Vehicle Coolant Circuit Switching With a Multiway Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, are complex and require numerous components, leading to inefficiencies in design, manufacturing, and logistics, and lack flexibility in coolant circulation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system utilizing a first and second coolant pump and a multiway valve, allowing coolant circulation through a first and second flow section, controlled by automatic pump operation and the multiway valve, enabling flexible coolant distribution without additional valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate valves are used to control coolant circulation in different circuits, then precise control of coolant flow is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single multiway valve that can direct coolant flow to different circuits (battery circuit, drive circuit, climate control circuit) through multiple ports. This merging of multiple separate valves into one integrated component reduces device complexity while maintaining precise control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiway valve serves multiple functions: it can direct coolant to the battery circuit, drive circuit, climate control circuit, or combinations thereof, depending on the operating mode. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized valves, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more components are incorporated to achieve flexible coolant distribution, then coolant circulation flexibility is improved, but manufacturing and logistics become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple valve functions into a single multiway valve component, the system achieves flexible coolant distribution to various circuits without requiring multiple separate components. This reduces manufacturing complexity and simplifies logistics and stockkeeping as fewer unique parts need to be managed.
3Device complexity
If a compact design with fewer components is implemented, then space saving and construction simplicity are improved, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The multiway valve consolidates multiple control functions into a single component with multiple ports, maintaining precise control capability while reducing the overall number of components. The valve can selectively direct coolant flow to different circuits with the same level of precision that would be achieved with multiple separate valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiway valve provides universal control capability for directing coolant to various circuits (battery, drive, climate control) through its multiple ports, maintaining operational precision while simplifying the system construction with fewer components.
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 system achieves a simpler, compact design with reduced components, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in thermal management, reducing energy consumption, and facilitating space-saving construction.
Implementation Method 1
a first coolant pump (6), a second coolant pump (10)
Implementation Method 2
a multiway valve (12) that can fluidically connect the first coolant circuit (4) and the second coolant circuit (8) to one another
Implementation Method 3
a battery circuit (8) connected in a heat-transferring manner to a traction battery (16)
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system for a vehicle, comprising a controller, a first coolant circuit with a first coolant pump, a second coolant circuit with a second coolant pump, and a multiway valve that completes each of the coolant circuits. The first coolant pump, the second coolant pump, and the multiway valve can be automatically actuated by the controller. The first coolant circuit and the second coolant circuit can be fluidically connected to one another by the multiway valve as a function of the actuation of the multiway valve. The first coolant pump, the second coolant pump, and the multiway valve are matched to one another such and can be operated such that a coolant circulates essentially in the first coolant circuit when the first coolant pump is switched on and when the second coolant pump is switched off.