Vehicle Cooling Control for Thermal Signature and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems lack effective methods for controlling vehicle stability and thermal management, particularly in dynamic environments, which can lead to instability and inefficient heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that uses sensor data to determine vehicle instability and generates a stability metric, allowing for the control of steering and braking systems based on terrain information, and a cooling system that can redirect heat to optimize thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the cooling system operates in normal mode to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is maintained at standard levels, but thermal signature reduction is insufficient for stealth or thermal management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal signatureVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful thermal signature into a beneficial resource by directing waste heat from the electric motor to charge the battery pack. The cooling system selectively routes thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted to perform useful work (battery charging), thereby reducing thermal signature while maintaining thermal management effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system acts as an intermediary between the electric motor and battery pack, selectively routing thermal energy through controlled pathways. By using the cooling system as a mediator, the patent enables dynamic heat transfer based on real-time thermal conditions and battery charge requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the cooling system directs heat to the battery pack for thermal signature reduction, then thermal management is improved, but battery temperature may exceed safe operating thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidbattery safety

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors battery temperature and provides feedback to the control logic. When battery temperature approaches unsafe thresholds, the feedback mechanism triggers a mode switch from heat storage to active cooling, ensuring battery safety is maintained while optimizing thermal signature reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system operates dynamically by switching between different modes (heat storage vs. active cooling) based on real-time conditions. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to changing thermal states and battery requirements, optimizing thermal management while preventing unsafe temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If the cooling system operates continuously at high capacity, then thermal signature is consistently reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal signatureVSAvoidcooling system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system operates periodically rather than continuously, switching between active cooling mode and heat storage mode based on battery temperature thresholds. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption by utilizing natural heat transfer processes when conditions permit, while maintaining thermal signature reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the battery pack as a thermal storage medium, allowing it to absorb excess heat without requiring additional active cooling components. The battery serves dual purposes: energy storage and thermal management, enabling the system to reduce thermal signature while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach enhances vehicle stability by enabling proactive control of systems in response to environmental conditions and improves thermal management by efficiently directing heat within the vehicle, thereby reducing thermal signatures and maintaining optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

configuring the cooling system to direct heat of the electric motor to a battery pack of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a cooling system supported by the frame and configured to cool a heat source of the vehicle, the cooling system including a radiator coupled to a coolant flow controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250136087A1Electric or hybrid vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 POLARIS IND INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an electric or hybrid vehicle. Aspects of the vehicle may be used to provide a variety of functionality, including power exporting and aggregation, power take off functionality, thermal signature reduction, and improved vehicle longevity, vehicle turning, and vehicle control techniques.