Multi-Evaporator Cooling Control for Variable Battery and Cabin Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling systems in automotive applications face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature ranges for batteries and cabin spaces, requiring adaptable cooling capacity to ensure longevity and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A vapor-compression multi-evaporator cooling system with a cooling control system that includes adjustable compressors, variable speed fans, and selectively enabled/disabled evaporators, allowing for dynamic adjustment of cooling capacity by comparing system pressures to setpoints and adjusting compressor operation and fan speed accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of evaporators is increased to provide more cooling capacity, then the cooling capability is improved, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the cooling system by enabling selective activation and deactivation of evaporators based on real-time cooling demands. The controller adjusts which evaporators are active and modulates compressor speed dynamically, allowing the system to adapt its configuration rather than operating as a static fixed-capacity system. This resolves the contradiction by providing variable cooling capacity without permanently increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including compressor speed, fan speed, and evaporator activation states to match cooling demands. By varying these parameters rather than changing physical system configuration, the patent achieves different cooling capacities using the same hardware, thereby improving cooling capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If evaporators are selectively enabled or disabled to match cooling demand, then energy efficiency is improved, but system stability becomes challenging to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors system conditions and uses feedback to adjust evaporator activation and compressor speed to maintain stable operation. This closed-loop control ensures that when evaporators are selectively enabled or disabled, the system responds dynamically to maintain pressure and temperature stability, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts compressor speed and evaporator activation in response to changing cooling demands. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain stability through continuous adaptation rather than fixed configuration, enabling selective evaporator control for energy efficiency while preserving system stability through real-time adjustments.
3Power
If compressor speed is increased to maintain cooling capacity when evaporators are disabled, then cooling performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts compressor speed based on the number of active evaporators and cooling demand. Rather than maintaining constant high-speed operation, the compressor speed is modulated to match actual cooling requirements, allowing the system to maintain cooling performance while reducing energy consumption when full capacity is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters including compressor speed and fan speed to optimize the balance between cooling performance and energy consumption. By varying these parameters based on system conditions, the patent achieves energy-efficient operation while maintaining adequate cooling performance, resolving the contradiction between these two objectives.
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 system effectively maintains stable and efficient operation by compensating for changes in the number of enabled evaporators, ensuring optimal temperature control and extending battery lifespan while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
When an evaporator is enabled, the evaporator transfers heat into a working fluid within the system
Implementation Method 2
the cooling controller adjusts compressor operation and fan speed to provide more or less compression
Implementation Method 3
a condenser, and a variable speed fan that provides selectable amounts of cooling to the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor-compression multi-evaporator cooling system comprises a cooling control system and two or more evaporators each coupled to an expansion valve. Each evaporator is selectively enabled or disabled during operation. When an evaporator is enabled, the evaporator transfers heat into a working fluid within the system. When an evaporator is disabled, the evaporator does not exchange any appreciable amount of heat within the system. The cooling control system includes a cooling controller, an adjustable compressor, a condenser, and a variable speed fan that provides selectable amounts of cooling to the condenser. During operation, the cooling controller adjusts the compressor operation and fan speed to maintain stable operation of the cooling system. To compensate for enabling or disabling of evaporators, the cooling controller adjusts compressor operation and fan speed to provide more or less compression and more or less condenser cooling to maintain stable and efficient operation of the cooling system.