Thermal management components and battery thermal management systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a thermal management assembly, comprising: a heat exchange plate, in which a heat transfer fluid flows through the flow channels of the heat exchange plate and exchanges heat with the outside world; a fluid guide block, which is mounted on the heat exchange plate; an intermediate heat exchanger, which is mounted on the fluid guide block and has a first fluid path and a second fluid path, in which the heat transfer fluids in the first fluid path and the second fluid path exchange heat; and an expansion valve, which is mounted on the fluid guide block. The fluid guide block is also provided with a first opening, a second opening, and an installation cavity; the first opening is in fluid communication with the first fluid path of the intermediate heat exchanger; the installation cavity is in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening, respectively; and the expansion valve is mounted in the installation cavity. The present disclosure also relates to a battery thermal management system including the thermal management assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thermal management assembly and a battery thermal management system including the thermal management assembly. Background Art

[0002] As the automotive manufacturing industry develops towards electrification and intelligence, the requirements for the integration and compactness of automobile battery thermal management systems are becoming increasingly higher.

[0003] A vehicle's battery thermal management system includes a battery and a thermal management assembly. The thermal management assembly includes a heat exchange plate, an intermediate heat exchanger, and fluid communication lines connecting the intermediate heat exchanger to one or more of the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. A heat transfer fluid flows through the fluid communication lines. The heat exchange plate of the thermal management assembly exchanges heat with the battery.

[0004] However, conventional heat exchange plates and intermediate heat exchangers are often located far apart in different parts of a motor vehicle, resulting in long fluid communication lines and a less-than-simplistic structure. This not only increases the manufacturing cost of the thermal management assembly and makes it difficult to install, but also reduces its efficiency and increases the vehicle's energy consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a thermal management assembly that arranges a heat exchanger, an intermediate heat exchanger, and an expansion valve adjacent to each other and provides a fluid communication portion with a simple structure.

[0006] The objective is achieved by a thermal management assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising: a heat exchange plate, in which a heat transfer fluid flows through a flow channel of the heat exchange plate and exchanges heat with the outside world; a fluid guide block mounted on the heat exchange plate; an intermediate heat exchanger mounted on the fluid guide block and having a first fluid path and a second fluid path, wherein the heat transfer fluids in the first and second fluid paths exchange heat; and an expansion valve mounted on the fluid guide block. The fluid guide block is further provided with a first opening, a second opening, and an installation cavity; the first opening is in fluid communication with the first fluid path of the intermediate heat exchanger; the installation cavity is in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening, respectively; and the expansion valve is mounted in the installation cavity.

[0007] Thus, the thermal management assembly according to the present disclosure defines a heat exchanger, an intermediate heat exchanger, and an expansion valve mounted adjacent to each other and fluidically connected via a fluid guide block. The fluid guide block's simple structure and shortened path length for the heat transfer fluid within it reduce unnecessary heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the environment, thereby improving the efficiency of the thermal management assembly. Furthermore, this configuration of the thermal management assembly reduces the required installation space, saving manufacturing and installation costs.

[0008] Thermal management assemblies according to the present disclosure may also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second opening is fluidically connected to the flow channel of the heat exchange plate. With this configuration, the heat transfer fluid throttled by the expansion valve enters the heat exchange plate through the second opening.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid condensed by the condenser.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange plate, and transmits the heat transfer fluid to the compressor after heat exchange in the intermediate heat exchanger.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange plate through a communication block.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication block is mounted to the heat exchange plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication block and the fluid guide block are formed integrally. This integrated structure further increases the integration of the thermal management component.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange plate through a connecting pipe.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second opening is fluidically connected to the evaporator. With this configuration, the heat transfer fluid throttled by the expansion valve enters the evaporator through the second opening.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow channel of the heat exchange plate receives the heat transfer fluid compressed by the compressor.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange plate, so that the heat transfer fluid is transmitted to the evaporator through the intermediate heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the second opening.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange plate through a communication block.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication block is mounted to the heat exchange plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication block and the fluid guide block are formed integrally.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchange plate through a connecting pipe.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second fluid path receives the heat transfer fluid from the evaporator and transmits the heat transfer fluid to the compressor.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid guide block is brazed to the intermediate heat exchanger and / or the heat exchange plate. This brazing connection further enables the fluid guide block to be fixedly mounted to the intermediate heat exchanger and / or the heat exchange plate, thereby increasing the integration of the thermal management component.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat exchange plate is formed by stacking a flat plate and a corrugated plate, the fluid guide block is mounted on the flat plate, and the corrugations of the corrugated plate form flow channels of the heat exchange plate.

[0026] The present disclosure also provides a battery thermal management system, which includes the thermal management assembly described above, wherein a heat exchange plate of the thermal management assembly performs heat exchange with the battery.

[0027] The present disclosure also provides a motor vehicle including the battery thermal management system described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal management assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional views of the thermal management assembly shown at different cross sections;

[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a thermal management assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5shows a fluid guide block according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal management assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 7 An integrally formed fluid guide block and communication block are shown.

[0035] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The use of similar terms such as "one," "an," or "the" in the patent specification and claims of this disclosure does not indicate a quantitative limitation, but rather indicates the presence of at least one. Similar terms such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the element or object preceding the term encompasses the elements or objects listed following the term and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Although expressions such as "first" and "second" are used to describe the various elements of this disclosure, they are only used to distinguish one component from another and are not used to limit the order or importance of the corresponding elements. Without departing from the scope of this disclosure, "first element" may be written as "second element," and similarly, "second element" may be written as "first element." Furthermore, directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" mentioned herein are only used to indicate relative positional relationships relative to the drawings. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0038] The thermal management assembly according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figures 1 to 3 FIG. 1 shows a thermal management assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1As shown, the thermal management assembly includes a heat exchange plate 10, a fluid guide block 20 and a connecting block 50 mounted on the heat exchange plate 10, an intermediate heat exchanger 30 mounted on the fluid guide block 20 and the connecting block 50, and an expansion valve 40 mounted to the fluid guide block 20. The fluid guide block 20 is mounted to abut the intermediate heat exchanger 30 and the heat exchange plate 10. For example, the fluid guide block 20 can be brazed to the intermediate heat exchanger 30 and the heat exchange plate 10. The connecting block 50 is in the form of a block similar to the fluid guide block 20 and can be brazed to the intermediate heat exchanger 30 and the heat exchange plate 10. It is conceivable that the connecting block 50 can also be in the form of, for example, a connecting pipe. As a result, the heat exchange plate 10, the intermediate heat exchanger 30, and the expansion valve 40 are adjacent to each other, and additional connecting components such as assembly blocks and connecting pipes between them are omitted.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchange plate 10 is formed from a stack of flat plates 11 and corrugated plates 12. A fluid guide block 20 and a communication block 50 are mounted to the flat plates 11. The corrugations of the corrugated plates 12 are sealed by the flat plates 11, forming flow channels 13 in the heat exchange plate 10. Flow channels 13 extend throughout the heat exchange plate, and a heat transfer fluid F flows through these channels, exchanging heat with the outside world, such as a battery in a motor vehicle.

[0041] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the intermediate heat exchanger 30 has a first fluid path 1 and a second fluid path 2 that are isolated from each other. The heat transfer fluid F in the first fluid path 1 and the second fluid path 2 has different temperatures, and heat exchange is performed in the intermediate heat exchanger 30. A first opening 21, a second opening 22 and an installation cavity 23 are provided on the fluid guide block 20. The first opening 21 is provided on the end of the fluid guide block 20 that abuts against the intermediate heat exchanger 30, and is in fluid communication with the first fluid path 1 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30. The second opening 22 is provided on the end of the fluid guide block 20 opposite to the first opening 21, and is in fluid communication with the flow channel 13 of the heat exchange plate 10. The installation cavity 23 is located between the first opening 21 and the second opening 22, and is in fluid communication with both of them. As Figure 3 As shown, the installation cavity 23 opens toward one side of the fluid guide block 20, and the expansion valve 40 is mounted in the installation cavity 23. The heat transfer fluid F flowing from the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 must pass through the expansion valve 40. In other words, the fluid guide block 20 forms the valve seat of the expansion valve 40, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated component serving as a valve seat.

[0042] Figure 2 and Figure 3The diagram shows the flow path of heat transfer fluid F within the thermal management assembly. After condensing in the condenser (not shown), the heat transfer fluid F flows into the first fluid path 1 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30, where it undergoes heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid F in the second fluid path 2. It then flows from the intermediate heat exchanger 30 through the first opening 21 of the fluid guide block 20 and into the expansion valve 40. After being throttled by the expansion valve 40, the heat transfer fluid F enters the flow channels 13 of the heat exchange plates 10 through the second opening 22. There, it flows and exchanges heat with the surrounding environment, before flowing through the connecting block 50 into the second fluid path 2 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30. After exchanging heat with the heat transfer fluid F in the first fluid path 1, the heat transfer fluid F in the second fluid path 2 flows from the intermediate heat exchanger 30 to the compressor (not shown). After being compressed by the compressor, the heat transfer fluid F enters the condenser, where it condenses and flows back into the first fluid path 1 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30, continuing the aforementioned circulation.

[0043] In the first embodiment of the thermal management assembly, the heat exchange plate 10 is used as a cooling plate. The heat transfer fluid F evaporates and absorbs heat in the heat exchange plate 10, which can be used to cool external components such as batteries. The heat transfer fluid F has a higher temperature after being compressed by the compressor. Figure 2 and 3 It is shown as a dotted line in FIG, and is cooled to a lower temperature after being throttled by the expansion valve 40. Figure 2 and 3 The heat transfer fluid F in the first fluid path 1 is at a higher temperature, while the heat transfer fluid F in the second fluid path 2 is at a lower temperature. Therefore, heat exchange can occur in the intermediate heat exchanger 30. This heat exchange increases the temperature of the heat transfer fluid F entering the compressor and decreases the temperature of the heat transfer fluid F entering the expansion valve 40, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the thermal management component.

[0044] Figures 4 to 6 FIG. 2 shows a thermal management assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the thermal management assembly includes a heat exchange plate 10, a fluid guide block 20 and a communication block 50 mounted on the heat exchange plate 10, an intermediate heat exchanger 30 mounted on the fluid guide block 20 and the communication block 50, and an expansion valve 40 mounted to the fluid guide block 20. The structure of the heat exchange plate 10 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The intermediate heat exchanger 30 has a first fluid path 1 and a second fluid path 2, which are isolated from each other and allow heat transfer fluid F to exchange heat between them.

[0045] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6The fluid guide block 20 is provided with a first opening 21, a second opening 22 and a mounting cavity 23. The first opening 21 is provided at the end of the fluid guide block 20 that abuts against the intermediate heat exchanger 30 and is in fluid communication with the first fluid path 1 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30. The second opening 22 is provided on a side surface of the fluid guide block 20. The mounting cavity 23 is located between the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 and is in fluid communication with both. Figure 5 As shown, the installation cavity 23 opens toward the other side of the fluid guide block 20 , and the expansion valve 40 is installed in the installation cavity 23 . The heat transfer fluid F needs to pass through the expansion valve 40 in order to flow from the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 .

[0046] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the flow path of the heat transfer fluid F is as follows: After being compressed by the compressor, the heat transfer fluid F flows into the heat exchange plate 10, where it exchanges heat with the outside world. It then flows through the connecting block 50 into the first fluid path 1 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30. After exchanging heat with the heat transfer fluid F in the second fluid path 2, the heat transfer fluid F enters the expansion valve 40 through the first opening 21 of the fluid guide block 20, where it is throttled by the expansion valve 40 and then flows through the second opening 22 to the evaporator (not shown in the figure). After absorbing heat and evaporating in the evaporator, the heat transfer fluid F flows into the second fluid path 2 of the intermediate heat exchanger 30, where it exchanges heat with the heat transfer fluid F in the first fluid path 1. It then flows from the intermediate heat exchanger 30 to the compressor (not shown in the figure). After being compressed by the compressor, the heat transfer fluid F flows back into the heat exchange plate 10, circulating along the aforementioned path.

[0047] In the above second embodiment of the thermal management assembly, the heat exchange plate 10 is used as a heating plate, and the heat transfer fluid F condenses in the heat exchange plate 10 to release heat, which can be used to heat external components such as batteries. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heat transfer fluid F having a higher temperature after being compressed by the compressor is shown in dashed lines, while the heat transfer fluid F having a lower temperature after being throttled by the expansion valve 40 is shown in solid lines. Similarly, the heat transfer fluid F in the first fluid path 1 has a higher temperature, while the heat transfer fluid F in the second fluid path 2 has a lower temperature. As a result, heat exchange can occur in the intermediate heat exchanger 30, thereby increasing the temperature of the heat transfer fluid F entering the compressor and decreasing the temperature of the heat transfer fluid F entering the expansion valve 40, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the thermal management component.

[0048] The fluid guide block 20 and the communication block 50 described above are both separate components. Figure 7 An optional embodiment is shown in which the fluid guide block and the communication block are integrally formed into a single component. Figure 7As shown, an integral component formed by the fluid guide block and the communication block is mounted on the heat exchange plate 10 , the intermediate heat exchanger 30 is mounted on the integral component, and the expansion valve 40 is also mounted on the integral component. Figure 7 The illustrated configuration further increases the integration of the thermal management assembly and reduces the number of parts.

[0049] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a battery thermal management system including the thermal management assembly as described above, and a motor vehicle including the battery thermal management system.

[0050] It should be understood that the structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present disclosure and that they may be replaced by other structures that perform the same or similar functions for achieving the desired end result. In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are to be considered as constituting only non-limiting examples of the present disclosure and that they may be modified in various ways within the scope of the patent claims.

Claims

1. A thermal management component, characterized in that: The thermal management component includes: The heat exchange plate (10) is provided with a heat transfer fluid (F) flowing in the flow channel (13) of the heat exchange plate (10) and performing heat exchange with the outside world. a fluid guide block (20), which is mounted on the heat exchange plate (10), an intermediate heat exchanger (30) mounted on the fluid guide block (20) and having a first fluid path (1) and a second fluid path (2), wherein heat transfer fluids (F) in the first fluid path (1) and the second fluid path (2) perform heat exchange, an expansion valve (40) mounted to the fluid guide block (20), The fluid guide block (20) is further provided with a first opening (21), a second opening (22) and an installation cavity (23); the first opening (21) is fluidically connected to the first fluid path (1) of the intermediate heat exchanger (30); the installation cavity (23) is fluidically connected to the first opening (21) and the second opening (22), respectively; and the expansion valve (40) is installed in the installation cavity (23).

2. The thermal management assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The second opening (22) is fluidically connected to the flow channel (13) of the heat exchange plate (10).

3. The thermal management assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first fluid path (1) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) condensed by the condenser.

4. The thermal management assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second fluid path (2) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) from the heat exchange plate (10), and after heat exchange in the intermediate heat exchanger (30), transmits the heat transfer fluid (F) to the compressor.

5. The thermal management assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The second fluid path (2) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) from the heat exchange plate (10) through a connecting block (50); the connecting block (50) is mounted to the heat exchange plate (10); and the intermediate heat exchanger (30) is also mounted on the connecting block (50).

6. The thermal management assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The communication block (50) is formed integrally with the fluid guide block (20).

7. The thermal management assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The second opening (22) is in fluid communication with the evaporator.

8. The thermal management assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The flow channel (13) of the heat exchange plate (10) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) compressed by the compressor.

9. The thermal management assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The first fluid path (1) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) from the heat exchange plate (10) so that the heat transfer fluid (F) is transferred to the evaporator through the intermediate heat exchanger (30), the expansion valve (40) and the second opening (22).

10. The thermal management assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The first fluid path (1) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) from the heat exchange plate (10) through a connecting block (50); the connecting block (50) is mounted to the heat exchange plate (10); and the intermediate heat exchanger (30) is also mounted on the connecting block (50).

11. The thermal management assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The communication block (50) is formed integrally with the fluid guide block (20).

12. The thermal management assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The second fluid path (2) receives the heat transfer fluid (F) from the evaporator and delivers the heat transfer fluid (F) to the compressor.

13. The thermal management assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid guide block (20) is brazed to the intermediate heat exchanger (30) and / or the heat exchange plate (10).

14. The thermal management assembly of claim 1, wherein: The heat exchange plate (10) is formed by stacked flat plates (11) and corrugated plates (12), the fluid guide block (20) is mounted on the flat plates (11), and the corrugations of the corrugated plates (12) form flow channels (13) of the heat exchange plate.

15. A battery thermal management system, characterized in that: The battery thermal management system includes a battery and a thermal management assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a heat exchange plate of the thermal management assembly performs heat exchange with the battery.

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