Vehicle HVAC Radiator Segmentation for Low-Refrigerant Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in reducing refrigerant usage due to environmental regulations, and existing air-conditioning systems for vehicles are inefficient in maximizing coolant usage and minimizing refrigerant consumption.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning apparatus for vehicles that includes a radiator module with multiple radiators, a refrigerant module, and a control unit to dynamically manage coolant flow and connections between radiators and components, optimizing heat exchange and refrigerant circulation to reduce refrigerant use and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional air-conditioning system with a single radiator is used in electric vehicles, then the system structure is simple, but the air-conditioning efficiency is insufficient and refrigerant usage cannot be reduced to meet environmental regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The single radiator is divided into multiple radiators (first radiator, second radiator, third radiator) with independent coolant circulation paths. Each radiator can be independently controlled to serve different cooling needs, allowing the system to optimize heat dissipation while reducing refrigerant dependency and meeting environmental regulations.
2Productivity
If multiple radiators are used to improve heat dissipation capacity, then the air-conditioning efficiency increases, but the system complexity and device structure become more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple radiators are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: the first radiator cools the condenser, the second radiator cools the battery, and the third radiator provides auxiliary cooling. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle various thermal management scenarios without requiring separate dedicated cooling systems, thereby increasing heat dissipation capacity while controlling system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including a first circulation pump, second circulation pump, and three-way valve that can dynamically adjust coolant flow distribution among the multiple radiators based on real-time thermal demands of different components (condenser, battery, evaporator), enabling flexible adaptation to varying operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the radiator is used only for cooling the condenser, then the cooling function is dedicated, but the coolant usage efficiency is low and cannot meet both cooling and heating demands
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant circulation system is designed to serve multiple functions: cooling the condenser through the first radiator, cooling the battery through the second radiator, and providing auxiliary cooling through the third radiator. The system can dynamically allocate coolant flow to meet different thermal management demands, thereby improving coolant usage efficiency and functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers waste heat from the coolant after it passes through the radiators and redirects it to the heater core for cabin heating. This heat recovery mechanism improves overall coolant usage efficiency by utilizing the thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, enabling the system to meet both cooling and heating demands effectively.
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 effectively divides or integrates radiators to maximize air-conditioning efficiency, significantly reducing refrigerant usage and addressing environmental concerns while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
A radiator for the vehicle is a configuration which is mounted in front of a vehicle to heat-dissipate through the traveling wind
Implementation Method 2
a condenser has been mounted in front of the vehicle similar to the radiator to be used to cool the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a hot portion through which coolant flows and for heat-exchanging with the condenser and a heater core
Implementation Method 4
a refrigerant module having a compressor, an expansion valve, a condenser, and an evaporator, through which refrigerant is circulated
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning apparatus for a vehicle may include a radiator module; a refrigerant module; a hot portion for heat-exchanging with a condenser and a heater core of an internal air-conditioning module; a cold portion for heat-exchanging with an evaporator and a cooling core of the internal air-conditioning module; an electric portion for heat-exchanging with an electric component; a battery portion for heat-exchanging with a high-voltage battery; a connection module for connecting the hot portion, the electric portion, or the battery portion to any one or more radiators among a first radiator, a second radiator, and a third radiator; and a control unit configured of controlling the operations of a compressor and a valve.