Valveless BEV Thermal Management With Reversible Screw Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional battery electric vehicle (BEV) temperature-regulation systems are complex, costly, and inefficient, with numerous failure points due to reliance on actuated switching valves, leading to suboptimal thermal management of drive and battery components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of screw pumps and check valves in a valveless architecture (AVA) system that dynamically and independently regulate temperature, eliminating the need for actuated switching valves by using reversible flow and broadband efficiency to manage coolant flow through dual loops for drive and battery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If actuated switching valves are used to control coolant flow, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes actuated switching valves from the coolant flow control system entirely. Instead, it uses a single pump with integrated flow control capabilities and passive thermal management components to achieve temperature regulation without active valve actuation, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump in the patent performs multiple functions: it circulates coolant through different pathways, provides flow control, and enables temperature regulation for multiple components simultaneously. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized valves, reducing overall system complexity.
2Temperature
If actuated switching valves are used to control coolant flow, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates expensive actuated switching valves from the system architecture. By using a simpler single-pump design with passive flow control mechanisms, the system achieves comparable temperature regulation at lower manufacturing cost and with fewer failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective components such as standard pumps and passive thermal management elements instead of expensive actuated valves. This approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness while maintaining adequate temperature regulation performance through intelligent system design.
3Ease of operation
If actuated switching valves are used to control coolant flow, then flow direction control is improved, but reliability decreases due to numerous failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes multiple actuated switching valves that create numerous potential failure points. The simplified single-pump architecture with integrated control logic reduces the number of moving parts and potential failure sources, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining flow direction control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single pump unit with integrated flow control. This consolidation reduces the total number of components that could fail, improving reliability while maintaining the ability to direct coolant flow to different system components as needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuated switching valves are used, then independent temperature control of components is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump in the patent is designed to provide independent temperature control for multiple components through its integrated flow control capabilities. It can direct coolant to different pathways and components independently, achieving the versatility of multiple valves while maintaining a simpler single-unit architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a centrally controlled single pump as an intermediary to manage coolant distribution to multiple components. This central control point can independently regulate flow to different components without requiring separate actuated valves at each component, reducing system complexity while maintaining independent temperature control capability.
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 approach simplifies system control, reduces complexity and cost, and enhances thermal management efficiency, ensuring optimal operating conditions for both drive and battery components, thereby improving performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a screw pump operable to switch between a first flow state in which the coolant fluid flows through the drive system in a first direction, a second flow state in which the coolant fluid flows through the drive system in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a third flow state in which the coolant fluid flows through the battery system
Implementation Method 2
a check valve fluidically coupled with the screw pump, the check valve configured to prevent backflow
Implementation Method 3
a radiator configured to cool the coolant fluid
Implementation Method 4
a radiator configured to cool the coolant fluid
Implementation Method 5
a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat between the drive system and the battery system
Data Source
AI summary
An actuated valveless architecture system includes a first screw pump, a second screw pump, and a plurality of check valves. The plurality of check valves is fluidically coupled with at least one of the first screw pump and the second screw pump. The plurality of check valves is configured to define a battery loop to regulate temperature of the battery system and a drivetrain loop to regulate temperature of the drive system.