Heat Pump Deicing Loop for Continuous Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles without internal combustion engines, air conditioning systems face challenges in maintaining passenger compartment heating during external heat exchanger deicing in 'heat pump' mode, leading to comfort issues due to interrupted heating.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning loop with a deicing pipe and control unit that maintains coolant supply to the internal heat exchanger during external unit deicing, using expansion elements to manage coolant distribution and temperature, allowing continuous heating without interrupting passenger compartment comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air conditioning loop reverses operation mode to deice the external heat exchanger, then the external heat exchanger is deiced, but the internal heat exchanger is no longer supplied with hot coolant gas and heating of the passenger compartment stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coolant distribution system into separate controllable paths using multiple expansion elements (first expansion element for internal heat exchanger, second expansion element for external unit). This segmentation allows independent control of coolant flow to each heat exchanger, enabling the external unit to be deiced while the internal heat exchanger continues to receive hot coolant for heating the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the opening/closing state of expansion elements based on operational mode. During deicing operation, the control unit opens the second expansion element to supply coolant to the external unit while maintaining the first expansion element in an open state to continue supplying hot coolant to the internal heat exchanger. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by allowing both deicing and heating to occur simultaneously rather than requiring mode reversal.
2Temperature
If the air conditioning loop operates in heat pump mode to heat the passenger compartment, then heating is provided, but the external heat exchanger becomes covered by ice and can no longer effectively function as evaporator
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic deicing cycles during heat pump operation. The control unit periodically opens the second expansion element to allow coolant flow to the external unit for ice removal, then closes it to resume normal heat pump operation. This periodic action maintains the external heat exchanger's functionality while minimizing interruption to passenger compartment heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous heating of the passenger compartment by maintaining the first expansion element in an open state during deicing operations, allowing hot coolant to continuously flow through the internal heat exchanger. Simultaneously, the second expansion element is opened to restore external unit functionality. This continuous supply of hot coolant eliminates heating interruptions that would otherwise occur during deicing.
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
Ensures uninterrupted heating of the passenger compartment by limiting deicing mode duration and maintaining heat output, preventing comfort reduction during external heat exchanger deicing.
Implementation Method 1
a first intermediate pipe (22) connecting the internal heat exchanger (220) to the external unit (230), the first intermediate pipe (22) including at least one first expansion element (300)
Implementation Method 2
the deicing pipe (30) includes a second expansion element (310)
Implementation Method 3
including at least a compressor (210) including a coolant outlet (212) connected to a delivery pipe (20) and a coolant inlet (211) connected to a suction pipe (21)
Implementation Method 4
an internal heat exchanger (220) which is capable of functioning at least as a condenser, and which is connected to the compressor (210) via the delivery pipe (20)
Implementation Method 5
an external unit (230) which is connected to the compressor (210) via the suction pipe (21) and which includes at least one external heat exchanger (250) capable of functioning at least as an evaporator
Implementation Method 6
at least one external heat exchanger (250) capable of functioning at least as an evaporator
Implementation Method 7
an internal heat exchanger (220) which is capable of functioning at least as a condenser
Implementation Method 8
In order to proceed to the deicing of the external heat exchanger, it has been proposed to reverse the mode of operation of the air conditioning loop in such a way as to supply the external heat exchanger with hot cooling gas and thus to deice it
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air-conditioning loop for heating, ventilation, and/or air-conditioning equipment in which a coolant circulates. The loop including a compressor comprising a coolant outlet connected to a delivery pipe and a coolant inlet connected to a suction pipe. The loop also including an internal heat exchanger which is capable of functioning at least as a condenser, and which is connected to the compressor via the delivery pipe. The loop also including an external unit which is connected to the compressor via the suction pipe and which includes at least one external heat exchanger capable of functioning at least as an evaporator, with the internal heat exchanger being connected to the external unit via a first intermediate duct comprising at least one pressure-release member. The loop includes a deicing pipe connected to the compressor and/or to the delivery pipe, as well as to the external unit.