Autonomous Vehicle Cooling System Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle cooling systems face challenges in efficiently cooling in-vehicle computing systems due to the use of standard-sized components, which increase the system's size and complexity, leading to inadequate cooling in spaces with stringent spacing constraints and potential overheating of circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
The proposed cooling system uses components sized according to the required flow rates of the coolant for each in-vehicle computer system, eliminating the need for manual or automatic valve control to adjust coolant flow rates. This approach reduces the form factor of the cooling system, allowing it to meet spacing requirements and provides more efficient cooling using liquid coolant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard-sized cooling components are used with valve control, then coolant flow rate can be adjusted, but the overall size of the cooling system increases and spacing requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing the size of cooling components to match the specific cooling requirements of each circuit board. Instead of using standard-sized components for all boards, each component is locally optimized with dimensions tailored to the heat generation characteristics and spacing constraints of its target circuit board, enabling precise cooling without excessive system size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of cooling components, specifically their dimensions and flow characteristics. By designing components with specific size parameters matched to each circuit board's cooling needs, the system achieves appropriate coolant flow rates without requiring additional valve control mechanisms, thus reducing overall system volume while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If controller-based valve control is implemented, then coolant flow can be dynamically adjusted, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the valve control mechanism from the cooling system. By eliminating valves and their associated controllers, the system achieves coolant flow adjustment purely through passive geometric design of the cooling components themselves, significantly reducing system complexity and computational requirements while maintaining the ability to provide appropriate cooling for different circuit boards
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling components are designed to self-regulate coolant flow through their geometric characteristics without requiring external control. The component dimensions inherently control the flow rate, making the system self-service and eliminating the need for complex control algorithms, sensors, and actuators
3Productivity
If coolant flow rate is restricted using closed valves, then cooling is provided for low flow rate requirements, but standard-sized components occupy more space than needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing cooling components with specific dimensions tailored to each circuit board's cooling requirements. Components are locally optimized with precise size parameters that match the heat generation and spacing constraints of their target boards, ensuring efficient cooling without excessive space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using large standard components and restricting flow with closed valves, the patent inverts the approach by using appropriately sized components from the beginning. The design starts with the required flow rate and cooling performance, then selects component dimensions that naturally provide the needed flow without restriction, eliminating the waste of space associated with oversized components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively adapts to cooling requirements, reduces the risk of overheating, and allows for safer navigation of autonomous vehicles by ensuring proper cooling even in constrained spaces, thereby enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling system includes one or more pumps configured to provide the liquid coolant to an intake manifold through which the liquid coolant flows toward one or more circuit boards
Implementation Method 2
provide proper cooling to the in-vehicle computing systems
Data Source
AI summary
A system receives, from one or more flow rate sensor circuits, one or more signals that indicate the flow rate of coolant provided to a set of circuit boards. The one or more flow rate sensor circuits are configured to detect the flow rate of the coolant traveling from one or more pumps towards the set of circuit boards. The one or more pumps are configured to direct a flow of the coolant towards the set of circuit boards. The system compares the flow rate of the coolant to a threshold flow rate. The system determines that a total flow rate of the coolant is less than the threshold flow rate. The system causes the autonomous vehicle to perform a minimal risk maneuver in response to determining that the flow rate of the coolant is less than the threshold flow rate.