Vehicle Coolant Loop Routing for Heat Pump Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for vehicles face a conflict between being performant and efficient while maintaining structural simplicity, as they need to reliably keep components within a defined temperature range and efficiently transfer heat between various parts of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system comprising multiple coolant loops with heat exchangers and a heat pump unit, where the direction of heat transfer is adapted using a valve unit and inter-loop connection lines, allowing for efficient heat exchange between loops without direct connection via heat exchangers, and incorporating a radiator loop for environmental heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat is transferred between coolant loops using traditional heat exchangers, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat transfer function into the existing coolant loop structure by using the coolant itself as the heat transfer medium between loops, eliminating the need for separate heat exchanger components. The coolant loops are directly coupled to enable thermal energy transfer without additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant serves multiple functions: it cools engine components, transfers heat between coolant loops, and maintains temperature within the engine compartment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated heat transfer components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate coolant loops are used for different vehicle parts, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the coolant flow into multiple loops that can be independently controlled and directed to different vehicle parts requiring temperature management. Each loop can be selectively activated or deactivated based on specific thermal requirements, enabling precise temperature control without a fully integrated complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant loop system incorporates dynamic routing capabilities where the coolant flow paths can be changed based on operational conditions. Valves and couplings enable the system to adaptively redirect coolant between different loops and components, providing dynamic temperature control precision while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
This solution enables efficient and reliable temperature management of vehicle components, maintaining them within a desired range while minimizing the number of system components, thus enhancing performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat can be transferred from one of the first and second coolant loop to the other one of the first and second coolant loop in an efficient manner using the heat pump
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger (20) being configured to exchange heat with a first part of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a conduit portion (58) being thermally coupled to a condenser (60) of a heat pump unit (62) being configured to selectively heat the coolant
Implementation Method 4
a conduit portion (72) being thermally coupled to an evaporator (74) of the heat pump unit (62) being configured to selectively chill the coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a temperature control system (10) for a vehicle. The temperature control system (10) comprises a first coolant loop (12) with a first heat exchanger (20) being configured to exchange heat with a first part of the vehicle and a second coolant loop (22) with a second heat exchanger (30) being configured to exchange heat with a second part of the vehicle. Furthermore, a coolant heating loop (52) is provided being thermally coupled to a condenser (60) of a heat pump unit (62) being configured to selectively heat the coolant. Moreover, a coolant chilling loop (66) is provided being thermally coupled to an evaporator (74) of the heat pump unit (62) being configured to selectively chill the coolant. The temperature control system (10) also comprises a valve unit (80) which is configured to selectively fluidically connect or fluidically disconnect at least one of the coolant heating loop (52) and the coolant chilling loop (66) to at least one of the first coolant loop (12) and the second coolant loop (22). Additionally, a method for operating a temperature control system (10) for a vehicle is presented.