Heat exchange structure and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of thermal management and control technology, and discloses a heat exchange structure and a vehicle. The heat exchange structure comprises: a heat exchange tube and a heat exchange housing. The heat exchange tube comprises a flat tube segment. The heat exchange housing surrounds the flat tube segment, and its axial ends are respectively sealed to the surface of the heat exchange tube. A first heat exchange cavity and a second heat exchange cavity are respectively formed between the heat exchange housing and the two surfaces of the flat tube segment in the thickness direction, and the first heat exchange cavity and the second heat exchange cavity are connected. The heat exchange housing has a liquid inlet connected to the first heat exchange cavity and a liquid outlet connected to the second heat exchange cavity. Liquid to be cooled flows into the heat exchange tube through one end, passes through the flat tube segment, and flows out of the other end of the heat exchange tube. The cooling liquid enters the first heat exchange cavity through the liquid inlet of the heat exchange housing. Due to the flat shape of the flat tube segment, its heat exchange area is large, allowing the cooling liquid to fully exchange heat with the liquid to be cooled flowing through the flat tube segment, thereby fully cooling the liquid to be cooled and then flowing out through the liquid outlet of the heat exchange housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of thermal management control, and in particular to a heat exchange structure and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of automotive electrification, the market share of hybrid and pure electric vehicles (hereinafter collectively referred to as new energy vehicles) has been increasing year by year. The thermal management system of new energy vehicles mainly includes four major thermal management systems: engine cooling system, battery thermal management system, motor electronic control thermal management system, and air conditioning system.

[0003] New energy vehicles are still in the process of being widely adopted, and range anxiety stemming from charging convenience and speed remains a concern. During winter and summer driving, the high frequency of the vehicle's air conditioning system and battery thermal management system reduces range, further exacerbating drivers' range anxiety and hindering the widespread adoption of new energy vehicles.

[0004] The temperature of the battery pack not only has a significant impact on its charging and discharging, but also excessively high or low temperatures can pose safety risks to the battery pack charging and discharging process. Therefore, in order to ensure that the battery operates in an appropriate temperature range, it is necessary to develop a battery thermal management system that is suitable for it.

[0005] In order for new energy vehicles to ensure that the battery pack operates within a suitable temperature range, technical measures must be adopted to implement the low-temperature heating function and high-temperature cooling function of the battery pack.

[0006] The high-temperature cooling function of mainstream new energy vehicle batteries generally adopts water cooling. The battery circuit coolant exchanges heat with the low-temperature refrigerant of the air-conditioning circuit through a heat exchanger (Chiller). After the heat exchange, the low-temperature coolant flows through the heat exchange plate in the battery pack to cool the battery cells in the battery pack.

[0007] However, the heat exchange effect of the cooling circuit of existing vehicle batteries is not ideal. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention discloses a heat exchange structure and a vehicle, which are used to alleviate the problem that the heat exchange effect of a battery cooling circuit is not ideal.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0010] In a first aspect, a heat exchange structure is provided, comprising: a heat exchange tube and a heat exchange shell; the heat exchange tube comprises a flat tube segment; the heat exchange shell surrounds the flat tube segment, and both ends of the heat exchange shell in the axial direction are respectively sealed with the surface of the heat exchange tube, a first heat exchange cavity and a second heat exchange cavity are respectively formed between the heat exchange shell and the two surfaces in the thickness direction of the flat tube segment, and the first heat exchange cavity and the second heat exchange cavity are connected; the heat exchange shell has a liquid inlet connected to the first heat exchange cavity, and a liquid outlet connected to the second heat exchange cavity.

[0011] In the above heat exchange structure, the liquid to be cooled flows in through one end of the heat exchange tube, passes through the flat tube segment, and then flows out of the other end of the heat exchange tube. The cooling liquid enters the first heat exchange chamber from the liquid inlet of the heat exchange shell and flows into the second heat exchange chamber. Due to the flat shape of the flat tube segment, its heat exchange area is large. The cooling liquid in the first and second heat exchange chambers can fully exchange heat with the liquid to be cooled flowing through the flat tube segment, fully cooling the liquid to be cooled before flowing out of the liquid outlet of the heat exchange shell. Furthermore, after flowing into the first heat exchange chamber, the liquid to be cooled is intercepted by the flat tube segment, resulting in low fluidity and sufficient heat exchange time. The flow resistance of the liquid to be cooled in the flat tube segment is relatively high, further improving the heat exchange efficiency. This structure improves heat exchange efficiency with a relatively simple structure.

[0012] Optionally, a first porous material block in contact with the corresponding surface of the flat tube segment is provided in the first heat exchange cavity; and a second porous material block in contact with the corresponding surface of the flat tube segment is provided in the second heat exchange cavity.

[0013] Optionally, the first porous material block covers the entire surface of the flat tube segment facing the first heat exchange cavity; and the second porous material block covers the entire surface of the flat tube segment facing the second heat exchange cavity.

[0014] Optionally, the first porous material block and the second porous material block are both water curtain structures.

[0015] Optionally, the first porous material block and the second porous material block are connected to form an annular porous structure surrounding the flat tube segment.

[0016] Optionally, the number of the liquid inlet is one, and the number of the liquid outlet is multiple.

[0017] Optionally, the plurality of liquid outlets are sequentially spaced apart along the axial direction of the heat exchange shell.

[0018] Optionally, the distance between every two adjacent liquid outlets is equal.

[0019] Optionally, the heat exchange shell includes a first cover body and a second cover body arranged opposite to each other, and the first cover body and the second cover body are detachably connected; wherein, the first cover body is used to enclose the first heat exchange cavity with the flat tube segment, and the second cover body is used to enclose the second heat exchange cavity with the flat tube segment.

[0020] In a second aspect, a vehicle is provided, comprising: an air-conditioning system and a battery cooling circuit, wherein the condensate outlet of the air-conditioning system is connected to the liquid inlet via a pipeline; and the heat exchange tube forms part of the pipeline of the battery cooling circuit.

[0021] The advantages of the vehicle and the above-mentioned heat exchange structure over the prior art are the same and will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a heat exchange structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the heat exchange structure shown;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the heat exchange tube;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the first cover body;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the second cover body;

[0027] Figure 6 express Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the annular porous structure and the heat exchange tube;

[0028] Figure 7 express Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure shown in the figure cooperating with the second cover body.

[0029] Figure 8 express Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of the middle ring porous structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] In order to have a clearer understanding of the heat exchange structure, we first explain its possible application scenarios. The heat exchange structure provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to vehicles, using other systems that generate cooling liquid such as air-conditioning systems as cold sources to provide heat dissipation for the cooling circuits of systems such as batteries that require heat dissipation.

[0032] Please combine Figures 1 to 8 :

[0033] The heat exchange structure provided by the embodiment of the present application includes: a heat exchange tube 1 and a heat exchange shell 2; the heat exchange tube 1 includes a flat tube section 13, and the two ends of the flat tube section 13 can also be provided with a liquid inlet section 11 and a liquid outlet section 12, wherein the liquid inlet section 11 is provided with an inlet T1 for the liquid to be cooled, and the liquid outlet section 12 is provided with an outlet T2 for the liquid to be cooled. Specifically, a round tube can be used to flatten the middle part to form the above-mentioned flat tube section 13. This structure is simple to prepare and has low cost; the heat exchange shell 2 surrounds the flat tube section 13, and the two axial ends of the heat exchange shell 2 are respectively sealed with the surface of the heat exchange tube 1. Specifically, the two axial ends of the heat exchange shell 2 respectively form an annular shell wall matching the liquid inlet section 11 and the liquid outlet section 12. Sealing gaskets can also be installed between the liquid inlet section 11 and the liquid outlet section 12 and the corresponding annular shell walls to achieve a good seal. A first heat exchange cavity U1 and a second heat exchange cavity U2 are formed between the two surfaces of the heat exchange shell 2 and the flat tube section 13 in the thickness direction, respectively. The first heat exchange cavity U1 and the second heat exchange cavity U2 are connected. Specifically, the width of the heat exchange shell 2 can be made larger than the width of the flat tube section 13. In the width direction, the two sides of the flat tube section 13 form gaps with the inner wall of the heat exchange shell 2, thereby connecting the first heat exchange cavity U1 and the second heat exchange cavity U2. The heat exchange shell 2 has a liquid inlet 211 connected to the first heat exchange cavity U1 and a liquid outlet 221 connected to the second heat exchange cavity U2. The liquid inlet 211 allows coolant to flow in, and the liquid outlet 221 allows coolant to flow out.

[0034] The heat exchange tube 1 can be made of aluminum, which is easy to shape and has good thermal conductivity, or other high thermal conductivity materials.

[0035] In the above heat exchange structure, the liquid to be cooled flows in through one end of the heat exchange tube 1 (e.g., inlet T1), passes through the flat tube segment 13, and then flows out of the other end of the heat exchange tube 1 (e.g., outlet T2). The cooling liquid enters the first heat exchange chamber U1 through the liquid inlet 211 of the heat exchange housing 2 and flows into the second heat exchange chamber U2. Due to the flat shape of the flat tube segment 13, its heat exchange area is large. The cooling liquid in the first and second heat exchange chambers U1 and U2 can fully exchange heat with the liquid to be cooled flowing through the flat tube segment 13, fully cooling the liquid to be cooled before flowing out through the liquid outlet 221 of the heat exchange housing 2. Furthermore, after flowing into the first heat exchange chamber U1, the liquid to be cooled is intercepted by the flat tube segment 13, resulting in low fluidity and sufficient heat exchange time. The flow resistance of the liquid to be cooled in the flat tube segment 13 is relatively high, further improving the heat exchange efficiency. This structure improves heat exchange efficiency with a relatively simple structure. The simple structure and high feasibility of the solution are highly feasible.

[0036] In a specific embodiment, a first porous material block 31 is provided in the first heat exchange cavity U1, which contacts the corresponding surface of the flat tube section 13. The first porous material block 31 is used to disperse the coolant and fully exchange heat. The coolant to be cooled and the porous material continuously soaked by the coolant exchange heat due to the temperature difference. For details, please refer to Figure 2 The first porous material block 31 is specifically arranged on the upper surface of the flat tube segment 13. The first porous material block 31 is a flat plate-like structure, which is fully spread on the upper surface of the flat tube segment 13, and the cooling liquid entering through the liquid inlet 211 is dispersed on the upper plane of the flat tube segment 13 to fully perform heat exchange; the second heat exchange cavity U2 is provided with a second porous material block 32 that contacts the corresponding surface of the flat tube segment 13. The second porous material block 32 is specifically arranged on the lower surface of the flat tube segment 13. The second porous material block 32 is a flat plate-like structure, which is fully spread on the lower surface of the flat tube segment 13, and the cooling liquid entering through the liquid inlet 211 is dispersed on the lower surface of the flat tube segment 13 to fully perform heat exchange.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the first porous material block 31 covers the entire surface of the flat tube segment 13 facing the first heat exchange chamber U1, i.e., the upper surface, to fully utilize the entire upper surface of the flat tube segment 13 for heat exchange and improve heat exchange efficiency. The second porous material block 32 covers the entire surface of the flat tube segment 13 facing the second heat exchange chamber U2, i.e., the lower surface, to fully utilize the entire lower surface of the flat tube segment 13 for heat exchange and improve heat exchange efficiency. The flat tube segment 13 forms transition slopes with the liquid inlet section 11 and the liquid outlet section 12, respectively. The first porous material block 31 covers the boundaries between the liquid inlet section 11 and the corresponding transition slopes, as well as the boundaries between the liquid outlet section 12 and the corresponding transition slopes. These transition slopes on both sides also secure the first porous material block 31 axially in the center, preventing axial sliding of the first porous material block 31 and, similarly, preventing axial sliding of the second porous material block 32, thereby improving the securing effect.

[0038] In a specific embodiment, the first porous material block 31 and the second porous material block 32 are both water curtain structures. The water curtain structure has a small water resistance and can fully disperse the water. For details of the local structure, please refer to Figure 8 : When the cooling liquid flows into the water curtain structure, it can be quickly dispersed throughout the entire water curtain structure through the pore structure within the water curtain structure.

[0039] In a specific embodiment, the first porous material block 31 and the second porous material block 32 are connected to form an annular porous structure 3 surrounding the flat tube segment 13, so that the annular porous structure 3 is well fixed to the flat tube segment 13; when installing the annular porous structure 3, it can be directly sleeved on the flat tube segment 13, and the annular porous structure 3 can have a certain elasticity to allow the liquid inlet segment 11 to pass through when it is sleeved, and when sliding to the flat tube segment 13, it can be restored to a close fit with the surface of the flat tube segment 13.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, the number of the liquid inlet 211 is one to reduce the number of input pipes for inputting the cooling liquid, such as only connecting the condensation water pipe of the air conditioner to the liquid inlet 211; in addition, the number of the liquid outlets 221 is multiple, and the cooling liquid after heat exchange is dispersed everywhere by the first porous material block 31 and the second porous material block 32, and can flow out of the second heat exchange chamber U2 quickly through the above-mentioned multiple liquid outlets 221, carrying heat out and quickly dissipating heat.

[0041] In one specific embodiment, because the first porous material block 31 and the second porous material block 32 extend axially along the heat exchange shell 2, the plurality of liquid outlets 221 are sequentially spaced and dispersed along the axial direction of the heat exchange shell 2 to fully discharge the cooling liquid after heat exchange at all locations in the axial direction. Each adjacent liquid outlet 221 can be strictly aligned in the width direction or staggered a certain distance, but overall, a certain distance must be spaced apart in the axial direction. The distance between each adjacent liquid outlet 221 is intentionally equal to ensure uniform cooling liquid discharge at all locations. Similarly, the apertures of the liquid outlets 221 can be equal or similar to facilitate uniform cooling liquid discharge. If the materials used in the first porous material block 31 and the second porous material block 32 do not significantly disperse the liquid, the cross-sectional area of the several liquid outlets 221 located in the middle can be large, or they can be arranged more densely, so that the cooling liquid entering the liquid inlet 211 can flow out in a concentrated and rapid manner.

[0042] In a specific embodiment, the heat exchange housing 2 includes a first cover 21 and a second cover 22 disposed opposite each other. The first cover 21 and the second cover 22 are detachably connected, specifically by snapping, bonding, or welding. The first cover 21 and the flat tube segment 13 enclose a first heat exchange chamber U1, and the second cover 22 and the flat tube segment 13 enclose a second heat exchange chamber U2. This structure facilitates disassembly and assembly.

[0043] Some concave and convex structures can also be designed in the flat tube section 13 to further increase the contact area and heat exchange capacity.

[0044] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a vehicle.

[0045] The need to cool the battery pack generally occurs when the vehicle is used in a high-temperature environment in summer, and the high-temperature environment in summer is generally accompanied by the air conditioning system in the passenger compartment being turned on.

[0046] In the summer, under high temperature, the humidity in South my country and East China can reach an average of about 77%. Taking the summer temperature of 30 degrees as an example, according to the ideal gas equation, under standard pressure, when the air humidity is 77%, 1m 3 The weight of water in air is about 235.78g.

[0047] When the car air conditioning system is turned on, the outside air flows through the evaporator and is cooled to form condensation water on the surface of the evaporator. The condensation water drips through the water pipe device in the air conditioning box and flows out of the car. The temperature is generally around 8°C.

[0048] The vehicle includes: an air conditioning system and a battery cooling circuit, wherein the condensed water outlet of the air conditioning system is connected to the liquid inlet 211 through a pipeline; the heat exchange tube 1 forms part of the pipeline of the battery cooling circuit, and the cooling liquid for cooling the battery passes through the cooling circuit.

[0049] In new energy vehicles, on the one hand, the battery cooling circuit needs to use a heat exchanger to operate a compressor to cool the battery, and on the other hand, the low-temperature condensate generated by the cab air conditioning system is directly discharged outside the vehicle, resulting in energy waste. However, this application fully utilizes the condensate of the air conditioning system as a cold source for heat dissipation in the battery cooling circuit, dissipating the cooling liquid in the battery cooling circuit. Compared with the existing situation where the low-temperature condensate generated by the passenger compartment air conditioning system directly drips outside the vehicle through the water pipe, it can improve the utilization rate of the condensate of the air conditioning system and reduce energy consumption.

[0050] In the aforementioned vehicle, the liquid to be cooled flows in through one end of the heat exchange tube 1 (e.g., inlet T1), passes through the flat tube segment 13, and then flows out of the other end of the heat exchange tube 1 (e.g., outlet T2). The cooling liquid enters the first heat exchange chamber U1 through the liquid inlet 211 of the heat exchange housing 2 and flows into the second heat exchange chamber U2. Due to the flat shape of the flat tube segment 13, its heat exchange area is large. The cooling liquid in the first and second heat exchange chambers U1 and U2 can fully exchange heat with the liquid to be cooled flowing through the flat tube segment 13, fully cooling the liquid to be cooled before flowing out through the liquid outlet 221 of the heat exchange housing 2. Furthermore, after flowing into the first heat exchange chamber U1, the liquid to be cooled is intercepted by the flat tube segment 13, resulting in a low fluidity and sufficient heat exchange time. The flow resistance of the liquid to be cooled in the flat tube segment 13 is relatively high, further enhancing the heat exchange efficiency. This structure improves heat exchange efficiency with a relatively simple structure.

[0051] Moreover, the above-mentioned heat exchange structure serves as an auxiliary cooling device and only serves as a limited supplement to the battery thermal management system. The installation of this device will not affect the thermal management performance of the original vehicle battery.

[0052] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A heat exchange structure, characterized in that: include: Heat exchange tube and heat exchange shell; the heat exchange tube includes a flat tube section; The heat exchange housing surrounds the flat tube segment, and both ends of the heat exchange housing in the axial direction are respectively sealed with the surface of the heat exchange tube. A first heat exchange cavity and a second heat exchange cavity are respectively formed between the heat exchange housing and the two surfaces in the thickness direction of the flat tube segment, and the first heat exchange cavity and the second heat exchange cavity are in communication. The heat exchange housing has a liquid inlet communicating with the first heat exchange cavity, and a liquid outlet communicating with the second heat exchange cavity; A first porous material block is provided in the first heat exchange cavity and contacts the corresponding surface of the flat tube segment; A second porous material block is provided in the second heat exchange cavity and contacts the corresponding surface of the flat tube segment; The first porous material block is a flat plate-like structure, which is fully spread on the upper surface of the flat tube segment and is used to disperse the cooling liquid entering the liquid inlet on the upper plane of the flat tube segment; The second porous material block is a flat plate-like structure, so as to be fully spread out on the lower surface of the flat tube section, and disperse the cooling liquid entering through the liquid inlet on the lower surface of the flat tube section.

2. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first porous material block covers the entire surface of the flat tube segment facing the first heat exchange cavity; The second porous material block covers the entire surface of the flat tube segment facing the second heat exchange cavity.

3. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first porous material block and the second porous material block both have a water curtain structure.

4. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first porous material block and the second porous material block are connected to form an annular porous structure surrounding the flat tube segment.

5. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the liquid inlet is one, and the number of the liquid outlet is multiple.

6. The heat exchange structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plurality of liquid outlets are sequentially spaced apart along the axial direction of the heat exchange shell.

7. The heat exchange structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The distance between each two adjacent liquid outlets is equal.

8. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange housing includes a first cover body and a second cover body that are arranged opposite to each other, and the first cover body and the second cover body are detachably connected; The first cover body is used to enclose the first heat exchange cavity with the flat tube segment, and the second cover body is used to enclose the second heat exchange cavity with the flat tube segment.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises: an air conditioning system, a battery cooling circuit, and a heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the condensate outlet of the air conditioning system is connected to the liquid inlet through a pipeline; The heat exchange tubes form part of the battery cooling circuit.

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