Vehicle Coolant Loop Integration for Battery and Cabin Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery and cabin thermal management systems in vehicles operate separately, leading to inefficient power consumption and high manufacturing costs due to numerous components.
Innovation Solution
An integrated thermal management system that combines battery and cabin thermal management systems using a first and second coolant loop with connecting paths and valves, allowing selective circulation of coolant between the loops, and includes a controller to manage temperature and heating/cooling modes based on sensors and driver input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery thermal management system and cabin thermal management system operate separately, then each system can independently control temperature, but power consumption efficiency decreases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery thermal management system and cabin thermal management system into a single integrated system. The coolant circulation system serves both the battery pack and cabin heating/cooling functions through shared components including the coolant tank, pump, heater, and control unit. This merging eliminates redundant components and enables heat transfer between the battery and cabin, improving overall energy efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs
2Ease of manufacture
If separate thermal management systems are used, then temperature control for each system is independent, but manufacturing costs increase due to numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated thermal management system implements multi-functionality where a single coolant circulation system performs multiple tasks: cooling the battery pack, heating the cabin, cooling the cabin, and transferring heat between battery and cabin. The coolant tank serves as both a reservoir and a heat exchange medium, while the pump and valves control fluid distribution to different components. This universal approach reduces the total number of components required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs
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
Improves power consumption efficiency and reduces manufacturing costs by integrating thermal management systems, enabling efficient temperature control of both battery and cabin with fewer components.
Implementation Method 1
a first coolant loop configured to pass through a battery supplying power to a vehicle and a first valve; a second coolant loop configured to pass through a heater, a cabin in which a driver of the vehicle sits, and a second valve
Implementation Method 2
a first connecting path connecting the first valve and a second point of the second coolant loop; and a second connecting path connecting the second valve and a first point of the first coolant loop
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle thermal management system includes a first coolant loop that passes through a battery and a first valve. A second coolant loop passes through a heater, a cabin, and a second valve. A first connecting path connects the first valve and a second point of the second coolant loop. A second connecting path connects the second valve and a first point of the first coolant loop. The first valve selectively allows coolant to circulate through the first coolant loop or flow to the second point 280 through the first connecting path. The second valve selectively allows coolant to circulate through the second coolant loop or flow to the first point 180 through the second connecting path. A second cooling unit cools the cabin. The first coolant loop additionally passes through a first cooling unit.