Auxiliary Coolant Loop HVAC System for Compact Vehicle Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Auxiliary HVAC systems in vehicles have a large footprint, making it difficult to accommodate seating arrangements and other features in larger vehicles while providing effective heating and cooling, especially in limited space.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle HVAC system incorporating a refrigerant loop, a coolant loop, and an auxiliary coolant loop with a pump, heat exchangers, and flow control valves to minimize the system's size and allow for flexible zone-specific heating and cooling, using a pump and flow control valves to regulate coolant temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional auxiliary HVAC system is positioned within the passenger compartment, then heating and cooling functions are provided, but the system occupies excessive space limiting seating arrangements and other features
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC system is divided into multiple independent zones, each with its own heat exchanger and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to provide heating and cooling to specific areas without requiring a large centralized unit, thereby reducing the overall footprint while maintaining adaptability for various seating arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary coolant loop serves multiple functions: it provides heating and cooling for passenger compartments, cools temperature-critical components like battery packs, and enables spot heating/cooling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, minimizing space occupation while increasing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an extensive duct system is used to distribute conditioned air to multiple rows, then multi-zone conditioning is achieved, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passenger compartment is divided into multiple thermal zones, each equipped with its own heat exchanger and control system. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive ductwork to distribute conditioned air across multiple rows, as each zone independently conditions its own space, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining multi-zone capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary coolant loop acts as an intermediary medium, transferring thermal energy directly to multiple heat exchangers positioned throughout the passenger compartment. This intermediary approach replaces the need for complex air distribution ducts, simplifying the system while enabling multi-zone conditioning through direct coolant-to-air heat exchange at various locations.
3Reliability
If larger heat exchangers are used to provide full passenger compartment heating and cooling, then comprehensive climate control is achieved, but the package size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one or two large heat exchangers, the system employs multiple smaller heat exchangers distributed throughout the passenger compartment. Each heat exchanger serves a specific zone, collectively providing comprehensive climate control coverage while maintaining a compact overall package size that fits within available space.
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
The system achieves efficient heating and cooling with a minimal footprint, enabling flexible zone control, shorter duct runs, and reduced energy consumption, while accommodating temperature-critical components like battery packs.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for moving a coolant, within the auxiliary coolant loop, through a first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger positioned within the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 3
a flow control valve for controlling a flow of coolant to the third heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for heating and cooling a passenger compartment. The HVAC system includes a refrigerant loop and a coolant loop, and an auxiliary coolant loop for heating and cooling at least a portion of the passenger compartment. The auxiliary coolant loop includes a pump for moving a coolant, within the auxiliary coolant loop, through a first heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant loop via an expansion device, a second heat exchanger positioned within the passenger compartment, and a third heat exchanger coupled to the coolant loop. A flow control valve controls a flow of coolant to the third heat exchanger. The temperature of the coolant within the auxiliary coolant loop is controlled utilizing the flow valve and the pump. The first and third heat exchangers may be in parallel for controlling the movement of coolant there between to control temperature.