Cooling system, control method and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a cooling system, a control method and a vehicle. The cooling system comprises an expansion water tank, a pipeline and a flow limiting device. The expansion water tank comprises a first opening, a second opening, a third opening and a fourth opening. The pipeline comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline and a third pipeline. The first pipeline and the second pipeline are used for heat dissipation of a motor. The first pipeline comprises a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The liquid inlet is communicated with the first opening. The liquid outlet is communicated with the liquid inlet. The second pipeline is communicated with the first pipeline and the first opening. In this way, the cooling liquid and the gas in the first pipeline can be output to the expansion water tank through the second pipeline by connecting the first pipeline and the third opening through the second pipeline. The liquid outlet is communicated with the liquid inlet to form a loop. The flow limiting device is arranged on the second pipeline. The cooling liquid flow of the second pipeline is reduced. The heat leakage in the expansion water tank is reduced. The influence of the heat leakage on the heat dissipation performance of the motor and the battery pack is reduced. The low-voltage energy consumption of the vehicle is reduced.

Description

Vehicle cooling system, control methods and vehicle Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive technology, and more particularly to a vehicle cooling system, control method, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the cooling circulation loop of electric vehicles typically includes a battery cooling circulation loop and a motor cooling circulation loop. In order to reduce the layout space and cost of the cooling circulation loop, most electric vehicles usually adopt a single tank design, which means that the battery cooling circulation loop and the motor cooling circulation loop share an expansion tank.

[0003] Although a single reservoir can simultaneously fill both the battery cooling loop and the motor cooling loop with antifreeze and perform system bleeding, a temperature difference exists between the antifreeze in these two loops. When the antifreeze from both loops flows simultaneously and converges in the single reservoir, heat transfer (industry term: heat leakage) inevitably occurs between the two loops. This heat transfer affects the heat dissipation performance of both the battery cooling loop and the motor cooling loop, and consequently, the vehicle's low-voltage energy consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a vehicle cooling system, a control method, and a vehicle.

[0005] This invention provides a vehicle cooling system, the cooling system comprising:

[0006] An expansion pitcher, comprising a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening;

[0007] The pipeline includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, and a third pipeline. The first pipeline includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the first opening, and the outlet is connected to the inlet. The second pipeline connects the first pipeline and the third opening, and the third pipeline connects the fourth opening and the second opening. The first pipeline and the second pipeline are used for heat dissipation of the motor, and the third pipeline is used for heat dissipation of the battery pack.

[0008] A flow-limiting device, located in the second pipe, is used to regulate the flow rate supplied by the second pipe to the third opening.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cooling system further includes a heat dissipation device connected to the first pipe and the second pipe for heat exchange of liquid and / or gas within the first pipe and the second pipe.

[0010] In some embodiments, the diameter of the flow limiting device is smaller than the diameter of the second pipe.

[0011] In some embodiments, the diameter of the current limiting device is 1.2 mm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second conduit is configured to output gas and / or liquid from the first conduit to an expansion tank.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cooling system further includes a first liquid pump connected to the first opening and the motor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cooling system further includes a second liquid pump connected to the fourth opening and the battery pack, respectively.

[0015] The control method of this application embodiment is used to control the cooling system described above, the control method comprising:

[0016] The first flow rate of the third opening, the first temperature of the third opening, and the second temperature of the second opening are obtained;

[0017] The heat loss of the expansion kettle is calculated based on the first flow rate, the first temperature, and the second temperature;

[0018] The diameter of the current limiting device is adjusted according to the amount of heat leakage.

[0019] The vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the cooling system described above.

[0020] In the cooling system of this application, a second pipe is set up to connect the first pipe and the third opening, making the second pipe a parallel branch of the first pipe. During the motor cooling cycle, the coolant enters the first pipe from the expansion tank through the inlet. After exchanging heat with the motor in the first pipe, it flows back to the inlet through the outlet to form a cycle. Some of the coolant and gas in the first pipe can be output to the expansion tank through the second pipe. By setting a flow limiting device in the second pipe, the coolant flow rate in the second pipe is reduced, thereby reducing the heat leakage in the expansion tank during the motor cooling cycle and the battery pack cooling cycle. This reduces the impact of heat leakage on the heat dissipation performance of the motor and battery pack, and reduces the low-voltage energy consumption of the vehicle.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the heat dissipation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0028] Vehicle 1000, cooling system 100, expansion tank 10, first opening 11, second opening 12, third opening 13, fourth opening 14, pipe 20, first pipe 21, liquid inlet 211, liquid outlet 212, second pipe 22, third pipe 23, flow limiting device 30, heat dissipation device 40, heat sink 41, fan 42, first liquid pump 50, second liquid pump 60, motor 200, battery pack 300. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows for communication; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0033] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1. The present invention provides a cooling system 100 for a vehicle 1000. The cooling system 100 includes an expansion tank 10, a pipe 20, and a flow limiting device 30.

[0035] The expansion tank 10 includes a first opening 11, a second opening 12, a third opening 13, and a fourth opening 14. The pipe 20 includes a first pipe 21, a second pipe 22, and a third pipe 23. The first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 are used to dissipate heat from the motor 200, and the third pipe 23 is used to dissipate heat from the battery pack 300. The first pipe 21 includes an inlet 211 and an outlet 212. The inlet 211 is connected to the first opening 11, and the outlet 212 is connected to the inlet 211, thus forming a loop in the first pipe 21. The second pipe 22 connects the first pipe 21 and the third opening 13, and the two ends of the third pipe 23 are respectively connected to the fourth opening 14 and the second opening 12.

[0036] The flow restrictor 30 is located in the second pipe 22. The diameter of the flow restrictor 30 is smaller than the diameter of the second pipe 22. The flow restrictor 30 is used to regulate the flow rate supplied from the second pipe 22 to the third opening 13. The diameter of the flow restrictor 30 can be set to 1.2 mm. The specific diameter can be configured according to the actual situation and is not limited here.

[0037] Specifically, the expansion tank 10 stores coolant. The coolant in the expansion tank 10 flows to the first pipe 21 through the first opening 11. The coolant exchanges heat with the motor 200 in the first pipe 21. After heat exchange, the coolant flows to the inlet 211 through the outlet 212 of the first pipe 21, thus completing the cooling cycle of the motor 200 within the first pipe 21. The gas in the first pipe 21 is output to the third opening 13 through the second pipe 22, thereby entering the expansion tank 10 and being discharged to the external environment through the expansion tank 10. The coolant in the expansion tank 10 flows to the third pipe 23 through the fourth opening 14. The coolant exchanges heat with the battery pack 300 in the third pipe 23. After heat exchange, the coolant flows to the second opening 12 through the third pipe 23, thus returning the coolant to the expansion tank 10 to complete the cooling cycle of the battery pack 300.

[0038] Furthermore, when the coolant continuously circulates for cooling the motor 200 in the first pipe 21, the gas in the first pipe 21 can be output to the expansion tank 10 through the second pipe 22. When the gas in the first pipe 21 is completely discharged, some of the coolant in the first pipe 21 can flow to the expansion tank 10 through the second pipe 22. That is, after the coolant exchanges heat with the motor 200 in the first pipe 21, some of the coolant flows from the first pipe 21 to the second pipe 22 and then flows into the expansion tank 10 through the second pipe 22.

[0039] Furthermore, by placing the flow limiting device 30 inside the second pipe 22, the diameter of the gas and liquid flowing through the second pipe 22 is reduced. In other words, the amount of coolant flowing from the second pipe 22 to the expansion tank 10 is reduced, thereby reducing the heat exchange between the coolant in the motor 200 cooling cycle and the coolant in the battery pack 300 cooling cycle, and reducing the heat leakage of the expansion tank 10.

[0040] It should be noted that the flow limiting device 30 can use an electrical control valve to adjust the opening diameter of the second pipe 22, or it can use a flow limiter to reduce the flow diameter of liquid and gas. Compared with using an electrical control valve to control the opening diameter of the second pipe 22, using a flow limiter as the flow limiting device 30 is lower in cost, has no circuit control, simpler control logic, lower failure rate, and is safer and more reliable.

[0041] In the cooling system 100 of this application, a second pipe 22 is provided to connect the first pipe 21 and the third opening 13, and the second pipe 22 is set as a parallel branch of the first pipe 21. During the cooling cycle of the motor 200, the coolant enters the first pipe 21 from the expansion tank 10 through the inlet 211. After heat exchange with the motor 200 in the first pipe 21, it flows back to the inlet 211 through the outlet 212 to form a cycle. Part of the coolant and gas in the first pipe 21 can be output to the expansion tank 10 through the second pipe 22. By setting a flow limiting device 30 in the second pipe 22, the coolant flow rate of the second pipe 22 is reduced, thereby reducing the heat leakage of the motor 200 cooling cycle and the battery pack 300 cooling cycle in the expansion tank 10, reducing the impact of heat leakage on the heat dissipation performance of the motor 200 and the battery pack 300, and reducing the low-voltage energy consumption of the vehicle 1000.

[0042] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the cooling system 100 further includes a heat dissipation device 40.

[0043] Specifically, the first pipe 21 is connected in sequence to the first opening 11, the motor 200 and the heat dissipation device 40. The heat dissipation device 40 is connected to the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22. The heat dissipation device 40 is used to dissipate heat from the coolant flowing in the first pipe 21 and to dissipate the heat absorbed by the coolant through heat exchange with the motor 200 to the external environment.

[0044] Furthermore, the heat dissipation device 40 may include a heat sink 41 and a fan 42. The heat sink 41 may be made of thermally conductive materials such as copper or aluminum, and the heat sink 41 allows coolant to circulate. The first pipe 21 connects to the heat sink 41, that is, the coolant flows into the heat sink 41 through the first pipe 21, and then flows from the heat sink 41 into the next stage, the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22. The fan 42 blows air towards the heat sink 41. During the cooling cycle of the motor 200, the coolant exchanges heat with the motor 200 in the first pipe 21, absorbing the heat from the motor 200, and then flows into the heat sink 41 through the first pipe 21. The heat sink 41 exchanges heat with the coolant, and under the action of the fan 42, the heat absorbed by the heat sink 41 is dissipated to the external environment, allowing the heat sink 41 to continuously absorb heat from the coolant, thereby reducing the temperature of the coolant. The cooled coolant then flows into the first pipe 21 for circulation.

[0045] In some examples, the vehicle 1000 is traveling at high speed, and the motor 200 generates a lot of heat. The airflow of the fan 42 is not enough to meet the heat dissipation of the heat sink 41. The high-speed airflow from the outside environment can be guided to the heat sink 41 through the grille of the vehicle 1000, thereby accelerating the heat dissipation of the heat sink 41 and thus accelerating the cooling of the coolant to meet the cooling cycle requirements of the motor 200.

[0046] It should be noted that the heat dissipation device 40 can also be connected to the second pipe 22. That is, the heat dissipation device 40 can exchange heat with the coolant flowing in the first pipe 21 and simultaneously with the coolant flowing in the second pipe 22. After the heat dissipation device 40 of this application exchanges heat with the coolant flowing in the first pipe 21, the coolant flows into the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 respectively. Thus, the coolant in the first pipe 21 flows into the inlet 211 through the outlet 212, and the coolant in the second pipe 22 flows back to the expansion tank 10, completing the cooling cycle of the motor 200.

[0047] In this way, the cooling system 100 dissipates heat from the coolant by setting up the heat dissipation device 40, so that the coolant temperature is reduced and it participates in the next cooling cycle of the motor 200. This meets the requirements of the motor 200 cooling cycle for coolant temperature, avoids the coolant being unable to absorb the heat generated by the motor 200, and protects the motor 200.

[0048] Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the cooling system 100 further includes a first liquid pump 50 and a second liquid pump 60.

[0049] Specifically, the first liquid pump 50 is installed in the first pipe 21. The first liquid pump 50 is connected to the first opening 11 and the motor 200 respectively. The first liquid pump 50 is used to pressurize the coolant in the first pipe 21. The pressurized coolant flows faster to the motor 200, thereby exchanging heat with the motor 200.

[0050] The second liquid pump 60 is installed in the third pipe 23. The second liquid pump 60 is connected to the fourth opening 14 and the battery pack 300 respectively. The second liquid pump 60 is used to draw coolant from the expansion tank 10 through the fourth opening 14. After being pressurized by the second liquid pump 60, the coolant flows to the battery pack 300 at an accelerated speed, thereby exchanging heat with the battery pack 300.

[0051] Thus, the cooling system 100 increases the coolant flow rate of the motor 200 cooling cycle by setting the first liquid pump 50, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the motor 200, and increases the coolant flow rate of the battery pack 300 cooling cycle by setting the second liquid pump 60, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the battery pack 300.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 3. This application provides a control method for controlling the cooling system 100. The control method includes:

[0053] S10: Obtain the first flow rate of the third opening, the first temperature of the third opening, and the second temperature of the second opening;

[0054] S20: Calculate the heat loss of the expansion kettle based on the first flow rate, the first temperature, and the second temperature;

[0055] S30: Adjust the diameter of the current limiting device according to the amount of heat loss.

[0056] Heat leakage refers to the energy exchanged between the coolant in the motor 200 cooling cycle and the coolant in the battery pack 300 cooling cycle.

[0057] Specifically, a flow velocity sensor is installed in the third opening 13 to detect the flow velocity, and a first flow rate is calculated based on the inlet area of ​​the third opening 13. A temperature sensor is installed in the third opening 13 to detect a first temperature. A temperature sensor is installed in the second opening 12 to detect a second temperature.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the heat calculation formula: Q = cρVΔt, where Q is the heat loss, c is the specific heat capacity of the coolant, ρ is the density of the coolant, V is the first flow rate, and Δt is the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. That is, the first flow rate is proportional to the heat loss. Based on the first flow rate, the first temperature, and the second temperature, the heat loss of the expansion tank 10 can be calculated. Then, the diameter of the flow limiting device 30 can be adjusted according to the heat loss to adjust the first flow rate V, so that the heat loss Q is reduced to an acceptable range. For example, this application adjusts the diameter of the flow limiting device 30 to 1.2mm, so that the heat loss is less than 30W. The specific acceptable range of heat loss can be configured according to the actual situation and is not limited here.

[0059] In the control method of this application, the heat leakage of the expansion tank 10 is calculated by detecting the first flow rate and the first temperature of the third opening 13 and the second temperature of the second opening 12. According to the heat calculation formula, the heat leakage is proportional to the first flow rate. The diameter of the flow limiting device 30 is adjusted according to the heat leakage, so that the first flow rate is reduced and the heat leakage is reduced, thereby reducing the impact of heat leakage on the heat dissipation performance of the motor 200 and the battery pack 300 and reducing the low-voltage energy consumption of the vehicle 1000.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 4. This application provides a vehicle 1000, which includes a cooling system 100.

[0061] In the vehicle 1000 of this application, the cooling system 100 connects the first pipe 21 and the third opening 13 through a second pipe 22, and sets the second pipe 22 as a parallel branch of the first pipe 21. During the cooling cycle of the motor 200, the coolant enters the first pipe 21 from the expansion tank 10 through the inlet 211. After heat exchange with the motor 200 in the first pipe 21, it flows back to the inlet 211 through the outlet 212 to form a cycle. Part of the coolant and gas in the first pipe 21 can be output to the expansion tank 10 through the second pipe 22. By setting a flow limiting device 30 in the second pipe 22, the coolant flow rate of the second pipe 22 is reduced, thereby reducing the heat leakage of the motor 200 cooling cycle and the battery pack 300 cooling cycle in the expansion tank 10, reducing the impact of heat leakage on the heat dissipation performance of the motor 200 and the battery pack 300, and reducing the low-voltage energy consumption of the vehicle 1000.

[0062] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0063] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle cooling system, characterized in that, The cooling system includes: an expansion tank with a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening; pipes including a first pipe, a second pipe, and a third pipe, the first pipe including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connected to the first opening, the outlet connected to the inlet, the second pipe connecting the first pipe and the third opening, and the third pipe connecting the fourth opening and the second opening; the first pipe and the second pipe for cooling the motor, and the third pipe for cooling the battery pack; a flow limiting device located on the second pipe for regulating the flow rate supplied by the second pipe to the third opening, wherein a first flow rate, a first temperature of the third opening, and a second temperature of the second opening are obtained; the heat leakage of the expansion tank is calculated based on the first flow rate, the first temperature, and the second temperature; and the diameter of the flow limiting device is adjusted based on the heat leakage. The cooling system also includes a heat dissipation device connected to the first pipe and the second pipe for heat exchange of liquid and / or gas within the first pipe and the second pipe; after heat exchange between the heat dissipation device and the coolant flowing in the first pipe, the coolant flows into the first pipe and the second pipe respectively.

2. The cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the flow limiting device is smaller than the diameter of the second pipe.

3. The cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the current limiting device is 1.2 mm.

4. The cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second conduit is configured to output gas and / or liquid from the first conduit to an expansion tank.

5. The cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling system also includes a first liquid pump, which is connected to the first opening and the motor.

6. The cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling system also includes a second liquid pump, which is connected to the fourth opening and the battery pack, respectively.

7. A control method, characterized in that, For controlling the cooling system according to any one of claims 1-6, the control method includes: obtaining a first flow rate of the third opening, a first temperature of the third opening, and a second temperature of the second opening; calculating the heat leakage of the expansion tank based on the first flow rate, the first temperature, and the second temperature; and adjusting the diameter of the flow limiting device based on the heat leakage.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes the cooling system according to any one of claims 1-6.

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