In-Vehicle Cooling Structure with Integrated Thermally Insulating Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling structures for in-vehicle equipment, such as inverters and converters, fail to adequately address external thermal interference, leading to insufficient cooling performance and potential size and complexity increases when measures like insulation or distance from external heat sources are employed.
Innovation Solution
A cooling structure incorporating a coolant channel and a thermally insulating channel that communicate with each other, where the coolant channel cools the heat-generating components and the insulating channel blocks heat transfer from external sources, maintaining cooling performance without increasing device size or installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a coolant channel is provided inside a casing to cool heat-generating components, then cooling performance is improved, but external thermal interference from nearby heat sources cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant channel is divided into two distinct segments: a cooling channel that contacts heat-generating components and a thermally insulating channel that contacts the heat-receiving portion of the casing. This segmentation allows each channel to perform its specific function independently, effectively addressing both internal cooling and external thermal interference separately.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the coolant channel are assigned different functions based on local requirements: the cooling channel is positioned where heat removal is needed from components, while the thermally insulating channel is positioned where external heat interference occurs at the casing surface. This local differentiation optimizes thermal management at each specific location.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If insulation measures or increased distance from external heat sources are implemented to suppress heat transfer, then external thermal interference is reduced, but device size and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function and thermal insulation function are merged into a single integrated coolant channel system. The cooling channel and thermally insulating channel communicate with each other, allowing the same coolant to perform both cooling internal components and blocking external heat transfer, thereby eliminating the need for separate insulation structures that would increase device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant channel system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools heat-generating components through the cooling channel and suppresses external thermal interference through the thermally insulating channel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated insulation components, maintaining compact device dimensions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate insulation structures are added to block external heat transfer, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel and thermally insulating channel are merged into a single communicated system, reducing the number of independent components. The coolant flows continuously through both channels, creating an integrated thermal management system that provides both cooling and insulation functions without requiring separate insulation structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant channel system performs multiple thermal management functions (cooling and insulation) through a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for additional insulation parts and simplifying the overall device configuration.
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 solution provides sufficient cooling performance while reducing the size and complexity of in-vehicle equipment by integrating thermal insulation into the cooling system, enhancing vehicular installability.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant channel provided in a casing of the in-vehicle equipment, for circulating a coolant for cooling the heat generating portion
Implementation Method 2
a thermally insulating channel that communicates with the cooling channel and through which the coolant flows continuously with the cooling channel, and also is in contact with or close to the heat receiving portion, and that blocks or suppresses heat transfer from the external heat source by the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling structure for in-vehicle equipment includes in-vehicle equipment including a heat generating portion, and being placed in a predetermined space of a vehicle, and a coolant channel provided in a casing of the in-vehicle equipment. The casing has a heat receiving portion that faces in close proximity an external heat source in a state of being placed in the space, and in which heat of the external heat source is transferred and temperature rises. The coolant channel has a cooling channel being in contact with or close to the heat generating portion and cooling the heat generating portion by the coolant, and a thermally insulating channel that communicates with the cooling channel and in which the coolant flows continuously with the cooling channel, and is in contact with or close to the heat receiving portion and blocks or suppresses heat transfer from the external heat source by the coolant.