A thermal management system for compact vehicles

Abstract

The application provides a heat management system for a compact vehicle, comprising a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit; wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises a passenger cabin circuit and a battery circuit; the refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor, a condenser, a refrigeration expansion valve and an evaporator; the compressor, the condenser, the refrigeration expansion valve and the evaporator are connected in series through pipelines; the battery circuit comprises a compressor, a condenser, a chiller expansion valve and a chiller; the compressor, the condenser, the chiller expansion valve and the chiller are connected in series to form a closed loop circuit; the coolant circuit comprises the chiller, a heat exchanger of a power battery, a water pump and an electric heating device; the chiller, the power battery, the water pump and the electric heating device are connected in series to form a closed loop circuit; the heat management system has the advantages of compact structure, integrated components in a small space, complete functions, superior comfort, light weight and high efficiency, and can simultaneously realize passenger cabin refrigeration / heat and battery cooling / heating, thereby ensuring passenger cabin comfort and battery safety.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a thermal management system, in particular to a thermal management system for compact vehicles. BACKGROUND

[0002] By 2030, more than 60% of the world's population will live in cities, and traffic congestion will become more and more serious. Developing air travel in cities will be the best solution to the challenge of urban travel, and the market potential of urban "air taxis" is huge. The thermal management system of an electric vehicle directly determines the passenger cabin comfort, battery endurance and life; a household air conditioning system can control the flow direction of the refrigerant because it contains a four-way reversing valve, so that the household air conditioning system can realize the functions of refrigeration and heating. The air conditioning system of a new energy electric vehicle is different from a household air conditioning system. The vehicle-mounted air conditioning system of a new energy electric vehicle does not use a four-way reversing valve. In this case, only refrigeration function can be realized. At present, in order to realize the passenger cabin heat pump and battery heating of the new energy electric vehicle air conditioning system, in addition to the two heat exchangers of the outdoor condenser and the indoor evaporator in the refrigerant circuit, one of the existing patent solutions is to add a water-cooled condenser to utilize the heat exchange between the high-temperature refrigerant and the cooling liquid to increase the water temperature of the cooling liquid, and to realize the heating function through the cooling liquid circuit. Due to the addition of a water-cooled condenser and related connecting pipelines, this solution needs to be further optimized for vehicles with high weight requirements (such as flying cars). On the other hand, in the prior art, the water-cooled condenser heating process needs to transfer the heat of the refrigerant to the circulating cooling liquid first, and then the circulating cooling liquid exchanges heat with the air to meet the demand. This process requires two heat exchange processes, and the heat exchange efficiency is low. SUMMARY

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a thermal management system for compact vehicles to solve the problems of increasing the total weight of the vehicle after adding a water-cooled condenser and related connecting pipelines in the refrigeration circuit in the prior art, not meeting the total weight requirement of the vehicle; and reducing the heat exchange process and improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the present application provides a thermal management system for compact vehicles, comprising a refrigerant circuit and a cooling liquid circuit; the refrigerant circuit comprises a passenger cabin circuit and a battery circuit, the passenger cabin circuit comprises a condenser and an evaporator; the evaporator is connected with a cold air duct for introducing cold air after heat exchange of the evaporator into the passenger cabin; the condenser is connected with a warm air duct for introducing warm air after heat exchange of the condenser into the passenger cabin.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present application, the passenger cabin circuit further comprises a compressor and a refrigeration expansion valve, the compressor, the condenser, the refrigeration expansion valve and the evaporator each comprise a first port and a second port; the first port of the compressor and the second port of the condenser are in communication, the first port of the condenser and the second port of the refrigeration expansion valve are in communication, the first port of the refrigeration expansion valve and the second port of the evaporator are in communication, and the first port of the evaporator and the second port of the compressor are in communication.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present application, the cooling liquid circuit comprises a water chiller, a battery heat exchanger, a water pump and an electric heating device; the water chiller, the battery heat exchanger, the electric heating device and the water pump each comprise a first port and a second port; wherein the first port of the water chiller and the second port of the electric heating device are in communication, the first port of the electric heating device and the second port of the water pump are in communication, the first port of the water pump and the second port of the battery heat exchanger are in communication, and the first port of the battery heat exchanger and the second port of the water chiller are in communication.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, the battery circuit comprises the compressor, the condenser, the water chiller expansion valve and the water chiller; the water chiller further comprises a third port and a fourth port, and the water chiller expansion valve comprises a first port and a second port; in the battery circuit, the first port of the compressor and the second port of the condenser are in communication, the first port of the condenser and the second port of the water chiller expansion valve are in communication, the first port of the water chiller expansion valve and the fourth port of the water chiller are in communication, and the third port of the water chiller and the second port of the compressor are in communication.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, the cooling air duct further comprises a first cooling air outlet and a second cooling air outlet, the first cooling air outlet is in communication with the passenger cabin, and the second cooling air outlet is in communication with the outside.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises a cooling air switch for switching the outlet channel of the cooling air.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, the heating air duct further comprises a first heating air outlet and a second heating air outlet, the first heating air outlet is in communication with the passenger cabin, and the second heating air outlet is in communication with the outside.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises a heating air switch for switching the outlet channel of the heating air.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises an indoor fan, and the indoor fan is connected to the right end of the evaporator.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, the heat management system for compact vehicles further comprises an outdoor fan connected to the right end of the condenser.

[0014] As described above, the heat management system for compact vehicles of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] (1) The outdoor condenser is used to replace the water-cooled condenser, which reduces one heat exchange process and improves heat exchange efficiency compared to the prior art;

[0016] (2) The structure is simpler and lighter, which meets the weight requirements of vehicles, especially air travel vehicles.

[0017] (3) The structure is compact, and each component can be integrated in a small space. Hot air is blown out from the feet and cold air is blown out from the head through the air duct, which can realize dehumidification and heating, has complete functions, and has better comfort;

[0018] (4) The passenger compartment cooling / heating and battery cooling / heating can be realized at the same time, which ensures the comfort of the passenger compartment and the safety of the power battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Fig. 1 The figure shows the principle diagram of a heat management system for compact vehicles in an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Fig. 2 The figure shows the structure diagram of a heat management system for compact vehicles in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Element number explanation

[0022] 1 - condenser; 2 - evaporator; 3 - refrigeration expansion valve; 4 - outdoor fan; 5 - compressor;

[0023] 6 - first cold air outlet; 61 - second cold air outlet;

[0024] 7 - first warm air outlet; 71 - second warm air outlet;

[0025] 8 - indoor fan; 9 - water chiller; 10 - water chiller expansion valve; 11 - power battery; 12 - electric heating device; 13 - water pump;

[0026] 14 - battery water inlet; 15 - battery water outlet; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The embodiments of the present application are described below by specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in the specification.

[0028] Referring to Figs. 1-2 It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. shown in the drawings attached to the present specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification, so that those skilled in the art can understand and read, and are not used to limit the conditions for implementing the present application, so they do not have technical significance. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportional relationship or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effect and purpose that can be achieved by the present application, should still fall within the scope of the technology disclosed by the present application. At the same time, the terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle" and "one" used in the present specification are only for the convenience of clear description, and are not used to limit the scope of the present application. The change or adjustment of the relative relationship, without substantially changing the technical content, is also considered as the scope of the present application.

[0029] Referring to Figs. 1-2 The present application provides a compact vehicle thermal management system, comprising a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit; the refrigerant circuit comprises a passenger cabin circuit and a battery circuit, the passenger cabin circuit comprises a condenser 1 and an evaporator 2; the evaporator 2 is connected with a cold air duct for introducing the cold air after heat exchange of the evaporator 2 into the passenger cabin; the condenser 1 is connected with a warm air duct for introducing the warm air after heat exchange of the condenser 1 into the passenger cabin.

[0030] Preferably, the passenger cabin circuit further comprises a compressor 5 and a refrigeration expansion valve 3, the compressor 5, the condenser 1, the refrigeration expansion valve 3 and the evaporator 2 all comprise first and second ports; the first port of the compressor 5 and the second port of the condenser 1 are communicated, the first port of the condenser 1 and the second port of the refrigeration expansion valve 3 are communicated, the first port of the refrigeration expansion valve 3 and the second port of the evaporator 2 are communicated, and the first port of the evaporator 2 and the second port of the compressor 5 are communicated.

[0031] Specifically, the refrigerant circulates in the above-mentioned passenger cabin circuit, when passing through the compressor 5, the refrigerant is compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and after heat release through the condenser 1, it becomes a liquid. When the liquid refrigerant flows through the refrigeration expansion valve 3, it becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure wet vapor due to the decrease in pressure. When the low-temperature and low-pressure wet vapor flows through the evaporator 2, it exchanges heat with the passenger cabin, further absorbs heat and vaporizes, taking away the heat of the passenger cabin, achieving the effect of refrigeration.

[0032] Preferably, the cooling liquid circuit comprises a chiller 9, a battery heat exchanger, a water pump 13 and an electric heating device (WPTC) 12; the chiller 9, the battery heat exchanger, the electric heating device 12 and the water pump 13 each comprise a first port and a second port; wherein the first port of the chiller 9 and the second port of the electric heating device 12 are in communication, the first port of the electric heating device 12 and the second port of the water pump 13 are in communication, the first port of the water pump 13 and the second port of the battery heat exchanger are in communication, and the first port of the battery heat exchanger and the second port of the chiller 9 are in communication. In the embodiment of the present application, the electric heating device adopts an electric heating plate, and in other embodiments, the electric heating device can be freely selected according to the power size.

[0033] Further, the first port of the chiller 9 is a battery water inlet 14 in the Fig. 2 Further, the second port of the chiller 9 is a battery water outlet 15 in the Fig. 2

[0034] Further, the chiller 9 is used for cooling the cooling liquid, the cooling liquid flows through the chiller 9, and the temperature of the cooling liquid is lowered after heat exchange with the chiller 9; the electric heating device 12 is used for heating the cooling liquid, the cooling liquid flows through the electric heating device 12, and the temperature of the cooling liquid is raised after heat exchange with the electric heating device 12; and the water pump 13 provides power for the circulation of the cooling liquid.

[0035] Further, the cooling liquid circuit further comprises a power battery 11, and the battery heat exchanger is used for heat exchange with the power battery 11.

[0036] Further, the working environment of the power battery 11 has certain temperature requirements, and too high or too low temperature will reduce the working efficiency of the power battery 11; when the power battery 11 needs to be cooled, the electric heating device 12 is turned off, and the chiller 9 is turned on, and the low-temperature condensed water cools the power battery 11 through the battery heat exchanger; when the power battery 11 needs to be heated, the chiller 9 is turned off, and the electric heating device 12 is turned on, and the high-temperature condensed water heats the power battery 11 through the battery heat exchanger.

[0037] Preferably, the battery circuit comprises a compressor 5, a condenser 1, a chiller expansion valve 10 and a chiller 9; the chiller 9 further comprises a third port and a fourth port, and the chiller expansion valve 10 comprises a first port and a second port; in the battery circuit, the first port of the compressor 5 and the second port of the condenser 1 are in communication, the first port of the condenser 1 and the second port of the chiller expansion valve 10 are in communication, the first port of the chiller expansion valve 10 and the fourth port of the chiller 9 are in communication, and the third port of the chiller 9 and the second port of the compressor 5 are in communication.

[0038] ​Further, the battery circuit is used to provide low-temperature refrigerant for the water chiller 9; specifically, the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 1 flows through the water chiller expansion valve 10 and becomes low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, which exchanges heat with the condensing water in the water chiller 9 and takes away the heat in the condensing water, so that the condensing water maintains a low-temperature state.

[0039] Further, when the power battery 11 needs to be cooled, the water chiller 9 and the water chiller expansion valve 10 need to be opened at the same time, so that the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the water chiller 9 through the expansion valve.

[0040] Preferably, the cold air duct further comprises a first cold air outlet 6 and a second cold air outlet 61, the first cold air outlet 6 being in communication with the passenger compartment, and the second cold air outlet 61 being in communication with the outside.

[0041] Preferably, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises a cold air switch for switching the outlet channel of the cold air.

[0042] Preferably, the warm air duct further comprises a first warm air outlet 7 and a second warm air outlet 71, the first warm air outlet 7 being in communication with the passenger compartment, and the second warm air outlet 71 being in communication with the outside.

[0043] Preferably, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises a warm air switch for switching the outlet channel of the warm air.

[0044] Preferably, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises an indoor fan 8 connected to the right end of the evaporator 2, for sending air into the cold air duct.

[0045] Preferably, the compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises an outdoor fan 4 connected to the right end of the condenser 1, for sending air into the warm air duct.

[0046] The compact vehicle thermal management system of the present application comprises multiple working states:

[0047] (1) When the passenger compartment has heating demand, the cold air generated after heat exchange with the evaporator 2 can be introduced into the second cold air outlet 61 through the cold air switch, and the cold air is discharged to the outside; the warm air generated after heat exchange with the condenser 1 can be introduced into the first warm air outlet 7 through the warm air switch, and the warm air enters the passenger compartment.

[0048] (2) When the passenger compartment has cooling demand, the cold air generated after heat exchange with the evaporator 2 can be introduced into the first cold air outlet 6 through the cold air switch, and the cold air enters the passenger compartment; the warm air generated after heat exchange with the condenser 1 can be introduced into the second warm air outlet 71 through the warm air switch.

[0049] (3) When the cold air passing through the evaporator 2 and the hot air passing through the condenser 1 are blown to the passenger compartment at the same time, dehumidification and heating can be realized.

[0050] (4) When the battery has cooling demand, the water chiller expansion valve 10 is opened to a certain value, part of the refrigerant enters the water chiller 9 after throttling and cooling through the water chiller expansion valve 10, the water pump 13 in the cooling liquid circuit is opened, the electric heating device 12 does not work, the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the cooling liquid is realized in the water chiller 9, the temperature of the cooling liquid is reduced after coming out of the water chiller 9, and the cooling liquid flows through the power battery 11 and exchanges heat with the battery heat exchanger, so that the power battery 11 is cooled.

[0051] (5) When the battery has heating demand, the water chiller expansion valve 10 is closed, the water pump 13 in the cooling liquid circuit is opened, the electric heating device 12 works to increase the temperature of the cooling liquid flowing through the electric heating device 12, and when the high-temperature cooling liquid flows through the battery heat exchanger, the temperature of the power battery 11 is increased.

[0052] In summary, the heat management system for a compact vehicle of the present application uses an outdoor condenser to perform the function of a water-cooled condenser, which reduces one heat exchange process and improves heat exchange efficiency compared with the prior art. The structure is simpler and lighter, and meets the weight requirements of the vehicle (especially air travel vehicles). The structure is compact, and each component can be integrated in a small space. Hot air is blown out from the feet and cold air is blown out from the head through the air duct, which can realize dehumidification and heating, and has complete functions and better comfort. The passenger cabin cooling / heating and battery cooling / heating can be realized at the same time, which ensures the comfort of the passenger cabin and the safety of the power battery. Therefore, the present application effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and has high industrial utilization value.

[0053] The above embodiments only exemplarily illustrate the principles and effects of the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. Any person skilled in the art can modify or change the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical idea disclosed by the present application should be covered by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A heat management system for compact vehicles, comprising a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit; the refrigerant circuit comprises a passenger cabin circuit and a battery circuit, the passenger cabin circuit comprises a condenser and an evaporator; characterized in that the evaporator is connected with a cold air duct for introducing cold air after heat exchange of the evaporator into the passenger cabin; the condenser is connected with a warm air duct for introducing warm air after heat exchange of the condenser into the passenger cabin; the passenger cabin circuit further comprises a compressor and a refrigerant expansion valve, the compressor, the condenser, the refrigerant expansion valve and the evaporator each comprise a first port and a second port; the first port of the compressor and the second port of the condenser are communicated, the first port of the condenser and the second port of the refrigerant expansion valve are communicated, the first port of the refrigerant expansion valve and the second port of the evaporator are communicated, and the first port of the evaporator and the second port of the compressor are communicated; the coolant circuit comprises a water chiller, a battery heat exchanger, a water pump and an electric heating device; the water chiller, the battery heat exchanger, the electric heating device and the water pump each comprise a first port and a second port; wherein the first port of the water chiller and the second port of the electric heating device are communicated, the first port of the electric heating device and the second port of the water pump are communicated, the first port of the water pump and the second port of the battery heat exchanger are communicated, and the first port of the battery heat exchanger and the second port of the water chiller are communicated; the battery circuit comprises the compressor, the condenser, a water chiller expansion valve and the water chiller; the water chiller further comprises a third port and a fourth port, and the water chiller expansion valve comprises a first port and a second port; in the battery circuit, the first port of the compressor and the second port of the condenser are communicated, the first port of the condenser and the second port of the water chiller expansion valve are communicated, the first port of the water chiller expansion valve and the fourth port of the water chiller are communicated, and the third port of the water chiller and the second port of the compressor are communicated; the cold air duct further comprises a first cold air port and a second cold air port, the first cold air port is communicated with the passenger cabin, and the second cold air port is communicated with the outside; the heat management system for compact vehicles further comprises a cold air switch for switching the export channel of the cold air; the warm air duct further comprises a first warm air port and a second warm air port, the first warm air port is communicated with the passenger cabin, and the second warm air port is communicated with the outside; the heat management system for compact vehicles further comprises a warm air switch for switching the export channel of the warm air; when the passenger cabin has a heating demand, the cold air generated after heat exchange with the evaporator is introduced into the second cold air port through the cold air switch, and the cold air is discharged into the outside; the warm air generated after heat exchange with the condenser is introduced into the first warm air port through the warm air switch, and the warm air enters the passenger cabin; when the passenger cabin has a cooling demand, the cold air generated after heat exchange with the evaporator is introduced into the first cold air port through the cold air switch, and the cold air enters the passenger cabin; the warm air generated after heat exchange with the condenser is introduced into the second warm air port through the warm air switch. At the same time, the cold air passing through the evaporator and the hot air passing through the condenser are blown to the passenger cabin to realize dehumidification and heating; When the battery has cooling demand, the water chiller expansion valve is opened to a certain value, part of the refrigerant enters the water chiller after throttling and cooling through the water chiller expansion valve, the water pump in the cooling liquid circuit is opened, the electric heating device does not work, the refrigerant and the cooling liquid realize heat exchange in the water chiller, the temperature of the cooling liquid out of the water chiller is reduced, the cooling liquid flows through the power battery and exchanges heat with the battery heat exchanger to cool the power battery; When the battery has heating demand, the water chiller expansion valve is closed, the water pump in the cooling liquid circuit is opened, the electric heating device works to increase the temperature of the cooling liquid flowing through the electric heating device, and when the high-temperature cooling liquid flows through the battery heat exchanger, the temperature of the power battery is increased.

2. The thermal management system for compact vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by: The compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises an indoor fan connected with the right end of the evaporator.

3. The thermal management system for compact vehicles of claim 1, wherein: The compact vehicle thermal management system further comprises an outdoor fan connected with the right end of the condenser.

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