Vehicular air-conditioning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle air conditioning devices for electric automobiles experience high power consumption during the heating mode, especially in winter, due to the use of electric PTC heaters and electromagnetic valves, which strain the power supply system and increase energy burden.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air conditioning device with a refrigerant circuit and electric automatic valves configured to form a refrigerant flow path for the heating mode without energizing the valves, reducing power consumption by utilizing the refrigerant circuit's existing components to manage heat exchange without active valve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnetic valves are energized to switch refrigerant flow paths in heating mode, then the refrigeration cycle can operate in heating mode, but power consumption increases and burden on the power supply system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve operation logic by configuring electromagnetic valves to be normally open (conducting state when not energized) and using energization to close the circuit. This allows the heating mode to operate with valves in their default non-energized state, eliminating the need for continuous power supply to maintain heating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural default state of the electromagnetic valves (open/conducting when not powered) to automatically enable heating mode operation without requiring active power supply. The refrigerant flow path for heating is established by the valves' inherent non-energized state, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining heating operation.
2Ease of operation
If electromagnetic valves are energized during winter heating mode, then refrigerant flow can be controlled, but the gap in vehicle miles driven between summer and winter widens due to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve operation logic by configuring electromagnetic valves to be normally open (conducting state when not energized) and using energization to close the circuit. This allows the heating mode to operate with valves in their default non-energized state, eliminating the need for continuous power supply to maintain heating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural default state of the electromagnetic valves (open/conducting when not powered) to automatically enable heating mode operation without requiring active power supply. The refrigerant flow path for heating is established by the valves' inherent non-energized state, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining heating operation.
3Temperature
If multiple electric components (PTC heater and electromagnetic valves) operate simultaneously in heating mode, then heating function is achieved, but overall power consumption becomes largest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve operation logic by configuring electromagnetic valves to be normally open (conducting state when not energized) and using energization to close the circuit. This allows the heating mode to operate with valves in their default non-energized state, eliminating the need for continuous power supply to maintain heating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural default state of the electromagnetic valves (open/conducting when not powered) to automatically enable heating mode operation without requiring active power supply. The refrigerant flow path for heating is established by the valves' inherent non-energized state, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining heating operation.
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 configuration reduces overall power consumption during the heating mode by eliminating the need for energizing valves, thereby minimizing the burden on the vehicle's power supply and extending battery life across seasonal variations.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor which compresses a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an external heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air
Implementation Method 3
at least one internal heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air fed into a vehicle interior
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
[Problem] To suppress power consumption when in a heating mode. [Solution] A vehicle air conditioning device includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor (18) which compresses a refrigerant, an external heat exchanger (16) which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air, and at least one internal heat exchanger (8, 10) which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air fed into a vehicle interior; and a plurality of electric automatic valves (20, 22, 28, 30, 32, 34), provided in the refrigerant circuit, with which to change a refrigerant flow path in the refrigerant circuit in order to switch between operation modes of the vehicle air conditioning device. The refrigerant circuit and the plurality of electromagnetic valves are configured so that a refrigerant flow path for a heating mode is formed when none of the plurality of automatic valves are supplied with power.