Testing equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant of vehicle air conditioner

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of test equipment manufacturing, discloses a test equipment system for dynamic leakage of a vehicle air conditioner refrigerant, and aims to solve the problem that an existing device cannot simulate a real dynamic working condition and cannot quantitatively detect the leakage amount of the refrigerant. The system comprises two collection cabins, a cooling water tower, a collection cabin connecting channel, a gas path switching device, a heat tracing sampling / sample returning pipeline, a refrigerant concentration monitoring analyzer and a notebook computer, the two acquisition cabins are connected through the connecting channel, the cooling water tower realizes heat exchange, the heat tracing pipeline is connected with the acquisition cabins and the analyzer through the gas path switching device to form a closed-loop gas path, and the notebook computer completes recording and analysis of test data. The system simulates the real use environment inside and outside a vehicle air-conditioned vehicle through the acquisition cabin, monitors the concentration of a refrigerant in the cabin in real time through the refrigerant concentration monitoring analyzer, calculates the leakage amount according to the net increase of the concentration, can be expanded to be used for analysis and test of volatile organic compounds of automotive upholstery, and is accurate in test data and high in equipment utilization rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of testing equipment manufacturing, and specifically to a testing equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases and are among the fastest-growing types of greenhouse gases in global emissions. Their greenhouse effect is tens to tens of thousands of times that of carbon dioxide, and they have a significant impact on global warming. Therefore, reducing and controlling HFCs has become a key focus of international attention.

[0003] Refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems is a major source of HFCs consumption and emissions. Refrigerant leaks not only cause additional greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating environmental pressures, but also reduce the energy efficiency of automotive air conditioning systems and even affect vehicle safety. Studies show that carbon emissions from refrigerant leakage account for approximately 4% to 8% of the total carbon emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of a vehicle. Therefore, controlling refrigerant leaks in automotive air conditioning systems has become a crucial aspect of achieving low-carbon development in the automotive industry.

[0004] Currently, automotive refrigerant leak detection devices mainly employ methods such as soapy water leak detection, tracer leak detection, halogen lamp leak detection, positive / negative pressure leak detection, helium detector leak detection, leak monitoring based on refrigerant static pressure or evaporator outlet temperature, and static bench testing. These leak detection devices can only detect whether automotive refrigerant leaks, and are only suitable for factory inspection or maintenance inspection of air conditioning products. They cannot simulate the dynamic leakage situation of automotive air conditioning under real operating conditions, nor can they quantitatively analyze the amount of refrigerant leakage during dynamic operation. This makes it difficult to provide accurate experimental data support for the formulation of automotive air conditioning refrigerant leakage limit standards and the research and development of leakage control technologies. The industry urgently needs a testing equipment system that can realize dynamic leakage simulation and quantitative detection of automotive air conditioning refrigerant. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning, so as to realize the detection of dynamic leakage of refrigerant under real operating conditions of automotive air conditioning.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in vehicle air conditioning includes a leakage test acquisition chamber A, a leakage test acquisition chamber B, a cooling water tower, a connection channel between the acquisition chambers, a gas path switching device, a heat tracing sampling pipeline, a heat tracing return sampling pipeline, a refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument, and a laptop computer. The A leakage test acquisition chamber and the B leakage test acquisition chamber are connected by the acquisition chamber connection channel; The cooling tower is connected to the A leakage test data collection chamber and the B leakage test data collection chamber respectively; One end of the heat tracing sampling pipeline is connected to the sampling ports of the A leak test sampling chamber and the B leak test sampling chamber, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument through the gas path switching device. One end of the heat-traced return sample pipeline is connected to the outlet of the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument, and the other end is connected to the return sample ports of the A leakage test collection chamber and the B leakage test collection chamber through the gas path switching device. The laptop computer is connected to the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument for data recording and analysis.

[0007] The principle and advantages of this solution are as follows: In practical applications, two tightly connected sealed leakage test acquisition chambers are used to simulate the temperature environment outside and inside the car air conditioner. Gas samples are input into the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument through a heated sampling pipeline for real-time automatic concentration analysis. Based on the net increase in refrigerant concentration in the sealed acquisition chamber of the leakage test, the leakage amount of the automotive air conditioning refrigerant is determined. This solves the problems of existing technologies being unable to simulate real dynamic working conditions, unable to quantitatively detect leakage in real time, and having low efficiency in test data processing.

[0008] Preferably, as an improvement, the internal volume of both the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber is greater than 3 m³, and they have the same function; both the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber include a gas mixing and purging device, a temperature adjustment and recording device, a pressure compensation and recording device, a control panel, an observation window, an internal power socket, and a data transmission interface.

[0009] Technical benefits: It facilitates the actual installation and operation of automotive air conditioning components by providing a suitable space.

[0010] Preferably, as an improvement, the inner wall material of the A leakage test collection chamber and the B leakage test collection chamber is a material that has been passivated, coated, or electropolished.

[0011] Technical benefits: The material is impermeable to refrigerant, does not react chemically with refrigerant, and can minimize the adsorption of refrigerant, avoiding refrigerant loss caused by the chamber itself, preventing data deviation during the test, and ensuring the accuracy of leakage calculation.

[0012] Preferably, as an improvement, the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument adopts a Fourier transform infrared gas analyzer, including an infrared light source, a beam splitter, an interferometer, a gas cell, a detector, a purging device, and control and analysis software.

[0013] Technical benefits: It facilitates high-precision, real-time detection of refrigerant concentration; the purging device avoids interference from impurities in the detection results; and the supporting control and analysis software facilitates rapid processing of concentration data, providing accurate and reliable concentration data support for quantitative calculation of leakage.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, the collection chamber connection channel adopts a detachable or cut-off structure, and the collection chamber connection channel provides a shuttle channel for the vehicle air conditioning pipeline.

[0015] Technical benefits: It facilitates the provision of a reasonable channel for the cross-compartment piping connection of vehicle air conditioning, ensuring that the two compartments form a closed-loop simulated environment, and also allows for the independent separation of the two compartments by disassembly or disconnection, enabling each compartment to be used as an independent gas sample collection compartment, thereby expanding the equipment's functionality and improving its utilization rate.

[0016] Preferably, as an improvement, the gas path switching device is sealed and leak-free, and is used to flexibly switch between the heat-traced sampling pipeline and the heat-traced return sampling pipeline between the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber.

[0017] Technical benefits: The sealed and leak-free design avoids refrigerant leakage during gas path switching, preventing distortion of test data; the flexible gas path switching facilitates independent monitoring of refrigerant concentration in the two compartments, accurately acquiring refrigerant leakage data under different environments outside and inside the vehicle, meeting the testing and detection needs of multiple scenarios.

[0018] Preferably, as an improvement, it also includes a pressure compensation bag and a pressure balancing passage. The pressure compensation bag is connected to the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber respectively through the pressure balancing passage, so that the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber form an isobaric environment. The A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber also include a tri-color light, a door lock, a door hinge, a gas spring, a water drip tray, an aviation socket, a circulating filter, a humidity sensor, a centrifugal fan, and a magnetic motor.

[0019] Technical benefits: The pressure compensation structure maintains an equal pressure environment between the two compartments, replicating the actual operating pressure conditions of a vehicle air conditioner and eliminating the impact of pressure deviation on the leak test; the supporting components realize the safety protection, environmental monitoring, and gas circulation filtration functions of the compartment, further optimizing the test environment and improving the integrity, safety, and reliability of the test system and test data.

[0020] Preferably, as an improvement, the A leakage test collection chamber is used to install front engine compartment components, including the condenser, compressor and fan of the vehicle air conditioner, and the B leakage test collection chamber is used to install the evaporator and controller of the vehicle air conditioner.

[0021] Technical effect: The components are installed in compartments according to the actual vehicle air conditioner installation layout, which maximizes the reproduction of the actual assembly and operation of the vehicle air conditioner, avoids the deviation of leakage pattern caused by the difference in installation layout, and makes the test results more consistent with the actual use situation.

[0022] Preferably, as an improvement, the gas path switching device and the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument are integrated in the same analysis cabinet, and the laptop computer can be integrated into the analysis cabinet.

[0023] Technical benefits: It achieves integrated gas path control, concentration detection, data recording and analysis, simplifies equipment layout, reduces equipment space occupation, and realizes linkage control of various components, improving the convenience of experimental operation and the continuity of experimental process, and reducing human operation error. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the vehicle air conditioning refrigerant dynamic leakage test equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 The images show front views of the leakage test collection chambers A and B of this invention. Figure 3 These are rear views of the leakage test collection chamber A and the leakage test collection chamber B of this invention. Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the vehicle air conditioning refrigerant dynamic leakage test data collection chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: A. Leakage test collection chamber 1; B. Leakage test collection chamber 2; Refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3; Cooling tower 4; Collection chamber connection channel 5; Gas path switching device 6; Heat tracing sampling pipeline 7; Heat tracing return sampling pipeline 8; Laptop computer 9; Industrial water 10; Cooling water pipe 11; Pressure compensation bag 12; Pressure balance passage 13; Three-color light 14; Door lock 15; Door hinge 16; Control panel 17; Circuit breaker 18; Observation window 19; Door handle 20; Door 21; Gas spring 22; Sampling port and return sampling port 23; Water tray 24; Aviation socket and data transmission interface 25; Dedicated interface for collection chamber connection 26; Insulation chamber 27; Circulation filter 28; Humidity sensor 29; Centrifugal fan 30; Magnetic motor 31. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method: The basic implementation examples are as follows: Figure 1 As shown: A test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in vehicle air conditioning includes: A leakage test acquisition chamber 1, B leakage test acquisition chamber 2, refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3, cooling water tower 4, acquisition chamber connection channel 5, gas path switching device 6, heat tracing sampling pipeline 7, heat tracing return sampling pipeline 8, and laptop computer 9.

[0027] The A leakage test collection chamber 1 and the B leakage test collection chamber 2 are connected by the collection chamber connection channel 5 to form a closed-loop sealed collection environment, which is used to simulate the external environment and internal environment of the car, and provides a shuttle channel for the car air conditioning pipes.

[0028] The collection chamber connection channel 5 adopts a detachable or cut-off structure, which can effectively isolate the two leakage test collection chambers without reducing the airtightness of the equipment. When the collection chamber connection channel 5 is disassembled, leakage test collection chamber A 1 and leakage test collection chamber B 2 can be used as independent gas sample collection chambers, expanding the sampling of volatile organic compounds for interior parts such as car seats.

[0029] Both the A-leakage test collection chamber 1 and the B-leakage test collection chamber 2 have an internal volume greater than 3 m³. They have the same function, but their internal volume and dimensions may differ. Both the A-leakage test collection chamber 1 and the B-leakage test collection chamber 2 include a gas mixing and purging device, a temperature regulation and recording device, a pressure compensation and recording device, a control panel, an observation window, an internal power socket, and a data transmission interface. The gas mixing and purging device uses one or more fans, and the temperature regulation device includes a centrifugal fan, a temperature regulation channel, a controller, a heat exchanger, and a sensor.

[0030] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2 also include a pressure compensation bag 12 and a pressure balancing passage 13. The pressure compensation bag 12 is connected to the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2 respectively through the pressure balancing passage 13, so that the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2 form an isobaric environment, so as to keep the vehicle air conditioner in the same atmospheric pressure environment throughout the leak test process. The pressure compensation bag 12 is placed at the rear or side of the leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber 2.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the A leak test collection chamber 1 and B leak test collection chamber 2 also include a tri-color light 14, a door lock 15, a door hinge 16, a control panel 17, a circuit breaker 18, an observation window 19, a door handle 20, a door 21, a gas spring 22, a sampling port and a return port 23, a water tray 24, an aviation socket and a data transmission interface 25, a dedicated interface for connecting the collection chamber 26, an insulated chamber 27 (containing an air pressure compensation bag 12, an exhaust valve, etc.), a circulating filter 28, a humidity sensor 29, a centrifugal fan 30, and a magnetic motor 31.

[0032] The inner walls of the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2 are made of materials that are impermeable to refrigerant, do not react with refrigerant, and must minimize refrigerant adsorption. They also undergo surface treatments such as passivation, coating, and polishing. In this embodiment, the inner walls of the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2 are made of electropolished stainless steel.

[0033] The cooling tower 4 is connected to the A leakage test collection chamber 1 and the B leakage test collection chamber 2 respectively through a set of cooling water pipes 11. The cooling tower 4 is filled with industrial water 10 to remove the heat discharged by the collection chamber and realize heat exchange.

[0034] One end of the heat-tracing sampling pipeline 7 is connected to the sampling ports of the A leakage test sampling chamber 1 and the B leakage test sampling chamber 2, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3 through the gas path switching device 6.

[0035] The refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3 employs a Fourier transform infrared gas analyzer. The instrument includes an infrared light source, beam splitter, interferometer, gas cell, detector, purging device, and control and analysis software. One end of the heated sample return pipeline 8 is connected to the outlet of the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3, and the other end is connected to the sample return ports of the A leak test acquisition chamber 1 and the B leak test acquisition chamber 2 via the gas path switching device 6.

[0036] The gas path switching device 6 is airtight and is used to flexibly switch between the heated sampling pipeline 7 and the heated return sampling pipeline 8 between the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2, facilitating the analysis of the refrigerant concentration of the gas in the A leak test collection chamber 1 and the B leak test collection chamber 2. In this embodiment, the gas path switching device 6 can be integrated with the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3 and the laptop computer 9 to form an analysis cabinet.

[0037] The laptop computer 9 is connected to the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3 for data recording and analysis.

[0038] The specific implementation process is as follows: 1) According to the assembly drawings of the vehicle air conditioner, install the front engine compartment components, including the condenser, compressor and fan of the vehicle air conditioner, in the A leakage test collection chamber 1. Install the evaporator, controller and other components of the vehicle air conditioner in the B leakage test collection chamber 2. Pass the refrigerant aluminum pipe of the vehicle air conditioner through the collection chamber connection channel 5 to complete the assembly and connection of the entire vehicle air conditioner, and charge the refrigerant according to the rated charging amount.

[0039] 2) Turn on the temperature control device and cooling tower 4, and set the temperature change trends of leakage test collection chamber 1 (A) and leakage test collection chamber 2 (B) according to the preset temperature change table to simulate the external and internal environments of the car.

[0040] 3) Once the temperature reaches the standard requirement, turn on the vehicle air conditioner compressor to start the vehicle air conditioner, and simultaneously monitor the concentration changes in the two collection chambers through the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument 3; 4) After the leakage test procedure is completed, the annual leakage amount of the vehicle air conditioning refrigerant is obtained by calculating the cumulative refrigerant mass in Leak Test Collection Chamber 1 (A) and Leak Test Collection Chamber 2 (B) and converting the method.

[0041] This invention uses two connectable, sealed leakage test chambers to simulate the external and internal temperature environments of an air-conditioned vehicle, enabling real-time collection and monitoring analysis of refrigerant leakage in automotive air conditioning systems under dynamic operating conditions. This allows for the determination of refrigerant leakage under different usage scenarios. It is also applicable to the sampling and quantitative analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in automotive interior components such as car seats.

[0042] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge such as specific technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solutions of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning, characterized in that, It includes a leak test acquisition chamber A, a leak test acquisition chamber B, a cooling tower, a connection channel between the acquisition chambers, a gas path switching device, a heat-traced sampling pipeline, a heat-traced return sampling pipeline, a refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument, and a laptop computer; The A leakage test acquisition chamber and the B leakage test acquisition chamber are connected by the acquisition chamber connection channel; The cooling tower is connected to the A leakage test data collection chamber and the B leakage test data collection chamber respectively; One end of the heat tracing sampling pipeline is connected to the sampling ports of the A leak test sampling chamber and the B leak test sampling chamber, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument through the gas path switching device. One end of the heat-traced return sampling pipeline is connected to the outlet of the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument, and the other end is connected to the return sampling ports of the A leakage test collection chamber and the B leakage test collection chamber through the gas path switching device. The laptop computer is connected to the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument for data recording and analysis.

2. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of automotive air conditioning refrigerant according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber have an internal volume greater than 3 m³ and have the same function. Both the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber include a gas mixing and purging device, a temperature adjustment and recording device, a pressure compensation and recording device, a control panel, an observation window, an internal power socket, and a data transmission interface.

3. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner walls of the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber are made of materials that have undergone passivation, coating, or electropolishing treatment.

4. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument is a Fourier transform infrared gas analyzer, which includes an infrared light source, a beam splitter, an interferometer, a gas cell, a detector, a purging device, and control and analysis software.

5. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data collection compartment connection channel adopts a detachable or cut-off structure, and the data collection compartment connection channel provides a shuttle channel for vehicle air conditioning pipes.

6. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas path switching device is sealed and leak-free, and is used to flexibly switch between the heat-traced sampling pipeline and the heat-traced return sampling pipeline between the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber.

7. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure compensation bag and a pressure balancing passage. The pressure compensation bag is connected to the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber respectively through the pressure balancing passage, so that the A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber form an isobaric environment. The A leak test collection chamber and the B leak test collection chamber also include a tri-color light, a door lock, a door hinge, a gas spring, a water drip tray, an aviation socket, a circulating filter, a humidity sensor, a centrifugal fan, and a magnetic motor.

8. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 7, characterized in that: The A leak test collection chamber is used to install front engine compartment components, including the condenser, compressor, and fan of the vehicle air conditioner. The B leak test collection chamber is used to install the evaporator and controller of the vehicle air conditioner.

9. The test equipment system for dynamic leakage of refrigerant in automotive air conditioning according to claim 8, characterized in that: The gas path switching device and the refrigerant concentration monitoring and analysis instrument are integrated in the same analysis cabinet, and the laptop computer can be integrated into the analysis cabinet.

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