EV Air Conditioner Condenser Layout for Lower Heating Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
The active air flap in electric vehicle air conditioner systems degrades the aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency of mobility vehicles when opened for indoor cooling and heating, as it increases air resistance.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system for electric motor mobility vehicles is designed with a modular structure that includes an internal condenser, evaporator, and external condenser, along with an active air flap that is controlled to be closed during indoor heating, allowing air to pass through the internal condenser and external condenser to maintain aerodynamic performance by spacing the external condenser from the radiator and performing heat exchange with air from a separate location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the active air flap is opened to provide air for cooling electrical components and battery, then the cooling performance is improved, but the aerodynamic performance of the mobility vehicle is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is divided into separate cooling paths: one for indoor air conditioning and another for cooling electrical components and battery. The active air flap selectively opens only the electrical component cooling path while keeping the indoor air conditioning path closed, thus maintaining aerodynamic performance while providing necessary cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The active air flap dynamically adjusts its opening state based on real-time cooling requirements of electrical components and battery. The controller monitors temperature conditions and selectively activates the flap only when cooling is needed, minimizing its opening duration and extent to reduce aerodynamic impact.
2Ease of operation
If the active air flap is opened under heating conditions to ventilate air, then the indoor heating function is improved, but the fuel efficiency of the mobility vehicle is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake function for heating is extracted from the front air flap system and assigned to a separate air intake path. This allows the active air flap to remain closed during heating operations, maintaining aerodynamic performance, while still providing necessary air supply for heating through the alternative path.
3Power
If the external condenser is positioned close to the radiator, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the active air flap must remain open causing increased air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The external condenser is repositioned from a location requiring active air flap opening to a position where air can be supplied through alternative paths (side air intake or front air intake with flap closed). This spatial reconfiguration allows heat exchange efficiency to be maintained while eliminating the need for flap opening during certain operations.
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 configuration reduces air resistance and improves the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle during indoor heating, enhancing fuel efficiency by minimizing the active air flap's opening operation.
Implementation Method 1
allow air to pass through the evaporator of the air conditioner and allow the active air flap to be opened in indoor cooling
Implementation Method 2
allow the air to pass through the internal condenser of the air conditioner and to allow the active air flap to be closed in indoor heating
Implementation Method 3
performing heat exchange with air from a separate location
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner system for an electric motor mobility vehicle is provided. The air conditioner system is configured so that an external condenser is spaced from a radiator at a front portion of the mobility vehicle, the external condenser performs heat exchange with air introduced from a location other than the front portion of the mobility vehicle, so that an active air flap is controlled to be closed in an indoor heating condition. Therefore, as the air resistance is reduced while the mobility vehicle drives under the indoor heating condition, the air resistance is reduced and the aerodynamic performance of the mobility vehicle is improved.