Cooling Water Circuit With Series-Parallel Heat Exchanger Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling water circuits in electric vehicles are inefficient, particularly when one radiator is used as a heat absorber in a heat pump system, leading to underutilization of heat exchangers and reduced air conditioning capacity.
Innovation Solution
The cooling water circuit includes a heat-radiating heat exchanger, a heat-absorbing heat exchanger, and two additional heat exchangers that exchange heat between the cooling water and outside air. The circuit configures the flow of cooling water to series when high-temperature water flows through the additional heat exchangers and in parallel when low-temperature water flows through them, optimizing heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If one radiator is used as a heat absorber in a heat pump system, then energy recovery is improved, but heat exchanger utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radiators are designed to perform multiple functions: they can operate as heat radiators for engine cooling, as heat absorbers for the heat pump system, and as heat exchangers for air conditioning. This multi-functionality allows the same components to serve different thermal management needs without requiring additional dedicated heat exchangers, thereby maintaining high utilization efficiency while enabling energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel flow configurations based on operational conditions. When high-temperature cooling water flows through the additional heat exchangers, they are connected in series to maximize heat radiation to outside air. When low-temperature cooling water flows through, the heat exchangers are connected in parallel to optimize heat absorption from outside air, thereby adapting to different thermal requirements and improving overall efficiency.
2Power
If additional heat exchangers are added to enhance air conditioning capacity, then cooling performance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional heat exchangers are designed to serve multiple purposes: they function as radiators for high-temperature cooling water to reject heat to outside air, and as evaporators for low-temperature cooling water to absorb heat from outside air for air conditioning. This multi-functionality enhances air conditioning capacity without requiring completely separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow path configuration where the additional heat exchangers are connected in series during high-temperature operation and in parallel during low-temperature operation. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize performance for different operating conditions while using a unified set of components, avoiding the need for multiple fixed configurations and reducing overall system complexity.
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 configuration enhances the air conditioning capacity by increasing heat exchange efficiency between the cooling water and outside air, while also reducing pressure loss and allowing for a downsized water pump, thus improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-radiating heat exchanger in which a cooling water is heated by heat radiated from an external heat medium
Implementation Method 2
a heat-absorbing heat exchanger in which a cooling water is cooled by heat absorbed by an external heat medium
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in which heat is exchanged between the cooling water and outside air
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling water circuit includes: a heat-radiating heat exchanger in which a cooling water is heated by heat radiated from an external heat medium; a heat-absorbing heat exchanger in which a cooling water is cooled by heat absorbed by an external heat medium; and a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in which heat is exchanged between the cooling water and outside air. When a high-temperature cooling water heated by the heat-radiating heat exchanger flows through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged in series for the cooling water to flow. When a low-temperature cooling water cooled by the heat-absorbing heat exchanger flows through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged in parallel for the cooling water to flow.