Vehicle Processor Waste Heat Control for Cabin Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle temperature regulation systems do not effectively utilize waste heat generated by electronic components for heating, especially in vehicles requiring increased computing capacity for applications like cryptocurrencies or blockchain, science, and medicine.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a processor to generate waste heat for vehicle heating, integrated with a controller to manage computing capacity and heating modes, allowing the processor to perform computations and supply waste heat to the vehicle, and optionally using a heating element to further regulate temperature, with communication capabilities for distributed computing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a processor is used to provide computing capacity in vehicles, then computing performance is improved, but waste heat generation increases requiring additional heating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by the processor into a beneficial resource for vehicle heating. The control unit directs the processor to operate in heating mode, where the waste heat is channeled through a heat exchanger to warm the vehicle interior or engine compartment, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor serves dual functions: performing computational tasks and generating heat for vehicle heating. The system allows the processor to switch between computing mode and heating mode, making it a multi-functional component that addresses both computing capacity requirements and thermal management needs within a single device.
2Loss of energy
If waste heat from electronic components is utilized for heating, then energy efficiency is improved, but heating capacity may be insufficient during cold starts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating actions by utilizing any available waste heat from the processor or other electronic components before the main heating requirement arises. During cold starts, the control unit attempts to capture and utilize heat from the fuel cell stack or processor to pre-warm the vehicle interior or engine compartment, reducing the thermal mass that needs to be heated later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple heat sources including the processor, fuel cell stack, and other electronic components into a unified heating system. The control unit coordinates these different heat sources to work together, combining their thermal output to achieve sufficient heating capacity during cold starts while maintaining high energy efficiency during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If the processor is used for both computing and heating, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may be compromised during mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the processor's operational state, temperature levels, and heating requirements to dynamically switch between computing mode and heating mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that the processor transitions smoothly between functions based on real-time conditions, maintaining system reliability by preventing thermal shocks or incomplete mode transitions that could compromise heating performance.
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 solution provides effective heating of vehicle portions while enabling increased computing capacity, utilizing waste heat for both heating and computational tasks, and allows for efficient temperature management across different vehicle types and operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the waste heat generated upon performing at least one computation of the processor is supplied to the at least one portion of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A device for raising a temperature in at least one portion of a vehicle from a low temperature value to a temperature value increased above this, has at least one electronic component producing waste heat. The at least one electronic component is formed as a processor. Furthermore, a controller is provided, being designed to command the processor to provide a computing capacity in a heating mode, and to supply the waste heat generated upon performing at least one computation of the processor to the at least one portion of the vehicle. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for raising a temperature of at least one portion of a vehicle from a low temperature value to a temperature value increased above this.