Air conditioning device for a motor vehicle and method for its operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning devices for motor vehicles suffer from low efficiency in cooling mode due to the permanent assignment of the condenser function to the internal heat exchanger segment on the refrigerant input side, leading to inefficiencies in heat transfer and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves creating a direct connection between the first and second refrigerant line sections via a fourth refrigerant line section, and adding a third expansion valve to allow the refrigerant to bypass the second air/refrigerant heat exchanger segment in cooling mode, enabling the internal heat exchanger segments to operate as evaporators and reducing heating effects, thus enhancing efficiency and flexibility in controlling the refrigerant circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the internal heat exchanger segment on the refrigerant input side is permanently assigned as condenser, then the refrigerant circuit can maintain a simple structure, but the cooling efficiency decreases due to unnecessary heating effects and poor heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the refrigerant circuit configuration adaptable and switchable between different operating modes. The circuit can dynamically reconfigure which heat exchanger segments function as condensers or evaporators based on whether the vehicle requires heating or cooling, eliminating the permanent assignment limitation and optimizing efficiency for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger segments are designed to perform multiple functions - they can operate as either condensers or evaporators depending on the operating mode. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to serve different thermal management needs without requiring separate dedicated components for heating and cooling paths.
2Productivity
If the internal heat exchanger segment operates as condenser in cooling mode, then the structure remains simple, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates causing increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the functional role of heat exchanger segments based on operating conditions. In cooling mode, the segment that would traditionally serve as condenser can be reconfigured to function as evaporator or bypassed, optimizing the thermal path to improve cooling performance while reducing unnecessary energy consumption from counterproductive heating effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a direct bypass connection is added between refrigerant line sections, then the flexibility and efficiency in cooling mode improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circuit is segmented into distinct sections with controllable flow paths. By dividing the circuit into separable segments with individual control capabilities, the system can selectively activate or bypass specific sections based on operating mode, achieving high flexibility through modular architecture rather than a monolithic complex design.
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 increases the efficiency of the air conditioning device in cooling mode by allowing both internal heat exchanger segments to operate as evaporators, reducing energy consumption, and providing greater flexibility in temperature control, while maintaining similar operation in heat pump mode.
Implementation Method 1
a first air/refrigerant heat exchanger segment (21) that is operable as an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 2
a second air/refrigerant heat exchanger segment (22) that is situated upstream from the first expansion valve in the flow direction of the refrigerant, and that is operable as a condenser of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 3
a compressor (34) for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a first expansion valve (41) that is situated upstream from the first air/refrigerant heat exchanger segment in the flow direction of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air-conditioning device for a motor vehicle, comprising a refrigerant circuit (100) including a compressor (34), an indoor heat-exchanger (WÜ) arrangement connected to the outlet of the compressor and comprising a first and a second air/refrigerant-heat exchanger segment (21, 22), a first expansion valve (Exp. valve) (41) arranged therebetween, a second expansion valve (42), and a coupling heat exchanger (23) thermally connected to a heat source or sink, the outlet of which is connected to the inlet of the compressor (34), where the first and the second refrigerant line sections (I/II) are interconnected by means of a fourth refrigerant line section (IV), the inlet of the second air/refrigerant-heat exchanger segment (22) and the outlet of the coupling heat exchanger are interconnected by means of a fifth refrigerant line section (V) which contains a third expansion valve (43), and the outlet of the first air/refrigerant-heat exchanger segment (21) and the inlet of the compressor (34) are interconnected by means of a sixth refrigerant line section (VI).