EV Air Conditioning Heat Exchange and Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle air conditioning systems in electric vehicles face inefficiencies in heating mode, leading to increased electric power consumption, which reduces the vehicle's travel distance, especially in cold weather, due to poor heating efficiency and the need for dehumidification, which further increases power usage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning system that includes a duct, refrigerant evaporator, heater core, heat exchanger, electric heater, and a flow passage selector valve, which controls the flow of hot fluid to optimize heating and dehumidification while minimizing electric power consumption by utilizing heat exchange and selective fluid flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heater is used to heat the cabin in an electric vehicle, then heating can be provided, but electric power consumption increases, reducing travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function and dehumidification function into a single integrated process. By running the air conditioning system in cooling mode with the evaporator active, the system simultaneously provides heating (through condensation heat release) and dehumidification, eliminating the need for a separate electric heater and reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of moisture accumulation during heating into a beneficial dehumidification process. By activating the evaporator to condense moisture from the cabin air, the system not only dehumidifies but also generates heat through condensation, turning the previously harmful humidity into a useful heat source.
2Loss of substance
If dehumidification is performed by increasing the dehumidification rate, then humidity control is improved, but electric power consumption by the electric heater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses itself to perform dehumidification by activating its own evaporator to condense moisture from the cabin air. The condensation process naturally releases heat that can be used for heating, creating a self-sufficient system that dehumidifies without requiring additional electric heater power.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioning system is operated in heating mode with outside air intake, then fresh air is provided, but heating efficiency decreases when warm air is discharged without being used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air conditioning system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both heating and dehumidification simultaneously through a single operational mode. The system can intake outside air for freshness while the evaporator condenses moisture and releases heat, providing multiple benefits from one process.
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
The system effectively reduces electric power consumption by optimizing heat exchange and fluid flow, maintaining a comfortable cabin environment while extending the vehicle's travel distance without recharging.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing in the air conditioning cooling flow passage and hot fluid flowing in the heater hot fluid flow passage
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant evaporator is disposed in the duct
Implementation Method 3
The heater core is disposed in the duct at a position downstream of the refrigerant evaporator. The heater hot fluid flow passage is configured to provide hot fluid to the heater core
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning system includes a duct, a refrigerant evaporator, an air conditioning cooling flow passage, a heater core, a heater hot fluid flow passage, a heat exchanger, an electric heater, an electrical component cooling flow passage, a communication flow passage, a fluid temperature sensor and a flow passage selector valve. The duct provides air to a vehicle cabin interior. The cooling flow passage provides cooled refrigerant to the evaporator. The hot fluid flow passage provides hot fluid to the heater core. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the hot fluid. The heater warms the hot fluid having undergone heat exchange. The cooling flow passage cools an electrical component. The communication flow passage parallelly connects the hot fluid and electrical component flow passages. The valve allows hot fluid to flow into the cooling flow passage when the hot fluid has a high temperature.