Refrigerant integration module and electric automobile

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of heat management, in particular to a refrigerant integration module and an electric vehicle. The refrigerant integration module comprises a refrigerant runner plate and a heat exchanger; the refrigerant runner plate comprises a first branch part and a second branch part, and the first branch part and the second branch part are connected and jointly form a refrigerant runner; the heat exchanger is connected with the first branch part or the second branch part and communicates with the refrigerant flow channel. According to the refrigerant integrated module, the mold cost can be reduced, so that the machining cost is reduced, the assembly steps can be simplified, the leakage risk is reduced, and the limitation can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular to a refrigerant integrated module and an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of electric vehicles, the automotive industry has coupled various thermal management subsystems to form a highly integrated thermal management module in order to save energy and space. The thermal management integrated module is mainly divided into a refrigerant side integrated module, a water side integrated module, and the coupling of the two. At present, the refrigerant side integrated module uses cast aluminum to form the internal flow channel, sets a joint on the cast aluminum flow channel plate, and seals the heat exchanger with an O-ring or sealing gasket and bolts it; this method has problems such as high mold cost, complex process, high risk of leakage, and great limitations. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention includes providing a refrigerant integrated module and an electric vehicle, which can reduce mold costs, thereby reducing processing costs, simplify assembly steps, reduce leakage risks, and reduce limitations.

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerant integrated module, the refrigerant integrated module comprising a refrigerant flow channel plate and a heat exchanger;

[0006] The refrigerant flow channel plate includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section, the first sub-section and the second sub-section are connected and jointly form a refrigerant flow channel;

[0007] The heat exchanger is connected to the first subsection or the second subsection and communicates with the refrigerant flow channel.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the first section and the second section are respectively provided with a first refrigerant flow groove and a second refrigerant flow groove with a semicircular cross-section, and the first refrigerant flow groove and the second refrigerant flow groove extend along the same curved path to jointly form a refrigerant flow channel after the first section and the second section are connected.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the first section is configured with a first refrigerant inlet and a first refrigerant outlet, and the first refrigerant inlet and the first refrigerant outlet are spaced apart; the heat exchanger is configured with a second refrigerant inlet and a second refrigerant outlet; the first refrigerant inlet is connected to the second refrigerant outlet, and the second refrigerant inlet is connected to the first refrigerant outlet.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the first section is provided with a first connection portion and a second connection portion protruding in a direction away from the second section, the first connection portion is spaced apart from the second connection portion, and both the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected to the heat exchanger.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the first refrigerant inlet is opened at the first connection part, and the first refrigerant outlet is opened at the second connection part.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are both in contact with the heat exchanger, and end surfaces of the first connection portion and the second connection portion are both welded to the heat exchanger.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the second refrigerant inlet and the second refrigerant outlet both protrude from the bottom of the core of the heat exchanger, and the second refrigerant inlet extends into the first refrigerant outlet, and the second refrigerant outlet extends into the first refrigerant inlet.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the second refrigerant inlet is riveted to the first refrigerant outlet, and the second refrigerant outlet is riveted to the first refrigerant inlet.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, a portion of the second refrigerant inlet extending into the first refrigerant outlet is welded to the first refrigerant outlet, and a portion of the second refrigerant outlet extending into the first refrigerant inlet is welded to the first refrigerant inlet.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an electric vehicle, comprising the above-mentioned refrigerant integrated module.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the refrigerant integrated module and the electric vehicle provided by the embodiments of the present invention include:

[0018] The refrigerant integrated module includes a refrigerant flow channel plate and a heat exchanger; the refrigerant flow channel plate includes a first subsection and a second subsection, the first subsection is connected to the second subsection, and together forms a refrigerant flow channel; the heat exchanger is connected to the first subsection or the second subsection, and communicates with the refrigerant flow channel. The refrigerant integrated module can reduce mold costs, thereby reducing processing costs, simplify assembly steps, reduce leakage risks, and reduce its limitations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigerant integrated module provided in this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the refrigerant integrated module provided in this embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigerant flow channel plate provided in this embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the first subsection of the refrigerant flow channel plate provided in this embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first refrigerant flow channel of the first subsection provided in this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second refrigerant flow channel of the second subsection provided in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the heat exchanger provided in this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 8 Partial schematic diagram at point A in the middle.

[0028] Icon: 100-refrigerant integrated module; 110-refrigerant flow plate; 120-heat exchanger; 111-first division; 112-second division; 113-first refrigerant flow channel; 114-second refrigerant flow channel; 115-first refrigerant inlet; 116-first refrigerant outlet; 121-second refrigerant inlet; 122-second refrigerant outlet; 117-first connection part; 118-second connection part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] With the rapid development of electric vehicles, the automotive industry couples various thermal management subsystems to form a highly integrated thermal management module in order to save energy and space. The thermal management integrated module is mainly divided into a refrigerant side integrated module, a water side integrated module, and the coupling of the two. At present, the refrigerant side integrated module uses cast aluminum to form an internal flow channel, and a joint is set on the cast aluminum flow channel plate, which is sealed with an O-ring or a sealing gasket and bolted to the heat exchanger 120; this method has the following problems:

[0030] High cost: The mold cost is high. To ensure air tightness, the heat exchanger 120 has high assembly position requirements and mold processing accuracy requirements. The heat exchanger 120 and the flow channel plate are sealed with O-rings or sealing sheets. The roughness of the joints of the two products must be ensured, so the processing accuracy requirements are high and the cost increases. The one-piece cast aluminum needs to be installed with the rest of the module and the whole vehicle, so the connection parts have high strength requirements, heavy weight, and high cost.

[0031] The process is complicated: the heat exchanger 120 is sealed by an O-ring or a sealing sheet, which needs to be installed on the joint during assembly, lubricated, press-fitted and fastened with bolts;

[0032] High risk of leakage: There will be sealing risks in all sealing parts, and the finished product will be unqualified due to problems in component processing and assembly process;

[0033] Limitations: Cast aluminum materials have limitations, and special die-cast aluminum materials must be selected (the content of Si and Mg elements must be controlled at a low level). Therefore, brazing cannot be used, and the remaining parts must be sealed by O-rings or sealing gaskets.

[0034] In response to the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigerant integrated module 100, which adopts a split structure to manufacture the refrigerant flow plate 110, so that the refrigerant flow plate 110 can form a refrigerant flow path through two or more parts processed by aluminum stamping or cutting, which is beneficial to reducing the processing cost of the refrigerant integrated module 100, and such a structural setting method is beneficial to reducing the structural weight, and it is convenient to connect with the heat exchanger 120 or other components when installed on the whole vehicle; and during installation, compared with the connection and sealing method through sealing rings and connecting bolts in the prior art, due to the structural changes of the refrigerant flow plate 110, welding can be used for installation and connection, thereby improving the stability of the seal, reducing the connection and sealing parts of the refrigerant flow plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120, and less assembly, thereby reducing the process cost.

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0036] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. appear to indicate an orientation or position relationship, they are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientation or position relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed when used. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0039] In addition, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., if used, are merely used to distinguish between the descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , this embodiment provides a refrigerant integrated module 100, the refrigerant integrated module 100 includes a refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and a heat exchanger 120;

[0042] The refrigerant channel plate 110 includes a first section 111 and a second section 112. The first section 111 and the second section 112 are connected to form a refrigerant channel together.

[0043] The heat exchanger 120 is connected to the first sub-portion 111 or the second sub-portion 112 and communicates with the refrigerant flow channel.

[0044] It should be noted that such a setting method allows the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 to be made of weldable materials, and then when assembled with the heat exchanger 120, the sealing method and connection method between the two can be changed to one-piece brazing, thereby effectively solving the problems of high cost, heavy weight, high leakage rate, and low qualified rate of sealing joints.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigerant integrated module 100 includes a refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and a heat exchanger 120; the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 adopts a split structure, so that the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 can form a refrigerant flow path through two or more parts processed by aluminum stamping or cutting, which is beneficial to reducing the processing cost of the refrigerant integrated module 100, and such a structural setting method is beneficial to reducing the structural weight, and it is convenient to connect with the heat exchanger 120 or other parts when installed in the whole vehicle; and during installation, the heat exchanger 120 is connected to the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 by welding, and then compared with the connection and sealing method of the heat exchanger 120 connected to the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 by a sealing ring and a connecting bolt in the prior art, due to the structural change of the refrigerant flow channel plate 110, it can be installed and connected by welding, thereby improving the stability of the seal, reducing the connection and sealing parts of the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120, and less assembly, and reducing the process cost.

[0046] For further information, please refer to Figure 1-Figure 7In the present embodiment, when configuring the refrigerant flow channel plate 110, since it is made in a split manner, based on this method, the first division 111 and the second division 112 can be made by stamping to reduce the manufacturing cost, and on the basis of stamping, the corresponding molded refrigerant flow channel structure can be formed in the first division 111 and the second division 112; specifically, the first division 111 and the second division 112 are respectively provided with a first refrigerant flow groove 113 and a second refrigerant flow groove 114 with a semicircular cross-section, and the first refrigerant flow groove 113 and the second refrigerant flow groove 114 extend along the same curved path to jointly form the refrigerant flow channel after the first division 111 and the second division 112 are connected.

[0047] In addition, based on the above structure, the heat exchanger 120 is connected to the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 by welding. Therefore, the heat exchanger 120 can be connected to the first section 111 by welding. Based on this, the first section 111 is provided with a first refrigerant inlet 115 and a first refrigerant outlet 116, and the first refrigerant inlet 115 is spaced from the first refrigerant outlet 116; and the heat exchanger 120 is provided with a second refrigerant inlet 121 and a second refrigerant outlet 122; the first refrigerant inlet 115 is connected to the second refrigerant outlet 122, and the second refrigerant inlet 121 is connected to the first refrigerant outlet 116.

[0048] For further information, please refer to Figure 1-Figure 7 In this embodiment, in order to facilitate the connection between the heat exchanger 120 and the first sub-portion 111, the first sub-portion 111 is provided with a first connection portion 117 and a second connection portion 118 protruding in a direction away from the second sub-portion 112, the first connection portion 117 is spaced from the second connection portion 118, and the first connection portion 117 and the second connection portion 118 are both connected to the heat exchanger 120. Such a configuration can facilitate welding of the heat exchanger 120 with the first connection portion 117 and the second connection portion 118 by providing the protruding first connection portion 117 and the second connection portion 118 on the first sub-portion 111, thereby reducing the difficulty of welding connection.

[0049] On the basis of the structure of the first connection part 117 and the second connection part 118, the first refrigerant inlet 115 is provided in the first connection part 117, and the first refrigerant outlet 116 is provided in the second connection part 118. Therefore, in this way, when the heat exchanger 120 and the first sub-part 111 are connected by welding, the heat exchanger 120 can be connected with the first refrigerant inlet 115 and the first refrigerant outlet 116 on the first sub-part 111, that is, the steps of connection and connection can be combined, thereby simplifying the steps of connection and connection and reducing the cost of installation.

[0050] Thus, the refrigerant integrated module 100 adopts the above-mentioned structural setting method, so that the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 can select weldable stamped aluminum or cut aluminum; and on this basis, the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 is formed of more than two parts processed by aluminum stamping or cutting to form a flow path;

[0051] Furthermore, compared with the connection and sealing method in the prior art in which the heat exchanger 120 is connected to the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 by a sealing ring and connecting bolts, the refrigerant integrated module 100 can be connected by brazing components, and the flow channel plate is also brazed with products of stacked heat exchangers 120 such as water-cooled capacitors or coolers; in addition, the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120 are welded together by riveting, and then radially welded to form a seal, or the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120 are in plane contact through process positioning, and a seal is formed after welding their end faces, etc.; the heat exchanger 120 eliminates the bottom plate, and the core itself is welded integrally with the refrigerant flow channel plate 110; therefore, the refrigerant integrated module 100 can be installed and connected by welding, thereby improving the stability of the seal, reducing the components for connecting and sealing the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120, and less assembly, and reducing process costs.

[0052] Based on the above, please refer to Figure 1-Figure 8 In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 120 is welded to the refrigerant channel plate 110. Based on the above structure, there are multiple connection methods when the first connection part 117 and the second connection part 118 are welded to the heat exchanger 120, such as:

[0053] The refrigerant channel plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120 are in plane contact and positioned by a process, and a seal is formed after the end faces are welded, etc., which is not limited to welding methods. Specifically, the first connection part 117 and the second connection part 118 are both abutted against the heat exchanger 120, and the end faces of the first connection part 117 and the second connection part 118 are welded and connected to the heat exchanger 120. That is, the end faces of the first connection part 117 and the second connection part 118 can be welded to the heat exchanger 120.

[0054] In addition, the refrigerant flow channel plate 110 and the heat exchanger 120 can also be welded together by riveting and then radially welded to form a seal. Specifically, the second refrigerant inlet 121 and the second refrigerant outlet 122 are both protruding from the bottom of the core of the heat exchanger 120, and the second refrigerant inlet 121 extends into the first refrigerant outlet 116, and the second refrigerant outlet 122 extends into the first refrigerant inlet 115 (such as Figure 8 As shown). And on this basis, welding connection is carried out;

[0055] On the basis of the aforementioned second refrigerant inlet 121 extending into the first refrigerant outlet 116 and the second refrigerant outlet 122 extending into the first refrigerant inlet 115, the second refrigerant inlet 121 is riveted to the first refrigerant outlet 116 and the second refrigerant outlet 122 is riveted to the first refrigerant inlet 115; and the portion of the second refrigerant inlet 121 extending into the first refrigerant outlet 116 is welded to the first refrigerant outlet 116, and the portion of the second refrigerant outlet 122 extending into the first refrigerant inlet 115 is welded to the first refrigerant inlet 115. In this way, the stability and sealing of the connection can be improved based on the two connection methods of riveting and welding.

[0056] In summary, based on the above-mentioned refrigerant integrated module 100, this embodiment further provides an electric vehicle, which includes the above-mentioned refrigerant integrated module 100. The electric vehicle can reduce costs and reduce leakage risks by adopting the above-mentioned refrigerant integrated module 100.

[0057] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerant integrated module, characterized in that: The refrigerant integrated module includes a refrigerant channel plate and a heat exchanger; The refrigerant flow channel plate includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section, wherein the first sub-section is connected to the second sub-section and together form a refrigerant flow channel; The heat exchanger is connected to the first subsection or the second subsection and communicates with the refrigerant flow channel.

2. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first section and the second section are respectively provided with a first refrigerant flow groove and a second refrigerant flow groove with a semicircular cross-section. The first refrigerant flow groove and the second refrigerant flow groove extend along the same curved path so as to jointly form the refrigerant flow channel after the first section and the second section are docked.

3. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first subsection is provided with a first refrigerant inlet and a first refrigerant outlet, and the first refrigerant inlet is spaced from the first refrigerant outlet; the heat exchanger is provided with a second refrigerant inlet and a second refrigerant outlet; the first refrigerant inlet is connected to the second refrigerant outlet, and the second refrigerant inlet is connected to the first refrigerant outlet.

4. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first section is provided with a first connection portion and a second connection portion protruding in a direction away from the second section, the first connection portion is spaced apart from the second connection portion, and both the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected to the heat exchanger.

5. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first refrigerant inlet is opened at the first connection part, and the first refrigerant outlet is opened at the second connection part.

6. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first connection portion and the second connection portion are both in contact with the heat exchanger, and end surfaces of the first connection portion and the second connection portion are both welded to the heat exchanger.

7. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second refrigerant inlet and the second refrigerant outlet both protrude from the bottom of the core of the heat exchanger, and the second refrigerant inlet extends into the first refrigerant outlet, and the second refrigerant outlet extends into the first refrigerant inlet.

8. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second refrigerant inlet is riveted to the first refrigerant outlet, and the second refrigerant outlet is riveted to the first refrigerant inlet.

9. The refrigerant integrated module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The portion of the second refrigerant inlet extending into the first refrigerant outlet is welded to the first refrigerant outlet, and the portion of the second refrigerant outlet extending into the first refrigerant inlet is welded to the first refrigerant inlet.

10. An electric vehicle, characterized in that: The electric vehicle comprises a refrigerant integrated module as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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