Integrated coolant heating module for vehicle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolant heating modules for vehicles require numerous components for connection, leading to increased costs and reduced electric vehicle efficiency due to increased weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An integrated coolant heating module where a water pump and multi-way valve are directly coupled to the water heater's mounting parts, eliminating the need for separate connecting members, and a water-cooled condenser is directly connected to the water heater with a detachable coupling part, promoting modularization and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a water heater, water pump, and multi-way valve are integrally modularized with separate connecting members (base bracket, fluid pump fixing bracket, channel switching valve fixing bracket, and fastening bolts), then the components can be mechanically connected, but the number of components increases leading to increased cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water heater body with the mounting brackets by integrally forming the base bracket, fluid pump fixing bracket, and channel switching valve fixing bracket as single structural units with the water heater body. This eliminates the need for separate connecting members and fastening bolts, thereby reducing the total number of components while maintaining modularization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water heater body is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the heating element container and as the mounting structure for the water pump and multi-way valve. The integrally formed brackets provide both structural support and mounting functionality, reducing the need for dedicated connecting components.
2Reliability
If multiple separate connecting members and fastening bolts are used to assemble the coolant heating module, then the components can be securely connected, but the weight of the module increases reducing electric vehicle efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the mounting brackets into the water heater body as single structural units, the patent eliminates multiple separate connecting members and fastening bolts. This merging of functions reduces the overall weight of the module while maintaining secure connections through the integrally formed structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a water heater, water pump, and multi-way valve are integrally modularized with separate connecting members, then the components can be mechanically connected, but the cost of the module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by merging the water heater body with the mounting brackets into integrally formed structures. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate connecting members and fastening bolts, thereby reducing both component count and manufacturing complexity.
4Device complexity
If the water heater and water-cooled condenser are permanently connected, then the structure is simplified, but the module lacks adaptability for different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a detachable coupling mechanism between the water heater and water-cooled condenser, allowing the connection to be dynamically adjusted. The coupling part can be connected or disconnected as needed, providing both structural simplicity when connected and assembly flexibility when detachment is required, thus achieving adaptability for different configurations.
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 configuration reduces the number of components required, resulting in cost savings, improved electric vehicle efficiency, and simplified assembly with efficient control through a printed circuit board, while occupying less space.
Implementation Method 1
the water heater... being configured to selectively heat the coolant passing through the water-cooled condenser
Implementation Method 2
configured to exchange heat between coolant and refrigerant that circulate therein
Implementation Method 3
configured to create a pressure of the coolant between the multi-way valve and the water-cooled condenser
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated coolant heating module for a vehicle includes a water-cooled condenser having a plurality of refrigerant inlet/outlet ports and a plurality of coolant inlet/outlet ports, and exchanging heat between coolant and refrigerant that circulate therein, a water heater having a plurality of mounting parts, the water heater being coupled to the water-cooled condenser and selectively heating the coolant passing through the water-cooled condenser, a multi-way valve coupled to a mounting part of the water heater, and controlling a direction of flow of the coolant, and a water pump coupled to a mounting part of the water heater, having a first side connected to the multi-way valve and a second side connected to a second coolant inlet/outlet port of the water-cooled condenser, and creating a pressure of the coolant between the multi-way valve and the water-cooled condenser.