Five-Way Valve Air Conditioning Circuit for Multi-Mode Operation
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of existing air conditioning systems in motor vehicles, which require a large number of components to offer versatility in functions, necessitates a simplification of architecture while maintaining the ability to operate in multiple modes.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a simplified architecture utilizing a five-way valve configuration that connects various heat exchangers and the compressor in different operational modes, allowing for a range of functions such as air conditioning, heating, and dehumidification, by interposing a third heat exchanger between the five-way valve and the compressor or second heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of valves and components are used to provide versatility in functions, then the system can operate in multiple modes (air conditioning, heating, dehumidification, recovery), but the architecture becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valves into a single five-way valve that integrates the functions of several separate valves into one component. This five-way valve can direct refrigerant flow to different heat exchangers (evaporator, condenser, heater) and combine their outputs, thereby reducing the total number of valve components while maintaining the ability to operate in multiple modes including air conditioning, heating, dehumidification, and heat recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The five-way valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow distributor to direct refrigerant to different heat exchangers, a flow combiner to merge refrigerant streams, and a mode selector to enable different operational configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated valves for each function, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving functional versatility
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate valves are used to control refrigerant flow to different heat exchangers, then each function can be precisely controlled, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple flow control functions into a single five-way valve that can precisely direct refrigerant flow to different heat exchangers and combine their outputs. This unified valve maintains precise flow control capability while reducing the component count from multiple separate valves to one integrated valve, thereby satisfying both control precision and component reduction requirements
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 a robust, versatile, and economical air conditioning system capable of performing multiple functions with a reduced number of components, enhancing reliability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a second heat exchanger located inside said compartment and capable of taking or transferring calories to the air circulating in said compartment
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer fluid is vaporized inside the evaporator 15 to cool the air circulating in the compartment
Implementation Method 3
it condenses before being expanded by the valve 18
Implementation Method 4
to be compressed by the compressor 16
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air conditioning system (1) in a compartment (10) of a vehicle, said system (1) comprising at least: - a first heat exchanger (19) located outside said compartment (10); - a second heat exchanger (15) located inside said compartment (10) and capable of extracting or transferring calories from the air circulating in said compartment (10); - at least a third heat exchanger (17, 24') capable of transferring calories to the air circulating in said compartment (10); - a compressor (16); - a circuit (21) for circulating a heat transfer fluid.According to the invention, said circuit comprises a five-way valve (30) configured to allow the following connections: - the inlet of said compressor (16) with the outlet of said second heat exchanger (15); - the inlet of said compressor (16) with the outlet of said first heat exchanger (19); - the outlet of said compressor (16) with the inlet of said first heat exchanger (19); - the outlet of said compressor (16) with the inlet of said second heat exchanger (15); said at least one third heat exchanger (17, 24') being interposed between said five-way valve (30) and the outlet of said compressor (16) and/or between said five-way valve (30) and the inlet of said second heat exchanger (15).