Three-Leg Heat Transfer Circuit for EV Thermal Versatility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-transfer liquid circuits for vehicles are complex and require numerous components, making them costly and inefficient in performing multiple functions such as heating and cooling vehicle interiors and electrical-energy storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A heat-transfer liquid circuit with a three-leg configuration, where each leg performs specific functions, including heating and cooling the vehicle interior, heating or cooling electrical-energy storage devices, and recovering energy from the electric powertrain, all while minimizing the number of components and optimizing cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous components are used to perform multiple functions (heating, cooling, energy recovery), then the functional versatility is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-transfer liquid circuit is designed to perform multiple functions using a limited number of components. The circuit can heat the vehicle interior using an electric heating device, cool the vehicle interior, heat or cool the electrical-energy storage device, heat the vehicle interior using a refrigerant loop, and recover energy from the electric powertrain, all within a unified three-leg configuration that avoids the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous components are used to perform multiple functions, then the functional versatility is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-transfer liquid circuit is designed to perform multiple functions using a limited number of components. The circuit can heat the vehicle interior using an electric heating device, cool the vehicle interior, heat or cool the electrical-energy storage device, heat the vehicle interior using a refrigerant loop, and recover energy from the electric powertrain, all within a unified three-leg configuration that avoids the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex routing is used to connect numerous components, then the functional capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-transfer liquid circuit is divided into three distinct legs, each responsible for specific functions. The first leg includes the pump, first heat exchanger, electric heating device, and second heat exchanger. The second leg includes the third heat exchanger thermally coupled to the electric powertrain component. The third leg provides an additional parallel pathway. This segmentation allows for simplified routing within each leg while maintaining the ability to perform multiple functions through selective activation of different legs.
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 proposed circuit effectively performs multiple functions with a reduced number of components, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs while maintaining the longevity of electrical-energy storage devices by maintaining stable temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger (12) configured to exchange heat energy between the heat-transfer liquid and a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger (14) configured to exchange heat energy between the heat-transfer liquid and a flow of air intended to be sent into a vehicle interior
Implementation Method 3
a third heat exchanger (21) thermally coupled to a component of an electric powertrain of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a first leg that has at least one pump (11)
Data Source
AI summary
A heat-transfer liquid circuit for an electric vehicle propelled, at least in part, by an electric motor, the circuit including a first leg, and the first leg includes, at least, a pump, a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat energy between the heat-transfer liquid and a refrigerant fluid, an electric-heating device, and a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat energy between the heat transfer liquid and a flow of air dispatched towards the interior of the vehicle. The circuit also includes a second leg, and the second leg includes a third heat exchanger thermally coupled to a component of an electric drivetrain of the vehicle. The circuit further includes a third leg arranged in parallel with the first leg and connected to the latter by a member for distributing the heat-transfer liquid.