Fluid Line Connector Layout With Air Gaps for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact temperature control systems in battery electric vehicles face inefficiencies due to undesirable heat transfer between fluid circuits of different temperatures, particularly in fluid line distributors and connectors, which affects the overall efficiency and requires a solution to minimize heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
A fluid line connection arrangement with fluid lines spaced apart by a holding structure to create an air gap, reducing heat transfer between adjacent lines, using a filigree structure with minimal contact points and a poorly conducting plastic material like polypropylene with glass fibers, and integrating components like a fluid reservoir and plenum to enhance stability and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If fluid lines are arranged in a compact manner in the fluid line distributor or connector, then the installation space is optimized and the system becomes more compact, but heat transfer between fluid circuits of different temperatures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary substance between fluid lines carrying different temperature fluids. This air gap acts as a thermal insulator, mediating the thermal interaction between adjacent fluid lines and preventing direct heat transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between compact arrangement and heat isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thermal insulation coatings or wraps (thin film structures) on the outer surfaces of fluid lines. These flexible insulating layers provide thermal resistance while maintaining the compact geometry of the fluid line arrangement, allowing close spacing without significant heat transfer.
2Device complexity
If multiple fluid lines are placed close together in the pump region, then the system complexity is reduced and compactness is improved, but the efficiency of the temperature control system decreases due to unwanted heat exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap serves as a thermal mediator that allows multiple fluid lines to be positioned close together in the pump region without direct thermal coupling. This maintains the simplified compact arrangement while ensuring thermal independence of different fluid circuits, preserving system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies thermal insulation selectively to specific regions of fluid lines where temperature differences are most critical. By providing localized insulation at key interfaces and high-temperature-difference zones, the system maintains compactness while preventing heat transfer only where necessary, optimizing both complexity and 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
The solution effectively reduces heat transfer between fluid lines, improving the efficiency of temperature control systems by minimizing electrical energy consumption for heating and cooling, extending the vehicle's range, and optimizing installation space.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid lines of the fluid line network are held spaced apart by a holding structure such that an air gap is formed outside of the holding structure between adjacently arranged fluid lines
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid line connection arrangement which is adapted for use in a temperature control system of a battery electric driven vehicle. The fluid line connection arrangement has several fluid ports connected to one another via a fluid line network of fluidically communicating and/or fluidically not communicating fluid lines and to which fluid channels of the temperature control system can be connected for providing flow paths for a fluid, wherein the fluid lines of the fluid line network are held spaced apart by a holding structure such that an air gap is formed outside of the holding structure between adjacently arranged fluid lines.