Vehicle HVAC Coolant Bypass for Thermoelectric Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle HVAC systems require additional heat exchangers and components to efficiently heat and cool passenger compartments, leading to increased complexity and energy wastage, especially when the engine reaches a sufficient temperature to heat the compartment.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system that includes a thermoelectric device (TED) and a bypass circuit, allowing coolant to circulate directly between the thermal energy source and the heat transfer device, bypassing the TED when the engine is ready to provide heat, thereby reducing energy wastage and maintaining efficient cooling through a common heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thermoelectric device (TED) is used to transfer thermal energy in the fluid circuit, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase when the engine is warm
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: using the TED for active thermal energy transfer when the engine is cold, and bypassing the TED via the bypass circuit when the engine reaches sufficient temperature. This dynamic configuration optimization eliminates energy wastage by adapting the thermal management strategy to real-time engine temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors engine temperature and changes the operational parameters of the thermal management system accordingly. When engine temperature exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from TED-based active heat transfer to passive heat exchange through the bypass circuit, optimizing energy efficiency based on the thermal state of the engine.
2Productivity
If additional heat exchangers and components are added to the HVAC system, then heating and cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass circuit enables the existing heat exchanger to serve dual functions: it acts as an active heat transfer component when coupled with the TED, and as a passive heat exchange pathway when the TED is bypassed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heat exchangers for different operating conditions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining heating and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the TED-based active thermal management pathway with the traditional passive heat exchange pathway into a unified fluid circuit. The bypass circuit allows seamless integration of these two pathways, enabling the system to switch between them based on engine temperature without requiring entirely separate systems, thereby reducing component count and complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the TED operates continuously to maintain temperature control, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily when the engine can provide sufficient heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the engine's own thermal output to serve the heating needs of the passenger compartment when the engine reaches sufficient temperature. By bypassing the TED and allowing direct thermal energy transfer from the engine through the bypass circuit, the system enables self-service heating without external energy input, eliminating unnecessary TED energy consumption while maintaining temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system extracts the TED from the active thermal management loop when the engine provides sufficient heat, routing the fluid through the bypass circuit instead. This extraction of the TED from the operational pathway eliminates its energy consumption while the engine's thermal output continues to provide stable heating through the heat exchanger.
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 system enables quick and efficient heating and cooling of the passenger compartment with minimal additional components, optimizing energy use by switching between modes based on engine temperature and airflow requirements, reducing the need for multiple heat exchangers and components.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device (TED) transferring thermal energy from the first fluid circuit to the second fluid circuit
Implementation Method 2
The HVAC system directs a flow of air through a heat exchanger to heat or cool the air prior to flowing into the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 3
A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED)
Data Source
AI summary
Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow.