Charger Cooling Air Source Selection via Recirculation Door
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage chargers in PHEV vehicles can overheat, causing cabin air to warm up, and existing outside air vent systems may inadvertently remain open, leading to unwanted outside air inflow, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A charger cooling air source selection method that opens an outside air vent door, determines if it will close, and if not, maintains positive air pressure in the vehicle cabin by keeping a recirculation door open to prevent outside air inflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If outside air is introduced through the OSA vent system to cool the battery charger, then the battery charger is cooled effectively, but outside air may inadvertently enter the vehicle cabin causing unwanted cooling of the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recirculation door as an intermediary element between the cabin interior and the outside air vent system. This recirculation door acts as a mediator that can be positioned to block outside air from entering the cabin while still allowing the OSA vent system to draw outside air for battery charger cooling. The recirculation door serves as a protective barrier that prevents the harmful effect of unwanted cabin pressurization and unwanted cooling while permitting the useful function of battery charger cooling to continue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the air flow control into two independent components: the OSA vent door that controls outside air intake for battery charger cooling, and the recirculation door that controls air flow to the cabin interior. This segmentation allows independent control of each function - the OSA vent can remain open for charger cooling while the recirculation door closes to prevent outside air from entering the cabin, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective charger cooling and prevention of unwanted cabin air exchange.
2Temperature
If the OSA vent system is used for extended periods to cool the charger, then the charger cooling is effective, but the vehicle cabin air pressure becomes negative causing outside air infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation door serves as an intermediary that seals the cabin interior from the outside air vent system. By closing this recirculation door, the system maintains positive cabin air pressure even during extended OSA vent operation for battery charger cooling. The recirculation door acts as a barrier that prevents the development of negative pressure differentials that would otherwise cause unwanted outside air infiltration through seals and gaps in the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by closing the recirculation door before outside air pressure can significantly drop and cause infiltration. The controller monitors cabin pressure and preemptively adjusts the recirculation door position to maintain positive pressure, preventing the harmful effect of outside air infiltration before it occurs during extended charger cooling operations.
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
Effectively cools the battery charger while preventing outside air from entering the vehicle cabin, maintaining optimal air pressure and reducing heat buildup.
Implementation Method 1
drawing outside air through the outside air vent door
Implementation Method 2
establishing and maintaining positive air pressure in a cabin of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A charger cooling air source selection method includes cooling a vehicle battery charger by opening an outside air vent door in a vehicle and drawing outside air through the outside air vent door; determining whether the outside air vent door will close; and if the outside air vent door will not close, establishing and maintaining positive air pressure in a cabin of the vehicle by ensuring an open configuration of a recirculation door in the vehicle.