Elastocaloric Heat Pump Layout for Compact Coolant Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elastocaloric heat pumps require large installation spaces and face challenges in efficiently guiding coolants, limiting their efficiency and compactness, particularly in transportation vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The design of an elastocaloric heat pump with an elastocaloric element connected to carriages on non-parallel guide mechanisms, driven by a cyclic displacement mechanism that stretches or compresses the element between non-parallel coolant ducts, allowing for a compact and efficient heat transfer system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional elastocaloric heat pump designs are used, then heat transfer function is achieved, but installation space becomes excessively large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastocaloric element is nested between the first and second coolant ducts, with the carriages and guide mechanisms integrated into a compact arrangement where components are positioned within the volume of other components, significantly reducing the overall installation space while maintaining heat transfer functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide mechanisms are arranged non-parallel to each other, creating a three-dimensional spatial configuration that optimizes the use of available space. The elastocaloric element is cyclically expanded and compressed between the coolant ducts in a direction that utilizes vertical space efficiently, reducing the horizontal footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If compact design is implemented, then installation space is reduced, but coolant guidance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat pump sizeVSAvoidcoolant guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastocaloric element is cyclically deformed between expanded and compressed states, dynamically changing its volume and position. This dynamic behavior creates alternating heat transfer zones that actively guide coolant flow through the compact duct arrangement, ensuring efficient heat exchange despite the reduced size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carriages act as intermediary components that connect the elastocaloric element to the guide mechanisms. These carriages facilitate the cyclic displacement of the elastocaloric element between the non-parallel guide mechanisms, enabling smooth operation and effective coolant guidance within the compact configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If cyclic deformation of elastocaloric element is increased, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but shocks and vibrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidshocks and vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide mechanisms are arranged non-parallel to each other, creating an asymmetric configuration that optimizes the cyclic deformation path of the elastocaloric element. This asymmetric arrangement allows for controlled expansion and compression that maximizes heat transfer efficiency while distributing mechanical stresses more evenly, reducing shocks and vibrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to anticipate and mitigate vibrations by using the non-parallel guide mechanisms to distribute and cushion the cyclic deformation forces. The carriage-based connection provides a cushioning effect that absorbs shocks during the cyclic expansion and compression of the elastocaloric element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 reduces the overall size of the heat pump, minimizes shocks and vibrations, and enhances heat transfer efficiency by adjusting the angle between guide mechanisms and tracks, enabling more effective coolant guidance and heat exchange.

Implementation Method 1

cyclic deformation of an elastocaloric material causing a reversible temperature change, which can be used to transfer heat from a colder coolant flow to a warmer coolant flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastocaloric effect: Mechanocaloric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240109399A1Elastocaloric heat pump and transportation vehicle with elastocaloric heat pump

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

An elastocaloric heat pump requiring little installation space wherein the elastocaloric heat pump includes an elastocaloric element, a first coolant duct and a second coolant duct and at least one drive device, wherein the elastocaloric element is connected to a carriage on the end sides in each case, the carriages are arranged displaceably on two guide mechanisms which are not parallel to each other, and the drive device cyclically displaces the carriages along the guide mechanism so the elastocaloric element is displaced cyclically and cyclically expanded between the first coolant duct and the second coolant duct.