Cooling Manifold With Pressure Balancing for Stable Pump Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for electric vehicles lack a mechanism to adjust pressure in the battery liquid cooling loop, leading to unstable pump flow rates and decreased cooling capacity due to the absence of an expansion kettle.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module with a manifold incorporating a pressure adjusting flow path between two fluid flow paths, allowing for pressure control between the paths, and a valve system to manage fluid flow, reducing the need for external pressure adjustment components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the battery liquid cooling loop system is not provided with an expansion kettle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pump flow rate stability deteriorates and cooling capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure adjusting flow path directly into the manifold structure, combining multiple functions (fluid distribution and pressure adjustment) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate external pressure adjustment devices while maintaining pump flow rate stability through the pressure adjusting flow path that connects the first and second flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fluid distribution component and as a pressure adjustment device. The pressure adjusting flow path within the manifold allows the same component to perform multiple functions: distributing coolant to different circuits and simultaneously adjusting pressure balance between the motor and battery cooling loops.
2Reliability
If a separate pressure adjusting flow path is provided outside the cooling module, then the pressure adjustment capability is improved, but the pipe drawing amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure adjusting flow path is merged into the manifold body, eliminating the need for separate external piping. The manifold integrates the pressure adjustment function internally through dedicated flow paths that connect the first and second flow paths, thereby reducing the overall pipe drawing amount while maintaining full pressure adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure adjusting flow path is nested within the manifold structure, with the pressure adjustment function embedded inside the existing manifold geometry. This nesting approach allows the pressure adjustment mechanism to be contained within the boundaries of the cooling module without requiring additional external space or piping.
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 stabilizes pressure between fluid flow paths, enhancing cooling capacity and reducing pipe drawing requirements by integrating pressure adjustment within the module.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure adjusting flow path configured to adjust a pressure between the first flow path and the second flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooling module includes: a manifold (1) including therein a first flow path (L1) configured to allow a first fluid (F1) to flow therethrough and a second flow path (L2) configured to allow a second fluid (F2) to flow therethrough; and a valve (3) attached to the manifold and configured to control the flow of the first fluid and the second fluid. The manifold includes a pressure adjusting flow path (120) configured to adjust a pressure between the first flow path and the second flow path.