Motor Vehicle Thermal Management Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy management systems for motor vehicles do not account for all external parameters, leading to suboptimal thermal energy management, particularly in low-temperature circuits used for air-conditioning condensers.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates additional sensors to capture parameters representative of cooling needs for both high-temperature and low-temperature circuits, which are fed into a control unit to regulate actuators such as pumps and fans, optimizing the circulation of heat carrier fluids and external cooling fluids by prioritizing the low-temperature circuit's pump capacity over the motor-fan group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a unique cooling radiator is used for both high-temperature and low-temperature circuits with basic control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal energy management efficiency deteriorates due to inability to account for external parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling configuration by switching between different operational modes (high-temperature only, low-temperature only, or both circuits simultaneously) based on real-time sensor feedback regarding engine temperature, ambient conditions, and cooling demands, allowing the single radiator to adapt its function dynamically rather than being fixed
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensors monitor parameters such as engine coolant temperature, ambient air temperature, and cooling fluid flow rates, feeding this information back to the control unit which then adjusts pump speeds and fan operations to optimize thermal management efficiency while using the same radiator for both circuits
2Device complexity
If the low-temperature circuit uses air cooling for the condenser, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates compared to liquid cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements liquid cooling for the air-conditioning condenser by routing the low-temperature cooling circuit through the condenser, replacing traditional air cooling with a liquid-based heat exchange system that provides superior cooling efficiency and reliability
3Productivity
If sensors and control units are added to regulate both circuits independently, then the thermal energy management is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions by simultaneously managing both the high-temperature and low-temperature circuits, regulating pump speeds, controlling fan operations, and switching between different cooling configurations based on integrated sensor input, reducing the need for separate control systems for each circuit
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 approach ensures more efficient thermal energy management by dynamically adjusting the circulation of heat carrier fluids and external cooling fluids based on real-time parameters, enhancing the performance of both high-temperature and low-temperature circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the high-temperature heat carrier fluid is in exchange relation with a cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
the high-temperature heat carrier fluid circulates at a generally high-temperature between 85°C. and 100°C.
Implementation Method 3
the low-temperature heat carrier fluid is in heat exchange relation with a cooling fluid
Implementation Method 4
the low-temperature heat carrier fluid must be at a lower temperature, i.e. around 40°C. to 60°C.
Implementation Method 5
first actuators to circulate said high-temperature heat carrier fluid and low-temperature heat carrier fluid respectively
Implementation Method 6
second actuators to run the cooling fluids in the high-temperature radiator and in the low-temperature radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A high-temperature circuit through which a high-temperature heat carrier fluid runs and which integrates a cooling radiator in which a cooling fluid flows, and a low-temperature circuit through which a low-temperature heat carrier fluid runs and which integrates a cooling radiator in which the cooling fluid flows, is disclosed. The pumps of the high- and low-temperature circuit form first actuators for running the heat carrier fluid though the circuits and second actuators for flowing the cooling fluids in the high- and low-temperature radiators, and sensors for detecting representative parameters of the cooling requirements of the high- and low-temperature circuits and for transmitting said parameters to a control unit. The transmitted parameters include at least one parameter related to the first actuators and at least one parameter related to the second actuators. The control unit adjusts the first and second actuators according to these parameters.