Monoblock Heat Exchanger With Segmented Cooling for Battery Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerant/heat transfer fluid heat exchangers are inefficient in providing cooling power adapted to varying operating conditions of electric batteries, particularly in normal charging modes where lower cooling power is required.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerant/heat transfer fluid heat exchanger with a single-piece design featuring two heat exchange blocks separated by a partition plate, allowing independent control of refrigerant and heat transfer fluid circulation paths to optimize cooling power based on charging modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the heat exchanger is sized and configured to provide high cooling power for fast charging mode, then the cooling power is sufficient for fast charging, but the cooling efficiency is degraded when cooling power is low during normal charging mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling powerVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent heat exchange blocks (first heat exchange block, second heat exchange block, third heat exchange block) that can be selectively activated. Each block has its own refrigerant circulation path and heat transfer fluid circulation path, allowing the system to segment the total cooling capacity into smaller, independently controllable units. This enables the heat exchanger to provide high cooling power when all blocks are active during fast charging, while maintaining efficient operation by activating only one or two blocks during normal charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the heat exchanger is configured for high cooling power, then it meets the requirements of fast charging mode, but it cools the battery less effectively in normal charging mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to charging modesVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger incorporates dynamic control capabilities through independent circulation paths for each heat exchange block, controlled by respective circulation control devices. This allows the system to dynamically adjust the number of active heat exchange blocks based on the charging mode and thermal requirements. During fast charging, all blocks are activated to provide maximum cooling power; during normal charging, only necessary blocks are activated to optimize cooling efficiency and match the lower thermal load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 heat exchanger efficiently provides cooling power adapted to fast, intermediate, and normal charging modes of electric batteries, enhancing cooling efficiency across different operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The plate includes four orifices to allow an inlet and outlet of the refrigerant, and an inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid inside the circulation channels located on either side of the same plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3973238B1Monoblock heat exchanger comprising at least two heat exchange blocks, each comprising a circulation path for a refrigerant and a circulation path for a heat transfer liquid
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP3973238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3973238B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3973238B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a refrigerant/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11), in which said refrigerant/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger is a monoblock refrigerant/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11). The refrigerant/heat transfer liquid heat exchanger (11) comprises at least two heat exchange blocks (41, 42) which are sealed with respect to one another, including a first heat exchange block (41) having a first circulation path for a refrigerant (21a) and a first circulation path for a heat transfer liquid (22a) and a second heat exchange block (42) having a second circulation path for a refrigerant (21b) and a second circulation path for a heat transfer liquid (22b). The heat exchange blocks (41, 42) are joined via a partition plate (40).