Vehicle Air-Conditioning Compressor Start Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle air-conditioning systems for electric and hybrid cars, inappropriate timing of the compressor, indoor blower, and heat generating means leads to inefficiencies, such as abnormal high pressure side pressure increases causing compressor stoppages and inadequate heating due to low-temperature air being blown into the vehicle interior.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle air-conditioning device with a control system that coordinates the start timing of the compressor, indoor blower, and heat generating means based on outdoor air temperature, ensuring the compressor starts before the blower in low temperatures and the blower starts before the heat generating means in higher temperatures to maintain optimal pressure and heating performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the compressor starts before the indoor blower in low outdoor air temperature conditions, then the heating capability starts up rapidly, but the high pressure side pressure abnormally increases causing compressor stoppage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestartup speed of heating capabilityVSAvoidcompressor operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control means starts the compressor in advance before starting the indoor blower in low outdoor air temperature conditions. This preliminary action allows the refrigerant circulation system to be prepared and heated up before air flow is introduced, enabling rapid heating capability startup while the control means monitors and manages the high pressure side pressure to prevent abnormal increases that would cause compressor stoppage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the indoor blower is operated before the radiator exerts sufficient heating capability, then air circulation is established early, but low-temperature air is blown out to the vehicle interior impairing comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of air circulationVSAvoidair temperature supplied to vehicle interior

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control means delays operation of the indoor blower until after the radiator has exerted sufficient heating capability. This preliminary heating action ensures that the radiator is fully warmed up and capable of providing adequately heated air before the blower begins circulating air through the system, thereby preventing cold air from being supplied to the vehicle interior while maintaining appropriate air circulation duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the heat generating means is started simultaneously with or after the indoor blower, then system complexity is reduced, but heating comfort is impaired due to delayed heating effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol timing complexityVSAvoidheating effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control means applies different start timing strategies for the heat generating means based on outdoor air temperature conditions. In low outdoor air temperature conditions, the heat generating means is started simultaneously with or after the indoor blower to simplify control. In higher outdoor air temperature conditions, the heat generating means is started before the indoor blower to enhance heating effectiveness and comfort, thereby adapting the control strategy to local environmental conditions rather than using a fixed complex timing sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach promotes rapid startup of heating capabilities, prevents compressor stoppages, and ensures comfortable interior heating by managing high pressure side pressure and temperature effectively across varying outdoor conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a radiator disposed in this air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

heat generating means disposed in the air flow passage to heat the air to be supplied to the vehicle interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a compressor which compresses a refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

an indoor blower which blows the air through the air flow passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10946719B2Vehicle air-conditioning device

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 SANDEN CORP

AI summary

A vehicle air-conditioning device may achieve comfortable heating of a vehicle interior by starting a compressor, an indoor blower and heat generating means at appropriate timing. The vehicle air-conditioning device includes a compressor which compresses a refrigerant, a radiator disposed in an air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat, a heat absorber which lets the refrigerant absorb heat, and an indoor blower which blows the air through the air flow passage. The vehicle interior is heated by heat radiated from the radiator. The vehicle air-conditioning device includes a heating medium-air heat exchanger of a heating medium circulating circuit disposed in the air flow passage to heat air supplied to the vehicle interior. On a basis of an outdoor air temperature, the timing to start the compressor, the indoor blower and the heating medium circulating circuit is controlled.