Vehicular Heat Management Device Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular heat management systems experience temperature fluctuations of the heat medium when switching between different heat sources, leading to discomfort for occupants due to changes in air temperature flowing through the heater core.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular heat management device with a first and second heat source, a heater core, and a control unit that switches between heat medium pathways to maintain a consistent temperature of the heat medium flowing into the heater core, using the first heat source's waste heat and a controllable second heat source to regulate the temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heat medium pathway connected to the heater core is switched between the first heat source (engine) and the second heat source (water-refrigerant heat exchanger), then the heating capability is improved and can adapt to different operating conditions, but the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the heater core changes abruptly, causing discomfort to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary heating of the heat medium in the second heat medium pathway using the second heat source before switching the pathway connection to the heater core. This preliminary action ensures that when the switch occurs, the temperature difference between pathways is minimized, preventing abrupt temperature changes in the heater core and maintaining occupant comfort while still enabling adaptive heating capability.
2Reliability
If the second heat source is used to heat the heat medium in the second heat medium pathway, then the system can provide heating when the first heat source's waste heat is insufficient, but energy consumption increases due to additional heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the temperature of the heat medium in both pathways and the operating conditions of the first heat source. Based on this feedback, it intelligently determines when to activate the second heat source for preliminary heating versus when to rely on the first heat source alone. This feedback mechanism ensures the second heat source is used only when necessary to maintain heating availability while minimizing overall energy consumption.
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 solution reduces temperature differences between heat medium pathways, limiting temperature changes when switching, thereby maintaining comfort and optimizing energy usage by effectively utilizing both heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
The first heat source heats a heat medium by waste heat generated according to operation of the first heat source
Implementation Method 2
The second heat source heats the heat medium, and an amount of heat generation of the second heat source can be controlled as desired
Implementation Method 3
The heater core heats an air sent to a vehicle compartment by exchanging heat between the heat medium and the air
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular heat management device includes a first heat source, a second heat source, a heater core, a first heat medium pathway, a second heat medium pathway, a heater core pathway, a switching portion, and a control unit. The first heat source is provided in the first heat medium pathway, and the second heat source is provided in the second heat medium pathway. The heater core is provided in the heater core pathway. The switching portion switches between flowing connection and flowing disconnection. The control unit performs at least one of a switching control and a second heat source control when a temperature of the heat medium of the heater core pathway is at or above a predetermined temperature. In the switching control, the switching portion connects the second heat medium pathway to the heater core pathway. In the second heat source control, the second heat source generates heat.