Vapor Injection Heat Pump Control Across Heating and Cooling Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor injection heat pump systems in vehicles are limited to only heating mode of operation, which restricts their effectiveness in both high and low ambient conditions, making them less competitive for vehicle climate control and thermal management compared to other heating methods.
Innovation Solution
A vapor injection heat pump system designed to operate in multiple modes, including heating, cooling, reheating, and deicing, utilizing a compressor, valves, expansion devices, and a vapor generator to direct refrigerant flows through various heat exchangers based on operational modes, allowing for efficient temperature control and dehumidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vapor injection heat pump is used for heating mode only, then heating performance is improved, but adaptability to different operating modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed with multiple operating modes (heating, cooling, dehumidifying, defrosting) by configuring the compressor, expansion devices, and valves to redirect refrigerant flow through different heat exchangers based on operational requirements, enabling a single system to perform multiple thermal management functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat pump system includes required valves, controls, and expansion devices, then system functionality is improved, but overall cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single compressor and shared heat exchangers that can serve multiple functions across different operating modes, reducing the need for separate heating and cooling systems, thereby lowering overall system cost while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting functions into a single integrated heat pump system with shared components (compressor, heat exchangers, expansion devices), eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing total component count and cost
3Temperature
If vapor injection feature is activated only in heating mode, then heating performance is improved, but effectiveness in high ambient conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow paths and vapor injection timing based on real-time operating conditions and mode requirements, allowing the vapor injection feature to be utilized effectively in both heating and cooling modes to optimize performance across diverse ambient 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
Enables full utilization of vapor injection technology across various modes of operation, enhancing the system's performance and competitiveness by providing effective climate control and thermal management in diverse ambient conditions, thus extending the driving range of electrified vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first expansion device receiving at least one of the first portion of the refrigerant directed through the first heat exchanger and the second portion of the refrigerant directed through the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a first valve directing at least one of a first portion of the refrigerant output by the compressor to a first heat exchanger and a second portion of the refrigerant output by the compressor to a second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a vapor generator receiving a liquid and vapor refrigerant mix from the first expansion device and directing a vapor component of the liquid and vapor refrigerant mix to the first input port of the compressor and a liquid component of the liquid and vapor refrigerant mix
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor injection heat pump includes a compressor, a first valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a vapor generator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the first expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to at least one of the second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, via controlling a second valve, a second expansion device, a third expansion device, and a third valve. A second input of the compressor receives an output refrigerant from at least one of the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger dependent upon the mode of operation.