EV Air Conditioning Heat Pump Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems for electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature ranges for both vehicle interiors and critical electrical components like batteries and power electronics, which affects their service life and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a dual-function refrigerant circuit that includes a heat pump and refrigeration system, featuring a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, external and internal heat exchangers, and controllable valves for independent temperature control of batteries, power electronics, and electric machines, utilizing a refrigerant/fluid heat exchanger to manage thermal coupling and decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a dual-function refrigeration circuit with heat pump is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a refrigeration system to cool the battery and as a heat pump to heat the passenger compartment. The circuit includes a compressor, condenser, expansion element, and evaporator that can be configured in different operational modes through valve control, allowing one system to serve multiple thermal management purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates controllable valves (first and second controllable valves) that dynamically redirect refrigerant flow to switch between refrigeration mode and heat pump mode. The circuit can adapt its configuration based on real-time thermal demands, enabling flexible operation between cooling and heating functions without requiring separate dedicated systems.
2Measurement precision
If independent temperature control of battery and heat source is implemented, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into distinct controllable zones: the battery cooling path and the heat source heating path. Each path has its own controllable valve and heat exchanger configuration, allowing independent temperature control of the battery and other heat sources (such as electric motors or power electronics) without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration circuit acts as an intermediary thermal management system between the battery and heat sources. Through the controllable valves and heat exchangers, the refrigerant circulates and transfers heat between different components independently, enabling precise temperature control of each component through centralized circuit management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If thermal coupling between battery and heat source is made flexible, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses controllable valves to dynamically reconfigure the refrigerant flow paths, enabling the battery and heat sources to be thermally coupled or decoupled as needed. In refrigeration mode, the battery can be cooled independently; in heat pump mode, heat from multiple sources can be transferred to the passenger compartment. This dynamic configurability provides high adaptability to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration circuit serves as a universal thermal management platform that can handle multiple heat sources (battery, electric motors, power electronics) and provide multiple functions (cooling, heating, heat transfer). The same basic circuit architecture supports different operational modes and configurations through valve control, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each component.
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 solution effectively maintains optimal temperature ranges for electrical components, enhancing their service life and efficiency while allowing for flexible operation between heating and cooling modes, even under varying outside temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant/fluid heat exchanger (30) to which the refrigerant circuit can be thermally coupled or thermally decoupled from the battery (32) and/or at least one heat source (34, 36) independently of one another
Implementation Method 2
designed as a heat pump and as a refrigeration system circuit and assigned to it, a compressor (2)
Implementation Method 3
at least one external heat exchanger (3), an evaporator (6) and a condenser (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle having an air conditioning system comprising a coolant circuit through which a coolant can flow, and designed as a heat pump (1b) and as a cooling device circuit (1a) associated therewith, a compressor (2), an external heat exchanger (3), an evaporator (6) and a condenser (7). According to the invention the air conditioning system is or can be thermally coupled by means of a fluid/coolant heat exchanger (30) to a fluid circuit (1c), which is or can be thermally coupled to a battery (32) and to a heat and/or cold source. Independently of one another, the battery (32) and the heat and/or cold source can be decoupled from the fluid/coolant heat exchanger (30) or coupled to the fluid/coolant heat exchanger (30) by means of valves (60a-60h) arranged in the fluid circuit (1c).