Vehicle Battery Thermal Management via Parallel Circuit and Three-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for electric components in vehicles are complex and inefficient, requiring multiple heat exchangers and pumps, which occupy significant space and reduce performance, especially under idling conditions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified temperature control system with a parallel arrangement of the battery and other electric components, using a low-temperature radiator and a refrigerant-operated heat exchanger, controlled by a three-way valve to optimize heat transfer and reduce energy consumption, allowing for open-loop or closed-loop temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple heat exchangers and electric pumps are used to control temperature of electric components, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature control functions for the battery and other electric components into a single integrated temperature control circuit. Instead of separate cooling systems for each component, the invention merges them into one system that circulates a single temperature control medium through all components sequentially, thereby reducing the number of heat exchangers and pumps while maintaining effective temperature control for all components.
2Reliability
If multiple heat exchangers are used in the temperature control system, then temperature control precision is improved, but air-side pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heat exchanger functions into a single heat exchanger that serves all electric components. This consolidation reduces the cumulative air-side pressure drop that would result from multiple separate heat exchangers, while the single heat exchanger maintains sufficient temperature control precision by efficiently transferring heat from all components through the circulating temperature control medium.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat transfer processes are used, then temperature control range is improved, but heating speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous temperature control by circulating the temperature control medium in a closed loop through all electric components in sequence. This continuous circulation eliminates the delays associated with multiple discrete heat transfer processes, allowing heat to be transferred continuously from all components to the medium, thereby maintaining both a wide temperature control range and rapid heating speed.
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
This solution reduces space requirements, enhances heating efficiency, and minimizes energy usage by optimizing the number of heat transfer processes and energy inputs, while maintaining optimal component temperatures within specified ranges.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchanger for heat transfer between the temperature control medium and another liquid or gaseous medium
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer between ambient air and the temperature control medium
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant-operated heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
refrigerant-operated heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
controlled by a three-way valve to optimize heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to systems/arrangements and methods for controlling a temperature of a battery and of other electric components of a vehicle, and of a vehicle that includes such a system. An exemplary system may include a temperature control circuit, a battery arranged in a first section of the temperature control circuit, other electric components arranged in a second section of the temperature control circuit that is arranged in parallel with the first section, a flow control device for dividing a flow of a temperature control medium between the first and second sections, a battery temperature sensor for determining the battery temperature, a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the other electric components, and a control unit configured to receive and process input data from the temperature sensors and to output a control signal to the flow control device in order to control the division of the flow of the temperature control medium between the first and second sections in accordance with the temperatures determined.