Vehicular temperature regulation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular temperature regulation devices face issues with liquid refrigerant accumulation after the refrigeration cycle is stopped, leading to compressor damage due to liquid compression and potential lubricant oil loss when the compressor is restarted.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular temperature regulation device with a refrigeration cycle, high-temperature cycle, and low-temperature cycle, featuring a connection portion and regulation portion that allows controlled exchange of heat medium between cycles, increasing the temperature of the refrigerant in the low-temperature cycle to prevent liquid refrigerant accumulation and stabilize compressor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the compressor is turned off, then the system saves energy and reduces operation, but liquid refrigerant accumulates around the chiller causing compressor damage upon restart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the heat exchangers to redistribute refrigerant before the compressor restarts. Specifically, the fourth heat exchanger (accumulator) is used to store excess liquid refrigerant, and the third heat exchanger is controlled to prevent liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor, thereby preventing liquid compression damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the accumulator (fourth heat exchanger) as an intermediary device to mediate between the chiller and the compressor. The accumulator temporarily stores liquid refrigerant and prevents it from entering the compressor, acting as a buffer that protects the compressor from liquid refrigerant damage while allowing the system to stop and start efficiently.
2Reliability
If the compressor operates continuously to prevent liquid refrigerant accumulation, then compressor reliability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using the accumulator and heat exchanger network to prepare for compressor shutdown and restart. The accumulator is pre-charged with refrigerant and the heat exchangers are controlled to maintain proper refrigerant distribution, allowing the compressor to stop completely without risking liquid compression upon restart.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator serves as an intermediary that decouples the chiller and compressor operations. It absorbs liquid refrigerant during chiller operation and releases it safely during compressor operation, enabling the compressor to stop and start without continuous operation while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If liquid refrigerant is allowed to accumulate around the chiller for efficient cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but compressor damage occurs due to liquid compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigeration system into distinct functional zones using multiple heat exchangers and an accumulator. The fourth heat exchanger (accumulator) is specifically dedicated to refrigerant storage and liquid-vapor separation, while the third heat exchanger handles refrigerant distribution. This segmentation allows efficient cooling in the chiller while protecting the compressor through the accumulator barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator acts as an intermediary device between the chiller and compressor, allowing liquid refrigerant to accumulate for efficient cooling while preventing it from reaching the compressor. The accumulator absorbs excess liquid refrigerant and controls its release, enabling high cooling efficiency without compromising compressor durability.
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 controlled exchange of heat medium between cycles reduces the amount of liquid refrigerant drawn into the compressor, stabilizing its performance and extending its durability by minimizing liquid compression and lubricant loss.
Implementation Method 1
a heating heat exchanger configured to heat the heat medium in the high-temperature cycle by exchanging heat between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the heat medium circulating in the high-temperature cycle
Implementation Method 2
a cooling heat exchanger configured to cool the heat medium in the low-temperature cycle by exchanging heat between the refrigerant which has been decompressed and expanded by the decompressor and the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular temperature regulation device includes a refrigeration cycle, a high-temperature cycle, and a low-temperature cycle. The refrigeration cycle includes a heating heat exchanger configured to heat the heat medium in the high-temperature cycle by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium, and a cooling heat exchanger configured to cool the heat medium in the low-temperature cycle by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium. The vehicular temperature regulation device includes a connection portion that connects the high-temperature cycle and the low-temperature cycle, a regulation portion configured to regulate a flow of the heat medium, and a controller. After the controller stops the compressor, or after the controller receives a stop command of stopping the compressor, the controller controls the regulation portion, a first pump, and a second pump to exchange the heat medium between the high-temperature cycle and the low-temperature cycle.