Hybrid Vehicle Cooling System with Dual Pump Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle cooling systems face limitations in cost, complexity, and efficiency, necessitating innovative methods and systems to effectively manage heat rejection in hybrid electric powertrains.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle cooling system featuring a closed loop coolant flowpath with a mechanically driven and electrically driven coolant pump, controllable valves, and a thermostat, allowing for flexible coolant distribution to powertrain components, and a controller to manage pump operation modes based on engine state and coolant flow requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single mechanically driven coolant pump is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot provide adequate coolant flow in all operating modes and creates parasitic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent coolant circulation loops, each with its own pump (mechanical pump for engine cooling, electric pump for hybrid component cooling). This allows each pump to be optimized for specific operating conditions without compromising overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between mechanical and electric pumps based on operating mode. The electric pump can be activated independently when the engine is off, providing adaptive coolant flow capability that matches actual cooling demands across different hybrid operating scenarios.
2Loss of energy
If the mechanical coolant pump is downsized, then parasitic losses are reduced, but cooling performance may be insufficient during high demand modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different pump configurations. The mechanical pump can operate at reduced size with lower parasitic losses, while the electric pump provides supplemental capacity when needed, achieving energy efficiency without sacrificing cooling reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump acts as an intermediary that supplements the downsized mechanical pump. It bridges the gap between reduced mechanical pump capacity and full cooling system requirements, allowing the mechanical pump to be optimized for efficiency while maintaining overall system reliability.
3Device complexity
If a unified cooling system is used for all powertrain components, then system complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency for specific components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate circulation loops with dedicated pumps and control valves for different component groups (engine, hybrid powertrain components). This segmentation enables optimized coolant flow distribution and temperature control for each component type, improving overall cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling loop is tailored with specific characteristics suited to its components. The electric pump loop can be optimized for the thermal requirements of hybrid components, while the mechanical pump loop serves the engine, allowing local optimization of cooling parameters for maximum 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
This system ensures efficient coolant flow and heat management across all hybrid vehicle operation modes, reducing parasitic losses and enabling downsizing of mechanical pumps while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanically driven coolant pump operable to pump coolant through the closed loop coolant flowpath
Implementation Method 2
an electrically driven coolant pump operable to pump coolant through the closed loop coolant flowpath
Implementation Method 3
a thermostat operable to direct coolant flow from the internal combustion engine or the internal combustion engine bypass to a radiator or a radiator bypass
Data Source
AI summary
Some exemplary embodiments include a hybrid vehicle cooling system comprising a closed loop coolant flowpath including a valve operable to direct coolant flow to an internal combustion engine or to an internal combustion engine bypass, a thermostat operable to direct coolant flow from the internal combustion engine or the internal combustion engine bypass to a radiator or a radiator bypass, a plurality of hybrid powertrain components positioned in parallel to receive coolant flow from the radiator or the radiator bypass, a mechanically driven coolant pump operable to pump coolant through the closed loop coolant flowpath, and an electrically driven coolant pump operable to pump coolant through the closed loop coolant flowpath. Additional exemplary embodiments include methods of operation and/or control of hybrid vehicle cooling systems.