Vehicle Thermal Circuit With Partial Expansion Bypass Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal conditioning systems for vehicles face challenges in achieving improved performance across various modes of operation without the need for a subcooling exchanger, which can be cumbersome or impractical to implement.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant fluid circuit with a main loop and multiple bypass branches, incorporating expansion devices and heat exchangers, allows for partial expansion of refrigerant fluid, enhancing thermal conditioning system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a subcooling exchanger is installed downstream of the condenser to improve thermodynamic performance, then the cooling power and efficiency are enhanced, but the device complexity and structural compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the subcooling function with the existing condenser by routing refrigerant flow through the condenser outlet to the subcooling section, eliminating the need for a separate subcooling exchanger. This integration maintains enhanced cooling power while preserving structural compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser is designed to perform dual functions: primary heat rejection (condensation) and subcooling. By making the condenser a multi-functional component, the system achieves improved thermodynamic performance without adding extra components, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling power and structural compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bypass branches and expansion devices are added to enable multiple operation modes, then the adaptability and performance in various modes are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circuit is segmented into multiple bypass branches with independent control, allowing selective activation of different paths for heating, cooling, and hot water modes. This segmentation enables versatile operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by using modular bypass configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable expansion devices (electronic expansion valves) that can adjust their opening degrees based on operating conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to various modes (heating, cooling, hot water) without requiring complex fixed circuit configurations, thereby improving adaptability while managing device complexity.
3Productivity
If a first expansion device is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the refrigerant fluid accumulation device to realize partial expansion, then the cooling power and thermal performance are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first expansion device performs preliminary expansion of the refrigerant fluid before it enters the accumulation device. This preliminary action partially expands the refrigerant, lowering its enthalpy and preparing it for subsequent evaporation in the third heat exchanger, thereby improving cooling power while integrating smoothly into the existing circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant fluid accumulation device acts as an intermediary component between the first expansion device and the second heat exchanger. It receives partially expanded refrigerant, allows liquid droplet settlement, and delivers the refrigerant to the next stage, enabling the partial expansion function without directly increasing circuit complexity.
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 configuration improves thermal conditioning system performance by increasing cooling power and adaptability to varying conditions through partial expansion, optimizing operation across heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a first expansion device disposed between the first connection point and an inlet of the refrigerant fluid accumulation device
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with a first heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with an air stream outside a passenger compartment of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a compressor, configured to bring the refrigerant fluid to high pressure and to circulate it in the circuit
Implementation Method 5
a third heat exchanger configured to operate as an evaporator
Implementation Method 6
a heat exchange or that can operate as a condenser, i.e. that can condense the refrigerant fluid at high pressure and high temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermal conditioning system for a motor vehicle, having: a main refrigerant fluid circulation loop including successively: a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a refrigerant fluid accumulation device, a second heat exchanger, a first bypass branch connecting a first connection point to a second connection point, a second bypass branch connecting a third connection point to a fourth connection point, a third bypass branch connecting a fifth connection point to a sixth connection point, the main loop having: a first expansion valve disposed between the first connection point and the accumulation device, a second expansion valve disposed between the fifth connection point and the second exchanger, and the third bypass branch having a third expansion valve and a third heat exchanger.