Component module for a heat pump system of a vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems for vehicles require a large installation space and have obstructed access to refrigerant and coolant fluid lines due to their spatial arrangement, necessitating additional support and increasing weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A compact component module arrangement with parallel orientation of heat exchangers and compressor, utilizing internal fluid connections and air gaps to minimize space usage, and integrating a fluid distribution device for efficient refrigerant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heat pump components are arranged in a compact module with orthogonal orientation (compressor along T-direction, heat exchanger along L-direction), then space-saving configuration is achieved, but installation space requirement in the L-V plane increases and access to fluid lines is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the compressor along the L-direction (parallel to heat exchanger) instead of the conventional T-direction, utilizing the L-direction dimension more efficiently. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the module's projection area in the L-V plane while maintaining compact volume, effectively resolving the contradiction between volume efficiency and planar space requirement
2Volume of moving object
If heat pump components are arranged in a compact module with orthogonal orientation, then space-saving configuration is achieved, but access to refrigerant and coolant fluid lines is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting the compressor along the L-direction and positioning it parallel to the heat exchanger, the patent creates clear access paths along the V-direction and T-direction. This dimensional reconfiguration allows fluid lines to be accessed from the sides without obstruction, improving operational accessibility while maintaining compact volume
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional holders are used to support the heat exchanger relative to the compressor, then component stability is achieved, but module weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat exchanger and compressor into a unified module structure where the components are directly coupled through their mounting brackets and housing structures. This merging eliminates the need for separate additional holders, reducing both weight and cost while maintaining structural stability through the inherent rigidity of the integrated design
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
Achieves a significant reduction in installation space, improves access to fluid lines, reduces weight, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for additional support structures.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transferred between the refrigerant and a further fluid, for example a coolant of a separate coolant circuit, in the heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
heat is transferred between the refrigerant and a further fluid, for example a coolant of a separate coolant circuit, in the heat exchangers
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
The heat pump system uses the principle of vaporisation and condensation of the refrigerant, wherein heat is transferred between the refrigerant and a further fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A component module of a heat pump system for vehicles which has at least a compressor with a compressor housing, which extends with its body length along a compressor rotation axis, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, which have a body length greater than a body width, a collecting container for refrigerant, a fluid distribution device, which is designed for influencing a refrigerant flow path, refrigerant fluid interfaces, coolant fluid interfaces and refrigerant fluid lines which fluidly connect the components to one another, wherein the first heat exchanger is orientated with its body length along a first main direction, the second heat exchanger is orientated with its body length orthogonally to the first main direction along a vertical direction, and the compressor housing is orientated with its body length along a second main direction which is parallel to the first main direction offset in a longitudinal direction.