Vehicle Thermal Management with Dual Heating Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for vehicles face challenges in efficiently meeting different heating requirements, particularly in low-temperature environments where components like batteries do not generate excess heat, leading to inadequate heating and prolonged warming times.
Innovation Solution
The system employs two heating modes: one utilizing excess heat from components and another relying on a heater to generate heat, allowing for flexible heat sourcing to meet varying heating demands, including preheating batteries in low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heater is turned on to provide heat to the refrigerant flow path, then the heating capacity of the system is enhanced, but the power consumption increases and the heating speed is reduced due to preheating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses excess heat generated during normal operation of components like batteries to heat the refrigerant flow path, making the system self-sufficient for heating without requiring additional energy input from the heater, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining heating capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers waste heat generated by components during operation and redirects it to heat the refrigerant flow path, converting previously discarded thermal energy into useful heating capacity, thereby reducing the need for additional power consumption
2Speed
If the heater is turned on to quickly heat the system, then the heating speed is improved, but the heating capacity is reduced due to heat being used for preheating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by utilizing excess heat generated during normal operation to preheat the refrigerant flow path before additional heating is needed, reducing the time and energy required for subsequent heating operations while maintaining heating capacity
3Temperature
If the system recovers waste heat from component operation, then the heating capacity is enhanced and power consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it cools components during normal operation and simultaneously heats the refrigerant flow path using excess heat, allowing a single component to perform dual functions and reduce overall system complexity while enhancing heating capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the cooling function for components with the heating function for the refrigerant flow path into a single integrated heat exchange process, combining previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces complexity while improving heating capacity
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 enhances heating capacity, reduces power consumption, and ensures efficient temperature control, extending battery life and improving vehicle performance in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant flow path can absorb heat of the coolant flow path through a corresponding heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The heater can be turned on at this time, more heat can be provided to the refrigerant flow path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A thermal management system comprises: a refrigerant flow path, a coolant liquid flow path, a first heat exchanger (9), and a second heat exchanger (10). The refrigerant flow path comprises a compressor (1), a first indoor heat exchanger (2), a first flow regulation device (4), and a second flow regulation device (5). The coolant liquid flow path comprises a first heat exchange assembly (11) and a heater (12). The first heat exchanger (9) comprises a first heat exchange portion (91) and a second heat exchange portion (92), and the second heat exchanger (10) comprises a third heat exchange portion (101) and a fourth heat exchange portion (102). In a first heating mode, the compressor (1), the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the second flow regulation device (5), and the fourth heat exchange portion (102) communicate to form a loop, the first heat exchange assembly (11), the heater (12), and the third heat exchange portion (101) communicate to form a loop, and the second flow regulation device (5) regulates a flow of the refrigerant flow path. In a second heating mode, the compressor (1), the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the first flow regulation device (4), and the second heat exchange portion (92) communicate to form a loop, the first heat exchange portion (91) and the heater (12) communicate to form a loop, and the first flow regulation device (4) regulates a flow of the refrigerant flow path. The thermal management system provides thermal energy required for heating by at least one of the following selectable processes: heating of the heater (12), and generating excess heat during operation of the first heat exchange assembly (11).