Vehicle Computer Thermal Buffering With PCM and HVAC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle computers, such as autonomous driving computers, face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature ranges due to heat generation and the risk of overheating or undercooling, which can lead to component malfunction or failure.
Innovation Solution
A computer thermal regulation system incorporating a phase change material (PCM) within a vehicle heating and cooling system, where the PCM's phase change temperature corresponds to the target temperature range of the vehicle computer, allowing for controlled heating and cooling cycles to maintain the optimal temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vehicle computer performs autonomous driving computations, then the computational capability is improved, but heat generation increases causing temperature to rise above the target temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase change material (PCM) that transitions between solid and liquid phases at a specific temperature corresponding to the upper limit of the target temperature range. During the phase transition, the PCM absorbs excess heat from the vehicle computer through latent heat absorption, preventing temperature from rising above the target range while allowing continuous operation at high computational load.
2Temperature
If the vehicle heating and cooling system actively cools the vehicle computer, then the temperature is reduced to within the target temperature range, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively cools the PCM below its phase change temperature before the vehicle computer overheats. This preliminary cooling stores cooling capacity in the PCM, allowing it to passively absorb heat later without requiring active HVAC intervention, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining temperature within the target range.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM serves as a thermal buffer that automatically absorbs or releases heat based on temperature conditions without requiring active control. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the workload on the energy-consuming HVAC system, allowing it to operate less frequently or at lower capacity while maintaining thermal management.
3Temperature
If the vehicle heating and cooling system actively heats the vehicle computer, then the temperature is increased to within the target temperature range, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively heats the PCM above its phase change temperature before the vehicle computer cools down. This preliminary heating stores thermal energy in the PCM, allowing it to passively release heat later when needed, reducing the energy consumption of active heating while maintaining temperature within the target range.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM acts as a thermal battery that automatically releases stored heat when the vehicle computer temperature drops, reducing the need for energy-consuming active heating. This self-service thermal regulation minimizes HVAC system operation and associated energy consumption.
4Measurement precision
If a PCM is introduced as a thermal buffer, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM is selected with a phase change temperature that corresponds to the upper limit of the target temperature range. This specific phase transition point enables the PCM to automatically activate thermal buffering precisely when needed, providing accurate temperature control at the critical threshold without requiring complex control systems or multiple sensors.
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 PCM acts as a buffer between the vehicle's HVAC system and temperature-sensitive components, enabling fine-tuned temperature control, preventing overheating and undercooling, and ensuring reliable operation of the vehicle computer.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) with a temperature range between its solid and liquid phases corresponding to a target temperature range of the vehicle computer
Implementation Method 2
When the computer thermal regulation system is above an upper of the limit target temperature range, the computer thermal regulation system may cause the vehicle heating and cooling system to run a cooling cycle to cool the PCM, allowing the PCM to absorb heat from the vehicle computer
Implementation Method 3
When the vehicle computer is below a lower limit corresponding to the target temperature range, the computer thermal regulation system may cause the vehicle heating and cooling system to run a heating cycle to heat the PCM, releasing stored heat to the vehicle computer
Implementation Method 4
releasing stored heat to the vehicle computer
Implementation Method 5
the heating and cooling system includes a computer heat exchanger in heat exchange communication with a phase change material (PCM) located in the vehicle computer
Data Source
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AI summary
Computer thermal regulation (CTR) systems and methods for thermal energy (TE) regulation of vehicle computers designed to operate within a target temperature range (TTR). A vehicle HVAC system includes a computer heat exchanger in the computer including a phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature (PCT). When the computer is below a TTR lower limit, the CTR system causes the HVAC system to run a heating cycle, heating the PCM to and above the PCT. The PCM releases stored TE to the computer. When the CTR system is above a TTR upper limit, the CTR system causes the HVAC system to run a cooling cycle, cooling the PCM to and below the TTR. The PCM then absorbs heat from the computer. TE storage and release processes during phase changes enable the PCM to operate as a buffer between the HVAC system and the computer to allow finer control over the computer temperature with an otherwise overpowered HVAC system for the vehicle.