Induction-Heated Refrigerant Loop for Faster Cold-Start Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioning systems using heat pump cycles experience decreased initial heating performance in cold weather due to slow refrigerant temperature and pressure increase, leading to prolonged warm air delivery and increased power consumption, particularly in electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heating portion with a honeycomb structure and coil wiring in the refrigerant pipe that heats the refrigerant via electromagnetic induction, connected upstream or downstream of the compressor, to rapidly increase refrigerant temperature and improve initial heating performance while reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a heat pump cycle is used for air conditioning, then power saving is achieved, but initial heating performance decreases in cold weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinitial heating performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The heating portion pre-heats the refrigerant before it enters the heat pump cycle by applying electromagnetic induction to the refrigerant pipe. This preliminary heating action raises the refrigerant temperature in advance, enabling faster heating performance when heating is initiated without increasing overall power consumption significantly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If the refrigerant temperature is low in cold weather, then the heat pump cycle operates, but the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant do not increase easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant temperatureVSAvoidtime to feed warm air

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating portion performs preliminary heating of the refrigerant by electromagnetic induction before the refrigerant enters the compression and heat exchange processes. This advance heating ensures the refrigerant reaches the necessary temperature and pressure levels quickly, reducing the time delay before warm air is delivered

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If a refrigerant heater composed of a sheathed heater is used to heat the refrigerant, then the start of heating is sped up, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart of heating speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the conventional sheathed heater (electrical resistance heating) with an electromagnetic induction heating system. The induction heating portion generates eddy currents directly in the refrigerant or the pipe wall, producing heat more efficiently with lower power consumption while achieving the same effect of rapidly increasing refrigerant temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enhances initial heating performance by rapidly heating refrigerant in cold weather, reducing power consumption compared to conventional electric heaters, and extends the driving range of electric vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a heating portion capable of circulating the refrigerant therethrough and capable of heating the refrigerant by electromagnetic induction is connected in the middle of the refrigerant pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250303821A1Air conditioning system

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

An air conditioning system includes a heat pump cycle having a refrigerant pipe capable of circulating a refrigerant therethrough, and a compressor capable of compressing the refrigerant. A heating portion capable of circulating the refrigerant therethrough and capable of heating the refrigerant by electromagnetic induction is connected in the middle of the refrigerant pipe.