Predictive Vehicle Thermal Management With Phase-Change Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal-management systems for vehicles face challenges in efficiently adapting to transient and nominal thermal needs of vehicle components and passenger compartments, particularly in predicting and managing the availability of thermal energy sources and user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A predictive thermal-management system that includes detection and control means to anticipate thermal and electrical needs based on user habits, vehicle data, and environmental conditions, using prediction algorithms and machine-learning models to optimize energy distribution through heat and refrigerant fluid circuits, and incorporating phase-change materials for efficient thermal storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermal-management system uses multiple pumps, heat exchangers, and valves to condition vehicle components and passenger compartment, then the system can maintain optimal temperatures for batteries and engines, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides thermal management into separate circuits: a first circuit for vehicle components (batteries, engines) and a second circuit for the passenger compartment. Each circuit has its own pumps and heat exchangers, allowing independent optimization and simplifying control of each subsystem while maintaining overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal-management system uses multiple heat exchangers that can serve different functions depending on operating conditions. For example, heat exchangers can transfer heat between the first and second circuits, or between thermal energy storage units and either circuit, providing versatile thermal management capabilities without requiring entirely separate systems for each function.
2Speed
If the system quickly conditions the passenger compartment from extreme temperatures, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thermal energy storage units to pre-store thermal energy (heat or cold) in advance. When the passenger compartment needs rapid conditioning, the stored thermal energy is released through the second circuit, enabling quick temperature adjustment without requiring continuous high-power operation of compressors or heaters, thus reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal energy storage units utilize phase change materials that absorb or release large amounts of thermal energy during phase transitions (e.g., solid-liquid). This allows the system to store and release significant thermal energy efficiently, providing rapid conditioning capability while minimizing the energy required from active heating or cooling components.
3Quantity of substance
If the system uses thermal energy storage units with phase-change materials, then thermal energy availability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates thermal energy storage units directly into the thermal management circuit architecture, merging the storage function with the heat transfer circuits. The storage units are positioned to thermally couple with the first and/or second circuits through heat exchangers, combining storage and transfer functions in a unified system rather than adding separate, complex storage subsystems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system monitors and predicts thermal energy availability and user preferences using detection and prediction means, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs detection means that continuously monitor thermal parameters (temperatures, thermal energy availability) and feed this information back to control means. The control means uses this feedback to adjust pump speeds, valve positions, and heat exchanger operations in real-time, optimizing thermal management based on actual system conditions and predicted user needs without requiring overly complex control algorithms.
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 effectively adapts to both transient and nominal thermal demands, optimizing energy use, maintaining component and passenger compartment temperatures within optimal ranges, and reducing the impact of external conditions on battery health and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating phase-change materials for efficient thermal storage
Implementation Method 2
The storage means can include a phase-change material, for example water, glycol, saline solution or paraffin
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger E1, capable of exchanging heat with a refrigerant fluid, a second heat exchanger E2, capable of exchanging heat with air
Implementation Method 4
a first pump P1, a second pump P2
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermal-management system for a vehicle comprising:at least one calories storage and/or frigories storage (S1, S2),at least one element of the vehicle to be heated or cooled,at least one source of calories or frigories,detection means adapted to detect whether calories or frigories are available at one of the said sources,control means able to distribute the calories or frigories available at the sources to the elements to be heated or cooled, according to transient and nominal needs.characterized in that it comprises prediction means capable of making at least one prediction aimed at determining:whether calories or frigories will be available at a later date from any of the said sources and/or,whether a need for calories or frigories will exist at a later date at one of the said elements to be heated or cooled.