Hybrid Vehicle Cooling System Bypass for Stable Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for heat generation sources in vehicles, such as hybrid and electric vehicles, face challenges in maintaining stable cooling performance due to decreased refrigerant flow rates, leading to reduced cooling capacity.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that incorporates a compressor, heat exchangers, a pressure reducer, a gas-liquid separator, and a liquid accumulator to ensure a consistent flow of liquid-phase refrigerant to the heat generation source, using temperature sensors for control and a check valve to prevent backflow, and a movable partition in the accumulator to manage refrigerant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cooling route for heat generation sources is incorporated in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle with a pressure reducer, then the system can utilize the existing air conditioner refrigerant, but the liquid-phase refrigerant flow rate to the cooling portion decreases leading to deteriorated cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant flow path by introducing a bypass passage that allows liquid-phase refrigerant to flow directly from the condenser to the cooling portion, separate from the main cycle that goes through the pressure reducer. This segmentation ensures dedicated high-flow liquid refrigerant supply for cooling while maintaining the overall AC system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary liquid-phase refrigerant supply line with a liquid refrigerant supply valve that mediates between the condenser and the cooling portion. This intermediary path bypasses the pressure reducer and ensures sufficient liquid refrigerant flow rate to maintain reliable cooling performance.
2Reliability
If a separate cooling system is provided for electric parts, then cooling performance can be ensured, but vehicle mountability decreases due to additional radiator requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function for electric parts into the existing vapor compression refrigeration cycle by adding a cooling portion that utilizes the liquid-phase refrigerant from the bypass passage. This integration eliminates the need for separate radiators and cooling systems, maintaining compact vehicle mounting while ensuring reliable cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the vapor compression refrigeration cycle multi-functional by enabling it to simultaneously serve as the air conditioner and the cooling system for electric parts. The liquid-phase refrigerant bypass path provides universal cooling capability for both cabin air conditioning and electric apparatus cooling without requiring additional dedicated systems.
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 ensures stable cooling of heat generation sources by maintaining a consistent refrigerant flow rate, preventing deterioration in cooling capacity, and allowing for efficient heat exchange without increasing pressure loss or power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant that flows between the first heat exchanger and the cooling portion into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger that carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air, a second heat exchanger that carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air
Implementation Method 3
a compressor that circulates a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a pressure reducer that reduces a pressure of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for cooling a hybrid vehicle apparatus includes a compressor that circulates a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger that carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air, an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, a second heat exchanger that carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air, a cooling portion that cools the hybrid vehicle apparatus using the refrigerant that flows between the heat exchanger and the expansion valve, a gas-liquid separator that separates the refrigerant that flows between the heat exchanger and the cooling portion into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant, and a liquid accumulator that is provided between the gas-liquid separator and the cooling portion, and that retains the liquid-phase refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator.