Vehicle A/C Cooling Control With Water-Cooled Condenser Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automotive air-conditioning systems in electric vehicles face challenges in minimizing power consumption and optimizing cooling performance, leading to reduced travel distance due to complex layouts and differing maximum load conditions between cooling and air-conditioning systems, especially when using a water-cooled condenser.
Innovation Solution
The method integrates a water-cooled condenser with an air-cooled condenser, controlling the operation of a water pump and cooling fan based on vehicle speed, air conditioner pressure, and temperature of electric devices to optimize cooling performance and reduce power consumption by using cooling fluid and external air as heat exchange mediums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a water-cooled condenser is used in the air-conditioning system, then cooling performance is improved, but the layout in the engine compartment becomes complicated and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air-conditioning system and cooling system into a single integrated system where the water-cooled condenser serves dual purposes: condensing refrigerant for air-conditioning while being cooled by the same cooling water circuit that cools electric devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooling circuits and reduces layout complexity in the engine compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-cooled condenser is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a refrigerant condenser for the air-conditioning system and a heat exchanger that utilizes cooling water from the electric device cooling circuit. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve effective cooling without requiring separate dedicated cooling paths for each system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air-conditioning system and cooling system are operated separately, then each system can be optimized independently, but power consumption increases and travel distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit merges the operation control of the air-conditioning system and cooling system by coordinating the water pump and cooling fan based on integrated temperature and pressure data from both systems. This unified control approach reduces redundant operation of cooling components and minimizes overall power consumption while maintaining adequate cooling performance for both systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the control unit continuously monitors temperature and pressure parameters from both the air-conditioning system and cooling system, then adjusts the water pump speed and cooling fan operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal power consumption by operating cooling components only when and where needed based on real-time system conditions.
3Reliability
If the cooling system operates at maximum load conditions, then cooling performance is sufficient, but power consumption increases and travel distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of the water pump speed and cooling fan rotation based on real-time temperature and pressure conditions. Instead of operating at fixed maximum load, the control unit continuously adjusts component speeds to match actual cooling demands, ensuring sufficient cooling performance while minimizing power consumption during partial load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters (water pump speed, cooling fan rotation speed) based on varying system conditions such as temperature differentials, pressure readings, and vehicle speed. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain reliable cooling performance across different operating conditions while optimizing power consumption by reducing component speeds when full cooling capacity is not required.
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 minimizes power consumption and enhances travel distance by improving cooling performance through adaptive control of the water pump and cooling fan, ensuring efficient cooling and reduced pressure within the air-conditioning system.
Implementation Method 1
a water-cooled condenser condenses a refrigerant with cooling water from a cooling system which cools an intercooler or an electric device
Implementation Method 2
an air-cooled condenser in a cooling module of a cooling system condenses the refrigerant from the water-cooled condenser through heat exchange with external air
Implementation Method 3
the cooling module that is positioned at the front part of the vehicles and supplies refrigerant or cooling water to the systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an automotive air-conditioning system includes compressing a refrigerant by sensing the operation of an air conditioner while a vehicle is driven after starting an engine of the vehicle, circulating the cooling water cooled by exchanging heat with external air in the cooling module to cool the intercooler or the electric device, and controlling operation speeds of a water pump in the cooling system and of a cooling fan, while keeping the vehicle idling or running, and ending the control by determining whether vehicle speed, pressure of the air conditioner, temperature of the cooling water, and temperature of the intercooler or the electric device are within predetermined values.