Method for operating a refrigeration system for a vehicle, having a refrigerant circuit having a heat pump function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle refrigeration systems with heat pump functions face inefficiencies in post-heating operations, requiring additional heating efforts to meet heating requirements, which can be costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The refrigeration system incorporates an external heat exchanger that operates as both a capacitor and a heat pump evaporator, with a post-heating expansion body controlled by a temperature valve to optimize heat transfer, allowing for efficient post-heating by adjusting the opening cross-section based on refrigeration parameters, thereby reducing the need for additional heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the refrigeration system operates in post-heating mode using the external heat exchanger as evaporator and internal heating condenser, then heating function is provided, but additional heating effort is still required to meet heating requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the refrigeration system by controlling the opening cross-section of the post-heating expansion body based on refrigeration parameters (such as temperature and pressure). This allows the system to optimize heat transfer efficiency in post-heating mode, extracting maximum heating capability from the refrigeration cycle itself and reducing the need for additional heating energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the opening cross-section of the post-heating expansion body is increased to improve heat transfer, then heating efficiency improves, but refrigerant pressure control becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidpressure control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the post-heating expansion body's opening cross-section based on real-time refrigeration parameters. The opening cross-section is not fixed but is dynamically adjusted according to system conditions (temperature, pressure, heating demand), allowing the system to simultaneously achieve high heating efficiency and precise pressure control by adapting to changing operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the refrigeration system is designed to provide heating function through heat pump operation, then versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the refrigeration system to perform both cooling and heating functions using the same core components. The external heat exchanger serves as condenser in cooling mode and evaporator in heating mode, while the internal heat exchanger serves as evaporator in cooling mode and condenser in heating mode. The post-heating expansion body is specifically added to enhance heating capability without requiring separate heating system components, thus achieving versatility with controlled complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables efficient post-heating operations across a wide range of environmental conditions, minimizing additional heating requirements and optimizing the use of the refrigeration system's functional area, thus reducing energy consumption and enhancing heating performance.

Implementation Method 1

an external heat exchanger, which is operated either as a condenser or gas cooler for refrigeration operation or as a heat pump evaporator for heat pump operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator and an internal heating condenser or hot gas cooler for heating operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a post-heating expansion body controlled by a temperature valve to optimize heat transfer, allowing for efficient post-heating by adjusting the opening cross-section based on refrigeration parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3833562B1Method for operating a refrigeration system for a vehicle, having a refrigerant circuit having a heat pump function
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 AUDI AG
  • EP3833562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3833562B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a refrigeration system (10) for a vehicle, which refrigeration system comprises a refrigerant circuit (1) having a heat pump function, wherein: the refrigerant circuit (1) has an exterior heat exchanger (5), which is operated as a condenser or gas cooler in order to perform a refrigeration system mode or as a heat-pump evaporator in order to carry out a heat pump mode; the refrigerant circuit (1) has an interior heating condenser (8) or heating gas cooler (8) for carrying out a heating mode; - the interior heating condenser (8) or heating gas cooler (8) is fluidically connected to the exterior heat exchanger (5), downstream, by means of a post-heating expansion device (AE4) in order to carry out a post-heating mode; the opening cross-section of the post-heating expansion device (AE4) is controlled in accordance with a refrigeration system parameter indicating the required post-heating power.