Refrigerant system, distribution module and thermal management system for electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerant system (2) for an electric vehicle, comprising the following components: a compressor (4), at least one condenser (6, 8), at least one decompression device (10, 12) and an evaporator (14), which interact in the form of a heat pump in the operating state of the refrigerant system (2), characterized in that the compressor (4), the at least one condenser (6, 8), the at least one decompression device (10, 12) and the evaporator (14) are connected to the compressor (4). The refrigerant system (2) is provided with a distribution module (20) which is used for connecting the components in a flow guiding mode and is used for distributing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system (2). The distribution module (20) has a first module part (22) which is fluidically arranged between a compressor outlet of the compressor (4) and a condenser inlet of the at least one condenser (6, 8) and a second module part (24) which is fluidically arranged between a condenser outlet of the at least one condenser (6, 8) and a compressor inlet of the compressor (4), the first module part (22) is substantially thermally insulated from the second module part (24) by means of at least one insulating part (26) of the distribution module (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigerant system of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 , a distribution module for a refrigerant system and a thermal management system for an electric vehicle of the type specified in the preamble of claim 8 . Background Art

[0002] Such a thermal management system for electric vehicles with a refrigerant system and a coolant system is known in the prior art in a variety of implementation variants. The known coolant system for circulating liquid coolant includes a plurality of components through which coolant can flow, which can be connected to each other in at least a subset by means of valves and by means of coolant lines to conduct coolant. The same applies to the known refrigerant system for circulating refrigerant, which includes the following components: a compressor, at least one condenser, at least one pressure reducing device and an evaporator, which cooperate in the manner of a heat pump in the operating state of the refrigerant system. However, complex thermal management systems (such as those required in modern electric vehicles) require a very large number of valves and coolant lines and valves and refrigerant lines in the prior art. Such systems require a large amount of installation space and are expensive. The efficiency of these known thermal management systems also needs to be improved.

[0003] The present invention proceeds from this point. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve a refrigerant system, a distribution module and a thermal management system having a coolant system and a refrigerant system for an electric vehicle.

[0005] This object is achieved by a refrigerant system for an electric vehicle having the features of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant system has a distribution module for connecting the above-mentioned components and for distributing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system, wherein the distribution module has a first module part which is arranged flow-technically between the compressor outlet of the compressor and the condenser inlet of the at least one condenser and a second module part which is arranged flow-technically between the condenser outlet of the at least one condenser and the compressor inlet of the compressor, and the first module part is substantially thermally insulated from the second module part by means of at least one insulating part of the distribution module. In addition, the object is also achieved by a distribution module having the features of claim 3 and a thermal management system for an electric vehicle having the features of claim 8. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0006] The main advantage of the present invention is especially to improve the refrigerant system, distribution module and thermal management system with coolant system and refrigerant system for electric vehicles. Based on the present invention, the functionally complex refrigerant system and thermal management system for electric vehicles can be realized in a simpler way in terms of structure and manufacturing technology. Accordingly, the structure of the refrigerant system according to the present invention and the structure of the thermal management system according to the present invention are significantly simplified, so that these systems can be manufactured at low cost and save installation space. At the same time, the efficiency of such refrigerant system and thermal management system is improved by the present invention. This is because it is advantageous for the efficiency of the corresponding system to basically thermally separate the high temperature area upstream of the at least one condenser from the low temperature area in terms of flow technology, and it can be advantageous to thermally connect the high temperature area downstream of the at least one condenser in terms of flow technology with the low temperature area downstream of the evaporator in terms of flow technology. Accordingly, using a system with a simple structure with a small number of components, valves and refrigerant lines, in principle, multiple operating states, i.e., operating modes, of the system can be realized while having high efficiency in the refrigerant system and thus the thermal management system.

[0007] In principle, the thermal management system for an electric vehicle according to the invention and the refrigerant system for an electric vehicle according to the invention can be freely selected in a wide range of suitability according to type, mode of operation, material and size. The invention is also not limited to use in purely electric vehicles. For example, the invention can also be advantageously used in so-called hybrid vehicles.

[0008] According to a particularly advantageous development of the refrigerant system of the invention, it is provided that the first module part, the at least one insulating part and the second module part can be connected to form a structural unit forming the distribution module, preferably by means of one of the above-mentioned components of the refrigerant system, particularly preferably the component is configured as one of the at least one condenser. As a result, the structure and production technology of the refrigerant system of the invention are significantly simplified. This applies in particular to the preferred and especially particularly preferred embodiments of this development, since the above-mentioned component, which is configured as one of the condensers, for example, is simultaneously used as a connecting element for mechanically connecting the first module part, the at least one insulating part and the second module part to produce the above-mentioned structural unit.

[0009] In principle, the distribution module according to the invention for the refrigerant system according to the invention can likewise be freely selected within wide limits with regard to type, mode of operation, material, size and arrangement.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the distribution module according to the invention, at least one valve of the distribution module is provided in the first module part, preferably a valve of the distribution module which is designed as a single multi-way valve. In this way, the valve, in particular the valve which is designed as a single multi-way valve, is substantially thermally insulated from the second module part.

[0011] According to another advantageous development of the distribution module according to the invention, an internal heat exchanger (also referred to as IHX) is provided in the second module part, which is constructed and arranged in such a way that a heat exchange can be achieved between a refrigerant line arranged upstream of the evaporator in terms of flow technology and a refrigerant line arranged downstream of the evaporator in terms of flow technology. This makes it possible to achieve an advantageous thermal connection between the high-temperature region and the low-temperature region of the refrigerant system in the second module part. For example, it is conceivable that for this purpose at least one refrigerant line of the low-temperature region downstream of the evaporator, which is constructed as a return line, is arranged only spatially close to at least one refrigerant line of the high-temperature region downstream of the at least one condenser, so that an advantageous heat conduction can be generated between these two regions of the refrigerant system according to the invention in a very simple manner in terms of structure and manufacturing technology.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment of the distribution module according to the invention, at least one of the at least one pressure reducing device, preferably a pressure reducing device designed as an expansion valve, is arranged in the second module part. In this way, the concentration of components of the refrigerant system according to the invention is further increased in the distribution module according to the invention. In this case, it is particularly advantageous to arrange all pressure reducing devices in the second module part.

[0013] In principle, the at least one insulating component of the distribution module according to the present invention can be freely selected in a wide range of suitability according to type, working mode, material, size and arrangement. According to an advantageous expansion scheme of the distribution module according to the present invention, at least one insulating component of the at least one insulating component has an opening for passing the refrigerant pipeline of the distribution module, preferably the refrigerant pipeline can be connected to the multi-way valve flow-guiding connection, and particularly preferably the refrigerant pipeline is connected to a refrigerant pipeline flow-guiding connection of the distribution module connected to the compressor inlet of the compressor. Thus, although the first module part is basically thermally insulated from the second module part, the flow-guiding connection required for the distribution module according to the present invention can still be achieved by the thermal insulation. The preferred and especially particularly preferred embodiment of this expansion scheme provides a particularly advantageous flow-guiding connection between the first module part on one side of the insulation part and the second module part on the other side of the insulation part. In addition to the above-mentioned flow-guiding connection, the opening in the thermal insulation part can be thermally sealed by means and measures suitable for the corresponding application situation. Those skilled in the art know the means and measures suitable for this according to the requirements of the specific situation.

[0014] As described above, the thermal management system according to the present invention can be freely selected within a wide range of suitability.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the thermal management system of the invention, it is provided that one of the at least one condenser is designed as a liquid-cooled condenser, which can be connected to the coolant system in a fluid-conducting manner. Thus, with the aid of the condenser, a heat transfer connection can be established as required between the coolant system on the one hand and the refrigerant system on the other hand. For example, the condenser can be arranged in a coolant-conducting manner in a drive train subcircuit of the coolant system. Thus, the condenser, i.e. a component present in a conventional refrigerant system of an electric vehicle, can be used both for the operation of the refrigerant system and for the heat transfer between the coolant system on the one hand and the refrigerant system on the other hand.

[0016] Alternatively or in addition to the above-described embodiments, another advantageous extension of the thermal management system according to the present invention provides that the distribution module can be fluidically connected to a cryocooler of the thermal management system, which enables heat exchange between the refrigerant system on the one hand and the coolant system on the other hand. Therefore, with the aid of the cryocooler, a heat transfer connection as required can be established between the coolant system on the one hand and the refrigerant system on the other hand. Accordingly, the advantages generated here are comparable to the advantages of the above-described extension of the thermal management system according to the present invention. In addition, in the combination of the two described extensions of the thermal management system according to the present invention, on the one hand, more energy can be exchanged between the coolant system and the refrigerant system. On the other hand, the flexibility of the thermal management system according to the present invention is thereby further improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached rough schematic diagram. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0018] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a refrigerant system according to the invention with a distribution module according to the invention is shown in a process circuit diagram;

[0019] Figure 2 Shown in disassembled position Figure 1 An allocation module of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 Showing the basis for being in the middle Figure 1 An allocation module of an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] Figure 4 Shows the installation position according to Figure 1 An allocation module of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] exist Figures 1 to 4An exemplary embodiment of a refrigerant system according to the invention of a heat management system according to the invention (not shown in detail) is shown purely by way of example.

[0023] The thermal management system is designed as a thermal management system for a purely electric vehicle and comprises, on the one hand, a coolant system (not shown) and, on the other hand, a refrigerant system 2. The coolant system for circulating a liquid coolant comprises a plurality of components through which the coolant can flow, which can be connected to one another in a coolant-conducting manner at least in at least a subset by means of at least one valve, for example a multi-way valve, and by means of coolant lines.

[0024] The refrigerant system 2 is designed for air conditioning of a passenger compartment (also not shown) of an electric vehicle and for temperature control of a coolant (not shown) flowing in the coolant system. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the refrigerant system 2 includes the following components: a compressor 4, a first condenser 6 and a second condenser 8, a first pressure reducing device 10 and a second pressure reducing device 12, and an evaporator 14, which cooperate in the operating state of the refrigerant system 2 in the manner of a heat pump. The second condenser 8 is configured as a liquid-cooled condenser, which can be connected to the coolant system in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The second condenser 8 can therefore be indirectly connected to the free environment by heat transfer with the aid of a liquid coolant. The first condenser 6 and the evaporator 14 are configured as a so-called interior space condenser and a so-called interior space evaporator and therefore directly exchange heat with the passenger compartment respectively. The evaporator 14 and the first condenser 6 allow the interior space of the electric vehicle, i.e. the passenger compartment, to be directly cooled and heated. The heat pump, i.e. the refrigerant system 2, can achieve a heating function of COP>>1. Therefore, for a specific heating power, only a small part of the heating power needs to be applied as electrical power.

[0025] In addition, the refrigerant system 2 comprises a cryocooler 16 and an accumulator 18 in the present exemplary embodiment. The cryocooler 16 also enables a heat exchange between the refrigerant system 2 on the one hand and the coolant system on the other hand. For this purpose, the cryocooler 16 is connected to the coolant system in a manner known to those skilled in the art, similar to the second condenser 8. The accumulator 18 serves here as a storage container for a refrigerant (not shown) of the refrigerant system 2. However, other embodiments of the storage container for the refrigerant are also conceivable.

[0026] According to the present invention, the refrigerant system 2 has a distribution module 20 for connecting the above-mentioned components and for distributing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system 2, the distribution module 20 having a first module part 22 arranged in terms of flow technology between the compressor outlet of the compressor 4 and the condenser inlet of the corresponding condenser 6, 8 and a second module part 24 arranged in terms of flow technology between the condenser outlet of the corresponding condenser 6, 8 and the compressor inlet of the compressor 4, and the first module part 22 is basically thermally insulated from the second module part 24 by means of an insulating part 26 of the distribution module 20. The refrigerant is Figures 1 to 4 Not shown.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the first module part 22, the insulating part 26 and the second module part 24 can be connected to form a structural unit forming the distribution module 20, and the connection is carried out by means of one of the above-mentioned components of the refrigerant system 2, namely the second condenser 8. Figures 2 to 4 .

[0028] A valve 28 of the distributor module 20, which is designed as a multi-way valve, is arranged in the first module part 22. Furthermore, an internal heat exchanger 30 is arranged in the second module part 24, which is designed and arranged such that heat exchange can be achieved between a refrigerant line 32 arranged upstream of the evaporator 14 in terms of flow technology and a refrigerant line 34 arranged downstream of the evaporator 14 in terms of flow technology by means of the internal heat exchanger 30. Furthermore, a first pressure reducing device 10 designed as a first expansion valve and a second pressure reducing device 12 designed as a second expansion valve are each arranged in the second module part 24.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the insulating component 26 has an opening 36 for a refrigerant line 38 of the distribution module 20 to pass through, which refrigerant line 38 can be fluidically connected to the multi-way valve 28 and is fluidically connected to a refrigerant line 34 of the distribution module 20 which is fluidically connected to the accumulator 18 and therefore indirectly to the compressor inlet of the compressor 4.

[0030] Refer to the following Figures 1 to 4 The mode of operation of the heat management system according to the invention with the refrigerant system according to the invention and the distribution module according to the invention according to the present exemplary embodiment is explained in detail.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the installation of the refrigerant system 2 with the distribution module 20 according to this embodiment is significantly simplified. The first module part 22, the insulating part 26 and the second module part 24 of the distribution module 20 are connected to each other and kept in contact by the second condenser 8. Figures 2 to 4The insulating component 26 can be pre-mounted on the first module part 22 or on the second module part 24, for example, so as to further simplify the production. The first module part 22 and the second module part 24 are then mounted and connected by means of the second condenser 8 to form the distribution module 20 as a single structural unit. The above-mentioned connection of the second condenser 8 to the first module part 22 and the second module part 24 (for example, by tightening or the like) generates the required pressing force, so that the sealing part at the interface between the first module part 22, the second module part 24 and the insulating component 26 is effectively sealed. As a result, the insulating component 26 is fixed between the first module part 22 and the second module part 24, so that direct connection points between the insulating component 26 on the one hand and the first module part 22 and the second module part 24 on the other hand, i.e., connecting the high-temperature area of ​​the first module part 22 with the low-temperature area of ​​the second module part 24, can be avoided. As a result, the undesirable heat conduction between the first module part 22 and the second module part 24 is further reduced.

[0032] Depending on the operating state of the thermal management system with the refrigerant system 2 and taking into account the driving situation and the ambient temperature, components of the coolant system (not shown in detail) can form heat sources or heat sinks.

[0033] In principle, the refrigerant system 2 has the above-mentioned high-pressure region / high-temperature region (HT region for short) and the above-mentioned low-pressure region / low-temperature region (NT region for short). Here, the HT region includes the region from the compressor outlet of the compressor 4 to the multi-way valve 28, then to the first condenser 6 and / or to the second condenser 8 and subsequently to the expansion valves 10 and 12. The NT region starts after the expansion valves 10, 12 and includes the region from the expansion valves 10, 12 to the cryocooler 16 and to the evaporator 14, then to the accumulator 18 and finally to the compressor inlet of the compressor 4. It is advantageous in terms of system efficiency to thermally separate the HT region upstream of the condensers 6, 8 from the NT region downstream of the condensers 6, 8, while thermally connecting the HT region downstream of the condensers 6, 8 to the NT region downstream of the evaporator 14 can be advantageous for system efficiency.

[0034] By means of the distribution module 20, the components of the refrigerant system 2 are at least partially integrated into a single module. In addition, as described above, an advantageous thermal separation / connection of the HT region and the NT region can be achieved by means of the distribution module 20. Figure 1In the figure, external refrigerant lines, i.e., refrigerant lines outside the distribution module 20, are represented by dotted lines and refrigerant lines in the distribution module 20 are represented by solid lines. The first module part 22 comprises an HT region upstream of the condensers 6, 8, which HT region contains flow connections from the compressor 4 to the multi-way valve 28 and to the condensers 6, 8. The second module part 24 comprises an HT region downstream of the condensers 6, 8 and an NT region. Here, the return line of the NT region downstream of the evaporator 14, i.e., the refrigerant line 34, is arranged spatially close to the refrigerant line 32 of the HT region downstream of the condensers 6, 8, so that in the internal heat exchanger 30 formed in this way, favorable heat conduction can be generated between the two regions. The internal heat exchanger 30 realized only in the above-described manner is Figures 1 to 4 Of course, other embodiments of the internal heat exchanger are also conceivable, if any.

[0035] By connecting or disconnecting individual components of the refrigerant system as required, the efficiency of the entire system (i.e., the thermal management system with the coolant system and the refrigerant system 2) can be increased. According to the invention, this is done while the overall system is highly efficient. The coolant system on the one hand and the refrigerant system 2 on the other hand can be connected in a heat-transferring manner via the second condenser 8 and the cryocooler 16.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For this purpose, for example, reference is made to the relevant description of the alternative or optional technical features of the present invention in the summary of the invention and the description of the specific embodiments. Reference numerals list

[0037] 2 Refrigerant system

[0038] 4. Compressor

[0039] 6First condenser

[0040] 8 Second condenser

[0041] 10First pressure relief device

[0042] 12 Second pressure relief device

[0043] 14 Evaporator

[0044] 16 Deep Freezer

[0045] 18 Accumulator

[0046] 20 distribution modules

[0047] 22 first module component

[0048] 24 Second module component

[0049] 26 Insulation parts

[0050] 28 Multi-way valve

[0051] 30 Internal heat exchanger

[0052] 32 Refrigerant pipeline

[0053] 34 Refrigerant pipeline

[0054] 36 Opening in insulating member 26

[0055] 38 Refrigerant pipeline

Claims

1. A refrigerant system (2) for an electric vehicle, the refrigerant system comprising the following components: A compressor (4), at least one condenser (6, 8), at least one pressure reducing device (10, 12) and an evaporator (14), the above-mentioned components cooperating in the form of a heat pump in the operating state of a refrigerant system (2), characterized in that the refrigerant system (2) has a distribution module (20) for connecting the above-mentioned components in a flow-conducting manner and for distributing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant system (2), the distribution module (20) having a first module part (22) arranged in terms of flow technology between the compressor outlet of the compressor (4) and the condenser inlet of the at least one condenser (6, 8) and a second module part (24) arranged in terms of flow technology between the condenser outlet of the at least one condenser (6, 8) and the compressor inlet of the compressor (4), and the first module part (22) is substantially thermally insulated from the second module part (24) by means of at least one insulating part (26) of the distribution module (20).

2. The refrigerant system (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first module part (22), the at least one insulating part (26) and the second module part (24) can be connected to form a structural unit forming the distribution module (20), preferably the connection is realized by means of one of the above-mentioned components of the refrigerant system (2), particularly preferably the component is configured as one of the at least one condenser (8).

3. A distribution module (20) for a refrigerant system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first module part (22), the at least one insulating part (26) and the second module part (24) are designed such that they can be connected to one another to form a structural unit forming the distribution module (20).

4. The distribution module (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the first module part (22), at least one valve of the distribution module (20) is arranged, preferably a valve (28) of the distribution module (20) which is designed as a single multi-way valve.

5. The distribution module (20) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: An internal heat exchanger (30) is arranged in the second module part (24), and the internal heat exchanger (30) is designed and arranged so that heat exchange between a refrigerant line (32) arranged upstream of the evaporator (14) in terms of flow technology and a refrigerant line (34) arranged downstream of the evaporator (14) in terms of flow technology can be achieved by means of the internal heat exchanger (30).

6. The distribution module (20) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: At least one of the at least one pressure-reducing devices, preferably a pressure-reducing device (10, 12) designed as an expansion valve, is arranged in the second module part (24).

7. The distribution module (20) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that At least one of the at least one insulating component (26) has an opening (36) for allowing a refrigerant line (38) of the distribution module (20) to pass through, preferably the refrigerant line (38) can be connected to the multi-way valve (28) for fluid communication, and particularly preferably the refrigerant line (38) is connected to a refrigerant line (34) of the distribution module (20) that is connected to a compressor inlet of the compressor (4) for fluid communication.

8. A thermal management system for an electric vehicle, the thermal management system comprising, on the one hand, a refrigerant system (2) for circulating a refrigerant and, on the other hand, a coolant system for circulating a liquid coolant which can be connected to the refrigerant system (2) in a heat transfer manner, characterized in that: The refrigerant system (2) is configured according to any one of claims 1 or 2.

9. The thermal management system according to claim 8, characterized in that: One of the at least one condenser is designed as a liquid-cooled condenser (8), which can be connected in a flow-conducting manner to a coolant system.

10. The thermal management system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The distribution module (20) can be fluidically connected to a cryocooler (16) of a thermal management system, and the cryocooler (16) can realize heat exchange between the refrigerant system (2) on the one hand and the coolant system on the other hand.

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