Multi-Zone Heat Pump Air Mixing Control for Precise Cabin Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems in vehicles face poor accuracy in temperature regulation, particularly in electric vehicles where waste heat is less abundant, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a heat pump system that acquires temperature regulation mode, target temperature, and temperature adjustment demand for each zone, adjusting the air mixing damper's opening value based on measured outlet air temperature to precisely control outlet air temperature, eliminating the need for a temperature sensor behind the heater core and optimizing compressor rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor behind the heater core is used to control the air mixing damper, then the outlet air temperature can be regulated, but the temperature regulation accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensor from its traditional position behind the heater core and relocates it to the air outlet. This extraction allows direct measurement of the outlet air temperature, eliminating the need to estimate temperature through heat loss parameters and achieving accurate temperature control without complex sensor placement behind the heater core.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the temperature sensor at the air outlet continuously measures the actual outlet air temperature, and the controller adjusts the air mixing damper opening based on the difference between the measured temperature and target temperature. This closed-loop feedback system significantly improves temperature regulation accuracy compared to open-loop control.
2Temperature
If the heating temperature is set higher than the target temperature to compensate for heat loss, then the target temperature can be achieved at the air outlet, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control mechanism allows the system to achieve the target outlet air temperature without excessive heating by continuously adjusting the air mixing damper based on actual temperature measurements. This eliminates the need to preset high heating temperatures to compensate for heat loss, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the air mixing damper opening based on real-time temperature measurements and target temperature requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize the mix of heated and unheated air, achieving energy-efficient temperature regulation compared to static high-temperature heating.
3Ease of operation
If a temperature sensor behind the heater core is installed, then the temperature control can be implemented, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensor from the complex installation position behind the heater core and places it at the air outlet, simplifying the sensor installation while maintaining temperature control capability. This extraction reduces device complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing air outlet structure to house the temperature sensor, allowing the sensor to serve dual purposes: measuring outlet temperature for control while utilizing the existing air outlet infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall system.
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 method achieves precise control of heating demand, reduces energy consumption, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for additional temperature sensors while ensuring the outlet air temperature reaches the target temperature across multiple zones.
Implementation Method 1
The heated air reaches an air outlet through a heater core... control an air mixing damper to mix unheated air in hot air
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle may effectuate heating of the intake air to a heating temperature through a heat pump or a heater
Implementation Method 3
heating of the intake air to a heating temperature through a heat pump or a heater, for example, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC)
Data Source
AI summary
A control method for a heat pump system of a multi-temperature zone air conditioning box, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a vehicle, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: acquiring, possibly by the vehicle-mounted terminal, a temperature regulation mode and a target temperature for a vehicle, and a temperature adjustment demand and an outlet air temperature of each temperature zone of the vehicle; and adjusting, possibly by the vehicle-mounted terminal an opening value of an air mixing damper in each temperature zone according to the temperature regulation mode, the target temperature, and the temperature adjustment demand and the outlet air temperature of each temperature zone, so that the outlet air temperature of each temperature zone reaches the target temperature. The precise control of the heating/refrigeration demand of an occupant compartment is improved according to the method.