Vehicle Controller Output Derating Under Shared Cooling Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cooling systems face challenges in improving cooling efficiency while simultaneously cooling multiple devices without increasing the size of the apparatus configuration, and there is a risk of insufficient cooling capacity for devices downstream in serially connected cooling pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A control device for a vehicle that includes a controller cooled by a shared cooling circuit with a drive train, featuring a first controller for reducing driver load and a second controller with a higher processing load that reduces output when the cooling load exceeds a predetermined level, allowing for efficient cooling of both the controller and the drive train while minimizing system size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shared cooling circuit is used to cool both the controller and drive train, then cooling efficiency is improved and system size is reduced, but the cooling capacity may be insufficient when both components require high cooling simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the cooling system by adjusting the output of the second controller based on real-time cooling load conditions. When the cooling load of the drive train exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically reduces the output of the second controller to prioritize cooling capacity for the drive train, ensuring reliable cooling distribution in a shared cooling circuit configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by monitoring the cooling load of the drive train and adjusting the output level of the second controller accordingly. This parameter adjustment allows the shared cooling circuit to dynamically adapt its cooling capacity allocation between the controller and drive train, resolving the contradiction between system size reduction and cooling capacity sufficiency.
2Reliability
If the output of the second controller is reduced when cooling load is high, then cooling capacity is prioritized for the drive train, but the processing load reduction capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the output of the second controller based on real-time cooling load conditions. When the drive train's cooling load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically reduces the second controller's output to prioritize cooling capacity allocation, while maintaining the first controller's full output to preserve driver load reduction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the cooling load of the drive train and automatically adjust the output levels of controllers accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that cooling capacity is reliably allocated to the drive train when needed, while minimizing the impact on the processing load reduction capability through intelligent output adjustment rather than complete disablement.
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 enables efficient and continuous cooling of the controller and drive train while preventing an increase in cooling system size, thereby maintaining driver load reduction and ensuring reliable vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling circuit configured to cool the control device and the drive train
Data Source
AI summary
A control device is cooled together with a drive train that is a cooling target part by a cooling circuit of a vehicle. The control device includes a first traveling controller configured to execute traveling control of reducing an operating load of a driver, and a second traveling controller configured to execute traveling control for reducing the operating load of the driver to a greater extent than in the first traveling controller. The control device reduces an output of the second traveling controller when a cooling load of the cooling target part is a predetermined load or more.