Vehicle Heat Pump Cycle for Self-Supplied Frost Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump cycles face challenges in effectively suppressing frost formation and defrosting, especially in vehicles with limited waste heat from internal combustion engines or electric motors, as they often rely on insufficient external heat sources and do not adequately address frost prevention before formation.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump cycle design incorporating a compressor, use-side heat exchanger, decompressor, exterior heat exchanger, and auxiliary heat exchanger, where the auxiliary heat exchanger supplies heat to the exterior heat exchanger using high-temperature refrigerant, allowing for frost suppression and defrosting without relying solely on external heat sources, and featuring a configuration that switches between heating and cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If waste heat from internal combustion engine or electric motor is used for defrosting, then defrosting can be performed, but the amount of heat obtained is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own high-temperature refrigerant from the compression process to heat the exterior heat exchanger, making the system self-sufficient for defrosting without relying on external waste heat sources. The compressor-discharged refrigerant directly serves the defrosting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the refrigerant by introducing an auxiliary heat exchanger that heats the low-pressure refrigerant using high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor, thereby raising the temperature of the exterior heat exchanger to prevent frost formation.
2Reliability
If external heat source is used for defrosting, then defrosting can be achieved, but the system depends on external sources which may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes its own internal high-temperature refrigerant from the compression process to perform defrosting, eliminating dependence on external waste heat sources from engines or motors. This makes the defrosting function self-sufficient and adaptable to all vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the high-temperature refrigerant from the compression process and directs it through the auxiliary heat exchanger to heat the exterior heat exchanger, separating the defrosting function from external heat sources and making it an independent system feature.
3Reliability
If focus is placed on defrosting after frost formation, then existing defrosting techniques can be applied, but suppression of frost formation before adhesion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary heat exchanger pre-heats the low-pressure refrigerant before it reaches the exterior heat exchanger, raising the temperature of the exterior heat exchanger surface above the frost formation point. This preliminary heating action prevents frost adhesion before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by heating the exterior heat exchanger with high-temperature refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchanger, creating a temperature condition that actively counteracts frost formation tendencies before frost can adhere and grow.
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
The solution enhances frost suppression and defrosting performance by utilizing the heat from the high-temperature refrigerant, improving the efficiency and reliability of heat exchange processes in various vehicle power sources, including hybrid and electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary heat exchanger that is arranged adjacent to the exterior heat exchanger and supplies a heat to the exterior heat exchanger in the heating use. The heat supplied from the auxiliary heat exchanger to the exterior heat exchanger is obtained from the high-temperature refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a compressor that sucks and compresses a low-pressure refrigerant to supply a high-pressure refrigerant... the heat supplied from the auxiliary heat exchanger to the exterior heat exchanger is obtained from the high-temperature refrigerant which has been compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 3
an exterior heat exchanger that conducts a heat exchange between air and the low-pressure refrigerant and allows the low-pressure refrigerant to absorb a heat
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump cycle includes a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit. A first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger are disposed between the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit. The first heat exchanger includes an exterior heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in a heating operation, and a radiator for radiating heat of a coolant. The second heat exchanger transmits a heat of high-pressure refrigerant to the coolant in the heating operation. A temperature of refrigerant within the second heat exchanger is higher than a temperature of refrigerant within the first heat exchanger. The heat obtained from the second heat exchanger is supplied to the first heat exchanger through the coolant. Further, the heat obtained from the second heat exchanger is stored in the coolant. In defrosting operation, the coolant that has stored the heat therein is supplied to the first heat exchanger.