Modular Heat Pump System with Bypass for Low Ambient Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning systems in vehicles face inefficiencies in heating at low ambient temperatures, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles, leading to increased fuel consumption, emissions, and reduced range due to reliance on combustion engine heat sources, and existing systems require multiple blowers which decrease efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a refrigerant circulation system featuring a heat exchanger that can operate as both an evaporator and condenser independently, along with a bypass for the external heat exchanger, allowing for single blower operation and efficient heat transfer using ambient air, reducing the risk of icing and maintaining heating power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant-air-heat exchangers are used to derive heating action from the combustion engine coolant circulation system, then heating is provided at normal operating temperatures, but heating capability is lost at low ambient temperatures below -10°C and the combustion engine must run continuously increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger located outside the enclosure can operate in multiple modes: as an evaporator in heat pump mode to absorb heat from ambient air, and as a condenser in cooling mode to dissipate heat to ambient air. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide heating capability independent of combustion engine operation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining heating capability and reducing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own airflow (airstream) to cool the heat exchanger located outside the enclosure in cooling mode, eliminating the need for separate cooling fans or additional energy input. The vehicle movement itself provides the cooling effect, making the system self-service and reducing overall energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple blowers are used to propagate air through the enclosure for heat pump operation, then heating and cooling functions are maintained, but system efficiency decreases due to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of multiple blowers into a single blower that propagates air through the enclosure. The single blower suffices to provide both heating and cooling functions by controlling air flow direction and heat exchanger operation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining operating mode flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The single blower serves multiple purposes: propagating air for heat pump heating, supporting cooling mode operation, and enabling reheating mode. This universal application of a single component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized blowers, reducing energy consumption while maintaining versatility.
3Power
If the heat exchanger located outside the enclosure is used as an evaporator in heat pump mode at low ambient temperatures, then heating power is increased, but icing of the heat exchanger surface occurs reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the operating mode of the heat exchanger located outside the enclosure based on ambient temperature conditions. When ambient temperature drops below the dew point, the system switches from evaporator mode (heat pump mode) to condenser mode (cooling mode), preventing icing while maintaining heating capability through the internal heat exchangers. This dynamic adaptation ensures both high heating power and reliable operation.
4Temperature
If the combustion engine is operated continuously to maintain coolant temperature for heating, then heating is provided, but exhaust emissions and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's motion and ambient air flow to provide cooling for the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for continuous engine operation. The vehicle's own kinetic energy and airflow serve the cooling function, allowing the engine to be shut off when not needed for propulsion, thereby reducing exhaust emissions while maintaining the ability to provide heating when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the heat exchanger located outside the enclosure, switching between evaporator and condenser modes based on ambient conditions. This parameter change allows the system to operate efficiently in cooling mode during vehicle movement, eliminating the need for continuous engine operation to maintain coolant temperature, thus reducing exhaust emissions.
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 provides efficient dehumidification and heating with reduced power consumption, suitable for vehicles with low heat sources, and avoids icing issues by strategic mode switching, maintaining comfortable climate and extending vehicle range.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger located outside of the enclosure (35), which is located outside of the enclosure (2) and inside of the refrigerant path (33, 43) of the refrigerant circulation system (30)
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator (6) for the absorption of heat from the air mass flow into the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a condenser (7) for the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to the air mass flow into the passenger compartment (8)
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system for conditioning air of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The air conditioning system operable in a cooling mode, a heat pump mode, and a reheating mode, the system includes an enclosure with a first flow channel and a second flow channel conducting air, and a refrigerant circulation system with a heat exchanger operable as an evaporator independent of the operating mode and a heat exchanger operable as a condenser independent of the operating mode. Both heat exchangers are located inside the enclosure. The refrigerant circulation system also includes a heat exchanger outside of the enclosure and inside the refrigerant path, an expansion element upstream from the evaporator in the flow direction of the refrigerant, and a bypass parallel to the refrigerant path to channel the refrigerant around the heat exchanger as needed.