Work Vehicle Thermal Layout With Independent Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work vehicles inefficiently manage cooling energy consumption, often cooling components unnecessarily, reducing the available electrical power for onboard use.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle with independent control of multiple cooling assemblies and fans, optimizing cooling based on component-specific needs and operational modes, minimizing unnecessary cooling to conserve electrical energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling assembly is configured to cool down components continuously, then component temperature is maintained within nominal ranges, but electrical energy consumption is significantly high
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling assembly is designed with dynamically controllable components including variable speed pumps and adjustable fans, allowing the cooling system to adapt its operation based on real-time temperature conditions of components, thereby reducing energy consumption when full cooling capacity is not needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting pump flow rates and fan speeds based on temperature thresholds and component heat generation levels, enabling optimized cooling that matches actual thermal demands rather than operating at fixed high capacity
2Reliability
If the cooling assembly operates at full capacity, then all components are cooled down, but electrical power available for onboard devices is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system provides localized cooling control by independently managing cooling for different components or component groups based on their specific thermal requirements, allowing critical components to receive adequate cooling while reducing or eliminating cooling for components that do not require it, thereby preserving electrical power for onboard devices
3Temperature
If the cooling assembly cools components even when conditions make cooling unnecessary, then component temperature is maintained, but energy is wasted and electrical power availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling control system incorporates temperature sensors and control logic that continuously monitor component temperatures and adjust cooling operation accordingly, activating cooling only when temperature thresholds are exceeded and reducing or stopping cooling when components are within acceptable temperature ranges, thereby eliminating unnecessary energy waste
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
Optimizes electrical power usage by minimizing unnecessary cooling, maximizing available electrical energy for onboard systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fluid flowing within a circuit adapted to be crossed by the cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
adapted to cool down a plurality of components of the work vehicle
Implementation Method 3
The circuit may be adapted to cross at least in part through a heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Work vehicle (1) comprising a main body (2), locomotion means (3) adapted to move the main body (2) relative to a reference system, a thermal engine (4) and an electrical motor (5), electrical energy storage means (6) electrically connected to said electrical motor (5); a first system and a second system (10, 20) to be cooled down, a first cooling assembly (100) and a second cooling assembly (200), which are respectively configured to cool down the first system (10) and the second system (20). The first cooling assembly (100) comprises a first circuit (101), which is adapted to be crossed by a first fluid, a first pump (102) configured to circulate the first fluid within the first circuit (101); and a first heat exchanger (103). The second cooling assembly (200) comprises a second circuit (201), which is adapted to be crossed by a second fluid; a second pump (202) configured to circulate the second fluid within the second circuit (201); and a second heat exchanger (203). The first pump (102) and the second pump (202) are controllable independently of each other.