Electric Compressor Positioning for EV Cooling Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle cooling systems lack optimal positional arrangements for components, which significantly impact cooling efficiency, and there is a need to improve the positioning of components to maximize efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The cooling system includes a compressor positioned outside the primary outflow path of outside air after heat exchange, with a middle heat exchanger also outside this path, and separate cooling-medium circulation passages for the motor and inverter power source, allowing for efficient heat exchange and component cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the electric compressor is disposed inside the primary outflow path of outside air after heat exchange, then the cooling system can be more compact, but the pressure loss of outside air increases and cooling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system compactnessVSAvoidpressure loss of outside air
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electric compressor is extracted from the primary outflow path of outside air and disposed at a position outside this path. This separation removes the obstacle that caused pressure loss while maintaining system compactness through optimized spatial arrangement of the compressor and heat exchange unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If the middle heat exchange unit is disposed inside the primary outflow path of outside air, then the system can be more compact, but the cooling efficiency decreases due to interference with air flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The middle heat exchange unit is extracted from the primary outflow path of outside air and disposed at a position outside this path. This extraction eliminates the interference with air flow that reduced cooling efficiency, while the system maintains compactness through optimized component arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If components are disposed without optimal positional arrangement, then the system can be easier to manufacture, but the cooling efficiency greatly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assembly easeVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality optimization by specifically positioning the electric compressor and middle heat exchange unit outside the primary outflow path, while other components can be arranged more flexibly. This localized optimization of component positions achieves both manufacturing ease and high cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enhances cooling efficiency by reducing pressure loss and maintaining system efficiency, while allowing for compact design and easier assembly and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

an electric compressor disposed in the cooling-medium circulation passage to compress the cooling medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchange unit that achieves heat exchange between the cooling medium and outside air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a middle heat exchange unit that achieves heat exchange between the cooling medium and the other cooling medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2508379B1Cooling system for electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2508379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2508379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2508379B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling system for an electric vehicle, includes: a cooling-medium circulation passage through which a cooling medium circulates to travel to heat exchange target objects mounted in a vehicle that is electrically driven; an electric compressor disposed in the cooling-medium circulation passage to compress the cooling medium; and a heat exchange unit that achieves heat exchange between the cooling medium and outside air, wherein: the electric compressor is disposed at a position outside a primary outflow path through which the outside air, having undergone heat exchange at the heat exchange unit, flows from the heat exchange unit to outside the vehicle.