Vehicle end thermal management system, thermal management assembly, vehicle and thermal management control method

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of thermal management, and discloses a vehicle-end thermal management system, a thermal management assembly, a vehicle and a thermal management control method. The vehicle-end thermal management system comprises a vehicle-end refrigeration circuit, a cold heat source and a vehicle-end heat exchange device arranged on the vehicle-end refrigeration circuit. The vehicle-end heat exchange device is installed on a vehicle body through a floating device, so that the vehicle-end heat exchange device can abut against a battery-end heat exchange device, and the heat exchange effect is improved. The floating device can eliminate the installation tolerance between the vehicle-end heat exchange device and the battery-end heat exchange device, and the close abutment of the two can be realized on various vehicle models, and the universality of the vehicle-end thermal management system is improved. The thermal management control method can heat or cool the battery pack in time, ensure the temperature balance inside the battery pack, and avoid a large temperature difference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular to a vehicle-side thermal management system, a thermal management assembly, a vehicle, and a thermal management control method. Background Technology

[0002] In pure electric (rechargeable) new energy vehicles, battery thermal management typically involves the vehicle's air conditioning system cooling or heating the coolant. The coolant is then introduced into the battery pack via liquid cooling connectors, distributing heat to each battery cell. However, this method is unsuitable for battery swapping vehicles. The reason is that the liquid cooling connectors require high precision during installation. During battery swapping, the connection between the connectors and the battery must be disconnected, making reinstallation cumbersome and prone to failure. Each battery swap results in minor coolant leakage, polluting the environment. Furthermore, during swapping, contact with the external environment introduces dust particles and other impurities, causing coolant deterioration and reduced effectiveness. In severe cases, this can lead to pipe blockage and vehicle malfunction.

[0003] Therefore, using a contact-type heat exchange method instead of a plug-in type can effectively avoid the above problems. That is, a heat exchanger is installed on both the vehicle and the battery side, and when installing the battery, the heat exchanger on the battery side simply needs to make contact with the heat exchanger on the vehicle. However, due to the different models of battery swapping vehicles, it is impossible to guarantee good contact between the heat exchanger on the battery side and the heat exchanger on the vehicle when installing the battery, which reduces the heat exchange effect and is not conducive to battery thermal management. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle-side thermal management system, a thermal management assembly, a vehicle, and a thermal management control method, which can ensure good contact between the heat exchanger at the battery end and the heat exchanger on the vehicle, improve the heat exchange effect, and ensure the high efficiency of thermal management.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] Firstly, a vehicle-side thermal management system is provided, comprising:

[0007] The vehicle-end cooling circuit is equipped with a vehicle-end heat exchange device and a cold / heat source, and the cold / heat source has a cooling mode and a heating mode.

[0008] A floating device is used to mount the vehicle-end heat exchange device to the vehicle body so that the vehicle-end heat exchange device is configured to press against the battery-end heat exchange device.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the vehicle-side thermal management system provided by the present invention, the floating device includes an elastic element, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the vehicle body and the vehicle-side heat exchange device, so that the vehicle-side heat exchange device is configured to press against the battery-side heat exchange device under the elastic force of the elastic element.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the vehicle-end thermal management system provided by the present invention, the two ends of the elastic member are respectively provided with a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is connected to the vehicle-end heat exchange device. The second connector is provided with a stud and an internal threaded hole. The vehicle body is provided with a mounting part. A fastening bolt is passed through the mounting part. The fastening bolt can be screwed into the internal threaded hole. The stud can pass through the mounting part and be connected to a locking nut.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the vehicle-side thermal management system provided by the present invention, it further includes an elastic thermal conductive element, which is configured to be disposed between the vehicle-side heat exchange device and the battery-side heat exchange device.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the vehicle-side thermal management system provided by the present invention, the elastic thermal conductive element includes at least one of a thermally conductive silicone grease layer, a thermally conductive silicone layer, and a deformable graphite sheet.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the vehicle-end thermal management system provided by the present invention, a plurality of floating devices are symmetrically arranged on the vehicle-end heat exchange device.

[0014] In a second aspect, a thermal management assembly is provided, including a battery pack and a vehicle-side thermal management system as described above. The battery pack has a battery-side cooling circuit, which is independently configured with respect to the vehicle-side refrigeration circuit. The battery-side heat exchange device is disposed on the battery-side cooling circuit.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the thermal management assembly provided by the present invention, it further includes a temperature measurement system and a control system. A liquid extraction device is provided on the battery-side cooling circuit. The liquid extraction device is used to circulate the heat exchange liquid in the battery-side cooling circuit. The temperature measurement system is used to measure and record the temperature inside the battery pack. The control system is used to control the cold and heat sources and the liquid extraction device to be turned on when the temperature inside the battery pack is abnormal.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the thermal management assembly provided by the present invention, the battery-side cooling circuit further includes a heat exchange plate and a heat exchange pipeline connecting the inlet and outlet of the battery-side heat exchange device. The heat exchange plate is provided with a heat exchange channel, and the heat exchange pipeline is connected to the heat exchange channel. The heat exchange plate is used to place the module of the battery pack.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the thermal management assembly provided by the present invention, the battery pack includes an upper housing and a lower housing, the upper housing and the lower housing being fastened together to form a sealed cavity, the heat exchange pipeline and the heat exchange plate being disposed within the sealed cavity, and the battery end heat exchange device being installed on the lower housing and located outside the sealed cavity.

[0018] Thirdly, a vehicle is provided, including a vehicle body and a thermal management assembly as described above.

[0019] Fourthly, a thermal management control method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0020] S1. Determine whether the temperature inside the battery pack is within the preset range. If yes, proceed to S2; otherwise, proceed to S3.

[0021] S2. Determine whether the maximum temperature difference ΔT within the battery pack at any given moment is within the specified range. If yes, proceed to S4; otherwise, proceed to S5.

[0022] S3. Start the heat source and the liquid extraction device;

[0023] S4. Turn off the heat source and the liquid extraction device;

[0024] S5. Start the liquid extraction device and turn off the cold and heat source.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment of the thermal management control method provided by the present invention, S1 includes:

[0026] S11. Obtain the highest temperature Tmax and the lowest temperature Tmin inside the battery pack;

[0027] S12. Determine if Tmax is greater than or equal to T. 上限 Or whether Tmin is less than or equal to T 下限 T 上限 And T 下限 These are the maximum and minimum permissible temperatures of the battery pack during normal operation, respectively.

[0028] And, S3 includes:

[0029] S31. If Tmax ≥ T 上限 If so, the cooling mode of the aforementioned heat source will be activated;

[0030] S32. If Tmin ≤ T 下限 If so, the heating mode of the aforementioned cold and heat source will be activated.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment of the thermal management control method provided by the present invention, after S31, it further includes:

[0032] S311. Determine whether Tmax is less than or equal to the first safety value Ts1. If yes, proceed to S312. If no, maintain the cooling mode of the cold / heat source and the operation of the liquid extraction device, where Ts1 < Tmax. 上限 ;

[0033] S312. Determine whether ΔT is less than or equal to the second safety value Ts2. If yes, turn off the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device. If no, turn off the cold and heat source while keeping the liquid extraction device open.

[0034] And, following S32, it also includes:

[0035] S321. Determine whether Tmin is greater than or equal to the third safety value Ts3. If yes, proceed to S322. If no, maintain the heating mode of the cold / heat source and the operation of the liquid extraction device, where Ts3 > Tmin. 下限 ;

[0036] S322. Determine whether ΔT is less than or equal to the second safety value Ts2. If yes, turn off the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device. If no, turn off the cold and heat source while keeping the liquid extraction device open.

[0037] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0038] This invention provides a vehicle-side thermal management system, a thermal management assembly including the system, and a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle-side refrigeration circuit with a heat source and a cold source, both capable of cooling and heating. A vehicle-side heat exchanger is also provided on the refrigeration circuit. This heat exchanger is designed to be in close contact with a battery-side heat exchanger to absorb or transfer heat from the battery-side heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is mounted on the vehicle body via a floating device. After the battery pack is mounted on the vehicle body, the heat exchanger is pressed against the surface of the battery-side heat exchanger, ensuring close contact and efficient heat exchange. The floating device eliminates installation tolerances between the heat exchanger and the battery-side heat exchanger, allowing for close contact across various vehicle models and improving the versatility of the vehicle-side thermal management system.

[0039] In the thermal management control method provided by this invention, when the temperature inside the battery pack exceeds a preset range, the heat source and the liquid extraction device are automatically activated. The heat source has a cooling mode and a heating mode, used to heat or cool the heat exchange fluid in the entire vehicle-side cooling circuit, thereby exchanging heat with the battery-side heat exchange device through the vehicle-side heat exchange device. The liquid extraction device is used to circulate the heat exchange fluid in the battery-side cooling circuit, transferring heat to various locations to uniformly heat or cool all parts of the battery pack. When the temperature inside the battery pack is within the preset range, but the maximum internal temperature difference ΔT exceeds the limit, the liquid extraction device can be activated while the heat source is turned off (or the heat source is kept off). That is, at this time, only the liquid extraction device in the battery cooling circuit needs to be activated. The liquid extraction device can accelerate the flow of the heat exchange fluid inside the circuit, making the temperature uniform throughout the battery pack and avoiding large temperature differences inside the battery pack that could affect the battery's lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a first view of the thermal management assembly provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a second view (with the upper housing hidden) of the thermal management assembly provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a connection diagram of the vehicle-end heat exchange device provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the elastic heat-conducting element provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the battery cooling circuit on the lower housing according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the battery-side cooling circuit provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a first flowchart of the thermal management control method provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a second flowchart of the thermal management control method provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] In the picture:

[0051] 1. Vehicle-side cooling circuit; 2. Battery-side cooling circuit; 3. Floating device; 4. Flexible heat-conducting component; 5. Battery pack;

[0052] 11. Vehicle-end heat exchange device; 12. Refrigerant piping;

[0053] 21. Battery end heat exchange device; 22. Liquid extraction device; 23. Water box; 24. Heat exchange plate; 25. Heat exchange piping; 26. Branch pipe;

[0054] 31. Elastic element; 32. First connecting element; 33. Second connecting element;

[0055] 331. Stud; 332. Internal threaded hole;

[0056] 51. Upper shell; 52. Lower shell; 53. Module; 54. Partition. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0058] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0059] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0060] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a vehicle-side thermal management system that can be used for thermal management of battery-swapping vehicles. The vehicle-side thermal management system includes a vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 and a floating device.

[0062] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 is equipped with a vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 and a heat source / cold source. The heat source / cold source has a cooling mode and a heating mode to heat or cool the heat exchange fluid in the vehicle-side cooling circuit 1. The battery pack 5 is equipped with a battery-side heat exchange device 21. The vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 needs to be in close contact with the battery-side heat exchange device 21 to absorb heat from or transfer heat to the battery-side heat exchange device 21.

[0063] A floating device 3 is provided on the vehicle-side heat exchanger 11, which is used to mount the vehicle-side heat exchanger 11 onto the vehicle body. After the battery pack 5 is mounted on the vehicle body, the vehicle-side heat exchanger 11 can press against the surface of the battery-side heat exchanger 21, ensuring close contact between them. Figure 3 The state shown ensures effective heat exchange. The floating device 3 eliminates the installation tolerance between the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 and the battery-side heat exchange device 21, allowing for close contact between the two in various vehicle models and improving the versatility of the vehicle-side thermal management system.

[0064] Optionally, in this embodiment, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 The floating device 3 includes an elastic element 31. Both ends of the elastic element 31 are connected to the vehicle body and the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11, respectively, so that the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 can be pressed against the battery-end heat exchange device 21 under the elastic force of the elastic element 31. After the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and the battery-end heat exchange device 21 are installed, the elastic element 31 is in a compressed state, with an internal elastic preload. The vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 can be pressed against the battery-end heat exchange device 21 under the action of this elastic preload. Furthermore, even if there is a certain installation tolerance between the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and the battery-end heat exchange device 21, the elastic element 31 can compensate for this installation tolerance, thereby pressing the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 against the battery-end heat exchange device 21, ensuring close contact between the two at all times, and improving the versatility of the vehicle-end thermal management system.

[0065] See Figure 4 Optionally, the elastic member 31 is provided with a first connecting member 32 and a second connecting member 33 at both ends. The first connecting member 32 is used to connect with the vehicle end heat exchange device 11. The second connecting member 33 is used to connect with the vehicle body.

[0066] By setting the first connecting member 32, the connection strength between the elastic member 31 and the vehicle end heat exchange device 11 can be improved, and the connection operation is more convenient. The first connecting member 32 can be a flange plate, which can be threaded onto the vehicle end heat exchange device 11. Alternatively, the first connecting member 32 can be a flat plate, which can be directly welded onto the vehicle end heat exchange device 11.

[0067] See Figure 4 The second connecting member 33 has a stud 331 and an internal threaded hole 332 on the side facing away from the elastic member 31. Correspondingly, a mounting part is provided on the vehicle body, which has a first connecting hole corresponding to the stud 331 and a second connecting hole corresponding to the internal threaded hole 332. The stud 331 on the second connecting member 33 can pass through the first connecting hole on the mounting part and be threadedly connected to a locking nut. A fastening bolt is inserted into the second connecting hole and can be screwed into the internal threaded hole 332 to connect the mounting part and the second connecting member 33. By tightening the locking nut on the stud 331 and the fastening bolt on the mounting part, the entire floating device 3 can be securely and reliably installed on the vehicle body, thereby achieving a stable connection between the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and the vehicle body.

[0068] In this embodiment, see Figure 4 The second connector 33 is provided with two internal threaded holes 332, and the two internal threaded holes 332 are symmetrically arranged about the stud 331. Correspondingly, two fastening bolts are also provided. The two fastening bolts are screwed into the corresponding internal threaded holes 332 one by one, which can further improve the connection stability between the floating device 3 and the vehicle body, and ensure that the floating device 3 is evenly loaded.

[0069] Of course, in other embodiments, the number of internal threaded holes 332 can be increased or decreased as long as the design requirements are met.

[0070] For example, the elastic element 31 may be a spring, a disc spring assembly, or other compressible and resilient component, as long as it can provide a resilient force to the vehicle end heat exchange device 11.

[0071] See Figure 3In this embodiment, the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 is rectangular, with a floating device 3 at each of its four corners, for a total of four floating devices 3. The vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 is mounted on the vehicle body via these four floating devices 3. This effectively improves the connection stability between the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and the vehicle body. Furthermore, since the compression distances of the elastic elements 31 in the four floating devices 3 may be inconsistent, this not only eliminates the distance tolerance between the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and the battery-end heat exchange device 21 but also eliminates the angular tolerance between them, ensuring that they are always in close contact. Even if vibrations occur during vehicle operation, the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and the battery-end heat exchange device 21 will not separate, ensuring good heat exchange performance.

[0072] Furthermore, the four floating devices 3 are symmetrically distributed on the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 to improve the uniformity of load distribution on the vehicle-end heat exchange device 11 and avoid uneven stress distribution. In other embodiments, the number and distribution of the floating devices 3 can be selected according to specific design requirements, and are not limited here.

[0073] See Figure 5 The vehicle-side thermal management system also includes an elastic heat-conducting component 4, which is disposed between the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 and the battery-side heat exchange device 21. When the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 presses against the battery-side heat exchange device 21, the elastic heat-conducting component 4 can undergo a certain elastic deformation to fill the gap between the vehicle-side heat exchanger and the battery-side heat exchanger, ensuring seamless contact between them, avoiding excessive heat loss, and further improving the heat exchange effect.

[0074] For example, the elastic thermal conductive element 4 includes at least one of a thermally conductive silicone grease layer, a thermally conductive silicone layer, and a deformable graphite sheet, which can fill the tiny gap between the vehicle-end heat exchanger and the battery-end heat exchanger to improve the thermal conductivity.

[0075] See Figure 2 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 The vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 also includes a refrigerant line 12, which can be connected to the outlet and inlet of the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 to form a circulation loop. The heat source is set on the refrigerant line 12 to heat or cool the battery pack 5 through the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 and the battery-side heat exchange device 21.

[0076] It is understandable that the vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 can be formed using the vehicle's built-in air conditioning system, that is, by connecting the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 in parallel with the air conditioning cooling circuit and setting a separate opening valve. The heat source of the vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 is the same as the heat source of the air conditioning cooling circuit on the vehicle. The air conditioning function and the function of the vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 can be turned on independently without affecting each other. Alternatively, the vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 can also use a separate cooling system, that is, by setting up a dedicated cooling system on the vehicle for heating or cooling the battery pack 5.

[0077] This embodiment also provides a thermal management assembly, including a battery pack 5 and the vehicle-side thermal management system as described above. The battery pack 5 has a battery-side cooling circuit 2, which is independently configured with respect to the vehicle-side cooling circuit 1, and a battery-side heat exchange device 21 is disposed on the battery-side cooling circuit 2.

[0078] A liquid extraction device 22 is also installed on the battery-side cooling circuit 2. The liquid extraction device 22 provides power to circulate the heat exchange fluid in the battery-side cooling circuit 2. The vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 can be in close contact with the battery-side heat exchange device 21 to absorb heat from or transfer heat to the battery-side heat exchange device 21. When the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are working, the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 and the battery-side heat exchange device 21 exchange heat to cool or heat the temperature inside the battery pack 5. The vehicle-side cooling circuit 1 and the battery-side cooling circuit 2 are independent of each other and are both closed circuits. The heat exchange fluid inside them does not come into contact with each other, so there will be no leakage of heat exchange fluid during the battery swapping process.

[0079] See Figure 2 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 The battery-side cooling circuit 2 also includes a heat exchange pipe 25, which can be connected to the liquid outlet and liquid inlet of the battery-side heat exchange device 21 to form a circulation loop. See [link to relevant documentation] Figure 7 Multiple heat exchange plates 24 are arranged along the extension direction of the heat exchange pipeline 25. Multiple modules 53 of the battery pack 5 are correspondingly placed on the heat exchange plates 24. The heat exchange plates 24 can heat or cool the modules 53. Heat exchange channels for circulating heat exchange fluid are provided within the heat exchange plates 24, and these channels are connected to the heat exchange pipeline 25. The heat exchange channels are preferably S-shaped, as this increases the time the heat exchange fluid remains within the heat exchange plates 24, thus ensuring sufficient heating or cooling of the modules 53. (See also...) Figure 8 Multiple branch pipes 26 are provided on the heat exchange pipeline 25, and the heat exchange plate 24 is connected to the heat exchange pipeline 25 through the branch pipes 26. The branch pipes 26 are vertically connected between the heat exchange plate 24 and the heat exchange pipeline 25, and the structure is reasonably arranged.

[0080] continue Figure 2 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7The battery-side cooling circuit 2 is also equipped with a water tank 23 that communicates with the inner cavity of the pumping device 22. The pumping device 22 provides power to circulate the heat exchange fluid in the battery-side cooling circuit 2. The water tank 23 stores sufficient heat exchange fluid to ensure adequate flow throughout the circuit. The pumping device 22 is preferably a miniature water pump, which is small in size and avoids occupying too much space, making the structure of the battery pack 5 more compact and reasonable.

[0081] See Figure 1 The battery pack 5 also includes an upper shell 51 and a lower shell 52 that are interlocked. After the upper shell 51 and the lower shell 52 are interlocked, a sealed cavity is defined. The heat exchange pipe 25, the heat exchange plate 24, and the module 53 placed on the heat exchange plate 24 are all located inside the sealed cavity to ensure the sealing of the discharge environment of the module 53. The battery end heat exchange device 21 is installed on the lower shell 52 and located outside the sealed cavity so that the vehicle end heat exchange device 11 can be smoothly attached to the battery end heat exchange device 21 located outside the battery pack 5.

[0082] See Figure 6 Each adjacent module 53 is provided with a partition 54. On the one hand, it can divide the installation space of the module 53 and prevent the module 53 from moving around. On the other hand, when the module 53 malfunctions and leaks, the chemical liquid will not flow into the adjacent module 53, thus avoiding contamination of other modules 53.

[0083] The thermal management assembly provided in this embodiment also includes a temperature measurement system and a control system. The temperature measurement system is located inside the battery pack 5 and is used to measure and record the temperature inside the battery pack 5. The control system is used to control the activation of the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 when the temperature inside the battery pack 5 is abnormal. Abnormal temperature conditions include situations where the temperature value inside the battery pack 5 exceeds a preset range, and situations where the maximum temperature difference between various measuring points inside the battery pack 5 exceeds a limited range (see the thermal management control method section below for details).

[0084] This embodiment also provides a vehicle, including a vehicle body and the thermal management assembly described above. This vehicle prevents leakage of the heat exchange fluid within the battery pack 5 during battery swapping and can promptly heat or cool the battery pack 5 during operation, exhibiting excellent battery thermal management performance. Furthermore, installing the battery pack 5 onto the vehicle body ensures close contact between the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11 and the battery-side heat exchange device 21, reducing heat loss and improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0085] See Figure 9 and Figure 10 This embodiment also provides a thermal management control method, which uses the thermal management assembly described above for control.

[0086] like Figure 9 As shown, the thermal management control method specifically includes the following steps:

[0087] S1. Determine whether the internal temperature of the battery pack 5 is within the preset range. If yes, proceed to S2; otherwise, proceed to S3.

[0088] S2. Determine whether the maximum temperature difference ΔT within the battery pack 5 at the same time is within the specified range. If yes, proceed to S4; otherwise, proceed to S5.

[0089] S3. Start the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device 22;

[0090] S4. Turn off the cold and heat sources and the liquid extraction device 22;

[0091] S5. Start the liquid extraction device 22 and turn off the cold and heat sources.

[0092] When the internal temperature of the battery pack 5 exceeds the preset range, the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are automatically activated. The heat source has a cooling mode and a heating mode, used to heat or cool the heat exchange fluid in the entire vehicle-side cooling circuit 1, thereby exchanging heat with the battery-side heat exchange device 21 through the vehicle-side heat exchange device 11. The liquid extraction device 22 is used to circulate the heat exchange fluid in the battery-side cooling circuit 2, transferring heat to all parts to uniformly heat or cool all parts inside the battery pack 5. When the internal temperature of the battery pack 5 is within the preset range, but the maximum internal temperature difference ΔT exceeds the limit (i.e., ΔT≥D, where D is the maximum allowable temperature difference when the battery is working normally), the liquid extraction device 22 can be activated to shut down the heat source (or keep the heat source off). That is, at this time, only the liquid extraction device 22 in the battery cooling circuit needs to be activated. The liquid extraction device 22 can accelerate the flow of the heat exchange fluid inside the circuit, making the temperature uniform throughout the battery pack 5, and avoiding large temperature differences inside the battery pack 5 that could affect the battery's lifespan.

[0093] Obviously, when the temperature inside the battery pack 5 is within the preset range, and the maximum temperature difference ΔT inside the battery pack 5 at the same time is also within the limited range, the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 can be turned off (or the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 can be kept off).

[0094] Optionally, step S1 specifically includes:

[0095] S11. Obtain the highest temperature Tmax and lowest temperature Tmin inside battery pack 5;

[0096] S12. Determine if Tmax is greater than or equal to T. 上限 Or whether Tmin is less than or equal to T 下限 T 上限 And T 下限 These are the maximum and minimum allowable temperatures for battery pack 5 during normal operation, respectively.

[0097] The normal operating temperature of battery pack 5 should be within T.下限 ~T 上限 The optimal range is between Tmax and Tmax, where Tmax ≥ Tmax. 上限 Or Tmin≤T 下限 If the temperature exceeds the preset range, it indicates that the internal temperature of battery pack 5 is outside the preset range.

[0098] The battery pack 5 is equipped with a temperature measurement system, which includes multiple temperature sensors. Specifically, in this embodiment, the temperature inside the battery pack 5 is obtained as follows: multiple temperature sensors are installed inside the battery pack 5, and each temperature sensor measures and records the temperature T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn at various measuring points inside the battery pack 5. The highest temperature Tmax and the lowest temperature Tmin are determined by comparing the temperature values ​​T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn measured by the multiple temperature sensors; that is, the maximum and minimum values ​​among T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn are taken.

[0099] Furthermore, multiple temperature sensors are evenly distributed within the battery pack 5 to measure and record the temperature at each measuring point, ensuring data reliability. Alternatively, multiple temperature sensors can be distributed within the high-temperature and low-temperature regions of the battery pack 5. By measuring the temperature at each measuring point in the high-temperature and low-temperature regions, the maximum temperature Tmax and the minimum temperature Tmin can be determined, thus reducing the number of temperature sensors required. The high-temperature and low-temperature regions of the battery pack 5 can be determined through simulation.

[0100] In this embodiment, the opening and closing of the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are controlled by a control system. The control system is connected to the aforementioned temperature sensor to control the opening of the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 when the highest temperature Tmax and the lowest temperature Tmin obtained by the temperature sensor exceed a preset range.

[0101] Specifically, the control system includes a battery-side control module and a vehicle-side control module connected via communication. The battery-side control module is also connected to a temperature sensor. When the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset range, it sends a signal to the battery-side control module. Upon receiving the signal, the battery-side control module issues a command to control the liquid extraction device 22 to activate. Simultaneously, the battery-side control module also sends a signal to the vehicle-side control module. Upon receiving this signal, the vehicle-side control module issues a command to control the heat source to activate either cooling or heating mode.

[0102] Based on the above steps S11 and S12, step S3 includes:

[0103] S31. If Tmax ≥ T 上限 If the temperature exceeds the limit, the cooling mode of the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 will be activated simultaneously to accelerate the cooling of the battery pack 5.

[0104] S32. If Tmin ≤ T下限 If the temperature exceeds the limit, the heating mode of the cold and heat source will be activated. That is, when the temperature exceeds the limit, the heating mode of the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 will be activated at the same time to accelerate the preheating of the battery pack 5.

[0105] like Figure 10 As shown, after step S31, the following steps are also included:

[0106] S311. Determine if Tmax is less than or equal to the first safety value Ts1. If yes, proceed to S312. If no, maintain the cooling mode of the cold and heat source and the operation of the liquid pumping device 22, where Ts1 < T 上限 ;

[0107] S312. Determine whether ΔT is less than or equal to the second safety value Ts2. If yes, turn off the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device 22. If no, turn off the cold and heat source while keeping the liquid extraction device 22 open.

[0108] In other words, when Tmax ≥ T 上限 After the cooling mode of the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are turned on for a period of time, the temperature inside the battery pack 5 gradually decreases. When Tmax drops below the first safety value Ts1 and the maximum temperature difference ΔT ≤ the second safety value Ts2, the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 will automatically shut down. When Tmax drops below the first safety value Ts1, but the maximum temperature difference ΔT > the second safety value Ts2, it indicates that the internal temperature of the battery pack 5 is uneven. At this time, only the heat source is turned off while the liquid extraction device 22 remains on until the maximum temperature difference ΔT drops below the second safety value Ts2, at which point the liquid extraction device 22 can be turned off.

[0109] like Figure 10 As shown, after step S32, the following steps are also included:

[0110] S321. Determine if Tmin is greater than or equal to the third safety value Ts3. If yes, proceed to S322. If no, maintain the heating mode of the cold and heat source and the operation of the liquid extraction device 22, where Ts3 > Tmin. 下限 ;

[0111] S322. Determine whether ΔT is less than or equal to the second safety value Ts2. If yes, turn off the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device 22. If no, turn off the cold and heat source while keeping the liquid extraction device 22 open.

[0112] In other words, when Tmin≤T 下限After the heating mode of the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are turned on for a period of time, the temperature inside the battery pack 5 gradually rises. When Tmin rises above the third safety value Ts3 and the maximum temperature difference ΔT ≤ the second safety value Ts2, the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 will automatically shut down. When Tmin rises above the third safety value Ts3, but the maximum temperature difference ΔT > the second safety value Ts2, it indicates that the internal temperature of the battery pack 5 is uneven. At this time, only the heat source is turned off while the liquid extraction device 22 remains on until the maximum temperature difference ΔT drops below the second safety value Ts2, at which point the liquid extraction device 22 can be turned off.

[0113] For example, a certain model of battery pack 5 has a Tmax of 40℃, a Tmin of 10℃, and a D of 8℃. That is, the optimal operating temperature of this battery pack 5 should be less than or equal to 40℃ and greater than or equal to 10℃, with a maximum temperature difference of no more than 8℃. The first safety value Ts1 is set to 35℃, the second safety value Ts2 to 5℃, and the third safety value Ts3 to 15℃. When using this thermal management control method, the thermal management assembly has three modes:

[0114] Cooling Mode: When the highest temperature inside the battery pack 5 is greater than or equal to 40℃, the battery-side control module controls the liquid extraction device 22 (micro water pump) to start, and the vehicle-side control module controls the heat source to start the cooling mode. The heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 work together to reduce the temperature inside the battery pack 5. When the temperature inside the battery pack 5 drops below 35℃ and the maximum temperature difference is less than or equal to 5℃, both the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are turned off. When the temperature inside the battery pack 5 drops below 35℃, but the maximum temperature difference is still greater than 5℃, only the heat source is turned off. The liquid extraction device 22 is then turned off once the maximum temperature difference drops below 5℃.

[0115] Heating Mode: When the lowest temperature inside the battery pack 5 is less than or equal to 10°C, the battery-side control module controls the liquid extraction device 22 (micro water pump) to turn on, and the vehicle-side control module controls the heat source to turn on the heating mode. The heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 work together to raise the temperature inside the battery pack 5. When the temperature inside the battery pack 5 rises to above 15°C, and the maximum temperature difference is less than or equal to 5°C, both the heat source and the liquid extraction device 22 are turned off simultaneously. When the temperature inside the battery pack 5 rises to above 15°C, but the maximum temperature difference is still greater than 5°C, only the heat source is turned off. The liquid extraction device 22 is then turned off once the maximum temperature difference drops below 5°C.

[0116] Temperature equalization mode: During the operation of battery pack 5, when the maximum internal temperature difference is >8℃, the liquid extraction device 22 is turned on independently. When the maximum temperature difference is ≤5℃, the liquid extraction device 22 is turned off to ensure temperature equalization inside battery pack 5.

[0117] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle-side thermal management system, characterized in that, include: Vehicle-end cooling circuit (1), wherein a vehicle-end heat exchange device (11) and a cold / heat source are provided on the vehicle-end cooling circuit (1), and the cold / heat source has a cooling mode and a heating mode; floating device (3), wherein the vehicle-end heat exchange device (11) is installed on the vehicle body through the floating device (3) so that the vehicle-end heat exchange device (11) is configured to press against the battery-end heat exchange device (21); It also includes an elastic heat-conducting element (4), which is configured to be disposed between the vehicle-end heat exchange device (11) and the battery-end heat exchange device (21); The floating device (3) includes an elastic element (31), the two ends of which are respectively connected to the vehicle body and the vehicle end heat exchange device (11), so that the vehicle end heat exchange device (11) is configured to press against the battery end heat exchange device (21) under the elastic force of the elastic element (31). The elastic member (31) has a first connector (32) and a second connector (33) at its two ends respectively. The first connector (32) is connected to the vehicle end heat exchange device (11). The second connector (33) is provided with a stud (331) and an internal threaded hole (332). The vehicle body is provided with an installation part. A fastening bolt is provided on the installation part. The fastening bolt can be screwed into the internal threaded hole (332). The stud (331) can pass through the installation part and be connected to the locking nut.

2. The vehicle-side thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic thermal conductive element (4) includes at least one of thermally conductive grease layer, thermally conductive silicone layer, and deformable graphite sheet.

3. The vehicle-side thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple floating devices (3) are symmetrically arranged on the vehicle-end heat exchange device (11).

4. A thermal management assembly, characterized in that, The battery pack (5) includes a vehicle-side thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the battery pack (5) has a battery-side cooling circuit (2), the battery-side cooling circuit (2) and the vehicle-side refrigeration circuit (1) are independently configured, and the battery-side heat exchange device (21) is configured on the battery-side cooling circuit (2).

5. The thermal management assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature measurement system and a control system. A liquid extraction device (22) is provided on the battery end cooling circuit (2). The liquid extraction device (22) is used to circulate the heat exchange liquid in the battery end cooling circuit (2). The temperature measurement system is used to measure and record the temperature inside the battery pack (5). The control system is used to control the cold and heat source and the liquid extraction device (22) to be turned on when the temperature inside the battery pack (5) is abnormal.

6. The thermal management assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The battery cooling circuit (2) further includes a heat exchange plate (24) and a heat exchange pipe (25) that connects to the inlet and outlet of the battery heat exchange device (21). The heat exchange plate (24) has a heat exchange channel, and the heat exchange pipe (25) is connected to the heat exchange channel. The heat exchange plate (24) is used to place the module (53) of the battery pack (5).

7. The thermal management assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The battery pack (5) includes an upper shell (51) and a lower shell (52), which are fastened together to form a sealed cavity. The heat exchange pipeline (25) and the heat exchange plate (24) are both disposed in the sealed cavity. The battery end heat exchange device (21) is installed on the lower shell (52) and located outside the sealed cavity.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the vehicle body and the thermal management assembly as described in any one of claims 4-7.

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