Heat pump system for vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat pump systems for electric and hybrid vehicles are complex, leading to increased size and weight, noise, and vibration due to multiple valves and complicated pipe layouts, which affect ride comfort and efficiency in heating and cooling the battery module and electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system that uses a single chiller for heat exchange between a coolant and refrigerant to adjust the battery module temperature, incorporating a radiator, water pumps, valves, and a reservoir tank to circulate coolant, and recovers waste heat from electrical components for internal heating, simplifying the system and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate battery cooling system with multiple valves and complex pipe layouts is used, then the battery module temperature can be adjusted, but the system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery cooling system with the existing heat pump system by integrating a single chiller that serves both the battery module and electrical components. The coolant line connects both systems, allowing one chiller to perform heat exchange for both cooling needs, thereby reducing overall system weight and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The chiller is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: cooling the battery module and cooling electrical components. By making the chiller universal, the system eliminates the need for separate cooling devices, reducing weight while maintaining effective temperature control for both components
2Temperature
If multiple valves are used for connection with respective connection pipes, then the battery and electrical components can be cooled separately, but noise and vibration increase affecting ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of valves by merging the control functions into a single valve that manages both the battery cooling line and electrical component cooling line. This minimizes valve operations, thereby reducing noise and vibration that affect ride comfort while still enabling separate cooling control when needed
3Reliability
If a separate battery cooling system is provided, then optimal battery performance can be maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chiller is designed as a universal cooling device that can serve both the battery module and electrical components. By making the chiller multi-functional, the system maintains reliable temperature control for optimal battery performance while significantly reducing system complexity compared to having entirely separate cooling systems
4Use of energy by moving object
If waste heat from electrical components is not recovered, then the system is simpler, but heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat generated by electrical components into a useful resource for heating the vehicle interior. The heat pump system recovers this waste heat through the coolant circulation system, transforming a harmful thermal byproduct into a beneficial heating source, thereby improving heating efficiency while maintaining reasonable system complexity
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 solution simplifies the system, reduces weight and manufacturing costs, enhances spatial utilization, and optimizes battery performance by efficiently managing the battery module temperature, thereby increasing the vehicle's travel distance and improving heating efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a chiller provided in the battery coolant line between the first valve and the battery module, and connected to a refrigerant line of an air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line, to adjust a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between the coolant which is circulated in the battery coolant line and a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a cooling apparatus configured to include a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, a second valve, and a reservoir tank which are connected through a coolant line, and to circulate a coolant in the coolant line
Implementation Method 3
a second water pump and a battery module which are connected through the battery coolant line to circulate the coolant in the battery module
Implementation Method 4
a heating apparatus including a heating line connected to the coolant line through the second valve to heat a vehicle interior by use of a coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system for a vehicle may include a cooling apparatus of circulating a coolant in a coolant line to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant line; a battery cooling apparatus of circulating the coolant to the battery module; a heating apparatus that heats an interior of the vehicle using the coolant; a chiller for heat-exchanging the coolant with a refrigerant to control a temperature of the coolant; and, wherein the chiller is connected to a chiller connection line through a third valve provided in the coolant line between the radiator and a second valve, and, wherein the reservoir tank is provided in the coolant line between the radiator and the first valve, and is connected to the coolant line connecting the first valve and the first water pump through a supply line bypassing the first valve.