Climate control system for hybrid vehicles using thermoelectric devices

• US 20050247446A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Gawthrop, Peter R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,380,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/202
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00007 Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices control systems or mechanisms B60H1/00642
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/004 for vehicles having a combustion engine and electric drive means, e.g. hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00478 Air-conditioning devices using the Peltier effect for air-conditioning in general F24F5/0042; for refrigeration F25B21/02; electric devices exhibiting the Peltier effect H10N10/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00885 Controlling the flow of heating or cooling liquid, e.g. valves or pumps B60H1/00899 takes precedence; constructions of valves B60H1/00485
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/12 using an air blower
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2234 when vehicle is parked, preheating
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2237 supplementary heating, e.g. during stop and go of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/224 automatic operation, e.g. control circuits or methods
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for controlling the climate of a hybrid vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a valve. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. A tube containing coolant runs proximate the thermoelectric elements. To aid in the transfer of heat energy, a blower is provided to generate an air flow across the thermoelectric elements and the tube. The coolant is provided from the thermoelectric module to a heat exchanger that heats or cools the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle. The pump and valve are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and thermoelectric module. The pump pressurizes the coolant flow through the tube and coolant lines. In a cooling mode, the valve is configured to selectively bypass the engine coolant system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle, the vehicle having an engine coolant system, the system comprising:

a thermoelectric module including at least one thermoelectric element, the at least one thermoelectric element producing heat upon application of electrical energy in a first polarity and producing cold upon application of electrical energy in a second polarity;

a coolant conduit coupled with the engine coolant system, the coolant conduit having a portion located proximate to and in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric element;

a heat exchanger coupled to the coolant conduit and being in thermal communication therewith, the heat exchanger located downstream of the at least one thermoelectric module;

a coolant pump coupled with the coolant conduit and being configured to produce a coolant flow there through; and

a valve coupled with the coolant conduit, the valve being selectively moveable between a first position connecting the coolant conduit with the engine coolant and to a second position isolating the coolant conduit from the engine coolant system.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a first blower configured to provide a first air flow across the at least one thermoelectric element.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an air duct within which the heat exchanger is located.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a heater core located within the air duct in fluid communication with the heat exchanger.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising an evaporator located within the air duct in fluid communication with the heat exchanger;

6. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a blower adapted to provide a second air flow within the air duct and across the heat exchanger.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein heat exchanger is configured to change temperature of the air flow and the evaporator is configured to receive the air flow thereby supplementing a cooling effect of the evaporator.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein heat exchanger is configured to change the temperature of the air flow and the heater core is configured to receive the air flow thereby supplementing a heating effect of the heater core.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in the first polarity to heat the first air flow and being configured in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in the second polarity to cool the first air flow.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a regenerative braking system and a controller, the controller configured to direct electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system to the thermoelectric module to generate a temperature change in the at least one thermoelectric element.

11. A system for controlling the interior climate of a vehicle comprising:

an engine coolant system including portions defining a coolant passage,

a thermoelectric module having at least one thermoelectric element;

a coolant conduit located proximate to and within thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric element;

a first blower configured to generate a first air flow across the at least one thermoelectric element;

a pump coupled with the coolant conduit and configured to generate a coolant flow there through;

a valve coupled with the coolant conduit, the valve being selectively moveable between a first position connecting the coolant conduit with the engine coolant and to a second position isolating the coolant conduit from the engine coolant system;

a heat exchanger coupled to the coolant conduit and located within an air duct in fluid communication with the interior of the vehicle;

a heater core located within the air duct and being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger;

an evaporator located within the air duct and being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger;

a second blower configured to generate a second air flow through the air duct and across the heat exchanger; and

a controller in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric module, the controller being configured in a heating mode to supply electrical energy in a first polarity to generate heat with the at least one thermoelectric module and heat the second air flow and in a cooling mode to supply electrical energy in a second polarity to generate cold with the at least one thermoelectric module and cool the second air flow.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein heat exchanger is configured to change temperature of the air flow and the evaporator is configured to receive the air flow thereby supplementing a cooling effect of the evaporator.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein heat exchanger is configured to change the temperature of the air flow and the heater core is configured to receive the air flow thereby supplementing a heating effect of the heater core.

14. A method for controlling the interior climate of a hybrid vehicle having an engine coolant system, the method comprising the steps of:

supplying electrical energy to at least one thermoelectric element to generate a temperature change;

pumping coolant through a coolant tube in thermal communication with the thermoelectric module;

blowing air across the thermoelectric element and the coolant tube to create a change of temperature of the coolant in the coolant tube;

receiving the coolant in a heat exchanger;

creating an air flow across the heat exchanger;

receiving the air flow over an evaporator to supplement cooling in a cooling mode;

receiving the air flow over a heater core to supplement heating in a heating mode; and

in a cooling mode, selectively isolating the coolant in the coolant tube from coolant in the engine coolant system; and

in a heating mode, selectively coupling the coolant in the coolant tube with the engine coolant system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein in the cooling mode the engine is off.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein in the cooling mode the engine is on.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein in the heating mode the engine is off.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein in the heating mode the engine is on.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of supplying electrical energy provides the electrical energy in a first polarity during the heating mode and in a second polarity during the cooling mode.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of directing energy from a regenerative braking system to the thermoelectric module to generate a temperature change.