Refrigeration cycle device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle devices for power-train devices in vehicles do not efficiently cool these components, leading to potential size and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle apparatus with a heat medium circuit, a powertrain device, a radiator, a chiller, a circuit switching unit, and a cooling switching unit, which dynamically adjusts cooling strategies based on driving conditions to efficiently cool powertrain devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the low-temperature coolant circulates between the power-train devices and the low-temperature side radiator to dissipate heat, then the power-train devices are cooled, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient leading to larger device size requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coolant cooling evaporator and low-temperature side radiator into a single integrated heat exchange unit. This merging allows the low-temperature coolant to simultaneously perform cooling and heat dissipation functions, improving cooling efficiency and reducing the overall device size while maintaining effective temperature control of power-train devices
Solution Approach 2:
The low-temperature coolant circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the power-train devices through the coolant cooling evaporator and dissipates heat through the low-temperature side radiator. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cooling systems, thereby reducing device size while maintaining effective cooling performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If the low-temperature coolant circulates between the power-train devices and the coolant cooling evaporator to recover exhaust heat, then the cabin is heated, but the cooling performance during high-load operation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between heating mode and cooling mode using three-way valves. The system can adaptively change the coolant circulation path based on operational requirements: circulating between power-train devices and coolant cooling evaporator for heating, or between power-train devices and low-temperature side radiator for cooling. This dynamic adaptability ensures both effective heat recovery and sufficient cooling performance under varying load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the coolant circuit by switching between different circulation configurations. By adjusting which components the coolant flows through (heat recovery path vs. heat dissipation path), the system optimizes performance for either heating or cooling demands, ensuring reliable cooling even during high-load operations
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 apparatus effectively cools powertrain devices by switching between circulation states and cooling modes, enhancing cooling performance and reducing device size.
Implementation Method 1
The radiator is configured to perform first heat exchange between the heat medium and outside air
Implementation Method 2
The chiller is configured to perform second heat exchange between a low-pressure refrigerant and the heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit switching determiner determines that a heat medium circuit is switched from a first circulation state to a second circulation state upon determining that the temperature of a powertrain device is higher than a predetermined threshold in the first circulation state. A cooling switching unit switches a cooling mode of a heat medium between a chiller cooling state in which the heat medium is cooled by the chiller and a chiller non-cooling state in which the heat medium is not cooled by the chiller. A chiller cooling determiner determines a chiller cooling start timing of switching the cooling mode from the chiller non-cooling state to the chiller cooling state in accordance with driving-condition related information that is related to a driving condition of the vehicle.