Heat transfer liquid loop for a vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat treatment systems for electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently cooling the electric traction chain components, particularly the electrical storage device and electronic units, during fast charging, which leads to thermal management incompatibilities with compact vehicle designs, affecting both the vehicle's performance and passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A coolant loop system with two networks and a radiator having separate cooling zones, allowing for simultaneous cooling of the electric motor and storage device, utilizing heat exchangers and a refrigerant circuit to manage temperature differences and optimize cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cooling system is used for all powertrain components, then the system complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency for components with different thermal requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into a first cooling circuit for the electrical storage device and a second cooling circuit for the electric motor, with each circuit having dedicated heat exchangers and flow control. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling parameters for each component, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates controllable circulation means and directional control valves that dynamically redirect heat transfer fluid between different cooling circuits based on real-time thermal demands. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to efficiently handle varying cooling requirements without requiring completely separate static systems.
2Productivity
If rapid charging is performed to reduce charging time, then the productivity is improved, but the heat generation and cooling requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is pre-configured with dedicated cooling circuits and heat exchangers for the electrical storage device, ready to immediately handle thermal loads during rapid charging. The circulation means can be activated to provide immediate cooling, preventing temperature buildup before it becomes problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operates continuously during rapid charging, with the circulation means maintaining constant heat transfer fluid flow through the storage device cooling circuit. This continuous cooling action ensures that heat generated during high-speed charging is constantly removed, enabling sustained high charging rates without thermal limitations.
3Volume of moving object
If the ECU is made more compact to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat sensitivity and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system provides localized cooling zones with different thermal characteristics - a first cooling zone for the electrical storage device and a second cooling zone for the electric motor and ECU. Each zone is optimized for the specific thermal requirements of the components it serves, allowing compact ECU design with dedicated targeted cooling.
4Use of energy by moving object
If external airflow is used for cooling during driving, then the use of energy is reduced, but the cooling capacity is limited by driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer fluid loop serves multiple functions: it provides active cooling during stationary periods (using the pump-driven circulation), and switches to passive air-cooled operation during driving (using external airflow through the radiator). This multi-functionality allows the system to meet cooling demands across all operating conditions while optimizing energy consumption.
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 maintains the electric storage device and motor below a threshold temperature, optimizing cooling efficiency while minimizing system consumption, thus addressing the thermal management challenges and ensuring passenger comfort during fast charging.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator arranged to be traversed by an airflow external to a passenger compartment of the vehicle... capable of generating two temperatures of the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
a first cooling zone for the heat transfer fluid supplying a first outlet of the radiator and a second cooling zone for the heat transfer fluid supplying a second outlet of the radiator
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger configured to be thermally coupled to a first element of an electric powertrain... a second heat exchanger configured to be thermally coupled to a second element of the electric powertrain
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a loop (14) for heat transfer liquid (48) for a vehicle comprising a first network (70) and a second network (71), a means (42) for circulating the heat transfer liquid (48), a first heat exchanger (100) configured to be thermally coupled to a first element (40) of an electric drivetrain of the vehicle, a means (72) for moving the heat transfer liquid (48), a second heat exchanger (200) configured to be thermally coupled to a second element (49) and a radiator (51) arranged to be traversed by an external air flow (EF), the radiator (51) comprising a first cooling zone (74) and a second cooling zone (75), a first output (54) of the radiator (51) being connected to the first heat exchanger (100) and a second output (53) of the radiator (51) being connected to the second heat exchanger (200). Application to motor vehicles.