Vehicle Thermal Storage Circuit for Extreme-Temperature Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle temperature control systems in electric and hybrid vehicles face inefficiencies at extreme ambient temperatures and environmental concerns due to reliance on fuel-based heaters, which emit pollutants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle temperature control system incorporating a dual heat exchanger network with an energy storage material tank, allowing heat transfer between a first heat carrier medium and a second heat carrier medium, and utilizing ethanol as an operating material for low-emission fuel and wiper fluid additive, enabling efficient temperature regulation across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat pump systems are used to transfer heat in electric vehicles, then heating efficiency is improved in moderate temperatures (0°C to 20°C), but efficiency deteriorates at markedly lower or higher ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats the energy storage material (such as phase change material or hot water) before the vehicle is actually needed, so that when heating is required, the pre-stored thermal energy can be immediately utilized, eliminating the warm-up time and ensuring immediate effective heating even in cold environments
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage material acts as an intermediary thermal buffer between the heat pump system and the vehicle interior. It decouples the heat pump operation from the immediate heating demand, allowing the heat pump to operate efficiently while the energy storage material maintains stable temperature delivery to the cabin
2Temperature
If fuel-based heaters are used to provide thermal energy, then heating capability is improved, but pollutant emission increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical combustion-based heating system with an electrically-driven heat pump system that uses refrigeration cycles to transfer heat. This substitution eliminates direct combustion and associated pollutants while maintaining heating capability through electrical energy conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental operating parameter from chemical combustion (fuel-based) to electrical thermodynamic cycles (heat pump). This parameter change transforms the heating mechanism from one that consumes fossil fuels and emits pollutants to one that uses electricity to transfer existing thermal energy, fundamentally reducing harmful emissions
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dual heat exchanger network with energy storage material is implemented, then temperature control adaptability is improved across varying temperatures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage material tank serves multiple functions: it stores thermal energy, acts as a heat exchanger, provides thermal buffering, and can supply heat during both heating and cooling modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability
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 achieves efficient temperature control at high and low ambient temperatures while reducing pollutant emissions by using ethanol as a fuel and additive, enhancing energy storage and utilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger device for transferring heat provided in the heater to a first heat carrier medium provided in a first heat carrier medium circuit
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger device for transferring heat between the first heat carrier medium provided in the first heat carrier medium circuit and energy storage material contained in the operating material tank
Implementation Method 3
a third heat exchanger device for transferring heat between the first heat carrier medium provided in the first heat carrier medium circuit and a second heat carrier medium provided in a second heat carrier medium circuit
Implementation Method 4
this heat carrier medium circuit may comprise a heat carrier medium pump for delivering the first heat carrier medium through the first heat exchanger device, the second heat exchanger device and the third heat exchanger device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle temperature control system, for electric motor-powered vehicles or hybrid vehicles, includes a heater (18), which can be operated electrically or/and with fuel, with a first heat exchanger device (16) for transferring heat provided in the heater (18) to a first heat carrier medium provided in a first heat carrier medium circuit (12). An operating material tank (20) holds a liquid operating material (24). A second heat exchanger device (26) provides heat transfer between the first heat carrier medium provided in the first heat carrier medium circuit (12) and energy storage material (36) contained in the operating material tank (20). A third heat exchanger device (38) provides heat transfer between the first heat carrier medium provided in the first heat carrier medium circuit (12) and a second heat carrier medium provided in a second heat carrier medium circuit (40).