Vehicle Thermal Circuit Using Compressor Heat for Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal management systems for electrified motor vehicles require large electrical heaters to provide heating at cold temperatures, leading to increased costs and space requirements, as they must operate without waste heat from energy stores or electric motors.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a heating circuit connected in series with a refrigeration circuit, using thermal energy generated by an electrical compressor for heating purposes, allowing for a smaller electrical heater and incorporating an electric duct heater and high-voltage storage section for efficient heat distribution and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electrical heater is designed to be of appropriately large size to provide heating at cold outside temperatures, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating circuit and refrigeration circuit into a single integrated thermal management system. The condenser and chiller are shared between both circuits, and the electrical heater operates in conjunction with the refrigeration cycle to provide heating. This merging allows the system to utilize the refrigeration cycle components for heating purposes, reducing the need for a standalone large-capacity heater.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling the battery, heating the passenger compartment, and providing climate control. The refrigeration circuit serves dual purposes by cooling the battery during charging and contributing to passenger compartment heating during cold outside temperatures. The electrical heater and condenser are part of a multi-functional system that adapts to different operating conditions.
2Temperature
If an electrical heater is designed to be of appropriately large size to provide heating at cold outside temperatures, then heating capability is improved, but construction space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and refrigeration functions are merged into a single integrated system. The condenser and chiller are common to both circuits, and the electrical heater works in conjunction with the refrigeration cycle. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling systems, reducing overall space requirements while maintaining full heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration circuit components serve multiple functions: cooling the battery during charging and providing thermal energy for passenger compartment heating during cold outside temperatures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated heating components, thereby reducing the volume required for heating capability.
3Device complexity
If the electrical heater is made smaller to reduce cost and space, then device complexity and construction space are reduced, but heating capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the heating and refrigeration circuits so that the condenser and chiller serve both functions. The electrical heater operates in conjunction with the refrigeration cycle, and the condenser transfers thermal energy to the heating circuit. This combination allows a smaller electrical heater to achieve the required heating capability by leveraging the thermal energy from the refrigeration cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration circuit is designed to be multi-functional, serving both battery cooling and passenger compartment heating. The condenser and chiller provide thermal energy for heating when needed, allowing the electrical heater to be smaller while maintaining adequate heating capability through the supplementary thermal energy from the refrigeration cycle.
4Volume of moving object
If the electrical heater is made smaller to reduce construction space, then vehicle space requirements are reduced, but heating capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and refrigeration systems are merged into a single integrated thermal management system. The condenser and chiller are shared between both circuits, and the electrical heater works in conjunction with the refrigeration cycle. This integration allows a smaller electrical heater to provide adequate heating by utilizing the thermal energy transferred from the refrigeration cycle through the condenser.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration circuit components serve multiple functions including battery cooling and passenger compartment heating. The condenser transfers thermal energy to the heating circuit, providing supplementary heating capacity that allows the electrical heater to be smaller while maintaining adequate heating capability.
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 enables a pseudo thermal pump mode, reducing the need for a large electrical heater, saving costs and space while providing efficient heating using compressor-generated thermal energy, and allowing for adjustable coolant flow to manage heating requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical heater (13) which, in the heating mode, is arranged upstream of the interior compartment heat exchanger (14) in the heating circuit
Implementation Method 2
a chiller (25) arranged downstream of the interior compartment heat exchanger (14) in the heating circuit
Implementation Method 3
a condenser (11) arranged in the heating circuit and in the refrigeration circuit
Implementation Method 4
a refrigeration circuit (27) with an electrical compressor (31); wherein, in a heating mode, the interior compartment heat exchanger (14), the chiller (25) and the condenser (11) are connected in series in the heating circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system for a motor vehicle includes a heating circuit with an interior compartment heat exchanger; a refrigeration circuit with a compressor; a condenser which is arranged in the heating circuit and in the refrigeration circuit, wherein the heating circuit and the refrigeration circuit are fluidically separated from one another in the condenser; and a chiller, which is arranged in the heating circuit and in the refrigeration circuit. The heating circuit and the refrigeration circuit are fluidically separated from one another in the chiller. In a heating mode, the interior compartment heat exchanger, the chiller and the condenser are connected in series in the heating circuit.