Vehicle Computer Cooling Assembly with Integrated Air Conditioning Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for autonomous driving vehicles are inadequate in efficiently managing the heat generated by computer processing units, which can lead to overheating and reduced performance or failure.
Innovation Solution
A cooling assembly comprising a shell with a cooling loop that couples to the vehicle's air conditioning system, utilizing a heat transfer medium such as mineral oil or nanodiamond gel to transfer heat from the computer to the cooling loop, and a configuration of blocks and fins for enhanced heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling loop is introduced to manage heat from computer processing units, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling loop is nested within the housing structure, with blocks positioned against computer processing units and fins extending from the blocks. The cooling loop integrates the tube, blocks, and fins into a compact nested arrangement that maximizes heat dissipation surface area while minimizing space occupation and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system transitions from point-contact cooling to surface-area cooling by extending fins from the blocks in a third dimension. This dimensional expansion increases the heat transfer surface area without proportionally increasing the volume occupied, thereby improving heat dissipation capability while controlling device complexity.
2Temperature
If heat transfer medium is used to transfer heat from computer to cooling loop, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but loss of substance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful leakage of heat transfer medium into a beneficial self-sealing mechanism. The mineral oil or nanodiamond gel, when leaked, utilizes its high viscosity and adhesive properties to seal cracks and gaps in the cooling loop, thereby preventing further leakage while maintaining heat transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the heat transfer medium by using high-viscosity materials like mineral oil or nanodiamond gel instead of conventional low-viscosity coolants. This parameter change reduces leakage rates and enables the medium to plug leaks autonomously, converting the loss of substance problem into a self-repairing feature.
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
Effectively manages heat generated by computer processing units, preventing overheating and ensuring reliable operation of autonomous driving vehicle computers by efficiently transferring heat to the vehicle's air conditioning system.
Implementation Method 1
The heat transfer medium is in contact with the cooling loop and the computer. The heat transfer medium is configured to transfer heat that is generated by the computer to the cooling loop.
Implementation Method 2
A cooling loop is positioned in the interior space proximate to the computer. The cooling loop is configured to couple to an air conditioning system of the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer cooling assembly for a computer of a vehicle, such as an autonomous driving vehicle, includes a shell that defines an interior space. The shell is configured to house the computer. A cooling loop is positioned in the interior space proximate to the computer. The cooling loop is configured to couple to an air conditioning system of the vehicle. A heat transfer medium is positioned in the interior space. The heat transfer medium is in contact with the cooling loop and the computer. The heat transfer medium is configured to transfer heat that is generated by the computer to the cooling loop.