Refrigeration Cycle Heat Exchanger Layout for Maximum Cooling Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems with refrigeration cycle devices do not achieve a power saving effect in maximum cooling mode, as the heat exchange in the subcooling heat exchanger is limited, restricting the usage scenario for power saving.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an interior heat exchanger with two heat exchanging portions, connected in series between the condenser and decompressor, and between the evaporator and compressor, to enhance the enthalpy difference between the inlet and outlet of the evaporator, even when heat radiation from the subcooling heat exchanger is restricted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a subcooling heat exchanger is disposed in the bypass passage to perform heat exchange between air and refrigerant, then the enthalpy difference between inlet and outlet of the evaporator can be increased to obtain power saving effect, but the power saving effect can be obtained only when the air mix door opens the ventilation path extending to the heater core, limiting the usage scene
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interior heat exchanger as an intermediary device that enables heat exchange between refrigerant streams without requiring air flow through the subcooling heat exchanger. This mediator allows the enthalpy difference increase to be achieved independently of the air mix door position, resolving the limitation on usage scenes while maintaining the power saving effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heat exchange function by separating it from the air conditioning duct system and placing it within the refrigeration cycle device. The interior heat exchanger is divided into a first heat exchanging portion in the high-temperature refrigerant path and a second heat exchanging portion in the low-temperature refrigerant path, allowing independent operation from the air mix door mechanism.
2Temperature
If the subcooling heat exchanger is used to cool refrigerant by heat exchange with air from the evaporator, then refrigerant can be further cooled, but heat radiation from the refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger is restricted in maximum cooling performance mode
Solution Approach 1:
The interior heat exchanger acts as an intermediary that transfers heat from the high-temperature refrigerant (from the condenser) to the low-temperature refrigerant (from the evaporator). This eliminates the need for the subcooling heat exchanger to radiate heat to the air conditioning duct, allowing maximum cooling performance while still achieving refrigerant subcooling.
3Productivity
If the first heat exchanging portion is disposed in the refrigerant path between the condenser and the decompressor and connected to the subcooling heat exchanger in series, then heat exchange between high-temperature and low-temperature refrigerant can be promoted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the subcooling heat exchanger and the interior heat exchanger into a single integrated refrigeration cycle device. The first heat exchanging portion is connected in series with the subcooling heat exchanger in the refrigerant path, combining multiple heat exchange functions into one continuous flow path without requiring additional valves or complex control mechanisms.
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 configuration increases the enthalpy difference, enabling a power saving effect in various usage scenarios, including maximum cooling mode, by promoting heat exchange between refrigerant streams within the refrigeration cycle device.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (2) that draws a refrigerant and discharges the refrigerant after compressing the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a radiator (3) that causes the refrigerant, which is discharged by the compressor, to radiate heat
Implementation Method 3
an auxiliary heat exchanger (4) that performs a heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing from the radiator and air to be blown to an air-conditioning target space, and causes the refrigerant to further radiate heat
Implementation Method 4
a decompressor (5) that decompresses the refrigerant flowing from the auxiliary heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator (6) that performs a heat exchange between air and the refrigerant after being decompressed in the decompressor, before the air is heated by heat that is radiated from the refrigerant in the auxiliary heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
The evaporator cools the air before being heated and evaporates the refrigerant
Implementation Method 7
an interior heat exchanger (7) that performs a heat exchange between refrigerant flowing in a first heat exchanging portion (71) and refrigerant flowing in a second heat exchanging portion (72)
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device has a compressor, a radiator, an auxiliary heat exchanger, a decompressor, an evaporator, and an interior heat exchanger. The auxiliary heat exchanger performs a heat exchange between refrigerant and air and causes the refrigerant to radiate heat. The evaporator performs a heat exchange between air and refrigerant after being decompressed in the decompressor before the air is heated in the auxiliary heat exchanger. The interior heat exchanger has a first heat exchanging portion and a second heat exchanging portion and performs a heat exchange between refrigerant flowing in the first heat exchanging portion and refrigerant flowing in the second heat exchanging portion. The first heat exchanging portion is disposed in a refrigerant path between the radiator and the decompressor and is connected to the auxiliary heat exchanger in series. The second heat exchanging portion is disposed in a refrigerant path between the evaporator and the compressor.