US20120279243A1 - Air conditioning system for vehicle - Google Patents
Air conditioning system for vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120279243A1 US20120279243A1 US13/520,445 US201113520445A US2012279243A1 US 20120279243 A1 US20120279243 A1 US 20120279243A1 US 201113520445 A US201113520445 A US 201113520445A US 2012279243 A1 US2012279243 A1 US 2012279243A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerant
- air
- conditioning system
- air conditioning
- condenser
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00814—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation
- B60H1/00878—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation the components being temperature regulating devices
- B60H1/00899—Controlling the flow of liquid in a heat pump system
- B60H1/00921—Controlling the flow of liquid in a heat pump system where the flow direction of the refrigerant does not change and there is an extra subcondenser, e.g. in an air duct
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/02—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices the heat being derived from the propulsion plant
- B60H1/03—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices the heat being derived from the propulsion plant and from a source other than the propulsion plant
- B60H1/039—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices the heat being derived from the propulsion plant and from a source other than the propulsion plant from air leaving the interior of the vehicle, i.e. heat recovery
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/00814—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation
- B60H1/00878—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation the components being temperature regulating devices
- B60H2001/00949—Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation the components being temperature regulating devices comprising additional heating/cooling sources, e.g. second evaporator
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicular air conditioning system incorporated in a vehicle for air-conditioning a passenger cabin of the vehicle.
- Vehicles e.g., engine automobiles having an internal combustion engine, hybrid automobiles having an engine and a secondary battery (or a secondary battery and a fuel cell or the like) in combination, electric automobiles, and fuel cell automobiles, incorporate various types of vehicular air conditioning systems.
- a vehicular air conditioning apparatus includes a compressor 1 for drawing in and discharging a refrigerant, a condenser 3 disposed in an air conditioning unit case 2 for heating air through heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant that is discharged from the compressor 1 in a heating mode, a receiver 4 for receiving the refrigerant flowing in from the condenser 3 and performing gas-liquid separation in the heating mode, a supercooler 5 for supercooling the liquid refrigerant that flows in from the receiver 4 through heat exchange between the liquid refrigerant and ambient air in the heating mode, a depressurizer 6 for depressurizing the refrigerant that has been supercooled by the supercooler 5 in the heating mode, and an outdoor heat exchanger 7 for evaporating the refrigerant depressurized by the depressurizer 6 in the heating mode.
- subcooling i.e., a degree of subcooling
- the receiver 4 subcooling
- the supercooler 5 which is disposed downstream of the receiver 4 , using ambient air in the heating mode.
- the vehicular air conditioning apparatus is rendered highly efficient and excellent in heating performance through a relatively simple cyclic arrangement.
- the receiver 4 and the supercooler 5 are used only in the heating mode, and thus, the receiver 4 and the supercooler 5 are not required in a cooling mode. Therefore, the number of components dedicated to the heating mode is increased, which makes the vehicular air conditioning apparatus uneconomical.
- the vehicular air conditioning apparatus does not include a buffer in order to make up for a refrigerant shortage in the case that the cooled liquid refrigerant remains trapped in the outdoor heat exchanger 7 , and the amount of refrigerant used for air-conditioning the vehicle is reduced in the cooling mode. Consequently, air-conditioning performance is lowered due to the refrigerant shortage, resulting in the need for a power increase caused by a capability shortage of the compressor 1 , and also resulting in poor mileage on account of the power increase.
- the present invention has been made in order to solve the aforementioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular air conditioning system, which is capable of increasing heat exchange efficiency and maintaining good air-conditioning performance as a result of stably circulating a refrigerant by means of a simple and economical arrangement.
- a vehicular air conditioning system of the heat pump type comprising a condenser for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and ambient air, the condenser being connected to a heat pump circulation path for circulating the refrigerant with a compressor, an evaporator connected to the heat pump circulation path for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air, and a heater connected to the heat pump circulation path for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant which has been delivered from the compressor and the air-conditioning air that has passed through the evaporator.
- the air conditioning system further comprises a gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit, a supercooling heat exchanger, and a bypass means connecting the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit and the supercooling heat exchanger downstream of the heater in bypassing relation to the condenser in a heating mode.
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit functions as a buffer for making up or compensating for a refrigerant shortage in a cooling mode. Therefore, when the air conditioning system operates in the heating mode at an increased ambient air temperature, as well as when the air conditioning system operates in a transient mode such as a dehumidifying heating mode, no refrigerant shortage occurs, thereby allowing the air conditioning system to perform air-conditioning in a stable manner.
- the heater, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit, and the supercooling heat exchanger are connected in bypassing relation to the condenser. Consequently, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit functions as a subcooling tank.
- liquid refrigerant which is produced upon separation of gas contained in the refrigerant, flows through the supercooling heat exchanger (subcooling condenser) and is cooled to an ambient air temperature range. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a subcooling tank and a subcooler, which would be used only in the heating mode.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a heating mode
- FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cycle on a Mollier chart plotted when the vehicular air conditioning system operates in the heating mode
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a dehumidifying heating mode
- FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode
- FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cycle on a Mollier chart plotted when the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a heating mode
- FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a heating mode
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a dehumidifying heating mode
- FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode
- FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode
- FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode
- FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the vehicular air conditioning apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-023564.
- a vehicular air conditioning system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in an automobile (vehicle) 12 for air-conditioning a passenger cabin (vehicle compartment) 14 of the automobile 12 .
- the air conditioning system 10 has a heat pump circulation path 18 for circulating a refrigerant via a compressor 16 .
- the heat pump circulation path 18 includes therein a condenser unit (condenser) 20 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and ambient air, an expansion valve 22 for depressurizing the refrigerant delivered from the condenser unit 20 , a first evaporator (evaporator) for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 22 and air-conditioning air, and a heater 26 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant delivered from the compressor 16 and the air-conditioning air that has passed through the first evaporator 24 .
- the heat pump circulation path 18 branches into a branch path 28 , which includes a second evaporator (rear evaporator) 30 for performing heat exchange between a heat medium discharged from the cabin 14 (waste heat gas from the cabin 14 ) and the refrigerant.
- a second evaporator rear evaporator
- the heating medium used for heat exchange in the second evaporator 30 is an exhaust heat gas from the cabin 14 , heat that is carried in the cabin 14 can effectively be utilized without being abandoned.
- the air conditioning system 10 When the air conditioning system 10 is activated for warming the cabin 14 , heat used to warm the cabin 14 is retrieved and introduced again into the air conditioning system 10 . Therefore, the air conditioning system 10 can be started up quickly.
- the condenser unit 20 includes a main condenser (condensing device) 32 , a gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit (subcooling tank) 34 , and a subcondenser (supercooling heat exchanger) 36 , which are connected mutually in series downstream of the heater 26 , and through which the refrigerant flows in a cooling mode.
- a solenoid-operated valve 38 a is disposed upstream of the main condenser 32 .
- a bypass means 40 is connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the main condenser 32 in a heating mode.
- the bypass means 40 includes a first bypass path 42 a , which branches from the heat pump circulation path 18 and is connected to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 of the condenser unit 20 .
- the first bypass path 42 a includes a solenoid-operated valve 38 b.
- the expansion valve 22 includes a means (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant delivered from the first evaporator 24 , which cools the air-conditioning air.
- An opening of the expansion valve 22 is variable automatically depending on the temperature of the refrigerant delivered from the first evaporator 24 , for thereby varying the flow rate of the refrigerant.
- the heat pump circulation path 18 also includes a three-way valve 44 a at a junction between a portion of a path near the expansion valve 22 and an inlet of the branch path 28 .
- the heat pump circulation path 18 further includes a three-way valve 44 b at a junction between an outlet of a second bypass path 42 b , which bypasses the first evaporator 24 , and the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the second evaporator 30 is disposed in a rear portion of the automobile 12 (see FIG. 2 ).
- an air mixing damper 46 for introducing air-conditioning air, having been cooled by the first evaporator 24 , into the cabin 14 in bypassing relation to the heater 26 .
- the automobile 12 has an ambient air inlet 48 for introducing ambient air as the air-conditioning air.
- the first evaporator 24 and the heater 26 are successively disposed in this order downstream of the ambient air inlet 48 .
- the air conditioning system 10 includes a controller (ECU) 50 , which functions as a flow path switching means, for controlling the solenoid-operated valves 38 a , 38 b and the three-way valves 44 a , 44 b to switch between the heating mode and the cooling mode, and which also controls the air conditioning system 10 in its entirety (see FIG. 1 ).
- ECU controller
- the compressor 16 When the air conditioning system 10 operates in a heating mode, as shown in FIG. 2 , the compressor 16 is actuated to deliver refrigerant into the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the refrigerant is supplied to the heater 26 , which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air (radiates heat into the air-conditioning air) in order to increase the temperature of the air-conditioning air.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is opened, so as to allow the refrigerant, which is discharged from the heater 26 , to pass through the first bypass path 42 a and directly into the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , in bypassing relation to the main condenser 32 .
- the refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 through the subcondenser 36 .
- the subcondenser 36 cools the refrigerant and delivers the cooled refrigerant to the expansion valve 22 .
- the refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion valve 22 and branches through the three-way valve 44 a into the branch path 28 , from which the refrigerant is introduced into the second evaporator 30 .
- the second evaporator 30 carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat source in the cabin 14 .
- the refrigerant then bypasses the first evaporator 24 and flows back into the compressor through the second bypass path 42 b and the expansion valve 22 .
- the main condenser 32 , the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , and the subcondenser 36 are connected mutually in series downstream of the heater 26 .
- the heat pump circulation path 18 includes the bypass means 40 , which connects the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 , in bypassing relation to the main condenser 32 in the heating mode.
- the air conditioning system 10 When the air conditioning system 10 operates in the heating mode, as shown in FIG. 2 , a portion of the heat pump circulation path 18 downstream of the heater 26 is connected to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the main condenser 32 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser thus function respectively as subcooling tanks (see the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in FIG. 3 ).
- the refrigerant can thus be introduced as a perfect liquid medium into the expansion valve 22 , whereby the expansion valve 22 is effectively prevented from trapping gas therein. Therefore, the heat pump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant, thereby easily increasing air-conditioning performance and maintaining the air-conditioning performance favorably.
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 is used as a subcooling tank. Consequently, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 can provide a sufficient amount of refrigerant, making it possible to prevent air-conditioning performance from being lowered due to a shortage of refrigerant when the air conditioning system 10 operates in the heating mode at an increased ambient air temperature, as well as when the air conditioning system 10 operates in a transient mode such as a dehumidifying heating mode.
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 of the condenser unit 20 which as described later serves as a heat radiator in the cooling mode, can be shared with the heating mode. Since there are no devices that are used only in the heating mode, the system installation space in the front portion of the vehicle that incorporates the air conditioning system 10 therein is effectively reduced.
- the three-way valve 44 b is actuated in order to close the second bypass path 42 b , thereby connecting the first evaporator 24 to the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the compressor 16 When the compressor 16 is operated, the refrigerant delivered into the heat pump circulation path 18 flows through the heater 26 , which radiates heat from the refrigerant. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows through the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , the subcondenser 36 , and the expansion valve 22 , whereupon the refrigerant becomes lower in pressure and temperature. The heat of the refrigerant is absorbed by the second evaporator 30 and thereafter the refrigerant is delivered to the first evaporator 24 .
- the first evaporator 24 absorbs heat from the air-conditioning air thereby cooling the air-conditioning air. Thereafter, the temperature of the air-conditioning air is increased by the heater 26 and the air-conditioning air is then introduced into the cabin 14 . Since the air-conditioning air is cooled by the first evaporator 24 , water vapor contained in air that is introduced from outside the automobile 12 is removed, i.e., the introduced air is dehumidified.
- the second evaporator 30 Even if the air-conditioning air that passes through the first evaporator 24 is low in temperature, the second evaporator 30 absorbs a sufficient amount of heat from a heat source that is discharged from the cabin 14 , which is high in temperature and low in humidity, thereby heating the refrigerant that flows into the first evaporator 24 . Therefore, even when the air conditioning system operates in the dehumidifying heating mode, the second evaporator 30 does not freeze and is capable of operating continuously.
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 Since the refrigerant is supplied to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 also functions as a subcooling tank. As a result, when the refrigerant is distributed at the time that the air conditioning system 10 operates in a transient mode such as the dehumidifying heating mode, no shortage of refrigerant occurs, thus allowing the air conditioning system 10 to operate with stable air-conditioning performance.
- FIG. 5 shows the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system 10 operates in the cooling mode.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a When the air conditioning system 10 is operated in the cooling mode, the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is closed, whereby the condenser unit 20 is connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the three-way valves 44 a , 44 b are switched in order to disconnect the branch path 28 from the heat pump circulation path 18 , and to connect the first evaporator 24 to the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the air mixing damper 46 remains fully closed.
- the compressor 16 is actuated in order to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature.
- Compressed refrigerant flows through the heater 26 and then the refrigerant is cooled by the condenser unit 20 . Thereafter, the refrigerant is converted by the expansion valve 22 into a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure, whereupon the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 24 .
- the first evaporator 24 carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air.
- the air-conditioning air is cooled, and the refrigerant flows from the expansion valve 22 back into the compressor 16 after heat from the refrigerant is absorbed by the expansion valve 22 .
- the air-conditioning air which has been cooled by the first evaporator 24 , is not heated since the air mixing damper 46 is closed, and the air-conditioning air is introduced into the cabin 14 , thereby cooling the cabin 14 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 performs a dampening action so as to dampen any increase or decrease in the amount of refrigerant.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- Parts of the air conditioning system 60 according to the second embodiment which are identical to those of the air conditioning system 10 according to the first embodiment, are denoted by identical reference characters, and such features will not be described in detail below.
- parts of air conditioning systems according to later-described third through eighth embodiments of the present invention which are identical to those of the air conditioning system 10 according to the first embodiment, are denoted by identical reference characters, and such features will not be described in detail below.
- the air conditioning system 60 includes a bypass means 62 connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 , for thereby connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to the main condenser 32 in the heating mode.
- the bypass means 62 includes the first bypass path 42 a and a flow rate control valve 64 , for example, a metering valve, a flow rate regulating valve, or the like, which is connected to the first bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss.
- An opening of the flow rate control valve 64 is adjusted by an actuator such as a motor 66 , for example.
- the flow rate control valve 64 since the flow rate control valve 64 is used as a pressure loss device, the subcooling region in the heating mode can be increased. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is very low, the flow rate control valve 64 can be actuated to increase the enthalpy difference at the heater 26 .
- the respective inlet temperatures of the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 which serves as a supercooling heat exchanger, can be lowered to a temperature equivalent to that of the very low ambient temperature. Therefore, heat radiation from ambient air in the supercooling heat exchanger can be held to a minimum.
- the capacity of the heater 26 can be increased to a higher temperature and/or higher pressure (from pressure a to pressure al). The heating performance of the heater 26 can thus be effectively increased.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 70 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- the air conditioning system 70 includes a bypass means 72 , which is connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 , for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to the main condenser 32 in the heating mode.
- the bypass means 72 includes the first bypass path 42 a and a capillary 74 , which is connected to the first bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is connected upstream of the capillary 74 .
- the capillary 74 is used as a pressure loss device, the same advantages as those of the second embodiment are achieved.
- the subcooling region in the heating mode can be increased.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 80 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the vehicular air conditioning system 80 .
- the air conditioning system 80 includes a condenser 82 connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the ambient air, and a bypass means 84 connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 in the heating mode.
- the condenser 82 comprises a condensing device 86 , a tank 88 , and a supercooler 90 , which are coupled together integrally.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is connected between the condenser 82 and the heater 26 and is positioned close to an upstream end of the condenser 82 .
- the bypass means 84 includes the first bypass path 42 a , in which there are included the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , the subcondenser 36 , and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b.
- the air conditioning system 80 operates in the same manner as shown in the cycle diagram of FIG. 3 . More specifically, when the air conditioning system 80 is operated in the heating mode, as shown in FIG. 10 , the compressor 16 is actuated in order to deliver refrigerant into the heat pump circulation path 18 . The refrigerant is supplied to the heater 26 , which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air (i.e., radiates heat into the air-conditioning air) so as to increase the temperature of the air-conditioning air.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is opened in order to allow the refrigerant, having been discharged from the heater 26 , to pass through the first bypass path 42 a directly into the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 .
- the refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and through the subcondenser 36 , which cools the refrigerant and delivers the cooled refrigerant to the expansion valve 22 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the sub-condenser 36 are connected mutually in series through the first bypass path 42 a downstream of the heater 26 .
- the heat pump circulation path 18 includes the bypass means 84 , which connects the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 , in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 in the heating mode.
- the air conditioning system 80 When the air conditioning system 80 is operated in the heating mode, as shown in FIG. 10 , a portion of the heat pump circulation path 18 downstream of the heater 26 is connected to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 thus functions as a subcooling tank.
- gas contained in the refrigerant supplied to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 is separated from the refrigerant, a liquid refrigerant is produced through operation of the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 .
- the liquid refrigerant is cooled to an ambient temperature range when the liquid refrigerant flows through the subcondenser 36 .
- the refrigerant can thus be introduced as a perfect liquid medium into the expansion valve 22 , thereby effectively preventing gas from becoming trapped in the expansion valve 22 . Therefore, the heat pump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant, thereby easily increasing air-conditioning performance and maintaining the air-conditioning performance favorably.
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 is used as a subcooling tank. Consequently, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 can provide a sufficient amount of refrigerant, thus making it possible to prevent air-conditioning performance from being lowered due to a shortage of refrigerant when the air conditioning system 80 operates in the heating mode at an increased ambient air temperature, as well as when the air conditioning system 80 operates in a transient mode such as a dehumidifying heating mode. Therefore, the fourth embodiment provides the same advantages as those of the first through third embodiments.
- the subcondenser 36 can be located freely, the layout freedom of the air conditioning system 80 is effectively increased.
- the subcondenser 36 may be located in any position insofar as ambient air can flow through the subcondenser 36 .
- the subcondenser 36 can be installed easily and effectively.
- the three-way valve 44 b is actuated in order to close the second bypass path 42 b and to connect the first evaporator 24 to the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the compressor When the compressor is operated, the refrigerant, which is delivered into the heat pump circulation path 18 , flows through the heater 26 . Thereafter, the refrigerant flows through the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , the subcondenser 36 , and the expansion valve 22 , whereupon the refrigerant is lowered in pressure and temperature. Heat of the refrigerant is absorbed by the second evaporator 30 , and thereafter, the refrigerant is delivered to the first evaporator 24 .
- the first evaporator 24 absorbs heat from the air-conditioning air in order to cool the air-conditioning air. Thereafter, the temperature of the air-conditioning air is increased by the heater 26 , and then the air-conditioning air is introduced into the cabin 14 . Since the air-conditioning air is cooled by the first evaporator 24 , water vapor contained in air that is introduced from outside the automobile 12 is removed, i.e., the air introduced into the automobile 12 is dehumidified.
- FIG. 12 shows the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system 80 operates in the cooling mode.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a When the air conditioning system 80 is operated in the cooling mode, the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is closed, thereby connecting the condenser 82 to the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the three-way valves 44 a , 44 b are switched in order to disconnect the branch path 28 from the heat pump circulation path 18 and to connect the first evaporator 24 to the heat pump circulation path 18 .
- the air mixing damper 46 remains fully closed.
- the compressor 16 is actuated in order to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature.
- Compressed refrigerant flows through the heater 26 and then the refrigerant is cooled by the condenser 82 . Thereafter, the refrigerant is converted by the expansion valve 22 into a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure, whereupon the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 24 .
- the first evaporator 24 carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air.
- the air-conditioning air is cooled, and the refrigerant flows from the expansion valve 22 back into the compressor 16 after heat from the refrigerant is absorbed by the expansion valve 22 .
- the air-conditioning air which has been cooled by the first evaporator 24 , is not heated since the air mixing damper 46 is closed.
- the air-conditioning air is introduced into the cabin 14 , thereby cooling the cabin 14 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 performs a dampening action so as to dampen any increase or decrease in the amount of refrigerant.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- a bypass means 102 is connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and to the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 in the heating mode.
- the bypass means 102 includes the first bypass path 42 a , which is connected parallel to the condenser 82 and includes a solenoid-operated valve 38 b.
- the heat pump circulation path 18 includes the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 , which are positioned between the outlet of the condenser 82 and the inlet of the expansion valve 22 .
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is opened.
- refrigerant is discharged from the heater 26 and flows through the first bypass path 42 a directly into the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 .
- the refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and through the subcondenser 36 , which cools the refrigerant and delivers cooled refrigerant to the expansion valve 22 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 thus functions as a subcooling tank.
- Liquid refrigerant which is produced when gas contained in the refrigerant is separated, flows through the subcondenser 36 , thereby producing a perfect liquid medium. Therefore, the heat pump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant therethrough, thereby easily increasing and maintaining good air-conditioning performance. Therefore, the fifth embodiment provides the same advantages as those of the first through fourth embodiments.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a When the air conditioning system 100 is operated in the cooling mode, as shown in FIG. 14 , the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is closed while the three-way valves 44 a , 44 b are switched.
- the compressor 16 When the compressor 16 is actuated to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature, compressed refrigerant flows through the heater 26 , and thereafter, the refrigerant is cooled by the condenser 82 . Then, the refrigerant is converted by the subcondenser 36 and the expansion valve 22 into a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure, whereupon the refrigerant is supplied to the first evaporator 24 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 performs a dampening action so as to dampen any increase or decrease in the amount of refrigerant.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 110 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
- the air conditioning system 110 includes a bypass means 112 connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 in the heating mode.
- the bypass means 112 includes the first bypass path 42 a , which includes the solenoid-operated valve 38 b , the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 , and the subcondenser 36 .
- the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 are disposed between the first evaporator 24 and the heater 26 .
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a when the air conditioning system 110 is operated in the heating mode, as shown in FIG. 15 , the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is opened.
- the compressor 16 When the compressor 16 is actuated, refrigerant is discharged from the heater 26 and flows through the first bypass path 42 a directly into the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 .
- the refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and through the subcondenser 36 , which cools the refrigerant and delivers cooled refrigerant to the expansion valve 22 .
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 a When the air conditioning system 110 is operated in the cooling mode, the solenoid-operated valve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is closed while the three-way valves 44 a , 44 b are switched.
- the compressor 16 Upon actuation of the compressor 16 to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature, the compressed refrigerant flows through the heater 26 and then is cooled by the condenser 82 .
- the heat pump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant, thereby easily increasing and maintaining good air-conditioning performance.
- the sixth embodiment provides the same advantages as those of the first through fifth embodiments.
- FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 120 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- the air conditioning system 120 includes a bypass means 122 connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 in the heating mode.
- the bypass means 122 includes a flow rate control valve 124 , for example, a metering valve, a flow rate regulating valve, or the like, which is connected to the first bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss.
- the opening of the flow rate control valve 124 is adjusted by an actuator such as a motor 126 , for example.
- the flow rate control valve 124 is used as a pressure loss device, in the same manner as the cycle diagram shown in FIG. 7 , a subcooling region can be increased in the heating mode. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is very low, the flow rate control valve 64 can be actuated in order to increase the enthalpy difference at the heater 26 .
- the inlet temperature of the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 which serves as a supercooling heat exchanger, can be lowered to a temperature that is equivalent to that of the very low ambient temperature. Therefore, heat radiation from ambient air in the supercooling heat exchanger can be held to a minimum.
- the capacity of the heater 26 can be increased to a higher temperature and/or higher pressure.
- the heating performance of the heater 26 can thus be effectively increased.
- the seventh embodiment is based on the fourth embodiment.
- the seventh embodiment is not strictly limited to the fourth embodiment, but may be based on the fifth embodiment or the sixth embodiment.
- the same also applies to the eighth embodiment, as described below.
- FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system 130 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
- the air conditioning system 130 includes a bypass means 132 connected to the heat pump circulation path 18 for connecting the heater 26 to the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to the condenser 82 in the heating mode.
- the bypass means 72 includes a capillary 134 , which is connected to the first bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss.
- the solenoid-operated valve 38 b is disposed upstream of the capillary 134 , whereas the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser 36 are disposed downstream of the capillary 134 .
- the capillary 134 is used as a pressure loss device, the same advantages as those of the seventh embodiment are achieved. For example, the subcooling region in the heating mode can be increased.
- the heat medium which undergoes heat exchange with the refrigerant in the second evaporator 30 , may be, aside from the waste heat gas from the cabin 14 , any medium that is higher in temperature than the refrigerant flowing into the second evaporator 30 , e.g., a medium carrying heat from the motor, heat from the battery, heat from an internal combustion engine assuming the vehicle has an internal combustion engine, heat from the controller 50 , or heat from ambient air, etc.
- the three-way valves 44 a , 44 b for switching between flow paths may be formed from a combination of a branch block and a solenoid-operated valve for switching between flow paths, instead of an integral assembly of a three-way branch and a valve mechanism.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An air conditioning system for a vehicle is provided with a heat pump circulation path through which a refrigerant body is circulated through a compressor. The heat pump circulation path is provided with a condenser unit, an expansion valve, a first evaporator, a heater, and a second evaporator. The heat pump circulation path is also provided with a bypass means which, in heating operation, bypasses a main condenser for constituting the condenser unit and connects the heater and a gas-liquid separation-type refrigerant body containing section. The configuration provides effects which minimize an increase in the number of dedicated parts required only in a heating mode and which, by effectively utilizing the system in a cooling mode, prevents a reduction in the air conditioning performance caused by the shortage of the refrigerant body.
Description
- The present invention relates to a vehicular air conditioning system incorporated in a vehicle for air-conditioning a passenger cabin of the vehicle.
- Vehicles, e.g., engine automobiles having an internal combustion engine, hybrid automobiles having an engine and a secondary battery (or a secondary battery and a fuel cell or the like) in combination, electric automobiles, and fuel cell automobiles, incorporate various types of vehicular air conditioning systems.
- For example, as shown in
FIG. 19 , a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-023564, includes acompressor 1 for drawing in and discharging a refrigerant, acondenser 3 disposed in an airconditioning unit case 2 for heating air through heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant that is discharged from thecompressor 1 in a heating mode, a receiver 4 for receiving the refrigerant flowing in from thecondenser 3 and performing gas-liquid separation in the heating mode, asupercooler 5 for supercooling the liquid refrigerant that flows in from the receiver 4 through heat exchange between the liquid refrigerant and ambient air in the heating mode, adepressurizer 6 for depressurizing the refrigerant that has been supercooled by thesupercooler 5 in the heating mode, and anoutdoor heat exchanger 7 for evaporating the refrigerant depressurized by thedepressurizer 6 in the heating mode. - With the above vehicular air conditioning apparatus, subcooling (i.e., a degree of subcooling) is achieved by the receiver 4, and further is additionally achieved reliably by the
supercooler 5, which is disposed downstream of the receiver 4, using ambient air in the heating mode. The vehicular air conditioning apparatus is rendered highly efficient and excellent in heating performance through a relatively simple cyclic arrangement. - According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-023564, the receiver 4 and the
supercooler 5 are used only in the heating mode, and thus, the receiver 4 and thesupercooler 5 are not required in a cooling mode. Therefore, the number of components dedicated to the heating mode is increased, which makes the vehicular air conditioning apparatus uneconomical. - According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-023564, furthermore, the vehicular air conditioning apparatus does not include a buffer in order to make up for a refrigerant shortage in the case that the cooled liquid refrigerant remains trapped in the
outdoor heat exchanger 7, and the amount of refrigerant used for air-conditioning the vehicle is reduced in the cooling mode. Consequently, air-conditioning performance is lowered due to the refrigerant shortage, resulting in the need for a power increase caused by a capability shortage of thecompressor 1, and also resulting in poor mileage on account of the power increase. - The present invention has been made in order to solve the aforementioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular air conditioning system, which is capable of increasing heat exchange efficiency and maintaining good air-conditioning performance as a result of stably circulating a refrigerant by means of a simple and economical arrangement.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicular air conditioning system of the heat pump type comprising a condenser for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and ambient air, the condenser being connected to a heat pump circulation path for circulating the refrigerant with a compressor, an evaporator connected to the heat pump circulation path for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air, and a heater connected to the heat pump circulation path for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant which has been delivered from the compressor and the air-conditioning air that has passed through the evaporator.
- The air conditioning system further comprises a gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit, a supercooling heat exchanger, and a bypass means connecting the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit and the supercooling heat exchanger downstream of the heater in bypassing relation to the condenser in a heating mode.
- According to the present invention, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit functions as a buffer for making up or compensating for a refrigerant shortage in a cooling mode. Therefore, when the air conditioning system operates in the heating mode at an increased ambient air temperature, as well as when the air conditioning system operates in a transient mode such as a dehumidifying heating mode, no refrigerant shortage occurs, thereby allowing the air conditioning system to perform air-conditioning in a stable manner.
- In the heating mode, the heater, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit, and the supercooling heat exchanger are connected in bypassing relation to the condenser. Consequently, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit functions as a subcooling tank. As a result, liquid refrigerant, which is produced upon separation of gas contained in the refrigerant, flows through the supercooling heat exchanger (subcooling condenser) and is cooled to an ambient air temperature range. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a subcooling tank and a subcooler, which would be used only in the heating mode.
- It is thus possible to increase heat exchange efficiency and to maintain good air-conditioning performance by stably circulating the refrigerant by means of a simple and economical arrangement.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a heating mode; -
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cycle on a Mollier chart plotted when the vehicular air conditioning system operates in the heating mode; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a dehumidifying heating mode; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cycle on a Mollier chart plotted when the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a heating mode; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a heating mode; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a dehumidifying heating mode; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode; -
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the vehicular air conditioning system operates in a cooling mode; -
FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicular air conditioning system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the vehicular air conditioning apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-023564. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicularair conditioning system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in an automobile (vehicle) 12 for air-conditioning a passenger cabin (vehicle compartment) 14 of theautomobile 12. - The
air conditioning system 10 has a heatpump circulation path 18 for circulating a refrigerant via acompressor 16. The heatpump circulation path 18 includes therein a condenser unit (condenser) 20 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and ambient air, anexpansion valve 22 for depressurizing the refrigerant delivered from thecondenser unit 20, a first evaporator (evaporator) for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant that has passed through theexpansion valve 22 and air-conditioning air, and aheater 26 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant delivered from thecompressor 16 and the air-conditioning air that has passed through thefirst evaporator 24. - The heat
pump circulation path 18 branches into abranch path 28, which includes a second evaporator (rear evaporator) 30 for performing heat exchange between a heat medium discharged from the cabin 14 (waste heat gas from the cabin 14) and the refrigerant. - Since the heating medium used for heat exchange in the
second evaporator 30 is an exhaust heat gas from thecabin 14, heat that is carried in thecabin 14 can effectively be utilized without being abandoned. When theair conditioning system 10 is activated for warming thecabin 14, heat used to warm thecabin 14 is retrieved and introduced again into theair conditioning system 10. Therefore, theair conditioning system 10 can be started up quickly. - The
condenser unit 20 includes a main condenser (condensing device) 32, a gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit (subcooling tank) 34, and a subcondenser (supercooling heat exchanger) 36, which are connected mutually in series downstream of theheater 26, and through which the refrigerant flows in a cooling mode. A solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is disposed upstream of themain condenser 32. - A bypass means 40 is connected to the heat
pump circulation path 18 for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to themain condenser 32 in a heating mode. The bypass means 40 includes afirst bypass path 42 a, which branches from the heatpump circulation path 18 and is connected to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 of thecondenser unit 20. Thefirst bypass path 42 a includes a solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b. - The
expansion valve 22 includes a means (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant delivered from thefirst evaporator 24, which cools the air-conditioning air. An opening of theexpansion valve 22 is variable automatically depending on the temperature of the refrigerant delivered from thefirst evaporator 24, for thereby varying the flow rate of the refrigerant. - The heat
pump circulation path 18 also includes a three-way valve 44 a at a junction between a portion of a path near theexpansion valve 22 and an inlet of thebranch path 28. The heatpump circulation path 18 further includes a three-way valve 44 b at a junction between an outlet of asecond bypass path 42 b, which bypasses thefirst evaporator 24, and the heatpump circulation path 18. Thesecond evaporator 30 is disposed in a rear portion of the automobile 12 (seeFIG. 2 ). - timfyt2139
- Between the
first evaporator 24 and theheater 26, there is disposed anair mixing damper 46 for introducing air-conditioning air, having been cooled by thefirst evaporator 24, into thecabin 14 in bypassing relation to theheater 26. - The
automobile 12 has anambient air inlet 48 for introducing ambient air as the air-conditioning air. Thefirst evaporator 24 and theheater 26 are successively disposed in this order downstream of theambient air inlet 48. Theair conditioning system 10 includes a controller (ECU) 50, which functions as a flow path switching means, for controlling the solenoid-operatedvalves way valves air conditioning system 10 in its entirety (seeFIG. 1 ). - Operations of the
air conditioning system 10 will be described below with reference to a cycle diagram shown inFIG. 3 . - When the
air conditioning system 10 operates in a heating mode, as shown inFIG. 2 , thecompressor 16 is actuated to deliver refrigerant into the heatpump circulation path 18. The refrigerant is supplied to theheater 26, which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air (radiates heat into the air-conditioning air) in order to increase the temperature of the air-conditioning air. - The solenoid-operated
valve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is opened, so as to allow the refrigerant, which is discharged from theheater 26, to pass through thefirst bypass path 42 a and directly into the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34, in bypassing relation to themain condenser 32. The refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 through thesubcondenser 36. Thesubcondenser 36 cools the refrigerant and delivers the cooled refrigerant to theexpansion valve 22. - The refrigerant is depressurized by the
expansion valve 22 and branches through the three-way valve 44 a into thebranch path 28, from which the refrigerant is introduced into thesecond evaporator 30. Thesecond evaporator 30 carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heat source in thecabin 14. The refrigerant then bypasses thefirst evaporator 24 and flows back into the compressor through thesecond bypass path 42 b and theexpansion valve 22. - According to the first embodiment, the
main condenser 32, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34, and thesubcondenser 36 are connected mutually in series downstream of theheater 26. The heatpump circulation path 18 includes the bypass means 40, which connects theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36, in bypassing relation to themain condenser 32 in the heating mode. - When the
air conditioning system 10 operates in the heating mode, as shown inFIG. 2 , a portion of the heatpump circulation path 18 downstream of theheater 26 is connected to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to themain condenser 32. The gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and the subcondenser thus function respectively as subcooling tanks (see the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 inFIG. 3 ). - The refrigerant can thus be introduced as a perfect liquid medium into the
expansion valve 22, whereby theexpansion valve 22 is effectively prevented from trapping gas therein. Therefore, the heatpump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant, thereby easily increasing air-conditioning performance and maintaining the air-conditioning performance favorably. - The gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34 is used as a subcooling tank. Consequently, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 can provide a sufficient amount of refrigerant, making it possible to prevent air-conditioning performance from being lowered due to a shortage of refrigerant when theair conditioning system 10 operates in the heating mode at an increased ambient air temperature, as well as when theair conditioning system 10 operates in a transient mode such as a dehumidifying heating mode. - According to the first embodiment, furthermore, there is no need to provide a subcooling tank and a subcooler for use only in the heating mode, because the gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 of thecondenser unit 20, which as described later serves as a heat radiator in the cooling mode, can be shared with the heating mode. Since there are no devices that are used only in the heating mode, the system installation space in the front portion of the vehicle that incorporates theair conditioning system 10 therein is effectively reduced. - Consequently, by stably circulating the refrigerant with a simple and economical arrangement, it is possible to increase the heat exchange efficiency and to maintain good air-conditioning performance.
- Operations of the
air conditioning system 10 in the dehumidifying heating mode will be described below. - When the
air conditioning system 10 operates in the dehumidifying heating mode, as shown inFIG. 4 , the three-way valve 44 b is actuated in order to close thesecond bypass path 42 b, thereby connecting thefirst evaporator 24 to the heatpump circulation path 18. When thecompressor 16 is operated, the refrigerant delivered into the heatpump circulation path 18 flows through theheater 26, which radiates heat from the refrigerant. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows through the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34, thesubcondenser 36, and theexpansion valve 22, whereupon the refrigerant becomes lower in pressure and temperature. The heat of the refrigerant is absorbed by thesecond evaporator 30 and thereafter the refrigerant is delivered to thefirst evaporator 24. - The
first evaporator 24 absorbs heat from the air-conditioning air thereby cooling the air-conditioning air. Thereafter, the temperature of the air-conditioning air is increased by theheater 26 and the air-conditioning air is then introduced into thecabin 14. Since the air-conditioning air is cooled by thefirst evaporator 24, water vapor contained in air that is introduced from outside theautomobile 12 is removed, i.e., the introduced air is dehumidified. - Even if the air-conditioning air that passes through the
first evaporator 24 is low in temperature, thesecond evaporator 30 absorbs a sufficient amount of heat from a heat source that is discharged from thecabin 14, which is high in temperature and low in humidity, thereby heating the refrigerant that flows into thefirst evaporator 24. Therefore, even when the air conditioning system operates in the dehumidifying heating mode, thesecond evaporator 30 does not freeze and is capable of operating continuously. - Since the refrigerant is supplied to the gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 also functions as a subcooling tank. As a result, when the refrigerant is distributed at the time that theair conditioning system 10 operates in a transient mode such as the dehumidifying heating mode, no shortage of refrigerant occurs, thus allowing theair conditioning system 10 to operate with stable air-conditioning performance. -
FIG. 5 shows the manner in which the vehicularair conditioning system 10 operates in the cooling mode. - When the
air conditioning system 10 is operated in the cooling mode, the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is closed, whereby thecondenser unit 20 is connected to the heatpump circulation path 18. The three-way valves branch path 28 from the heatpump circulation path 18, and to connect thefirst evaporator 24 to the heatpump circulation path 18. Theair mixing damper 46 remains fully closed. - The
compressor 16 is actuated in order to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature. Compressed refrigerant flows through theheater 26 and then the refrigerant is cooled by thecondenser unit 20. Thereafter, the refrigerant is converted by theexpansion valve 22 into a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure, whereupon the refrigerant is supplied to thefirst evaporator 24. When the low-temperature refrigerant flows through thefirst evaporator 24, thefirst evaporator 24 carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air. The air-conditioning air is cooled, and the refrigerant flows from theexpansion valve 22 back into thecompressor 16 after heat from the refrigerant is absorbed by theexpansion valve 22. - The air-conditioning air, which has been cooled by the
first evaporator 24, is not heated since theair mixing damper 46 is closed, and the air-conditioning air is introduced into thecabin 14, thereby cooling thecabin 14. In the cooling mode, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 performs a dampening action so as to dampen any increase or decrease in the amount of refrigerant. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts of theair conditioning system 60 according to the second embodiment, which are identical to those of theair conditioning system 10 according to the first embodiment, are denoted by identical reference characters, and such features will not be described in detail below. Similarly, parts of air conditioning systems according to later-described third through eighth embodiments of the present invention, which are identical to those of theair conditioning system 10 according to the first embodiment, are denoted by identical reference characters, and such features will not be described in detail below. - The
air conditioning system 60 includes a bypass means 62 connected to the heatpump circulation path 18, for thereby connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to themain condenser 32 in the heating mode. The bypass means 62 includes thefirst bypass path 42 a and a flowrate control valve 64, for example, a metering valve, a flow rate regulating valve, or the like, which is connected to thefirst bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss. An opening of the flowrate control valve 64 is adjusted by an actuator such as amotor 66, for example. - According to the second embodiment, as shown in a cycle diagram illustrated in
FIG. 7 , since the flowrate control valve 64 is used as a pressure loss device, the subcooling region in the heating mode can be increased. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is very low, the flowrate control valve 64 can be actuated to increase the enthalpy difference at theheater 26. - In addition, with such an increased amount of subcooling, the respective inlet temperatures of the gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36, which serves as a supercooling heat exchanger, can be lowered to a temperature equivalent to that of the very low ambient temperature. Therefore, heat radiation from ambient air in the supercooling heat exchanger can be held to a minimum. - Furthermore, since the amount of subcooling is increased, the capacity of the
heater 26 can be increased to a higher temperature and/or higher pressure (from pressure a to pressure al). The heating performance of theheater 26 can thus be effectively increased. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 70 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. - The
air conditioning system 70 includes a bypass means 72, which is connected to the heatpump circulation path 18, for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to themain condenser 32 in the heating mode. The bypass means 72 includes thefirst bypass path 42 a and a capillary 74, which is connected to thefirst bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss. The solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is connected upstream of the capillary 74. - According to the third embodiment, since the capillary 74 is used as a pressure loss device, the same advantages as those of the second embodiment are achieved. For example, the subcooling region in the heating mode can be increased.
-
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 80 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the vehicularair conditioning system 80. - The
air conditioning system 80 includes acondenser 82 connected to the heatpump circulation path 18 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the ambient air, and a bypass means 84 connected to the heatpump circulation path 18 for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82 in the heating mode. - The
condenser 82 comprises a condensingdevice 86, atank 88, and asupercooler 90, which are coupled together integrally. The solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is connected between thecondenser 82 and theheater 26 and is positioned close to an upstream end of thecondenser 82. - The bypass means 84 includes the
first bypass path 42 a, in which there are included the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34, thesubcondenser 36, and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b. - The
air conditioning system 80 operates in the same manner as shown in the cycle diagram ofFIG. 3 . More specifically, when theair conditioning system 80 is operated in the heating mode, as shown inFIG. 10 , thecompressor 16 is actuated in order to deliver refrigerant into the heatpump circulation path 18. The refrigerant is supplied to theheater 26, which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air (i.e., radiates heat into the air-conditioning air) so as to increase the temperature of the air-conditioning air. - Then, the solenoid-operated
valve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is opened in order to allow the refrigerant, having been discharged from theheater 26, to pass through thefirst bypass path 42 a directly into the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82. The refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and through thesubcondenser 36, which cools the refrigerant and delivers the cooled refrigerant to theexpansion valve 22. - According to the fourth embodiment, the gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34 and the sub-condenser 36 are connected mutually in series through thefirst bypass path 42 a downstream of theheater 26. The heatpump circulation path 18 includes the bypass means 84, which connects theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36, in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82 in the heating mode. - When the
air conditioning system 80 is operated in the heating mode, as shown inFIG. 10 , a portion of the heatpump circulation path 18 downstream of theheater 26 is connected to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82. The gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 thus functions as a subcooling tank. When gas contained in the refrigerant supplied to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 is separated from the refrigerant, a liquid refrigerant is produced through operation of the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34. The liquid refrigerant is cooled to an ambient temperature range when the liquid refrigerant flows through thesubcondenser 36. - The refrigerant can thus be introduced as a perfect liquid medium into the
expansion valve 22, thereby effectively preventing gas from becoming trapped in theexpansion valve 22. Therefore, the heatpump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant, thereby easily increasing air-conditioning performance and maintaining the air-conditioning performance favorably. - The gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34 is used as a subcooling tank. Consequently, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 can provide a sufficient amount of refrigerant, thus making it possible to prevent air-conditioning performance from being lowered due to a shortage of refrigerant when theair conditioning system 80 operates in the heating mode at an increased ambient air temperature, as well as when theair conditioning system 80 operates in a transient mode such as a dehumidifying heating mode. Therefore, the fourth embodiment provides the same advantages as those of the first through third embodiments. - Since the
subcondenser 36 can be located freely, the layout freedom of theair conditioning system 80 is effectively increased. Thesubcondenser 36 may be located in any position insofar as ambient air can flow through thesubcondenser 36. Thus, thesubcondenser 36 can be installed easily and effectively. - Operations of the
air conditioning system 80 in the dehumidifying heating mode will be described below. - When the
air conditioning system 80 is operated in the dehumidifying heating mode, as shown inFIG. 11 , the three-way valve 44 b is actuated in order to close thesecond bypass path 42 b and to connect thefirst evaporator 24 to the heatpump circulation path 18. When the compressor is operated, the refrigerant, which is delivered into the heatpump circulation path 18, flows through theheater 26. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows through the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34, thesubcondenser 36, and theexpansion valve 22, whereupon the refrigerant is lowered in pressure and temperature. Heat of the refrigerant is absorbed by thesecond evaporator 30, and thereafter, the refrigerant is delivered to thefirst evaporator 24. - The
first evaporator 24 absorbs heat from the air-conditioning air in order to cool the air-conditioning air. Thereafter, the temperature of the air-conditioning air is increased by theheater 26, and then the air-conditioning air is introduced into thecabin 14. Since the air-conditioning air is cooled by thefirst evaporator 24, water vapor contained in air that is introduced from outside theautomobile 12 is removed, i.e., the air introduced into theautomobile 12 is dehumidified. -
FIG. 12 shows the manner in which the vehicularair conditioning system 80 operates in the cooling mode. - When the
air conditioning system 80 is operated in the cooling mode, the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is closed, thereby connecting thecondenser 82 to the heatpump circulation path 18. The three-way valves branch path 28 from the heatpump circulation path 18 and to connect thefirst evaporator 24 to the heatpump circulation path 18. Theair mixing damper 46 remains fully closed. - The
compressor 16 is actuated in order to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature. Compressed refrigerant flows through theheater 26 and then the refrigerant is cooled by thecondenser 82. Thereafter, the refrigerant is converted by theexpansion valve 22 into a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure, whereupon the refrigerant is supplied to thefirst evaporator 24. When the low-temperature refrigerant flows through thefirst evaporator 24, thefirst evaporator 24 carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air. The air-conditioning air is cooled, and the refrigerant flows from theexpansion valve 22 back into thecompressor 16 after heat from the refrigerant is absorbed by theexpansion valve 22. - The air-conditioning air, which has been cooled by the
first evaporator 24, is not heated since theair mixing damper 46 is closed. The air-conditioning air is introduced into thecabin 14, thereby cooling thecabin 14. In the cooling mode, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 performs a dampening action so as to dampen any increase or decrease in the amount of refrigerant. -
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. - In the
air conditioning system 100, a bypass means 102 is connected to the heatpump circulation path 18 for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and to thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82 in the heating mode. The bypass means 102 includes thefirst bypass path 42 a, which is connected parallel to thecondenser 82 and includes a solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b. - The heat
pump circulation path 18 includes the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36, which are positioned between the outlet of thecondenser 82 and the inlet of theexpansion valve 22. - According to the fifth embodiment, when the
air conditioning system 100 is operated in the heating mode, as shown inFIG. 13 , the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is opened. When thecompressor 16 is actuated, refrigerant is discharged from theheater 26 and flows through thefirst bypass path 42 a directly into the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82. The refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and through thesubcondenser 36, which cools the refrigerant and delivers cooled refrigerant to theexpansion valve 22. The gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 thus functions as a subcooling tank. Liquid refrigerant, which is produced when gas contained in the refrigerant is separated, flows through thesubcondenser 36, thereby producing a perfect liquid medium. Therefore, the heatpump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant therethrough, thereby easily increasing and maintaining good air-conditioning performance. Therefore, the fifth embodiment provides the same advantages as those of the first through fourth embodiments. - When the
air conditioning system 100 is operated in the cooling mode, as shown inFIG. 14 , the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is closed while the three-way valves compressor 16 is actuated to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature, compressed refrigerant flows through theheater 26, and thereafter, the refrigerant is cooled by thecondenser 82. Then, the refrigerant is converted by the subcondenser 36 and theexpansion valve 22 into a refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure, whereupon the refrigerant is supplied to thefirst evaporator 24. In the cooling mode, therefore, similar to the heating mode, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 performs a dampening action so as to dampen any increase or decrease in the amount of refrigerant. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 110 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. - The
air conditioning system 110 includes a bypass means 112 connected to the heatpump circulation path 18 for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82 in the heating mode. The bypass means 112 includes thefirst bypass path 42 a, which includes the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b, the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34, and thesubcondenser 36. The gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 are disposed between thefirst evaporator 24 and theheater 26. - According to the sixth embodiment, when the
air conditioning system 110 is operated in the heating mode, as shown inFIG. 15 , the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is closed and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is opened. When thecompressor 16 is actuated, refrigerant is discharged from theheater 26 and flows through thefirst bypass path 42 a directly into the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82. The refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and through thesubcondenser 36, which cools the refrigerant and delivers cooled refrigerant to theexpansion valve 22. - When the
air conditioning system 110 is operated in the cooling mode, the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 a is opened and the solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is closed while the three-way valves compressor 16 to compress the refrigerant to a high temperature, the compressed refrigerant flows through theheater 26 and then is cooled by thecondenser 82. - According to the sixth embodiment, therefore, the heat
pump circulation path 18 is capable of stably circulating the refrigerant, thereby easily increasing and maintaining good air-conditioning performance. Thus, the sixth embodiment provides the same advantages as those of the first through fifth embodiments. -
FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 120 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. - The
air conditioning system 120 includes a bypass means 122 connected to the heatpump circulation path 18 for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82 in the heating mode. - The bypass means 122 includes a flow rate control valve 124, for example, a metering valve, a flow rate regulating valve, or the like, which is connected to the
first bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss. The opening of the flow rate control valve 124 is adjusted by an actuator such as a motor 126, for example. - According to the sixth embodiment, since the flow rate control valve 124 is used as a pressure loss device, in the same manner as the cycle diagram shown in
FIG. 7 , a subcooling region can be increased in the heating mode. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is very low, the flowrate control valve 64 can be actuated in order to increase the enthalpy difference at theheater 26. - In addition, due to the increased amount of subcooling, the inlet temperature of the gas-liquid separation
refrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36, which serves as a supercooling heat exchanger, can be lowered to a temperature that is equivalent to that of the very low ambient temperature. Therefore, heat radiation from ambient air in the supercooling heat exchanger can be held to a minimum. - Furthermore, since the amount of subcooling is increased, the capacity of the
heater 26 can be increased to a higher temperature and/or higher pressure. The heating performance of theheater 26 can thus be effectively increased. - In essential features thereof, the seventh embodiment is based on the fourth embodiment. However, the seventh embodiment is not strictly limited to the fourth embodiment, but may be based on the fifth embodiment or the sixth embodiment. The same also applies to the eighth embodiment, as described below.
-
FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicularair conditioning system 130 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. - The
air conditioning system 130 includes a bypass means 132 connected to the heatpump circulation path 18 for connecting theheater 26 to the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 in bypassing relation to thecondenser 82 in the heating mode. The bypass means 72 includes a capillary 134, which is connected to thefirst bypass path 42 a and serves as a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss. The solenoid-operatedvalve 38 b is disposed upstream of the capillary 134, whereas the gas-liquid separationrefrigerant storage unit 34 and thesubcondenser 36 are disposed downstream of the capillary 134. - According to the eighth embodiment, since the capillary 134 is used as a pressure loss device, the same advantages as those of the seventh embodiment are achieved. For example, the subcooling region in the heating mode can be increased.
- In each of the above embodiments, the heat medium, which undergoes heat exchange with the refrigerant in the
second evaporator 30, may be, aside from the waste heat gas from thecabin 14, any medium that is higher in temperature than the refrigerant flowing into thesecond evaporator 30, e.g., a medium carrying heat from the motor, heat from the battery, heat from an internal combustion engine assuming the vehicle has an internal combustion engine, heat from thecontroller 50, or heat from ambient air, etc. - The three-
way valves
Claims (6)
1. A vehicular air conditioning system of a heat pump type comprising:
a condenser for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and ambient air, the condenser being connected to a heat pump circulation path for circulating the refrigerant with a compressor;
an evaporator connected to the heat pump circulation path for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air; and
a heater connected to the heat pump circulation path for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant, which has been delivered from the compressor, and the air-conditioning air that has passed through the evaporator;
the vehicular air conditioning system further comprising:
a gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit;
a supercooling heat exchanger; and
bypass means connecting the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit and the supercooling heat exchanger downstream of the heater in bypassing relation to the condenser in a heating mode.
2. The vehicular air conditioning system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a rear evaporator connected to a branch path, which branches from the heat pump circulation path, for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and a heating medium, which is obtained from inside or outside of a vehicle, and which is higher in temperature than the refrigerant.
3. The vehicular air conditioning system according to claim 2 , wherein the heating medium, which exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the rear evaporator, comprises waste heat gas from a cabin.
4. The vehicular air conditioning system according to claim 1 , further comprising an expansion valve for depressurizing the refrigerant delivered from the condenser.
5. The vehicular air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the condenser comprises a main condenser, the gas-liquid separation refrigerant storage unit, and the supercooling heat exchanger, which are connected mutually in series downstream of the heater, and through which the refrigerant flows in a cooling mode.
6. The vehicular air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the bypass means comprises a pressure loss device for causing the refrigerant to undergo a pressure loss.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2010004299 | 2010-01-12 | ||
JP2010-004299 | 2010-01-12 | ||
JP2010-007118 | 2010-01-15 | ||
JP2010007118 | 2010-01-15 | ||
PCT/JP2011/050300 WO2011087001A1 (en) | 2010-01-12 | 2011-01-12 | Air conditioning system for vehicle |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120279243A1 true US20120279243A1 (en) | 2012-11-08 |
Family
ID=44304275
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/520,445 Abandoned US20120279243A1 (en) | 2010-01-12 | 2011-01-12 | Air conditioning system for vehicle |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120279243A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2524830B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2011087001A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102695623A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011087001A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110167849A1 (en) * | 2010-01-13 | 2011-07-14 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicular air-conditioning system |
CN103900282A (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-02 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Refrigerating unit and refrigerator car with same |
US8844291B2 (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2014-09-30 | Vaporgenics Inc. | Universal heat engine |
US20140373562A1 (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2014-12-25 | Sanden Corporation | Vehicle air conditioning apparatus |
US20150198338A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2015-07-16 | Energy Recovery Systems Inc. | Energy exchange system and method |
US20160273814A1 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2016-09-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | Condenser control systems, devices, and methods |
US20170113515A1 (en) * | 2015-10-26 | 2017-04-27 | Hanon Systems | HV iCOOL LIGHT SYSTEM |
US20170182864A1 (en) * | 2012-07-18 | 2017-06-29 | Peter Heyl | Heat distribution in a motor vehicle |
US10317116B2 (en) * | 2013-11-13 | 2019-06-11 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Vehicular air-conditioning device, and constituent units of same |
US11137177B1 (en) | 2019-03-16 | 2021-10-05 | Vaporgemics, Inc | Internal return pump |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013031837A1 (en) * | 2011-09-02 | 2013-03-07 | サンデン株式会社 | Heat exchanger and heat pump system using same |
JP6216113B2 (en) * | 2012-04-02 | 2017-10-18 | サンデンホールディングス株式会社 | Heat exchanger and heat pump system using the same |
DE102012108886B4 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2019-02-14 | Hanon Systems | Heat exchanger arrangement and air conditioning system of a motor vehicle |
JP6424871B2 (en) * | 2015-11-03 | 2018-11-21 | 株式会社デンソー | Vehicle air conditioner |
DE102016200362B4 (en) * | 2016-01-14 | 2022-12-22 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Warming system, electric or hybrid vehicle with such and method therefor |
DE112017005113B4 (en) * | 2016-10-06 | 2021-07-08 | Denso Corporation | Machine temperature control device |
CN107738552B (en) * | 2017-10-30 | 2019-12-17 | 安徽江淮汽车集团股份有限公司 | vehicle air conditioner condensation control method and control system |
SE1930245A1 (en) * | 2019-07-16 | 2021-01-17 | Suxini Ek Foer | Improved energy efficiency of electric vehicles through improved function in the vehicles' air conditioning system, HVAC |
CN115986273A (en) * | 2023-03-21 | 2023-04-18 | 北京中矿赛力贝特节能科技有限公司 | Heat pipe type ventilation and heat exchange device for energy storage battery container |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2000043562A (en) * | 1998-07-30 | 2000-02-15 | Calsonic Corp | Automobile air-conditioning and heating equipment |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH06135221A (en) * | 1992-10-27 | 1994-05-17 | Nippondenso Co Ltd | Air conditioner |
JP3413943B2 (en) * | 1994-04-01 | 2003-06-09 | 株式会社デンソー | Refrigeration cycle |
JP3540858B2 (en) * | 1995-04-05 | 2004-07-07 | サンデン株式会社 | Vehicle air conditioner |
DE10350192A1 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2004-05-19 | Denso Corp., Kariya | Cooling circuit system for a motor vehicle's air conditioning has a first heat exchange section to condense a gaseous coolant, a gas/liquid separating device and a second heat exchange section |
JP4003613B2 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2007-11-07 | 株式会社デンソー | Refrigeration cycle equipment |
JP2009023564A (en) | 2007-07-20 | 2009-02-05 | Denso Corp | Air conditioner for vehicle |
JP4597180B2 (en) * | 2007-11-06 | 2010-12-15 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Vehicle air conditioning system |
-
2011
- 2011-01-12 CN CN201180005354XA patent/CN102695623A/en active Pending
- 2011-01-12 JP JP2011549977A patent/JPWO2011087001A1/en active Pending
- 2011-01-12 WO PCT/JP2011/050300 patent/WO2011087001A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-01-12 EP EP11732871.6A patent/EP2524830B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2011-01-12 US US13/520,445 patent/US20120279243A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2000043562A (en) * | 1998-07-30 | 2000-02-15 | Calsonic Corp | Automobile air-conditioning and heating equipment |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110167849A1 (en) * | 2010-01-13 | 2011-07-14 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicular air-conditioning system |
US8844291B2 (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2014-09-30 | Vaporgenics Inc. | Universal heat engine |
US9809081B2 (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2017-11-07 | Sanden Holdings Corporation | Vehicle air conditioning apparatus |
US20140373562A1 (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2014-12-25 | Sanden Corporation | Vehicle air conditioning apparatus |
US20170182864A1 (en) * | 2012-07-18 | 2017-06-29 | Peter Heyl | Heat distribution in a motor vehicle |
US10589594B2 (en) * | 2012-07-18 | 2020-03-17 | Hanon Systems | Heat distribution in a motor vehicle |
CN103900282A (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-02 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Refrigerating unit and refrigerator car with same |
US20150198338A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2015-07-16 | Energy Recovery Systems Inc. | Energy exchange system and method |
US9618214B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2017-04-11 | Energy Recovery Systems Inc. | Energy exchange system and method |
US10317116B2 (en) * | 2013-11-13 | 2019-06-11 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Vehicular air-conditioning device, and constituent units of same |
US20160273814A1 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2016-09-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | Condenser control systems, devices, and methods |
US9989290B2 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2018-06-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Condenser control systems, devices and methods |
US20170113515A1 (en) * | 2015-10-26 | 2017-04-27 | Hanon Systems | HV iCOOL LIGHT SYSTEM |
US10449834B2 (en) * | 2015-10-26 | 2019-10-22 | Hanon Systems | Refrigerant circuit for a vehicle air conditioning system with heat pump |
US11137177B1 (en) | 2019-03-16 | 2021-10-05 | Vaporgemics, Inc | Internal return pump |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2524830B1 (en) | 2014-04-30 |
CN102695623A (en) | 2012-09-26 |
EP2524830A1 (en) | 2012-11-21 |
EP2524830A4 (en) | 2013-05-29 |
JPWO2011087001A1 (en) | 2013-05-20 |
WO2011087001A1 (en) | 2011-07-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2524830B1 (en) | Air conditioning system for vehicle | |
CN110549817B (en) | Heat flow management device and method for operating a heat flow management device | |
US10589594B2 (en) | Heat distribution in a motor vehicle | |
JP5391379B2 (en) | Refrigerant cycle of automobile air conditioner | |
JP5021773B2 (en) | Vehicle air conditioning system | |
EP2110274B1 (en) | Improved heating and air conditioning unit for an automotive vehicle | |
EP2301777B1 (en) | Method for controlling the passenger compartment temperature of an electrically operated vehicle and air-conditioning system | |
US9908383B2 (en) | Air conditioning system for a motor vehicle | |
US20090314023A1 (en) | Heating, Ventilating and/or Air Conditioning System With Cold Air Storage | |
EP2135758B1 (en) | Air conditioning system for a motor-vehicle, with an air cooling secondary circuit connectable to the heating circuit | |
US20120227431A1 (en) | Heat pump system for vehicle | |
EP2551135B1 (en) | Operation method of heat pump-type vehicle air conditioning system | |
KR20180122272A (en) | Air conditioning system of a motor vehicle and method for operating the air conditioning system | |
GB2575546A (en) | Heat flow management device and method for operating a heat flow management device | |
JP2014008857A (en) | Vehicle air conditioner | |
KR102020930B1 (en) | Refrigerant circuit, particularly for vehicles comprising electric or hybrid power train and method for operating the refrigerant circuit | |
CN107791780B (en) | Automobile air conditioning system | |
JP2014037179A (en) | Thermal management system for electric vehicle | |
CN115768639A (en) | Heat pump arrangement for a battery-powered motor vehicle with indirect battery heating and method for operating a heat pump arrangement | |
CN107791781B (en) | Automobile air conditioning system | |
WO2019029218A1 (en) | Automotive air conditioning system | |
KR20190057770A (en) | Heat Pump For a Vehicle | |
CN221090418U (en) | Indirect heat pump thermal management system and vehicle | |
US20240157758A1 (en) | Indirect refrigerant cooler | |
KR20230091160A (en) | The car's thermal system and how it works |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ENDO, HIROSHI;YAMAOKA, DAISUKE;ESAKI, HIDENORI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:028484/0547 Effective date: 20120409 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |