Combined cooling and heating system for vehicle-mounted space
By combining heating and cooling systems with carbon dioxide heat pump units and water circulation units, the problem of integrating heating, cooling and hot water functions in the vehicle space has been solved, achieving efficient resource utilization and improved user comfort.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGSU JINTONG LINGGUANG NUCLEAR ENERGY TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the heating, cooling, and hot water supply functions of vehicle space are not effectively integrated, resulting in low resource utilization efficiency.
Design a combined cooling and heating system that uses a carbon dioxide heat pump unit and a water circulation unit. The system achieves cooling, heating and domestic hot water heating functions through the state switching of a four-way reversing valve, and provides a bypass through an electric three-way valve to flexibly control the heat distribution.
It enables the simultaneous provision of cooling, heating, and domestic hot water within the vehicle space, improving resource utilization efficiency and user comfort.
Smart Images
Figure CN224256405U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology, and in particular to a combined heating and cooling system for vehicle interiors. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of society and the economy, the use of motorhomes as a new mode of travel and tourism is becoming increasingly popular. Whether it's a bicycle motorhome or a towed caravan, it possesses essential home-like facilities such as bedding, kitchen equipment, and a bathroom, allowing people to experience the comfort of home while traveling and enhancing the quality of their trip. Understandably, heating, cooling, and hot water are also basic functions that a motorhome space needs to have. Utility Model Content
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a combined cooling and heating system for vehicle interiors, which can heat domestic water while providing cooling or heating for the vehicle interior.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a combined cooling and heating system for vehicle space, comprising: a heat pump unit, including a compressor, a condenser, a throttling valve, and an evaporator; the condenser having a first branch and a second branch for heat exchange between refrigerant and heat transfer water; and the evaporator having a third branch and a fourth branch for heat exchange between refrigerant and heat transfer water; the compressor, the first branch, the throttling valve, and the third branch being sequentially fluidly connected and forming a heat pump circuit for refrigerant circulation. The water circulation unit includes an indoor heat exchanger, a first four-way reversing valve, a first water pump, a second four-way reversing valve, a second water pump, a water-side heat exchanger for exchanging heat between heat transfer water and domestic hot water, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The first four-way reversing valve has a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port. The second four-way reversing valve has a fifth port, a sixth port, a seventh port, and an eighth port. The eighth port, the indoor heat exchanger, and the first port are sequentially fluidly connected. The sixth port,... The outdoor heat exchanger and the third interface are sequentially fluidly connected; the second interface, the fourth branch, and the fifth interface are sequentially fluidly connected and form a cooling path for the flow of heat transfer water, and the first water pump is configured on the cooling path and limits the flow of heat transfer water to the fifth interface; the fourth interface, the second branch, the water-side heat exchanger, and the seventh interface are sequentially fluidly connected and form a heating path for the flow of heat transfer water, and the second water pump is configured on the heating path and limits the flow of heat transfer water to the seventh interface; wherein, the first four-way reversing valve has a first state of connecting the first interface and the second interface and connecting the third interface and the fourth interface, and a second state of connecting the first interface and the fourth interface and connecting the second interface and the third interface; the second four-way reversing valve has a third state of connecting the fifth interface and the sixth interface and connecting the seventh interface and the eighth interface, and a fourth state of connecting the fifth interface and the eighth interface and connecting the sixth interface and the seventh interface.
[0005] In the above technical solution, preferably, the heat pump unit further includes a gas-liquid separator disposed between the fourth branch and the compressor.
[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the water circulation unit further includes an electric three-way valve, which includes a first inlet fluidly connected to the second branch, a first outlet fluidly connected to the water-side heat exchanger, and a second outlet fluidly connected to the seventh interface. The electric three-way valve has a heating state that connects the first inlet and the first outlet, and a bypass state that connects the first inlet and the second outlet.
[0007] In the above technical solution, preferably, the water-side heat exchanger includes a housing defining an inner cavity and a heat exchange coil located in the inner cavity, the heat exchange coil being located on the heating path.
[0008] In the above technical solution, preferably, a clean water tank and several heat-using devices are arranged in the vehicle space, and the clean water tank, the water-side heat exchanger and the several heat-using devices are in sequential fluid communication.
[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the heat pump unit is a carbon dioxide heat pump.
[0010] This invention provides a combined cooling and heating system for vehicle interiors. The system utilizes a heat pump unit for heat transfer while simultaneously providing both cooling and heating. Furthermore, by switching the states of the first and second four-way reversing valves, the indoor unit can be selectively connected to either the second branch of the condenser or the fourth branch of the evaporator, thereby providing cooling or heating to the interior. Additionally, some heat from the condenser can be used to heat domestic hot water. Attached Figure Description
[0011] Figure 1 The combined cooling and heating system provided by this utility model Figure 1 Among them, the first four-way reversing valve and the second four-way reversing valve are in the first state and the fourth state, respectively;
[0012] Figure 2 The combined cooling and heating system provided by this utility model Figure 2 Among them, the first four-way reversing valve and the second four-way reversing valve are in the second state and the third state, respectively.
[0013] The image is labeled as follows:
[0014] 100. Combined cooling and heating system;
[0015] 11. Compressor; 12. Condenser; 13. Expansion valve; 14. Evaporator; 15. Gas-liquid separator;
[0016] 21. Indoor heat exchanger; 22. First four-way reversing valve; 23. First water pump; 24. Second four-way reversing valve; 25. Second water pump; 26. Water-side heat exchanger; 261. Heat exchange coil; 27. Outdoor heat exchanger; 28. Electric three-way valve;
[0017] 31. Clean water tank; 32. Heating equipment. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To explain in detail the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives and effects of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019] In this application, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” and “side” (e.g., as in a “sidewall”) are used to describe the relationship between one element and another (other) element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” another element or feature would then be positioned “above” said other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), thus interpreting the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein accordingly.
[0020] In this application, the term "fluid connectivity" refers to the existence of a fluid path between one fluid space (such as the internal space of a water tank, pipe, or pump) and another fluid space, allowing fluid to flow between them. It is understood that "fluid connectivity" in this application includes both direct communication between two fluid spaces and communication via several third fluid spaces. Furthermore, in this application, "fluid connectivity" refers to a simplified description of fluid connectivity between the internal fluid spaces of two devices (such as a pump or evaporator).
[0021] In this application, the term "vehicle space" refers to a living space formed inside a motorhome that can meet the basic living needs of the user. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, this application defines the interior of the aforementioned vehicle space as "indoor" and the exterior of the vehicle space as "outdoor" (such as the outside of the motorhome body).
[0022] In this application, the term "heating equipment" refers to equipment that provides hot water or heat to a user to meet the user's daily living needs. Heating equipment includes, but is not limited to, shower heads, faucets, bathtubs, etc.
[0023] See Figure 1-2 This utility model provides a combined cooling and heating system 100 for vehicle interiors, which can provide cooling, heating, and / or domestic hot water for the vehicle interior. Specifically, the combined cooling and heating system 100 includes a heat pump unit that can simultaneously provide cooling and heating, and a water circulation unit that can heat domestic hot water for the vehicle interior while providing cooling or heating.
[0024] The heat pump unit includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, a throttling valve 13, and an evaporator 14. The condenser 12 has a first branch (not shown in the figure) and a second branch (not shown in the figure) for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer water. The evaporator 14 has a third branch (not shown in the figure) and a fourth branch (not shown in the figure) for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer water. The compressor 11, the first branch of the condenser 12, the throttling valve 13, and the third branch of the evaporator 14 are sequentially fluidly connected, forming a heat pump circuit for refrigerant circulation.
[0025] The compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant fluid with a certain degree of superheat into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant fluid, and provides the power for the refrigerant to circulate in the heat pump circuit; the condenser 12 allows the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat transfer water, so that some of the heat of the refrigerant is transferred to the heat transfer water and condenses; the throttling valve 13 can reduce the fluid pressure of the refrigerant through the throttling effect; finally, the evaporator 14 allows the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant to absorb the heat of the heat transfer water and vaporize.
[0026] Furthermore, considering that the refrigerant may not be completely vaporized in the evaporator 14 in this embodiment (see below), in order to avoid liquid slugging in the compressor 11 (i.e., the phenomenon of uncompressible liquid refrigerant hitting the compressor piston or inner cylinder under high pressure), this embodiment also provides a gas-liquid separator 15 between the evaporator 14 and the compressor 11 to absorb the refrigerant that is in a liquid state before the compressor 11 inlet.
[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the refrigerant of the heat pump unit is carbon dioxide fluid (i.e., the heat pump unit is a carbon dioxide heat pump). This type of heat pump unit has many advantages, such as strong environmental friendliness (global warming potential GWP is only 1), stable chemical properties (non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-explosive), wide operating temperature range (-40℃ to 120℃), and high energy efficiency ratio (COP can reach 4.0 or above), making it particularly suitable for vehicle-mounted spaces with a wide range of environmental conditions.
[0028] Continue reading Figure 1-2 The water circulation unit includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, a first four-way reversing valve 22, a first water pump 23, a second four-way reversing valve 24, a second water pump 25, a water-side heat exchanger 26, and an outdoor heat exchanger 27, which is located outdoors.
[0029] The indoor heat exchanger 21 supplies heat transfer water for heat exchange with the indoor air, and is equipped with an indoor fan (not shown in the figure). Understandably, when the temperature of the heat transfer water is higher than the indoor air temperature, the heat transfer water provides indoor heating; when the temperature of the heat transfer water is lower than the indoor air temperature, the heat transfer water provides indoor cooling.
[0030] The water-side heat exchanger 26 exchanges heat between the heat transfer water and domestic water to heat the domestic water. The water-side heat exchanger 26 has a heat transfer inlet for the incoming heat transfer water, a heat transfer outlet for the outgoing heat transfer water, a hot water inlet for the incoming domestic water, and a hot water outlet for the outgoing domestic water. The vehicle space also houses a clean water tank 31 and several heat-using devices 32, which are sequentially fluidly connected to each other.
[0031] Furthermore, to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the water-side heat exchanger 26, this embodiment employs a coil-type water-side heat exchanger 26. Specifically, the water-side heat exchanger 26 defines an inner cavity (not shown in the figure) and is equipped with a heat exchange coil 261 located within the inner cavity. The heat transfer inlet and heat transfer outlet are fluidly connected to the heat exchange coil 261, while the hot water inlet and hot water outlet are fluidly connected to the inner cavity.
[0032] The outdoor heat exchanger 27 supplies heat transfer water for heat exchange with outdoor air, and is equipped with an outdoor fan (not shown in the figure). Understandably, when the temperature of the heat transfer water is higher than the outdoor air temperature, the outdoor air can be used as a cold source; when the temperature of the heat transfer water is lower than the outdoor air temperature, the outdoor air can be used as a heat source.
[0033] The first four-way directional valve 22 has a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port. The first four-way directional valve 22 has a first state in which the first port and the second port are connected, and the third port and the fourth port are connected (e.g., ...). Figure 1 ) and the second state where the first and fourth interfaces are connected and the third and second interfaces are connected (e.g. Figure 2 ).
[0034] The second four-way directional control valve 24 has a fifth port, a sixth port, a seventh port, and an eighth port. The second four-way directional control valve has a third state where the fifth and sixth ports are connected, and the seventh and eighth ports are also connected (e.g., ...). Figure 2 ) and the fourth state where the fifth and eighth interfaces are connected and the sixth and seventh interfaces are connected (such as Figure 1 ).
[0035] The eighth port of the second four-way reversing valve 24, the indoor heat exchanger 21, and the first port of the first four-way reversing valve 22 are sequentially fluidly connected to form an indoor unit path for the flow of heat transfer water. The sixth port of the second four-way reversing valve 24, the outdoor heat exchanger 27, and the third port of the first four-way reversing valve 22 are sequentially fluidly connected to form an outdoor unit path for the flow of heat transfer water.
[0036] The second port of the first four-way reversing valve 22, the fourth branch of the evaporator 14, and the fifth port of the second four-way reversing valve 24 are sequentially fluidly connected and form a cooling path for the flow of heat transfer water. The first water pump 23 is disposed on this cooling path to provide flow power for the heat transfer water and to restrict the flow of the heat transfer water toward the fifth port of the second four-way reversing valve 24.
[0037] The fourth port of the first four-way reversing valve 22, the second branch of the condenser 12, the heat transfer inlet of the water-side heat exchanger 26, the heat transfer outlet of the water-side heat exchanger 26, and the seventh port of the second four-way reversing valve 24 are sequentially fluidly connected to form a heating path for the flow of heat transfer water. The second water pump 23 is disposed on this heating path to provide flow power for the heat transfer water and to restrict the flow of the heat transfer water toward the seventh port of the second four-way reversing valve 24.
[0038] Furthermore, this embodiment also includes an electrically operated three-way valve 28, which provides a bypass for the heat transfer water, bypassing the water-side heat exchanger 26, when the user does not need to heat the domestic water. Specifically, the electrically operated three-way valve 28 has a first inlet fluidly connected to the second branch of the condenser 12, a first outlet fluidly connected to the heat transfer inlet of the water-side heat exchanger 26, and a second outlet fluidly connected to the seventh interface of the second four-way reversing valve 24. The electrically operated three-way valve 28 has a heating state with the first inlet and the second outlet connected, and a bypass state with the first inlet and the second outlet connected.
[0039] The following describes several operating modes of the combined cooling and heating system 100.
[0040] See Figure 1 When a user needs to simultaneously cool and heat domestic hot water, the combined cooling and heating system 100 starts the compressor 11, the first water pump 23, the second water pump 25, the indoor heat exchanger 21, and the outdoor heat exchanger 27, and sets the first four-way reversing valve 22, the second four-way reversing valve 24, and the electric three-way valve 28 to the first state, the fourth state, and the heating state, respectively. Thus, the cooling path fluidly connects to the indoor unit path, forming a first loop for the circulating flow of heat transfer water. Within this first loop, the heat transfer water releases heat and its temperature decreases in the evaporator 14, and then absorbs heat and its temperature rises in the indoor heat exchanger 21, thereby providing indoor cooling.
[0041] Meanwhile, the heating path is fluidly connected to the outdoor unit path, forming a second loop for the circulating heat transfer water. Within this second loop, the heat transfer water absorbs heat and its temperature rises in the condenser 12, then releases heat and its temperature drops in the water-side heat exchanger 26, thereby heating the domestic water. The remaining heat from the heat transfer water is discharged to the ambient air via the outdoor heat exchanger 27.
[0042] If the user only needs cooling, the electric three-way valve 28 can be set to bypass mode, while other settings remain unchanged. This allows the heat transfer water in the heating path to bypass the water-side heat exchanger 26, stopping the heating of domestic hot water.
[0043] See Figure 2 When users require simultaneous heating and domestic hot water supply, the combined cooling and heating system 100 activates the compressor 11, the first water pump 23, the second water pump 25, the indoor heat exchanger 21, and the outdoor heat exchanger 27, and sets the first four-way reversing valve 22, the second four-way reversing valve 24, and the electric three-way valve 28 to the second, third, and heating states, respectively. This creates a third loop for circulating heat transfer water, connecting the cooling path to the outdoor unit path. Within this third loop, the heat transfer water releases heat and decreases in temperature in the evaporator 14, then absorbs heat and increases in temperature in the outdoor heat exchanger 27, thus providing heat to the refrigerant in the evaporator 14 (as mentioned earlier, in winter or other conditions with low outdoor temperatures, this heat may not be sufficient to completely vaporize the refrigerant).
[0044] Meanwhile, the heating path is fluidly connected to the indoor unit path, forming a fourth loop for the circulating heat transfer water. Within this fourth loop, the heat transfer water absorbs heat and its temperature rises in the condenser 12, then releases heat and its temperature drops in the water-side heat exchanger 26, thereby heating domestic hot water. The remaining heat from the heat transfer water is then used to heat the indoor air via the indoor heat exchanger 21 to provide heating for the user.
[0045] Similarly, if the user only needs heating, the electric three-way valve 28 can be set to bypass mode, while everything else remains unchanged. In this way, the heat transfer water in the heating path can bypass the water-side heat exchanger 26, stopping the heating of domestic hot water.
[0046] Continue reading Figure 2 When the user only needs domestic hot water, the combined cooling and heating system 100 starts the compressor 11, the first water pump 23, the second water pump 25, and the outdoor heat exchanger 27, and sets the first four-way reversing valve 22, the second four-way reversing valve 24, and the electric three-way valve 28 to the second state, the third state, and the heating state, respectively. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is in a non-operating state (i.e., the convection fan of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is not turned on). Thus, the cooling path fluidly connects to the outdoor unit path, forming a third loop for the heat transfer water to circulate. In this third loop, the heat transfer water releases heat and its temperature drops in the evaporator 14, and then absorbs heat and its temperature rises in the outdoor heat exchanger 27, thereby providing heat for the refrigerant in the evaporator 14.
[0047] Meanwhile, the heating path is fluidly connected to the indoor unit path, forming a fourth loop for the circulating heat transfer water. Within this fourth loop, the heat transfer water absorbs heat and its temperature rises in the condenser 12, then releases heat and its temperature drops in the water-side heat exchanger 26, thereby heating the domestic water. Since the indoor unit is not operating, the heat transfer water does not provide heating to the indoor unit.
[0048] Continue reading Figure 2 In some cases, users can also heat the indoor space by preheating the heat transfer water. Specifically, compressor 11, first water pump 23, and outdoor heat exchanger 27 stop operating (i.e., the heat pump circuit, cooling circuit, and outdoor unit circuit stop operating). First four-way reversing valve 22, second four-way reversing valve 24, and electric three-way valve 28 are respectively set to the second, third, and heating states. Second water pump 25 and indoor heat exchanger 21 are started (i.e., only the heating circuit and indoor unit circuit operate). Thus, the heating path is fluidly connected to the indoor unit path, forming a fourth loop for circulating heat transfer water. Within this fourth loop, the waste heat of the heat transfer water is used to heat the indoor air, thereby providing heating for the user.
[0049] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this application, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this application and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A combined cooling and heating system for vehicle interiors, characterized in that, include: A heat pump unit includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling valve, and an evaporator. The condenser has a first branch and a second branch for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer water. The evaporator has a third branch and a fourth branch for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transfer water. The compressor, the first branch, the throttling valve, and the third branch are sequentially fluidly connected and form a heat pump circuit for refrigerant circulation. and A water circulation unit includes an indoor heat exchanger, a first four-way reversing valve, a first water pump, a second four-way reversing valve, a second water pump, a water-side heat exchanger for heat exchange between domestic water and heat transfer water, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The first four-way reversing valve has a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port; the second four-way reversing valve has a fifth port, a sixth port, a seventh port, and an eighth port. The eighth port, the indoor heat exchanger, and the first port are sequentially fluidly connected; the sixth port, the outdoor heat exchanger, and the third port are sequentially fluidly connected; the second port, the fourth branch, and the fifth port are sequentially fluidly connected, forming a cooling path for heat transfer water flow; the first water pump is positioned on the cooling path and directs the heat transfer water flow towards the fifth port; the fourth port, the second branch, the water-side heat exchanger, and the seventh port are sequentially fluidly connected, forming a heating path for heat transfer water flow; the second water pump is positioned on the heating path and directs the heat transfer water flow towards the seventh port. The first four-way reversing valve has a first state in which the first interface and the second interface are connected and the third interface and the fourth interface are connected, and a second state in which the first interface and the fourth interface are connected and the second interface and the third interface are connected. The second four-way reversing valve has a third state in which the fifth interface and the sixth interface are connected and the seventh interface and the eighth interface are connected, and a fourth state in which the fifth interface and the eighth interface are connected and the sixth interface and the seventh interface are connected.
2. The combined cooling and heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat pump unit also includes a gas-liquid separator disposed between the fourth branch and the compressor.
3. The combined cooling and heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water circulation unit also includes an electric three-way valve, which has a first inlet fluidly connected to the second branch, a first outlet fluidly connected to the water-side heat exchanger, and a second outlet fluidly connected to the seventh interface. The electric three-way valve has a heating state that connects the first inlet and the first outlet, and a bypass state that connects the first inlet and the second outlet.
4. The combined cooling and heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water-side heat exchanger includes a housing defining an inner cavity and a heat exchange coil located within the inner cavity, the heat exchange coil being located on the heating path.
5. The combined cooling and heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle space is equipped with a clean water tank and several heat-using devices, and the clean water tank, the water-side heat exchanger, and the several heat-using devices are sequentially fluidly connected.
6. The combined cooling and heating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat pump unit is a carbon dioxide heat pump.