Electric Bus HVAC Reversing Valve Layout for Fewer Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems for small electric buses face challenges in efficient heating and cooling due to structural differences from passenger electric vehicles, requiring additional components like inside condensers and separate evaporators, which increase cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC) system for electric vehicles that utilizes a compressor, a four-way reversing valve, and multiple heat exchangers, allowing for efficient heating and cooling without the need for an inside capacitor or separate evaporator, by controlling the refrigerant flow to convert heat exchangers between condenser and evaporator modes using a controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional heat pump HVAC with inside condenser and three-way valve is applied to a small electric bus, then heating and cooling functions can be achieved, but the cost increases due to requiring extra space and additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The first heat exchanger is designed to serve multiple functions by changing its role based on refrigerant flow direction. Through the four-way reversing valve, the same heat exchanger can function as a condenser in heating mode or as an evaporator in cooling mode, eliminating the need for separate inside condenser and evaporator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of inside condenser and inside evaporator into a single heat exchanger unit. By merging these two separate components into one and using refrigerant flow direction control, the system reduces the total number of parts while maintaining both heating and cooling capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional heat pump HVAC is applied to a small electric bus, then heating and cooling can be provided, but additional components like separate evaporator and condenser must be added, further increasing cost burden
Solution Approach 1:
The first heat exchanger is designed to serve multiple functions by changing its role based on refrigerant flow direction. Through the four-way reversing valve, the same heat exchanger can function as a condenser in heating mode or as an evaporator in cooling mode, eliminating the need for separate inside condenser and evaporator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of inside condenser and inside evaporator into a single heat exchanger unit. By merging these two separate components into one and using refrigerant flow direction control, the system reduces the total number of parts while maintaining both heating and cooling capabilities.
3Temperature
If multiple heat exchangers are used for heating and cooling in a small electric bus, then thermal comfort can be improved, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first heat exchanger is designed to serve multiple functions by changing its role based on refrigerant flow direction. Through the four-way reversing valve, the same heat exchanger can function as a condenser in heating mode or as an evaporator in cooling mode, eliminating the need for separate inside condenser and evaporator components.
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 allows for efficient heating and cooling of small electric buses using a minimal configuration, reducing costs and complexity by maximizing the use of a single compressor and eliminating the need for additional components, while effectively managing heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger connected to the four-way reversing valve and configured to operate as a condenser or an evaporator according to a circulation direction of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a four-way reversing valve connected to four flow paths including a first flow path connected to a discharge end of the compressor and a second flow path connected to a suction end of the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC) of an electric vehicle. The HVAC includes: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a four-way reversing valve connected to four flow paths including a flow path connected to a discharge end of the compressor and a flow path connected to a suction end of the compressor, a first heat exchanger connected to the four-way reversing valve and configured to operate as a condenser or an evaporator according to a circulation direction of the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger of which one end is connected to the first heat exchanger and the other end is connected to the four-way reversing valve and which operates as a condenser or an evaporator according the circulation direction of the refrigerant.