Integrated Main Condenser for Multi-Battery Thermosiphon Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine temperature control devices for electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently cooling multiple batteries mounted at different locations, leading to increased complexity, space requirements, and reduced flexibility in vehicle mounting due to separate thermosiphon circuits and condensers, which complicates the routing of pipes and increases the number of components and design workloads.
Innovation Solution
A machine temperature control device incorporating a main condenser that integrates the condenser functions of multiple thermosiphon circuits, allowing for a simpler configuration and improved space utilization, and optionally includes a sub condenser to distribute cold energy and reduce the number of components, enabling uniform temperature control across multiple batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate condensers are used for each thermosiphon circuit to cool multiple batteries, then each battery can be cooled independently, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate condensers into a single integrated condenser that serves multiple thermosiphon circuits. This single condenser receives working fluids from different evaporators connected to various batteries, condenses them together, and returns the condensed fluid to respective circuits. This merging approach reduces the total number of condenser components while maintaining the ability to cool multiple batteries simultaneously through shared cold energy supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated condenser is designed to perform multiple functions: it condenses working fluids from different thermosiphon circuits, distributes condensed fluid to multiple evaporators, and serves as a common heat rejection point for all circuits. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate condensers for each battery cooling circuit, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If separate condensers and independent piping systems are used for each thermosiphon circuit, then each battery location can be cooled, but the piping system becomes long and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent piping systems into a shared piping infrastructure. A common condenser serves as a central hub, and working fluids from multiple evaporators are collected through shared return lines. This consolidation significantly reduces the total piping length compared to having completely separate piping systems for each battery, while still providing cooling coverage to multiple locations.
3Reliability
If multiple separate condensers are installed to cool batteries at different locations, then comprehensive cooling is achieved, but vehicle mountability and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling circuits into a unified system with a single condenser unit. This integration reduces the number of discrete components that need to be mounted in the vehicle, simplifying installation and improving adaptability to different vehicle platforms. The shared condenser can be positioned in a central location, reducing spatial requirements and mounting complexity compared to distributing multiple condensers throughout the vehicle.
4Ease of operation
If separate condensers are used for each thermosiphon circuit, then independent temperature control is possible, but the number of components and design workloads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into independent evaporator units, each connected to a specific battery, while consolidating the condenser function. Each evaporator can independently absorb heat from its associated battery, maintaining independent temperature control capability. The segmented evaporator design allows flexible configuration and independent operation of each cooling circuit, while the shared condenser reduces overall component count.
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 integrated condenser configuration reduces the number of components and simplifies the device, enhancing vehicle mountability and flexibility by allowing for easier installation and uniform temperature control of multiple batteries, while the sub condenser facilitates efficient cooling without additional cold energy supply facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first evaporator configured to cool a first target device by a latent heat of evaporation of a working fluid that absorbs a heat from the first target device
Implementation Method 2
a main condenser that includes a first heat exchanger provided in the first passage and a second heat exchanger provided in the second passage, to allow the working fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger, the working fluid flowing through the second heat exchanger, and a predetermined cold energy supply medium to exchange heat with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A first thermosiphon circuit includes a first evaporator configured to cool a first target device by a latent heat of evaporation of a working fluid that absorbs a heat from the first target device, and a first passage communicating with the first evaporator. A second thermosiphon circuit includes a second evaporator configured to cool a second target device by a latent heat of evaporation of a working fluid that absorbs a heat from the second target device, and a second passage communicating with the second evaporator. A main condenser includes a first heat exchanger provided in the first passage and a second heat exchanger provided in the second passage, and is configured to allow the working fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger, the working fluid flowing through the second heat exchanger, and a predetermined cold energy supply medium to exchange heat with each other.