Vehicular Air Conditioning Heat Exchange Air Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular air conditioning systems, particularly in eco-friendly electric vehicles, face inefficiencies in heating and cooling performance due to suboptimal heat exchange in air-cooled heat exchangers, which affects passenger compartment comfort and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular air conditioning system with a heat exchange air switching part that directs ambient air, either from the engine room or outdoors, to the air-cooled heat exchanger based on mode state, enhancing heat exchange efficiency by utilizing temperature-differentiated air for cooling and heating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the air-cooled heat exchanger uses ambient air for heat exchange in both air conditioner mode and heat pump mode, then the system structure is simple, but the heat exchange efficiency is suboptimal because it cannot utilize temperature-differentiated air sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the air source selection dynamic rather than fixed. The system includes a switching mechanism that dynamically selects between engine room air and outdoor air as the heat exchange medium based on the operational mode (air conditioner mode or heat pump mode). This dynamic adaptation allows the air-cooled heat exchanger to utilize temperature-differentiated air sources, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency without significantly complicating the overall system structure.
2Loss of energy
If the air-cooled heat exchanger utilizes temperature-differentiated air sources (engine room air or outdoor air), then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of air switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the air-cooled heat exchanger system to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure. The heat exchanger can operate with different air sources (engine room air or outdoor air) depending on the mode, making it a multi-functional component. This approach improves heat exchange efficiency while minimizing the need for separate dedicated heat exchangers for each mode, thereby controlling device complexity.
3Device complexity
If the system uses a single air source for the air-cooled heat exchanger, then the device complexity is low, but the air conditioning efficiency and heat pump efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by optimizing the air source selection for specific local conditions and operational modes. In air conditioner mode, the system selects outdoor air as the heat exchange medium, while in heat pump mode, it selects engine room air. This localized optimization of air source quality for each operational context improves air conditioning efficiency and heat pump efficiency without requiring a completely complex multi-source system architecture.
4Ease of operation
If the air-cooled heat exchanger operates without mode-based air source switching, then the system is simpler to control, but the heating/cooling performance of the passenger compartment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the feedback principle by implementing a control mechanism that automatically selects the appropriate air source based on the operational mode (air conditioner mode or heat pump mode). The system receives feedback about the current mode and automatically adjusts the air source selection accordingly, improving heating/cooling performance without requiring complex manual control. The control system seamlessly manages the switching between different air sources based on real-time operational conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly improves the heat exchange efficiency of the air-cooled heat exchanger, enhancing both air conditioning and heat pump efficiencies, leading to improved passenger compartment heating/cooling performance and vehicle fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the air-cooled heat exchanger configured to allow a refrigerant to exchange heat with an ambient air in the air conditioner mode and the heat pump mode
Implementation Method 2
heat having a high temperature is generated in the water-cooled heat exchanger 14 and is transferred to the heater core side cooling water circulation line 20
Implementation Method 3
cold energy having a low temperature is generated in the evaporator 18 and the chillers 19
Implementation Method 4
the evaporator 18 installed on the downstream side of the air conditioner mode expansion valves 17
Implementation Method 5
heat having a high temperature is generated in the water-cooled heat exchanger 14 and is transferred to the heater core side cooling water circulation line 20
Implementation Method 6
the water-cooled heat exchanger 14 of the heat pump side refrigerant circulation line 10, a heater core 24 installed inside a passenger compartment, and a water pump 25 for causing cooling water to circulate between the heater core 24 and the internal flow path 22
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular air conditioning system includes: a heat pump side refrigerant circulation line including a compressor, a water-cooled heat exchanger, a heat pump mode expansion valve, an air-cooled heat exchanger, an air conditioner mode expansion valve and an evaporator, the heat pump side refrigerant circulation line configured to generate cold energy in the evaporator in an air conditioner mode and to generate heat in the water-cooled heat exchanger in a heat pump mode, the air-cooled heat exchanger configured to allow a refrigerant to exchange heat with an ambient air in the air conditioner mode and the heat pump mode; and a heat exchange air switching part configured to switch the type of the air heat-exchanged in the air-cooled heat exchanger depending on the air conditioner mode or the heat pump mode.