Vehicle AC Liquid Heat Exchanger for Peak Load Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems in vehicles are designed to handle peak loads, leading to large and expensive components, as they rely on heat exchange with ambient air, which is inefficient and requires excessive cooling power, especially when starting a vehicle after it has been in the sun.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first heat-exchanging arrangement inside a liquid container filled with a liquid heat exchange medium, such as fuel or windshield washer fluid, to enhance heat exchange efficiency, allowing the system to operate on average load cooling power and function as both a condenser and evaporator using a reversing valve, with optional secondary liquid containers for increased capacity and temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the air conditioning system is designed to handle peak loads using ambient air heat exchange, then the cooling power is sufficient for extreme conditions, but the system becomes large, heavy, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid heat exchange medium (such as fuel or coolant) as an intermediary substance between the air conditioning system and the environment. This liquid medium has higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity than ambient air, enabling more efficient heat transfer. The system uses this liquid intermediary to absorb or release heat, replacing the need for large ambient air heat exchangers and thereby reducing system size and weight while maintaining adequate cooling power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the heat exchange medium from gas (ambient air) to liquid (fuel or coolant). This parameter change fundamentally improves heat exchange efficiency because liquids have higher density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity compared to gases. By using liquid as the heat exchange medium, the system achieves the same cooling effect with much smaller heat exchanger components, thus reducing overall system weight.
2Device complexity
If the air conditioning system uses ambient air for heat exchange, then the system structure is simple, but the heat exchange efficiency is low and cooling time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid heat exchange medium (such as fuel or coolant) as an intermediary substance between the air conditioning system and the environment. This liquid medium has higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity than ambient air, enabling more efficient heat transfer. The system uses this liquid intermediary to absorb or release heat, replacing the need for large ambient air heat exchangers and thereby reducing system size and weight while maintaining adequate cooling power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the heat exchange medium from gas (ambient air) to liquid (fuel or coolant). This parameter change fundamentally improves heat exchange efficiency because liquids have higher density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity compared to gases. By using liquid as the heat exchange medium, the system achieves the same cooling effect with much smaller heat exchanger components, thus reducing overall system weight.
3Weight of stationary object
If the heat exchanger size is reduced to decrease weight, then the system becomes more compact, but the heat exchange capacity is insufficient for peak loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the heat exchange medium from gas (ambient air) to liquid (fuel or coolant). This parameter change fundamentally improves heat exchange efficiency because liquids have higher density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity compared to gases. By using liquid as the heat exchange medium, the system achieves the same cooling effect with much smaller heat exchanger components, thus reducing overall system weight while maintaining adequate capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid heat exchange medium (such as fuel or coolant) as an intermediary substance between the air conditioning system and the environment. This liquid medium has higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity than ambient air, enabling more efficient heat transfer. The system uses this liquid intermediary to absorb or release heat, replacing the need for large ambient air heat exchangers and thereby reducing system size and weight while maintaining adequate cooling power.
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 reduces the size and weight of the air conditioning system, decreases the time to reach a desired cabin temperature, acts as a heat buffer, and assists with heating, thereby improving comfort and reducing energy consumption, while allowing for more efficient cooling and heating without the need for peak load design.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat-exchanging arrangement is arranged inside the first liquid container for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 2
exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 3
exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 4
the first liquid heat exchange medium functions as a heat buffer during and after the coolant fluid has exchanged heat with the first liquid heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 5
a reversing valve connected the first heat-exchanging arrangement, the reversing valve being arranged to selectively reverse the flow of the coolant fluid in the air conditioning system
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system for a vehicle. The air conditioning system includes a cooling line adapted to transport a coolant fluid and a first heat-exchanging arrangement connected to the cooling line. The air conditioning system includes a first liquid container being arranged to hold a first liquid heat exchange medium and the first heat-exchanging arrangement is arranged inside the first liquid container for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium.