A thermal management system for new energy vehicles utilizing phase change energy storage technology

Abstract

This invention discloses a thermal management system for new energy vehicles utilizing phase change energy storage technology. It includes an air cooler, an air conditioning evaporator, a power battery, a control system, and a phase change energy storage tank filled with phase change material, all located within the vehicle body. The air cooler is connected to the phase change energy storage tank via a working fluid pipeline, which passes through the air conditioning evaporator. A valve assembly is installed on the working fluid pipeline, and the valve assembly, air cooler, and air conditioning evaporator are connected to the control system. In winter, this invention stores heat from the air in the phase change energy storage tank via the air cooler. When the car is first started, this heat is used to warm the battery. As the car runs and the battery warms up, excess heat is transferred to the car's interior floor through heat pipes, raising the interior temperature to assist the air conditioning system and reduce energy consumption. In summer, at night, the cooler heat is stored in the phase change energy storage tank. When the car is running, the cooling energy in the phase change energy storage tank is circulated to the battery and air conditioning evaporator through the working fluid pipeline, lowering the battery temperature and assisting the air conditioning system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of new energy vehicle technology, and in particular to a new energy vehicle thermal management system utilizing phase change energy storage technology. Background Technology

[0002] New energy vehicles refer to automobiles that use unconventional vehicle fuels as their power source (or use conventional vehicle fuels but employ new onboard power devices), integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and drive, resulting in vehicles with advanced technical principles and new technologies and structures. New energy vehicles include pure electric vehicles, range-extended electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, and hydrogen engine vehicles.

[0003] Currently, most new energy vehicles use water tanks to cool their power batteries. The coolant circulating within the battery pack reaches the radiator, which lowers its temperature. The coolant then returns to the battery pack's cooling channels to dissipate heat. However, with the development of the new energy vehicle industry, this simple method of cooling new energy vehicle power batteries is no longer sufficient to meet their cooling requirements.

[0004] With the development of technology, the scope and range of utilization of natural cold sources in the environment have been greatly expanded, and phase change energy storage technology has also been widely used in the field of air conditioning for new energy vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings in the aforementioned background technology, this invention proposes a thermal management system for new energy vehicles that utilizes phase change energy storage technology. This solves the problem that the power batteries of new energy vehicles cannot reach the optimal operating temperature in the prior art, and improves the internal temperature of the vehicle.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:

[0007] A new energy vehicle thermal management system utilizing phase change energy storage technology includes an air cooler, an air conditioning evaporator, and a power battery installed in the vehicle body. It also includes a control system and a phase change energy storage box filled with phase change material. The phase change energy storage box is installed on the top of the vehicle body. The air cooler is connected to the phase change energy storage box through a working fluid pipe filled with working fluid, and the working fluid pipe passes through the air conditioning evaporator. A valve group is installed on the working fluid pipe, and the valve group, air cooler, and air conditioning evaporator are connected to the control system.

[0008] Furthermore, the working fluid pipeline is a copper pipeline, and a solution pump is installed on the working fluid pipeline.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes an openable radiation shielding cover mounted on the top of the vehicle body, located above the phase change energy storage box.

[0010] Furthermore, temperature sensor A and temperature sensor B are respectively provided at the front and rear ends of the phase change energy storage box, and temperature sensor A and temperature sensor B are connected to the control system.

[0011] Furthermore, the working fluid pipeline includes a main working fluid pipeline that circulates between the air cooler and the phase change energy storage box. The main working fluid pipeline is connected to the air conditioner evaporator through a branch line. The valve group includes a control valve B installed on the branch line.

[0012] Furthermore, the main working fluid pipeline is connected to the power battery via branch line two; the valve group includes a control valve C installed on branch line two.

[0013] Furthermore, the valve assembly also includes valve D, which is installed on the main working fluid pipeline and is located near the air cooler.

[0014] Furthermore, the valve assembly also includes valve A connected to the main working fluid pipeline. Valve A is located on the outside of the vehicle body and is used for replacing the working fluid in the working fluid pipeline.

[0015] Furthermore, the power battery is located at the bottom of the vehicle body and is connected to the vehicle's interior floor via a heat pipe.

[0016] Furthermore, the power battery is equipped with a temperature sensor connected to the control system.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0018] 1. In winter, when the car is not started during the day, the air cooler stores the heat in the air in the phase change energy storage box. When the new energy vehicle is started, the heat in the phase change energy storage box is used to heat the battery through the heat pipe to reach the optimal operating temperature.

[0019] 2. In winter, when the car is running and the battery is warming up, the excess heat is transferred to the car floor through the heat pipe, which raises the temperature inside the car, assists the air conditioning in heating, and reduces energy consumption.

[0020] 3. In the summer night when the car is not started, the air cooler stores the low-temperature heat in the phase change energy storage box. When the car is running, the control system turns on and circulates the cold energy in the phase change energy storage box to the battery and air conditioner evaporator through the working fluid pipeline to reduce the battery temperature and assist the air conditioner in cooling.

[0021] 4. When the outdoor temperature is detected by the temperature sensor, the control system opens the radiation shield to heat the phase change energy storage box; the radiation shield is closed at other times.

[0022] 5. The control system uses the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to control the corresponding working status of each component, so as to achieve maximum utilization and reduce energy consumption;

[0023] 6. This invention can effectively cool the battery, intelligently regulate the temperature inside the vehicle, effectively utilize natural cooling sources, and save resources. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a side view of the car model of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of the phase change energy storage box of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] 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. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, taking a car model as an example, the new energy vehicle thermal management system utilizing phase change energy storage technology described in Embodiment 1 includes an air cooler 2, an air conditioning evaporator 5, and a power battery 3 located within the vehicle body. The air cooler 2 is located at the front of the new energy vehicle body, and the power battery 3 is located at the bottom of the new energy vehicle body. The air conditioning evaporator 5 is used for heat exchange with the interior of the new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle thermal management system also includes a control system and a phase change energy storage box 1, which is filled with phase change material. The phase change energy storage box 1 is located on the top of the vehicle body. The air cooler 2 is circulatedly connected to the phase change energy storage box 1 through a working fluid pipe, and the working fluid pipe passes through the air conditioning evaporator 5. The working fluid pipe is filled with a working fluid 6, allowing the working fluid 6 to circulate within the working fluid pipe. A solution pump 7 is installed on the working fluid pipe. A valve group is installed on the working fluid pipe, and the valve group, air cooler 2, and air conditioning evaporator 5 are connected to the control system. The control system controls the operation of the thermal management system through the valve group. In this embodiment, the working fluid pipe is a copper pipe; the air cooler 2 is a dry air cooler.

[0029] Furthermore, temperature sensors A17 and B18 are respectively installed at the front and rear ends of the phase change energy storage box 1, and temperature sensors A17 and B18 are connected to the control system. The control system controls the operation of the thermal management system based on stability.

[0030] Furthermore, the power battery 3 is located at the bottom of the vehicle body, and is connected to a heat pipe 4 that conducts heat to the vehicle's interior floor 8. The heat pipe 4 is located below the vehicle's interior floor 8. In this embodiment, the heat pipe 4 has fins connected to its upper and lower parts. The power battery 3 is equipped with a temperature sensor connected to the control system.

[0031] Furthermore, the working fluid pipeline includes a main working fluid pipeline 14 that circulates between the air cooler 2 and the phase change energy storage tank 1. The main working fluid pipeline 14 is connected to the air conditioner evaporator 5 via a branch line 1. The valve group includes a control valve B10 installed on the branch line 1. The main working fluid pipeline 14 is connected to the power battery 3 via a branch line 2. The valve group includes a control valve C11 installed on the branch line 2. The valve group also includes a valve D12 installed on the main working fluid pipeline 14, with the valve D12 located close to the air cooler 2.

[0032] Example 2 differs from Example 1 in that the valve assembly further includes a valve A9 connected to the main working fluid pipeline 14. The valve A9 is located on the outer side of the rear of the vehicle body and is used for replacing the working fluid in the working fluid pipeline 14.

[0033] Example 3 differs from Example 1 in that it further includes an openable and closable radiation shield 13 mounted on the top of the vehicle body, located above the phase change energy storage box 1. The radiation shield 13 is connected to a control system, which controls the opening and closing of the radiation shield 13.

[0034] The operating conditions of this invention are as follows:

[0035] 1. Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 During summer operation, when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is higher than the ambient temperature T2 (the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor on the vehicle itself), valve D12 opens, air cooler 2 operates, and working fluid 6 circulates in working fluid pipeline 14. Working fluid 6 flows through the top of the new energy vehicle through solution pump 7, transferring the cooling capacity to the phase change material and storing it in phase change energy storage box 1. When the temperature difference detected by temperature sensor A17 and temperature sensor B18 is less than 0.5℃, air cooler 2 closes, valve D12 closes, and at this time the cooling capacity stored in phase change energy storage box 1 reaches its upper limit.

[0036] 2. Reference Figure 1During summer operation, when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is higher than the set temperature T3, valve B10 closes. At this time, the cooling energy in the phase change energy storage box 1 cannot be transferred to the vehicle interior through the air conditioning evaporator 5. When the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is lower than the set temperature T3, valve B10 opens. Under the action of the solution pump 7, the working fluid 6 circulates in the working fluid pipeline 14. The working fluid 6 flows through the air conditioning evaporator 5, and the air conditioning evaporator 5 operates, blowing cool air into the vehicle interior. The set temperature T3 is between 24°C and 26°C.

[0037] 3. Reference Figure 1 When working in summer, the air conditioning system will start when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is higher than the air conditioning cooling temperature T4; when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is lower than the air conditioning cooling temperature T4, the air conditioning system will be shut down. At this time, only the air conditioning evaporator 5 needs to work to meet the cooling needs.

[0038] In addition, when the air conditioning system is working, valve B10 can also be opened, and working fluid 6 flows through the air conditioning evaporator 5. The air conditioning evaporator 5 works to blow cold air into the vehicle, as required in operating condition 2.

[0039] In this operating condition, the fully automatic radiation shield 13 should be in the closed state to prevent solar radiation from increasing the temperature of the phase change energy storage box 1.

[0040] 4. Reference Figure 1 When the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is higher than the temperature T5 of the power battery 3, the valve C11 is closed, and the working fluid 6 cannot cool the battery at this time. When the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is lower than the temperature T5 of the power battery 3, the valve C11 is opened. Under the action of the solution pump 7, the working fluid 6 circulates in the working fluid pipeline 14. Part of the cooling capacity of the phase change energy storage box 1 is transferred to the car floor 8 to increase the cooling capacity of the car interior, and the other part is transferred to the power battery 3 through the heat pipe 4 to cool the power battery 3.

[0041] 5. Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2During winter operation, when the temperature sensor detects that the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the set temperature T6, the fully automatic radiation shielding cover 13 opens, allowing the phase change energy storage box 1 to receive solar radiation and for the phase change material to store heat. When the temperature difference detected by temperature sensors A17 and B18 is less than 0.5℃, the stored heat reaches its limit, and the fully automatic radiation shielding cover 13 closes. When the temperature sensor detects that the ambient temperature is lower than the set temperature T6, the fully automatic radiation shielding cover 13 closes, and the phase change energy storage box 1 can no longer store heat. The set temperature T6 is 8~10℃.

[0042] 6. Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 When the new energy vehicle starts in winter, if the temperature sensor in the power battery 3 detects that the temperature T7 of the power battery 3 is lower than the set temperature T8, valve C11 opens. Under the action of solution pump 7, the working fluid 6 circulates in the working fluid pipe 14. Part of the heat from the phase change energy storage box 1 is transferred to the car's interior floor 8 to increase the heat in the car's interior, and the other part is transferred to the power battery 3 through heat pipe 4 to preheat the power battery 3. When the temperature sensor in the power battery 3 detects that the temperature T7 of the power battery 3 is higher than the temperature T9 detected by the temperature sensor B18 at the rear end of the phase change energy storage box, the heat in the power battery 3 will be transferred to the car's interior floor 8 through heat pipe 4 to increase the heat in the car's interior. The set temperature T8 is 25°C.

[0043] 7. Reference Figure 1 When working in winter, when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is lower than the set temperature T10, the valve B10 closes. At this time, the heat in the phase change energy storage box 1 cannot be transferred to the vehicle through the air conditioning evaporator 5. When the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is higher than the set temperature T10, the valve B10 opens. Under the action of the solution pump 7, the working fluid 6 circulates in the working fluid pipeline 14. The working fluid 6 flows through the air conditioning evaporator 5, and the air conditioning evaporator 5 works to blow warm air into the vehicle.

[0044] 8. Reference Figure 1 During winter operation, when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is lower than the air conditioner heating temperature T11, the air conditioning system operates; when the temperature sensor in the phase change energy storage box 1 detects that the temperature T1 of the phase change energy storage box 1 is higher than the air conditioner cooling temperature T11, the air conditioning system shuts down, and at this time, only the air conditioner evaporator 5 needs to operate to meet the cooling requirements. The set temperature T10 is 8-10℃.

[0045] In addition, when the air conditioning system is working, valve B10 can also be opened, and working fluid 6 flows through air conditioning evaporator 5. Air conditioning evaporator 5 works to blow warm air into the vehicle, as required in operating condition 7.

[0046] Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure that the casing of the power battery 3 is well sealed to prevent the working fluid 6 from seeping in and damaging the battery.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management system for a new energy vehicle utilizing phase change energy storage technology, comprising an air cooler (2), an air conditioning evaporator (5), and a power battery (3) installed within the vehicle body, characterized in that: It also includes a control system and a phase change energy storage box (1) filled with phase change material. The phase change energy storage box (1) is installed on the top of the car body. The air cooler (2) is connected to the phase change energy storage box (1) through a working fluid pipe filled with working fluid (6). The working fluid pipe is a copper pipe. A solution pump (7) is installed on the working fluid pipe. The working fluid pipe passes through an air conditioning evaporator (5). A valve group is installed on the working fluid pipe. The valve group, the air cooler (2) and the air conditioning evaporator (5) are connected to the control system. Temperature sensors are installed at the front and rear ends of the phase change energy storage box (1). The working fluid pipeline includes a main working fluid pipeline (14) that is circulated between the air cooler (2) and the phase change energy storage box (1). The main working fluid pipeline (14) is connected to the air conditioner evaporator (5) through a branch line. The valve group includes a control valve B (10) installed on the branch line. The main working fluid pipeline (14) is connected to the power battery (3) through branch line two; the valve group includes a control valve C (11) installed on branch line two. The power battery (3) is located at the bottom of the vehicle body and is connected to the vehicle floor (8) via a heat pipe (4); the power battery (3) is equipped with a temperature sensor connected to the control system. It also includes an openable radiation shield (13) installed on the top of the vehicle body, which is located above the phase change energy storage box (1).

2. The new energy vehicle thermal management system utilizing phase change energy storage technology according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change energy storage box (1) is equipped with temperature sensor A (17) and temperature sensor B (18) at its front and rear ends, respectively, and temperature sensor A (17) and temperature sensor B (18) are connected to the control system.

3. The new energy vehicle thermal management system utilizing phase change energy storage technology according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The valve group also includes valve D (12) installed on the main working fluid pipeline (14), and valve D (12) is located near the air cooler (2).

4. The new energy vehicle thermal management system utilizing phase change energy storage technology according to claim 3, characterized in that: The valve group also includes a valve A (9) connected to the main working fluid pipeline (14). The valve A (9) is located on the outside of the vehicle body for replacing the working fluid in the working fluid pipeline (14).

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