Vehicle Thermal Conditioning Circuit With Switchable Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal conditioning devices for motor vehicle interiors face inefficiencies, particularly in heating air flows, due to limitations in refrigerant circuit design and indirect heat transmission methods.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerant circuit with multiple operating modes that allows for direct and indirect heat transfer between refrigerant and air, utilizing a heat transfer fluid circuit with radiators and heat exchangers to optimize heat distribution and reduce compressor workload, without adding heat exchangers or expansion valves, and includes an accumulator and non-return valves for flow redirection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If indirect heat transmission is used via heat transfer fluid circuit, then heat can be transmitted to the air flow, but the efficiency is lower compared to direct heat transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transmission efficiencyVSAvoidheating performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between direct and indirect heat transmission modes based on operating conditions. The refrigerant circuit can operate in a first mode using indirect heat transmission via the heat transfer fluid circuit, and in a second mode using direct heat transmission where refrigerant directly exchanges heat with the air flow, thereby optimizing efficiency and performance for different scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it can act as both a indirect heat transmission interface (exchanging heat between refrigerant and heat transfer fluid) and a direct heat transmission interface (exchanging heat between refrigerant and air flow). This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different operating modes and resolve the contradiction between efficiency and performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the compressor works harder to increase heat supply to the passenger compartment, then heating performance improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat supply quantityVSAvoidcompressor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer fluid circuit acts as an intermediary that captures waste heat from the refrigerant and transfers it to the air flow for passenger compartment heating. This allows heat supply to be increased without requiring the compressor to work harder, as the heat is recovered from the refrigerant's heat rejection process rather than being generated by increased compression work

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the waste heat that would otherwise be rejected to the environment into a useful heating resource for the passenger compartment. By using the heat transfer fluid circuit to capture and redirect this waste heat, the system increases heat supply while maintaining low compressor energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enhances the efficiency of thermal conditioning by increasing heat supply to the passenger compartment, reducing compressor work, and improving performance, especially in low outside temperatures, while maintaining efficiency across different operating modes.

Implementation Method 1

The first heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid of a heat transfer fluid circuit

Methodology Applied