Coolant Reloading Through Active High- and Low-Pressure Branches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning systems in vehicles require frequent coolant fluid reloading due to leakage, necessitating efficient recovery, recirculation, and reloading methods to maintain system performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method for transferring coolant fluid from a loading unit to an air conditioning system that maintains both high and low pressure branches active during reloading, eliminating the need for a vacuum phase and allowing for continuous recovery, thereby facilitating efficient coolant transfer and reloading without overheating, even in systems already partly loaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum phase is used to facilitate coolant loading, then the loading speed is improved, but the overall maintenance time increases and system overheating may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains both high pressure and low pressure branches active simultaneously during the reloading operation, allowing continuous coolant transfer without interrupting for vacuum phases. The low pressure branch continues to operate in parallel, enabling uninterrupted recovery and reloading operations to proceed concurrently, thereby eliminating the need for separate vacuum phases while maintaining high loading speeds.
2Device complexity
If the low pressure branch is deactivated during reloading, then the loading process is simplified, but coolant recovery capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reloading and recovery operations by keeping both high pressure and low pressure branches active simultaneously. The loading unit is configured to perform both functions through integrated control, allowing coolant to be reloaded via the high pressure branch while recovered through the low pressure branch in parallel, thereby maintaining full functionality without increasing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If a heating bundle is used to support the coolant tank, then the loading process is enhanced, but the maintenance procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heating bundle component from the system entirely. Instead of using thermal assistance to support coolant tank loading, the invention relies on pressure differential control and simultaneous operation of both branches to achieve efficient coolant transfer, thereby eliminating the need for heating elements and associated control systems.
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
Ensures complete and automatic reloading with performance comparable to a good liquid pump, reducing the duration of the vacuum phase and enabling reloading without a significant vacuum phase, while maintaining system efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the compressor suctions and compresses the coolant, modifying its state and the temperature (from low pressure and low temperature to high pressure and high temperature)
Implementation Method 2
the condenser transfers heat to the external air and condenses the coolant, which thus passes from the gaseous state to the liquid state
Implementation Method 3
the condenser transfers heat to the external air and condenses the coolant, which thus passes from the gaseous state to the liquid state
Implementation Method 4
the coolant then reaches the expansion valve, where it is subjected to a drastic pressure and temperature drop
Implementation Method 5
in the evaporator, the coolant once again changes its state, passing from liquid to gaseous. It absorbs heat and lowers the temperature of the air introduced into the cabin
Implementation Method 6
in the evaporator, the coolant once again changes its state, passing from liquid to gaseous. It absorbs heat and lowers the temperature of the air
Data Source
AI summary
Method for transferring coolant fluid from a loading unit/station to an air conditioning system, via at least one high pressure HP valve and duct, for the introduction of liquid coolant, and at least one low pressure LP valve and duct, for the suction and the recovery of the coolant-vapor in the system. It is provided for executing the step of transferring the fluid also maintaining the low pressure circuit branch open/active, through relative LP valve. Part of the coolant loaded during the transfer step passes through a valve for the expansion of the system and it is suctioned, as vapor, by the station through LP: the net amount that enters into the system is always positive given that there is more loaded coolant with respect to the suctioned coolant.