Integrated PCU and GPU Cooling via Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for autonomous vehicle electronics control systems, which include Power Control Units (PCU) and Graphics Processing Units (GPU), are inadequate for compact, harsh environments as they generate excessive heat, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage due to bulky, noisy, and prone-to-fouling designs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated cooling system where the PCU, GPU, and auxiliary DC-DC converter are thermally connected via a cooling assembly with fluid circulation, utilizing thermal interfaces, spacers, and heat sinks to efficiently transfer heat away from these components, and the auxiliary DC-DC converter can power the GPU, reducing overall heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive or active air cooling of the GPU is used separately in a different vehicle compartment, then the GPU can be cooled, but the system becomes bulky and noisy and is prone to fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling of multiple heat-generating components (PCU, GPU, and auxiliary DC-DC converter) into a single integrated cooling assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each component, reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the reliability issues associated with multiple independent cooling systems while maintaining effective heat dissipation for all components.
2Volume of moving object
If all components are packaged together in a compact housing in the engine compartment, then space is saved, but heat generation becomes excessive and requires efficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the cooling assembly is positioned between the PCU and the auxiliary DC-DC converter, with the GPU also thermally connected to the same cooling assembly. This nested configuration allows multiple heat-generating components to be closely packed in a compact housing while sharing a common cooling solution, effectively managing heat dissipation in a confined engine compartment space.
3Loss of energy
If the auxiliary DC-DC converter powers the GPU, then overall heat generation is reduced, but the system requires precise thermal management
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the PCU, cools the auxiliary DC-DC converter, and cools the GPU. This multi-functional cooling system efficiently manages heat from all three heat-generating components through a single integrated solution, reducing overall energy loss while maintaining precise thermal management for each component through their shared thermal connection to the cooling assembly.
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 provides effective and compact heat management, maintaining optimal operating temperatures in confined spaces, reducing noise and fouling risks, and enhancing the reliability of autonomous vehicle electronics.
Implementation Method 1
configured to simultaneously transfer heat away from a power control unit, graphics processing unit, and auxiliary DC-DC converter via fluid circulation
Implementation Method 2
thermally connected to the cooling assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics control system includes a power control unit disposed above a graphics processing unit and thermally connected to a cooling assembly inside. The system also includes a graphics processing unit disposed below the power control unit and thermally connected to the cooling assembly, an auxiliary DC-DC converter disposed below the power control unit and thermally connected to the cooling assembly, and a cooling assembly disposed at a predetermined location and configured to simultaneously transfer heat away from a power control unit, graphics processing unit, and auxiliary DC-DC converter via fluid circulation are presented.