Cooling system for electric vehicle adapted for cooling of components of vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle cooling systems are limited to providing a comfortable temperature environment for passengers and do not effectively cool critical components such as batteries and electric motors, which can lead to reduced performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electric vehicle cooling system incorporates a cooling branch in parallel with the evaporator, utilizing a refrigerant to cool components directly, eliminating the need for additional heat exchangers, pumps, and separate coolants, thereby reducing weight, cost, and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate coolant system with heat exchangers and pumps is added to cool components, then component cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the component cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigeration system by adding a cooling branch that shares the refrigerant loop. The cooling unit in the branch uses the same refrigerant to cool components directly, eliminating the need for separate coolant systems, heat exchangers, and pumps that would otherwise be required for component cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously provides air conditioning for the passenger compartment and cooling for vehicle components through the cooling branch. The refrigerant circulates through both the evaporator for air conditioning and the cooling unit for component cooling, making the system universal and multi-functional.
2Temperature
If a separate coolant system with heat exchangers and pumps is added to cool components, then component cooling capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the component cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigeration system by adding a cooling branch that shares the refrigerant loop. The cooling unit in the branch uses the same refrigerant to cool components directly, eliminating the need for separate coolant systems, heat exchangers, and pumps that would otherwise be required for component cooling.
3Temperature
If a separate coolant system with heat exchangers and pumps is added to cool components, then component cooling capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the component cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigeration system by adding a cooling branch that shares the refrigerant loop. The cooling unit in the branch uses the same refrigerant to cool components directly, eliminating the need for separate coolant systems, heat exchangers, and pumps that would otherwise be required for component cooling.
4Temperature
If a separate coolant system with heat exchangers and pumps is added to cool components, then component cooling capability is improved, but space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the component cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigeration system by adding a cooling branch that shares the refrigerant loop. The cooling unit in the branch uses the same refrigerant to cool components directly, eliminating the need for separate coolant systems, heat exchangers, and pumps that would otherwise be required for component cooling.
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 solution allows for efficient cooling of components, improving the overall performance and efficiency of the electric vehicle by reducing weight, conserving power, and enhancing acceleration and driving speed, while also providing a comfortable temperature environment for passengers.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant flowing through the cooling unit evaporates to cool them
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant flowing through the cooling unit evaporates to cool them
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a cooling loop, a cooling branch, and a refrigerant. The cooling loop includes a condenser, a first valve, an evaporator, and a compressor etc. connected to form a loop. The cooling branch is configured in parallel with the evaporator, the cooling branch includes a cooling unit with thermal contact with one or more to-be-cooled components through a thermal interfacial material. The refrigerant flows through the cooling unit with a phase change process to cool components and the flow rate is optimized for energy efficiency purpose. A traditional cooling branch featured by heat exchanger & pump with a separate coolant is not required, which reduces the cost, improves the space utilization and boosts efficient cooling of components in e-vehicles, especially autonomous ones, with sufficient cooling capability and minimized cooling delay.