Energy Management Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy management systems for vehicles are complex and inefficient due to the numerous fluid lines and connections required for refrigerant circulation, which complicates packaging and increases the amount of refrigerant needed.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle thermal conditioning system that integrates an accumulator-separator, an ejector, and an internal heat exchanger within a housing cavity, reducing the number of fluid lines and connections by consolidating components into a single package, and includes a control valve to regulate refrigerant flow, allowing for efficient heat exchange and refrigerant phase separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components (accumulator, separator, heat exchangers, ejectors) are used for refrigerant circulation, then the system can perform comprehensive thermal management functions, but the number of fluid lines and connections increases, complicating packaging and increasing refrigerant quantity requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management functionVSAvoidfluid lines and connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the accumulator, separator, heat exchangers, and ejectors into a single integrated energy management unit with a common housing and shared refrigerant pathways. This merging eliminates multiple external fluid lines and connections while maintaining all necessary thermal management functions through internal fluid communication between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated energy management unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the accumulator stores excess refrigerant, the separator divides liquid and vapor phases, the heat exchangers perform heating and cooling operations, and the ejectors regulate refrigerant flow. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single compact package that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for refrigerant circulation, then comprehensive thermal management is achieved, but packaging space requirements and refrigerant quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management functionVSAvoidpackaging space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the ejectors inside the housing of the integrated energy management unit, with the separator and heat exchangers arranged around the ejector assembly. This nested configuration allows components to occupy shared space efficiently, reducing the overall volume required for the thermal management system while maintaining all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If numerous fluid lines and connections are used for refrigerant circulation, then complete refrigerant flow control is achieved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant flow controlVSAvoidfluid lines and connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple refrigerant flow control functions within the unified housing of the energy management unit. The ejectors, separator, and heat exchangers are internally connected through shared refrigerant pathways, eliminating the need for numerous external fluid lines and connections while maintaining complete refrigerant flow control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the refrigeration cycle thermal system, reduces complexity, and improves packaging considerations while maintaining efficient refrigerant circulation and heat exchange, enhancing the vehicle's thermal management capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

an ejector positioned within the housing cavity and in fluid communication with the accumulator-separator and configured to lower a temperature or raise a pressure of the refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion and compression: Joule-Thomson Effect

Implementation Method 2

an internal heat exchanger positioned within the housing cavity and in fluid communication with the accumulator-separator, the internal heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a flow of refrigerant entering the internal heat exchanger and a flow of refrigerant exiting the internal heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The external heat exchanger is positioned around an exterior of the housing and in fluid communication with the accumulator-separator. The external heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to atmosphere.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 4

an accumulator-separator positioned within the housing cavity and configured to separate a gaseous phase from a liquid phase of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240286458A1Energy Management Unit

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 APPLE INC

AI summary

An integrated energy management unit includes a housing defining a housing cavity, an accumulator-separator positioned within the housing cavity, an ejector positioned within the housing cavity and in communication with the accumulator-separator, and an internal heat exchanger positioned within the housing cavity and in fluid communication with the accumulator-separator.