Vehicle refrigeration system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle refrigeration systems have limited speed regulation, making them inefficient in extreme environments and increasing costs due to the need for pressure regulating valves, with poor thermostatic effects and high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle refrigeration system with a variable speed engine component, including a stepper motor and speed regulating handle, allowing for multistep or stepless speed control, and a control module with sensors to adjust compressor speed based on environmental and operating parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the engine uses a simple two-gear speed regulation (high gear and low gear), then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different working conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed regulation mechanismVSAvoidadaptability to working conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static two-gear speed regulation into a dynamic continuous speed regulation system. The variable speed component enables the engine to operate at multiple speeds or stepless speed variation, allowing the refrigeration system to adapt continuously to different working conditions such as varying ambient temperatures and cooling demands, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the engine speed parameter from discrete two-gear levels to continuous variable speeds. Through the variable speed component, the engine speed can be adjusted across a wide range, enabling the system to optimize performance under different operating conditions without increasing overall device complexity significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the engine runs at low gear to reduce noise, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the productivity of the refrigeration system deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidrefrigeration capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The variable speed component enables dynamic speed adjustment, allowing the engine to operate at optimal speeds for different conditions. Instead of being constrained to low gear for noise reduction, the system can now operate at intermediate speeds that balance noise levels with adequate refrigeration capacity, resolving the contradiction between noise control and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the engine speed parameter from fixed gear levels to continuously variable speeds. This allows the system to select optimal speed points that minimize noise while maintaining sufficient refrigeration capacity, rather than being forced into the poor performance of low gear operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the engine runs at high gear to meet refrigeration demand, then the productivity is improved, but the use of energy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The variable speed component enables the engine to operate dynamically at the minimum necessary speed to meet refrigeration demands. Instead of running continuously at high gear, the system adjusts speed to match actual cooling needs, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate productivity through optimized speed selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the engine speed parameter by transitioning from fixed high-gear operation to variable speed control. This allows the system to operate at lower, more energy-efficient speeds when full refrigeration capacity is not required, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary productivity through adaptive speed adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If pressure regulating valves (CPR or SMV) are added to regulate suction/discharge pressure, then the adaptability to extreme conditions is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to extreme conditionsVSAvoidpressure regulation components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate pressure regulating valves (CPR or SMV) by integrating pressure control functionality into the variable speed engine system. Through variable speed control, the engine can naturally maintain optimal suction and discharge pressures across different operating conditions without requiring additional pressure regulation components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The variable speed engine serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power for compression, controls refrigeration capacity, and regulates suction/discharge pressure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated pressure regulating valves, as the speed control mechanism performs pressure regulation as part of its overall control function, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables adjustable refrigerating capacity, precise temperature control, reduced fuel consumption, and elimination of costly pressure regulating valves, making the system adaptable to various conditions and improving overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

the variable speed drive unit includes a stepper motor and a connecting rod, a first end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the stepper motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a refrigeration module which has a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element and an evaporator that are connected in sequence through a pipeline

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a refrigeration module which has a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element and an evaporator that are connected in sequence through a pipeline

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

a refrigeration module which has a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element and an evaporator that are connected in sequence through a pipeline

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3142875B1Vehicle refrigeration system
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3142875B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3142875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a vehicle refrigeration system, which includes: a refrigeration module which has a compressor 20, a condenser 31, a throttling element 40 and an evaporator 50 that are connected in sequence through a pipeline; and a power module which has an engine 10 linked to the compressor 20; where the engine has a variable speed component which is capable of causing the engine to run at different multistep or stepless rotating speeds. Through the vehicle refrigeration system, the present invention solves technical problems that exist in the existing vehicle refrigeration system, for example, the vehicle refrigeration system has poor regulation capability, is not applicable to extreme working conditions and the like.