EV Radiator Layout for Cooling Power Units and AD Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle cooling systems face challenges in securing effective cooling for both the power unit and autonomous driving control devices, particularly in electric vehicles capable of autonomous driving, as the radiators are often arranged to overlap, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a first radiator for the power unit and a pair of second radiators positioned on either side of the first radiator to avoid overlap, allowing for independent or combined operation based on temperature and heat dissipation needs, with a flow path switching section to ensure continuous cooling even in case of radiator malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the first radiator and second radiator are arranged to overlap when viewed along the vehicle front-rear direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates due to hot airflow interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension (front-rear) overlapping arrangement to a multi-dimensional arrangement where the second radiator is positioned at the vehicle width direction side. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates hot airflow interference while maintaining system compactness, resolving the contradiction between arrangement simplicity and cooling efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a single radiator is used for both power unit and autonomous driving control device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates as it cannot meet different cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into separate first and second radiators with independent cooling circuits. This segmentation allows each radiator to be optimized for its specific cooling requirements (power unit vs. autonomous driving control device), enabling the system to adapt to different thermal loads and cooling demands independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a modular radiator system where each radiator serves a specific function but both can operate independently or in combination. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to adapt to various operating conditions, whether cooling one component or both simultaneously, enhancing overall system versatility.
3Length of moving object
If radiators are arranged to overlap, then the vehicle width is reduced, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates due to hot airflow recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the second radiator from a front-rear overlapping arrangement to a side-by-side arrangement in the vehicle width direction. This dimensional change eliminates hot airflow recirculation between radiators while maintaining compact vehicle dimensions, successfully resolving the contradiction between vehicle width and cooling efficiency.
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 configuration ensures effective cooling for both the power unit and autonomous driving control device, maintains appropriate cooling performance according to temperature and heat dissipation requirements, and secures vehicle travel performance even in abnormal states by isolating functioning radiators.
Implementation Method 1
a first radiator installed at a vehicle and configured to cool a power unit driven by electrical power
Implementation Method 2
the first radiator is installed at the vehicle, and the power unit of the vehicle can be cooled by the first radiator
Implementation Method 3
a second radiator installed at the vehicle, disposed at least at one side in a vehicle width direction, or another side in the vehicle width direction, of the first radiator so as not to overlap with the first radiator as viewed along a vehicle front-rear direction, and configured to cool an autonomous driving control device
Implementation Method 4
enabling the autonomous driving control device heated up by operation to be cooled by the second radiator
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle cooling system, including: a first radiator installed at a vehicle and configured to cool a power unit driven by electrical power; and a second radiator installed at the vehicle, disposed at least at one side in a vehicle width direction, or another side in the vehicle width direction, of the first radiator so as not to overlap with the first radiator as viewed along a vehicle front-rear direction, and configured to cool an autonomous driving control device configured to control autonomous driving of the vehicle.