Vehicle Cooling System Inverter Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling system for vehicles, which connects an inverter and a battery to a motor, faces issues with excessive temperature rise of the inverter due to rapid heat generation, particularly when the flow rate of the heat medium through the heat exchanger decreases during state switching between flow paths, leading to inadequate cooling.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a shared flow path and two parallel flow paths, each with a pump and heat exchanger, is controlled by a device that adjusts pump outputs to maintain a temporary higher flow rate through the first flow path during state switching, ensuring the inverter remains within a safe temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two flow paths are connected in parallel with respect to a shared flow path, then the cooling system can switch between different cooling states, but the flow rate of the heat medium through the first flow path excessively decreases during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The control device increases the flow rate of the heat medium through the first flow path before switching to the first state, ensuring that the inverter receives sufficient cooling during the transition period. This preliminary action prevents the flow rate from excessively decreasing during state switching.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flow rate of heat medium through the heat exchanger decreases during state switching, then the system can transition between cooling modes, but the inverter temperature excessively rises
Solution Approach 1:
The control device increases the flow rate of the heat medium through the first flow path before switching to the first state, ensuring that the inverter receives sufficient cooling during the transition period. This preliminary action prevents the flow rate from excessively decreasing during state switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device monitors the flow rate and temperature conditions, and adjusts the pump output accordingly to maintain adequate cooling of the inverter during state transitions. This feedback mechanism ensures temperature control is maintained despite flow path switching.
3Reliability
If the flow rate is maintained constant during state switching, then the inverter cooling is stable, but the system cannot efficiently switch between different cooling states
Solution Approach 1:
The control device increases the flow rate of the heat medium through the first flow path before switching to the first state, ensuring that the inverter receives sufficient cooling during the transition period. This preliminary action prevents the flow rate from excessively decreasing during state switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate based on the switching state. During transitions to the first state, the flow rate is temporarily increased to maintain inverter cooling, while in the second state the flow rate is reduced. This dynamic adjustment maintains reliability during switching while enabling efficient state transitions.
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 effectively suppresses excessive temperature rises in the inverter by ensuring a sufficient flow rate of the heat medium through the heat exchanger, even during state changes, thereby maintaining optimal cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the inverter, and through which the heat medium circulates when the first pump is operating
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the battery, and through which the heat medium circulates when the second pump is operating
Implementation Method 3
a first pump and a first heat exchanger exchanging heat with the inverter, wherein when the first pump is operating, a heat medium circulates through the first heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a shared path; a first path connected to the shared path and having a first pump and a first heat exchanger exchanging heat with an inverter; a second path connected to the shared path in parallel with the first path and having a second pump and a second heat exchanger exchanging heat with a battery. The first and second paths are configured to be able to switch a flow state between a first state where the heat media flow through the shared path, and a second state where one of the heat media does not flow through the shared path. The control device controls the outputs of the pumps so that when switching the flow state between the first and second states, flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the first path becomes temporarily larger than the target flow rate.