Shared Thermal Circuit Switching for Battery and Heat Source Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature adjusting devices for secondary batteries and heat generating instruments are bulky and heavy due to the need for independent cooling water flow channels, which increases costs and reduces energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjusting device that circulates a thermal medium and uses sensors to intermittently switch between two temperature adjusting circuits, connecting the battery and heat generating instrument in a way that reduces the need for separate cooling channels, thereby minimizing the size and weight of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two independent cooling water flow channels are used for battery and heat generating instrument, then temperature management reliability is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two independent cooling water flow channels into a single shared flow channel that serves both the battery and heat generating instrument. The flow channel switching valve enables dynamic allocation of the shared channel to connect with either the battery or the heat generating instrument based on temperature requirements, thereby reducing device weight and size while maintaining temperature management reliability through on-demand connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic flow channel configuration using a flow channel switching valve that can change the connection state between the cooling water flow channel, battery, and heat generating instrument based on real-time temperature conditions. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt between independent and shared cooling modes, resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.
2Reliability
If two independent cooling water flow channels are used for battery and heat generating instrument, then temperature management reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces flow channel complexity by merging two separate cooling water flow channels into one shared channel. The flow channel switching valve provides a simple on/off switching mechanism that replaces the need for multiple independent channels, thereby simplifying the overall flow channel structure while maintaining the ability to manage temperatures of both battery and heat generating instrument reliably.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow channel switching valve and separate pipelines are added, then temperature management flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves temperature management flexibility by merging flow channels with a single switching valve and shared pipeline infrastructure, rather than implementing completely separate independent channels. This approach provides the necessary adaptability to switch between cooling modes while significantly reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.
4Use of energy by moving object
If separate cooling water flow channels are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cooling water flow channels to reduce device size while implementing a flow channel switching valve that enables efficient thermal management. The switching mechanism allows the system to optimize energy efficiency by directing cooling flow to the component that requires it most at any given time, preventing energy waste while maintaining a compact device footprint.
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 configuration allows for efficient management of temperatures between the battery and heat generating instrument, reducing the size and weight of the temperature adjusting device, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the need for additional flow channel parts.
Implementation Method 1
a battery thermally connected to the temperature adjusting circuit; a heat generating instrument thermally connected to the temperature adjusting circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature adjusting device includes temperature adjusting circuit that circulates thermal medium, first temperature sensor that measures temperature of thermal medium, battery thermally connected to the temperature adjusting circuit, second temperature sensor that measures temperature of the battery, heat generating instrument thermally connected to the temperature adjusting circuit, flow channel switching device that switches flow channel of the temperature adjusting circuit to form first temperature adjusting circuit which connects downstream of the battery and upstream of the heat generating instrument and second temperature adjusting circuit which connects downstream side of the battery and downstream side of the heat generating instrument, and control device that controls the flow channel switching device and that has intermittent operating mode of intermittently switching the temperature adjusting circuit to the first temperature adjusting circuit or the second temperature adjusting circuit based on the measurement results of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.