Thermal management modules for thermal management systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal management module (1) for a thermal management system (20). The thermal management module (1) comprises a first heat exchanger (2a) for allowing a refrigerant to flow through and for allowing a first working medium to flow through, separately from the refrigerant fluid. The thermal management module (1) also comprises a second heat exchanger (2b) for allowing a liquid refrigerant to flow through on one side and a gaseous refrigerant to flow through on the other side. In addition, the thermal management module (1) comprises a connecting device (3) which is arranged between the first heat exchanger (2a) and the second heat exchanger (2b). The connecting device (3) mechanically and fluidically connects the first heat exchanger (2a) and the second heat exchanger (2b) to each other so that the refrigerant can flow between the two heat exchangers (2a, 2b) and can therefore, in particular, be exchanged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal management module for a thermal management system and a thermal management system having the thermal management module. Background Art

[0002] A thermal management system is understood to mean a device for transporting heat in a vehicle, which in particular has an electrical energy storage device and an electric drive motor. In these thermal management modules, two or more heat exchangers are usually provided, through which the refrigerant flows and which can be arranged in a refrigerant circuit for this purpose. If the refrigerant is to be transported from a first heat exchanger to a second heat exchanger, the fluid-tight fluid connections between these heat exchangers required for this purpose (usually implemented by tubular bodies, hoses, etc.) have proven to be very complex technically and therefore expensive to implement. In addition, such conventional fluid connections are also relatively susceptible to wear. In particular, the likelihood of undesirable leaks increases with increasing operating duration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create an improved embodiment for a thermal management module in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to equip a thermal management module comprising two heat exchangers for a refrigerant to flow through with a connecting device, the two heat exchangers being mechanically and fluidically connected to one another by means of the connecting device so that the refrigerant can be transported between the two heat exchangers via the connecting device.

[0006] This makes it possible to integrate the two heat exchangers into a refrigerant circuit, in particular into the refrigerant circuit of a so-called thermal management system, wherein the complex configuration of the fluid connection between the two heat exchangers mentioned in the introduction can be omitted as part of the refrigerant circuit, since this is already achieved by means of the connecting device according to the invention.

[0007] In particular, the first of the two heat exchangers can be a so-called chiller for the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat can be transferred between the refrigerant and the working medium (usually the coolant). The second of the two heat exchangers can be an internal heat exchanger for the refrigerant circuit. Such an internal heat exchanger can have a first fluid path and a second fluid path that is fluidically separate from the first fluid path. The internal heat exchanger can thus be integrated into different locations in the same refrigerant circuit, so that the same refrigerant can flow through it.

[0008] The thermal management module according to the present invention includes a first heat exchanger for allowing a refrigerant to flow through it and for allowing a working medium to flow through it separately from the refrigerant fluid. The thermal management module also includes a second heat exchanger having first and second flow paths for allowing a refrigerant to flow through it, preferably for allowing refrigerants of different phases to flow through it, particularly preferably for allowing refrigerants in liquid and gaseous phases to flow through it.

[0009] Specifically, the second heat exchanger is designed to provide a thermal connection between the first and second fluid paths, and thus between the liquid and gaseous refrigerant. Similarly, a thermal connection is provided between the working medium and the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger. According to the present invention, the thermal management module includes a connecting device disposed between the first and second heat exchangers. The connecting device mechanically and fluidically connects the first and second heat exchangers to each other, enabling refrigerant to flow between the two heat exchangers.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, at least one refrigerant path for a refrigerant to flow through is formed in the first heat exchanger. In this embodiment, at least one connecting refrigerant path through which a refrigerant can flow is formed in the connecting device, via which at least one refrigerant path of the first heat exchanger and / or at least the first or second fluid path of the second heat exchanger are in fluid communication with each other.

[0011] It is particularly convenient if at least one of the two heat exchangers, particularly preferably the first heat exchanger, is configured as a stacked-plate heat exchanger having a plurality of stacked plates stacked one on top of the other in a stacking direction. This creates a refrigerant path for the refrigerant and a medium path for the working medium or coolant. This allows for a simple fluid connection of the refrigerant path to the at least one connected refrigerant path of the connecting device.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment, the connecting device includes a base body surrounding at least one connecting refrigerant path. In this embodiment, the at least one connecting refrigerant path extends from a first body side (on which the first heat exchanger is arranged) to a second body side opposite the first body side (on which the second heat exchanger is arranged). In this way, the refrigerant path between the two heat exchangers can be kept small. In addition, the two heat exchangers and the conveying device can be assembled simply. Preferably, the at least one first connecting refrigerant path is in fluid communication with the at least one first fluid path of the second heat exchanger, and the at least one second connecting refrigerant path, which is fluidically separated from the first connecting refrigerant path in the connecting device, is in fluid communication with the at least one second fluid path of the second heat exchanger.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment, the at least one connecting refrigerant path is configured as a hole in the base body extending from the first body side to the second body side. This variant is very easy to manufacture, making the manufacturing costs of the entire thermal management module cost-effective.

[0014] According to an advantageous refinement, the base body comprises a circumferential side connecting the first body side to the second body side, and at least one functional element of the thermal management module is arranged on this circumferential side. This allows the one or more functional elements to be arranged on the thermal management module in a particularly space-saving manner without thereby compromising the refrigerant guidance for the refrigerant through the connecting device or the connecting refrigerant path.

[0015] According to another advantageous refinement, at least one functional element is a valve device for controlling the flow of refrigerant through the connection device, in particular the flow of refrigerant through the connecting refrigerant path. Alternatively or additionally, in this refinement, at least one functional element is a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the connection device, in particular the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through at least one connecting refrigerant path. Alternatively or additionally, in this refinement, at least one functional element is a fastening element for mounting the thermal management module, in particular, mounting the thermal management module in or on a thermal management system of a motor vehicle. All of these variants facilitate the flexible, space-saving, and therefore economical addition of various functionalities to the thermal management module.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the connecting device and the two heat exchangers can be formed integrally. This simplifies the assembly work when the entire thermal management module is to be installed in a thermal management system in a motor vehicle.

[0017] The base body can be particularly conveniently made of metal, preferably aluminum. Alternatively, plastic can also be used. In this refinement, the two heat exchangers are each connected to the connecting device, in particular to the base body of the connecting device, by material bonding, preferably by welding or brazing. A permanent, fluid-tight fluid connection is thus created between the two heat exchangers via the connecting device.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment, the connecting device, in particular its base body, is a cast part produced by a casting process or a forged part produced by a forging process. Such a connecting device can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner from a technical point of view. This is particularly applicable when, as described above, at least one connecting refrigerant path is to be implemented as a hole formed in the base body.

[0019] According to an advantageous refinement, the first heat exchanger is a water chiller. Alternatively or additionally, in this refinement, the second heat exchanger can be an internal heat exchanger.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a thermal management system for a motor vehicle, in particular for an electric vehicle, having a thermal management module according to the present invention as proposed above. Therefore, the advantages of the thermal management module according to the present invention explained above also apply to the thermal management system according to the present invention. The thermal management system comprises a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant can flow, the first and second heat exchangers of the thermal management module being arranged in the refrigerant circuit. The thermal management system also comprises a medium circuit, which is formed separately from the refrigerant circuit and through which a working medium can flow, the first heat exchanger being arranged in the medium circuit. Conveniently, the first and second fluid paths of the second heat exchanger are arranged at different positions in the refrigerant circuit.

[0021] The first fluid path of the second heat exchanger can be arranged in the refrigerant circuit, the (first) connecting refrigerant path of the connecting device can be arranged downstream thereof, the refrigerant path of the first heat exchanger can be arranged downstream thereof, the (second) connecting refrigerant path of the connecting device can be arranged downstream thereof, and the second fluid path of the second heat exchanger can be arranged downstream thereof.

[0022] Further important features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated figure description with the aid of the drawings.

[0023] It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and the features yet to be explained further below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0025] Schematically shown respectively:

[0026] Figure 1 An example of a thermal management module for an electric vehicle according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view.

[0027] Figure 2 The exploded view shows Figure 1 Thermal management module,

[0028] Figure 3 The present invention shows Figure 1 Example of a thermal management system with a thermal management module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 An example of a thermal management module 1 for an electric vehicle according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of a thermal management module 1. The thermal management module 1 comprises a first heat exchanger 2a for allowing a refrigerant to flow through and for allowing a working medium (e.g. a cooling medium) to flow through, fluidically separate from the refrigerant. In addition, the thermal management module 1 comprises a second heat exchanger 2b for allowing a refrigerant to flow through. To this end, the second heat exchanger 2b has a first fluid path for allowing a refrigerant in liquid phase to flow through, and a second fluid path formed fluidically separate from the first fluid path, the second fluid path for allowing the same refrigerant in gas phase to flow through. The first and second fluid paths can therefore be integrated into different positions in the refrigerant circuit. The second heat exchanger 2b is therefore an internal heat exchanger.

[0030] Furthermore, the thermal management module 1 includes a connecting device 3 disposed between the first and second heat exchangers 2a, 2b. The connecting device 3 mechanically and fluidically connects the first and second heat exchangers 2a, 2b to each other, enabling refrigerant to flow between the two heat exchangers 2a, 2b. The connecting device 3 is integrally formed with the two heat exchangers 2a, 2b.

[0031] Multiple refrigerant paths (not shown) for refrigerant flow are provided in the first heat exchanger 2a, and these refrigerant paths can also be integrated into the refrigerant circuit described above. Preferably, the refrigerant path of the first heat exchanger can be provided in the refrigerant circuit, downstream of the first fluid path of the second heat exchanger 2b and upstream of the second fluid path of the second heat exchanger 2b. Multiple medium paths (not shown) extend in the first heat exchanger 2a in a manner fluidly separated from these refrigerant paths, and the working medium can flow through the multiple medium paths separately from the refrigerant. Within the first heat exchanger 2a, the working medium or coolant can be thermally coupled to the refrigerant, allowing heat to be transferred between the refrigerant and the working medium. In this exemplary embodiment, the first heat exchanger 2a is configured as a stacked-plate heat exchanger 5 having a plurality of laminations 6 stacked one on top of the other in a stacking direction S. The laminations 6 define the refrigerant paths and the medium paths in alternating order and are fluidically isolated from each other.

[0032] In the connection device 3, a connection refrigerant path 10 (see Figure 2 ), by means of connecting the refrigerant path 10, the refrigerant path of the first heat exchanger 2a is either in fluid communication with the first fluid path of the second heat exchanger 2b or in fluid communication with the second fluid path of the second heat exchanger 2b.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the connection device 3 comprises a base body 7 which defines a connection refrigerant path 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the base body 7 of the connection device 3 is a casting. Alternatively, it is conceivable to use a forged part as the base body 7. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The base body 7 has a circumferential side 9 connecting the first body side 8a to the second body side 8b. Connecting refrigerant paths 10 extend from the first body side 8a to the second body side 8b opposite to the first body side 8a at a distance from each other within the base body 7. The first heat exchanger 2a is provided on the first body side 8a, and the second heat exchanger 2b is provided on the second body side 8b. The connecting refrigerant paths 10 can be configured as holes 12 (see FIG. 1 ) extending from the first body side 8a to the second body side 8b in the base body 7. Figure 2 ).

[0034] Functional elements 11 of thermal management module 1 can be arranged on circumferential side 9 of base body 7. Such functional elements 11 can be valve devices (not shown) for controlling the flow of refrigerant in connecting refrigerant path 10. Such functional elements 11 can also be temperature sensors (not shown) for determining the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in connecting refrigerant path 10. Furthermore, such functional elements 11 can be fastening elements 4 for mounting thermal management module 1 in a thermal management system 20 of a motor vehicle.

[0035] The material of the base body 7 can be metal, for example aluminum. The two heat exchangers 2a, 2b can each be connected to the base body 7 of the connecting device 3 in a materially joined manner by a welded connection. It is also conceivable to use a brazing connection instead of a welded connection.

[0036] Figure 3 The thermal management system 20 according to the present invention is shown, which has the thermal management module 1 according to the present invention as described above. The system 20 includes a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant can flow, and the first and second heat exchangers 2a, 2b of the thermal management module 1 are arranged in the refrigerant circuit. The first heat exchanger 2a is a chiller. Figure 3 In the example, the second heat exchanger 2b is an internal heat exchanger. In addition, the system 20 includes a medium circuit formed separately from the refrigerant circuit, and the medium circuit can allow the first working medium to flow separately from the refrigerant fluid, and the first heat exchanger 2a is arranged in the medium circuit.

[0037] The first fluid path of the second heat exchanger 2b can be set in the refrigerant circuit, the (first) connecting refrigerant path 10 of the connecting device 3 can be set downstream thereof, the refrigerant path of the first heat exchanger 2a can be set downstream thereof, the (second) connecting refrigerant path 10 of the connecting device 3 can be set downstream thereof, and the second fluid path of the second heat exchanger 2b can be set downstream thereof.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the thermal management system 20 includes the Figure 1 and Figure 2 The components of the thermal management module 1 explained above (i.e. the first heat exchanger 2a, the second heat exchanger 2b and the connection device 3) also include a compressor 21 which is also arranged in the refrigerant circuit and which is connected to the refrigerant circuit by means of a holding device 22 ( Figure 3 A retaining clip 23 (in the example shown) is fastened to the connection device 3 of the thermal management module 1. A dryer 24 can be provided on the second heat exchanger 2b. Similarly, as shown, an indirect heat exchanger 25 can be provided on the side 27 of the second heat exchanger 2a facing away from the connection device 3. The heat exchanger 25 can function as a condenser 26 and can also be incorporated into the refrigerant circuit of the thermal management system 20.

Claims

1. A thermal management module (1) for a thermal management system (20), - having a first heat exchanger (2a) for a refrigerant to flow through and for a working medium to flow through separately from the refrigerant fluid, - having a second heat exchanger (2b) having at least one first fluid path for a refrigerant to flow through and at least one second fluid path separate from the at least one first fluid path, - having a connecting device (3) which is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger (2a, 2b) and mechanically and fluidically connects the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to each other so that refrigerant can flow between the two heat exchangers (2a, 2b).

2. The thermal management module according to claim 1, It is characterized by - forming at least one refrigerant path for the refrigerant to flow through in the first heat exchanger (2a), - at least one connecting refrigerant path (10) through which refrigerant can flow is formed in the connecting device (3), and at least one refrigerant path of the first heat exchanger (2a) and at least one first fluid path or / and second fluid path of the second heat exchanger (2b) are in fluid communication with each other through the at least one connecting refrigerant path (10).

3. The thermal management module according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by At least one of the two heat exchangers (2a, 2b) is configured as a stacked plate heat exchanger (5) having a plurality of stacked plates (6) stacked on top of each other in a stacking direction (S).

4. The thermal management module according to claim 2, It is characterized by - said connection device (3) comprises a base (7) defining said at least one connecting refrigerant path (10), - the at least one connecting refrigerant path (10) extends from a first body side (8a) to a second body side (8b) opposite to the first body side (8a), the first heat exchanger (2a) being arranged on the first body side (8a), and the second heat exchanger (2b) being arranged on the second body side (8b).

5. The thermal management module according to claim 4, It is characterized by The at least one connecting refrigerant path (10) is formed as a hole (12) extending in the base body (7) from the first body side (8a) to the second body side (8b).

6. The thermal management module according to claim 4, It is characterized by The base body (7) has a circumferential side (9) connecting the first body side (8a) to the second body side (8b), and at least one functional element (11) of the thermal management module (1) is arranged on the circumferential side (9).

7. The thermal management module according to claim 6, It is characterized by - the at least one functional element (11) is a valve device for controlling the flow of refrigerant in the connection device; or / and - the at least one functional element (11) is a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the connection device (3); or / and - The at least one functional element (11) is a fastening element (4) for mounting the thermal management module (1).

8. The thermal management module according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by The connecting device (3) and the two heat exchangers (2a, 2b) are formed integrally.

9. The thermal management module according to claim 4, It is characterized by - the material of the base (7) is metal, - The two heat exchangers (2a, 2b) are each connected to the connecting device (3) in a material-bonded manner.

10. The thermal management module according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by The connecting device (3) is a casting or a forging.

11. The thermal management module according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized by - the first heat exchanger (2a) is a chiller; or / and - The second heat exchanger (2b) is an internal heat exchanger.

12. The thermal management module according to claim 4, It is characterized by in, At least one first connecting refrigerant path (10) is in fluid communication with at least one first fluid path of the second heat exchanger (2b), and at least one second connecting refrigerant path (10) is in fluid communication with at least one second fluid path of the second heat exchanger (2b) in a manner fluidly separated from the first connecting refrigerant path (10).

13. The thermal management module according to claim 7, It is characterized by - the at least one functional element (11) is a valve device for controlling the throughflow of refrigerant in the connecting refrigerant path (10); or / and - the at least one functional element (11) is a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the connecting refrigerant path (10); or / and - The at least one functional element (11) is a fastening element (4) for mounting the thermal management module (1) in a motor vehicle.

14. The thermal management module according to claim 9, It is characterized by The metal is aluminum.

15. The thermal management module according to claim 9, It is characterized by The two heat exchangers (2a, 2b) are connected to the connection device (3) by welding or brazing, respectively.

16. The thermal management module according to claim 9, It is characterized by The two heat exchangers (2a, 2b) are each connected to a base body (7) of the connecting device (3) in a material-bonded manner.

17. The thermal management module according to claim 10, It is characterized by The base body (7) of the connecting device (3) is a casting or a forging part.

18. A thermal management system (20) for a motor vehicle, - having a thermal management module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - having a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant can flow, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger (2a, 2b) of the thermal management module (1) are arranged in the refrigerant circuit, - A first medium circuit is provided, which is formed separately from the refrigerant circuit and can allow a first working medium (AM) to flow through, and the first heat exchanger (2a) is arranged in the first medium circuit.

19. The thermal management system according to claim 18, It is characterized by The thermal management system is used in an electric vehicle.

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