Vehicle AC Compressor Protection Using Estimated Discharge Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems in vehicles face damage due to excessive compressor operation or refrigerant deficits, with increased manufacturing costs associated with using sensors to prevent damage.

Innovation Solution

A device that estimates refrigerant discharge pressure using predetermined vehicle and air conditioning system information, and employs a dual pressure switch and operation controller to determine whether to drive the compressor, eliminating the need for a specific sensor and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is used to measure refrigerant discharge pressure to prevent compressor damage, then the reliability of the air conditioning system is improved, but the manufacturing cost of the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair conditioning system protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the pressure sensor function through software estimation. The pressure estimator uses a discharge pressure estimation map and vehicle information to generate an estimation discharge pressure that replicates the functionality of a physical pressure sensor without requiring actual hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining system protection capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensor system with an information processing system. Instead of using physical sensors to detect pressure, the system uses an operation controller that receives vehicle information and air conditioning system information, processes this data through estimation algorithms, and generates control decisions based on the estimated pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the compressor is stopped when refrigerant discharge pressure exceeds allowable range to prevent damage, then the reliability of the air conditioning system is improved, but the productivity of the air conditioning system decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor protectionVSAvoidair conditioning operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using the accumulated number of times of transmitting the cutting-off request signal as a threshold-based control mechanism. Instead of stopping the compressor at every single pressure excursion, the system allows operation to continue until a threshold is reached, enabling partial operation that balances protection with productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action through the operation controller determining whether to allow the compressor to be driven based on estimated pressure conditions before actual damage occurs. The system proactively monitors vehicle information and air conditioning system information to predict pressure conditions and preventively control compressor operation, avoiding reactive shutdowns after damage occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250018766A1Device for protecting an air conditioning system of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A device protects a vehicle air conditioning system and includes a pressure estimator to estimate a compressor refrigerant discharge pressure based on predetermined vehicle and air conditioning system information. The device includes a pressure switch to selectively transmit a cutting-off request signal for cutting off driving of the compressor depending on the compressor refrigerant discharge pressure. The device includes a controller to determine whether to allow the compressor to be driven based on the estimation discharge pressure determined by the pressure estimator and whether the pressure switch has transmitted a cutting-off request signal.