Integrated Thermal Management for Electric Vehicle Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic power conversion apparatuses for electric or hybrid vehicles require separate cooling and heating systems, leading to increased costs, complexity, and overall dimensions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic power conversion apparatus that integrates a single chamber for both cooling and heating, using a liquid cooling system and a heating element to maintain the battery at optimal temperature, thereby eliminating the need for separate heating apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling and heating systems are used for the battery, then the battery can be maintained at optimal temperature under extreme conditions, but the overall costs, complexity, and dimensions of the vehicle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate cooling and heating systems into a single integrated thermal management system. The housing contains both a cooling chamber with coolant circulation and a heating chamber with heating elements, allowing both functions to operate through one unified structure rather than separate systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single apparatus. The housing serves as both a structural enclosure and a container for thermal management components. The fluid circuit can provide both cooling and heating functions depending on operational conditions, making the system universal and multi-functional
2Reliability
If separate cooling and heating systems are used for the battery, then the battery can be maintained at optimal temperature under extreme conditions, but the overall costs and dimensions of the vehicle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate cooling and heating systems into a single integrated thermal management system. The housing contains both a cooling chamber with coolant circulation and a heating chamber with heating elements, allowing both functions to operate through one unified structure rather than separate systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management components are nested within the housing structure. The cooling chamber and heating chamber are positioned inside the housing, with the fluid circuit system nested within the same enclosure. This nesting arrangement utilizes space efficiently and reduces the overall volume required for thermal management functions
3Reliability
If separate cooling and heating systems are used for the battery, then the battery can be maintained at optimal temperature under extreme conditions, but the installation and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate cooling and heating systems into a single integrated thermal management system. The housing contains both a cooling chamber with coolant circulation and a heating chamber with heating elements, allowing both functions to operate through one unified structure rather than separate systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single apparatus. The housing serves as both a structural enclosure and a container for thermal management components. The fluid circuit can provide both cooling and heating functions depending on operational conditions, making the system universal and multi-functional
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 integrated cooling and heating solution reduces the overall dimensions and costs of the vehicle, simplifies installation and maintenance, and ensures optimal battery performance across various temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet and continuous change of the coolant inside the chamber allows the electronics to be kept at a suitable temperature
Implementation Method 2
at least one wall or portion of surface placed in contact with the electronics to be cooled
Implementation Method 3
heaters are generally connected to a dedicated battery heating/cooling circuit and are adapted to be operated when necessary to heat the fluid inside the circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The electronic power conversion apparatus (1) for electric or hybrid vehicle, connectable to at least one battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprises an external enclosure (2), an electronic circuit (3) housed inside the enclosure (2), connectable to the battery and configured for the conversion of an input current/voltage into a predefined outpub current/voltage, a liquid cooling chamber (5) made at a portion of the enclosure (2) for cooling the electronic circuit (3), an heating chamber (10) made at a portion of the enclosure (2) and provided with an inlet port (11) of a fluid and an outlet port (12) of the fluid connected to a heating circuit of the battery, and heating means (13) of the fluid inside the heating chamber (10).