Vehicle Computer Thermal Buffering With Phase Change Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle computers, such as autonomous driving computers, generate significant heat and require precise temperature control within a target range, but existing HVAC systems are often overpowered and can cause overheating or overcooling, leading to malfunction or damage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computer thermal regulation system with a phase change material (PCM) in the vehicle HVAC system, which absorbs or releases heat during phase changes to maintain the target temperature range, using existing HVAC systems for heating and cooling cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the vehicle HVAC system is used to cool the vehicle computer, then the computer temperature is reduced, but the system may cause overcooling or overheating leading to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A phase change material (PCM) is introduced as an intermediary thermal management component between the vehicle HVAC system and the vehicle computer. The PCM absorbs excess heat from the computer during phase transition (melting), preventing temperature spikes, and releases heat when solidifying, preventing overcooling. This mediator buffers the direct thermal interaction, ensuring stable operating temperatures and reliable component operation.
2Loss of energy
If the vehicle HVAC system directly cools the vehicle computer, then heat is removed from the computer, but the existing HVAC system is overpowered and causes temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the phase transition properties of a phase change material (PCM) that melts at a temperature corresponding to the target operating range of the vehicle computer. During melting, the PCM absorbs large amounts of heat from the computer without significant temperature increase. During solidification, it releases heat slowly. This phase transition mechanism provides automatic thermal regulation, preventing both overheating and overcooling, and maintaining stable computer temperatures.
3Temperature
If a dedicated cooling system is implemented for the vehicle computer, then precise temperature control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal management approach by introducing a phase change material with a melting point matched to the computer's target operating temperature. This parameter selection (PCM melting temperature) enables the system to automatically regulate temperature within the desired range using the existing HVAC infrastructure, achieving precise temperature control without the complexity of a dedicated cooling system.
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 HVAC system and temperature-sensitive components, providing fine-tuned temperature control, preventing overheating or overcooling, and maintaining optimal operating conditions for vehicle computers.
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
Thermal energy storage and release processes during phase changes enable the PCM to operate as a buffer
Implementation Method 3
The computer heat exchanger may be located in the vehicle computer and may include a phase change material (PCM)
Data Source
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 over-powered HVAC system for the vehicle.