Integrated Generator Motor Assembly for Vehicle HVAC Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration and air conditioning systems for vehicles face inefficiencies and high costs due to reliance on electrically driven compressors, which are not competitive with integrated or hermetic compressors, and there is a need to simplify and facilitate the driving of these systems while reducing fuel consumption and increasing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact assembly comprising a compressor driven by a heat engine, an auxiliary electric motor, and a generator with a shared mechanical shaft, allowing the generator to power electric motors directly and switch between heat engine and external electrical network power, eliminating the need for mechanical transmission and reducing costs by integrating the generator and auxiliary motor in a common casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electrically driven compressor is used to be powered by an electrical grid, then the system can operate when the vehicle is stationary, but the system efficiency decreases and cost increases compared to integrated or hermetic compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electric motor and generator into a single integrated assembly sharing a common shaft and housing. This merging eliminates separate mechanical transmission components and reduces system complexity, allowing the system to maintain efficiency while enabling grid-powered operation through the integrated motor-compressor arrangement
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate modules are used for compressor drive and generator, then the system can be powered by an electrical grid, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the generator and auxiliary electric motor into a single modular assembly with a shared shaft and common housing. This merging reduces the number of separate components and connections required, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the capability to operate from either the electrical grid or the vehicle's powertrain
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions: the auxiliary electric motor can drive the compressor when the vehicle is stationary, the generator can supply power to electric motors, and the system can switch between grid power and vehicle powertrain power. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If a belt-driven pulley system is used to transmit power from heat engine to electric motors, then the system can operate on-road, but the overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the belt-driven pulley transmission system by directly coupling the heat engine to the generator shaft. This extraction of the intermediate transmission components removes energy losses associated with belt slip, friction, and mechanical inefficiencies, thereby improving overall system efficiency while maintaining on-road operational capability
4Ease of repair
If the generator and auxiliary electric motor are housed in separate casings, then the components can be independently maintained, but the assembly size increases and installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent houses both the generator and auxiliary electric motor within a single integrated casing that accommodates both components and their shared shaft. This space-efficient merging reduces the overall assembly volume compared to separate casings, while the modular design still allows for practical maintenance and replacement of individual components
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 configuration enhances efficiency and reduces fuel consumption by allowing the heat engine to drive the compressor and generator when on-road, while the auxiliary motor powers the compressor when stationary, and simplifies wiring by enabling direct power supply from the generator or network, improving overall system performance and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet generator (4) having a shaft (25) which is driven in rotation by the heat engine (3)
Implementation Method 2
a compressor (15) intended to be driven by a heat engine (3), in particular a diesel heat engine
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 4c~7c
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly (1) comprising: - a compressor (15) intended to be driven by a heat engine (3), - an auxiliary electric motor (16) for driving the compressor (15) when the latter is not or cannot be driven by the heat engine, - a permanent magnet generator (4) having a shaft that can be rotated by the heat engine (3), the generator (4) and the auxiliary electric motor (16) being arranged on this shaft, - one or more electric motors for condensers and/or evaporators (8, 9) of a vehicle air conditioning or refrigeration system, the generator directly supplying the electric motor(s) (8, 9), the supply voltage of the electric motor(s) being the output voltage of the generator, - a switching device (10) for the power supply to the electric motor(s) (8, 9) of condensers and/or evaporators of the air conditioning or refrigeration system.enabling a switch from power supply via the generator (4) to power supply via an external electrical network (11), the switching device (10) comprising one or more switches (12) for controlling the power supply to the electric motor(s) from the electrical network.