Thermal conditioning device for a motor vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal conditioning devices for hybrid or electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing temperature and humidity for both passenger compartment air and electrical components, particularly in maintaining the battery within a specific temperature range while avoiding parasitic heating of air flow.
Innovation Solution
A thermal conditioning device with a unique architecture that includes a second circuit with a water-cooled condenser, a heating radiator, and an interconnected third circuit dedicated to the battery, allowing for various operational modes and efficient heat transfer fluid management, including pre-cooling and heating, to enhance performance and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an air condenser is placed in the path of airflow destined for the passenger compartment, then the air can be cooled, but parasitic heating of the airflow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water condenser as an intermediary heat exchanger that transfers heat from the refrigerant to the heat transfer fluid (water/glycol), which then circulates to cool the battery. This mediator approach allows the condenser to be positioned away from the passenger airflow path, eliminating parasitic heating while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is segmented into separate circuits: a first circuit for passenger compartment air conditioning and a second circuit for battery thermal management. The water condenser serves both circuits by transferring heat to the heat transfer fluid, which then independently manages battery temperature. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized without interfering with the other.
2Temperature
If a separate battery cooling system is added, then battery temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water condenser is designed as a multi-functional component that serves both the air conditioning circuit and the battery thermal management circuit. By using the same condenser for both purposes and sharing the refrigerant circulation system, the patent avoids the need for completely separate cooling systems, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective battery temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the battery cooling function with the existing air conditioning system by integrating the water condenser into the refrigerant circuit. The heat transfer fluid circuit is coupled to the refrigerant circuit through the condenser, allowing both functions to operate within a unified system architecture rather than as separate independent systems.
3Productivity
If the heat transfer fluid circulates through the condenser and cooling radiator in series, then air conditioning performance is improved, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic flow control through valves that can redirect the heat transfer fluid circulation paths. The circuit can operate in different configurations (series through condenser and cooling radiator, or parallel arrangements) depending on the thermal management requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows optimization of air conditioning performance when needed while providing flexibility to reduce complexity under different operating conditions.
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 device improves air conditioning performance, maintains battery temperature efficiently, and avoids parasitic heating of air flow, ensuring user comfort across varying external conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser (5), called the water condenser, which thermally couples the first and second circuits
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator-cooler (7) configured to be traversed by an outside airflow
Implementation Method 3
the evaporator-cooler functions as a condenser
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator (9) intended to thermally condition an airflow intended for the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 5
a heating radiator (106) arranged in parallel with the cooling radiator
Implementation Method 6
a cooling radiator (104) arranged so that it can be traversed by at least part of the outside airflow
Implementation Method 7
a second circuit (102) in which a heat transfer fluid is suitable for circulating, said second circuit including at least one pump (103)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a thermal conditioning device (1) for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle, comprising a first circuit (2) in which a refrigerant is able to circulate, and a second circuit (102) in which heat-transfer fluid is able to circulate. Said first circuit (2) comprises at least a condenser (5), an evaporator-condenser (7) configured to have a flow of external air passing through it, and an evaporator (9) intended to thermally condition a flow of air intended for the vehicle interior. Said second circuit (102) comprises at least a pump (103) and a cooling radiator (104), characterized in that: the cooling radiator (104) is positioned in such a way that at least part of the external air flow can pass through it, and the condenser (5), referred to as water-fed condenser, thermally couples the first (2) and second (102) circuits and is positioned, on the first circuit (2), directly downstream of the compressor.