EV Air Conditioning Device Multi-Circuit Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems for electric vehicles lack flexibility and efficiency in adapting to different requirements, often relying on high-pressure zones and high thermal loads, which can lead to icing and inefficient use of available heat sources.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning device employs multiple fluid circuits with adaptable heat exchangers and pumps, utilizing waste heat from electric vehicle components and thermal masses to efficiently heat and cool the interior, avoiding high-pressure zones and thermal loads by using a network of valves and heat exchangers to manage heat sources effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems use high-pressure zones and high thermal loads to achieve heating and cooling, then temperature control capability is improved, but the risk of icing increases and thermal loads on components worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air conditioning function into multiple independent fluid circuits (first circuit for heating interior, second circuit for cooling interior, third circuit for component cooling). Each circuit operates at optimized pressure and temperature levels, avoiding the need for high-pressure zones that cause icing. The segmentation allows low-temperature heat sources to be used without requiring high thermal loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the fluid circuits to operate at low temperatures and low pressures. By using multiple circuits with different temperature levels, the system achieves effective heating and cooling without the high thermal loads and high-pressure zones that lead to icing in conventional systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional air conditioning systems operate with high thermal loads to meet different temperature requirements, then adaptability to different requirements is improved, but the thermal loads on components worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides multi-functionality through multiple fluid circuits that can be independently activated based on requirements. The first circuit handles heating, the second handles cooling, and the third handles component temperature control. This universal design allows the system to adapt to different temperature requirements without applying high thermal loads to all components simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates or deactivates specific fluid circuits based on the current temperature requirements and environmental conditions. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt flexibly to different requirements while maintaining low thermal loads on components by only activating the necessary circuits.
3Device complexity
If conventional air conditioning systems use single fluid circuits to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but flexibility in adapting to different requirements worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex fluid circuit that must handle all temperature requirements, the system segments the function into multiple simple circuits. Each circuit is dedicated to a specific function (heating, cooling, component temperature control), which simplifies the design of each individual circuit while providing overall system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple simple fluid circuits with shared components (heat source, heat exchangers, pumps) to achieve flexibility. By merging the circuits at the component level while maintaining independent flow paths, the system gains adaptability without requiring each circuit to be independently complex.
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 enables efficient operation by utilizing waste heat, preventing icing, and reducing thermal loads on components, allowing for flexible adaptation to different temperature requirements while maintaining low operating temperatures and avoiding high-pressure zones.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger (31), a second heat exchanger (32), a third heat exchanger (33), a fourth heat exchanger (34), and a fifth heat exchanger (35}
Implementation Method 2
via a compressor (51)
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger (32) having a first evaporator (21), a third heat exchanger (33) having a second evaporator (22)
Implementation Method 4
a first pump (61), a second pump (62), and a third pump (63)
Implementation Method 5
a four-way valve (10), a first three-way valve (11), and a second three-way valve (12)
Implementation Method 6
via a spring-loaded check valve (42)
Implementation Method 7
a first throttle (43)
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning device for air conditioning an interior and/or a component of an electric vehicle includes multiple fluid circuits having respective working media and configured for heating and cooling the electric vehicle. A first fluid circuit is designed for heating the interior of the electric vehicle via the first heat exchanger. A second fluid circuit is designed for heating the first evaporator. A third fluid circuit is designed for heating or cooling the interior of the electric vehicle. A fourth fluid circuit is designed for heating the interior of the electric vehicle via the first heat exchanger. A fifth fluid circuit is designed for cooling the heat source of the component of the electric vehicle.