Vehicle Thermal Management Layout for Shared Battery and Waste-Heat Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle thermal management systems require separate cooling systems for electrical components and battery modules, leading to space constraints and increased power consumption, necessitating efficient use of waste heat for optimal energy efficiency and durability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle thermal management system utilizing a single chiller for heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant, which adjusts the battery module temperature and recovers waste heat from electrical components to enhance heating efficiency, simplifying the system and optimizing battery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling systems are applied to electrical components and battery module, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate cooling systems into a single integrated thermal management system where one chiller serves both electrical components and battery modules through a shared coolant circulation system with multiple heat exchangers, reducing system complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness for each component
Solution Approach 2:
The single chiller is designed to perform multiple functions by cooling both electrical components and battery modules through a unified system architecture, allowing one device to serve multiple thermal management needs simultaneously
2Reliability
If separate cooling systems are applied to electrical components and battery module, then cooling capacity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from electrical components using a heat exchanger and redirects it to heat the coolant for battery module cooling, converting the harmful waste heat into a useful resource that reduces the power needed for battery thermal management
3Reliability
If cooling system capacity is increased, then cooling performance is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling functions into a single integrated system with shared components including one chiller, one coolant reservoir, and a unified circulation system, significantly reducing the space required compared to separate cooling systems while maintaining adequate cooling performance for both electrical components and battery modules
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 system effectively manages battery and electrical component temperatures, improves heating efficiency, and extends vehicle travel distance by efficiently utilizing waste heat, while reducing manufacturing costs and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a chiller provided in a branch line which is connected to the battery coolant line through the second valve and connected to a refrigerant line of an air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line, to adjust a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between a coolant which is selectively supplied to the branch line and a refrigerant which is selectively supplied from the air conditioner
Implementation Method 2
a cooling apparatus configured to include a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, and a reservoir tank which are connected through a coolant line, and to circulate a coolant in the coolant line to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant line
Implementation Method 3
a heating circuit configured to include a heater which is connected to the coolant line and the branch line through first and second connection lines configured to receive a coolant having a temperature which is increased while passing through the electrical component
Data Source
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AI summary
A thermal management system for a vehicle may include: a cooling apparatus (10) including a radiator (12), a first water pump (14), a first valve (V1), and a reservoir tank (16) connected through a coolant line (11); a battery cooling apparatus (20) including a battery coolant line (21) connected to the reservoir tank (16) through a second valve (V2), and a second water pump (22) and a battery module (24) connected through the battery coolant line (21); a chiller (40) provided in a branch line (31) connected to the battery coolant line (21) through the second valve (V2) and connected to a refrigerant line (51) of an air conditioner (50) through a refrigerant connection line (61); and a heating circuit (30) including a heater (52a) connected to the coolant line (11) and the branch line (31) through first and second connection lines (33, 35).