Thermal Functional Block for Vehicle Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face challenges in efficiently managing varied heating and cooling loads for different vehicle components, particularly in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, due to the complexity of coolant distribution and control.
Innovation Solution
A thermal functional block for vehicles incorporating a three-way valve, heat exchangers, pumps, and check valves, allowing for multiple operation modes to distribute coolant effectively through various paths and exchangers, enabling precise control of heating and cooling loads based on system requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coolant distribution system is used to meet varied heating or cooling loads for different vehicle systems, then the heating or cooling requirements of various vehicle systems can be satisfied, but the complexity of coolant distribution and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant distribution system is segmented into multiple independent control zones, with separate three-way valves controlling coolant flow to different heat exchangers (HVAC system, radiator, condenser, etc.). This allows each zone to be controlled independently according to specific thermal requirements, achieving versatile heating or cooling loads while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular segmentation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat exchangers and flow control components are added to distribute coolant to different systems, then diverse heating and cooling needs can be met, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant distribution system employs universal three-way valves that can direct coolant flow to multiple different destinations (HVAC heat exchanger, radiator, condenser, or bypass) based on system requirements. These multi-functional valves replace the need for multiple dedicated control components, achieving the ability to serve diverse heating and cooling needs while actually reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the distribution architecture.
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 thermal functional block provides flexible and efficient management of heating and cooling loads, optimizing coolant distribution to meet the diverse needs of vehicle systems, including HVAC, by utilizing different operation modes and flow control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a three-way valve including a valve inlet, a first valve outlet and a second valve outlet, where the valve inlet is coupled to and positioned downstream of the functional block inlet
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger positioned downstream of the first coupling point... a second heat exchanger positioned downstream of the first check valve
Implementation Method 3
a pump coupled to and downstream of the first splitter outlet
Implementation Method 4
a first check valve positioned downstream of the pump... a second check valve positioned downstream of the second outlet of the splitter
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal functional block for a vehicle, includes a functional block inlet, a three-way valve including a valve inlet, a first valve outlet and a second valve outlet, a first coupling point positioned downstream of the first valve outlet, a first heat exchanger positioned downstream of the first coupling point, a splitter having a splitter inlet, a first splitter outlet, and a second splitter outlet, a pump coupled to and downstream of the first splitter outlet, a first check valve positioned downstream of the pump, a second heat exchanger positioned downstream of the first check valve, a second check valve positioned downstream of the second outlet of the splitter, a second coupling point positioned downstream of the second check valve, a functional block outlet, and a bypass coupled to the second outlet of the three-way valve and to the second coupling point.