Heat pump system for vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems for vehicles face inefficiencies in heating performance due to refrigerant temperature being lower than outdoor air, leading to frosting on exterior heat exchangers and reduced heat exchange efficiency, and struggle to dehumidify the interior effectively in heat pump mode.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a dehumidification line that supplies refrigerant to the evaporator before the exterior heat exchanger, allowing for smooth flow at low pressure, and includes a controller to prevent frosting, along with a bypass flow channel and smaller pipe diameter to maintain heating performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigerant is supplied to the exterior heat exchanger in heat pump mode, then heating function is provided, but refrigerant temperature is lower than outdoor air temperature causing frosting and reduced heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the refrigerant before it reaches the exterior heat exchanger. The system uses a heat exchanger to warm the refrigerant using ambient air or other heat sources before the refrigerant contacts the exterior heat exchanger surface, preventing frosting while maintaining heating functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dehumidification line is added to supply refrigerant to the evaporator, then dehumidification function is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the refrigerant circulation system to serve multiple purposes: heating, cooling, and dehumidification. The dehumidification line integrates with the existing refrigerant circulation path, allowing the same system to perform different functions based on operational mode without requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the refrigerant circulation into distinct pathways: a main circulation path for heating/cooling and a separate dehumidification line that branches off to supply refrigerant specifically to the evaporator for dehumidification purposes, then rejoins the main path.
3Productivity
If refrigerant flows through the dehumidification line to the evaporator before the exterior heat exchanger, then dehumidification is achieved, but pressure difference may cause flow problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary component, specifically an expansion valve or flow control device, in the dehumidification line to regulate refrigerant flow and balance pressure differences. This intermediary ensures smooth refrigerant flow from the high-pressure side through the dehumidification line to the evaporator, preventing flow instability while enabling effective dehumidification.
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
Enhances heating performance by preventing frosting and ensuring effective dehumidification of the vehicle interior, even in low outdoor temperatures, while minimizing pressure loss and flow noise.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor mounted on a refrigerant circulation line for compressing and discharging refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an interior heat exchanger mounted inside an air-conditioning case for exchanging heat between the air inside the air-conditioning case and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator mounted inside the air-conditioning case for exchanging heat between the air inside the air-conditioning case and the refrigerant supplied to the compressor
Implementation Method 4
an exterior heat exchanger mounted outside the air-conditioning case for exchanging heat between the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circulation line and the outdoor air
Implementation Method 5
first expansion means mounted on the refrigerant circulation line located between the interior heat exchanger and the exterior heat exchanger for expanding refrigerant
Implementation Method 6
second expansion means mounted on the refrigerant circulation line of an inlet side of the evaporator for expanding refrigerant supplied to the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a dehumidification line for supplying some refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circulation line to an evaporator before the refrigerant is introduced into an exterior heat exchanger after passing a first expansion means so as to dehumidify the interior of the vehicle in a heat pump mode, thereby allowing the refrigerant to smoothly flow to the evaporator at a low pressure through the dehumidification line before the refrigerant is introduced into the exterior heat exchanger which has a higher pressure than the evaporator when the interior of the vehicle is dehumidified, and smoothly dehumidifying the inside of the vehicle.