Electric Vehicle Cooling System with Dual Pump Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically powered motor vehicles require an efficient cooling system that can manage varying phases of use, including driving, charging, and potential pump failures, to prevent overheating and ensure the longevity of components like the electric motor and charger.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system with a central unit, multiple pumps, a solenoid valve, and a radiator, utilizing Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control signals and temperature sensors to adjust cooling fluid flow rates and strategies, ensuring effective cooling across all operational states, including pump failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pump is used in the cooling circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the pump fails or operates in defective mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pumpsVSAvoidcooling system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into multiple independent pumping units (first pump for driving mode, second pump for charging mode) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to maintain cooling functionality even when one pump fails, as the other pump can continue to operate and provide cooling to the necessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between different pump configurations based on vehicle mode (driving vs. charging). The central computing unit adjusts pump operation parameters including flow rates, activation states, and coordination between pumps to optimize reliability for each specific operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple pumps are added to the cooling circuit, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of pumps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each pump is designed with multi-functionality to handle different cooling requirements. The first pump primarily serves driving mode but can contribute to charging mode cooling, while the second pump primarily serves charging mode but can support driving mode. This universal design reduces the need for completely separate pumping systems for each mode, thereby limiting complexity increase while maintaining reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic pump coordination where the central computing unit continuously monitors operational mode and adjusts pump operations in real-time. During driving mode, the first pump operates at higher flow rates while the second pump may operate at reduced capacity or standby. During charging mode, the roles reverse or both pumps coordinate to provide appropriate cooling, optimizing system response without requiring fixed complex configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides reliable and flexible cooling, minimizing the risk of overheating and extending the lifespan of critical vehicle components by adapting to different operational modes and pump states, ensuring efficient performance and safety during all vehicle phases.

Implementation Method 1

at least one pump for circulation of a cooling fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a radiator, said circuit being intended to cool a battery charger and an electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2744677B1Cooling system for an electrically driven vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 RENAULT SA
  • EP2744677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2744677B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2744677B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling system (1) for an electrically driven motor vehicle, comprising a central unit (3) and a cooling circuit (2) comprising at least a pump (4, 5) for the circulation of a coolant fluid, a solenoid valve (7), and a radiator (10), said circuit (2) being intended for cooling a battery charger (6) and an electrical motor (8) connected to an electronic control device (9). The main characteristic of a cooling system according to the invention is that the central computing unit (3) is configured to manage the activation of each pump (4, 5), including the potential faults of each of said pumps (4, 5).