices, these devices do not disclose a housing that is in fluid communication with an air duct system. 
         [0010]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,554 to Trachtenberg discloses a vehicle thermoelectric cooling and heating food and drink appliance that comprises Peltier elements. The design and intent of the Trachtenberg devices, however, differ from the present invention in that Trachtenberg discloses a device for keeping food and beverage items cool. Thus, Trachtenberg is inoperable to cool the inside of a vehicle cabin. In contrast, the present invention comprises an air conditioning device for cooling or heating the inside of a vehicle cabin. 
         [0011]    These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The present invention is adapted to provide air conditioning system for vehicles without an existing air conditioning system or for vehicles without an operable air conditioning system. The present invention does not require structural modification to the vehicle, and offers the flexibility of being able to be moved as necessary. The present invention helps to cool the interior of a vehicle to provide a comfort to the passengers. The housing is designed to be compact so that it may be placed in the interior of a vehicle, while the strap secures the device in place. Additionally, the air duct hoses can be easily maneuvered to direct air flow to the driver and the passenger. 
         [0012]    It is therefore submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art devices, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing air conditioning systems for vehicles. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of air conditioning systems for vehicles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new improvement to a portable air conditioning device for vehicles wherein the same can be utilized for cooling or heating the interior of a vehicle. 
         [0014]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles having an air duct system that includes one or more flexible air duct hoses with adjustable vents to control the direction of the air flow to the occupants of a vehicle. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles having a fan with a fan speed control switch that is adapted to control the amount of air flow to the occupants of a vehicle. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles that is compact in design for use with new or existing vehicles without modifying the structure of the vehicles. 
         [0018]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles that is externally powered via a retractable power supply adapter or a retractable outlet plug. 
         [0019]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles that utilizes a thermoelectric cooling module. 
         [0020]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable air conditioning device for vehicles that includes a strap system to secure the device to the interior of a vehicle. 
         [0021]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and in manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a view of the present invention as placed inside of a vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable air conditioning device for vehicles. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for heating or cooling the interior of a vehicle. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown perspective views of various embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is a vehicle air conditioning unit  11  that uses a thermoelectric cooling module to exchange heat, and that can be used as a heating or cooling device as desired by the user. The present air conditioning unit  11  comprises a housing  28  that is composed of rigid material such as durable plastic or thin metal. The housing  28  preferably comprises a rectangular prism shape having a top side  13 , a bottom side, a front side  14 , a back side, a first lateral side  25 , and a second lateral side  15 , forming an interior volume adapted to enclose various components of the air conditioner therein. The top side  13  of the housing  28  comprises one or more outlet ports, wherein each port is connected to an air duct hose  17  so that the air duct hose  17  is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the housing  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top side  13  comprises two outlet ports so that the device comprises two air duct hoses  17 , wherein one air duct hose can be used to direct heated or cooled air towards the driver and another air duct hose can be used to direct heating or cooled air towards the front passenger. However, the air duct hoses  17  may be used to direct heated or cooled air to any part of the vehicle where air flow is desired. 
         [0029]    Each air duct hose  17  may be manufactured from one or more plastic materials and may have a flexible, accordion-like structural configuration to facilitate movement thereof. The air duct hose  17  comprises a first end  26  and a second end  19 , wherein the first end  26  is connected to the outlet port disposed on the top side  13  of the housing  28 . The perimeter of the first end  26  is sealed around the outlet port to prevent air leakage. The second end  19  of the air duct hose  17  comprises an adjustable air vent  20  that enables a user to control the direction and the amount of the air flow. Additionally, the air duct hose  17  comprises a closed loop strap  18  having hook and loop fasteners thereon. The strap  18  may be used to secure the second end  19  of the air duct hose  17  to a desired location inside of the vehicle. 
         [0030]    The front side  14  of the housing  28  comprises a fan speed control switch. In the exemplary embodiments, the front side  14  includes a speed control switch  12  for a two-speed fan disposed within the interior volume of the housing  28 . More specifically, the exemplary embodiments comprise an off mode, a low speed setting, and a high speed setting. The housing  28  further comprises a control for allowing the user to switch between heating and cooling modes, so that the device can be used to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle as desired by the user. Additionally in some embodiments, the present invention comprises a digital display to show the temperature of the interior of the vehicle in which the air conditioning device is placed. 
         [0031]    The first lateral side  25  comprises a recessed portion that is adapted to store retractable power adapters and/or cables  24 ,  25  therein. More specifically, the device may include a standard outlet plug  23  and a retractable 12-Volt power supply adapter  24 . Each of the standard outlet plug  23  and the power supply adapter  24  are electrically connected to the various air conditioner components disposed inside of the housing  28 . It is contemplated that each of the standard outlet plug  23  and the power supply adapter  24  is retractable. 
         [0032]    Optionally, the second lateral side  15  comprises an exhaust port. The exhaust port is connected to an exhaust hose  16  so that the exhaust hose  16  is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the housing  28 . Similar to the air duct hose  17 , the exhaust hose  16  may be manufactured from one or more plastic materials and may have a flexible, accordion-like structural configuration to facilitate movement thereof. The exhaust hose  16  comprises a first end  27  and a second end  29 , wherein the first end  27  is connected to the exhaust port disposed on the second lateral side  15  of the housing  28 . The perimeter of the first end  27  is sealed around the exhaust port to prevent any air leakage therefrom. 
         [0033]    The second end  29  of the exhaust hose  16  comprises a tip  21  that is flat in structural configuration, so that it may be held or wedged between the window and the vehicle door frame. In this way, the tip  21  can release hot air produced from the interior of the housing  28  to the outdoors. Additionally, the second end  29  of the exhaust hose  16  comprises one or more suction cups  22  attached thereto. The suction cups  22  may be attached to the exhaust hose  16  via a strap or the like. The suction cups  22  help to secure the second end  29  of the exhaust hose  16  to the window and prevent the exhaust hose  16  from slipping or falling down. Optionally, the exhaust hose  16  may include a warning indicator to alert the user of the heated air that is blown from the tip  21 . 
         [0034]    The housing  28  may further comprise a strap system so as to secure the present invention to a back of a vehicle seat. The strap system comprises a first strap  30  and a second strap  31 . The straps  30 ,  31  may be composed of durable material such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, leather, or other suitable material. The first strap  30  comprises a proximal end that is attached to the back side of the housing  28 , and a free distal end  32 . Similarly, the second strap  31  comprises a proximal end  36  that is attached to the front side  14  of the housing  28 , and a free distal end  33 . The proximal ends of the straps  30 ,  31  may be attached to the front side  14  and the back side of the housing  28  via a fastener  37  such as a screw. The distal end  32  of the first strap  30  may comprise a buckle  34 , which can engage one of the apertures  35  disposed near the distal end  33  of the second strap  31 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the distal end  32  of the first strap  30  may comprise hook fasteners  38 , which can engage loop fasteners  39  disposed on the distal end  33  of the second strap  31 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the air conditioning unit of the present invention. The housing  28  of the air conditioning unit  11  comprises an outer layer  45  and an inner layer  46 . The outer layer  45  comprises ceramic heat insulation and the inner layer  46  comprises a thermoelectric cooling module adapted to produce heated or cooled air, wherein the thermoelectric cooling module spans the entire surface area of the inner layer  46 . Preferably, the outer layer  45  is substantially coextensive with the inner layer  46 . Additionally, the outer layer  45  and the inner layer  46  form a channel  51  in the interior volume of the housing  28 . The channel  51  provides access to the outlet port  48  disposed on the top side of the housing  28  and to the inlet port  47  disposed on the bottom side of the housing  28 . 
         [0036]    The thermoelectric cooling module of the inner layer  46  comprises a cool side, a hot side, and a plurality of metal conductors and thermoelectric N, P elements therebetween. The cool side and the hot side comprise ceramic plates. The cool side faces the interior of the housing  28  and the hot side faces the outer layer  45  of the housing  28 . Thus, heat is absorbed from the cool side in the interior of the housing  28 , then transmitted to the hot side. The cool side comprises a plurality of aluminum plates  50  perpendicularly attached thereto. As such, the aluminum plate protrudes toward the interior of the housing  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the aluminum plates  50  are rectangular in shape and are separated at regular intervals so as to cool the air in a uniform manner. Each aluminum plate comprises a plurality of apertures thereon to allow air to pass therethrough. Because the aluminum plates have good thermal conductance to provide heat transfer with minimal resistance, the aluminum plates  50  increase the efficiency of the device by facilitating in cooling or heating the air within the channel  51 . 
         [0037]    The inlet port  47  comprises a two-speed fan  43  therein. The fan speed may be determined via the fan speed control switch disposed on the exterior of the housing  28 . The fan  43  is adapted to force the heated or cooled air through the channel  51  and exit through the outlet ports  48 . In some embodiments, the inlet port  47  may further comprise an air filter to eliminate any debris before the air is directed toward the outlet port  48  connected to the air duct hose  17 . The filter may be in a form of pleated fibrous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. 
         [0038]    The heat generated from the energy spent to cool the air may be released through the exhaust port connected to the exhaust pipe. Alternatively, the heat may be released through the inlet port  47  or cooled within the interior of the housing as the heat travels through the channel  51 . Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention may not comprise an exhaust port. Any condensation or moisture formed within the interior of the housing may be released through an opening disposed on the bottom side of the housing, wherein the opening may be closed or opened via a plug  44 . 
         [0039]    It is contemplated that the present invention may be powered externally via a vehicle battery or a solar panel connected thereto. Accordingly, the housing  28  comprises a plurality of power cords and plugs  23 ,  24 , wherein the power cords and plugs  23 ,  24  are in electrically connected to the thermoelectric cooling module and the fan  43 . In other embodiments, however, the present invention may be powered internally via a battery. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a view of the present invention as placed inside of a vehicle. The device is placed inside of a vehicle, such as the area behind the front seat of the vehicle, or the area behind the center console. The housing  28  may be secured to the front seat  40  or to the center console, and remain secured thereto via straps  31 . The outlet ports direct air through the air duct hoses which can be disposed in the front of the vehicle so as to provide heated or cooled air to the driver and passenger. The tip  21  of the exhaust hose  16  may be extended toward the window  42 , and wedged between the window  42  and the vehicle door frame  41 . The tip  21  of the exhaust hose  16  should face outward to direct hot air produced from the device to the outdoors. Additionally, the suction cups  22  may be placed on the window  42  to prevent the exhaust hose  16  from falling off of its place. Releasing hot air to the outdoors increases the efficiency of the present invention by maintaining cool temperature inside of the vehicle. 
         [0041]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0042]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.