Movable Sub-Heat Exchanger for EV Cabin Heating Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems for electric motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal battery module temperature and improving heating efficiency using heat pumps, often leading to reduced energy efficiency and decreased driving range.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with a sub-heat exchanger that can be moved between a heat exchanger and an electric heater to enhance heat conduction, combined with a refrigerant system that selectively uses a heat exchanger or electric heater for heating or cooling, optimizing temperature control and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the temperature of refrigerant circulated to the indoor condenser is increased by increasing the driving amount of compressor or the heating value of the electric heater is increased, then heating performance is improved, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor condenser is divided into multiple heat exchange sections with different heat transfer coefficients. The refrigerant flow path is segmented to allow selective circulation through high-efficiency sections, enabling effective heat exchange at lower refrigerant temperatures and improving energy efficiency while maintaining heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the indoor condenser are designed with locally optimized heat exchange properties. High heat transfer coefficient sections are positioned for primary heat exchange, while lower efficiency sections serve auxiliary functions. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve effective heating with reduced energy consumption by concentrating heat exchange in optimal zones.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat pump technology is applied with indoor condenser and electric heater, then energy consumption is minimized, but heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The high heat transfer coefficient section of the indoor condenser is integrated with the electric heater to form a combined heating system. This merging allows the system to leverage both the heat pump's energy efficiency and the electric heater's high heating output, achieving both low energy consumption and high heating efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor condenser is designed to serve multiple functions: primary heating through heat pump operation, auxiliary heating when integrated with the electric heater, and potential cooling functions. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain energy efficiency across different operating modes while providing sufficient heating capacity when needed.
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
Enhances heating performance by increasing heat dissipation area and improving energy efficiency, thereby maintaining optimal battery temperature and extending driving range.
Implementation Method 1
a sub-heat exchanger provided between the heat exchanger and the electric heater so as to move between the heat exchanger and the electric heater such that heat generated by the heat exchanger and the electric heater may be conducted to the sub-heat exchanger so as to improve heat conduction performance of the heat exchanger and the electric heater
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger and an electric heater provided to heat the air circulated in the housing so as to form heated air
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator provided in the housing and configured to cool the air so as to form cooled air
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus for electric motor vehicles includes a sub-heat exchanger provided between a heat exchanger and an electric heater, and the sub-heat exchanger is moved towards the heat exchanger or the electric heater so that heat is conducted to the sub-heat exchanger depending on whether or not the heat exchanger and the electric heater are operated depending on a heating condition, thereby increasing a heat dissipation area through the sub-heat exchanger during heating and thus being capable of improving heating performance.