Four-Position Switch Pump for Dual-Loop Vehicle Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cooling systems require multiple pumps and valves to manage coolant flow, leading to increased component costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A pump with two impellers and a valve system that can switch between chilling, heating, isolated, and linked states, allowing for efficient coolant flow management through a single pump with integrated control, eliminating the need for separate valves and additional fluid lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pumps and valves are used to manage coolant flow in vehicle cooling systems, then the system can provide comprehensive cooling and heating control for various components, but the component costs and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pumps and valves into a single integrated pump assembly. The first pump and second pump are merged into one unit with shared housing, motor, and control electronics. Valves are integrated within the pump housing to direct coolant flow through different paths. This merging reduces the total number of discrete components while maintaining the ability to provide comprehensive cooling and heating control for various vehicle components including batteries, motors, and cabin climate control.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump assembly performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components. A single pump unit provides coolant circulation for both cooling and heating modes, directs flow to multiple destinations (battery cooling, motor cooling, cabin heating/cooling), and incorporates valve mechanisms for flow distribution. The first impeller and second impeller can operate independently or in combination to serve different thermal management needs, making the single pump assembly universally capable of handling various thermal control requirements.
2Ease of operation
If separate valves with electrical actuators are used for each cooling loop, then precise flow control is achieved, but the holder requirements and component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates valve mechanisms directly into the pump housing, eliminating the need for separate valve assemblies with their own actuators and mounting holders. The valves are positioned within the pump body to control coolant flow paths, and are actuated by the same motor and control system that drives the pump impellers. This integration reduces component count and eliminates the need for additional mounting structures while maintaining precise flow control capability for directing coolant to different loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve system within the pump assembly provides multiple flow control functions using a single actuator mechanism. The same valve assembly can direct coolant flow to different destinations based on thermal management requirements, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate valves. The control system can operate the integrated valves to achieve precise flow control for both cooling and heating modes, as well as for directing flow to battery, motor, or cabin systems.
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 reduces component costs and complexity by enabling efficient temperature control of heat generating components and vehicle cabins using a single pump with integrated valve control, while maintaining independent operation of cooling and heating loops.
Implementation Method 1
pumping a coolant fluid from a pump having a first impeller and a second impeller
Implementation Method 2
a first loop comprising a heater module, and a cabin heat exchanger, and pumping the coolant fluid with the second impeller through a second loop comprising a component heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for cooling a heat generating component (12) of a vehicle comprising: pumping a coolant fluid from a pump (50) having a first impeller (52) and a second impeller (54), the pump (50) switchable from a chilling mode, a heating mode, an isolated state, and a linked state, and while the pump (50) is in the chilling mode and the isolated state, pumping the coolant fluid with the first impeller (52) through a first loop (14) comprising a heater module (32), and a cabin heat exchanger (36), and pumping the coolant fluid with the second impeller (54) through a second loop (16) comprising a component heat exchanger (22) and a chiller module (18).