Electronic control valve for HVAC system of vehicle and control method of HVAC system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electronic control valves for HVAC systems in vehicles have complex structures, leading to increased production costs and reduced price competitiveness.
Innovation Solution
A simplified electronic control valve design that includes a solenoid, plunger, valve body, diaphragm, and return spring, allowing for on/off control of the swash plate angle in the compressor, with power application based on vehicle target cooling load, to operate the compressor at either maximum or minimum capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional electronic control valve structure is used to control the compressor, then the compressor can be precisely controlled, but the valve structure becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the conventional electronic control valve structure. Specifically, it removes the variable resistor and complex control circuitry, retaining only the essential solenoid, plunger, and valve body components. This extraction maintains the core functionality of controlling refrigerant flow to the swash plate while dramatically simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, more cost-effective valve structure that uses basic off-the-shelf components like standard solenoids and simple plunger mechanisms rather than complex engineered assemblies. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient control functionality for the HVAC system.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simplified electronic control valve structure is used, then production cost is reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The simplified valve structure utilizes the natural refrigerant pressure differential to automatically control the plunger position and valve opening. The high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor discharge side automatically pushes the plunger to modulate the valve opening, eliminating the need for complex electronic control mechanisms while maintaining effective control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using the refrigerant pressure itself as the actuating force for the control valve. The high-pressure refrigerant gas directly acts on the plunger and diaphragm components to modulate the valve opening, replacing complex electronic control systems with a simple pressure-responsive mechanical mechanism.
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 design enables active operation of the compressor at minimum load while maintaining essential functionality, simplifying the valve structure and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid, a plunger coupled to the solenoid member and configured to slid according to whether the solenoid is magnetized
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm configured to operate the plunger by the pressure of refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a return spring configured to return the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control valve for an HVAC system of a vehicle may include, in the electronic control valve configured to control the angle of a swash plate (angle with respect to the surface perpendicular to a rotation shaft of a compressor) in the compressor in an HVAC system, a solenoid, a plunger coupled to the solenoid member and configured to slid according to whether the solenoid is magnetized, a valve body formed integrally with the plunger, and configured to open or close a supply flow path through which a fluid flows into the compressor, a discharge flow path through which a fluid is discharged from the compressor, and a control flow path through a fluid flows to control the angle of the swash plate mounted inside the compressor, a diaphragm configured to operate the plunger by the pressure of refrigerant, and a return spring configured to return the plunger, and the solenoid is applied with power according to a vehicle target cooling load.