Electric Bus Cooling System Parallel Circuits Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric bus cooling systems lack flexibility and are not well-suited to the varying cooling requirements of different components, leading to inadequate temperature management for electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system with multiple parallel cooling circuits, each tailored to specific components of the traction chain, using a common cooling fluid and individual heat exchangers that can be sized and arranged for optimal airflow, allowing for adaptable and efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cooling system is used for all functional components, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling flexibility and adaptability to different components' requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system structureVSAvoidcooling adaptability to components
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into multiple independent cooling circuits (first cooling circuit, second cooling circuit, etc.), each capable of cooling specific functional components. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its designated components while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system employs a common cooling fluid reservoir that supplies cooling fluid to multiple cooling circuits, and uses at least one common fan to provide airflow to multiple heat exchangers. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the ability to independently cool different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate cooling circuits are used for each functional component, then the cooling flexibility and adaptability improves, but the system complexity and bulkiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cooling circuits share common components including a single cooling fluid reservoir, common piping infrastructure, and at least one common fan. This merging of components reduces system bulkiness and complexity while preserving the independent cooling capability for each functional component through separate heat exchangers and circuit pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate reservoirs are used for different cooling circuits, then the cooling capacity for each circuit is optimized, but the system bulkiness and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidsystem bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A single cooling fluid reservoir serves multiple cooling circuits simultaneously, providing cooling fluid to all circuits through shared piping. This universal reservoir reduces system bulkiness and component count while maintaining adequate cooling capacity for each circuit through proper fluid distribution and flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of repair

If heat exchangers are arranged separately without superimposition, then maintenance access is easier, but the system bulkiness and space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Heat exchangers from different cooling circuits are arranged in a superimposed configuration, stacking them vertically or in layered arrangements. This three-dimensional positioning reduces the horizontal space occupied by the cooling system while maintaining accessibility for maintenance through proper structural design and access pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 results in a more flexible, intelligent, and cost-effective cooling system that can be easily maintained, providing tailored cooling to each component while reducing bulkiness and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

each cooling circuit comprises an individual heat exchanger, carrying out a heat exchange to cool the cooling fluid used in said cooling circuit with an air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3377354B1Cooling system for electric vehicle and electric vehicle provided with such a system
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 BLUEBUS
  • EP3377354B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3377354B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3377354B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling system (200) for an electric vehicle (100), in particular a public transport electric land vehicle, said system (200) including at least two parallel cooling circuits (202, 204), each for cooling a group of functional members (210-214, 230-232) including at least one functional member of a power train of said vehicle (100). The invention also relates to an electric vehicle, in particular an electric bus or electric guided bus, provided with such a cooling system.