ECU Refrigeration Branch for Cooling and Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems for electronic control units face inefficiencies in cooling and dehumidification, particularly in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, leading to potential device failure.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with an electronic device cooling branch connected in parallel to the refrigeration loop, incorporating an electronic device cooling unit with a secondary throttling element and electromagnetic valve, which includes an air-refrigerant heat exchanger and fan for forced convection, and a method to control the electromagnetic valve and fan based on temperature and humidity sensors to regulate cooling and dehumidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If natural convection or forced convection cooling is used through openings on the housing, then the electronic device can be cooled, but the cooling efficiency is relatively low and dehumidification is insufficient in high-temperature and high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function and dehumidification function into a single integrated refrigeration system. The refrigeration loop with evaporator, condenser, and throttling element simultaneously removes heat and moisture from the electronic control unit housing, solving the limitation of separate cooling methods that cannot adequately address both temperature and humidity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a refrigeration cycle involving refrigerant circulation through phases change (gas-liquid-gas). The refrigerant absorbs heat during evaporation and releases heat during condensation, providing efficient cooling. The hydraulic connection through pipelines and the pneumatic expansion through throttling elements enable the refrigeration effect to be achieved within the housing.
2Temperature
If water-cooled heat exchange device is arranged in the housing with external water source, then cooling can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and is not suitable for all environments
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is completely self-contained within the electronic control unit housing, requiring no external water sources or additional complex infrastructure. The system uses its own refrigerant circulation to provide cooling, making it independently operational and suitable for various deployment environments without external support systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated refrigeration system serves multiple functions: cooling the electronic devices, dehumidifying the housing environment, and preventing condensation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling and dehumidification systems, reducing overall complexity while enhancing reliability across different environmental conditions.
3Productivity
If refrigeration loop is integrated into the electronic control unit housing, then cooling efficiency and dehumidification are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is segmented into distinct functional components (evaporator, condenser, throttling element, refrigerant circulation pathways) that are independently designed and then integrated into the housing. This modular segmentation allows for optimized performance of each component while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing the complexity burden of the integrated system.
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 effectively cools and dehumidifies the electronic control unit, enhancing reliability and efficiency while avoiding the costs and inefficiencies of conventional cooling methods, and preventing device failure due to improper dehumidification.
Implementation Method 1
an air-refrigerant heat exchanger arranged in the housing and spaced apart from the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
a fan arranged in the housing, for forcing air convection
Implementation Method 3
a primary throttling element, and an evaporator sequentially connected through a pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration system, including: an electronic control unit, including a housing and an electronic device arranged in the housing; a refrigeration loop, including a compressor, a condenser, a primary throttling element, and an evaporator sequentially connected through a pipeline and forming a closed loop; and an electronic device cooling branch connected into the refrigeration loop from the condenser, and connected back to the refrigeration loop from the evaporator; the electronic device cooling branch including an electronic device cooling unit, a secondary throttling element, and an electromagnetic valve; and the electronic device cooling unit being arranged in the housing and spaced apart from the electronic device, for reducing the temperature and humidity of the electronic device and an environment in the housing.