Vehicle Air Conditioning Power Split for Cooling and Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioning systems inefficiently manage energy for cooling and heating, leading to wasteful energy consumption and reduced vehicle range due to unoptimized electric power distribution to the refrigerant compressing device and electric heater.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning system with an electric power distribution controller that allocates electric power to the refrigerant compressing device and electric heater based on the ratio of upstream and downstream temperature differences, optimizing energy use by prioritizing either cooling or heating systems based on the target cabin temperature and current battery state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric power is supplied to both the refrigerant compressing device and electric heater without management, then cooling and heating functions are provided, but energy consumption increases and vehicle range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating states of the refrigerant compressing device and electric heater based on real-time temperature differences and power availability. The controller modifies compression ratios, operating pressures, and heating powers adaptively to optimize energy utilization while maintaining cabin comfort, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and vehicle range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operating parameters including refrigerant compression ratio, evaporator operating pressure, and heater power output based on the ratio of upstream to downstream temperature differences. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to actual thermal conditions, the system achieves efficient energy management that extends vehicle range while providing both cooling and heating functions.
2Power
If the refrigerant compressing device operates at high capacity, then cooling performance improves, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant compressing device operates in a dynamic mode where the controller continuously adjusts the compression ratio and operating pressure based on the temperature difference ratio and available electric power. This dynamic operation allows the system to provide adequate cooling capacity while minimizing electric power consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-capacity operation when full cooling power is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by monitoring the upstream and downstream temperature differences and using their ratio to regulate the compressing device operation. The controller receives feedback on actual thermal conditions and adjusts compression parameters accordingly, ensuring cooling capacity matches actual demand rather than operating at fixed high capacity, thus reducing electric power consumption.
3Power
If the electric heater operates at high power, then heating performance improves, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heater operates dynamically with its power output adjusted by the controller based on the temperature difference ratio and available electric power. The heating power is modulated to match actual heating demand rather than operating at fixed high power, providing adequate heating performance while minimizing electric power consumption in the hybrid heating system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If both cooling and heating systems operate simultaneously, then cabin temperature control flexibility improves, but energy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by enabling the refrigerant compressing device and electric heater to operate in various combinations and modes. The controller manages multiple operating scenarios including simultaneous cooling and heating, sequential operation, and adaptive blending, providing comprehensive temperature control flexibility while using a unified control strategy based on temperature difference ratios to manage the complexity of coordinating both systems.
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 unnecessary energy consumption, enhancing the vehicle's range by efficiently managing electric power distribution between the cooling and heating systems, ensuring comfortable cabin conditions while minimizing battery drain.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (6) through which compressed refrigerant circulates
Implementation Method 2
an electric heater (12) arranged downstream of the evaporator in an air passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air conditioning system includes an electric powered refrigerant compressing device, an evaporator, an electric heater, an air temperature determining component, a cabin interior temperature controlling component, an upper limit electric power setting component, and an electric power distribution controller. The evaporator receives refrigerant from the compressing device. The heater is downstream of the evaporator in an air passageway. The determining component determines a first air temperature upstream of the evaporator and a second air temperature between the evaporator and the heater. The controlling component sets a vehicle interior discharge air temperature at a position downstream of the heater to a target temperature. The power setting component sets an upper limit for power supplied to the compressing device and the heater. The power distribution controller distributes the upper limit electric power to the compressing device and the heater based on a ratio of upstream and downstream temperature differences.