Vehicle Cooling Circuit With Bypass Control for Stable Heat Source Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for motor vehicles, particularly those with refrigerant/coolant heat exchangers, face inefficiencies in cooling energy usage and temperature control, leading to either excessive energy consumption or inadequate cooling, which can damage heat sources like batteries due to abrupt temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger and a third-medium/coolant heat exchanger, where the coolant flow is controllable via bypass lines and valves, allowing for flexible routing of coolant to optimize cooling based on the temperature of the heat source and ambient medium, minimizing energy usage and preventing temperature extremes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the coolant stream is completely routed through the refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger to ensure sufficient cooling power, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption of the refrigerating circuit increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of the coolant stream distribution between the refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger and the third-medium/coolant heat exchanger based on real-time temperature conditions. The control means adjust the coolant flow paths dynamically, routing coolant preferentially through the third-medium heat exchanger when ambient conditions permit, and only engaging the refrigerating circuit when necessary to maintain optimal cooling effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The third-medium/coolant heat exchanger serves as an intermediary cooling path that can handle partial or complete cooling loads without activating the energy-intensive refrigerating circuit. This intermediary system uses ambient third medium (such as air or water) to cool the coolant, thereby reducing the need for refrigerant-based cooling and lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining sufficient cooling effectiveness.
2Speed
If the coolant flow is rapidly increased to cool the heat source quickly, then the cooling speed is improved, but abrupt temperature fluctuations occur which can damage the heat source
Solution Approach 1:
The control means dynamically regulate the coolant flow rate through both heat exchangers based on real-time temperature feedback from the heat source. This dynamic control enables rapid cooling when needed while preventing abrupt temperature changes that could damage the heat source, thus maintaining both cooling speed and heat source integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the heat source temperature and adjust the coolant flow rates accordingly. This feedback control ensures that cooling actions are appropriately modulated to achieve rapid temperature reduction while avoiding thermal shock or damage to the heat source.
3Temperature
If the refrigerating circuit is used to cool the coolant, then the cooling capability is improved, but the independence of the refrigerating circuit from the cooling circuit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two relatively independent subsystems: the refrigerating circuit and the third-medium/coolant heat exchanger. The control means can selectively engage or disengage each subsystem based on cooling requirements and ambient conditions. This segmentation allows the refrigerating circuit to operate independently for high-capacity cooling when needed, while the third-medium heat exchanger can handle routine cooling tasks, thereby maintaining circuit independence while providing adaptable cooling capability.
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 controlled cooling of heat sources, reducing energy consumption and preventing damage from temperature fluctuations, by dynamically adjusting coolant flow through the refrigerant/coolant and third-medium/coolant heat exchangers based on actual and desired temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a third medium/coolant heat exchanger arranged in the cooling circuit
Data Source
AI summary
In a cooling system, particularly a cooling system for motor vehicles, including a cooling circuit and a refrigerating circuit which are coupled to one another via a refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger and a third medium/coolant heat exchanger arranged in the cooling circuit, a heat source to be cooled is arranged in the cooling circuit and means are provided for controlling the quantity of coolant flowing through the refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger.