Refrigerant module for thermal management system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of electric vehicles poses challenges for thermal management systems due to limited battery autonomy and space constraints, necessitating compact and lightweight solutions that also address noise and gas pulsation issues from compressors.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant module with integrated mufflers formed by two plates, which shape channels for refrigerant distribution, reducing noise and gas pulsation while ensuring compactness and lightness, featuring various muffler shapes and configurations within the acoustic channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the thermal management system uses separate components for refrigerant distribution and noise reduction, then the noise and gas pulsation can be reduced, but the system becomes more complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the refrigerant distribution function and noise reduction function into a single integrated refrigerant module. The plates that distribute refrigerant fluid also form the muffler structure, eliminating the need for separate noise reduction components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plates in the refrigerant module serve multiple functions: they distribute refrigerant fluid through channels and simultaneously form the muffler structure for noise reduction. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed in the thermal management system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate mufflers are added to reduce noise from the compressor, then noise reduction is achieved, but the system weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The muffler is integrated into the existing refrigerant distribution plates, eliminating the need for separate muffler components. This integration reduces the overall system weight while maintaining noise reduction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant distribution plates perform dual functions: fluid distribution and noise reduction. By making the plates multi-functional, the system avoids adding extra weight from separate noise reduction components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional separate components are used for refrigerant distribution and noise control, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall system occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant distribution channels and muffler are merged into a single integrated structure. The plates that distribute refrigerant also form the noise reduction chambers, reducing the overall system volume while maintaining gas pulsation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The muffler structure is nested within the refrigerant distribution plate structure. The noise reduction chambers are formed by the plate configurations themselves, allowing one function to be nested within another to save space.
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 solution results in a more compact, lighter thermal management system with reduced noise and gas pulsation, enhancing the overall efficiency and adaptability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the channels, called acoustic channel, comprising at least one muffler formed at least partially by at least one plate of said refrigerant unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is about a refrigerant module for a thermal management system, comprising a refrigerant unit of two plates (2, 3) shaped to constitute channels for distributing refrigerant fluid in said thermal management system, at least one of the channels, called acoustic channel (4a), comprising at least one muffler (10) formed at least partially by at least one plate (2, 3) of said refrigerant unit.