Thermal management control method and apparatus, electronic device, and vehicle

Abstract

The heat management control method, device, electronic equipment and vehicle provided by the embodiment of the present application relate to the technical field of vehicle heat management, and the method comprises the following steps: a heat management control device identifies module information of a heat management device to be controlled; if the heat management control device fails to identify the module information of the heat management device to be controlled, the heat management control device acquires historical module information stored, and determines the historical module information as target module information; the heat management control device determines a corresponding target control strategy according to the target module information, and controls the heat management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy. Through dynamic identification of the module information of the heat management device and the historical module information, it is ensured that the heat management control device can adjust the control strategy according to different actual conditions, so as to meet the needs of passenger cabin heat management, motor heat management and battery heat management.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle thermal management technology, and more specifically, to a thermal management control method, device, electronic equipment, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the context of the development of modern automotive thermal management technology, vehicle manufacturers are constantly pursuing higher levels of integration in thermal management systems to improve energy efficiency and ride comfort. Thermal management systems integrate thermal management devices from different manufacturers. These devices share a high degree of consistency in physical interface design, allowing for a degree of interchangeability. Furthermore, their interface control documents (ICDs) are almost identical, facilitating compatibility between different manufacturers' thermal management devices. However, despite the high similarity in physical interfaces and ICDs among different manufacturers' thermal management modules, their control strategies differ.

[0003] Using the same control strategy for thermal management modules from different manufacturers will not meet the requirements for passenger cabin thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal management control method, device, electronic device, and vehicle to solve the problem of failing to meet the needs of passenger compartment thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a thermal management control method, wherein a thermal management control device is electrically connected to a thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device stores a control strategy, the control strategy corresponding to module information of the thermal management device, and the method includes:

[0006] The thermal management control device identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled;

[0007] If the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device obtains the stored historical module information and determines the historical module information as the target module information;

[0008] The thermal management control device determines the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information, and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0010] If the thermal management control device does not store the historical module information, the thermal management control device obtains the default module information and determines the default module information as the target module information.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0012] If the thermal management control device successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device determines the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target module information and stores the target module information as historical module information.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the thermal management control device includes an actuator and an electronic controller, the actuator being communicatively connected to the electronic controller, and the actuator being used to identify module information of the thermal management device to be controlled; the actuator stores a security policy, the security policy corresponding to the module information; the method further includes:

[0014] If the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator fails, the actuator determines the target control strategy according to the safety policy and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0015] In an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0016] The electronic controller outputs communication fault information based on the communication fault.

[0017] If the communication failure occurs when the electronic controller is first powered on, the electronic controller will restrict driving functions.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the actuator stores default module information, and the actuator determines the target control policy according to the security policy, including:

[0019] The actuator confirms whether a historical security policy exists; the historical security policy represents the security policy corresponding to the module information that the actuator successfully identified last time.

[0020] If the actuator has the historical security policy, then the actuator will use the historical security policy as the target control policy;

[0021] If the executor does not have the historical security policy, then the executor will use the security policy corresponding to the default module information as the target control policy.

[0022] In an optional implementation, the thermal management control device includes an actuator and an electronic controller. The electronic controller stores the control strategy, which corresponds to the module information. The thermal management control device determines a corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy, including:

[0023] If the electronic controller and the actuator communicate normally, the actuator will send the target module information to the electronic controller.

[0024] The electronic controller determines the control strategy corresponding to the target module information as the target control strategy and sends the target control strategy to the actuator;

[0025] The actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0026] Secondly, the present invention provides a thermal management control device, which is electrically connected to a thermal management device to be controlled. The thermal management control device stores a control strategy, and the control strategy corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device.

[0027] The thermal management control device is used by the actuator to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled;

[0028] If the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device obtains the stored historical module information and determines the historical module information as the target module information;

[0029] The thermal management control device is used to determine the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information, and to control the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0030] Thirdly, the present invention provides an electronic device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, the processor executing the computer program to implement the thermal management control method described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0031] Fourthly, the present invention provides a vehicle that includes the electronic equipment described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0032] The thermal management control method, apparatus, electronic device, and vehicle provided in this invention embodiment include a thermal management control device electrically connected to a thermal management device to be controlled. The thermal management control device stores a control strategy, which corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device. The method includes: the thermal management control device identifying the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled; if the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information, it acquires stored historical module information and determines this historical module information as the target module information; the thermal management control device determines the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy. By identifying the module information of the thermal management device and utilizing the historical record mechanism, the thermal management control device can adjust its control strategy according to different actual conditions, thereby meeting the needs of passenger cabin thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a thermal management device is shown;

[0035] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an application environment of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates another application environment of the thermal management control method provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a flow chart of a thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates another flow chart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates yet another flow chart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a thermal management device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0041] Figure 8 This illustration shows another schematic flowchart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates another flow chart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates an interaction process between an electronic controller, an actuator, and a thermal management device to be controlled, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 11 A block diagram of a thermal management control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 12 A block diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0046] Icons: 100-Thermal management control device; 110-Actuator; 120-Electronic controller; 200-Thermal management device to be controlled; 211-First electrical interface; 212-Physical interface; 213-Second electrical interface; 220-Battery thermal management circuit; 221-Battery side heater; 222-Battery cooler; 223-Battery pack cooling flow path; 224-Battery water pump; 230-Six-way valve; 240-Electric drive thermal management circuit; 241-Low temperature radiator; 242-Expansion tank; 243-Electric drive assembly cooling flow path; 244-Electric drive water pump; 300-Electronic equipment; 310-Memory; 320-Processor; 330-Communication module. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0048] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0049] It should be noted that relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0050] As vehicle thermal management technology continues to evolve, vehicle manufacturers are constantly pursuing a high degree of integration in thermal management systems to improve energy efficiency and ride comfort. Different vehicles use thermal management devices from different manufacturers. The high consistency of the physical and electrical interfaces of these devices enhances compatibility between them.

[0051] In specific implementations, vehicles are typically equipped with thermal management devices to control and regulate the temperature of the vehicle's interior and critical components, ensuring that the vehicle's interior and critical components operate within their optimal operating temperature range.

[0052] In some cases, the actual assembly of the thermal management unit may involve the use of components from different suppliers. Specifically, Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the thermal management device. Figure 1 The various structures of the thermal management device are shown. The first electrical interface 211 includes a sensor interface / solenoid valve interface, the physical interface 212 includes a water pipe interface / refrigerant pipe interface, and the second electrical interface 213 includes an electronic water pump interface / multi-way valve group interface.

[0053] Among them, blue structural components represent that when using accessories from different manufacturers, their external interface structures are the same, but their internal designs may differ; yellow structural components represent that when using accessories from different manufacturers, their external interface and internal design are both the same.

[0054] That is to say, under normal circumstances, for thermal management devices, even if different manufacturers’ parts are used for assembly, the positions of the physical interface 212, the first electrical interface 211 and the second electrical interface 213 are almost the same.

[0055] Optionally, the thermal management device may include, but is not limited to, an electric water pump and a multi-way valve assembly. However, the performance curves of electric water pumps from different manufacturers differ, and the angles of multi-way valve assemblies from different manufacturers also vary.

[0056] However, regarding vehicle manufacturing quality requirements, when thermal management devices use components from different manufacturers, the performance differences between these components prevent the application of a single control strategy to all thermal management devices using different components. This is because such uniform control, through the performance variations of the components, results in differences in the control effectiveness of the thermal management device.

[0057] Specifically, for example, the flow requirements for motor and battery thermal management remain unchanged, and consequently, the requirements for the water circuit mode also remain unchanged. However, in order to achieve the control objective of a unified water circuit mode, multi-way valve assemblies from different manufacturers need to use different control angles. Obviously, a unified control strategy cannot meet the control requirements for different control angles.

[0058] For example, while the flow rate requirements for motor and battery thermal management remain constant, the performance curves of electric water pumps from different manufacturers differ. Therefore, it is necessary to control these pumps at different speeds to ensure consistent flow rates. Consequently, the control strategies for different electric water pumps also need to be tailored.

[0059] To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes a thermal management control method, apparatus, electronic device, and vehicle. By identifying module information and historical record mechanisms of the thermal management device, it ensures that the thermal management control device can adjust its control strategy according to different actual conditions, thereby meeting the needs of passenger compartment thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management. The specific thermal management control method will be described in detail in subsequent embodiments.

[0060] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an application environment of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Both the thermal management control device 100 and the thermal management device 200 to be controlled are located inside the vehicle. The thermal management control device 100 can be electrically connected to the thermal management device 200 to enable data interaction between them. Alternatively, the thermal management control device 100 and the thermal management device 200 can be connected via a hardwire or similar means, which is not limited here.

[0061] Different vehicles are equipped with thermal management devices from different manufacturers. Each thermal management device may include a battery thermal management circuit, an electric drive thermal management circuit, and a multi-way valve assembly, with an electric water pump in both the motor water circuit and the battery water circuit. The battery thermal management circuit manages the thermal performance of the battery pack. The electric drive thermal management circuit manages the thermal performance of the electric drive assembly. The multi-way valve assembly facilitates heat exchange between the battery thermal management circuit and the electric drive thermal management circuit. The multi-way valve assembly can be a five-way valve, a six-way valve, etc., and is not limited here.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, taking two manufacturers that provide thermal management devices as an example, if the thermal management device installed in the vehicle is provided by manufacturer A, then the thermal management device 200 to be controlled is thermal management device 200A; if the thermal management device installed in the vehicle is provided by manufacturer B, then the thermal management device 200 to be controlled is thermal management device 200B.

[0063] The thermal management control device 100 can be used to control the thermal management device 200 to achieve temperature control inside the vehicle.

[0064] The thermal management control device 100 can also be used to rationally distribute thermal energy according to the temperature requirements of various parts of the vehicle, ensuring that key components such as batteries and motors operate at suitable temperatures, while also ensuring the comfort of the passenger cabin.

[0065] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, the thermal management control device 100 can consist of an electronic controller (Vehicle Control Unit, VCU) and actuators, such as an Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS) for the front cabin. Based on the preceding description of the technical issues, the following table illustrates the impact analysis of the thermal management control device 100 on components from different manufacturers (electronic water pump and multi-way water valve):

[0066]

[0067] Points A and B represent different manufacturers.

[0068] Therefore, based on the above analysis, this application provides a thermal management control mechanism, which aims to identify the type of thermal management device from different manufacturers and match the corresponding control strategy to achieve the effect of meeting the needs of passenger cabin thermal management, motor thermal management and battery thermal management.

[0069] The thermal management control device shown in the example of this application can be used to maintain the control strategy corresponding to each module information.

[0070] This control strategy specifically refers to the control parameters for different thermal management water circuit modes of the corresponding thermal management device. These control parameters can be the speed of the water pump of the thermal management device to be controlled and the angle of the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device to be controlled.

[0071] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a flow chart of a thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. This thermal management control method can be applied to a thermal management control device, which is electrically connected to the thermal management device to be controlled. The thermal management control device stores a control strategy, and the control strategy corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device. The specific flow of this embodiment is described below using a thermal management control device as an example. The following section focuses on... Figure 4 The process shown is described in detail. This thermal management control method may specifically include the following steps:

[0072] Step 110: The thermal management control device identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled.

[0073] In some implementations, the thermal management control device pre-configures and stores the control frequency range corresponding to each module information. The module information can be the control signal frequency of the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device to be controlled. The thermal management control device can acquire the control signal frequency of the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device to be controlled, and identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled based on the control frequency range in which the control signal frequency falls. The control signal of the multi-way valve group can be a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, which is not limited here.

[0074] For example, the module information of thermal management device A is module information A, the module information of thermal management device B is module information B, the thermal management control device is pre-configured and stored with the control frequency range corresponding to module information A being [400, 600], the control frequency range corresponding to module information B being [700, 900], and the control signal frequency of the multi-way valve group collected by the thermal management control device being 450. Then the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled is module information A.

[0075] In some implementations, if the thermal management control device does not acquire the control signal frequency of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled; if the thermal management control device acquires the control signal frequency of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled.

[0076] Step 120: If the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device obtains the stored historical module information and determines the historical module information as the target module information.

[0077] Understandably, by using historical module information, the thermal management control device can maintain basic thermal management functions, ensure that the vehicle continues to operate safely for a short period of time, reduce the impact of a single point of failure on the thermal management control device, and improve the reliability of the thermal management control device.

[0078] Step 140: The thermal management control device determines the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information, and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0079] The thermal management control method provided in this invention involves a thermal management control device identifying the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled. If the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information, it retrieves stored historical module information and identifies it as the target module information. Based on the target module information, the thermal management control device determines a corresponding target control strategy and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy. By identifying the module information of the thermal management device, the method ensures that the thermal management control device can adjust the control strategy according to different module information, thereby meeting the needs of passenger cabin thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management.

[0080] To ensure the fault tolerance of the thermal management control device, the thermal management control device does not store historical module information when it is first powered on. The thermal management control method also includes: if the thermal management control device does not store historical module information, the thermal management control device obtains the default module information and determines the default module information as the target module information.

[0081] The default module information is one of the module information of multiple thermal management devices stored in the thermal management control device.

[0082] In some implementations, such as Figure 5 As shown, the thermal management control method also includes:

[0083] Step 130: If the thermal management control device successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device determines the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target module information and stores the target module information as historical module information.

[0084] In some implementations, the thermal management control device includes an actuator and an electronic controller, the actuator being communicatively connected to the electronic controller, and the actuator storing default module information and a safety policy, the safety policy corresponding to the module information.

[0085] The actuator can be an ITMS actuator, which is not limited here. The electronic controller can be a VCU, which is not limited here. The actuator and the electronic controller can communicate with each other via a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus to realize data exchange between the actuator and the electronic controller.

[0086] In the thermal management control device shown in the example of this application, the actuator can be used to maintain: the security policy corresponding to each module information, the default module information, and the historical module information.

[0087] This safety strategy specifically refers to the parameters by which the actuator controls the multi-way valve group of the corresponding thermal management device in the event of a communication failure between the actuator and the electronic controller, ensuring that the multi-way valve group of the controlled thermal management device is in a safe position.

[0088] The default module information specifically refers to the preset general module information when the actuator cannot recognize the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, and no historical module information is stored.

[0089] This historical module information specifically refers to the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled that was successfully identified by the actuator in the last time.

[0090] In the thermal management control device illustrated in this application, the electronic controller can be used to maintain the control strategy corresponding to each module information.

[0091] This control strategy specifically refers to the control parameters for different thermal management water circuit modes of the corresponding thermal management device. These control parameters can be the speed of the water pump of the thermal management device to be controlled and the angle of the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device to be controlled.

[0092] The actuator can be used to identify module information of the thermal management device to be controlled. The actuator can also be used to receive control strategies sent by the electronic controller and control the thermal management device according to those strategies.

[0093] In some implementations, if the actuator successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the actuator determines the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target module information and stores the target module information as historical module information, which is stored in the actuator.

[0094] Understandably, the actuator stores historical module information. Even in the event of communication failure or interference, the actuator can still operate based on the locally stored historical module information, ensuring the stable operation of the thermal management device. Furthermore, if the electronic controller fails, the actuator can still use the locally stored historical module information to continue subsequent work, improving the reliability of the thermal management device.

[0095] Communication failures can occur between the actuator and the electronic controller. To ensure the continued normal operation of the thermal management device in the event of failures in either the electronic controller or the actuator, a safety control strategy for actuator maintenance can be used to control the thermal management device. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the above-mentioned thermal management control method further includes:

[0096] Step 150: If communication between the electronic controller and the actuator fails, the actuator determines the target control strategy based on the safety policy and controls the thermal management device under control according to the target control strategy. Specifically, since the safety policy is a parameter used by the actuator to control the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device under control, using it as the target control strategy can ensure that the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device under control is in a safe position, ensuring that the thermal management control device under control can operate safely and reliably.

[0097] In some implementations, the electronic controller determines whether the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator is faulty. The electronic controller can determine whether the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator is faulty through methods such as heartbeat signals and response mechanisms.

[0098] Specifically, if the electronic controller does not receive a heartbeat signal from the actuator within a predetermined time interval, it can determine that there is a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator; if the electronic controller does not receive a response signal from the actuator within a specified time after issuing a command, it can also determine that there is a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator.

[0099] In some implementations, the actuator checks whether a historical security policy exists. The historical security policy represents the security policy corresponding to the module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. If the actuator has a historical security policy, the historical security policy is used as the target control policy; if the actuator does not have a historical security policy, the security policy corresponding to the default module information is used as the target control policy.

[0100] Understandably, if the actuator successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, and the vehicle has not replaced the thermal management device to be controlled, then the module information of the thermal management device currently identified by the actuator is the same as the module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. When the communication failure occurs when the electronic controller is powered on for the first time, the electronic controller has not received the target module information, and the actuator has not successfully identified the module information. At this time, the actuator does not have a historical safety policy.

[0101] In some implementations, if the actuator does not receive the target control strategy sent by the electronic controller within a preset safe communication time, indicating a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator determines the target control strategy according to the safety strategy and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0102] In conjunction with the above text Figure 6 In step 150, in some embodiments, the safety strategy can be a parameter for the actuator to control the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device to be controlled. This parameter can enable the actuator to control the multi-way valve group of the thermal management device to be controlled so that the battery thermal management circuit and the electric drive thermal management circuit are connected in parallel, and control the electric water pump to work normally.

[0103] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the thermal management device includes a multi-way valve group consisting of a six-way valve 230, a battery thermal management circuit 220, and an electric drive thermal management circuit 240. The battery thermal management circuit 220 includes a battery-side heater 221, a battery cooler 222, a battery pack cooling flow path 223, and a battery water pump 224. The electric drive thermal management circuit 240 includes a low-temperature radiator 241, an expansion tank 242, an electric drive assembly cooling flow path 243, and an electric drive water pump 244. With the first and third ports of the six-way valve 230 connected, and the sixth and fourth ports of the six-way valve 230 connected, the battery thermal management circuit 220 and the electric drive thermal management circuit 240 are connected in parallel. That is, the actuator controls the six-way valve of the thermal management device to achieve... Figure 7 The six-way valve angle parameters, which connect the first and third ports and the sixth and fourth ports of the six-way valve 230, constitute the "safety strategy" described above. In other words, this "safety strategy" requires maintaining the six-way valve angle parameters to ensure that the first and third ports and the sixth and fourth ports of the six-way valve 230 are connected, thus achieving a parallel connection between the battery thermal management circuit 220 and the electric drive thermal management circuit 240.

[0104] Continue reading Figure 6 Step 160: The electronic controller outputs communication fault information based on the communication fault.

[0105] Step 170: If the communication failure occurs when the electronic controller is first powered on, the electronic controller will restrict driving functions.

[0106] Understandably, a communication failure upon the initial power-on of the electronic controller indicates that the vehicle's thermal management system is malfunctioning. To ensure driver safety, it is necessary to restrict driving functions. Specific restrictions include: limiting the vehicle's maximum speed to prevent excessive speeds, which could cause abnormally high engine temperatures and safety issues due to the malfunctioning thermal management system; and disabling certain functions, such as non-critical functions like air conditioning, to reduce energy consumption and heat load, further preventing overheating from affecting engine operation. By restricting driving functions, the safety of the driver and vehicle can be ensured until the communication failure is resolved.

[0107] It should be noted that, based on the identification results from the aforementioned steps, the thermal management control device can provide information prompts depending on the circumstances. Several possible scenarios are given below:

[0108] Scenario 1: If the system is normal, the ITMS actuator will determine that the hardwired identification of the module information of the thermal management module to be controlled is successful; and the VCU will determine that the LIN communication is normal. At this time, the vehicle interactive system can prompt that the LIN communication is normal and the vehicle can be controlled normally.

[0109] Scenario 2: If the thermal management device of a vehicle is installed for the first time or the module is replaced during the production or after-sales process, the VCU will report a multi-way valve group fault code because the actuator is recognizing the thermal management device for the first time. The vehicle will not be delivered until the production line or after-sales service has investigated and cleared the fault.

[0110] Scenario 3: If, after purchasing a vehicle, a communication failure suddenly occurs between the ITMS actuator and the VCU while the vehicle is in motion, this involves three sub-situations:

[0111] Case 3-1 (Single point of failure): The ITMS actuator fails to identify the module information of the thermal management module to be controlled by the hard wire; and the VCU determines that the LIN communication is normal (recovered after the LIN communication failure); at this time, the vehicle interactive system can prompt: LIN communication is normal, and the vehicle can be controlled normally.

[0112] Case 3-2 (Single point of failure): The ITMS actuator successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management module to be controlled by the hard wire; and the VCU determines that the LIN communication is faulty. At this time, the vehicle interactive system can prompt: LIN communication failure, and control the battery thermal management circuit and the electric drive thermal management circuit in the thermal management device to be connected in parallel to control the water pump to work normally.

[0113] Case 3-3 (Two-point failure): The ITMS actuator fails to identify the module information of the thermal management module to be controlled by the hard wire; and the VCU determines that the LIN communication is faulty. At this time, the vehicle interactive system can prompt: LIN communication failure, and control the battery thermal management circuit and the electric drive thermal management circuit in the thermal management device to be connected in parallel to control the water pump to work normally.

[0114] Scenario 4: If a LIN communication failure occurs when the electronic controller is powered on for the first time after the customer purchases the vehicle (as described in step 170 above), the LIN communication failure will cause some functions of the vehicle to fail or not work properly, thus posing a safety hazard when driving the vehicle. Therefore, in addition to displaying a LIN communication failure message, it is also necessary to restrict the driving function.

[0115] In some implementations, the electronic controller stores a control strategy that corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device, such as... Figure 8 As shown, step 140 further includes:

[0116] Step 141: If the electronic controller and the actuator communicate normally, the actuator will send the target module information to the electronic controller.

[0117] Step 142: The electronic controller determines the control strategy corresponding to the target module information as the target control strategy and sends the target control strategy to the actuator.

[0118] Step 143: The actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0119] In some implementations, since this solution involves whether the LIN communication between the actuator and the electronic controller is normal, and whether the actuator has successfully identified the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the following is an exemplary description of the implementation process for ensuring normal LIN communication and successful identification in this application's solution. Specifically, as follows... Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, Figure 10 The interaction process between the thermal management device to be controlled, the actuator, and the electronic controller is demonstrated. The overall flow of this thermal management control method is as follows:

[0120] Step 210: The actuator identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled.

[0121] Step 220: If the actuator fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the actuator obtains the stored historical module information and determines the historical module information as the target module information.

[0122] Step 230: If the executor does not store historical module information, the executor obtains the default module information and determines the default module information as the target module information.

[0123] Step 240: If the actuator successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the actuator determines the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target module information and stores the target module information as historical module information.

[0124] Step 250: If the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator fails, the actuator checks whether a historical safety policy exists; if the actuator has a historical safety policy, the historical safety policy is used as the target control policy.

[0125] Step 260: If the executor does not have a historical security policy, then the security policy corresponding to the default module information will be used as the target control policy.

[0126] Step 270: If the electronic controller and the actuator communicate normally, the actuator will send the target module information to the electronic controller.

[0127] Step 280: The electronic controller determines the control strategy corresponding to the target module information as the target control strategy and sends the target control strategy to the actuator.

[0128] Step 290: The actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0129] To ensure the stability and safety of the vehicle's thermal management system, both the actuator and the electronic controller can store historical module information (i.e., information about the thermal management device module that the actuator successfully identified last time) and default module information. The electronic controller stores the correspondence between module information and control strategies, so that when the actuator fails to identify module information or when communication between the electronic controller and the actuator malfunctions, the information maintained on the other side can be used to achieve normal control of the thermal management control device. The following examples illustrate several possible scenarios where both the actuator and the electronic controller maintain the aforementioned information.

[0130] Scenario 1: When both the actuator and the electronic controller can store the above information, discrepancies may arise between the information maintained by the two. To avoid such discrepancies affecting normal control, one possible implementation involves, under normal communication between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator can compare the historical module information stored in the actuator with the historical module information stored in the electronic controller in real time. If the historical module information stored in the electronic controller is inconsistent with the historical module information stored in the actuator, the historical module information in the electronic controller will be updated to the historical module information stored in the actuator.

[0131] Scenario 2: If the actuator fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, but the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator is normal, then the information maintained by the electronic controller can be used for control.

[0132] Specifically, the electronic controller determines the target control strategy based on the stored historical module information / default module information and the correspondence between module information and control strategy, and sends the target control strategy to the actuator. The actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0133] If the electronic controller does not store historical module information, it determines the target control strategy based on the stored default module information and the correspondence between the module information and the control strategy.

[0134] Scenario 3: If the actuator successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, and there is a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator will control the device based on its own maintenance safety strategy.

[0135] Specifically, the actuator uses the safety policy corresponding to the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target control policy, and the actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control policy.

[0136] Furthermore, when the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator returns to normal, the electronic controller receives the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled sent by the actuator, and determines a new target control strategy based on the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled. The new target control strategy is then sent to the actuator, and the actuator stops controlling the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy. Instead, the actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the new target control strategy.

[0137] Scenario 4: If the actuator fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, and the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator fails, the actuator will control the device based on its own maintenance safety policy.

[0138] Specifically, the actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled based on the safety policy corresponding to the historical module information / default module information.

[0139] Furthermore, when the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator returns to normal, the electronic controller determines the target control strategy based on the stored historical module information / default module information, and sends the target control strategy to the actuator. The actuator stops controlling the thermal management device under control according to the safety strategy corresponding to the historical module information / default module information, and controls the thermal management device under control according to the target control strategy.

[0140] If the actuator does not store historical module information, the actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the safety policy corresponding to the default module information.

[0141] Understandably, the actuator directly identifies the target module information of the thermal management device to be controlled and stores the target module information directly without a transmission process, resulting in higher accuracy. In contrast, the historical module information stored in the electronic controller is module information transmitted by the actuator through LIN communication, which has lower accuracy because the historical module information stored in the actuator is the standard.

[0142] In this embodiment, both the actuator and the electronic controller can store the target module information of the thermal management device to be controlled that the actuator has successfully identified in the past. When the LIN communication is abnormal, the thermal management system can still continue to work by relying on the historical module information stored locally by the actuator, thereby reducing the dependence on LIN communication and the risks arising therefrom. Furthermore, since the electronic controller stores historical module information, even if the actuator is replaced, due to the flexibility of the software configuration of the electronic controller, the new actuator can also be matched with the target module information of the thermal management device to be controlled through software configuration, thereby realizing platformization.

[0143] To perform the corresponding steps in the above embodiments and various possible methods, an implementation of a thermal management control device is given below. Further, please refer to... Figure 11 The figure shows a functional block diagram of a thermal management control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the basic principle and technical effects of the thermal management control device 100 provided in this embodiment are the same as those in the above embodiments. For the sake of brevity, any parts not mentioned in this embodiment can be referred to the corresponding content in the above embodiments.

[0144] The thermal management control device 100 is used to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled;

[0145] If the thermal management control device 100 fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device will obtain the stored historical module information and determine the historical module information as the target module information.

[0146] The thermal management control device 100 is used to determine the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information, and to control the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0147] Optionally, if the thermal management control device does not store historical module information, the thermal management control device 100 obtains the default module information and determines the default module information as the target module information.

[0148] Optionally, if the thermal management control device successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device determines the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target module information and stores the target module information as historical module information.

[0149] Optionally, the thermal management control device 100 includes an actuator 110 and an electronic controller 120. The actuator 110 is communicatively connected to the electronic controller 120. The actuator is used to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled. The actuator 110 stores a safety policy, which corresponds to the module information. If the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator fails, the actuator 110 determines a target control policy based on the safety policy and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control policy.

[0150] Optionally, the electronic controller 120 outputs communication fault information based on the communication fault; if the communication fault occurs when the electronic controller is first powered on, the electronic controller 120 restricts the driving function.

[0151] Optionally, the actuator 110 confirms whether a historical security policy exists; the historical security policy represents the security policy corresponding to the module information that the actuator successfully identified last time; if the actuator has a historical security policy, the actuator 110 uses the historical security policy as the target control policy; if the actuator does not have a historical security policy, the actuator 110 uses the security policy corresponding to the default module information as the target control policy.

[0152] Optionally, the electronic controller stores a control strategy, which corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device. If the electronic controller and the actuator communicate normally, the actuator 110 sends the target module information to the electronic controller. The electronic controller 120 determines the control strategy corresponding to the target module information as the target control strategy and sends the target control strategy to the actuator. The actuator 110 controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

[0153] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the above-described device and module can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] In several embodiments provided by the present invention, the coupling between modules can be electrical, mechanical or other forms of coupling.

[0155] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0156] Please refer to Figure 12 This is a block diagram of an electronic device 300 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 300 includes a memory 310, a processor 320, and a communication module 330. The memory 310, processor 320, and communication module 330 are electrically connected to each other directly or indirectly to achieve data transmission or interaction. For example, these components can be electrically connected to each other through one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0157] The electronic device 300 can be the aforementioned thermal management control device, electronic controller, and actuator.

[0158] The memory 310 is used to store programs or data. The memory 310 may be, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.

[0159] The processor 320 is used to read / write data or programs stored in the memory and perform corresponding functions. For example, when a computer program stored in the memory 310 is executed by the processor 320, the thermal management control method disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented.

[0160] The communication module 330 is used to establish communication connections between various electronic devices 300 via a network, and to send and receive data via the network.

[0161] It should be understood that, Figure 12 The structure shown is only a schematic diagram; the electronic device may also include components that are larger than those shown. Figure 12 The number of components shown may be more or less. Figure 12 The components shown can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0162] This invention also provides a vehicle that may include the aforementioned electronic equipment.

[0163] In the several embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can also be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the invention. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0164] If the functionality is implemented as a software module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0165] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management control method, characterized in that, A thermal management control device is electrically connected to a thermal management device to be controlled. The thermal management control device stores a control strategy, which corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device. The method includes: The thermal management control device identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled; If the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device obtains the stored historical module information and determines the historical module information as the target module information; The thermal management control device determines the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information, and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the thermal management control device does not store the historical module information, the thermal management control device obtains the default module information and determines the default module information as the target module information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the thermal management control device successfully identifies the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device determines the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled as the target module information and stores the target module information as historical module information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The thermal management control device includes an actuator and an electronic controller. The actuator is communicatively connected to the electronic controller and is used to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled. The actuator stores a security policy, and the security policy corresponds to the module information; the method further includes: If the communication between the electronic controller and the actuator fails, the actuator determines the target control strategy according to the safety policy and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The electronic controller outputs communication fault information based on the communication fault. If the communication failure occurs when the electronic controller is first powered on, the electronic controller will restrict driving functions.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The actuator stores default module information, and the actuator determines the target control policy according to the security policy, including: The actuator confirms whether a historical security policy exists; the historical security policy represents the security policy corresponding to the module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. If the actuator has the historical security policy, then the actuator will use the historical security policy as the target control policy; If the executor does not have the historical security policy, then the executor will use the security policy corresponding to the default module information as the target control policy.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal management control device includes an actuator and an electronic controller. The electronic controller stores the control strategy, which corresponds to the module information. The thermal management control device determines a corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information and controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy, including: If the electronic controller and the actuator communicate normally, the actuator will send the target module information to the electronic controller. The electronic controller determines the control strategy corresponding to the target module information as the target control strategy and sends the target control strategy to the actuator; The actuator controls the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

8. A thermal management control device, characterized in that, The thermal management control device is electrically connected to the thermal management device to be controlled. The thermal management control device stores a control strategy, and the control strategy corresponds to the module information of the thermal management device. The thermal management control device is used to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled; If the thermal management control device fails to identify the module information of the thermal management device to be controlled, the thermal management control device is used to obtain the stored historical module information and determine the historical module information as the target module information; The thermal management control device is used to determine the corresponding target control strategy based on the target module information, and to control the thermal management device to be controlled according to the target control strategy.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program executable by the processor to implement the thermal management control method according to any one of claims 1-7.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes the electronic equipment as described in claim 9.

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