EV Heat Pump HVAC Damper and Throttle Layout for Harsh Temperatures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle heat pump air-conditioning systems face challenges in providing effective refrigerating and heating in harsh environments without excess engine heat, leading to inadequate performance at high or low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a heat pump air-conditioning system with a HVAC assembly, compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, and multiple throttle branches, along with a damper mechanism for independent control of air flow through indoor condensers and evaporators, and a plate heat exchanger integrated with the motor cooling system to enhance heating and refrigerating efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-cooling or pre-heating the ventilation system is used, then comfort is improved, but the refrigerating or heating effect in harsh environment is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidrefrigerating or heating effect in harsh environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of the ventilation system before the vehicle starts moving, as described in the background. This preliminary action improves initial comfort but is insufficient for harsh environments. The patent extends this by adding multiple throttle branches that enable sustained refrigerating/heating effects even in high-temperature (50°C+) or low-temperature (−10°C−) conditions by allowing direct refrigerant circulation paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a heat pump air-conditioning system is used without excess engine heat, then refrigerating function is provided, but heating effect in harsh environment is unfavourable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerating functionVSAvoidheating effect in harsh environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different operational modes using multiple throttle branches (first throttle branch, second throttle branch, third throttle branch, fourth throttle branch) controlled by switch valves. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different environmental conditions, providing both refrigerating and heating functions effectively, even in harsh environments without relying on excess engine heat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple throttle branches and switch valves are added, then refrigerating and heating effects in harsh environment are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerating and heating effects in harsh environmentVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the refrigerant circulation path into multiple independent throttle branches (first throttle branch with first switch valve, second throttle branch with second switch valve, third throttle branch with third switch valve, fourth throttle branch with fourth switch valve). Each branch can be independently controlled to optimize system performance for different operating conditions, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If a plate heat exchanger is integrated with motor cooling system, then heating efficiency is enhanced, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the plate heat exchanger with the motor cooling system, allowing the refrigerant to exchange heat with the motor cooling fluid. This integration enhances heating efficiency by utilizing the motor cooling system as a heat source. The design facilitates mass production by creating a unified system that can be manufactured as an integrated assembly, reducing installation complexity despite the enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables efficient refrigerating and heating performance across various temperature conditions, reduces energy consumption, simplifies the system structure, and addresses issues of low heating efficiency and complex installation, facilitating mass production.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor (604)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

an indoor condenser (601)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

an outdoor heat exchanger (605)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

an indoor evaporator (602)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

a first throttle element and a second throttle element, which are capillary tubes or expansion valves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS10675940B2Heat pump air-conditioning system and electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.09 BYD CO LTD
  • US10675940B2 patent drawing
  • US10675940B2 patent drawing
  • US10675940B2 patent drawing

AI summary

This disclosure discloses a heat pump air-conditioning system and an electric vehicle. The system includes a HVAC assembly, a compressor, and an outdoor heat exchanger. The HVAC assembly includes an indoor condenser, an indoor evaporator, and a damper mechanism. The damper mechanism selectively opens ventilation channels of the indoor condenser and/or the indoor evaporator. An outlet of the compressor communicates to an inlet of the indoor condenser. An outlet of the indoor condenser communicates to an inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger selectively through a first throttle branch or a first through-flow branch. An outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger communicates to an inlet of the indoor evaporator selectively through a second throttle branch or a second through-flow branch. Both an outlet of the indoor evaporator, the outlet of the indoor condenser, and the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger communicate to an inlet of the compressor.