Single-Valve Thermal Loop Routing for Electrified Vehicle Heat Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing heat transfer between components in electrified vehicles without the need for costly heat exchangers and multiple valve systems is challenging, as existing systems struggle to efficiently manage thermal loads across various operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system utilizing a single valve to connect and isolate radiator, power electronics, and battery loops, allowing for efficient heat transfer between these components based on desired thermal operational conditions, thereby reducing energy usage and hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple heat exchangers and valve systems are added to manage heat transfer between components, then thermal management capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchangers into a single integrated heat exchanger that serves multiple loops (battery loop, power electronics loop, heater loop, radiator loop). This merging approach maintains the thermal management capability of handling heat transfer between all components while significantly reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for separate heat exchangers and multiple valve systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as a heat exchanger for the battery loop, power electronics loop, heater loop, and radiator loop. This multi-functionality allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive thermal management capability.
2Device complexity
If a single valve is used to control heat transfer between loops, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision for multiple operational conditions may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve is designed with multiple inlets and outlets that allow it to perform multiple control functions. It can isolate different loops (battery, power electronics, heater, radiator) from each other and control heat transfer between various combinations of loops. This multi-functionality enables one valve to replace what would traditionally require multiple valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to adapt to various operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is controlled dynamically based on operational conditions. The controller adjusts the valve positions and configurations in real-time to match the required thermal management mode, whether that's heating the battery, cooling power electronics, or any other operational requirement. This dynamic control allows a single valve to achieve the adaptability of multiple valves.
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 manages thermal loads across various conditions, enhancing the efficiency and lifespan of battery packs and reducing energy consumption by allowing components to share heat transfer paths and isolate when necessary, thus improving the overall thermal management of electrified vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
managing heat transfer between different groups of components in the electrified vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a radiator loop configured to be connected to the valve
Implementation Method 3
a heater loop configured to be connected to the valve
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary thermal management system includes, among other things, a valve, a radiator loop configured to be connected to the valve, a power electronics loop configured to be connected to the valve, a heater loop configured to be connected to the valve, and a battery loop configured to be connected to the valve. The valve is configured to connect one or more of the radiator, power electronics, heater, and battery loops together and the valve is configured to isolate at least one of the radiator, power electronics, heater, and battery loops from any remaining loops of the radiator, power electronics, heater, and battery loops.