Electrified Vehicle Front Trunk Climate Control via Thermal Management Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicles lack a solution for climate control in their front trunk, which is essential for transporting temperature-sensitive items like food, as existing systems primarily focus on battery thermal management without addressing the need for temperature regulation in the front storage compartment.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system that circulates fluid to condition the battery and selectively permits fluid to thermally condition the front trunk, using a valve responsive to a controller and sensors to maintain a target temperature range, with thermal exchange features like plates or jackets, and includes both cooling and heating loops to manage temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the thermal management system is used solely for battery conditioning, then battery thermal management is optimized, but the front trunk cannot provide climate control for temperature-sensitive items
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management fluid circulation system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can condition the battery, climate control the front trunk, or perform both simultaneously through the controller's ability to regulate valve positions based on different operational modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses controllable valves that can dynamically adjust fluid flow distribution between the battery and front trunk based on real-time temperature sensor feedback and controller decisions, allowing the system to adapt to different thermal management needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate climate control system is added for the front trunk, then temperature regulation capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing thermal management system components (fluid circulation system, valves, sensors, controller) are leveraged to provide front trunk climate control, eliminating the need for a completely separate system and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The front trunk climate control is achieved by utilizing the battery thermal management infrastructure, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring dedicated separate components for each function
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
Enables climate-controlled front trunks in electrified vehicles, suitable for transporting hot or cold items by effectively regulating temperature within the compartment, leveraging existing electrified vehicle hardware for efficient implementation.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal management system configured to circulate fluid to thermally condition a battery, a front trunk
Implementation Method 2
circulate fluid to thermally condition
Implementation Method 3
a valve configured to selectively permit fluid from the thermal management system to thermally condition the front trunk
Implementation Method 4
a sensor is mounted adjacent the front trunk and is configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the front trunk
Implementation Method 5
the controller is configured to send instructions to the valve to maintain a target temperature range of the front trunk
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle with a climate controlled front trunk and a corresponding method. An example electrified vehicle includes a thermal management system configured to circulate fluid to thermally condition a battery, a front trunk, and a valve configured to selectively permit fluid from the thermal management system to thermally condition the front trunk.