Thermal management module for a thermal management system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal management systems for vehicles face complexity and high costs in creating fluid-tight connections between heat exchangers, which are prone to wear and leakage over time, especially in refrigerant circuits.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management module with a connecting arrangement that mechanically and fluidically links two heat exchangers, allowing refrigerant flow between them, thereby simplifying the refrigerant circuit configuration and reducing the need for complex fluidic connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluidic connections (tubular bodies, hoses) are used to connect heat exchangers, then fluid-tight connection is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first and second heat exchangers into a single integrated unit where they share a common housing structure. The heat exchanger elements are positioned adjacent to each other within the same housing, eliminating the need for separate tubular bodies and hoses to connect them. This integration maintains fluid-tight connections while significantly reducing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional fluidic connections (tubular bodies, hoses) are used to connect heat exchangers, then fluid-tight connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchangers into a single housing unit, reducing the total number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material requirements, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining reliable fluid-tight connections through the shared housing structure.
3Device complexity
If conventional fluidic connections (tubular bodies, hoses) are used, then heat exchangers can be connected, but susceptibility to wear and leakage increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates heat exchangers within a common housing, eliminating the need for external flexible connections like hoses that are prone to wear and leakage. The adjacent positioning of heat exchanger elements within the rigid housing structure provides more durable and reliable fluid-tight connections that resist wear over time.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and space-efficient thermal management system by eliminating the need for complex fluidic connections between heat exchangers, ensuring a fluid-tight and durable refrigerant pathway, and enabling flexible integration of functional elements like valves and temperature sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting arrangement comprises a base body which surrounds the at least one connecting refrigerant path, wherein the base body comprises a circumferential side connecting the first body side with the second body side
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger for flowing through with a refrigerant and—fluidically separate with respect to the refrigerant—with a working medium
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger with first and second fluid paths for flowing through with the refrigerant, preferably in a different phase, particularly preferably in liquid and gaseous phase
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management module for a thermal management system is disclosed. The thermal management module includes a first heat exchanger for flowing through by a refrigerant and by a working medium fluidically separately with respect to the refrigerant. A second heat exchanger is provided including at least a first fluid path and at least a second fluid path, separate from the first fluid path, respectively for flowing through by the refrigerant. A connecting arrangement is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The connecting arrangement connects the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to one another mechanically and fluidically, so that the refrigerant can flow between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.