Vehicle Temperature Control Flap Arrangement for Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle temperature control systems require complex wiring and valve arrangements to switch between cooling and heating modes, making them cumbersome and inefficient for thermal conditioning in vehicles, especially large passenger transport vehicles like buses.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle temperature control system with a refrigerant circuit and flap arrangements that allow for air flow direction control between condenser and evaporator heat exchangers, enabling simple switching between cooling and heating modes without altering the refrigerant circuit's operation, using independent flap drives and multiple heat exchanger arrangements for efficient air flow guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an air conditioning system uses complex wiring with numerous valves to reverse the refrigerant circuit for heating mode, then the system can operate in both cooling and heating modes, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air handling function into separate segments: the refrigerant circuit remains fixed and simple, while multiple independent air conveying arrangements handle different air flows (fresh air, recirculated air, heated air, cooled air) to achieve mode switching without complicating the refrigerant system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary air handling system with multiple conveying arrangements that mediate between the fixed refrigerant circuit and the thermal conditioning needs. These air conveying arrangements act as intermediaries that can be independently controlled to achieve heating or cooling modes without affecting the refrigerant circuit
2Adaptability or versatility
If an air conditioning system uses an intermediate heat carrier circuit to operate in both cooling and heating modes, then the system achieves versatility, but the device complexity increases due to additional pumps and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser-heat exchanger arrangement serves multiple functions: it acts as a condenser during cooling mode and as a heater during heating mode. The evaporator-heat exchanger arrangement similarly functions as an evaporator in cooling mode and as a heat source in heating mode, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by keeping the refrigerant circuit fixed and reversing the air flow directions instead. The same heat exchanger arrangements are used in both modes, but their function is inverted by changing which air streams they interact with, achieved through the flap arrangements
3Ease of operation
If a temperature control system uses multiple flap arrangements to direct air flow for thermal conditioning, then switching between cooling and heating modes becomes simple and spontaneous, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable flap arrangements that can be independently adjusted to change air flow directions. These flaps are actuated by control systems that respond to thermal conditioning requirements, enabling spontaneous and rapid switching between cooling and heating modes without mechanical complexity in the refrigerant circuit
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 efficient and spontaneous switching between cooling and heating modes with a simplified system design, allowing for effective thermal conditioning of large vehicle interiors without affecting the refrigerant circuit, thus improving operational efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the condenser or condenser-heat exchanger arrangement of which emits heat from the compressed refrigerant to the environment
Implementation Method 2
in the evaporator or the evaporator-heat exchanger arrangement, heat is extracted from the air flowing around it in the evaporation process of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant circuit with a compressor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle temperature-control system comprising a refrigerant circuit (22). Said refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor (24), at least one condenser heat-exchanger assembly (28) around which air (L1) to be heated can flow, and at least one evaporator heat-exchanger assembly (40), around which air (L2) to be cooled can flow. For each of the two heat-exchanger assemblies (28, 40), there are two inflow regions (48, 50, 78, 80) and two outflow regions (62, 64, 84, 86), which can be switched by means of flap assemblies (44, 56, 88, 92). Both a heating operating mode and a cooling operating mode can be selected by means of said flap assemblies. Thus, heat pump operation in the vehicle, e.g., bus, is enabled.