Battery Thermal Conditioning Exchanger With Refrigerant Bypass Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems for motor vehicles are bulky and complex, requiring separate systems for cooling and heating battery packs, which complicates temperature regulation and increases space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compact temperature control device within the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system that uses a compressor, condenser, expansion members, and a thermal conditioning exchanger with bypass branches and control valves to switch between cooling and heating modes, allowing the same exchanger to handle both functions without additional heating devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling and heating systems are used for battery packs, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conditioning exchanger is designed to perform both cooling and heating functions using the same refrigerating fluid circuit. By switching the flow path through control valves, the exchanger can operate in cooling mode (refrigerating fluid flows through condenser then exchanger) or heating mode (refrigerating fluid bypasses condenser and flows directly to exchanger), eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling and heating systems into a single integrated temperature control device. The refrigerating fluid circuit, compressor, condenser, expansion member, and thermal conditioning exchanger are combined into one system that can deliver both cooling and heating functions, reducing overall system complexity and component count.
2Temperature
If additional heating devices are incorporated in battery pack housing, then battery heating capability is improved, but device bulkiness and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conditioning exchanger serves dual purposes: cooling the battery when refrigerating fluid flows through the condenser-path, and heating the battery when refrigerating fluid bypasses the condenser and flows directly to the exchanger. This eliminates the need for separate heating devices within the battery pack housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerating fluid system provides both heating and cooling services to the battery through flow path switching. The same refrigerating fluid that cools the battery during charging can be redirected to heat the battery during cold weather operation, making the system self-sufficient without external heating devices.
3Measurement precision
If a cooler and electrical heating device are used for heat-transfer fluid regulation, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conditioning exchanger is designed to provide both cooling and heating functions through flow path switching. The control system uses electronic control valves to regulate the refrigerating fluid flow, providing precise temperature control without requiring separate mechanical coolers and electrical heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical heating devices (such as electrical resistors or heat pumps) with a flow-path switching mechanism controlled by electronic valves. The refrigerating fluid flow is directed through different paths using control valves, providing precise temperature regulation through fluid flow control rather than mechanical heating/cooling devices.
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 solution simplifies temperature control for motor vehicle battery packs by integrating cooling and heating functions into a single system, reducing bulkiness and complexity while effectively managing battery temperatures within safe limits.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal conditioning exchanger (17) for exchanging heat between the refrigerating fluid and the heat-transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
a condenser (13) for exchanging heat between the refrigerating fluid and external air
Implementation Method 3
a compressor (11) for compressing the refrigerating fluid
Implementation Method 4
at least a first expansion member (15)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning equipment (1) including a device (9) for controlling the temperature of a battery (7) of an automobile including at least a compressor (11), a condenser (13), a first expansion member (15), a thermal-conditioning exchanger (17) for exchanging heat between a coolant and a heat-transport fluid (FC), and switching means. The temperature control device (9) includes at least one bypass line (9b) connecting an outlet of the compressor (11) to an inlet of the thermal-conditioning exchanger (17) while bypassing the condenser (13). The invention also relates to a method for controlling the temperature of an automobile battery (7) implemented by means of such heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning equipment (1).