Electric Vehicle Thermal Management Using Dynamic Coolant Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in effectively managing and distributing heat energy, leading to potential damage from overheating and inefficient air conditioning performance.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system comprising a dynamic heat dissipating unit, an air conditioner unit, a heat exchange unit, and a control unit, which includes a coolant circulation pipeline, a main heat dissipating device, a liquid pump, and an auxiliary circulation device to adjust coolant flow rates and modes for efficient heat transfer and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat is dissipated through the main heat dissipating device only, then heat dissipation is simple, but heat distribution efficiency is poor and energy waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation system is segmented into multiple independent heat dissipation paths: a first heat dissipation path for the dynamic device and a second heat dissipation path for the air conditioner unit. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, improving heat distribution efficiency while enabling the system to handle different thermal loads separately, thereby reducing overall energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circulation pipeline serves multiple functions: it circulates coolant to the dynamic device for heat dissipation, to the air conditioner unit for thermal management, and can be extended to dissipate heat from the motor controller and motor. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle various heat sources, improving overall system efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If coolant flow rate is fixed, then system control is simple, but heat distribution efficiency is poor under varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a liquid pump with adjustable flow rate capability to dynamically control coolant circulation. The flow rate can be adjusted based on real-time thermal conditions of the dynamic device and air conditioner unit, allowing the system to optimize heat distribution efficiency under varying operating conditions while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated temperature-based control logic.
3Use of energy by moving object
If heat from dynamic device and air conditioner are dissipated separately, then heat management is simple, but energy utilization efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the heat dissipation functions of the dynamic device and air conditioner unit into a unified coolant circulation system. The coolant circulation pipeline integrates both heat sources, allowing the system to manage and utilize thermal energy from multiple sources simultaneously, thereby improving overall energy utilization efficiency while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular architecture.
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 improves heat distribution and management by adjusting coolant flow rates and modes, reducing energy consumption, promoting power utilization, and preventing overheating, while also enabling heat recovery and operation at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchange unit is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline and the refrigerant circulation pipeline, and is disposed in a coolant inlet of the main heat dissipating device of the dynamic heat dissipating unit and a refrigerant circulation outlet of the compressor of the air conditioner unit such that, during the cooling mode of the air conditioner unit, heat is transmitted from the air conditioner unit to the dynamic heat dissipating unit, and is dissipated through the main heat dissipating device.
Implementation Method 2
The main heat dissipating device is adapted for dissipating heat from the coolant flowing therethrough.
Implementation Method 3
a liquid pump connected to the coolant circulation pipeline and disposed downstream of the main heat dissipating device along the coolant circulation direction. The liquid pump controls a flow rate of the coolant flowing therethrough.
Implementation Method 4
The air conditioner unit is convertible between a cooling mode and a heating mode, and includes a refrigerant circulation pipeline adapted for permitting a refrigerant to circulate therein in a selected one of a cooling circulation direction and a heating circulation direction
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle thermal management system includes a dynamic heat dissipating unit, an air conditioner unit, a heat exchange unit, and a control unit. The heat exchange unit is connected to the dynamic heat dissipating unit and the air conditioner unit for transferring heat therebetween. The control unit adjusts the flow rate of a coolant in the dynamic heat dissipating unit for controlling and adjusting the heat dissipating ability of the dynamic heat dissipating unit to meet the heat dissipation of the system, thereby improving distribution and management of heat energy in the system.