Hybrid Vehicle Air Conditioning Compressor Switching for Low Battery Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical air conditioning system in hybrid vehicles faces insufficient voltage issues when parked for long periods or in traffic jams, leading to starting problems due to the reliance on a battery-powered electric compressor.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid air conditioning system that includes both an electric compressor and a mechanical compressor connected in parallel, with an engine and power battery configuration, where the compressors are controlled to start at different times based on the state of charge of the power battery, ensuring continuous operation and avoiding voltage insufficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If only an electric compressor is used in the air conditioning system, then the system structure is simple and energy-saving, but the battery voltage becomes insufficient when parked for long time or in traffic jams
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is segmented into two independent compression paths: an electric compressor for normal energy-efficient operation, and a mechanical compressor for backup when battery voltage is insufficient. This segmentation allows the system to switch between different operating modes based on battery state of charge, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and starting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter (compressor type) based on the battery state of charge parameter. When battery voltage is sufficient, the electric compressor operates; when voltage becomes insufficient, the system switches to the mechanical compressor driven by the engine, thus adapting to changing conditions and maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If both electric compressor and mechanical compressor are used in parallel, then the system reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engine serves multiple functions: it powers the mechanical compressor for air conditioning, and can also charge the battery when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining high reliability through the dual-compressor configuration.
3Ease of operation
If the electric compressor is started when battery voltage is low, then the air conditioning can operate, but the vehicle may fail to start due to insufficient battery voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system continuously monitors the state of charge and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently decides whether to operate the electric compressor or switch to the mechanical compressor, ensuring that air conditioning operation does not compromise vehicle starting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by monitoring battery state of charge before attempting to operate the electric compressor. When low voltage is detected, the system proactively switches to the mechanical compressor configuration, preventing the situation where the vehicle fails to start due to voltage depletion during air conditioning operation.
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 provides a comfortable and energy-saving ride environment by maintaining high pressure and temperature refrigerant flow, independent of the electric and mechanical compressors, thus addressing the voltage insufficiency and enhancing system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical compressor is replaced by an electric compressor, and a power battery is provided to supply power to the electric compressor, so that the refrigerant flowing from an evaporation chamber is compressed to be the working fluid having a high temperature and a high pressure
Implementation Method 2
an engine, connected with the mechanical compressor and configured to supply a power source to the mechanical compressor
Implementation Method 3
the working fluid is fed to a condenser to cool
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid vehicle, an air conditioning system and a method for controlling the air conditioning system are provided. The air conditioning system includes: an electric compressor; a mechanical compressor, connected with the electric compressor in parallel; a power battery, connected with the electric compressor and configured to supply power to the electric compressor; an engine, connected with the mechanical compressor and configured to supply a power source to the mechanical compressor; an engine controller, connected with the engine and configured to start the engine when the mechanical compressor is to be started; a battery manager, connected with the power battery and configured to detect a state of charge of the power battery; and a controller, connected with the engine controller and the battery manager and configured to start the electric compressor and the mechanical compressor at different time according to the state of charge of the power battery.