Vehicle HVAC Humidity Control for Fast Cold-Start Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems face challenges in achieving efficient heating in cold weather, quick heating, and compact size, particularly in battery electric vehicles, due to the need for both a heat pump cycle and a PTC heater, and insufficient moisture removal capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a humidity controlling device with a honeycomb structure and PTC property in the air conditioning duct, which includes a moisture absorbing layer, and controlling it during the heating operation mode of the heat pump cycle to enhance heating efficiency and quick heating without requiring a PTC heater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a heat pump cycle and PTC heater are both provided for heating in cold weather, then heating efficiency and quick heating are improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PTC heater and humidity controlling device into a single integrated component. The PTC heater element is positioned within the humidity controlling device housing, allowing both heating and humidity control functions to be performed by one device rather than requiring separate components. This reduces system complexity while maintaining the heating efficiency benefits of the PTC heater.
2Speed
If a PTC heater is provided as an auxiliary heat source for quick heating in cold weather, then quick heating performance is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PTC heater is integrated within the existing humidity controlling device structure, eliminating the need for a separate PTC heater component. The heater element is positioned to utilize the same air flow paths and housing space, thereby achieving quick heating capability without increasing the overall device size.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation is increased to remove harmful volatile components and control humidity in the vehicle interior, then interior air quality is improved, but heater energy loss increases in winter
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors to detect humidity levels and volatile component concentrations in the vehicle interior. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the ventilation rate and activates the PTC heater only when necessary to maintain air quality standards, thereby minimizing heater energy loss while ensuring adequate removal of harmful components.
4Reliability
If the functional material is heated to a predetermined temperature for regeneration, then the ability to trap and remove components is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity controlling device with PTC heater serves a dual function: it controls humidity in the vehicle interior and simultaneously provides the heating necessary for regenerating the moisture-absorbing material. The PTC heater recovers and utilizes thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, heating the functional material to the required temperature for regeneration without requiring additional external energy input.
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
The system achieves improved heating efficiency and quick heating in cold weather while maintaining a compact design, and effectively removes moisture from the vehicle interior.
Implementation Method 1
a PTC heater disposed in the air conditioning duct on a downstream side of the evaporator; the control unit comprises a warm-up mode in which the PTC heater heats the air
Implementation Method 2
the PTC heater heats the air
Implementation Method 3
a heat pump cycle comprising a condenser disposed in the air conditioning duct on a downstream side of the humidity controlling device
Implementation Method 4
a heat pump cycle comprising a condenser disposed in the air conditioning duct on a downstream side of the humidity controlling device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning system includes: an air conditioning duct through which air flows; a humidity controlling device disposed in the air conditioning duct; a heat pump cycle including a condenser disposed in the air conditioning duct on a downstream side of the humidity controlling device; and a control unit for controlling the humidity controlling device and the heat pump cycle in response to an operation mode. The control unit comprises a warm-up mode in which the air is heated by the humidity controlling device at the start of a heating operation mode of the heat pump cycle.