Vehicle HVAC Battery Management for Engine-Off Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems in vehicles cannot provide temperature control when the engine is turned off, leading to discomfort for drivers and inefficiencies in fuel usage, as they rely on engine-belt driven compressors and heaters that consume fuel or drain the battery, and replacement processes are laborious and costly.
Innovation Solution
A battery management controller and reverse cycle heating system that allows the HVAC system to operate using a combination of power sources, including batteries and external power, with a power management controller to modulate compressor and blower speeds, enabling temperature control without engine power and reducing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is turned off to save fuel, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the HVAC system cannot provide temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the engine-belt driven compressor with an electric compressor that can be powered by the vehicle battery or external power sources. This substitution allows the HVAC system to operate independently of the engine, enabling temperature control when the engine is off while maintaining the ability to save fuel by turning off the engine.
2Ease of operation
If the battery powers the HVAC system when the engine is off, then temperature control is available, but the battery may drain to the point that the vehicle cannot be started
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a battery management system as an intermediary that monitors battery charge levels and controls HVAC operation accordingly. This mediator prevents the battery from draining to critical levels by shutting down the HVAC system when appropriate, while still allowing extended operation when sufficient charge is available. The system may also integrate external power sources as additional intermediaries to recharge the battery during HVAC operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system continuously monitors battery state of charge and provides feedback control to the HVAC system. When the battery charge drops below a threshold, the system automatically reduces or stops HVAC operation to preserve enough power for vehicle starting, ensuring reliable operation while maximizing comfort availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the HVAC system is replaced with a new system, then temperature control when engine is off is achieved, but installation is laborious and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the HVAC system into modular components, with the electric compressor and battery management system being the key replaceable elements. This segmentation allows for targeted upgrades rather than complete system replacement, reducing installation complexity and cost while achieving the desired temperature control capability when the engine is off.
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
Enables extended operation of the HVAC system when the engine is off without draining the battery, conserving energy and reducing fuel usage, while allowing for easy installation and minimizing the need for replacing existing components.
Implementation Method 1
The battery management controller can be configured to run a temperature control system and to supply power to the temperature control system from a combination of the first and second power sources with a combined voltage
Implementation Method 2
A battery management controller and reverse cycle heating system that allows the HVAC system to operate using a combination of power sources
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system for a vehicle. The HVAC system includes a battery management controller, which can be used to run the components of the HVAC system when the engine of the vehicle is not running.