Vehicular air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle air-conditioning systems using a vapor compression heat pump have complex refrigerant circuits, leading to increased weight, high refrigerant requirements, and performance degradation, with inefficiencies in air-cooling and air-heating operations as only one heat exchanger contributes to heat exchange in each mode.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air-conditioning system utilizing a vapor compression heat pump with a brine flow path network and multiple pumps and valves, allowing the brine to flow in series through multiple indoor heat exchangers for efficient heat exchange in both air-cooling and air-heating modes, with high-temperature and low-temperature circuits formed based on operation mode settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vapor compression heat pump with complex refrigerant circuit is used, then air-cooling and air-heating functions are achieved, but the system weight increases and performance degrades due to long circuit length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigerant circuit and brine circuit into an integrated system where the heat pump unit serves both refrigerant circulation and brine heating/cooling functions. The condenser and evaporator are shared between both circuits, eliminating duplicate components and reducing overall system weight while maintaining both air-cooling and air-heating capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump unit is designed with multi-functionality, where the same condenser and evaporator components serve dual purposes: conditioning refrigerant for direct air-cooling/heating operations and conditioning brine for indirect air-conditioning through the brine circulation system. This universal design reduces component count and system weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vapor compression heat pump with complex refrigerant circuit is used, then air-cooling and air-heating functions are achieved, but the system complexity increases and refrigerant filling amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the refrigerant circuit and brine circuit into a unified system architecture. The heat pump unit, condenser, and evaporator are shared components that serve both circuits simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate independent circuits and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed with universal components that perform multiple functions. The condenser and evaporator can condition both refrigerant and brine depending on operational mode, reducing the need for dedicated components for each function and simplifying the overall circuit design.
3Device complexity
If only one heat exchanger contributes to heat exchange in each operation mode, then the refrigerant circuit is simplified, but air-cooling and air-heating efficiencies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by enabling both the first and second heat exchangers to contribute to heat exchange simultaneously in certain operational modes. The brine circulation system allows heat to be extracted from or released to both heat exchangers concurrently, maximizing the utilization of available heat transfer surfaces and improving overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers are designed with multi-functionality, capable of serving different purposes depending on operational mode. In brine-based operation, both heat exchangers can actively participate in heat exchange with the brine, whereas in direct refrigerant operation, only one may be active. This flexibility allows the system to optimize efficiency based on operational requirements.
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 enables efficient air-heating and air-cooling by ensuring continuous heat exchange in both modes, reducing the complexity and weight of the refrigerant circuit and improving overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heat medium in the heat medium flow path network exchanges heat with the refrigerant in each of the condenser and the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant flows into the first vehicle indoor heat exchanger arranged at an upstream-side location in the air duct through the expansion mechanism, and absorbs heat (is evaporated)
Implementation Method 3
high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor normally flows into the second vehicle indoor heat exchanger arranged at a downstream-side location in the air duct, and releases heat (is condensed)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle air-conditioning system configured so that air-cooling/heating can be efficiently performed. The system (10, 20, 30, 40) includes a vapor compression heat pump unit (HP) having at least a compressor (CP), a condenser (CD), an expansion mechanism (EX), and an evaporator (EV) on a refrigerant circuit (RC), a brine flow path network (BC) having multiple pumps (PC, PH) and multiple flow path switching valves (TV1 to TV8, V1 to V9), and a vehicle indoor air-conditioning unit (AC) having an air duct (AD) and multiple vehicle indoor heat exchangers (HXC1, HXC2) arranged in series in the air duct. Upon actuation in an air-cooling mode or an air-heating mode accompanied by neither dehumidification nor defrosting, brine flows in series in the multiple vehicle indoor heat exchangers.