EV Inverter Cooling Control with Output-Based Coolant Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric-vehicle-mounted cooling apparatuses often fail to provide sufficient cooling power when high output power is requested from the inverter, leading to high inverter temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An electric-vehicle-mounted cooling apparatus with a controller that switches the cooling level based on the output from the inverter, utilizing a cooling mechanism with multiple channels and pumps to redirect liquid coolant flow, allowing for increased cooling levels during high output conditions by switching between different cooling patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling level is increased to cool the inverter during high output conditions, then the inverter temperature is reduced, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling apparatus dynamically adjusts the cooling level by switching between first and second cooling patterns based on real-time inverter output conditions. The controller activates the second cooling pattern (with higher cooling power) only when the inverter output exceeds a threshold, and switches to the first cooling pattern (with lower cooling power) when the output is at or below the threshold, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the cooling parameter (cooling level) based on the inverter output parameter. When the inverter output is high, the system switches to a higher cooling level to remove more heat; when the output is low or zero, it switches to a lower cooling level, thereby matching the cooling power to the actual heat generation and reducing unnecessary energy consumption
2Temperature
If the cooling level is increased to cool the inverter during high output conditions, then the inverter temperature is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling apparatus uses a dynamic control strategy where the controller switches between two cooling patterns based on inverter output conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain simplicity in structure while achieving variable cooling levels through intelligent control rather than complex hardware configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into two distinct cooling patterns (first cooling pattern with lower cooling power and second cooling pattern with higher cooling power). This segmentation allows the system to handle different thermal loads appropriately, maintaining simplicity by using the same physical cooling mechanism operated at different levels rather than requiring entirely separate cooling systems
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 effectively maintains the inverter at a safe temperature during high output conditions by dynamically adjusting the cooling level, preventing overheating and ensuring efficient heat removal.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling mechanism configured to cool the inverter
Implementation Method 2
redirect liquid coolant flow
Data Source
AI summary
An electric-vehicle-mounted cooling apparatus is to be mounted in or on an electric vehicle including an electric motor, a first battery, and an inverter. The electric motor is configured to output power for driving. The first battery is configured to store electric power for driving. The inverter is configured to receive the electric power from the first battery and to drive the electric motor. The electric-vehicle-mounted cooling apparatus includes a cooling mechanism and a controller. The cooling mechanism is configured to cool the inverter. The controller is configured to switch a cooling level for the inverter. The inverter is configured to be cooled by the cooling mechanism. The controller is configured to switch the cooling level based on output from the inverter.