Vehicle Heat Pump Condenser Switching Valve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems for vehicles, particularly electric and hybrid vehicles, face complexity and inefficiency in switching between heating and cooling modes due to the need for multiple heat sources and complex interconnections, which can lead to icing issues and increased costs from auxiliary heaters.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a simplified design that integrates a switching valve for seamless switching between heating and cooling modes, utilizing a condenser that transfers heat between the refrigeration circuit and the low-temperature circuit, allowing for efficient use of waste heat from electrical components and ambient air, and eliminating the need for auxiliary heaters by using a single switching valve and fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat sources and complex interconnections are used to switch between heating and cooling modes, then the heating and cooling functions can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the condenser multi-functional by enabling it to operate in both heating mode (transferring heat from refrigeration circuit to LT circuit for interior heating) and cooling mode (transferring heat from LT circuit to environment). This eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling heat exchangers, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heating and cooling functions into a single integrated system using one condenser and one switching valve. The LT circuit serves dual purposes by being connected to both the condenser (for heat transfer) and the NT cooler (for environmental heat exchange), consolidating multiple functions into fewer components
2Reliability
If auxiliary heaters are used to prevent icing at low temperatures, then heating can be maintained, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of low ambient temperature (which causes icing) into a beneficial heat source. The NT cooler absorbs heat from the environment even at low temperatures, and this heat is transferred via the LT circuit to the condenser and then to the interior heating system, eliminating the need for auxiliary heaters
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ambient environment itself as a heat source through the NT cooler, making the system self-sufficient for heating at low temperatures without requiring additional auxiliary heating components
3Device complexity
If a simplified system with fewer components is used, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to handle varying thermal demands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switching valve that dynamically redirects coolant flow between different paths based on operational requirements. In heating mode, the valve directs flow through the condenser to the heating circuit; in cooling mode, it directs flow to the NT cooler. This dynamic switching enables a simplified system to adapt to varying thermal demands
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 solution reduces the complexity and cost of the system, allows for efficient heat utilization and dissipation, prevents icing, and enables noise reduction and increased efficiency by using waste heat, while allowing for simultaneous cooling and heating operations without the need for auxiliary heaters.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser for transferring heat from the refrigeration circuit into the low-temperature circuit
Implementation Method 2
an NT cooler for absorbing heat from the ambient air into the low-temperature circuit
Implementation Method 3
an air conditioner evaporator for cooling the interior of the vehicle... the refrigerant does not flow through it. Rather, the heat is either absorbed via the evaporator assigned to the battery or the ambient heat evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat pump system (2) for climate control of a vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle, having an air conditioning unit (32) which comprises a heating heat exchanger (30) and an air conditioning unit evaporator (46), having a refrigeration circuit (22), in which the air conditioning unit evaporator (46) and a condenser (20) are arranged, having a low temperature circuit (4), in which at least one electric power component (18) is arranged, wherein the heat pump system (2) can be switched over between cooling operation and heating operation, characterized in that a condenser (20) for transmitting heat into the low temperature circuit (4) is incorporated into the low temperature circuit (4), and a low temperature cooler (8), in that a switchover valve (24) is arranged for switching over between heating operation and cooling operation, in that, during heating operation, the condenser (20) outputs heat into the low temperature circuit (4) and from there into a heating circuit (36), in which the heating heat exchanger (30) is arranged, and in that, in cooling operation, the condenser (20) outputs heat via the low temperature circuit (4) to the low temperature cooler (8). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a heat pump system (2) of this type.