EV Liquid Cooling Layout With Parallel Circuits for Power Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling systems for electric vehicles are inadequate for cooling additional components beyond engine and operator components, necessitating a more comprehensive liquid cooling solution.

Innovation Solution

A liquid cooling system with parallel coolant path circuits, including a radiator, coolant pumps, inverters, electric motors, heat exchangers, and DC-to-DC converters, efficiently circulates coolant to cool various electric vehicle components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional liquid cooling systems are used for engine components only, then the cooling system structure is simple, but additional electric vehicle components cannot be cooled effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidcooling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into multiple independent coolant path circuits, with each circuit dedicated to cooling specific components (engine, inverter, electric motor, DC-to-DC converter). This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific cooling needs while maintaining overall system manageability and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple components are cooled using a single cooling circuit, then the system structure is simpler, but cooling efficiency for each component decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of coolant path circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively cools critical electric vehicle components, enhancing performance and reliability by maintaining optimal operating temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a radiator to cool the coolant when the coolant flows through the radiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an inverter to be cooled by the coolant, an electric motor to be cooled by the coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a heat exchanger through which the coolant and another liquid can circulate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12496895B2Liquid cooling system for an electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A liquid cooling system includes a radiator to cool a coolant when the coolant flows through the radiator, a first coolant pump to circulate the coolant, a second coolant pump to circulate the coolant, an inverter to be cooled by the coolant, an electric motor to be cooled by the coolant and connected to the inverter, a heat exchanger through which the coolant and another liquid can circulate, an Onboard Battery Charger with a DC-to-DC converter to be cooled by the coolant, and a secondary DC-to-DC converter to be cooled by the coolant. The first coolant pump and the second coolant pump are each connected to the radiator.