Dual-Loop Heat Exchanger Layout for Vehicle Waste Heat Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing thermal management systems for vehicles require multiple heat exchangers for waste heat recovery, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity due to varying temperature requirements of components like motors and batteries.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a dual-flow heat exchanger configuration that integrates a cooling liquid circulation flow path and a refrigerant circulation flow path, allowing for heat exchange between the two paths through a first and second heat exchange portion, reducing the number of heat exchangers needed by forming loops that enable efficient heat transfer and temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers are used for waste heat recovery from different components, then the temperature requirements of each component can be met, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heat exchanger functions into a single integrated heat exchanger unit. The first heat exchange portion handles waste heat recovery from the motor, while the second heat exchange portion handles waste heat recovery from the battery, both within the same physical heat exchanger component. This consolidation reduces the total number of heat exchangers while maintaining the ability to meet different temperature requirements through separate flow paths and control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it recovers waste heat from both the motor and battery, and can serve different thermal management needs of various system components. The heat exchanger acts as a universal thermal management component that adapts to different heat sources and temperature requirements through its multi-path flow configuration and controllable valves.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate heat exchangers are configured for each component, then precise temperature control is achieved, but the system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated heat exchanger is segmented into distinct flow paths and heat exchange portions - the first heat exchange portion for motor waste heat and the second heat exchange portion for battery waste heat. Each portion can be independently controlled through dedicated flow control valves, allowing precise temperature control for different components while maintaining a unified physical structure that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic flow control mechanisms with multiple valves that can adjust the flow distribution in real-time based on thermal demands. The flow control valves dynamically regulate the coolant flow to each heat exchange portion, enabling precise temperature control adaptability without requiring separate fixed-configuration heat exchangers for each component.
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 reduces the number of heat exchangers required for waste heat recovery, enhances efficiency, and allows for precise temperature management of components, improving the overall thermal management system's performance and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
heat of the cooling liquid circulation flow path is transferred to the refrigerant circulation flow path through the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger including a first heat exchange portion and a second heat exchange portion which are configured for exchanging heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A thermal management system comprises a cooling liquid circulation flow path and a refrigerant circulation flow path. The thermal management system comprises a first heat exchanger (7). The first heat exchanger (7) comprises a first heat exchange portion (71) and a second heat exchange portion (72) capable of performing heat exchange. A flow channel of the first heat exchange portion (71) is connected to the cooling liquid circulation flow path. A flow channel of the second heat exchange portion (72) is connected to the refrigerant circulation flow path. The cooling liquid circulation flow path comprises a first heat exchange assembly (8), a second heat exchange assembly (9), and a first branch (10). The system comprises a heating mode, wherein the first heat exchange assembly (8), the second heat exchange assembly (9), and the first heat exchange portion (71) communicate with each other so as to form a loop, and the first heat exchange assembly (8), the first branch (10), and the first heat exchange portion (71) communicate with each other so as to form a loop. After a cooling liquid passes through the first heat exchange assembly (8), one stream flows to the first branch (10), and the other stream flows to the second heat exchange assembly (9). The two streams of the cooling liquid converge and then flow to the first heat exchange portion (71) so as to reduce the number of heat exchangers used by the thermal management system to recover waste heat.