EV Air Conditioning Layout With Shared HVAC and Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal battery performance and lifespan due to temperature fluctuations, requiring separate heating and cooling systems for the battery modules and interior air conditioning, which can lead to increased energy consumption and refrigerant line lengths.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air conditioner apparatus for electric vehicles that combines the cooling areas of the HVAC system and air conditioning system, featuring a heat exchange module and HVAC module within an air conditioning case installed under the vehicle, reducing refrigerant flow paths and enhancing cooling and heating performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate heating and cooling systems are provided for battery modules and interior air conditioning, then optimal battery performance and interior comfort are maintained, but device complexity and refrigerant line length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery cooling system and interior air conditioning system into a single integrated apparatus. The battery cooling module and interior air conditioning module share common components including the air conditioning case, refrigerant circulation system, and control unit. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control battery temperature and interior climate, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If separate heating and cooling systems are provided for battery modules and interior air conditioning, then optimal battery performance is maintained, but refrigerant line length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design merges the battery cooling module and interior air conditioning module within a shared air conditioning case, allowing both systems to utilize the same refrigerant circulation paths. The evaporator, condenser, and refrigerant lines are common to both modules, significantly reducing the total length of refrigerant lines required compared to separate systems, while still enabling independent temperature control for battery performance optimization.
3Use of energy by moving object
If heat pump technology is used for air conditioning, then energy consumption is reduced, but refrigerant line length and system size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a heat pump-based air conditioning system where the battery cooling module and interior air conditioning module are integrated. The heat pump cycle uses a single refrigerant circulation system that serves both cooling functions. By merging the refrigerant lines and heat exchangers into a shared infrastructure, the system achieves energy efficiency through heat pump technology while minimizing refrigerant line length through integrated component layout.
4Length of stationary object
If integrated air conditioning system is implemented, then refrigerant line length is shortened, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated air conditioning system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a battery cooling module with temperature sensor and cooling control, and an interior air conditioning module with air inlet/outlet and climate control. Each module is independently controllable but shares common infrastructure (refrigerant system, air conditioning case). This segmentation allows the system to achieve compact integration and shortened refrigerant lines while managing complexity through modular design with clear functional boundaries.
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 integrated system provides efficient cooling and heating performance while reducing the overall size of the air conditioner apparatus and shortening refrigerant lines, improving energy efficiency and maintaining optimal battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange module provided below the HVAC module inside the air conditioning case and configured to exchange heat with the HVAC module depending on whether or not the HVAC module performs a heating or cooling operation
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner apparatus for electric vehicles includes: an air conditioning case installed under an under body of a vehicle, and configured to communicate with an interior of the vehicle through an outlet formed through an upper portion of the air conditioning case and circulate conditioned air therein; an HVAC module provided inside the air conditioning case, and configured to adjust temperatures of indoor air and outdoor air and to provide the conditioned air to the interior of the vehicle; and a heat exchange module provided below the HVAC module inside the air conditioning case and configured to exchange heat with the HVAC module depending on whether or not the HVAC module performs a heating or cooling operation.