Heat pump air-conditioning system and electric vehicle

Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle air-conditioning systems face challenges with low heating energy efficiency, inability to satisfy defrosting and defogging requirements, and complex installation due to the lack of excess engine heat, leading to suboptimal heating performance and regulatory non-compliance.

Innovation Solution

A heat pump air-conditioning system with a simplified structure using a single outdoor heat exchanger, a HVAC assembly with a damper mechanism for independent air flow control, and enthalpy-increased branches to enhance low-temperature heating performance, along with a second plate heat exchanger integrated into the motor cooling system for improved heating capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two outdoor heat exchangers (outdoor condenser and outdoor evaporator) are employed, then heating function and defrosting function are provided, but air resistance against front end module is relatively large and system structure is relatively complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating function and defrosting functionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single outdoor heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions: serving as both the outdoor condenser and outdoor evaporator through a four-way valve to switch refrigerant flow direction, and integrating the defrosting function through the fourth channel. This eliminates the need for separate outdoor heat exchangers while maintaining all required functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the outdoor condenser and outdoor evaporator into a single outdoor heat exchanger unit, and combines the defrosting function into the same component through the fourth channel. This consolidation reduces the number of parts, simplifies system structure, and decreases air resistance against the front end module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two outdoor heat exchangers are employed, then heating function and defrosting function are provided, but air resistance against front end module is relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating function and defrosting functionVSAvoidair resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the outdoor condenser and outdoor evaporator into a single outdoor heat exchanger unit, and combines the defrosting function into the same component through the fourth channel. This consolidation reduces the number of parts, simplifies system structure, and decreases air resistance against the front end module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If heat pump air-conditioning system is used without excess engine heat, then heating function is provided, but heating energy efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidheating energy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The enthalpy-increased branch enables continuous heat utilization by extracting heat from the refrigerant at different stages of the cycle. The first plate heat exchanger recovers heat from the high-pressure refrigerant after the outdoor condenser, and the second plate heat exchanger recovers heat from the refrigerant after the four-way valve, ensuring that useful heat is captured continuously rather than being lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers heat that would otherwise be discarded by the refrigerant after passing through the outdoor condenser and the four-way valve. The enthalpy-increased branches with plate heat exchangers capture this waste heat and redirect it to preheat the refrigerant or contribute to the heating output, significantly improving overall heating energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Adaptability or versatility

If heat pump air-conditioning system is used without excess engine heat, then heating function is provided, but low-temperature heating performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidlow-temperature heating performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The enthalpy-increased branch enables continuous heat utilization by extracting heat from the refrigerant at different stages of the cycle. The first plate heat exchanger recovers heat from the high-pressure refrigerant after the outdoor condenser, and the second plate heat exchanger recovers heat from the refrigerant after the four-way valve, ensuring that useful heat is captured continuously rather than being lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameters of the refrigerant at multiple points in the cycle by introducing enthalpy-increased branches. The plate heat exchangers raise the temperature of the refrigerant before it enters certain components, and the adjustable valves control the degree of enthalpy increase, allowing optimization of heating performance across different temperature conditions including low-temperature environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves improved heating performance, reduces energy consumption, simplifies the installation process, and meets regulatory requirements for defrosting and defogging while maintaining a compact design, facilitating mass production.

Implementation Method 1

the first enthalpy-increased branch and the second enthalpy-increased branch exchange heat by using the first plate heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

an outlet of the indoor condenser is in communication with an inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

an outlet of the compressor is in communication with an inlet of the indoor condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

an outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger is in communication with an inlet of the indoor evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10843528B2Heat pump air-conditioning system and electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 BYD CO LTD

AI summary

A heat pump air-conditioning system includes a HVAC assembly, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a first plate heat exchanger. The HVAC assembly includes an indoor condenser, an indoor evaporator, and an damper mechanism. The compressor communicates to the indoor condenser. The indoor condenser communicates to the outdoor heat exchanger and further to the outdoor heat exchanger through a first enthalpy-increased branch. The outdoor heat exchanger communicates to the indoor evaporator and further to a moderate-pressure air inlet of the compressor through a second enthalpy-increased branch. The indoor evaporator communicates to a low-pressure air inlet of the compressor. The first enthalpy-increased branch and the second enthalpy-increased branch exchange heat by using the first plate heat exchanger. The second enthalpy-increased branch is provided with a first expansion valve. The outdoor heat exchanger is in communication with the first plate heat exchanger through the first expansion valve.