Integrated module and thermal management system

Abstract

The application discloses an integrated module and a thermal management system, the integrated module comprising: a main body and a valve assembly, the main body being provided with a first interface to a sixth interface and a first accommodating portion to a ninth accommodating portion; the valve assembly comprising: a first valve to a ninth valve, the first valve to the ninth valve being respectively arranged in the first accommodating portion to the ninth accommodating portion; wherein the first valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface, the first valve outlet is connected with the third interface, the second valve inlet is connected with the fifth interface, the second valve outlet is connected with the second interface, the third valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, the third valve outlet is connected with the sixth interface, the third interface and the fourth interface are respectively connected with the passenger cabin condenser inlet and outlet, the fifth interface and the sixth interface are respectively connected with the inlet and outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger and the passenger cabin condenser are adapted to be connected through the valve assembly. Thus, the energy consumption of the thermal management system is effectively reduced, the energy consumption level of the thermal management system is improved, and the whole vehicle energy consumption is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of thermal management systems, in particular to an integrated module and a thermal management system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, in order to improve the cruising range of new energy vehicles, the design requirements of the thermal management system are adapted to more and more working conditions, and the flow path of the thermal management system is more and more complex, which also causes the flow path of the integrated module of the thermal management system to have a greater impact on the energy consumption level of the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems in the prior art. To this end, one object of the present application is to provide an integrated module which can reduce the energy consumption level of the thermal management system.

[0004] The present application further provides a thermal management system using the above integrated module.

[0005] According to the integrated module of the first aspect of the present application, the main body is provided with at least a first interface to a sixth interface, and the valve assembly includes at least a first valve to a third valve. The first valve inlet is selectively connected to the first interface, the first valve outlet is connected to the third interface, the second valve inlet is connected to the fifth interface, the second valve outlet is connected to the second interface, the third valve inlet is connected to the fourth interface, and the third valve outlet is connected to the sixth interface. The third interface and the fourth interface are connected to the inlet and outlet of the passenger compartment condenser, respectively, and the fifth interface and the sixth interface are connected to the inlet and outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, respectively. The outdoor heat exchanger and the passenger compartment condenser are adapted to be connected through the valve assembly.

[0006] According to the integrated module of the present application, the outdoor heat exchanger and the passenger compartment condenser are adapted to be connected through the valve assembly, so that at least in the use scenario of low ambient temperature, the ambient heat can be used for temperature adjustment of the passenger compartment, thereby effectively reducing the energy consumption of the thermal management system, improving the energy consumption level of the thermal management system, and reducing the overall energy consumption of the vehicle.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first interface and the second interface are connected to the exhaust port and the suction port of the compressor, respectively.

[0008] Further, the fourth valve is connected to the fifth interface and the second valve inlet, so that the second valve inlet is connected to the fifth interface.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fifth valve is provided between the fourth interface and the fifth valve inlet.

[0010] Further, the main body is further provided with a first port to a fourth port, the first port and the third port are in communication with the inlet and outlet of one external thermal management module, and the second port and the fourth port are in communication with the inlet and outlet of another external thermal management module.

[0011] In some embodiments, further comprising a sixth valve, the sixth valve inlet is connected with the first interface.

[0012] Further, further comprising a seventh valve, the sixth valve outlet is connected with the seventh valve inlet, and the seventh valve inlet is connected with the second port.

[0013] Further, the seventh valve outlet is connected with the second interface.

[0014] Further, further comprising an eighth valve and a seventh interface, the fourth valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface, the seventh interface is connected with the passenger cabin evaporator, the eighth valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, the eighth valve outlet is connected with the first port, and the third port is connected with the second valve inlet.

[0015] Further, the third valve inlet and the third valve outlet are connected with a second check valve in parallel.

[0016] Further, further comprising a ninth valve, the ninth valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, and the ninth valve outlet is connected with the fourth port.

[0017] In some embodiments, the fifth valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, and the fifth valve outlet is connected with the seventh interface.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present application, the valve bodies of the first valve to the ninth valve are respectively arranged in the first accommodating portion to the ninth accommodating portion of the main body, and divide the first accommodating portion to the ninth accommodating portion into two parts, to define the first valve inlet to the ninth valve inlet and the corresponding first valve outlet to the ninth valve outlet respectively.

[0019] According to the thermal management system of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, the integrated module in the above embodiments is included.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and be readily appreciated from the following description, including the appended drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic view of one angle of the integrated module according to the embodiments of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic view of another angle of the integrated module according to an embodiment of the application;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a partial cross-section of the integrated module according to an embodiment of the application;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a top view of the integrated module according to an embodiment of the application.

[0026] Reference signs:

[0027] integrated module 100,

[0028] body 110, valve assembly 120, second one-way valve 130,

[0029] first interface 11, second interface 12, third interface 13, fourth interface 14, fifth interface 15, sixth interface 16, seventh interface 17,

[0030] first valve 21, second valve 22, third valve 23, fourth valve 24, fifth valve 25, sixth valve 26, seventh valve 27, eighth valve 28, ninth valve 29,

[0031] first port 31, second port 32, third port 33, fourth port 34. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiments of the application are described below in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference signs represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are exemplary, only for explaining the application, and cannot be understood as a limitation of the application.

[0033] Reference is made below to Figures 1-4 integrated module 100 and a thermal management system according to embodiments of the application.

[0034] As Figure 1 shown, the integrated module 100 according to the first aspect embodiment of the application comprises: a body 110 and a valve assembly 120.

[0035] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the body 110 is provided with at least a first interface 11 to a sixth interface 16; the valve assembly 120 comprises at least: a first valve 21 to a third valve 23, the first valve 21 to a ninth valve 29 are respectively arranged in a first accommodating portion to a ninth accommodating portion.

[0036] The first valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface 11, the first valve outlet is connected with the third interface 13, the second valve inlet is connected with the fifth interface 15, the second valve outlet is connected with the second interface 12, the third valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface 14, the third valve outlet is connected with the sixth interface 16, the third interface 13 and the fourth interface 14 are connected with the condenser inlet and outlet of the passenger compartment, the fifth interface 15 and the sixth interface 16 are connected with the inlet and outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger and the condenser of the passenger compartment are adapted to be connected through the valve assembly.

[0037] Specifically, the main body 110 is provided with at least the first interface 11, the second interface 12, the third interface 13, the fourth interface 14, the seventh interface 17, the fifth interface 15 and the sixth interface 16, and the valve assembly 120 at least includes: the first valve 21, the second valve 22 and the third valve 23 installed on the main body 110.

[0038] Further, the outdoor heat exchanger and the condenser of the passenger compartment are adapted to be connected through the valve assembly, so that in the use scenario of low ambient temperature, the outdoor heat exchanger can be connected with the condenser of the passenger compartment to participate in the temperature adjustment of the passenger compartment, and the ambient heat is used for the temperature adjustment of the passenger compartment, thereby reducing the energy consumption.

[0039] The first valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface 11, the first valve outlet is connected with the third interface 13, the fourth interface 14 is connected with the third valve inlet, the third valve outlet is connected with the sixth interface 16, so that the refrigerant flowing out of the outlet of the condenser of the passenger compartment can enter the sixth interface 16, the sixth interface 16 is connected with the outdoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant can flow to the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the outdoor heat exchanger participates in the temperature adjustment of the passenger compartment. The first valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface 11, the first valve outlet is connected with the third interface 13, the first interface 11 and the second interface 12 are connected with the exhaust port and the suction port of the compressor respectively, the third interface 13 and the fourth interface 14 are connected with the condenser inlet and outlet of the passenger compartment respectively, the fourth interface 14 is connected with the third valve inlet, the third valve outlet is connected with the sixth interface 16, the fifth interface 15 and the sixth interface 16 are connected with the inlet and outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger respectively, the fifth interface 15 is connected with the second valve inlet, and the second valve outlet is connected with the second interface 12.

[0040] Therefore, after the first valve 21 is opened, the first interface 11 and the third interface 13 can be connected, and the refrigerant after heat exchange in the condenser of the passenger compartment can flow back to the main body 110 through the fourth interface 14. The complete refrigerant flow path is: compressor outlet→first valve inlet→first valve outlet→third interface 13→condenser inlet and outlet of the passenger compartment→fourth interface 14→third valve inlet→third valve outlet→sixth interface 16→outdoor heat exchanger→fifth interface 15→second valve inlet→second valve outlet→second interface 12→compressor inlet, so as to complete the temperature adjustment cycle.

[0041] That is, when the ambient temperature is low, the first valve 21 is opened, the passenger cabin temperature adjustment is performed through the above-mentioned refrigerant circulation path, and the thermal management system can absorb heat from the environment and provide the heat to the passenger cabin to reduce energy consumption.

[0042] According to the integrated module 100 of the embodiment of the present application, by making the outdoor heat exchanger and the passenger cabin condenser adapted to communicate through the valve assembly, at least in the use scenario where the ambient temperature is low, the ambient heat can be tapped to adjust the temperature of the passenger cabin, so as to effectively reduce the energy consumption of the thermal management system, improve the energy consumption level of the thermal management system, and thus reduce the energy consumption of the whole vehicle.

[0043] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first interface 11 and the second interface 12 are respectively connected to the exhaust port and the suction port of the compressor. In this way, the exhaust port of the compressor can be controlled to communicate with the inlet of the passenger cabin condenser through the first valve 21 to adjust the temperature of the passenger cabin.

[0044] Further, the integrated module 100 further comprises a fourth valve 24, the fifth interface 15 is connected to the outlet of the fourth valve, the outlet of the fourth valve is connected to the inlet of the second valve, and the outlet of the second valve is connected to the second interface 12, so that the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger can flow back to the compressor through the second interface 12 and the suction port.

[0045] According to the integrated module 100 of the embodiment of the present application, the integrated module 100 is arranged as defined above, so that at least in the use scenario where the ambient temperature is low, the ambient heat can be tapped to adjust the temperature of the passenger cabin, so as to effectively reduce the energy consumption of the thermal management system, improve the energy consumption level of the thermal management system, and thus reduce the energy consumption of the whole vehicle.

[0046] According to some embodiments of the present application, the integrated module 100 further comprises a fifth valve 25, and a first one-way valve is arranged between the fourth interface 14 and the inlet of the fifth valve.

[0047] Specifically, the fourth interface 14 is connected to the inlet of the fifth valve, and a first one-way valve is arranged therebetween, and the first one-way valve has a one-way stop. When the passenger cabin condenser is not working and the passenger cabin evaporator is working, the refrigerant is prevented from entering the passenger cabin condenser, i.e., the refrigerant is prevented from flowing back, so as to improve the working stability and use safety of the integrated module 100.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2 Further, the main body 110 is further provided with a first port 31 to a fourth port 34, the first port 31 and the third port 33 are connected to the inlet and outlet of one external thermal management module, and the second port 32 and the fourth port 34 are connected to the inlet and outlet of another external thermal management module.

[0049] The external thermal management module refers to a temperature adjustment component (condenser, evaporator, etc.) connected to the integrated module 100 and in communication with the interface, valve inlet or valve outlet in the integrated module 100, participating in the temperature adjustment process of the thermal management system, and a component (battery pack, drive motor, etc.) that needs to be temperature adjusted.

[0050] Further, the first port 31 and the third port 33 are in communication with the inlet and outlet of one external thermal management module (for example, a heat exchanger or a battery pack), the second port 32 and the fourth port 34 are in communication with the inlet and outlet of another external thermal management module (for example, another heat exchanger or a drive motor), and the first port 31 and the second port 32 are adjacent and connected to the inlet of the external thermal management module, and the third port 33 and the fourth port 34 are adjacent and connected to the outlet of the external thermal management module. The pipelines connecting the two inlets and the main body 110 are adjacent, and the pipelines connecting the two outlets and the main body 110 are adjacent, which can reduce the heat exchange amount between the external pipelines and reduce the heat conduction, so as to further improve the energy consumption of the integrated module 100.

[0051] It should be noted that external threads can be provided on the first port 31, the second port 32, the third port 33 and the fourth port 34, and internal threads can be provided on the end of the pipeline connected to the first port 31, the second port 32, the third port 33 and the fourth port 34, which can reduce the assembly difficulty and improve the sealing effect.

[0052] In some embodiments, the integrated module 100 further comprises an eighth valve 28 and a seventh interface 17, the fourth valve inlet is selectively connected to the first interface 11, the seventh interface 17 is connected to the passenger cabin evaporator, the eighth valve inlet is connected to the fourth interface 14, the eighth valve outlet is connected to the first port 31, and the third port 33 is connected to the second valve inlet.

[0053] For example, the first port 31 is connected to the battery pack inlet, the third port 33 is connected to the battery pack outlet, and after the fourth valve 24 is opened, the refrigerant flow path is compressor outlet→first interface 11→fifth interface 15→outdoor heat exchanger inlet and outlet→sixth interface 16→flows back to the main body 110; eighth valve 28→first port 31→battery pack inlet and outlet→third port 33→second valve inlet→fourth valve outlet→fourth valve inlet→second interface 12→compressor inlet.

[0054] Therefore, when the ambient temperature is high, the heat generated by cooling the battery pack can be directly dispersed to the environment through the outdoor heat exchanger while the refrigerant realizes heat exchange with the battery pack for battery pack cooling, so as to realize effective cooling of the battery pack through the outdoor heat exchanger, further reduce the energy consumption in the battery pack cooling process, and improve the energy consumption level of the thermal management system and the whole vehicle energy consumption.

[0055] It should be noted that the structure for cooling the battery pack through the first port 31 and the third port 33 is not limited to this, and in other embodiments, the first port 31 is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange side of a heat exchanger, the third port 33 is connected to the outlet of the heat exchange side of the heat exchanger, and then the inlet and outlet of the cooling side of the heat exchanger are connected to the inlet and outlet of the battery pack, respectively, to achieve cooling of the battery pack. The specific way in which the battery pack is cooled is not specifically limited by the present application.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3 Further, the third valve inlet and the third valve outlet are connected in parallel with the second one-way valve 130.

[0057] Specifically, the second one-way valve functions as follows: when the outdoor heat exchanger works as a condenser, the refrigerant flows from the fifth interface to the outdoor heat exchanger, to the sixth interface, to the one-way valve, to the fifth valve, to the passenger cabin evaporator;

[0058] When the outdoor heat exchanger works as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows from the first interface to the first valve, to the third interface, to the passenger cabin condenser, to the fourth interface, to the first one-way valve, to the third valve throttling (the second one-way valve is not conductive), to the sixth interface, to the outdoor heat exchanger, to the fifth interface, to the fourth valve, to the seventh valve, to the second interface, and to the compressor suction.

[0059] Thus, by providing the second one-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger can work as an evaporator or a condenser, thereby effectively reducing energy consumption.

[0060] Of course, the valve assembly 120 can also include a pressure relief valve, which is provided in the main body 110 and is adapted to open when the pressure of the integrated module 100 is too high.

[0061] In some embodiments, the integrated module 100 further comprises a sixth valve 26, a seventh valve 27, and a ninth valve 29,

[0062] The sixth valve inlet is connected to the first interface 11, the sixth valve outlet is connected to the seventh valve inlet, and is connected to the second port 32, the second port 32 is connected to the fourth port 34 through an external thermal management module, the fourth port 34 is connected to the ninth valve outlet, the ninth valve inlet is connected to the eighth valve inlet (through the fourth interface 14), the eighth valve outlet is connected to the first port 31, the first port 31 is connected to the third port 33 through another external thermal management module (such as a heat exchanger, a battery pack, etc.), the third port 33 is connected to the second valve inlet, the second valve outlet is connected to the second interface 12, and the second interface 12 is connected to the suction port of the compressor.

[0063] Thus, by the second valve 22, the sixth valve 26, the eighth valve 28 and the ninth valve 29, the heat of the external thermal management module connected by the first port 31 and the third port 33 can be recovered, and the external thermal management module connected by the second port 32 and the fourth port 34 can be provided with heat, so that the energy consumption of the thermal management system can be further reduced.

[0064] It should be noted that in the above process, the actual flow direction of the refrigerant is from the outlet of the ninth valve to the inlet of the ninth valve.

[0065] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to some embodiments of the present application, the valve bodies of the first valve 21 to the ninth valve 29 are respectively arranged in the first accommodating portion to the ninth accommodating portion of the main body 110, and divide the first accommodating portion to the ninth accommodating portion into two parts to define the first valve inlet to the ninth valve inlet and the corresponding first valve outlet to the ninth valve outlet, respectively.

[0066] Specifically, the valve body of the first valve 21 installed in the first accommodating portion defines the first valve inlet and the first valve outlet in the first accommodating portion, the valve body of the second valve 22 installed in the second accommodating portion defines the second valve inlet and the second valve outlet in the second accommodating portion, the valve body of the third valve 23 installed in the third accommodating portion defines the third valve inlet and the third valve outlet in the third accommodating portion, the valve body of the fourth valve 24 installed in the fourth accommodating portion defines the fourth valve inlet and the fourth valve outlet in the fourth accommodating portion, the valve body of the fifth valve 25 installed in the fifth accommodating portion defines the fifth valve inlet and the fifth valve outlet in the fifth accommodating portion, the valve body of the sixth valve 26 installed in the sixth accommodating portion defines the sixth valve inlet and the sixth valve outlet in the sixth accommodating portion, the valve body of the seventh valve 27 installed in the seventh accommodating portion defines the seventh valve inlet and the seventh valve outlet in the seventh accommodating portion, the valve body of the eighth valve 28 installed in the eighth accommodating portion defines the eighth valve inlet and the eighth valve outlet in the eighth accommodating portion, and the valve body of the ninth valve 29 installed in the ninth accommodating portion defines the ninth valve inlet and the ninth valve outlet in the ninth accommodating portion.

[0067] Thus, the opening and closing of the flow passages corresponding to the plurality of accommodating portions are more simple and convenient, and the control of the integrated module 100 is more simple.

[0068] According to the thermal management system of the second aspect of the present application, the integrated module 100 in the above embodiments is included.

[0069] According to the heat management system of the embodiment of the present application, the integrated module 100 is adopted, and the battery pack, the passenger cabin condenser, the passenger cabin evaporator, the driving motor and the like can be used as external heat management modules, and can be uniformly controlled through the integrated module 100, so that the heat management system can adapt to more working conditions, and through reasonable flow channel control, the energy consumption of the heat management system can be effectively reduced, and the influence of the heat management system on the energy consumption of the vehicle can be reduced.

[0070] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application.

[0071] In the description of the present application, "first feature" and "second feature" can include one or more features.

[0072] In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0073] In the description of the present application, "above" or "below" the first feature of the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or can include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them.

[0074] In the description of the present application, "above", "over" and "on" the first feature of the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only means that the first feature is higher than the second feature in horizontal height.

[0075] In the description of the present application, the description referring to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiment", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the exemplary description of the above terms does not necessarily mean the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0076] While embodiments of the application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are merely divergences of the principles and application of the present application and that numerous modifications, changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An integrated module, characterized by The integrated module comprises: a main body, at least provided with a first interface to a sixth interface; a valve assembly, at least comprising a first valve to a third valve; wherein, a first valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface, a first valve outlet is connected with a third interface, a second valve inlet is connected with a fifth interface, a second valve outlet is connected with a second interface, a third valve inlet is connected with a fourth interface, a third valve outlet is connected with the sixth interface, the third interface and the fourth interface are respectively connected with an inlet and an outlet of a passenger cabin condenser, the fifth interface and the sixth interface are respectively connected with an inlet and an outlet of an outdoor heat exchanger; the first interface and the second interface are respectively connected with an exhaust port and a suction port of a compressor; a fourth valve, the fifth interface is connected with a fourth valve outlet, and the fourth valve outlet is connected with a second valve inlet, so that the second valve inlet is connected with the fifth interface; a fifth valve, a first one-way valve is arranged between the fourth interface and a fifth valve inlet.

2. The integrated module of claim 1, wherein, The main body is further provided with a first port to a fourth port, the first port and the third port are connected with an inlet and an outlet of one external thermal management module, and the second port and the fourth port are connected with an inlet and an outlet of another external thermal management module.

3. The integrated module of claim 2, wherein, Further comprising: a sixth valve, a sixth valve inlet is connected with the first interface.

4. The integrated module of claim 3, wherein, Further comprising: a seventh valve, a sixth valve outlet is connected with a seventh valve inlet, and the seventh valve inlet is connected with the second port.

5. The integrated module of claim 4, wherein, The seventh valve outlet is connected with the second interface.

6. The integrated module of claim 2, wherein, Further comprising: an eighth valve and a seventh interface, a fourth valve inlet is selectively connected with the first interface, the seventh interface is connected with a passenger cabin evaporator, an eighth valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, an eighth valve outlet is connected with the first port, and the third port is connected with the second valve inlet.

7. The integrated module of claim 6, wherein, The third valve inlet and the third valve outlet are connected with a second one-way valve.

8. The integrated module of claim 2, wherein, Further comprising: a ninth valve, a ninth valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, and a ninth valve outlet is connected with the fourth port.

9. The integrated module of claim 6, wherein, The fifth valve inlet is connected with the fourth interface, and the fifth valve outlet is connected with the seventh interface.

10. The integrated module of claim 8, wherein, Valve bodies of the first valve to the ninth valve are respectively arranged in first accommodation portions to ninth accommodation portions of the main body, and divide the first accommodation portions to the ninth accommodation portions into two parts, so as to define the first valve inlet to the ninth valve inlet and corresponding first valve outlet to ninth valve outlet.

11. A thermal management system, characterized by, The integrated module comprises: The integrated module of any one of claims 1-10.

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