Dual-Circuit Heat Management for EV Waste Heat Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat management systems for electric vehicles face inefficiencies in using waste heat from electric motors for heating, as they require significant compressor operation and suffer from heat exchange losses when transporting heat from cooling water to refrigerants.
Innovation Solution
A heat management system comprising a high-temperature and low-temperature heat medium circuit, along with a circuit connection and switching part, allows for the efficient use of waste heat from electric motor equipment by circulating a heat medium through a heater core and radiator, reducing compressor operation and heat exchange losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If waste heat is transported from cooling water to refrigerants via heat exchange, then heating function is achieved, but heat exchange losses occur and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the refrigerant cycle system and creates a separate heat medium circuit that directly utilizes waste heat from the electric motor. This eliminates the need for heat exchange between cooling water and refrigerants, thereby removing the associated heat exchange losses while maintaining the heating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat medium (separate from refrigerant) as an intermediary to transfer waste heat directly from the electric motor to the heater core. This heat medium circulates independently through its own circuit, avoiding the inefficient heat exchange process between cooling water and refrigerants.
2Power
If compressor operation is increased to achieve heating, then heating capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the electric motor to serve dual purposes: propulsion and heat generation. The waste heat naturally produced during motor operation is directly utilized for heating without requiring additional energy input from the compressor, making the system self-sufficient for heating needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat that would otherwise be dissipated into a useful heating resource. By directing this waste heat through the heat medium circuit to the heater core, the system transforms an energy loss into a beneficial heating function, eliminating the need for compressor operation.
3Temperature
If refrigerant cycle is used for heating, then heating function is achieved, but system complexity increases due to heat exchange components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management system into independent circuits: a refrigerant cycle for cooling and a separate heat medium circuit for heating. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently with its own components, simplifying the overall system architecture by removing the need for complex heat exchange interfaces between the two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat medium circuit serves multiple functions: it transports waste heat from the electric motor, regulates temperature via the heater core, and can be extended to heat other components like the battery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall vehicle thermal management architecture.
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 system enhances heating efficiency by utilizing waste heat without relying on refrigerant cycles, reducing energy consumption and maintaining optimal temperatures for vehicle interior and equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The heat medium and refrigerant heat exchanger is configured to adjust a temperature of the heat medium by heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 2
The heater core is configured to radiate heat of the heat medium to ventilation air to be blown to a space to be air conditioned
Implementation Method 3
The radiator is configured to radiate heat of the heat medium to outside air
Data Source
AI summary
A heat management system includes a high-temperature heat medium circuit, a low-temperature heat medium circuit, a circuit connection part, and a circuit switching part. The high-temperature heat medium circuit connects a heat medium and refrigerant heat exchanger and a heater core. The low-temperature heat medium circuit connects a radiator and a heat generation equipment. The circuit connection part connects the high-temperature heat medium circuit and the low-temperature heat medium circuit such that the heat medium can flow in and out. The heat management system is switched by the circuit switching part between an operation mode in which the heat medium heated by the heat medium and refrigerant heat exchanger is circulated through the heater core and an operation mode in which the heat medium heated by the heat generation equipment and the heat medium and refrigerant heat exchanger is circulated through the heater core.