Vehicle Heating Circuit Switching for Stable Heater Core Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle-mounted temperature control systems, the heating capability of the heater core is reduced due to long piping lengths between the internal combustion engine and the heater core, causing cold heat medium to flow to the heater core first, and the use of condenser heat to preheat the medium results in temporary drops in heating efficiency when engine heat is utilized.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted temperature control system with a connection state switching mechanism that controls the flow of heat medium between the internal combustion engine's heat and the condenser's heat, ensuring that heated medium from the engine flows through the heater core efficiently, and utilizing the condenser's heat to maintain high temperatures within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the internal combustion engine and heater core are mounted away from each other, then the vehicle layout flexibility is improved, but the piping length increases causing cold heat medium to flow to the heater core first, reducing heating capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action by using the condenser to heat the heat medium before it reaches the heater core. The control device detects when the engine temperature is low and the heater core temperature is low, and activates the condenser heating in advance to preheat the heat medium in the piping, ensuring that warm heat medium reaches the heater core promptly without temporary cooling.
2Productivity
If the condenser heat is used to preheat the heat medium, then the heating efficiency is improved, but when engine heat is utilized, the cold heat medium temporarily flows into the heater core causing heating efficiency to drop
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different heating modes based on real-time conditions. The control device monitors engine temperature, heater core temperature, and heat medium temperature to determine whether to use condenser heating, engine heating, or both simultaneously. This dynamic control ensures continuous high-temperature heat medium supply to the heater core regardless of which heat source is primary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous heating action by seamlessly transitioning between heat sources. When the engine temperature becomes sufficient, the control device smoothly transitions from condenser heating to engine heating without interrupting the heat supply to the heater core. The heat medium flow is continuously maintained at high temperature through coordinated control of both heating sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If long piping is used between engine and heater core, then the vehicle design flexibility is improved, but the heat loss in piping increases, reducing the temperature of heat medium reaching the heater core
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser acts as an intermediary heating device that compensates for heat loss in the long piping. By positioning the condenser heating part in the heat circuit between the engine and heater core, the system adds heat to the heat medium during its journey through the long piping, offsetting the thermal losses and ensuring the heat medium arrives at the heater core at the required temperature.
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 maintains a consistent high temperature within the heater core, preventing temporary drops in heating capability and ensuring efficient heating of the passenger compartment, even during engine warm-up.
Implementation Method 1
a heater core used for utilizing heat of a heat medium to heat an inside of a passenger compartment
Implementation Method 2
a first heating part utilizing exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine to heat the heat medium
Implementation Method 3
a second heating part utilizing heat other than exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine to heat the heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system includes a heater core utilizing heat of a heat medium; an engine heat exchanger utilizing exhaust heat of an engine to heat the heat medium; a condenser utilizing heat other than the exhaust heat to heat the heat medium; a heat circuit having the heater core and condenser; a communication flow path making the engine heat exchanger communicate with the heat circuit; and a connection state switching mechanism switching a flow state of the heat medium, between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the heat medium flows through the heat circuit, while flowing through the heater core, and in the second state, the heat medium flows through the heat circuit without flowing through the heater core. The heat circuit is arranged at a front of a passenger compartment, and the engine heat exchanger is arranged at a rear of the compartment.