Vehicle Degassing Tank Layout to Prevent Coolant Air Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal management systems in vehicles, particularly battery electric vehicles, face challenges in efficiently managing thermal balance and preventing air suction into degassing systems, leading to potential energy efficiency drops and system inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A thermal management system with strategically positioned degassing pipes and restriction units, controlled by a control unit, to optimize degassing and filling processes, ensuring efficient flow rates and pressure balance, thereby reducing air suction and maintaining energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If degassing pipes are positioned to prevent air suction, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to strategic positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of air suctionVSAvoidpositioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The degassing pipes are pre-positioned to extend below the minimum filling level before the thermal management system operates. This preliminary positioning prevents air suction from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms and maintaining system reliability through proper initial configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The minimum filling level acts as an intermediary reference that mediates between the degassing pipe positioning and the coolant level. By using this intermediate reference level, the system simplifies the positioning requirement to a clear geometric relationship rather than complex dynamic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple degassing pipes are used to improve degassing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegassing efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of pipes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal management system is segmented into multiple thermal circuits, each with its own degassing pipe connected to the degassing tank. This segmentation allows each pipe to handle degassing for specific circuits independently, improving overall degassing efficiency and productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If filling pipe has larger dimension to improve filling rate, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to potential leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling rateVSAvoidcoolant leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a minimum filling level in the degassing tank before operation begins. This preliminary filling creates a buffer that prevents air suction and potential leakage during operation, allowing the use of larger diameter filling pipes for faster filling without compromising system integrity or increasing substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The system enhances degassing efficiency, reduces the risk of air suction, and maintains energy efficiency by preventing critical pressure levels and leakage, ensuring reliable thermal management without overengineering.

Implementation Method 1

a degassing tank (200) comprising a tank body (201) having a tank space (202), in which a coolant and a gas are contained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a filling pipe (160) which is connected to the degassing tank (200) via a filling port (161), which is arranged at the bottom (260) of the degassing tank (200)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic filling: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

at least one degassing pipe (110, 120) which is connected to the degassing tank (200) by means of at least one connecting port (211, 221), which are arranged at a side wall (210) of the degassing tank (200)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4459111B1Thermal management system for a vehicle, vehicle comprising a thermal management system, use of a thermal management system, method for controlling a thermal management system and computer program element
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4459111B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4459111B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4459111B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a thermal management system (10) for a vehicle (20), a vehicle (20) comprising a thermal management system (10), a use of a thermal management system, a method for controlling a thermal management system (10) and a computer program element. The thermal management system (10) comprises at least one degassing pipe (110, 120) comprising at least one degassing pipe end (115, 125) and a filling pipe (160). The at least one degassing pipe (110, 120) is connected to a degassing tank (200) by means of at least one connecting port (211, 221) being arranged at a side wall (210) of the degassing tank (200). The filling pipe (160) is connected to the degassing tank (200) by means of a filling port (161) being arranged at the bottom of the degassing tank (200). The at least one degassing pipe end (115, 125) is arranged below a limit level (280) of the degassing tank (200) and at a first distance from the filling port (161) of the filling pipe (160).