Vehicle Cooling Device With Segmented Heat Exchanger Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling arrangements in vehicles with multiple heat exchangers face challenges in adapting to varying cooling capacity requirements, leading to inefficient fan speed control and increased complexity due to the need for multiple heat exchanger types and interference between heat exchangers when arranged in series.
Innovation Solution
A cooling arrangement for an agricultural tractor featuring a cuboid hood with two heat exchangers and associated fans, where fans are positioned rearward and apply separate air flows, with adjustable speed based on cooling capacity requirements, and additional heat exchangers can be inserted or omitted to optimize airflow and temperature differences across heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple heat exchangers are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction, then the cooling capacity requirement can be met, but the fan speed control becomes difficult and the heat exchangers interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent cooling circuits, each with its own heat exchanger and fan. This segmentation allows each fan to control airflow to its specific heat exchanger independently, eliminating the interference problem that occurs when heat exchangers are arranged in series with a single fan. Each circuit can be optimized and controlled separately to meet different cooling requirements.
2Temperature
If heat exchangers are arranged in series, then the cooling capacity can be increased, but the airflow distribution becomes uneven and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging heat exchangers in series with shared airflow control, the system segments the cooling function into parallel independent circuits. Each circuit has its own fan and heat exchanger combination, which simplifies control logic while maintaining the ability to provide sufficient cooling capacity across multiple heat sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of heat exchangers are manufactured for different cooling circuits, then the specific cooling requirements can be met, but the manufacturing and storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple identical or similar heat exchanger designs that can serve different cooling circuits. Rather than manufacturing specialized heat exchangers for each cooling requirement, the same basic heat exchanger type is used across multiple independent circuits, each controlled by its own fan. This universal approach reduces manufacturing complexity and simplifies storage and replacement operations.
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 configuration allows for efficient adaptation to different cooling capacity needs, reduces the number of heat exchanger types required, and minimizes fan speed interference by using radial fans and a controller to optimize fan speed and fluid flow, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing storage needs.
Implementation Method 1
The fans are positioned rearwardly of the heat exchangers with respect to a forward direction of the tractor and apply separate air flows to the associated heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a first fan assigned to the first heat exchanger and a second fan assigned to the second heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device (18) for vehicle (10), has a heat source, a first heat exchanger (22,28,34), a second heat exchanger (26,32), a first cooler fan (46) for the first heat exchanger, with a first air flow, and a second cooling fan for the second heat exchanger, with a second air flow. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged with the heat source in a common cooling circulation, and at least the second cooling fan (50) has a variable rotational speed, depending on the cooling capacity demand of the cooling circulation. An independent claim is included for a vehicle, especially an agricultural tractor.