Vehicle Coolant Heater Layout for Bubble-Free Vortex Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles face challenges in efficiently heating coolant and maintaining battery or fuel cell temperatures due to the absence of a high-temperature heat source like an internal combustion engine, necessitating additional heating means like heat pumps or electric heaters, which are less efficient for continuous temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A coolant heating device with a housing, heating unit, and support unit that increases the heated area by forming a heat-generating pattern on the outer circumferential surface of the heating unit, inducing vortex flow, and separating the power supply space to enhance heating efficiency and prevent air bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional electric heater (air heating type) is used, then responsiveness and control are improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces coolant as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat from the heating wire and transfers it to the battery. This water heating type system uses coolant as a heat transfer medium, achieving better energy efficiency compared to direct air heating, while still maintaining effective temperature control
2Speed
If a sheath heater is used to quickly raise coolant temperature, then heating speed is improved, but the heated area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating wire is wrapped around the coolant flow path in multiple turns, extending the heating surface area from a single-point contact to a multi-dimensional surface that spans across the coolant flow, thereby increasing the heated area while maintaining rapid heating capability
3Device complexity
If the inlet is positioned close to the heating unit, then compact design is achieved, but air bubbles are generated in the coolant
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is positioned to extend into the internal space and spaced apart from the heating unit, creating a gap that allows air to be discharged before the coolant reaches the heating section. This preliminary air discharge prevents air bubbles from forming in the coolant during the heating process
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 device increases the heated area for coolant, enhances heating efficiency through dual-stage heating, and prevents air bubble generation, improving overall coolant heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit disposed inside the housing and having a heat-generating region formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to heat the coolant within the housing
Implementation Method 2
a vortex-inducing portion is formed on an inner surface of the housing to induce a vortex flow of the coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coolant heating device for a vehicle, which is configured to increase the area in which coolant is heated and to prevent the formation of air bubbles in the coolant, thereby enhancing the heating efficiency of the coolant. The coolant heating device includes: a housing having an inlet through which the coolant is introduced, an outlet through which the coolant is discharged, and an internal space in which the coolant is heated; a heating unit disposed inside the housing and having a heat-generating region formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to heat the coolant within the housing; and a support unit having one side joined to the outer circumferential surface of the heating unit to fixedly support the heating unit inside the housing. The support unit separates a space in which the heating unit is disposed from a space for supplying power to the heating unit within the housing.