Redundant Cooling Module for Fail-Safe Vehicle Computer Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle computers generate significant heat, requiring effective thermal management to prevent system failure and ensure safety, as existing cooling systems are prone to overheating and single-point failures.
Innovation Solution
A redundant cooling module with two independent coolant loops and a custom three-way liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, using pumps and dry-break quick disconnects to maintain separate coolant systems, ensuring continuous cooling even if one loop fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single cooling loop is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to single-point failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two independent cooling loops, each capable of independently cooling the autonomous vehicle computer. This segmentation eliminates single-point failure risks while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling loop is equipped with its own pump and coolant reservoir, providing localized cooling capacity. This allows one loop to fail while the other continues to provide adequate cooling, improving reliability without requiring a completely redundant complex system.
2Reliability
If redundant cooling loops are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two independent cooling loops are merged into a single integrated cooling module that fits within the autonomous vehicle computer housing. This combining approach provides redundant cooling capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling module is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate with one or both loops active, can switch between loops based on thermal conditions, and can serve as both a cooling system and a thermal management system. This multi-functionality improves reliability while managing complexity.
3Temperature
If active cooling is used to move heat away from chips, then the temperature control is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling pumps can be operated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, adjusting their operation based on thermal conditions. This allows effective temperature control while reducing energy consumption during low-thermal-load periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to automatically regulate its own operation based on thermal conditions, with sensors and control logic that adjust pump operation and coolant flow without external intervention. This self-regulation optimizes energy consumption while maintaining proper temperature control.
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 redundant cooling module effectively manages heat generation in autonomous vehicle computers, preventing overheating and ensuring system reliability by providing a fail-safe cooling mechanism, thus enhancing safety and preventing crashes.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger that receives the coolant fluid from the first and second cooling loops
Implementation Method 2
communicate a first volume of coolant fluid between a first reservoir, a first coolant pump, a heat exchanger, and a computer system heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed. An example coolant system can be configured in an autonomous vehicle. The system can include a first coolant loop configured with a first series of coolant hoses to communicate a first volume of coolant fluid between a first reservoir, a first coolant pump, a three-way heat exchanger, and a computer system heat exchanger and a second coolant loop configured with a second series of coolant hoses to communicate a second volume of coolant fluid between a second reservoir, a second coolant pump, the three way heat exchanger, and the computer system heat exchanger. The system can further include a third coolant loop configured with a third series of coolant hoses to communicate third volume of coolant fluid between the three-way heat exchanger and an engine heat exchanger of the vehicle.