Three-Zone Vehicle Cooling System with Medium-Temperature Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, face challenges in optimally cooling a large number of components with varying temperature requirements, which change over time and are hindered by installation space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system comprising a high-temperature (HT) coolant circuit, a low-temperature (LT) coolant circuit, and a medium-temperature (MT) coolant circuit, where the MT circuit bridges the temperature gap between HT and LT circuits, allowing for more flexible and efficient cooling of components, including internal combustion engines, EGR coolers, air conditioning condensers, and electrical components, while utilizing separate fluidic circuits and adjustable delivery devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only HT and LT coolant circuits are used to cool multiple components, then the system structure remains simple, but the cooling optimization for components with different temperature requirements becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into three distinct temperature zones (HT, MT, LT coolant circuits), each independently capable of cooling specific components. This segmentation allows precise temperature control for different components without requiring a single complex circuit, thereby improving cooling optimization while maintaining manageable system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each coolant circuit (HT, MT, LT) is designed to serve multiple components within its temperature range. The circuits can operate independently or in combination, providing universal cooling capability across different temperature requirements. This multi-functionality approach improves cooling optimization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Temperature
If HT coolant circuit is used to cool all components, then the system structure remains simple, but components requiring lower temperatures cannot be cooled optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature range is segmented into three distinct zones (high, medium, low temperature circuits), allowing each circuit to operate within its optimal temperature band. This segmentation enables precise temperature control for different components without requiring complex temperature regulation mechanisms within a single circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter by providing three separate coolant circuits with different operating temperature ranges. This parameter differentiation allows components to be cooled at their optimal temperatures without requiring complex active temperature control systems, thereby expanding the cooling temperature range while keeping the circuit configuration relatively simple.
3Temperature
If LT coolant circuit is used to cool all components, then components requiring lower temperatures are cooled optimally, but components requiring higher temperatures (like internal combustion engine) cannot be cooled effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into three temperature-based segments, with the HT circuit specifically dedicated to high-temperature components like the internal combustion engine, while LT circuit serves low-temperature components. This segmentation ensures each component receives cooling at its optimal temperature without requiring a single circuit to compromise between conflicting temperature requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes by establishing three distinct coolant circuits with different operating temperature parameters. This allows the internal combustion engine to be cooled by the HT circuit at high temperatures while LT circuit maintains lower temperatures for other components, effectively expanding the overall cooling temperature range without excessive complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple separate coolant circuits are provided for different temperature requirements, then cooling optimization for individual components is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The three coolant circuits (HT, MT, LT) are designed to be integrated within the vehicle's existing cooling system architecture, sharing common components such as the water pump, radiator, and control units where possible. This merging approach allows the system to provide differentiated temperature cooling for multiple components without proportionally increasing the installation space, as the circuits share infrastructure rather than requiring completely separate systems.
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 introduction of a medium-temperature coolant circuit optimizes the cooling of vehicle components, maintaining them within their optimal temperature ranges, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of electrical components and energy recovery devices, and overcoming space-related obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
liquid cooling at least one HT component of the vehicle to be cooled
Implementation Method 2
heat-dissipating heat exchanger by means of which heat or a heat flow from the thermodynamic cycle process is carried out
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling system for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle, comprising a high-temperature coolant circuit (HT coolant circuit, 4) for liquid cooling of at least one HT component (5, 7, 9) of the vehicle (1) to be cooled, in particular an internal combustion engine of the vehicle (1), and a low-temperature coolant circuit (LT coolant circuit, 23) having a lower temperature than the HT coolant circuit (4) for liquid cooling of at least one LT component (9, 25, 27, 29) of the vehicle (1) to be cooled, in particular an intercooler of the vehicle (1).According to the invention, a medium-temperature coolant circuit (MT coolant circuit, 35) is provided, having a lower temperature than the HT coolant circuit (4) and a higher temperature than the NT coolant circuit (23), by means of which at least one MT component (9, 37, 39) of the vehicle (1) to be cooled, in particular at least one electrical component of the vehicle (1), can be liquid-cooled.