Vehicle Heat Pump Coolant Bypass for Low-Temperature Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, especially electric and hybrid vehicles, the heat pump system faces challenges in efficiently heating the interior due to external low temperatures and insufficient heat generation from heating elements, leading to performance deterioration and increased size and weight of cooling modules.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system that selectively uses an external heat source based on external temperature and heat generated by the heating element, utilizing a cooling apparatus with a radiator, water pump, and branched line connected to a valve, which adjusts operation modes to recover waste heat or external heat through a heat-exchanger, optimizing heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate closed circuits are used for cooling device, heat pump system, and battery cooling system, then heat generation of motor, electrical component, and battery can be effectively removed, but size and weight of cooling module are increased and layout of connection pipes becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling device, heat pump system, and battery cooling system into a single integrated closed circuit. The coolant circulation system serves multiple functions: cooling the motor through a motor cooler, cooling the battery through a battery cooler, and providing heat exchange for the heat pump system through a radiator and heater cooler. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate closed circuits while maintaining effective heat removal from all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation system is designed as a universal system that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The same coolant loop provides cooling for the motor, battery, and electrical components, while also enabling heat recovery and heating functions through the heat pump system. The radiator and expansion valve control the coolant flow to achieve different operational modes (cooling vs. heating) from a single system.
2Reliability
If separate closed circuits are used for cooling device, heat pump system, and battery cooling system, then heat generation of motor, electrical component, and battery can be effectively removed, but layout of connection pipes becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate pipe systems into a single integrated coolant circulation system. Instead of having separate closed circuits for motor cooling, battery cooling, and heat pump operations, the invention uses one unified coolant loop that passes through the motor cooler, battery cooler, radiator, and heater cooler in sequence. This significantly simplifies the connection pipe layout while maintaining all necessary cooling and heating functions.
3Reliability
If conventional air conditioner is used in electric vehicle, then cooling function can be provided, but heating function is insufficient when external temperature is very low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts waste heat from the motor and battery into a useful resource for vehicle heating. The heat pump system captures heat that would otherwise be discarded through the radiator and uses it to heat the vehicle interior when external temperatures are low. This is achieved by controlling the expansion valve and coolant circulation to redirect heat flow from the motor cooler and battery cooler through the heater cooler, transforming waste thermal energy into beneficial heating capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on external temperature conditions. When external temperature is very low, the expansion valve and coolant circulation are controlled to enable heat recovery mode, where the radiator becomes a heat source rather than a heat sink. The system dynamically adjusts the coolant flow distribution and heat exchange parameters to optimize heating efficiency and energy consumption based on ambient conditions.
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
Improves heating efficiency by selectively using external heat sources, prevents system performance deterioration, simplifies the system layout, reduces weight and manufacturing costs, and enhances marketability by efficient temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
the heat-exchanger connected to the coolant line and evaporates the refrigerant through heat-exchange with the coolant supplied through the coolant line in a heating mode of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
evaporates the refrigerant through heat-exchange with the coolant
Implementation Method 3
a cooling apparatus including a radiator and a water pump connected by a coolant line and circulating a coolant in the coolant line so as to cool at least one heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system for the vehicle includes a cooling apparatus, which includes a radiator and a water pump connected by a coolant line and circulating a coolant in the coolant line to cool at least one heating element provided on the coolant line. The heat pump system further includes a branched line including one end connected to a valve on the coolant line between the radiator and the heating element and the other end connected to the coolant line between the radiator and the water pump. The heat pump system further includes an air conditioner device circulating a refrigerant along the refrigerant line to adjust an indoor temperature of the vehicle.