Integrated thermal management module with eight-way valve and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides an integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve. The module includes an eight-way valve having eight flow passages, a first heat exchanger connected to the eight-way valve, a motor electronic control unit (ECU), an external radiator, a second heat exchanger, an internal radiator, and a battery. The outlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlet of the ECU are connected to two flow passages, the external radiator is connected to two flow passages, the inlet of the second heat exchanger and the outlet of the internal radiator are connected to two flow passages, and the battery is connected to two flow passages. The integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention achieves unified thermal management, resulting in excellent vehicle performance and lower power consumption, ensuring that the vehicle can cope with extreme environmental conditions in different application scenarios and harsh environmental conditions and improving battery life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the modern automotive industry, hybrid and pure electric vehicles are gaining market and public acceptance. Their environmentally friendly characteristics are gaining global recognition, prompting the shift away from traditional internal heating systems. Due to the inherent characteristics of electric vehicles' three-electric systems and the temperature sensitivity of batteries, vehicle thermal management systems are becoming increasingly important solutions for preventing spontaneous combustion, extending battery life, facilitating extreme driving environments, and improving range.

[0003] In view of this, the patent of this invention proposes an integrated thermal management solution for vehicles. This technical solution can provide multiple scenario application modes to cope with different vehicle application scenarios, and achieve the purpose of normal use of the vehicle under full-range conditions and provide comfortable conditions by switching between different functional modes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve to solve the problem that existing thermal management modules are unable to achieve performance and ensure comfort under wide vehicle conditions.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides an integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve, wherein the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve includes an eight-way valve with eight flow openings, a first heat exchanger connected to the eight-way valve, an electric motor electronic control unit, an external radiator, a second heat exchanger, an internal radiator and a battery, wherein the outlet end of the first heat exchanger and the inlet end of the electric motor electronic control unit are connected to two flow openings, the external radiator is connected to two flow openings, the inlet end of the second heat exchanger and the outlet end of the internal radiator are connected to two flow openings, and the battery is connected to two flow openings.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, a first water pump is provided between the inlet end of the motor electronic control unit and the eight-way valve. The first water pump pumps the coolant from the eight-way valve to the motor electronic control unit and the first heat exchanger, and then back to the eight-way valve.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, a second water pump is provided between the inlet end of the battery and the eight-way valve, and the second water pump pumps the coolant from the eight-way valve to the battery and then returns to the eight-way valve.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, a third water pump is provided between the second heat exchanger and the eight-way valve. The third water pump pumps the coolant from the eight-way valve to the second heat exchanger and then returns to the eight-way valve after passing through the radiator in the vehicle.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, an in-vehicle heater is provided between the second heat exchanger and the in-vehicle radiator.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve also includes a refrigerant circuit connected to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant circuit includes an off-vehicle heat exchanger arranged between the inlet end of the first heat exchanger and the outlet end of the second heat exchanger.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, a first expansion valve is provided between the outlet end of the second heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the refrigerant circuit further includes an in-vehicle evaporator connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, a second expansion valve is provided between the inlet end of the first heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger, and a third expansion valve is provided between the inlet end of the in-vehicle evaporator and the external heat exchanger.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the refrigerant circuit further includes a booster disposed between the outlet end of the first heat exchanger and the inlet end of the second heat exchanger.

[0015] The present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising the integrated thermal management module with the eight-way valve as described above.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: the vehicle of the present invention and the integrated thermal management module with the eight-way valve realize unified thermal management, so that the vehicle has excellent performance and lower power consumption, ensuring that the vehicle can cope with extreme environmental conditions in different application scenarios and harsh environmental conditions to ensure mileage and improve battery life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode 1;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode 2;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode three;

[0021] Figure 5is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode four;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode five;

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode six;

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve of the present invention in mode seven;

[0025] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve in mode eight of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances. In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the vehicle of the present invention includes an integrated thermal management module 100 having an eight-way valve.

[0030] The integrated thermal management module 100 with an eight-way valve includes an eight-way valve 1 with eight flow openings 11, a first heat exchanger 2 connected to the eight-way valve 1, a motor electronic control unit 3, an external radiator 4, a second heat exchanger 5, an internal radiator 6, an internal heater 7 and a battery 8, and a refrigerant circuit 9 connected to the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 5. Of course, the integrated thermal management module 100 with an eight-way valve also includes an expansion kettle, a temperature / pressure sensor, a drying tank and an energy storage tank, as well as pipe joints and other components.

[0031] The motor electronic control unit 3 includes a motor and an electronic control unit.

[0032] The outlet end of the first heat exchanger 2 and the inlet end of the motor electronic control unit 3 are connected to two flow channel openings 11. A first water pump 31 is provided between the inlet end of the motor electronic control unit 3 and the eight-way valve 1. The first water pump 31 pumps the coolant from the eight-way valve 1 to the motor electronic control unit 3 and the first heat exchanger 2, and then returns to the eight-way valve 1.

[0033] The external radiator 4 is connected to two flow channel openings 11 .

[0034] The battery 8 is connected to two flow channel openings 11 , and a second water pump 81 is provided between the inlet end of the battery 8 and the eight-way valve 1 . The second water pump 81 pumps the coolant from the eight-way valve 1 to the battery 8 and then returns to the eight-way valve 1 .

[0035] The inlet end of the second heat exchanger 5 and the outlet end of the in-vehicle radiator 6 are connected to two flow passages 11. A third water pump 51 is provided between the second heat exchanger 5 and the eight-way valve 1. The third water pump 51 pumps coolant from the eight-way valve 1 to the second heat exchanger 5, passes through the in-vehicle radiator 6, and then returns to the eight-way valve 1. The in-vehicle heater 7 is provided between the second heat exchanger 5 and the in-vehicle radiator 6.

[0036] The refrigerant circuit 9 includes an external heat exchanger 92 arranged between the inlet end of the first heat exchanger 2 and the outlet end of the second heat exchanger 5, an internal evaporator 93 connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger 2, and a supercharger 94 arranged between the outlet end of the first heat exchanger 2 and the inlet end of the second heat exchanger 5.

[0037] A first expansion valve 52 is provided between the outlet end of the second heat exchanger 5 and the external heat exchanger 92 .

[0038] A second expansion valve 21 is provided between the inlet end of the first heat exchanger 2 and the external heat exchanger 92 , and a third expansion valve 91 is provided between the inlet end of the in-vehicle evaporator 93 and the external heat exchanger 92 .

[0039] Among them, the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 5 both include a first part connected to the eight-way valve 1 and a second part connected to the refrigerant circuit 9. Coolant flows through the first part and refrigerant flows through the second part, thereby realizing heat exchange between the first part and the second part.

[0040] The integrated thermal management module 100 with an eight-way valve of the present invention includes at least the following functions:

[0041] Mode 1: Cabin heating

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, in mode 1, the integrated thermal management module 100 with an eight-way valve heats the vehicle cabin through a heat pump and the in-vehicle heater 7 as a supplementary heat source (which can be turned on and off). In mode 1, the in-vehicle evaporator 93 and the external radiator 4 are in the off state.

[0043] Heat from the motor and electronic control unit 3 is exchanged with the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger 2, where it is then carried away by the refrigerant. After being pressurized by the supercharger 94, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant passes through the second heat exchanger 5, where it is exchanged with the coolant. This heat is then used to heat the cabin via the cabin coolant circuit. If rapid heating is required, the interior heater 7 can be activated to provide further heating to achieve the desired cabin heating effect. In this mode, thermal management of the battery 8 is not required. The exterior heat exchanger 92 operates in evaporator mode, absorbing heat from the ambient environment.

[0044] Mode 1 is the heat pump heating mode, which recovers waste heat from the environment and the motor electronic control unit 3 to the maximum extent possible to heat the cabin.

[0045] Mode 2: Cabin heating, battery heating

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, Mode 2 heats the battery 8 while heating the cabin, ensuring that the battery 8 operates at a suitable operating temperature (15° to 35°). This mode, based on Mode 1, connects the cabin coolant circuit with the battery 8 circuit, passing the heated coolant through the battery 8 circuit to heat the battery 8 and completing the circuit through the second heat exchanger 5. Mode 2 achieves cabin and battery 8 heating, ensuring vehicle comfort in lower ambient temperatures while maintaining the battery 8 at a suitable temperature to avoid damage due to low temperatures.

[0047] Mode 3: Battery 8 heating

[0048] like Figure 4As shown, mode three is that the in-car heater 7 heats the battery 8. Its application scenario is when the ambient temperature is low, the vehicle is not started and the battery 8 is exposed to a low temperature, such as ten degrees Celsius or even below zero degrees Celsius, which has a great impact on the life and power retention of the battery 8. Through this mode, the vehicle can keep the battery 8 at a reasonable temperature.

[0049] Mode 4: Waste heat from the motor and electronic control unit 3 heats the battery 8

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, mode four is another way to keep the battery 8 warm or heat it. Its working scenario is that the battery 8 is working under relatively low temperature conditions and the motor electronic control unit 3 has a certain amount of heat due to its own heating characteristics. For example, when the vehicle is driving in a low temperature environment, the ambient temperature is relatively low and the battery 8 cannot work under suitable temperature conditions due to the effect of air cooling. At this time, the motor electronic control unit 3 has a high temperature due to its long-term heating characteristics. Under this condition, this connection method is used to keep the battery 8 warm by using the waste heat of the motor electronic control unit. The advantage is that it does not increase other energy consumption while ensuring the heat dissipation of the motor electronic control unit.

[0051] Mode 5: Battery 8 efficient heat dissipation

[0052] like Figure 6 As shown, in Mode 5, the first heat exchanger 2 and the external radiator 92 are turned on. In Mode 5, to ensure that the battery 8 operates at an appropriate temperature, efficient heat dissipation of the battery 8 is required. This is applicable when the ambient temperature is above 45 degrees Celsius and the battery 8 requires significant heat dissipation. The system transfers heat from the battery 8 through the first heat exchanger 2, exchanges it with the refrigerant at the first heat exchanger 2, removes the heat through the refrigerant, exchanges it with the environment at the external heat exchanger 92, and ultimately releases the heat to the environment, achieving efficient heat dissipation of the battery 8.

[0053] Mode 6: Normal heat dissipation of 8 batteries

[0054] like Figure 7 As shown, under mode six, the external radiator 4 is turned on. Mode six will achieve the heat dissipation effect of the vehicle's battery 8. Its working scenario is when the ambient temperature is lower than 45 degrees Celsius and the battery 8 needs to be dissipated. The implementation method is to connect the battery 8 circuit water channel with the external radiator 4 circuit and release the battery 8 circuit heat into the environment through the fan and the external radiator 4, thereby achieving the heat dissipation effect of the battery 8.

[0055] Mode 7: Battery 8, motor and electronic control unit 3 heat dissipation and air conditioning cooling

[0056] like Figure 8As shown, in Mode 7, the second heat exchanger 5 and the in-vehicle heater and radiator are turned off. Mode 7 achieves cabin air conditioning and cooling, while also dissipating heat from the battery 8 and the motor-electronic control unit 3. In this mode, heat from the motor-electronic control unit 3 is exchanged with the refrigerant via the first heat exchanger 2, dissipating heat from the motor-electronic control unit 3. The battery 8 circuit partially dissipates heat from the battery 8 to the surrounding environment via the external radiator 4, dissipating heat from the battery 8. The first heat exchanger 2 pressurizes the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure via the supercharger 94. Heat is then exchanged with the surrounding environment at the external heat exchanger 92 (operating in condenser mode), releasing heat to the environment. The air then absorbs heat from the blower at the internal evaporator 93 (heat absorption), ultimately blowing the cool air into the cabin to achieve air conditioning and cooling.

[0057] Mode 8: Heat dissipation of battery 8 and motor electronic control unit 3

[0058] like Figure 9 As shown, the external radiator 4 is turned on, and mode eight will achieve the effect of simultaneous heat dissipation of the battery 8 and the motor electronic control unit 3. This is achieved by the battery 8 and the motor electronic control unit 3 releasing heat to the environment through the external radiator 4 to achieve the heat dissipation effect.

[0059] The eight-way valve integrated thermal management module 100 embodied in the patent of the present invention is illustrated through the above limited examples to illustrate the working principle and advantages of the system, but it should be noted that the technology or functions that can be embodied by this patent are not limited to the above limited examples. Based on this thermal management module, more functional modes that meet the application conditions can be developed. This article cannot list them one by one, but the functional modes or implementation methods developed based on this module should be within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0060] The vehicle of the present invention and the integrated thermal management module 100 with an eight-way valve 1 realize the connection of structures such as the battery 8, the motor electronic control unit 3, and the refrigerant circuit 9 by setting the eight-way valve 1, and realize the heat exchange between the eight-way valve 1 and the refrigerant circuit 9 by setting the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 5. At the same time, the integrated thermal management module 100 with the eight-way valve 1 exchanges heat with the environment through the external heat exchanger 92 and the external radiator 4 to realize unified thermal management, so that the vehicle has excellent performance and lower power consumption, ensuring that the vehicle can cope with extreme environmental conditions in different application scenarios and harsh environmental conditions and improving the service life of the battery 8.

[0061] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0062] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent for this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve, characterized in that: The integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve includes an eight-way valve with four inlets 1, 2, 3, and 4 and four outlets 5, 6, 7, and 8, a first heat exchanger connected to the eight-way valve, a motor electronic control unit, an external radiator, a second heat exchanger, an internal radiator, a battery, and a refrigerant circuit; The motor electronic control unit and the first heat exchanger are connected in series between outlet 5 and inlet 1, the external radiator is connected between outlet 6 and inlet 2, the second heat exchanger, the interior heater, and the interior radiator are connected in series between outlet 7 and inlet 3, and the battery is connected between outlet 8 and inlet 4. The first and second heat exchangers are connected in series in the refrigerant circuit, which includes an external heat exchanger disposed between the inlet of the first heat exchanger and the outlet of the second heat exchanger, and an internal evaporator connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger. The connection mode of the eight-way valve by switching the inlet and outlet has the following modes: (a) Inlet 1 is connected to outlet 5, inlet 2 is connected to outlet 6, inlet 3 is connected to outlet 7, and inlet 4 is connected to outlet 8; the evaporator inside the vehicle and the radiator outside the vehicle are closed, and the cabin is heated; (b) Inlet 1 is connected to outlet 5, inlet 2 is connected to outlet 6, inlet 3 is connected to outlet 8, and inlet 4 is connected to outlet 7; the evaporator in the vehicle and the radiator in the vehicle are turned off, the cabin heating and the battery are heated, or the interior heater is turned on to heat the battery; (c) Inlet 1 is connected to outlet 8, inlet 2 is connected to outlet 6, inlet 3 is connected to outlet 7, and inlet 4 is connected to outlet 5; waste heat from the motor and electronic control unit heats the battery, or the first heat exchanger and the off-vehicle heat exchanger are turned on to dissipate heat from the battery; (d) Inlet 1 is connected to outlet 7, inlet 2 is connected to outlet 8, inlet 3 is connected to outlet 5, and inlet 4 is connected to outlet 6; the external radiator is turned on to dissipate heat from the battery; (e) Inlet 1 is connected to outlet 5, inlet 2 is connected to outlet 8, inlet 3 is connected to outlet 7, and inlet 4 is connected to outlet 6; the second heat exchanger, the in-car heater, and the in-car radiator are turned off, the battery and the motor electronic control unit are cooled, and the air conditioner is cooled; (f) Inlet 1 is connected to outlet 6, inlet 2 is connected to outlet 8, inlet 3 is connected to outlet 7, and inlet 4 is connected to outlet 5; the external radiator is turned on to dissipate heat from the battery and motor electronic control unit.

2. The integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first expansion valve is provided between the outlet end of the second heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger, a second expansion valve is provided between the inlet end of the first heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger, and a third expansion valve is provided between the inlet end of the in-vehicle evaporator and the external heat exchanger.

3. The integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first water pump is provided between the inlet end of the motor electronic control unit and the eight-way valve, a second water pump is provided between the inlet end of the battery and the eight-way valve, and a third water pump is provided between the second heat exchanger and the eight-way valve.

4. The integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The refrigerant circuit further includes a booster disposed between an outlet end of the first heat exchanger and an inlet end of the second heat exchanger.

5. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle includes an integrated thermal management module with an eight-way valve as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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