Battery Refrigerant Bypass Heating and Cooling Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for vehicles face challenges in efficiently regulating the temperature of batteries in low-temperature environments, leading to decreased battery output and increased electrical resistance, while also requiring cooling as temperature increases during charging, resulting in a contradictory heating and cooling system that is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanging system that utilizes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle with a compressor, heat exchangers, and valves to adjustably heat or cool a temperature-regulated portion, such as a battery, by circulating refrigerant through a bypass passage and heat exchanging portions in parallel with the air-conditioning system, allowing for efficient temperature control without the need for additional heating or cooling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is used to heat the battery in low temperature environments, then the battery temperature can be maintained for optimal performance, but an exclusive heating device and heat exchanger are required, causing an increase in cost and system size
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration cycle system is designed to perform both cooling and heating functions using the same components. The compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve work together to provide cooling during normal operation and heating during low-temperature conditions, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between cooling and heating modes based on temperature conditions. By controlling the refrigerant flow direction and using the bypass passage with the second expansion valve, the system can adapt its operation to provide either cooling or heating as needed, rather than requiring fixed dedicated equipment for each function.
2Temperature
If the battery temperature is allowed to increase during charging, then cooling is required, but providing separate cooling equipment increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The same refrigeration cycle system that provides cooling for the battery during charging also serves as the vehicle air conditioning system. The heat exchangers and refrigerant circulation pathway are configured to simultaneously handle both battery thermal management and cabin climate control, eliminating redundant equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cooling system and vehicle air conditioning system are merged into a single integrated refrigeration cycle. The condenser, evaporator, and refrigerant flow paths are shared between the two functions, with control valves directing refrigerant to the appropriate heat exchanger based on whether battery cooling or cabin cooling is required.
3Reliability
If a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is used to cool the battery, then effective cooling is achieved, but the system becomes complex when both heating and cooling functions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of refrigerant flow through the bypass passage and expansion valves to switch between heating and cooling modes. The second expansion valve and bypass passage enable the refrigerant to be directed either through the normal cooling pathway or through an alternative pathway that provides heating, allowing the same hardware to deliver reliable performance in both modes.
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 system effectively regulates the battery's temperature, improving output and efficiency by simplifying the configuration and reducing costs, while maintaining cooling performance for both the battery and vehicle cabin.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (12) that is used to circulate the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger (14) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air; a second heat exchanger (18) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air
Implementation Method 3
a first decompressor (16) that decompresses the refrigerant; a second decompressor (76) that is provided in the bypass passage and that decompresses the refrigerant flowing through the bypass passage
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanging portion (60) that is connected in parallel with the second heat exchanger and that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the temperature regulated portion
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanging system exchanging heat between refrigerant and a battery includes: a compressor circulating refrigerant; a heat exchanger exchanging heat between the refrigerant and outside air; an expansion valve decompressing the refrigerant; a heat exchanger exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air; a heat exchanging portion connected in parallel with the heat exchanger and exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the battery; a bypass passage providing fluid communication between a path of the refrigerant between the compressor and the heat exchanger and a path of the refrigerant between the expansion valve and the heat exchanger; an expansion valve provided in the bypass passage and decompressing the refrigerant flowing through the bypass passage; and a selector valve allowing or interrupting flow of the refrigerant via the bypass passage.