Vehicle Test Stand Coolant Conditioning for Rapid Thermal Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle test stands face challenges in rapidly altering the temperature of the headwind to simulate realistic driving conditions, due to the high thermal inertia of air conditioning systems and vehicle radiators.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle test stand with a coolant conditioner connected to the vehicle's coolant circuit allows for direct heat exchange, enabling rapid adjustments to the coolant temperature and reducing thermal inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioning systems or radiators are used to alter headwind temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but thermal inertia prevents rapid temperature alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coolant conditioner as an intermediary device that directly conditions the coolant in the vehicle's cooling circuit, bypassing the need to heat or cool the headwind air directly. This mediator approach allows rapid temperature adjustments by acting on the coolant with lower thermal inertia rather than on the large mass of air
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic cooling circuit of the vehicle by connecting the coolant conditioner directly into it. This allows temperature control through fluid (coolant) rather than gas (air), enabling faster response times due to the lower thermal inertia of the liquid coolant compared to the large volume of air
2Reliability
If large fans are used to simulate headwind, then realistic driving conditions are achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from the headwind air stream and relocates it to the coolant circuit. This separation allows the fan system to focus solely on generating headwind flow while the coolant conditioner independently manages temperature, reducing the complexity requirements of the fan system
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant circuit serves dual purposes: it cools the vehicle's engine during normal operation and simultaneously serves as the medium for rapid temperature control during testing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating/cooling infrastructure, reducing overall device complexity
3Temperature
If air is heated or cooled through air conditioning system, then headwind temperature is modified, but thermal inertia of components prevents rapid modification
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant acts as an intermediary with lower thermal mass and faster response characteristics. By conditioning the coolant directly rather than the headwind air, the system achieves rapid temperature modifications without being constrained by the thermal inertia of large air volumes and heavy air conditioning components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter being controlled from air temperature to coolant temperature. This parameter substitution enables faster response because the coolant's lower specific heat capacity and smaller volume allow for rapid heating or cooling, directly addressing the time loss issue
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 solution allows for more precise and rapid dynamic alterations in the cooling circuit temperature, simulating realistic driving conditions and reducing the need for large fans or complex air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
the coolant conditioner is connected to the coolant circuit of the item under test, for purposes of heat exchange with the item under test
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for testing a vehicle comprising a vehicle test stand. Said vehicle test stand comprises a cooling agent and the vehicle comprises a tester with a cooling agent circuit. The cooling agent with the cooling agent circuit of the tester is connected to the tester for exchanging heat. The invention also relates to a vehicle test stand.