Refrigerant circulation apparatus with controlled operation of an evporator for on-vehicle battery cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric compressors in vehicles, particularly those used in electric and hybrid vehicles, face increased temperature issues due to higher loads during driving, which can lead to excessive heating of electronic equipment, compromising both interior and battery cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant circulation apparatus with temperature and pressure detection units that control the operation of the evaporator and fan systems to reduce the load on the electric compressor, including internal-external air switching, blower fan speed adjustments, and condenser fan operational changes, to manage the refrigerant flow and heat exchange effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the electric compressor operates at high load to cool both the vehicle interior and the on-vehicle battery, then the cooling performance for both interior and battery is improved, but the temperature of the electric compressor increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into two separate evaporators: one for vehicle interior cooling and another for on-vehicle battery cooling. This allows independent control of cooling loads for each evaporator, enabling the system to optimize compressor operation by adjusting individual evaporator demands rather than operating at maximum combined load continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes operating parameters including compressor rotation speed, first evaporator inlet refrigerant flow rate, and second evaporator inlet refrigerant flow rate based on detected temperatures and cooling demands. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain effective cooling while preventing excessive compressor temperature rise
2Device complexity
If the same compressor is used to supply refrigerant to both the vehicle-interior air conditioner and the on-vehicle battery cooler, then the device complexity is reduced, but the load on the electric compressor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single electric compressor is designed to serve multiple functions by supplying refrigerant to both the vehicle-interior air conditioner and the on-vehicle battery cooler through a shared refrigerant circulation passage. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while the control unit manages the combined load by dynamically adjusting refrigerant distribution and compressor operation parameters
3Temperature
If the evaporator for on-vehicle battery cooling operates at full capacity, then the battery cooling performance is improved, but the load on the electric compressor increases causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the second evaporator (battery cooler) based on real-time detection of battery temperature, compressor temperature, and refrigerant conditions. The control unit varies the second evaporator inlet refrigerant flow rate and compressor rotation speed to provide adequate battery cooling while preventing excessive compressor load and temperature rise
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 solution effectively reduces the load on the electric compressor, preventing excessive temperature increases while maintaining air conditioning performance for both vehicle interior and battery cooling, thus protecting the compressor and ensuring occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
Increase in temperature of the electronic equipment for control included in the electric compressor is suppressed to some extent by a refrigerant passing through the electric compressor
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator for on-vehicle battery cooling configured to cool an on-vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
an electric compressor configured to compress and supply a refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant circulation apparatus includes: a vehicle-interior air conditioning (2) that cools an interior of a vehicle; an on-vehicle battery cooler (3) that includes an evaporator for on-vehicle battery cooling (32) that cools an on-vehicle battery mounted on the vehicle; and an electric compressor (5) that compresses and supplies a refrigerant to at least one of the vehicle-interior air conditioning (2) and the on-vehicle battery cooling (3). The apparatus also includes: a temperature sensor (41) that detects a temperature of the electric compressor (5); a pressure sensor (42) that detects a pressure of the refrigerant compressed by the electric compressor (5); and a control unit (40) that restricts operation of the evaporator for on-vehicle battery cooling (32) to reduce load on the electric compressor (5) based on the temperature of the electric compressor (5) and the pressure of the refrigerant.