Vehicle Temperature-Control Container With Reversible Coolant Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-control containers for motor vehicles primarily offer cooling functions and lack an efficient warming or heating capability.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-control container system for motor vehicles that incorporates a first heat exchanger with bidirectional coolant flow, a further heat exchanger arrangement connected to the vehicle's coolant circuit, and a reversing line section to enable both cooling and heating functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a temperature-control container uses a conventional cooling-only system, then cooling function is provided, but warming/heating function is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The first heat exchanger is designed to serve dual purposes: as an evaporator for cooling and as a condenser for heating. By enabling bidirectional coolant flow through the heat exchanger, the system can switch between cooling mode (coolant flows in first direction) and heating mode (coolant flows in second direction), allowing a single component to perform multiple temperature control functions without requiring separate cooling and heating systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a reversing line section with valve devices that dynamically change the coolant flow direction based on operational requirements. The valve devices can switch the coolant flow between the first direction (for cooling) and the second direction (for heating), enabling the temperature-control container to adapt its function in real-time according to temperature needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate heating system is added to provide warming function, then heating capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature-control container integrates a further heat exchanger arrangement with the vehicle's existing coolant circuit. The at least one second heat exchanger is connected to components such as the battery or electric motor that generate heat during operation, merging the waste heat recovery function with the temperature control function. This combination allows the system to utilize already-present thermal energy sources without adding independent heating equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and utilizes waste heat naturally generated by the vehicle's electrical drive components (battery, motor) during operation. The further heat exchanger arrangement captures this self-generated thermal energy and redirects it to the temperature-control container, allowing the system to heat itself using internally produced heat rather than requiring external heating sources
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coolant circuit is used bidirectionally for both cooling and heating, then system versatility is improved, but flow control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A reversing line section acts as an intermediary component between the coolant compressor and the heat exchangers. This intermediate section contains valve devices that mediate the coolant flow direction, routing the coolant either through the first heat exchanger in the first direction (cooling mode) or through the first heat exchanger in the second direction (heating mode). The intermediary structure simplifies the switching mechanism by providing a dedicated flow reversal pathway rather than requiring complex multi-port valves throughout the system
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
The system effectively provides both cooling and heating functions using the existing coolant circuit, allowing for efficient temperature control within the temperature-control container.
Implementation Method 1
having a first heat exchanger for temperature control of the temperature-control container
Implementation Method 2
which has a coolant compressor and an expansion valve assigned to the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
which has a coolant compressor and an expansion valve assigned to the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a further heat exchanger arrangement which has at least one second heat exchanger which is connected to a coolant circuit of the motor vehicle, wherein the coolant circuit is connected to at least one electrical drive component or storage component, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle, for its cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature-control container for a motor vehicle having a first heat exchanger for temperature control of the cooling container, a temperature-control container coolant circuit which is connected to the first heat exchanger and which has a coolant com-pressor and an expansion valve assigned to the first heat exchanger, and having a heat exchanger arrangement which has at least one heat exchanger which is connected to a coolant circuit of the motor vehicle. The coolant circuit is connected to at least one electrical drive or storage component for its cooling, and the coolant circuit has a chiller, which is connected to a vehicle coolant circuit, and/or has a low-temperature cooler cooled via ambient air. Furthermore, a cooling container coolant circuit and a motor vehicle having a cooling container are described.