Vehicle Heat Pump Layout With Single Chiller and Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems for vehicles require separate closed circuits for cooling and heating, leading to increased size, weight, and complexity, as well as noise and vibration due to multiple valves, and inefficient heating and cooling of battery and electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system for vehicles that uses a single chiller for temperature adjustment of battery modules through heat exchange between refrigerant and coolant, selectively recollects waste heat from electrical and battery components for vehicle interior heating, and employs a single valve to manage multiple coolant flowing lines based on selected vehicle modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate closed circuits are used for cooling and heating, then cooling and heating functions are achieved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling circuit and heating circuit into a single integrated heat pump system. The compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve are shared between both functions, eliminating the need for separate closed circuits. This merging reduces system weight while maintaining both cooling and heating capabilities through directional control of refrigerant flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed to perform multiple functions using the same components. The compressor compresses refrigerant for both cooling and heating modes, the condenser serves as either a heat rejection or heat absorption device depending on mode, and the expansion valve controls refrigerant flow for both functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system weight compared to separate dedicated systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used for selective connection, then different modes are controlled, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single multi-way valve instead of multiple separate valves to control different operating modes. This single valve integrates the functions of multiple valves, reducing the number of moving parts that generate noise and vibration while maintaining the ability to switch between cooling, heating, and defrosting modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The single multi-way valve is designed to perform multiple functions: directing refrigerant flow for cooling mode, heating mode, defrosting mode, and intermediate modes. This universal valve replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized valves, thereby reducing noise and vibration from valve operations while maintaining full mode control capability.
3Reliability
If separate cooling systems are used for battery and electrical components, then optimal performance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling requirements by providing dedicated cooling paths for the battery module and electrical components through the single heat pump system. The battery can be cooled through the evaporator while electrical components are cooled through the condenser or other heat exchange points, allowing optimal performance for each component type without requiring entirely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system provides universal cooling capability for both battery and electrical components through its refrigerant circulation system. The same compressor and refrigerant loop serve multiple cooling functions, reducing device complexity compared to having entirely separate dedicated cooling systems for each component type.
4Device complexity
If waste heat is not recaptured, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by the battery and electrical components into a beneficial resource for heating the vehicle interior. During heating mode, the heat pump system captures waste heat from these components and redirects it to provide cabin heating, thereby reducing energy loss and improving overall system efficiency while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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 solution enhances overall system efficiency by optimizing temperature adjustment and heat recollection, simplifies the system layout, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves ride comfort by minimizing noise and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
a single chiller where a refrigerant and a coolant are heat-exchanged
Implementation Method 2
selectively recollecting waste heat of the electrical component and the battery module and using the same for heating of the vehicle interior
Implementation Method 3
condensing a high-temperature high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed from the compressor by the condenser
Implementation Method 4
evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator in a cooling mode
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system for a vehicle is configured by including a valve, a first cooling apparatus, a second cooling apparatus, and a flow control line, to be configured for adjusting a temperature of a battery module by use of a single chiller where a refrigerant and a coolant are heat-exchanged, selectively recollecting waste heat of the electrical component and the battery module and using the same for heating of the vehicle interior, and forming a plurality of coolant flowing lines by a single valve according to selected mode of the vehicle.