Vehicle Cooling Pump Sensor Layout for Accurate Fluid Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump devices for motor vehicles face challenges in accurately measuring fluid temperature and other parameters due to complex and costly electrical implementations of sensors, which are often unsuitable for rapid and reliable detection under motor vehicle conditions.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a sensor unit directly into the pump device, utilizing existing electrical components for power and control, and couple the sensor to the fluid channel for heat conduction to enhance measurement accuracy and simplify the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in contact with the cooling fluid along the cooling circuit, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complex electrical wiring and protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is extracted from the cooling fluid environment and integrated into the pump housing, eliminating the need for complex electrical wiring and protection measures while maintaining measurement capability through thermal coupling to the fluid channel
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid channel wall acts as an intermediary between the cooling fluid and the sensor unit, enabling thermal coupling for accurate temperature measurement while isolating the sensor from direct contact with the cooling fluid, thus simplifying electrical protection requirements
2Reliability
If sensors are placed in contact with the cooling fluid, then measurement reliability is improved, but protection of electrical components from cooling fluid becomes more difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is extracted from the cooling fluid environment and positioned in the pump housing, eliminating the need for complex protection measures while maintaining measurement reliability through thermal coupling to the fluid channel
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid channel wall serves as a protective intermediary, allowing thermal energy transfer from the cooling fluid to the sensor while physically isolating the sensor and its electrical components from direct contact with the cooling fluid
3Ease of operation
If thermal radiation measurement is used to detect fluid temperature, then sensor placement outside the cooling fluid is enabled, but the method is complex and unsuitable for motor vehicle applications requiring rapid temperature detection
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid channel wall acts as a thermal intermediary that enables rapid heat transfer from the cooling fluid to the sensor unit, achieving fast temperature detection suitable for motor vehicle applications while maintaining sensor placement outside the cooling fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical thermal radiation measurement system with a direct thermal conduction system through the fluid channel wall, achieving faster and more reliable temperature detection suitable for motor vehicle applications
4Measurement precision
If a separate electrical power supply and control device are provided for the sensor unit, then measurement functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device's existing electrical power supply and control/regulating device are made multi-functional by enabling them to also power and control the sensor unit, respectively, thereby eliminating separate electrical systems and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical systems for the pump device and sensor unit are merged into a single integrated system, where the power supply and control device serve both the original pump functions and the sensor unit, reducing component count and simplifying the electrical architecture
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 approach allows for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective detection of fluid temperature and other parameters while reducing installation space and complexity, making the pump device more robust and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
couple the sensor to the fluid channel for heat conduction to enhance measurement accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A pump device for a motor vehicle, e.g., for a cooling device of a fuel cell system and for pumping cooling fluid, is disclosed. The pump device includes a housing, in which a fluid channel is arranged through which a cooling fluid to be conveyed can flow. A drive unit for driving the cooling fluid guided through the fluid channel. An electric sensor unit that includes at least one sensor for determining at least one measured variable characterizing the cooling fluid. The sensor unit is arranged at least partially in the fluid channel, and/or the at least one sensor of the sensor unit is a temperature sensor that is arranged outside the fluid channel and is coupled in a heat-conducting manner to the fluid channel.