Vehicle Heat Pump Cabin Temperature Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cabin climate control systems, particularly those using heat pumps, face inefficiencies due to costly sensor inputs and complexity, limiting their applicability and increasing manufacturing costs, and are not optimized for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) where energy conservation is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that models temperatures in the cabin heating circuit coupled to a heat pump circuit via a refrigerant to coolant heat exchanger, allowing for reduced sensor usage and efficient thermal energy delivery, enabling both rapid cabin warming and energy conservation by phasing out electric heaters once a target temperature is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used for feedback control in heat pump systems, then control accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual temperature model that copies and simulates the function of physical temperature sensors. The model predicts cabin temperature and heat exchanger temperatures using mathematical relationships based on readily available sensor data (refrigerant pressures, compressor state), eliminating the need for expensive and complex temperature sensor installations while maintaining control accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational model as an intermediary between the physical sensors and the control system. This model acts as a virtual sensor that translates easily measurable parameters (pressures, compressor speed) into accurate temperature predictions, serving as a mediator that avoids direct temperature measurement complexity
2Speed
If electric heaters are used alongside heat pumps for rapid cabin warming, then heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the electric heater only during the initial phase when rapid cabin warming is critically needed. The virtual temperature model predicts when the cabin will reach target temperature, allowing the system to pre-coordinate heater shutdown with heat pump operation, ensuring fast warming while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting the ratio of electric heater to heat pump operation based on real-time conditions. The virtual temperature model enables dynamic optimization where the system transitions from high-power electric heating to efficient heat pump operation as the cabin approaches the target temperature, adapting the heating strategy to current needs
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 approach decreases system costs, enhances control accuracy, and increases energy efficiency, thereby extending the range of BEVs by optimizing heat pump operation and reducing the need for multiple heating sources.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant to coolant heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy between the heat pump circuit and the cabin heating circuit
Implementation Method 2
operating the heat pump circuit to deliver thermal energy to a cabin heat exchanger based on the modeled temperature
Implementation Method 3
operating an electrically operated heater positioned downstream of the refrigerant to coolant heat exchanger to deliver thermal energy to the cabin heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for operating a climate control system. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle climate control system includes modeling a temperature in a cabin heating circuit coupled to a heat pump. The method also includes operating the heat pump to deliver thermal energy to a cabin heat exchanger based on the modeled temperature.