Transport refrigeration unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transport refrigeration units face inefficiencies due to the prolonged time and high energy consumption required to heat batteries to operational temperatures, which reduces runtime and overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The system utilizes waste heat from the refrigeration unit's compressor to heat the battery, integrating a second heat exchanger and controller to manage fluid flow and electric heating, optimizing battery temperature maintenance with reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If electric heating is used to heat the battery to operational temperature, then the battery reaches operational temperature, but the time required is prolonged and energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidheating time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures waste heat from the compressor during refrigeration operation and redirects it through a heat exchanger to heat the battery. This converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be discarded into a beneficial heating source, enabling the battery to reach operational temperature without prolonged electric heating.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the refrigeration cycle and battery thermal management into a single integrated system. The compressor serves dual purposes: refrigeration and battery heating. The heat exchanger integrates the hot refrigerant line with the battery cooling line, combining two thermal management functions into one coordinated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If electric heating is used to heat the battery to operational temperature, then the battery reaches operational temperature, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational waste heat to service the heating requirement of the battery. The refrigeration unit's compressor generates waste heat during normal operation, and this waste heat is captured and used to heat the battery, making the system self-sufficient for thermal management without requiring external energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If the battery is heated continuously to maintain temperature, then operational temperature is maintained, but runtime is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidruntime

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures waste heat from the compressor during refrigeration operation and redirects it through a heat exchanger to heat the battery. This converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be discarded into a beneficial heating source, enabling the battery to reach and maintain operational temperature without prolonged electric heating.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous heating of the battery during refrigeration operation by capturing waste heat from the compressor throughout the refrigeration cycle. This continuous thermal energy recovery ensures the battery remains at operational temperature without intermittent electric heating, maximizing runtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach conserves electric power and improves the refrigeration unit's efficiency by using waste heat to maintain battery temperature, reducing the need for continuous electric heating and enhancing overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

The second heat exchanger is configured to receive fluid flow from the compressor outlet such that the second heat exchanger generates waste heat that heats the interior of the insulated battery box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The battery is disposed within an insulated battery box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3833917B1Transport refrigeration unit

Publication Date: 2024.01.10 CARRIER CORP

Figure 1

AI summary

A power supply unit (14) provided with a transport refrigeration unit (12) includes an insulated battery box (60), a heat exchanger (64), and a battery (62). The heat exchanger (64) is disposed within the insulated battery box (60). The heat exchanger (64) has a heat exchanger inlet (80) that is fluidly connected to a compressor outlet (42) and a heat exchanger outlet (82) that is fluidly connected to a refrigeration unit heat exchanger inlet (50). The battery (62) is disposed within the insulated battery box (60).