Cooling module an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a tangential-flow turbomachine
Solution Overview
Problem
In electric and hybrid motor vehicles, the stacking of heat exchangers in the cooling module affects the performance of downstream exchangers due to airflow interference, leading to suboptimal cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module design featuring a tangential-flow turbomachine and a configuration of heat exchangers where the second heat exchanger is positioned upstream from the first, and the third heat exchanger is positioned as a sub-cooler downstream, optimized to improve airflow and heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If heat exchangers are stacked in the direction of airflow to reduce vehicle height, then the aerodynamic characteristics and autonomy are improved, but the downstream heat exchangers are affected by upstream exchangers leading to reduced cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (one dimension) to a horizontal arrangement where heat exchangers are positioned side-by-side in the airflow direction (another dimension). This dimensional change allows all heat exchangers to operate independently without upstream/downstream interference, maintaining cooling performance while achieving compact integration in the vehicle front assembly.
2Productivity
If the number of cooling openings is reduced to improve aerodynamics, then the coefficient of penetration into air is improved, but the heat exchange capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchangers (condenser, evaporator, radiator, sub-cooler) into a single integrated assembly that fits within one cooling opening. This merging allows the system to maintain full heat exchange capacity with reduced aerodynamic drag, as multiple exchangers are arranged horizontally rather than requiring separate vertical openings.
3Device complexity
If heat exchangers are positioned in series in the airflow direction, then the structural compactness is improved, but each downstream exchanger is affected by upstream exchangers reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges heat exchangers side-by-side in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to airflow) rather than stacking them vertically in series with the airflow. This dimensional reconfiguration maintains structural compactness while eliminating upstream/downstream interference, allowing each exchanger to operate at optimal efficiency independently.
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 performance of the heat exchangers by optimizing airflow and reducing interference, leading to improved thermal efficiency and autonomy in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a tangential-flow turbomachine (30) configured such as to generate the flow of air
Implementation Method 2
tangential-flow turbomachine
Implementation Method 3
heat exchangers comprising a first heat exchanger configured to be a condenser connected within an air-conditioning circuit
Implementation Method 4
heat exchanger is placed facing at least two cooling openings
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling module (22) for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (10), through which cooling module (22) an air flow (F) is intended to pass, comprising: —a set of heat exchangers (23) comprising: —a first heat exchanger (24) configured to be a condenser connected within an air conditioning circuit (A), and —a second heat exchanger (26) configured to be a low-temperature radiator connected within a thermal management circuit (B), —a tangential-flow turbomachine (30) configured so as to generate the air flow (F), the set of heat exchangers (23) further comprising a third heat exchanger (28) configured to be a sub-cooler connected within the air conditioning circuit (A), the third heat exchanger (28) being arranged within the set of heat exchangers (23) furthest upstream in the direction of the air flow (F).