DE102017104646A1 - Air conditioning device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioning device for a motor vehicle, comprising an air conditioning circuit for a refrigerant fluid, wherein the air conditioning circuit at least one heat exchanger, which is suitable for heat exchange with a fluid outside motor vehicle passenger compartment, at least one compressor, at least one condenser for generating heat within the motor vehicle passenger compartment, at least one evaporator for Generation of cold within the vehicle passenger compartment and at least one pressure reducer, wherein the air conditioning device is suitable for a first operating mode for generating cold within the motor vehicle passenger compartment, wherein the output of the heat exchanger is connected via a pressure reducer to the input of the evaporator, wherein the output of the Evaporator is connected to the input of the compressor and the output of the compressor is connected to the input of the heat exchanger, wherein the air conditioning device for a second operating mode for generating Heat within the vehicle passenger compartment is suitable, in which the output of the heat exchanger is connected to the input of the compressor, wherein the output of the compressor is connected to the input of the capacitor and the output of the capacitor is connected via a pressure reducer to the input of the heat exchanger, characterized characterized in that the air conditioning device is suitable for a third mode of operation in which the output of the heat exchanger is connected via a pressure reducer to the input of the compressor, wherein the output of the compressor is connected to the input of the heat exchanger.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for a motor vehicle, and more particularly to an air conditioning apparatus having at least one heat exchanger for allowing heat exchange with a fluid outside the automobile.

State of the art

In a motor vehicle, air conditioning systems are used to act on the temperature within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, either to increase or decrease it and thus to optimize the comfort of the occupants of these vehicles.

In the prior art, a commonly used system is known by its English name "HVAC" (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning). An HVAC system is designed to increase or decrease the temperature within the passenger compartment, depending on meteorological conditions. In fact, when the heat is high, an "HVAC" system can generate refrigeration while lowering the temperature within the passenger compartment to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature for the users. Another function of the "HVAC" system is to provide ventilation that can be used to optimize comfort within the vehicle.

The systems known from the prior art are usually developed so that they function by means of an internal combustion engine. An internal combustion engine constitutes a heat source available independently of the conditions of use of the motor vehicle. For this reason, motor vehicles equipped with an engine of this type are equipped with a heating system. The heat generated by the internal combustion engine is thus used to heat a refrigerant fluid, which serves to conduct heat to the interior of the passenger compartment, whereby the passenger compartment is heated.

Today, in the automotive industry, manufacturers tend to manufacture hybrid or electric vehicles with the aim of using renewable energy sources as much as possible for the generation of the electrical energy required for the operation of the hybrid and electric motor vehicles.

New types of motor vehicles, in particular hybrid and / or electric motor vehicles, are preferred. For these vehicles, changes are required to optimize the air conditioning systems, for example, in the embodiment in which the vehicles are not equipped with internal combustion engines.

It is known in the art to use for an automotive air conditioning system a device capable of functioning in two different ways. According to a first option, a system of this kind may be used as a heat pump capable of generating heat to heat the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the heating being the result of a difference between the heat present in the passenger compartment and the heat outside the passenger compartment. According to a second option, a system of this kind is suitable for relaying the heat gained within the passenger compartment in order to route it outside the vehicle passenger compartment.

For its operation, an air conditioning system of the prior art is equipped with a heat exchanger in the form of a condenser-evaporator. When the passenger compartment needs to be cooled, an evaporator located inside the passenger compartment is connected via a compressor to the inlet of the condenser-evaporator, which is used as a condenser. The output of the condenser-evaporator is connected via a pressure reducer to the input of the evaporator. When such an air conditioning system is to be used as a heat source, a condenser is also connected inside the motor vehicle and connected at its output via a pressure reducer to the inlet of the condenser-evaporator, which is used in the function of an evaporator. The output of the evaporator is connected via a compressor to the input of the capacitor. In an air conditioning system of this type, several connections in the form of pipes and valves are available, with which it is possible to select either the "air conditioning" or the "heat pump" mode of use.

Using an air conditioning system of this type capable of functioning either as an "air conditioning" or as a "heat pump", the "heat pump" operating mode unfavorably results in the formation of an ice sheet containing the evaporator condenser that is in use its function is used as an evaporator, covered. This layer of ice reduces the effectiveness of the energy exchange between a refrigerant fluid present within the evaporator condenser and the exterior of the motor vehicle. The formation of this ice layer requires a regular de-icing process. This de-icing process is known by its English name "de-icing". In this de-icing process, all the energy in the inside of the air conditioning device existing cold fluid is stored, used to melt the existing outside of the evaporator condenser ice, whereby the time required for the de-icing process can be limited.

Within the device known from the prior art, during the de-icing process, the evaporator-condenser is used in its function as a condenser to increase the amount of energy available for deicing. According to a preferred form, the loss of energy present in the cooling fluid can be prevented within the evaporator present in the motor vehicle passenger compartment due to the lack of heat exchange. In practice, this means that the fan used to generate an airflow that allows for energy exchange with the evaporator does not work. For this reason, in the defrosting process, the fan that generates an airflow that is used in particular for heating the vehicle passenger compartment is not activated. The technical effect lies in the fact that the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle is thus not heated during the de-icing process.

In view of the prior art devices and their limitations, an object of the present invention is to realize an automotive air conditioning system in which the deicing process of the condenser-evaporator is improved, and to propose a structure with which the use of the fan a "HVAC" system, which is present in a motor vehicle, and the heating of the motor vehicle passenger compartment is possible even during the de-icing process.

Subject of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for a motor vehicle, comprising an air conditioning circuit for a refrigerant fluid, the air conditioning circuit at least one heat exchanger, which is suitable for heat exchange with a fluid outside motor vehicle passenger compartment, at least one compressor, at least one condenser for generating heat within the Automobile passenger compartment, at least one evaporator for generating cold within the vehicle passenger compartment and at least one pressure reducer, wherein the air conditioning device is suitable for a first operating mode for generating cold within the motor vehicle passenger compartment, wherein the output of the heat exchanger via a pressure reducer connected to the input of the evaporator is, wherein the output of the evaporator is connected to the input of the compressor and the output of the compressor is connected to the input of the heat exchanger, wherein the Klimavorricht is suitable for a second operating mode for generating heat within the motor vehicle passenger compartment, wherein the output of the heat exchanger is connected to the input of the compressor, wherein the output of the compressor is connected to the input of the capacitor and the output of the capacitor via a pressure reducer connected to the input of the heat exchanger, characterized in that the air conditioning device is suitable for a third operating mode, wherein the output of the heat exchanger is connected via a pressure reducer to the input of the compressor, wherein the output of the compressor is connected to the input of the heat exchanger.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger is a condenser-evaporator.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger is suitable for the arrangement in the front part of the motor vehicle in order to allow a heat exchange with an air flow entering the front of the motor vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the evaporator and the condenser are part of an air conditioning element which is suitable for arrangement in the motor vehicle passenger compartment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning element is equipped with a heating resistor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning element is equipped with a fan which is suitable for generating an air flow and for carrying out a heat exchange with the evaporator or the condenser and / or with the heating resistor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger is equipped with a sensor for controlling any ice present on the outside of the heat exchanger.

According to one embodiment of the invention the output of the heat exchanger on the one hand via a three-way valve and the other via a pressure reducer connected to the input of the evaporator, and the output of the heat exchanger is connected on the one hand via the three-way valve and on the other hand via a pressure reducer and a bypass valve assembly with the input of the compressor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the output of the heat exchanger on the one hand via a valve and the other via a pressure reducer connected to the input of the evaporator and the output of the heat exchanger on the one hand via an assembly consisting on the one hand of a pressure reducer and on the other hand from a bypass valve, with the input connected to the compressor.

Brief description of the drawings

The object, object, and advantages, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following description taken with reference to the drawings. Show:

1 a schematic view of a proposed for a motor vehicle air conditioning device of the prior art,

2 a first embodiment of an intended for a motor vehicle air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention and

3 a second embodiment of an intended for a motor vehicle air conditioning device according to the present invention.

Detailed description

The aim of the following detailed description is to explain the invention in a sufficiently clear and complete manner, in particular with reference to examples. However, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the following specific embodiments and examples.

The present description relates to an intended for a motor vehicle air conditioning apparatus. The term "air conditioning apparatus" refers to a system of the type "HVAC" which is suitable for optimizing user comfort within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The automotive air conditioning system according to the present invention may be used for ventilating, heating or cooling the passenger compartment depending on the climatic conditions existing in the use of the motor vehicle.

The air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention offers the peculiarity of proposing a system capable of either generating refrigeration and enabling the cooling of the vehicle passenger compartment or to be used as a heat pump and thus to generate heat which raises the temperature of the passenger compartment should.

In the present specification, the term "conduit" is used with reference to a conduit, such as a pipe, which allows the transport of a refrigerant fluid.

1 shows a schematic view of an air conditioning device 10 from the prior art, which is intended for a motor vehicle. In the 1 shown air conditioning device 10 can be completed with sensors, control elements and other components that control the operation of the air conditioning device 10 in the selected function.

The climate device 10 out 1 includes a first element 11 , which is generally arranged in a module on the front of a motor vehicle. The first element 11 includes a heat exchanger 20 in the form of a condenser-evaporator, which is adapted to heat exchange with an air flow 30 to allow the air entering, for example, the protective shield on the front of a motor vehicle. A fan 21 Can be used to set a certain level of airflow 30 to ensure.

The climate device 10 includes a second element 12 in the form of a "HVAC", which is particularly adapted to allow heat exchange with the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. To facilitate this heat exchange, the second element comprises 12 first an evaporator 40 but also a capacitor 41 , The second element 12 can also with a heating resistor 42 equipped, which is capable of converting electrical energy into heat, but also with a fan 43 It's a stream of air 31 allows heat with the evaporator 40 , the capacitor 41 or the heating resistor 42 exchange.

The heat transfer between the different elements in 1 are shown, due to a refrigerant fluid. The term "refrigerant fluid" is used to indicate that a fluid is capable of facilitating heat exchange on the one hand by evaporation in the evaporator and / or in the condenser-evaporator and on the other hand by condensation in the condenser and / or in the condenser-evaporator.

For optimal operation of the air conditioning device 10 out 1 is the output of the condenser evaporator 20 with a line 50 connected to a three-way valve 60 having. A first outlet of the valve 60 is over a line 51 with the entrance of the evaporator 40 connected. On the line 51 is the presence of a pressure reducer 70 noted. A second outlet of the valve 60 is over a line 52 and a line 53 with the input of a compressor 80 connected. The output of the compressor 80 is over a first line 54 with a valve 61 connected. The output of the compressor 80 is also over a line 55 with the input of the capacitor 41 connected. Of the Output of the capacitor 41 is over a line 56 with one from a pressure reducer 71 and a bypass valve 62 connected to existing module. The assembly from the pressure reducer 71 and the bypass valve 62 is over a line 57 and a line 59 with the input of the condenser evaporator 20 connected. The valve 61 is also over a line 58 and a line 59 with the input of the condenser evaporator 20 connected.

The climate device 10 out 1 offers two operating modes. According to a first mode of operation, the climate device 10 for cooling the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, ie its second element 12 , which serves to eliminate the heat present within the passenger compartment, can be used. According to this first mode of operation, the different valves are 60 . 61 . 62 so regulated that the refrigerant fluid from the condenser-evaporator 20 over the line 50 in the direction of the valve 60 can be dissipated. The refrigerant fluid flows over the line 51 through the pressure reducer 70 and enters the evaporator 40 where it evaporates and thus a heat exchange with the air flow 31 performs. The cold fluid traced its course over the line 53 towards the compressor 80 which is actuated by an electric motor and in which the pressure and the temperature of the gaseous refrigerant fluid are increased due to its compression. The thus condensed refrigerant tracing its course over the line 54 , the valve 61 , The administration 58 and the line 59 to get into the condenser-evaporator 20 penetrate. According to this mode of operation, the condenser-evaporator 20 used as a condenser, in which the condensation due to the heat exchange with that in the first element 11 existing airflow 30 is formed. Thus, a certain amount of heat is directed to the vehicle passenger compartment to cool the interior of the passenger compartment.

According to a second operating mode, the in 1 described climate device 10 used as a heat pump. In accordance with this mode of operation, this flows out of the condenser-evaporator 20 discharged fluid towards the valve 60 over the line 52 and the line 53 towards the compressor 80 , Finally, the fluid flows over the pipe 54 and the line 55 to the condenser 41 , The condensation of the refrigerant fluid takes place within the condenser 41 , which creates heat in the second element 12 the climate device 10 is produced. The fan 43 allows the generation of an air flow 31 , which exchanges heat with the condenser 41 performs and generates a warm airflow that heats the vehicle passenger compartment. At the output of the capacitor 41 the cooling fluid continues to follow its path through the pipe 56 and the pressure reducer 71 and then over the wires 57 . 59 towards the inlet of the condenser-evaporator 20 operating as an evaporator in accordance with the "heat pump" operation mode.

According to the "heat pump" mode of operation, it is quite possible that a certain amount of ice outside the condenser-evaporator 20 forms on the outside of the condenser-evaporator 20 how an insulator behaves and good heat exchange between that inside the condenser evaporator 20 existing refrigerant fluid and the air flow 30 prevented.

It is known in the prior art to provide a condenser-evaporator with sensors which make it possible to check whether an ice-layer has formed and whether a de-icing process is required.

At the in 1 described climate device 10 the defrosting process is carried out in accordance with a cold-operating mode of operation in which the airflow is generated 31 used fans 43 is not activated. In other words, the refrigerant fluid is discharged from the outlet of the condenser-evaporator 20 over the wires 50 . 51 to the evaporator 40 directed. In order to prevent evaporation and to minimize the heat exchange, thus becomes the fan 43 not activated. There will be no airflow 31 to carry out a heat exchange with the evaporator 40 generated. After the evaporator 40 is the refrigerant fluid over the lines 53 . 54 . 58 respectively. 59 to the condenser-evaporator 20 directed. The refrigerant fluid flows through the compressor, where its pressure and temperature rise.

When reading the previous paragraph it is obvious that the structure of the climatic device 10 out 1 and the described de-icing process is not optimized. The fact that the refrigerant fluid is forced to pass through the evaporator 40 to circulate involves stopping the fan 43 for preventing heat exchange with the refrigerant fluid. As in 1 shown is the second element 12 with a heating resistor 42 Mistake. During the de-icing process, the heating resistor can 42 be used for heating the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Because the fan 43 is disabled to vaporization in the evaporator 40 However, to prevent that is from the fan 43 and the heating resistor 42 existing module can not be used. Because the second element 12 the climate device 10 In other words, in the defrosting process there is no further means for influencing the temperature prevailing inside the vehicle passenger compartment.

2 shows a first embodiment of an air conditioning device according to the invention 110 , First, the climate device 110 a capacitor Evaporator 120 on. The condenser-evaporator 120 will be combined with a fan 121 used, wherein the assembly for carrying out a heat exchange with an air flow 130 suitable is. The from the condenser-evaporator 120 and the fan 121 existing assembly is within a first climate element 111 received, which is located on the front-side module of a motor vehicle and for carrying out a heat exchange with an air flow 130 is suitable, for example, enters the motor vehicle via the protective shield. The output of the condenser evaporator 120 is over a line 150 with a three-way valve 160 connected via a line 151 with the entrance of the evaporator 140 connected is. On the line 151 is the presence of a pressure reducer 170 noted. The evaporator 140 is over a line 153 with the input of a compressor 180 connected and lies in a second climate element 112 in the form of a "HVAC". The second climate element 112 includes in particular a fan 143 , a capacitor 141 and a heating resistor 142 , With the fan 143 can be an airflow 131 produced, the performing a heat exchange with the evaporator 140 , the capacitor 141 or with the heating resistor 142 allows.

As in 2 indicated, is the three-way valve 160 via one of a pressure reducer 172 and a bypass valve 163 existing assembly attached to a pipe 152 is present, with the input of the compressor 180 connected. The output of the compressor 180 is over a line 154 , a valve 161 and over a line 155 with the input of the capacitor 141 connected. The output of the capacitor 141 is over a line 156 with one from a pressure reducer 171 and a bypass valve 162 connected to existing module. The assembly of pressure reducer 171 and bypass valve 162 is also over the wires 158 . 159 with the input of the condenser evaporator 120 connected. The valve 161 is over a line 159 and a line 158 with the input of the condenser evaporator 120 connected.

The climate device 110 out 2 can be used in three operating modes.

According to a first operating mode, the in 2 shown device 110 for generating cold with a second climate element 112 used. According to this embodiment, the condenser-evaporator plays 120 the role of the capacitor. The fan 121 allows the generation of an air flow 130 , which is intended to heat exchange with the condenser-evaporator 120 and the condensation of a refrigerant fluid within the condenser-evaporator 120 to enable. The output of the condenser evaporator 120 is over the line 150 , the valve 160 , the pressure reducer 170 and the line 151 with the entrance of the evaporator 140 connected. The exit of the evaporator 140 is with the input of the compressor 180 connected. The refrigerant fluid 130 flows over the pipe 154 , the valve 161 , the wires 158 . 159 to the condenser-evaporator 120 back. Due to the track described above, the device is 110 adapted to direct a certain amount of heat from the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle to the outside of the vehicle.

In a second mode of operation of the air conditioning apparatus 110 as they are in 2 is shown, it is possible the device 110 to use as a heat pump. According to this embodiment, the condenser-evaporator plays 120 the role of an evaporator. The output of the condenser evaporator 120 is over the line 150 , the valve 160 , the valve 163 and the line 152 with the input of the compressor 180 connected. The output of the compressor 180 is over the wires 154 . 155 with the input of the capacitor 141 connected. The output of the capacitor 141 is over the line 156 , the compressor 171 and the wires 157 . 159 with the input of the condenser evaporator 120 connected. Due to the track described above, the device is 110 suitable for generating a certain amount of heat within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The heating resistor 142 may possibly serve, as needed, to generate more heat to heat the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. With the fan 143 can be an airflow 131 be generated by the circulation through the capacitor 141 and the heating resistor 142 causes a heat exchange and the temperature of the air flow 131 increases before it enters the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

A third mode of operation of the air conditioning apparatus 110 as they are in 2 shown, allows the use of the air conditioning device 110 as a tool for deicing the condenser-evaporator 120 , In the de-icing process, the goal is to optimize the amount of heat within the refrigerant fluid to the temperature of the condenser-evaporator 120 to increase and thus the melting of the condenser-evaporator 120 to allow covering ice layer. The output of the condenser evaporator 120 is over the line 150 , the valve 160 and the pressure reducer 172 with the input of the compressor 180 connected. The output of the compressor 180 is over the line 155 , the valve 161 , the wires 158 . 159 with the input of the condenser evaporator 120 connected. Due to the track described above, the device is 110 suitable for providing the most direct connection possible between the outlet and the inlet of the condenser-evaporator 120 and to provide optimum utilization of the heat available within the refrigerant fluid, the heat being provided to the condenser-evaporator 120 to melt the covering ice sheet.

An important advantage of the device 110 as they are in 2 is shown is that the fan 131 the defrosting process can be used to further warm the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. This function is due to the heating resistor 142 available, which allows, if necessary, the air flow 131 to heat before it enters the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. In other words it is with the second element 112 the device 110 possible, the temperature within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle during the process for defrosting the condenser-evaporator 120 to increase.

3 shows an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device according to the invention 210 , According to 3 was that in 2 shown three-way valve 160 through a bypass valve 264 replaced. The operation of the device 210 as they are in 3 is identical to the operation of the device 110 , in the 2 is shown. The advantage of in 3 shown device 210 This is because the use of a first bypass valve 163 in combination with a second bypass valve 264 cheaper than using a three-way valve 160 in combination with a bypass valve 163 ,

Claims (9)

Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle, with an air conditioning circuit for a refrigerant fluid, wherein the air conditioning circuit at least one heat exchanger ( 120 ), which is suitable for heat exchange with a fluid outside the vehicle passenger compartment, at least one compressor ( 180 ), at least one capacitor ( 141 ) for generating heat within the vehicle passenger compartment, at least one evaporator ( 140 ) for generating cold within the vehicle passenger compartment and at least one pressure reducer ( 170 . 171 ), the climate device ( 110 . 210 ) is suitable for a first operating mode for generating cold within the motor vehicle passenger compartment, in which the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) via a pressure reducer ( 170 ) with the input of the evaporator ( 140 ), the output of the evaporator ( 140 ) with the input of the compressor ( 180 ) and the output of the compressor ( 180 ) with the entrance of the heat exchanger ( 120 ), the climate device ( 110 . 210 ) is suitable for a second operating mode for generating heat within the motor vehicle passenger compartment, in which the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) with the input of the compressor ( 180 ), the output of the compressor ( 180 ) with the input of the capacitor ( 141 ) and the output of the capacitor ( 141 ) via a pressure reducer ( 171 ) with the entrance of the heat exchanger ( 120 ), characterized in that the climate device ( 110 . 210 ) is suitable for a third operating mode, in which the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) via a pressure reducer ( 172 ) with the input of the compressor ( 180 ), the output of the compressor ( 180 ) with the entrance of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) connected is. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger ( 120 ) is a condenser-evaporator. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat exchanger ( 120 ) is suitable for the arrangement in the front part of the motor vehicle, in order to exchange heat with an air stream entering the front of the motor vehicle ( 130 ). Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one evaporator ( 140 ) and the at least one capacitor ( 141 ) Part of a climate element ( 112 ), which is suitable for arrangement in the motor vehicle passenger compartment. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the climate element ( 112 ) with a heating resistor ( 142 ) Is provided. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the climate element ( 112 ) with a fan ( 143 ) equipped to generate an air flow ( 131 ) and for carrying out a heat exchange with the at least one evaporator ( 140 ) or the at least one capacitor ( 141 ) and / or with the heating resistor ( 142 ) suitable is. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the heat exchanger ( 120 ) with a sensor for checking any ice present on the outside of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) Is provided. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) on the one hand via a Three-way valve ( 160 ) and on the other hand via a pressure reducer ( 170 ) with the input of the evaporator ( 140 ) and the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) on the one hand via the three-way valve ( 160 ) and on the other hand via a pressure reducer ( 172 ) and a bypass valve ( 163 ) existing assembly with the input of the compressor ( 180 ) connected is. Climate device ( 110 . 210 ) for a motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) on the one hand via a valve ( 264 ) and on the other hand via a pressure reducer ( 273 ) with the input of the evaporator ( 140 ) and the output of the heat exchanger ( 120 ) on the one hand via an assembly, on the one hand from a pressure reducer ( 172 ) and on the other hand from a bypass valve ( 163 ), with the input of the compressor ( 180 ) connected is.

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