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: an executor identifies target module information of a target heat management device; if the executor fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller and the executor communicate normally, the executor sends identification failure information to the electronic controller; the electronic controller checks whether historical module information is stored; if the electronic controller stores the historical module information, the electronic controller sends a control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the executor; and the executor controls the target heat management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information. Through real-time identification of the target heat management device and a historical recording mechanism, the control strategy can be adjusted adaptively for different heat management devices, so that the specific needs of passenger cabin heat management, motor heat management and battery heat management can be met.

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] As modern automotive thermal management technology continues to evolve, vehicle manufacturers are constantly pursuing a high degree of integration in their 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 interface ICDs (Interface Control Documents) of these thermal management devices enhances compatibility between them.

[0003] Nevertheless, while thermal management devices from different manufacturers share a high degree of similarity in physical and electrical interfaces, they differ in control strategies. If a unified control strategy is adopted for thermal management devices from different manufacturers, it will be impossible to meet the specific requirements for thermal management of the passenger cabin, motors, and batteries. 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 not being able to meet the specific needs of thermal management of passenger compartment, motor, and battery.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a thermal management control method, wherein an electronic controller is communicatively connected to an actuator, the actuator is electrically connected to a target thermal management device, and the electronic controller stores a control strategy corresponding to module information of each group of thermal management devices; the method includes:

[0006] The actuator identifies the target module information of the target thermal management device;

[0007] If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, then the actuator sends an identification failure message to the electronic controller.

[0008] The electronic controller checks whether historical module information is stored; the historical module information is the target module information that the actuator successfully identified last time.

[0009] If the electronic controller stores the historical module information, the electronic controller sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator;

[0010] The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information.

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

[0012] If the electronic controller does not store the historical module information, the electronic controller obtains the default module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator;

[0013] The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the default module information.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0015] If the actuator successfully identifies the target module information and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, then the actuator sends the target module information to the electronic controller.

[0016] The electronic controller stores the target module information as historical module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the target module information to the actuator;

[0017] The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the target module information.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the actuator stores default module information and a security control policy corresponding to each module information, and the method further includes:

[0019] If the electronic controller fails to communicate with the actuator, the actuator checks if a historical control strategy exists; the historical control strategy is the safety control strategy corresponding to the previously successfully received module information; the previously successfully received module information is the module information corresponding to the control strategy sent by the electronic controller that the actuator last successfully received.

[0020] If the actuator has the historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the historical control strategy.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the actuator stores a security control policy corresponding to the security default module information, and the method further includes:

[0022] If the actuator does not have the historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the safety control strategy corresponding to the safety default module information.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0024] The electronic controller outputs a communication fault signal;

[0025] If a communication failure occurs between the electronic controller and the actuator upon initial power-on, the electronic controller will restrict driving functions.

[0026] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a thermal management control device, wherein an electronic controller is communicatively connected to an actuator, the actuator is electrically connected to a target thermal management device, and the electronic controller stores a control strategy corresponding to the module information of each group of thermal management control devices;

[0027] The actuator is used to identify the target module information of the target thermal management device;

[0028] If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, then the actuator is used to send identification failure information to the electronic controller;

[0029] The electronic controller is used to check whether historical module information is stored; the historical module information is the target module information that the actuator successfully identified last time.

[0030] If the electronic controller stores the historical module information, the electronic controller is used to send the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator;

[0031] The actuator is used to control the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information.

[0032] In an optional implementation, if the electronic controller does not store the historical module information, the electronic controller is used to obtain the default module information and send the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator.

[0033] The actuator is used to control the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the default module information.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Fourthly, the present invention provides a vehicle that includes the electronic equipment described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0036] The thermal management control method, device, electronic device, and vehicle provided in this invention embodiment include an electronic controller communicatively connected to an actuator, an actuator electrically connected to a target thermal management device, and an electronic controller storing control strategies corresponding to module information of each group of thermal management devices. The method includes: the actuator identifying target module information of the target thermal management device; if the actuator fails to identify the target module information, but communication between the electronic controller and the actuator is normal, the actuator sends an identification failure message to the electronic controller; the electronic controller checks whether historical module information is stored, which is the target module information successfully identified by the actuator in the last instance; if the electronic controller stores historical module information, the electronic controller sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator; and the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information. Through real-time identification of the target thermal management device and the historical record mechanism, the control strategy can be adaptively adjusted for different thermal management devices, thereby meeting the specific needs of passenger compartment thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management. Attached Figure Description

[0037] 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.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a thermal management device is shown;

[0039] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an application environment of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 Schematic diagrams of different water circuit modes of the thermal management device provided in embodiments of the present invention are shown;

[0041] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a flow chart of a thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates yet another flow chart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates another flow chart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 This illustration shows another schematic flowchart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates yet another flow chart of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the interaction process between an electronic controller, an actuator, and a target thermal management device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 10 This illustration shows yet another schematic diagram of the interaction process between the electronic controller, actuator, and target thermal management device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 11 A block diagram of a thermal management control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 12 A block diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0050] Icons: 10-Thermal management control device; 100-Electronic controller; 200-Actuator; 300-Target thermal management device; 310-Battery thermal management circuit; 311-Battery side heater; 312-Battery cooler; 313-Battery pack cooling flow path; 314-Battery water pump; 320-Six-way valve; 330-Electric drive thermal management circuit; 331-Low temperature radiator; 332-Expansion tank; 333-Electric drive assembly cooling flow path; 334-Electric drive water pump; 341-First electrical interface; 342-Physical interface; 343-Second electrical interface; 400-Electronic equipment; 410-Memory; 420-Processor; 430-Communication module. Detailed Implementation

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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 341 includes a sensor interface / solenoid valve interface, the physical interface 342 includes a water pipe interface / refrigerant pipe interface, and the second electrical interface 343 includes an electronic water pump interface / multi-way valve group interface.

[0057] 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.

[0058] That is to say, under normal circumstances, for thermal management devices, even if components from different manufacturers are used for assembly, the positions of the physical interface 342, the first electrical interface 341, and the second electrical interface 343 are almost the same.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the thermal management control unit can consist of a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) and actuators, such as an Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS). Based on the preceding description of the technical issues, the following table illustrates the impact of the thermal management control unit on components from different manufacturers (electronic water pumps and multi-way water valves):

[0064]

[0065] Points A and B represent different manufacturers.

[0066] 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.

[0067] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2This diagram illustrates an application environment of the thermal management control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. An electronic controller 100, an actuator 200, and a target thermal management device 300 are installed inside the vehicle. The electronic controller can be a VCU, and is not limited thereto. The actuator can be a front ITMS actuator, and is not limited thereto.

[0068] The electronic controller 100 can communicate with the actuator 200 to enable data exchange between them. Alternatively, the electronic controller 100 and the actuator 200 can be connected via a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus or a CAN (Controller Area Network), which is not limited here.

[0069] In some implementations, different vehicles are equipped with thermal management devices provided by 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 is used for thermal management of the battery pack. The electric drive thermal management circuit is used for thermal management of the electric drive assembly. The multi-way valve assembly is used for 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 thereto.

[0070] 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 target thermal management device 300 is thermal management device 300A; if the thermal management device installed in the vehicle is provided by manufacturer B, then the target thermal management device 300 is thermal management device 300B.

[0071] The electronic controller 100 can also be used to determine the corresponding control strategy based on the needs of cabin thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management, as well as the target module information, so as to adjust the angle of the multi-way valve group and the speed of the electric water pump.

[0072] The actuator 200 can be used to receive control strategies issued by the electronic controller and adjust the multi-way valve group and electric water pump in the target thermal management device 300 according to the received control strategies.

[0073] The electric water pump in the target thermal management device 300 is used to regulate the flow rate of the circuits within the device. When the motor thermal management circuit and the battery thermal management circuit are connected in parallel, the motor water pump in the motor thermal management circuit and the battery water pump in the battery thermal management circuit are controlled according to the flow rate requirements of their respective circuits. When the motor thermal management circuit and the battery thermal management circuit are connected in series, they are controlled according to the maximum flow rate requirement. The multi-way valve assembly in the target thermal management device 300 is used to regulate the water circuit mode within the device.

[0074] Taking a multi-way valve assembly as an example, such as a six-way valve Figure 3 As shown in (a)-(g), the target thermal management device 300 includes a battery thermal management circuit 310, a six-way valve 320, and an electric drive thermal management circuit 330. The battery thermal management circuit 310 includes a battery-side heater 311, a battery cooler 312, a battery pack cooling flow path 313, and a battery water pump 314. The electric drive thermal management circuit 330 includes a low-temperature radiator 331, an expansion tank 332, an electric drive assembly cooling flow path 333, and an electric drive water pump 334. The water circuit in the target thermal management device 300 includes seven water circuit modes, among which:

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), in mode 1, the first and third ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the fourth and sixth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected; the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the motor thermal management circuit 330 are connected in parallel, and the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the motor thermal management circuit 330 operate independently. Mode 1 is mostly used in summer scenarios.

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown in (b), mode 2: the first port and the sixth port of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the third port and the fourth port of the six-way valve 320 are connected; the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the motor thermal management circuit 330 are connected in series, and the battery cooler 312 and the low temperature radiator 331 dissipate heat. Mode 2 is mostly used in spring and autumn scenarios.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown in (c), mode 3: the first and fifth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the third and fourth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected; the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the motor thermal management circuit 330 are connected in series. Mode 3 is mainly used for waste heat recovery, and the waste heat of the generator is supplied to the heat pump and battery heating. It is mostly used in spring, autumn and winter scenarios.

[0078] like Figure 3 As shown in (d), mode 4: the first and fifth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the second and fourth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected; the motor thermal management circuit 330 is in small series mode, and the waste heat or heat generated by the generator is supplied to the heat pump. Mode 3 is mostly used in spring, autumn and winter scenarios.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown in (e), mode 5: the first and third ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the fourth and fifth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected; the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the motor thermal management circuit 330 are connected in series, the battery stores heat, the battery heat is first supplied to the heat pump, and the generator can be heated quickly by circulating alone. Mode 5 is mostly used in winter scenarios.

[0080] like Figure 3 As shown in (f), in mode 6, the first and second ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the fourth and fifth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected; the battery-side heater 311 heats the passenger cabin motor to quickly raise the temperature. Mode 6 is mostly used in winter scenarios.

[0081] like Figure 3 As shown in (g), mode 7: the first port and the sixth port of the six-way valve 320 are connected, the second port and the fifth port of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the third port and the fourth port of the six-way valve 320 are connected; mode 7 is used for the coolant vacuum filling scenario of the production line.

[0082] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a flow chart of a thermal management control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. An electronic controller is communicatively connected to an actuator, the actuator is electrically connected to a target thermal management device, and the electronic controller stores control strategies corresponding to the module information of each group of thermal management devices. The following section addresses... Figure 4 The process shown is described in detail. This thermal management control method may specifically include the following steps:

[0083] Step 110: The actuator identifies the target module information of the target thermal management device.

[0084] In some implementations, the actuator is pre-configured 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 target thermal management device. The actuator can acquire the control signal frequency of the multi-way valve group of the target thermal management device, and identify the target information of the target thermal management device 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.

[0085] 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 target thermal management device is module information A.

[0086] Step 120A: If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, the actuator sends an identification failure message to the electronic controller.

[0087] Among them, the failure information indicates that the actuator failed to identify the target module information.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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 response command, it can also determine that there is a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator.

[0090] Step 130A: The electronic controller checks whether historical module information is stored.

[0091] Among them, the historical module information is the target module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. Step 140A: If the electronic controller stores historical module information, the electronic controller sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator.

[0092] In some implementations, the electronic controller includes an application layer and a bottom layer. The application layer of the electronic controller receives identification failure information sent by the actuator. The bottom layer of the electronic controller checks whether historical module information is stored. If the bottom layer of the electronic controller stores historical module information, the bottom layer of the electronic controller sends the historical module information to the application layer of the electronic controller. The application layer of the electronic controller determines the corresponding control strategy based on the historical module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator.

[0093] Step 150A: The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information.

[0094] The control strategy can be 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 corresponding thermal management device and the angle of the multi-way valve group of the target thermal management device.

[0095] The thermal management control method provided in this invention involves an actuator identifying target module information of a target thermal management device. If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, but communication between the electronic controller and the actuator is normal, the actuator sends an identification failure message to the electronic controller. The electronic controller then checks if it stores historical module information, which is the target module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. If the electronic controller stores historical module information, it sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator. The actuator then controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information. By using real-time identification of the target thermal management device and a historical record mechanism, the control strategy can be adaptively adjusted for different thermal management devices, thereby meeting the specific needs of passenger cabin thermal management, motor thermal management, and battery thermal management.

[0096] To ensure the fault tolerance of the thermal management system, the electronic controller does not store any historical module information upon initial power-on, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the thermal management control method also includes:

[0097] Step 140B: If the electronic controller does not store historical module information, the electronic controller obtains the default module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator.

[0098] The default module information is one of the module information of multiple thermal management devices stored in the thermal management control device.

[0099] If the underlying layer of the electronic controller does not store historical module information, the underlying layer of the electronic controller obtains the default module information and sends the default module information to the application layer of the electronic controller. The application layer of the electronic controller determines the corresponding control strategy based on the default module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator.

[0100] Step 150B: The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the default module information.

[0101] If the actuator successfully identifies the target module information of the target thermal management device, the electronic controller can also store this target module information for future use if the actuator fails to identify it. Figure 6 As shown, the thermal management control method further includes:

[0102] Step 120C: If the actuator successfully identifies the target module information and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, the actuator will send the target module information to the electronic controller.

[0103] Step 130C: The electronic controller stores the target module information as historical module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the target module information to the actuator.

[0104] Step 140C: The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the target module information.

[0105] Understandably, by storing the information of successfully identified modules, even if the actuator fails to identify the target module information of the target thermal management device in the future, the previously stored historical module information can be used directly for operation, thereby improving the reliability of thermal management.

[0106] To ensure safety in the event of a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator stores default module information and the corresponding safety control strategy for each module. The actuator stores the safety control strategy corresponding to the default safety module information, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the thermal management control method further includes:

[0107] Step 120D: If there is a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator checks if a historical control strategy exists. The historical control strategy is the safety control strategy corresponding to the previously successfully received module information; the previously successfully received module information is the module information corresponding to the control strategy last successfully received by the actuator from the electronic controller.

[0108] For example, if the module information corresponding to the control strategy successfully received by the actuator from the electronic controller in the last time is module information A, then the safety control strategy corresponding to module information A will be determined as the historical control strategy.

[0109] The actuator shown in the example of this application can be used to maintain: the security control policy corresponding to each module information.

[0110] This safety control 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 target thermal management device is in a safe position.

[0111] In some embodiments, if the actuator does not receive the control strategy sent by the electronic controller within a preset safe communication period, indicating a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator will then check whether a historical control strategy exists.

[0112] In some embodiments, if the actuator does not receive a response command from the electronic controller within a preset safe communication period, indicating a communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator, the actuator will then check whether a historical control strategy exists.

[0113] In some implementations, the safety control strategy involves the actuator controlling the water circuit mode in the corresponding thermal management device to mode 1, and controlling the water pump to operate normally, that is, as... Figure 3 As shown in (a), the angle of the six-way valve 320 is adjusted so that the first port and the third port of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the sixth port and the fourth port of the six-way valve 320 are connected, so that the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the electric drive thermal management circuit 330 are connected in parallel. That is, the actuator controls the six-way valve of the target thermal management device to achieve... Figure 3 The six-way valve angle parameters in (a) for the states where the first and third ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the sixth and fourth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, constitute the "safety control strategy" described above. In other words, this "safety control strategy" requires maintaining the six-way valve angle parameters to ensure that the first and third ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, and the sixth and fourth ports of the six-way valve 320 are connected, thus achieving a parallel connection between the battery thermal management circuit 310 and the electric drive thermal management circuit 330.

[0114] Step 130D: If the actuator has a historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the historical control strategy.

[0115] Step 140D: If the actuator does not have a historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the safety control strategy corresponding to the safety default module information.

[0116] In some implementations, if the electronic controller fails to communicate with the actuator, the electronic controller outputs a communication failure signal; if the electronic controller fails to communicate with the actuator on the first power-on, the electronic controller restricts driving functions.

[0117] Understandably, when the electronic controller experiences a communication failure with the actuator upon initial power-up, it indicates that the vehicle's thermal management system is malfunctioning. To ensure driving safety, driving functions need to be restricted. Specifically, this includes reducing the vehicle's maximum speed to prevent engine overheating and related safety issues, and turning off non-critical functions such as air conditioning to reduce energy consumption and heat load, thus preventing overheating from affecting engine performance. These measures ensure the safety of the driver and vehicle until the communication failure is resolved; in other words, by appropriately restricting driving functions, driving safety can be maintained even when the thermal management system is not functioning properly.

[0118] 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:

[0119] Scenario 1: If the system is normal, the ITMS actuator will determine that the hard wire identification of the target thermal management device module information 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 control the vehicle normally.

[0120] Scenario 2: If the target thermal management device of the 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 target 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.

[0121] Scenario 3: If, after purchasing the vehicle, a communication failure suddenly occurs between the ITMS actuator and the VCU while the vehicle is in motion, this involves three sub-situations:

[0122] Case 3-1 (Single point of failure): The ITMS actuator fails to identify the module information of the target thermal management device by 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 that the LIN communication is normal and the vehicle can be controlled normally.

[0123] Case 3-2 (Single point of failure): The ITMS actuator successfully identifies the module information of the target thermal management device through hard wire recognition; 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.

[0124] Case 3-3 (Two-point failure): The ITMS actuator fails to identify the module information of the target thermal management device by 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.

[0125] Scenario 4: If a LIN communication failure occurs on the first power-on of the electronic controller after the customer purchases the vehicle (as mentioned above regarding the communication failure between the electronic controller and the actuator), the LIN communication failure will cause some functions of the vehicle to fail or malfunction, 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 driving functions.

[0126] 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 target thermal management device, the following is an exemplary description of the implementation process for ensuring normal LIN communication and successful identification in this application's solution. For details, please refer to... Figure 8 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 An electronic controller can include an application layer and an underlying layer. Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 The interaction process between the target thermal management device, actuator, and electronic controller is demonstrated. The overall flow of this thermal management control method is as follows:

[0127] Step 210: The actuator acquires the control signal frequency of the multi-way valve group of the target thermal management device. Based on the control frequency range in which the control signal frequency is located, the actuator identifies the target module information of the target thermal management device.

[0128] Step 220: If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, the actuator sends an identification failure message to the electronic controller.

[0129] The electronic controller checks at its underlying level whether historical module information is stored.

[0130] Step 230: If the underlying layer of the electronic controller stores historical module information, the underlying layer of the electronic controller sends the historical module information to the application layer of the electronic controller; the application layer of the electronic controller determines the corresponding control strategy based on the historical module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator.

[0131] Step 240: If the underlying layer of the electronic controller does not store historical module information, the underlying layer of the electronic controller obtains the default module information and sends the default module information to the application layer of the electronic controller; the application layer of the electronic controller determines the corresponding control strategy based on the default module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator.

[0132] Step 250: If the actuator successfully identifies the target module information and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, the actuator sends the target module information to the application layer of the electronic controller; the lower layer of the electronic controller stores the target module information as historical module information, and the application layer of the electronic controller sends the control strategy corresponding to the target module information to the actuator.

[0133] Step 260: The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the received control strategy.

[0134] If the electronic controller and actuator fail to communicate, the actuator will check for the existence of a historical control strategy.

[0135] Step 270: If the actuator has a historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the historical control strategy.

[0136] Step 280: If the actuator does not have a historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the safety control strategy corresponding to the safety default module information.

[0137] The actuator is the part that performs the actual physical control, such as controlling the speed of the electronic water valve and the angle of the multi-way valve group. The actuator may be replaced, but as long as the interface and communication protocol between the actuator and the electronic controller are consistent, the electronic controller can control the actuator through the pre-configured control strategy. It can be understood that in this thermal management control method, the historical module information is managed by the electronic controller. Therefore, even if the actuator is replaced, it will not affect the operation of the thermal management device. Moreover, this allows different thermal management devices to be connected to the thermal management system, which is convenient for platformization.

[0138] 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 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. The thermal management control device 10 includes: an electronic controller 100 and an actuator 200, wherein:

[0139] Actuator 200 is used to identify target module information of the target thermal management device.

[0140] If the actuator 200 fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller 100 communicates normally with the actuator 200, the actuator 200 is used to send the identification failure information to the electronic controller.

[0141] The electronic controller 100 is used to check whether historical module information is stored; the historical module information is the target module information that was successfully identified by the actuator last time.

[0142] If the electronic controller 100 stores historical module information, the electronic controller 100 is used to send the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator.

[0143] The actuator 200 is used to control the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information.

[0144] Optionally, if the electronic controller 100 does not store historical module information, the electronic controller 100 obtains the default module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator; the actuator 200 controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the default module information.

[0145] Optionally, if the actuator 200 successfully identifies the target module information and the electronic controller 100 communicates normally with the actuator 200, the actuator 200 sends the target module information to the electronic controller 100; the electronic controller 100 stores the target module information as historical module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the target module information to the actuator 200; the actuator 200 controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the target module information.

[0146] Optionally, the actuator 200 stores default module information and the safety control strategy corresponding to each module. If the communication between the electronic controller 100 and the actuator 200 fails, the actuator 200 checks whether a historical control strategy exists. The historical control strategy is the safety control strategy corresponding to the previously successfully received module information. The previously successfully received module information is the module information corresponding to the control strategy sent by the electronic controller 100 that the actuator 200 last successfully received. If the actuator 200 has a historical control strategy, the actuator 200 controls the target thermal management device according to the historical control strategy.

[0147] Optionally, the actuator 200 stores a safety control policy corresponding to the safety default module information. If the actuator 200 does not have a historical control policy, the actuator 200 controls the target thermal management device according to the safety control policy corresponding to the safety default module information.

[0148] Optionally, the electronic controller 100 outputs a communication fault signal; if a communication failure occurs between the electronic controller 100 and the actuator 200 upon initial power-on, the electronic controller 100 restricts driving functions.

[0149] 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.

[0150] In several embodiments provided by the present invention, the coupling between modules can be electrical, mechanical or other forms of coupling.

[0151] 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.

[0152] Please refer to Figure 12This is a block diagram of an electronic device 400 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 400 includes a memory 410, a processor 420, and a communication module 430. The memory 410, processor 420, and communication module 430 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.

[0153] Electronic device 400 can be the aforementioned electronic controller and actuator.

[0154] The memory 410 is used to store programs or data. The memory 410 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.

[0155] The processor 420 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 410 is executed by the processor 420, the thermal management control method disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented.

[0156] The communication module 430 is used to establish communication connections between various electronic devices 400 via a network, and to send and receive data via the network.

[0157] 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.

[0158] This invention also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned electronic equipment.

[0159] 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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, An electronic controller is communicatively connected to an actuator, the actuator is electrically connected to a target thermal management device, and the electronic controller stores control strategies corresponding to module information of each group of thermal management devices. The method includes: The actuator identifies the target module information of the target thermal management device; If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, then the actuator sends an identification failure message to the electronic controller. The electronic controller checks whether historical module information is stored; the historical module information is the target module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. If the electronic controller stores the historical module information, the electronic controller sends the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator; The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the electronic controller does not store the historical module information, the electronic controller obtains the default module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator; The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the default module information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the actuator successfully identifies the target module information and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, then the actuator sends the target module information to the electronic controller. The electronic controller stores the target module information as historical module information and sends the control strategy corresponding to the target module information to the actuator; The actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the target module information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The actuator stores default module information and a security control policy corresponding to each module information; the method further includes: If the electronic controller fails to communicate with the actuator, the actuator checks if a historical control strategy exists; the historical control strategy is the safety control strategy corresponding to the previously successfully received module information; the previously successfully received module information is the module information corresponding to the control strategy sent by the electronic controller that the actuator last successfully received. If the actuator has the historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the historical control strategy.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The actuator stores security control policies corresponding to security default module information, and the method further includes: If the actuator does not have the historical control strategy, the actuator controls the target thermal management device according to the safety control strategy corresponding to the safety default module information.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The electronic controller outputs a communication fault signal; If a communication failure occurs between the electronic controller and the actuator upon initial power-on, the electronic controller will restrict driving functions.

7. A thermal management control device, characterized in that, The electronic controller is communicatively connected to the actuator, which is electrically connected to the target thermal management device. The electronic controller stores the control strategy corresponding to the module information of each thermal management control device. The actuator is used to identify the target module information of the target thermal management device; If the actuator fails to identify the target module information, and the electronic controller communicates normally with the actuator, then the actuator is used to send identification failure information to the electronic controller; The electronic controller is used to check whether historical module information is stored; the historical module information is the target module information that the actuator successfully identified last time. If the electronic controller stores the historical module information, the electronic controller is used to send the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information to the actuator; The actuator is used to control the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the historical module information.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, If the electronic controller does not store the historical module information, the electronic controller is used to obtain the default module information and send the control strategy corresponding to the default module information to the actuator; The actuator is used to control the target thermal management device according to the control strategy corresponding to the default module information.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes 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 according to any one of claims 1-6.

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

Images