Centralized energy module for vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environmentally friendly vehicles like electric and hybrid vehicles, the existing air conditioning systems face challenges with increased size and weight of cooling modules, complex pipe layouts, noise, and vibration due to separate battery cooling systems and heat pump systems, which affect ride comfort and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A centralized energy module that selectively exchanges heat energy using a low-temperature coolant, comprising a compressor, first and second condensers, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, with a simplified pipe layout, improving condensation performance and reducing power consumption, noise, and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate battery cooling system and heat pump system are used in electric and hybrid vehicles, then cooling performance is improved, but system complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery cooling system and heat pump system into a single integrated centralized energy module. The refrigerant circulation system serves dual purposes: cooling the battery through the battery cooler and providing air conditioning through the evaporator. This merging eliminates separate systems while maintaining both cooling functions, directly resolving the contradiction between cooling performance and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized energy module is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The compressor, condensers, and refrigerant circulation system serve both the battery cooling function and the passenger compartment air conditioning function. The system can operate in different modes (battery cooling only, AC only, or both simultaneously) through valve control, providing universal cooling capability that reduces overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If separate battery cooling system and heat pump system are used, then cooling performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the battery cooling system and heat pump system into a single centralized energy module, the patent eliminates duplicate components such as separate compressors, condensers, and expansion devices. The integrated design shares common components between the two systems, significantly reducing the overall weight while maintaining both cooling functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized energy module provides universal cooling capability for both the battery and passenger compartment using a single system weight. The multi-functional design ensures that one system performs multiple cooling tasks, avoiding the weight penalty of having separate dedicated systems for each cooling requirement.
3Reliability
If multiple valves and complex pipe layout are used for separate cooling systems, then cooling coverage is improved, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigerant circulation paths of the battery cooling system and heat pump system into a single integrated circulation system. This consolidation reduces the number of connection pipes and joints, thereby minimizing noise and vibration transmission while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage for both battery and passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary multiple valves from the system by using a simplified valve arrangement in the centralized energy module. The reduced number of valves decreases the sources of noise and vibration, while the strategic placement of remaining valves ensures proper refrigerant distribution for both cooling functions.
4Reliability
If separate cooling systems with complex pipe layout are used, then cooling coverage is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery cooling system and heat pump system into a compact centralized energy module that consolidates all major components (compressor, condensers, expansion devices) into a single integrated unit. This merging dramatically improves space utilization in the engine compartment while maintaining full cooling coverage through optimized internal refrigerant circulation paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized energy module employs a nested compact layout where components are arranged in a space-efficient manner. The refrigerant circulation paths are nested within the module structure, and the battery cooler and evaporator are positioned to maximize space utilization. This nested arrangement allows comprehensive cooling coverage within a minimized volume in the engine compartment.
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 solution enhances cooling performance, reduces power consumption, and improves ride comfort by simplifying the system layout, reducing manufacturing costs and weight, and increasing spatial utilization in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (110) mounted on the base plate (101) and configured for compressing refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first condenser (121) mounted on the base plate (101) at a location spaced part from the compressor, and configured for condensing the refrigerant through heat-exchange with a first coolant
Implementation Method 3
condensing the refrigerant through heat-exchange with a first coolant
Implementation Method 4
a second condenser (123) connected with the first condenser, and condensing the refrigerant through heat-exchange with a second coolant
Implementation Method 5
condensing the refrigerant through heat-exchange with a second coolant
Implementation Method 6
an expansion valve (140) connected with the second condenser
Implementation Method 7
an evaporator (130) mounted on the base plate (101) at a location spaced apart from the first and second condensers, evaporating the refrigerant supplied from the expansion valve through heat-exchange with a third coolant
Implementation Method 8
evaporating the refrigerant supplied from the expansion valve through heat-exchange with a third coolant
Implementation Method 9
selectively exchanges heat energy generated from refrigerant when the refrigerant is condensed and evaporated, and controls a temperature of an interior of a vehicle by using a low-temperature coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A centralized energy module for a vehicle includes a base plate, a compressor mounted on the base plate, a first condenser mounted on the base plate at a location spaced part from the compressor and configured for condensing the refrigerant through heat-exchange with a first coolant supplied from a high temperature radiator while firstly passing the refrigerant supplied from the compressor, a second condenser connected with the first condenser and configured for condensing the refrigerant through heat-exchange with a second coolant supplied from a low temperature radiator while secondly passing the refrigerant supplied from the compressor, an expansion valve connected with the second condenser, and an evaporator mounted on the base plate, evaporating the refrigerant supplied from the expansion valve through heat-exchange with a third coolant which flows into the evaporator and supplying the evaporated refrigerant to the compressor.