Heat Utilization Circuit With Temperature-Based Coolant Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to efficiently utilize heat from multiple cooling targets with different temperature rising rates, leading to inefficient heating of a target object when using a cooling medium that has cooled these targets.
Innovation Solution
A heat utilization circuit with separate channels for cooling an inverter and a transaxle, incorporating a switching valve and temperature sensors to control heat exchange based on the relative temperatures of the cooling mediums, ensuring efficient heat transfer when the transaxle temperature is higher or lower than the inverter's.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat exchange is performed between cooling mediums from multiple cooling targets, then the heating efficiency of the target object is improved, but heat may be dissipated when temperature differences are unfavorable, reducing overall heat utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the heat exchange configuration based on real-time temperature conditions. When the transaxle cooling medium temperature is higher than the inverter cooling medium temperature, heat exchange is performed. When it is lower, heat exchange is reduced or stopped. This dynamic adaptation prevents heat dissipation while maintaining heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the heat exchange process based on temperature differences. By monitoring the temperatures of cooling mediums from different cooling targets and adjusting the heat exchange intensity accordingly, the system optimizes energy utilization and prevents unnecessary heat loss.
2Device complexity
If a single cooling channel is used for multiple cooling targets, then the system complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision for each cooling target deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into separate cooling channels for different cooling targets (inverter and transaxle). This allows independent temperature control and heat exchange optimization for each component, achieving precise temperature management while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
3Temperature
If heat exchange is continuously performed between cooling mediums, then the heating target temperature is maintained, but energy is wasted when temperature conditions are not favorable for heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperatures of cooling mediums from different sources and adjusting the heat exchange operation accordingly. Heat exchange is activated only when the transaxle cooling medium temperature is higher than the inverter cooling medium temperature, preventing energy waste while maintaining the heating target temperature when conditions are favorable.
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 system effectively utilizes heat from both cooling targets by optimizing heat exchange based on temperature differences, enhancing the efficiency of heating the target object.
Implementation Method 1
utilize heat of a cooling medium that has cooled an object to be cooled
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter and the transaxle
Data Source
AI summary
A heat utilization circuit performs heat exchange between the cooling medium cooled by the inverter and the transaxle when the temperature of the cooling medium cooled by the transaxle is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium cooled by the inverter, and suppresses heat exchange between the cooling medium cooled by the inverter and the transaxle when the temperature of the cooling medium cooled by the transaxle is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium cooled by the inverter.