Integrated Thermal Management Unit With Flow Channel Plate Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for thermal management in new energy vehicles leads to a higher cost and space occupancy due to the need for multiple discrete components and pipelines.
Innovation Solution
An integrated thermal management unit where components such as the pump assembly, valve assembly, water-cooling condenser, water-water heat exchanger, and battery cooler are integrated on a flow channel plate, reducing space and wiring requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete components are used for thermal management, then thermal management functionality is achieved, but space occupancy and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple discrete thermal management components (pumps, valves, heat exchangers, radiators) into a single integrated thermal management unit. This merging of components reduces the total space occupancy in the front compartment while maintaining all necessary thermal management functionalities for the battery, motor, and passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated thermal management unit performs multiple functions simultaneously - it manages battery thermal, motor thermal, passenger compartment heating and cooling, and defrosting/defogging. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified structure with shared components and multiple flow paths, eliminating the need for separate discrete systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete components are used for thermal management, then thermal management functionality is achieved, but the number of pipelines and brackets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete components into one integrated unit with internal flow channels. This eliminates the need for numerous external pipelines connecting separate components and reduces the number of mounting brackets required, thereby simplifying the overall system structure.
3Area of stationary object
If components are integrated on a flow channel plate, then space and pipelines are reduced, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated thermal management unit is designed with a modular structure based on a flow channel plate that can be segmented into different functional zones. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes while achieving integration, making the complex integrated design more manufacturable through modular assembly techniques.
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 integration saves space and reduces costs by eliminating the need for multiple pipelines and brackets, while also improving cooling and heating efficiency by shortening the coolant path.
Implementation Method 1
a water-cooling condenser configured to cool a refrigerant by coolant
Implementation Method 2
a water-water heat exchanger configured to heat the coolant by cooling liquid
Implementation Method 3
a battery cooler configured to cool the battery using the coolant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An integrated thermal management unit (100), a thermal management system, and a vehicle (300) are disclosed. The integrated thermal management unit (100) includes a flow channel plate (101), a pump assembly (106), a valve assembly (110), a water-cooling condenser (111), a water-water heat exchanger (112), and a battery cooler (113). A plurality of flow channels are formed in the flow channel plate (101). The pump assembly (106) and the valve assembly (110) are integrated on the flow channel plate (101). The pump assembly (106) includes a heating water pump (107), a battery water pump (108), and a motor water pump (109). The inlets of the heating water pump (107), the battery water pump (108) and the motor water pump (109) each is connected to the valve assembly (110) through the flow channels. The water-cooling condenser (111), the water-water heat exchanger (112), and the battery cooler (113) are integrated on the flow channel plate (101). A cooling liquid input of the water-cooling condenser (111) is connected to an outlet of the heating water pump (107) through a flow channel. The battery cooler (113) is connected with the water-water heat exchanger (112), which is also connected to the valve assembly (110) through a flow channel. The valve assembly (110) is configured to control the flow direction of the liquid in the integrated thermal management unit (100). In this way, elements such as the pump assembly (106), the valve assembly (110), the water-cooling condenser (111), the water-water heat exchanger (112) and the battery cooler (113) are all integrated on the flow channel plate (101), which saves arrangement space and pipelines, thereby reducing cost.