Vehicle HVAC Dual-Loop Thermal Management with Adaptive Coolant Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary loop heat pump systems in vehicles are less efficient due to indirect heat transfers and lack adaptive control, which limits their competitiveness with other heating systems like HV-PTC heaters and increases safety risks associated with refrigerant use.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle HVAC system with a refrigerant loop and a coolant loop that includes multiple heat exchangers and a control module to dynamically regulate coolant flows through air-to-coolant heat exchangers and components, enhancing energy efficiency and safety by minimizing refrigerant circulation through cabin heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air-to-air heat pump systems are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity and safety risks increase due to refrigerant circulation through cabin heat exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate loops: a primary refrigerant loop and a secondary coolant loop. The refrigerant loop handles heat pumping operations while the coolant loop handles cabin heating/cooling, eliminating the need for refrigerant to circulate through cabin heat exchangers. This segmentation reduces safety risks and device complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary coolant loop acts as an intermediary between the refrigerant system and the cabin air handling system. The coolant absorbs or releases heat from the refrigerant loop and transfers it to or from the cabin air via a heat exchanger, eliminating direct refrigerant contact with cabin components.
2Reliability
If secondary loop heat pump systems are used, then safety risks are reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to indirect heat transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control of coolant flow rates through the heat exchangers and components. By actively adjusting flow rates based on thermal demands, the system optimizes heat transfer efficiency while maintaining the safety benefits of the secondary loop architecture. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the indirect heat transfer penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including coolant flow rates, refrigerant pressures, and heat exchanger temperatures to optimize performance. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maximizes energy efficiency while maintaining the safety advantages of keeping refrigerant separate from cabin air handling components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic adaptive control is added to secondary loop systems, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves multiple functions: it manages refrigerant flow, controls coolant circulation, monitors thermal conditions, and optimizes heat pump operation. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional unit, the system achieves dynamic adaptive control without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 improves energy efficiency and safety by allowing adaptive control of coolant flows, potentially eliminating the need for HV-PTC heaters and reducing refrigerant risks, making it a more competitive solution for vehicle climate control and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant flows through a refrigerant loop having first and second refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
first and second refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchangers through which a refrigerant flows
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a heating and cooling system includes a refrigerant loop having first and second heat exchangers, and a coolant loop. The coolant loop is connected to allow a first flow of coolant to be directed through at least one of a plurality of air-to-coolant heat exchangers and at least one component for regulating a temperature of the at least component, and to allow a second flow of coolant to be directed through at least one other of the plurality of air-to-coolant heat exchangers and the at least one component for regulating the temperature of the at least one component dependent upon a mode of operation. A control module, control unit, controller, or the like commonly used in vehicles controls the first and second flows of coolant dependent upon the mode of operation.