Vehicle Thermal Management Pump Control to Prevent Refrigerant Heat Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle thermal management systems, thermal energy loss of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger occurs when the refrigerant's temperature is higher than that of the second coolant, leading to reduced cabin heating performance.

Innovation Solution

A controller is configured to stop the pump of the second coolant subsystem when the refrigerant temperature is higher than the second coolant temperature, preventing thermal energy loss and enhancing refrigerant evaporation in the heat exchanger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the pump of the second coolant subsystem operates continuously to cool the second coolant, then the second coolant temperature is reduced for PE component cooling, but thermal energy is lost from the refrigerant to the second coolant in the heat exchanger when refrigerant temperature is higher

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecond coolant temperatureVSAvoidthermal energy loss of refrigerant

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The controller applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the temperature relationship between refrigerant and second coolant before heat exchange occurs, and preemptively stops the pump when refrigerant temperature is higher, preventing thermal energy loss from the refrigerant to the second coolant in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potential harmful heat loss from refrigerant to second coolant into a beneficial control strategy by using temperature-based pump control, ensuring that the second coolant is only cooled when it can effectively absorb heat from the refrigerant, thus turning a potential energy loss scenario into an efficient heat transfer opportunity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Temperature

If the refrigerant temperature is allowed to increase for effective cabin heating, then heating performance is improved, but thermal energy loss occurs when refrigerant temperature exceeds second coolant temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant temperatureVSAvoidthermal energy loss of refrigerant

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperatures of both the refrigerant and second coolant, and adjusting the pump operation based on the temperature differential, ensuring that heat transfer from refrigerant to second coolant only occurs when thermodynamically favorable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the pump operation variable rather than fixed, adjusting the pump state (on/off) dynamically based on real-time temperature conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions during vehicle operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively reduces thermal energy loss and improves the cabin heating performance of the refrigerant subsystem by ensuring efficient evaporation of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant passing through the refrigerant passage of the heat exchanger may absorb heat from a first coolant passing through the first coolant passage of the heat exchanger and a second coolant passing through the second coolant passage of the heat exchanger so that the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant passage may be evaporated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

heat may be released from the refrigerant to the second coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat release: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a second coolant subsystem including a second coolant circulation path and a radiator and a pump fluidly connected to the second coolant circulation path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS20250170876A1Vehicle thermal management system and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle thermal management system, includes: a refrigerant subsystem including a refrigerant circulation path; a first coolant subsystem including a first coolant circulation path and a PE component fluidly connected to the first coolant circulation path; a second coolant subsystem including a second coolant circulation path and a radiator and a pump fluidly connected to the second coolant circulation path; a heat exchanger including a refrigerant passage fluidly connected to the refrigerant circulation path, a first coolant passage fluidly connected to the first coolant circulation path, and a second coolant passage fluidly connected to the second coolant circulation path; and a controller configured for controlling the pump of the second coolant subsystem based on a temperature of a refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage of the heat exchanger and a temperature of a second coolant flowing into the second coolant passage of the heat exchanger.