Electric Powertrain Differential Cooling Bypass for Cold Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Certain components in a hybrid cooling system of a powertrain experience efficiency decreases when the coolant temperature is less than a threshold, and blocking hybrid cooling during certain operations is desired to increase component efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for a hybrid cooling arrangement where, in response to a first coolant temperature being less than a threshold, only the first coolant is flowed to a motor, and the second coolant is bypassed away from the motor, allowing the first coolant to warm up more rapidly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hybrid cooling is applied to multiple components simultaneously, then thermal management of various components is improved, but components requiring higher coolant temperatures experience reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent coolant circuits (first coolant circuit and second coolant circuit), each capable of independently controlling coolant flow to different components. This allows the first coolant to be directed to components requiring higher temperatures while the second coolant serves other thermal management needs, resolving the contradiction between providing cooling to multiple components and maintaining sufficient temperature for efficiency-critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant flow distribution based on real-time thermal demands of different components. Control mechanisms enable the system to switch between hybrid cooling mode (both coolants flowing) and single-coolant mode (first coolant only) to various components, optimizing temperature delivery and component efficiency under varying operating conditions.
2Power
If hybrid cooling is used during cooler temperature operations, then cooling capacity is increased, but components demand for higher coolant temperatures is not met
Solution Approach 1:
The control system periodically or conditionally switches between hybrid cooling mode and first-coolant-only mode based on operating conditions, ambient temperature, and component thermal demands. During cooler temperature operations, the system can transition to first-coolant-only mode for components requiring higher temperatures, while maintaining hybrid cooling for other components, thus periodically adapting to optimize both cooling capacity and component efficiency.
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 increases the efficiency of components that demand higher coolant temperatures by ensuring the first coolant absorbs waste heat more effectively, leading to improved performance during cooler conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first coolant absorbs waste heat more effectively
Implementation Method 2
flowing only a first coolant to a motor and bypassing a second coolant away from the motor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided for a differential of an electric powertrain. In one example, a system includes a bypass valve for a multi-coolant system. The bypass valve is configured to bypass a second coolant from an electric motor in response to a temperature of a first coolant.