AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An air conditioning system for a vehicle. The air conditioning system includes a cooling line adapted to transport a coolant fluid and a first heat-exchanging arrangement connected to the cooling line. The air conditioning system includes a first liquid container being arranged to hold a first liquid heat exchange medium and the first heat-exchanging arrangement is arranged inside the first liquid container for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a cooling line adapted to transport a coolant fluid and a first heat-exchanging arrangement connected to the cooling line, wherein the air conditioning 5 system comprises a first liquid container being arranged to hold a first liquid heat exchange medium and wherein the first heat-exchanging arrangement is arranged inside the first liquid container for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium, and wherein the system further comprises a cooling system separate from the air conditioning system, arranged to condense any vapour evaporated from the first liquid heat exchange medium.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a reversing valve connected the first heat-exchanging arrangement, the reversing valve being arranged to selectively reverse the flow of the coolant fluid in the air conditioning system.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid heat exchange medium is one of: liquid fuel such as petrol, diesel, liquefied natural gas or liquefied hydrogen, windshield washer fluid, engine oil, transmission oil.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid heat exchange medium is one of liquid fuel such as petrol, diesel or liquefied natural gas, wherein the system further comprises an evaporative emission canister arranged to be connected to the liquid container, the evaporative emission canister being arranged to capture hydrocarbons evaporated from the first liquid heat exchange medium.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a second liquid container arranged to hold a second liquid heat exchange medium and a coolant fluid connection arranged in the second liquid container for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the second liquid heat exchange medium.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein the coolant fluid connection is a second heat-exchanging arrangement arranged in the second liquid container.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein the first heat-exchanging arrangement and the second heat-exchanging arrangement are arranged in series or are arranged in parallel.

8. A method for heat exchange of a coolant fluid of an air conditioning system of a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning system comprises a cooling line adapted to transport a coolant fluid and a first heat-exchanging arrangement connected to the cooling line, wherein at least one liquid container is arranged to hold a first liquid heat exchange medium and a first heat-exchanging arrangement is arranged within the liquid container, wherein the method comprises: starting the air conditioning system, transporting coolant fluid to the first heat-exchanging arrangement, exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium to decrease the temperature of the coolant fluid, condensing any vapour evaporated from the first liquid heat exchange medium in the liquid container by the heat exchange with the coolant fluid in the first heat-exchanging arrangement by a cooling system separate from the air conditioning system.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a reversing valve connected to the first heat-exchanging arrangement, being arranged to selectively reverse the flow of the coolant fluid in the air conditioning system, wherein the method comprises: transporting coolant fluid to the first heat-exchanging arrangement, exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium to increase the temperature of the coolant fluid.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method comprises: capturing hydrocarbons evaporated from the first liquid heat exchange medium of the first liquid container by an evaporative emission canister arranged to be connected to the first liquid container when the first liquid heat exchange medium is one of liquid fuel such as petrol, diesel or liquefied natural gas.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the air conditioning system further comprises a second liquid container arranged to hold a second liquid heat exchange medium and a coolant fluid connection 5 arranged in the second liquid container, wherein the method comprises: transporting coolant fluid to the coolant fluid connection, exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the second liquid heat exchange medium.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises: transporting coolant fluid to a second heat-exchanging arrangement arranged in the second liquid container.

13. A vehicle comprising an air conditioning system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 schematically shows an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to a first example embodiment,

[0048] FIG. 2 schematically shows an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to a second example embodiment,

[0049] FIG. 3 schematically shows an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to a third example embodiment,

[0050] FIG. 4 schematically shows an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to a fourth example embodiment,

[0051] FIG. 5 schematically shows an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to a fifth example embodiment,

[0052] FIG. 6 schematically shows an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to a sixth example embodiment,

[0053] FIG. 7 schematically shows a vehicle comprising an air conditioning system for a vehicle according to the disclosure,

[0054] FIG. 8 schematically show a chart showing cooling power over travel time for a sunny day.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] FIG. 1 schematically shows an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle according to a first example embodiment.

[0056] The basic components of an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle are well known. Such a system comprises a cooling line 2 adapted to transport a coolant fluid through the air conditioning system 1. The cooling line 2 is connected to a compressor 3, a first heat-exchanging arrangement 4, an expansion valve 5 and a cabin heat-exchanging arrangement 6. The first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 is in the first example embodiment a condenser or evaporator depending on the desired functionality of the air conditioning system 1. The cabin heat-exchanging arrangement 6 is, in the first example embodiment, an evaporator and is arranged in connection to a blower (not shown) that is arranged to blow air through the cabin heat-exchanging arrangement 6 to provide cool air into the cabin of the vehicle.

[0057] According to a prior art system, the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4, is normally arranged in the vehicle such that ambient air can is led past the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 in order to exchange heat between the air being led past the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 and the coolant fluid passing through the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4.

[0058] According to the first example embodiment, the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 is arranged inside a first liquid container 7 that is arranged to hold a first liquid heat exchange medium 8. The first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 is arranged inside the first liquid container 7 for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the first liquid heat exchange medium 8.

[0059] The first liquid heat exchange medium 8 is for instance liquid fuel such as petrol, diesel, liquefied natural gas or liquefied hydrogen. In this case the first liquid container 7 is a fuel tank. The first liquid heat exchange medium 8 can also be windshield washer fluid. In this case the first liquid container 7 is a windshield washer fluid container. In order for the windshield washer fluid container to function as a liquid container for a liquid heat exchange medium, the windshield washer container may need be made more durable, for instance by increasing the thickness of the material the windshield washer container is made of. The first liquid heat exchange medium 8 can also be engine oil and the first liquid container 7 is an engine oil sump. The first liquid heat exchange medium 8 can also be transmission oil and the first liquid container 7 is a transmission oil reservoir.

[0060] The various heat-exchanging arrangements referred to in the description are illustrated as generic heat exchangers in the figures and can take various forms. The dashed line surrounding the heat-exchanging arrangements that are arranged in liquid containers illustrate the possibility that the heat-exchanging arrangements are enclosed or that they are conduits submerged in the liquid heat exchange medium.

[0061] FIG. 2 schematically shows an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle according to a second example embodiment. In the second example embodiment, the air conditioning system 1 further comprises a reversing valve 9 connected to the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4. The reversing valve 9 is arranged to selectively reverse the flow of the coolant fluid in the air conditioning system 1. The reversing valve 9 is a component normally found in indoor air conditioning systems where it allows the air conditioner to selectively provide cool or hot air to the space in which it is installed. By providing the air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle with such a valve, the same function can be achieved in a vehicle. The design and function of the reversing valve 9 is well known and will not be described in further detail. The reversing valve 9 can be automatically controlled by an electronic control unit of the vehicle and based on the desired output temperature inside the cabin and the outside temperature or be manually controlled through controls inside the cabin.

[0062] FIG. 3 schematically shows an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle according to a third example embodiment. In FIG. 3, the air conditioning system 1 according to FIG. 2 is equipped with a cooling system 10 separate from the air conditioning system 1. The separate cooling system 10 is arranged to condense any vapour evaporated from the first liquid heat exchange medium 8 and to return it to the first liquid container 7. In case the first liquid heat exchange medium 8 is a liquid fuel, the condensed fuel can also be transported directly to the engine. The separate cooling system 10 comprises a control valve 10a and a cooler 10b. The cooler 10b is illustrated as a generic heat exchanger and can take various forms. The arrows illustrate vapour leaving the first liquid container to be cooled by the separate cooling system 10. A return connection or a connection to a user of the liquid condensed by the separate cooling system 10 are not shown.

[0063] The air conditioning system 1 according to FIG. 1 can also be provided with a cooling system 10 separate from the air conditioning system 1.

[0064] FIG. 4 schematically shows an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle according to a fourth example embodiment. In FIG. 4, the air conditioning system 1 further comprises an evaporative emission canister 11 arranged to be connected to the first liquid container 7. The evaporative emission container can be arranged to be connected to the cooling system 10 separate from the air conditioning system 1 as illustrated in FIG. 4, or be arranged to be connected directly to the first liquid container 7.

[0065] FIG. 5 schematically shows an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle according to a fifth example embodiment. In FIG. 5, the air conditioning system 1 comprises a second liquid container 12 arranged to hold a second liquid heat exchange medium 13 and a coolant fluid connection 14 arranged in the second liquid container 12 for exchanging heat between the coolant fluid and the second liquid heat exchange medium 13. In FIG. 5, the coolant fluid connection 14 is a straight conduit placed inside the second liquid container 12. Heat is exchanged between the coolant fluid passing through the coolant fluid connection 14 and the second liquid heat exchange medium 13. The first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 is in FIG. 5 arranged in series with the coolant fluid connection 14. This setup works well when the second liquid heat exchange medium is a windshield washer fluid.

[0066] FIG. 6 schematically shows an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle according to a sixth example embodiment. In FIG. 6, the coolant fluid connection 14 is a second heat-exchanging arrangement 15 such as a condenser/evaporator (depending on the desired functionality of the air conditioning system) to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange between the coolant fluid inside the second heat-exchanging arrangement 15 and the second liquid heat exchange medium 13. In FIG. 6, the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 is arranged in parallel with the coolant fluid connection 14, i.e. the second heat-exchanging arrangement 15.

[0067] It is of course also possible to have a second heat-exchanging arrangement 15 arranged in series with the first heat-exchanging arrangement 4 as described in FIG. 5.

[0068] FIG. 7 schematically shows a vehicle 16 comprising an air conditioning system 1 for a vehicle 16 according to FIG. 1. The compressor 3 is in FIG. 7 arranged to be driven by the combustion engine 17. In the figure, the first liquid container 7 is a fuel tank and the first heat exchange medium 4 is arranged therein. The cabin heat-exchanging arrangement 6 is arranged close to the cabin and is arranged to cool outside air blown past the cabin heat-exchanging arrangement 6 by a blower (not shown) into the cabin. The expansion valve 5 is arranged in connection to the cabin heat-exchanging arrangement 6. The placement of the various components of the air conditioning system 1 is for illustrative purposes only and the final placement may vary depending on the final design of the vehicle 16.

[0069] Vehicles with an air conditioning system 1 according to the example embodiments described in conjunction with FIGS. 2-6 are not explicitly shown. It is considered that the person skilled in the art understands how to adapt the various example embodiments of the air conditioning system in the disclosure to fit in a vehicle 16.

[0070] It is also possible for the air conditioning system 1 to be implemented in an electric vehicle, utilizing one or more of the liquids available in such a vehicle.

[0071] FIG. 8 schematically show a chart showing cooling power over travel time for a sunny day. The chart axes are travel time t, on the horizontal axis and cooling power P, on the vertical axis. At a start time t1, the air conditioning system operates at maximum cooling power to decrease the temperature in the vehicle. As the temperature inside the cabin drops, cooling power is reduced at time t2. Towards the end, at time t3, a lower amount of cooling power is needed to maintain a desired temperature in the cabin. The area under the graph is the energy E that is accumulated in the liquid heat exchange medium in the liquid container.

[0072] In known air conditioning systems, the air conditioning system has to be designed for peak load cooling power as the heat exchange between the ambient air and the coolant fluid in the air conditioning system is limited. In the air conditioning system according to the disclosure, the coolant fluid can exchange heat with the liquid heat exchange medium in the liquid container more efficiently and thereby be designed to provide an average load cooling power. The energy E heats the liquid heat exchange medium, which slowly cools down over time to a temperature that is safe for a parked vehicle. The cooling can be made with or without assistance from a separate cooling system.

[0073] Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed example embodiments.

[0074] For instance, all example embodiments may comprise a cooling system 10 separate from the air conditioning system 1. Further, all example embodiments may comprise an evaporative emission canister 11, with or without a cooling system 10 separate from the air conditioning system 1. All example embodiments with a second liquid container 12 and a second heat-exchanging arrangement 15 may comprise at least one reversing valve 9 such that the flow of coolant fluid in the air conditioning system 1 can selectively be reversed. Controlling the air conditioning system according to the disclosure is made in the same way as today, with the necessary changes being made in the electronic control unit/units that control the vehicle's air conditioning system to adapt for the different placement of the first heat-exchanging arrangement.