Integrated thermal management system for vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal management systems for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) are complex and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble, requiring numerous heat exchangers and control valves, which complicates heat flow control and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated thermal management system that includes multiple cooling circuits and a compressor, with a modular design that allows for easy assembly and disassembly, and efficient control through a network of valves and pumps to manage heating and cooling of batteries, power electric devices, and vehicle interiors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers and control valves are added to implement air conditioning and cooling functions, then thermal management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heat exchangers (low temperature radiator, high temperature radiator, condenser, room condenser) and control valves (three-way valves, expansion valves) into an integrated thermal management system. The first and second heat exchangers are combined with the compressor to form a unified unit that provides both air conditioning and cooling functions, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining comprehensive thermal management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated thermal management system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cooling the battery pack, cooling power electronic devices, providing air conditioning in the cabin, and dissipating heat from various components. The first heat exchanger serves dual purposes for battery and power electronic device cooling, while the second heat exchanger handles both air conditioning and battery thermal management, making each component multi-functional.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air conditioning system and cooling module are mounted separately in different locations, then functional requirements are met, but assembly and disassembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air conditioning system and cooling module into a single integrated thermal management system mounted in one location (the front of the vehicle). The first heat exchanger, second heat exchanger, and compressor are assembled together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate mounting locations and significantly reducing assembly and disassembly time while maintaining all required cooling and air conditioning functions.
3Ease of operation
If integrated control module is positioned in power electric room with cooling module, then control efficiency is improved, but degassing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the integrated control module from the power electric room and positions it separately. The control module is relocated to a dedicated control unit that can be easily accessed for maintenance and degassing operations. This separation allows the cooling module to remain in the front of the vehicle while the control module can be independently serviced, reducing degassing time while maintaining control efficiency through dedicated control electronics.
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 controls the thermal management of PBVs, reducing assembly time, lowering costs, and improving efficiency by integrating multiple functions into a single, modular unit.
Implementation Method 1
The air conditioning device is to make the heat exchange between air and coolant, air and refrigerant, and air and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater
Implementation Method 2
a fourth cooling circuit including a compressor in heat exchange with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The air conditioning device is to make the heat exchange between air and coolant, air and refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment integrated thermal management system for a vehicle-mounted power electric device and a vehicle interior includes a reservoir configured to store a coolant, a first cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through a first heat exchanger and a first radiator, a second cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through a second heat exchanger and a second radiator, a third cooling circuit in which the coolant branched and supplied from the reservoir circulates and passes through a third radiator and passes through the first radiator of the first cooling circuit, and a fourth cooling circuit including a compressor in heat exchange with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth cooling circuits are configured to heat exchange through the same coolant.