Vehicle Thermal Circuit Switching for Battery Heating Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in electrified vehicles do not effectively utilize the heat generated by drive devices like inverters and motors for heating electrical storage devices, leading to inefficiencies in heating and performance.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a network of flow paths and switching devices that allows for independent heating circuits, isolating heat from drive devices and chiller devices to be used specifically for heating the electrical storage device, enhancing heating efficiency and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating circuit connects the first flow path, third flow path, and fourth flow path while disconnecting the second flow path, then heating efficiency of the electrical storage device is improved, but the drive device heat utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device dynamically changes the connection state between flow paths based on operational requirements. During heating mode, it connects the first, third, and fourth flow paths while disconnecting the second flow path, enabling adaptive thermal management that optimizes heating efficiency while managing drive device heat separately
2Loss of energy
If the switching device isolates the heating circuit by disconnecting the second flow path, then heat loss to chiller and radiator is minimized, but system versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switching device enables dynamic reconfiguration of the thermal management system, isolating the heating circuit during heating operations to minimize heat loss to unrelated components, while maintaining the capability to connect all flow paths when other operational modes are required
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is segmented into independent flow path circuits that can be selectively connected or disconnected. The heating circuit (first, third, and fourth flow paths) can be isolated from the drive device circuit (second flow path), allowing independent optimization of each subsystem while maintaining overall system versatility
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 heats the electrical storage device using heat from drive devices, improving vehicle performance and charging efficiency by optimizing heat utilization and reducing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical storage device configured to exchange heat with the heat medium in the first flow path
Implementation Method 2
a first flow path configured to allow a heat medium to flow through the flow path
Implementation Method 3
a drive device configured to exchange heat with the heat medium in the second flow path
Implementation Method 4
a second flow path configured to allow a heat medium to flow through the flow path
Implementation Method 5
a radiator provided on the third flow path
Implementation Method 6
a third flow path configured to allow a heat medium to flow through the flow path
Implementation Method 7
a chiller device provided on the fourth flow path
Implementation Method 8
a switching device configured to switch a connection state between the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path
Implementation Method 9
performing heating of the electrical storage device by a current flowing through the electrical storage device
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system includes: a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path; an electrical storage device configured to exchange heat with a heat medium in the first flow path; a drive device configured to exchange heat with a heat medium in the second flow path; a radiator provided on the third flow path; a chiller device provided on the fourth flow path; and a switching device configured to switch a connection state between the first to the fourth flow path. The switching device is configured to provide a heating circuit. The heating circuit is a flow path circuit in which a connection flow path connecting the first flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path and the second flow path are disconnected from and independent of each other.