Heat Pump AC Muffler Layout to Prevent Coolant Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat-pump-type air-conditioning devices for electric vehicles, the pulsation suppression device is often positioned above the electric compressor, leading to coolant backflow when the compressor stops, as liquid coolant accumulates and flows back from the pulsation suppression device to the compressor.
Innovation Solution
The pulsation suppression device is positioned higher than the electric compressor's coolant discharge port, with the inflow port set above the outflow port, ensuring that liquid coolant accumulates below the outflow port and flows to the condenser, preventing backflow to the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the pulsation suppression device is disposed in a position higher than the electric compressor to suppress pipe-internal pulsation, then pulsation suppression is improved, but liquid coolant accumulates in the pulsation suppression device and flows back to the electric compressor when the compressor stops
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsation suppression device is segmented into distinct inlet and outlet ports positioned at different heights. The inlet port is positioned higher than the outlet port, creating separate functional zones within the device that allow pulsation suppression while preventing backflow through gravitational drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a vertical height dimension to the coolant flow path within the pulsation suppression device. By positioning the inlet port higher than the outlet port in the vertical direction, the device utilizes gravitational potential energy to ensure liquid coolant drains to the outlet and flows downward to the condenser, preventing backflow to the compressor.
2Volume of moving object
If the pulsation suppression device is positioned above the electric compressor, then space utilization is improved, but the liquid level of coolant accumulates at the bottom of the pulsation suppression device
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pulsation suppression device are given different functional qualities. The upper region (inlet port area) handles gas coolant and pulsation suppression, while the lower region (outlet port area) handles liquid coolant drainage. This local differentiation allows the device to accommodate both gas and liquid phases with distinct functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the outlet port higher than the inlet port (which would prevent accumulation but cause backflow), the invention inverts the conventional approach by positioning the inlet port higher than the outlet port. This inversion allows liquid coolant to accumulate at the bottom and drain naturally through gravity to the condenser, preventing backflow to the compressor.
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 configuration effectively prevents coolant backflow to the electric compressor when it stops, maintaining system integrity and operational efficiency while minimizing pulsation and liquid accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a pulsation suppression device for suppressing pulsation of the coolant discharged from the electric compressor
Implementation Method 2
when the electric compressor stops, some of the gas coolant remaining in the pulsation suppression device and the coolant discharge pipe liquefies, and this liquid coolant accumulates in the bottom of the pulsation suppression device
Implementation Method 3
the liquid level of coolant accumulating in the bottom of the pulsation suppression device is stipulated to be the height position of the coolant outflow port, thus preventing coolant backflow to the electric compressor from the coolant inflow port set in a position higher than the coolant outflow port
Data Source
AI summary
A heat-pump-type air-conditioning device includes an electric compressor, a condenser, a coolant discharge pipe and a muffler. The electric compressor is disposed in a motor compartment of an electric vehicle, while the condenser is disposed in a passenger compartment. The coolant discharge pipe links the electric compressor and the condenser for channeling coolant from the electric compressor to the condenser. The muffler is provided at a position partway along the coolant discharge pipe for suppressing pulsation in the coolant discharged from the electric compressor. The muffler is disposed at a position higher up in the vehicle than the than a coolant discharge port of the electric compressor. A coolant inflow port of the muffler is set at a position higher up in the vehicle than the than a coolant outflow port of the muffler.