Electric Vehicle Air Conditioning Energy Peak Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric transport vehicles face energy consumption peaks due to inefficient air conditioning systems, particularly during peak hours when electrical networks are undersized, and existing energy recovery techniques do not adequately address these peaks.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning system for electric transport vehicles that adjusts its power delivery based on both climatic conditions and the energy consumption or production status of the vehicle, using regulation means to modify operating commands for actuators such as compressors and heating resistors, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing peak demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air conditioning system operates at full power to maintain climatic conditions, then the climatic comfort is improved, but the electrical energy consumption peaks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimatic conditionsVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioning system dynamically adjusts its power delivery based on real-time vehicle energy status. The regulation means modify operating commands to actuators (compressor, fan, heating means) according to the vehicle's current energy consumption or production state, enabling the system to adapt power usage to available energy rather than operating at fixed full power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of the air conditioning actuators based on vehicle energy status. When the vehicle is producing energy (e.g., during regenerative braking), the air conditioning system increases its power consumption; when the vehicle is consuming energy, the air conditioning system reduces its power demand, thereby shifting the load profile to reduce peaks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the air conditioning system is sized for maximum occupancy to maintain air quality, then the air renewal efficiency is improved, but the electrical energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair renewal efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts air renewal parameters dynamically based on actual occupancy rather than sizing for maximum occupancy. The regulation means modify the operation of fans and air handling actuators according to real-time energy status and occupancy sensors, reducing air renewal rate when occupancy is low to save energy while maintaining adequate air quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If energy recovery techniques are implemented to reduce consumption, then the overall energy efficiency is improved, but the consumption peaks during traction phases remain high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidconsumption peaks
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously transfers energy between the air conditioning load and the vehicle energy storage system. During regenerative braking when energy is recovered, the air conditioning system absorbs this energy by increasing its power consumption. This continuous energy exchange smooths the overall power demand profile, reducing peaks during traction phases while maintaining continuous climatic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers and utilizes energy that would otherwise be wasted. During vehicle braking, regenerative energy is captured and immediately utilized by the air conditioning system to increase its operation. This recovers energy from the braking phase and puts it to useful action in the air conditioning system, reducing the need for energy during subsequent traction phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 effectively regulates climatic conditions while minimizing energy consumption peaks by adjusting power delivery in response to vehicle energy usage, optimizing energy efficiency and reducing the strain on electrical transport networks.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

heating means such as resistors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3246194B1Air-conditioning system for an electric transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 FAIVELEY TRANSPORT TOURS
  • EP3246194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3246194B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3246194B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An air conditioning system for an electric transport vehicle powered by an electrical supply network (2) includes at least one heating or cooling actuator (3), and control means (6) configured to generate at least one operating command (6c) applied to said at least one actuator (3) according to parameter values ​​representative of climatic conditions (6a), the actuator delivering an average power over a predetermined time interval (I).The control means are configured to generate at least one operating command (6c) applied to at least one actuator (3) further depending on the value of a parameter (6b) relating to at least one electric transport vehicle powered by the electric supply network (2), the value of the parameter (6b) indicating that electrical energy is consumed by said at least one electric transport vehicle or that electrical energy is produced by said at least one electric vehicle.