Multi-Way Valve Thermal Management for EV Heat Exchange Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for electric vehicles have complex structures, low integration levels, and fail to meet the simultaneous demands for heating, cooling capacity, and heat exchange efficiency, particularly in new energy vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system incorporating a multi-way valve connected to a battery pack loop, plate heat exchanger loop, low-temperature radiator loop, electric drive loop, and air conditioner loop, with a heat mixing module to facilitate selective heat exchange and homogenization among these loops, managed by a multi-way valve and heat mixing module to optimize temperature differences and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional thermal management system is used, then the structure is simple, but the integration level is low and it cannot meet multiple thermal management needs simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-loop thermal management system where a single integrated system can simultaneously provide cooling for battery packs, heating for cabins, cooling for electric drive components, and heat recovery. The system uses multiple loops (battery pack loop, cabin loop, electric drive loop, heat recovery loop) that can operate independently or in combination, allowing one system to fulfill multiple thermal management functions that would traditionally require separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple thermal management functions into a single integrated system. The battery pack loop, cabin loop, electric drive loop, and heat recovery loop are merged into one system controlled by a central control unit, sharing common components such as the multi-position valve, pumps, and heat exchangers. This merging increases adaptability while managing complexity through integrated control
2Power
If the thermal management system handles multiple functions simultaneously, then heating and cooling capacity improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal management system into distinct functional loops: battery pack loop, cabin loop, electric drive loop, and heat recovery loop. Each loop can be controlled independently through the multi-position valve, allowing the system to provide full heating and cooling capacity to multiple components simultaneously while managing complexity through modular segmentation of functions
3Productivity
If separate thermal management systems are used for different components, then each component is managed independently, but the overall system efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a heat recovery loop that captures waste heat from the battery pack and electric drive components and redirects it to the cabin heating system. This allows the system to recover and reuse thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, significantly improving overall heat exchange efficiency and reducing the energy required for cabin heating while integrating multiple functions into a cohesive system
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 achieves efficient heat exchange and temperature equalization across different components, enhancing integration and operational efficiency while optimizing heating and cooling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
perform a heat exchange of heat exchange media between at least two of the battery pack loop, the plate heat exchanger loop, the low-temperature radiator loop, the electric drive loop, and the air conditioner loop
Implementation Method 2
perform a heat homogenization of a heat exchange medium of one of the battery pack loop, the plate heat exchanger loop, the low-temperature radiator loop, the electric drive loop, and the air conditioner loop
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A thermal management system which includes: a multi-way valve (10), and a battery pack loop (L1), a plate heat exchanger loop (L2), a low-temperature radiator loop (L3), an electric drive loop (L4), and an air conditioner loop (L5) respectively connected to different connectors of the multi-way valve. At least two of the different connectors of the multi-way valve are selectively communicated to perform a heat exchange of heat exchange media between at least two of the battery pack loop (L1), the plate heat exchanger loop (L2), the low-temperature radiator loop (L3), the electric drive loop (L4), and the air conditioner loop (L5), or perform a heat homogenization of a heat exchange medium of one of the battery pack loop (L1), the plate heat exchanger loop (L2), the low-temperature radiator loop (L3), the electric drive loop (L4), and the air conditioner loop (L5).