Multi-stage split independent control cooling system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling systems in buses and railway vehicles suffer from low energy efficiency due to the large volume and weight of copper coil-type evaporators, which require the entire system to operate and cannot be efficiently controlled to match varying cooling demands.

Innovation Solution

An independently controlled multi-column split cooling system with aluminum coil-type evaporators arranged in parallel columns, allowing for real-time adjustment of cooling capacities through independent operation and electronic valve control, reducing energy consumption and weight compared to copper coil systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a large-scale copper coil-type evaporator is used, then cooling performance is sufficient, but volume and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidevaporator weight
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single large evaporator into multiple smaller evaporators arranged in parallel columns. Each evaporator is independently controlled with its own expansion valve and electronic valve, allowing the system to segment cooling capacity according to actual demand rather than operating the entire large evaporator at full capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If a large-scale evaporator is used, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but energy efficiency decreases due to inability to partially operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of multiple evaporators through electronic valves and expansion valves that can independently adjust refrigerant flow to each evaporator. This allows the system to dynamically match cooling output with actual cooling demand, avoiding energy waste from operating the entire evaporator system at full capacity when only partial cooling is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If multiple evaporators are arranged in parallel, then energy efficiency improves through independent control, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the refrigerant distribution system into multiple independent control zones, with each evaporator having its own expansion valve and electronic valve. This segmentation enables independent control of each evaporator's refrigerant flow, allowing the system to optimize energy efficiency by activating only the necessary number of evaporators based on cooling demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If copper coil-type evaporators are used, then heat exchange performance is reliable, but weight and volume are excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange performanceVSAvoidevaporator volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces a single large copper coil evaporator with multiple smaller evaporators arranged in parallel columns. This segmentation achieves the same total heat exchange surface area and cooling capacity while reducing the volume occupied by each individual component and allowing more compact system arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves improved energy efficiency and reduced weight by allowing for precise control of cooling capacities and enhanced heat exchange efficiency, optimizing energy use and fuel efficiency in vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant in a low-temperature/low-pressure liquid state into the low-temperature/low-pressure gaseous state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

an evaporation section in which the inside of a bus or a railway vehicle is cooled by absorbing thermal energy from a compartment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a condenser to convert the refrigerant supplied from the compressor into a liquid state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

a condensation section in which thermal energy of the compressed refrigerant is emitted to the outside of the system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat emission: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 5

a compressor to convert a refrigerant in a low-temperature/low-pressure gaseous state into a high-temperature/high-pressure gaseous state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3578398B1Multi-stage split independent control cooling system
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 KO HONG DAL
  • EP3578398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3578398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3578398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an independently controlled multi-column split cooling system in which a plurality of evaporators arranged in parallel is used, instead of a single evaporator generally used in cooling systems of buses or railway vehicles, and the evaporators are independently controlled according to control of cooling capacities so as to increase energy efficiency. In the independently controlled multi-column split cooling system in which a refrigerant executes heat exchange via a compressor, a condenser, expansion valves and the evaporators, the evaporators are arranged to be split from one another and respectively connected to a plurality of refrigerant pipes branched off from the expansion valve so as to be independently operated through a controller, and an evaporation fan is installed at one side of each of the evaporators and thus controlled while interworking with operation of the corresponding evaporator.