Heat Pump External Exchanger Shutter Control for Icing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pumps in vehicles face efficiency drops and potential freezing issues when operating in icing conditions due to external exchanger temperature being lower than outside air, leading to reduced heat transfer efficiency and risk of complete freezing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a controlled heat pump system with movable flaps to regulate airflow and temporarily heat the external exchanger using a controlled electrical resistor, allowing the heat transfer fluid to circulate at a higher temperature than the exchanger, and closing flaps to insulate the exchanger during heating, reversing the heat pump operation to air conditioning mode for defrosting or preventive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the external exchanger operates in icing conditions with outside air passing through it, then heat exchange can occur, but the heat used to heat the exchanger is dissipated and heating time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (outside air flow) from the heating process by closing the movable shutters during temporary heating of the external exchanger. This isolation prevents heat dissipation to the outside air, allowing the exchanger to heat up faster without the continuous loss of thermal energy to the passing air stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively closing the movable shutters before or during the heating phase to prevent the harmful effect of heat dissipation. This anticipatory measure stops the outside air from carrying away the heat being applied to the exchanger, thereby reducing heating time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the external exchanger temperature is lower than outside air temperature to capture heat, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but humidity condenses and freezes on the exchanger reducing exchange surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between normal heat pump operation (where the exchanger is cold to capture heat) and temporary heating cycles (where the exchanger is heated to prevent or remove ice). The control unit monitors icing conditions and triggers heating cycles periodically or when needed, maintaining both heat transfer efficiency and reliability over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ice formation into a beneficial control mechanism. By detecting icing conditions and triggering temporary heating cycles, the system uses the same heat pump infrastructure to both exploit the temperature difference for heat capture and to eliminate the harmful ice accumulation, turning a reliability threat into a manageable operational parameter.
3Productivity
If the heat pump operates continuously in icing conditions, then heating demand is met, but the external exchanger becomes completely frozen and clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing periodic temporary heating cycles that prevent complete freezing of the external exchanger. These intermittent heating actions maintain the exchanger's operational status throughout the heating season, ensuring that the heat pump can continue to meet heating demands without interruption due to complete freezing.
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
Significantly reduces the time needed to heat the external exchanger, prevents icing, and maintains heat pump efficiency by thermally insulating the exchanger and ensuring heat is retained for faster heating cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the said means for temporarily heating the external exchanger comprising a controlled electrical resistor fitted to the heat pump
Implementation Method 2
a circuit in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, this circuit including an external exchanger located in the environment outside the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 3
the heat transfer fluid circulating in the exchanger
Implementation Method 4
it evaporates the heat transfer fluid from the circuit to capture calories or heat from the surrounding air
Implementation Method 5
the heat pump incorporates an assembly as defined above, in which the heat exchanger is of the reversible type in order to be able to operate selectively as an evaporator or as a condenser
Implementation Method 6
the flaps being movable between an open state in which they are able to allow outside air to pass through the external exchanger and a closed state in which they are able to oppose the passage of outside air
Implementation Method 7
the fact that the operating conditions are or are not icing is conditioned by the temperature of the outside air, by the humidity rate
Implementation Method 8
when the external exchanger has a temperature lower than that of the outside air, or even negative, and the outside air is humid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a unit including an external heat exchanger (3) and controlled mobile shutters (12) for a heat pump (1) intended for heating the passenger compartment of an automobile, said external exchanger (3) being suitable for being installed on the front surface of an automobile in order enable the passage of air (A) from outside the vehicle, the shutters (12) being movable between an open state which enables air (A) from the outside to pass through the external exchanger (3) such as to enable a heat exchange between said outside air (A) and a heat-transfer fluid flowing through the external exchanger (3), and a closed state in which the shutters are capable of blocking the passage of outside air (A) through the heat exchanger (3). The invention also relates to a heat pump comprising such a unit and a method for controlling such a heat pump. The invention can be implemented, in particular, in electric or hybrid vehicles as well as in other automobiles.