Multi-Circuit Heat Request Arbitration for Vehicle Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air conditioner systems face challenges in effectively managing multiple thermal requests, such as cooling and battery charging, leading to inadequate heat flow control when multiple requests are made simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A heat request arbitration device with multiple thermal circuits and a selection unit that derives and prioritizes heat flow control requests, selecting optimal path patterns for coolant and refrigerant circulation to satisfy multiple requests efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling request is prioritized over battery charging request, then cooling performance is improved, but battery charging efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different path patterns based on real-time thermal requests. The control unit selects from multiple configurable paths (first path pattern, second path pattern, third path pattern) to dynamically adjust heat flow distribution, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing cooling and battery charging demands without being locked into a fixed priority scheme
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different path configurations. Each path pattern represents a different parameter state of the thermal management system, allowing adjustment of heat flow paths, exchanger configurations, and circuit connections to optimize for either cooling performance or battery charging efficiency depending on current needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple thermal circuits with selectable path patterns are implemented, then heat flow control flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: first thermal circuit, second thermal circuit, third thermal circuit, each with specific path patterns. The heat exchangers are segmented into first and second exchangers with independent control. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system achieves multi-functionality through universal path patterns that can serve multiple purposes. The same thermal circuits and heat exchangers can be configured for different operations (cooling, heating, battery charging) by switching between path patterns, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function and reducing overall complexity
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 enables effective heat flow control that can easily satisfy multiple requests by optimizing the selection of path patterns in thermal circuits, ensuring efficient operation even under concurrent thermal demands.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigeration circuit and the high water temperature circuit can exchange heat via a water cooling condenser, and the refrigeration circuit and the low water temperature circuit can exchange heat via a refrigerant-water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the SC condenser promotes cooling of the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit to improve the efficiency of the refrigeration circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A heat request arbitration device includes: a first thermal circuit; a second thermal circuit; a third thermal circuit having path patterns that are selectable as a path that is heat exchangeable with each of the first thermal circuit and the second thermal circuit; and heat source units configured to absorb heat or radiate heat via a heat medium circulating in at least one of the thermal circuits; a derivation unit configured to derive requests related to heat flow control of heat absorbed or radiated by each of the heat source units; and a selection unit configured to select a path for at least one of the thermal circuits so as to satisfy at least one of the requests related to the heat flow control based on the requests related to the heat flow control derived by the derivation unit.