A thermal management system for a vehicle and a control method

Abstract

The application discloses a thermal management system and a control method of a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of vehicle thermal management systems.The thermal management system comprises a battery-controller thermal management unit and an air conditioner thermal management unit.The battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit share a same first heat exchange member and a same second heat exchange member, and the first heat exchange member and the second heat exchange member each comprise two heat exchange channels.The two heat exchange channels of the same heat exchange member are respectively used for being connected with the battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit.The battery-controller thermal management unit comprises a battery cold plate and a controller cold plate which are arranged in parallel.The two ends of a main pipeline connected with the battery cold plate and the controller cold plate are respectively connected with the first heat exchange member and the second heat exchange member through different proportional distribution valves and internal heat exchange channels.The thermal management system couples the controller cold plate with the whole vehicle thermal management system, so that the functions of controller cooling, heating and waste heat utilization can be efficiently realized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of vehicle thermal management systems, in particular to a thermal management system of a vehicle and a control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing intelligent driving and automatic driving controllers usually need to meet relatively strict temperature ranges and other environmental conditions during operation to ensure their normal work and stable performance.

[0003] Even if a few people pay attention to the temperature control requirements of the controller, the thermal management systems of the intelligent driving and automatic driving controllers are still relatively independent and are still limited to independent cooling or heating operations on the controller.

[0004] In this case, the thermal management system of the controller cannot efficiently distribute energy according to the working ranges of the battery, air conditioner and other components, and cannot comprehensively and efficiently regulate the temperature of the controller, battery and air conditioner and utilize waste heat, thereby reducing the energy utilization rate of the thermal management system and affecting the cruising range and power performance of the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desirable to provide a thermal management system of a vehicle and a control method.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a thermal management system of a vehicle, comprising: a battery-controller thermal management unit and an air conditioner thermal management unit;

[0007] The battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit both share the same first heat exchange member and second heat exchange member, and the first heat exchange member and the second heat exchange member both include two heat exchange channels, and the two heat exchange channels of the same heat exchange member are respectively used to communicate with the battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit;

[0008] The battery-controller thermal management unit includes a battery cold plate and a controller cold plate arranged in parallel;

[0009] The two ends of the main pipeline in parallel with the battery cold plate and the controller cold plate are respectively connected to the internal heat exchange channels of the first heat exchange member and the second heat exchange member through different proportional distribution valves, so as to realize the coupling of the battery cold plate, the controller cold plate and the air conditioner thermal management unit, and to meet the energy distribution control of the thermal management system under different temperature control requirements.

[0010] According to the technical scheme provided by the present application, the battery-controller thermal management unit includes a first cooling liquid circuit;

[0011] The first cooling liquid circuit comprises a water pump, a first three-way proportional valve, a first heat exchange component, a heater, a second three-way proportional valve and the controller cold plate connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path.

[0012] The first three-way proportional valve has a first input valve port, a first output valve port and a second output valve port, the first input valve port is connected with the output end of the water pump, the first output valve port is connected with the input end of the first heat exchange channel in the first heat exchange component, and the output end of the first heat exchange channel is connected with the input end of the heater.

[0013] The second three-way proportional valve has a second input valve port, a third output valve port and a fourth output valve port, the second input valve port is connected with the output end of the heater, and the third output valve port is connected with one end of the controller cold plate.

[0014] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, the battery-controller thermal management unit comprises a second cooling liquid circuit.

[0015] The second cooling liquid circuit is connected in sequence by the water pump, the first three-way proportional valve, the first heat exchange component, the heater, the second three-way proportional valve and the battery cold plate in the first cooling liquid circuit to form a circulating flow path.

[0016] The other end of the battery cold plate is connected with a connecting pipeline for connecting the water pump and the controller cold plate.

[0017] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, the battery-controller thermal management unit comprises a third cooling liquid circuit.

[0018] The third cooling liquid circuit is connected in sequence by the water pump, the first three-way proportional valve, the heater, the second three-way proportional valve, the controller cold plate and the second heat exchange component in the first cooling liquid circuit to form a circulating flow path.

[0019] The input end of the third heat exchange channel in the second heat exchange component is connected with the second output valve port, and the output end of the third heat exchange channel is connected with the heater.

[0020] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, the air conditioner thermal management unit comprises a first refrigerant circuit.

[0021] The first refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor, an indoor heat exchange component, the second heat exchange component, an outdoor heat exchange component and the first heat exchange component connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path.

[0022] The output end of the compressor is communicated with the input end of the indoor heat exchange element, and the input end is communicated with the output end of the second heat exchange channel inside the first heat exchange element;

[0023] The output end of the indoor heat exchange element is communicated with the input end of the fourth heat exchange channel inside the second heat exchange element, the output end of the fourth heat exchange channel is communicated with the input end of the outdoor heat exchange element, and the output end of the outdoor heat exchange element is communicated with the input end of the second heat exchange channel;

[0024] A first electronic expansion valve is arranged on the first connecting pipeline between the second heat exchange element and the outdoor heat exchange element, and a one-way valve and a second electronic expansion valve are sequentially arranged on the second connecting pipeline between the outdoor heat exchange element and the first heat exchange element.

[0025] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, the air conditioner heat management unit comprises a second refrigerant circuit;

[0026] The second refrigerant circuit comprises a circulating flow path formed by the compressor, the indoor heat exchange element, the second heat exchange element and the outdoor heat exchange element in the first refrigerant circuit in sequence;

[0027] The output end of the outdoor heat exchange element is communicated with the input end of the compressor through a first branch pipeline arranged in parallel with the first heat exchange element, a first electromagnetic valve is arranged on the first branch pipeline, one end of the first branch pipeline is communicated with the second connecting pipeline, and the connecting port is located between the one-way valve and the second electronic expansion valve, and the other end is communicated with the connecting pipeline between the first heat exchange element and the compressor.

[0028] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, the air conditioner heat management unit comprises a third refrigerant circuit;

[0029] The third refrigerant circuit comprises a circulating flow path formed by the compressor, the indoor heat exchange element, the second heat exchange element and the first heat exchange element in the first refrigerant circuit in sequence;

[0030] The output end of the fourth heat exchange channel is communicated with the input end of the second heat exchange channel through a second branch pipeline arranged in parallel with the outdoor heat exchange element, and a second electromagnetic valve is arranged on the second branch pipeline;

[0031] Both ends of the second branch pipeline are communicated with the first connecting pipeline and the second connecting pipeline respectively, and two connecting ports are located on the side of the first electronic expansion valve away from the outdoor heat exchange element and between the one-way valve and the second electronic expansion valve respectively.

[0032] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, the gas-liquid separator is further arranged between the first heat exchange element and the compressor.

[0033] In a second aspect, the application provides a heat management system control method of a vehicle, applied to the heat management system of the vehicle, and the method comprises:

[0034] obtaining a real-time water inlet temperature of a target vehicle controller, and determining a first temperature regulation requirement of the controller; the first temperature regulation requirement at least includes a heating requirement and a cooling requirement;

[0035] obtaining an ambient temperature, and confirming a target working mode of the heat management system based on the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time water inlet temperature and the ambient temperature; the heat management system includes a battery-controller heat management unit and an air conditioner heat management unit which are coupled to each other;

[0036] controlling the loop circulation inside the battery-controller heat management unit and the air conditioner heat management unit and the opening degree of the proportional distribution valve according to the target working mode, so as to meet the temperature regulation requirement.

[0037] According to the technical scheme provided in the application, after obtaining the ambient temperature, the method further comprises:

[0038] obtaining a second temperature regulation requirement corresponding to a battery pack of the target vehicle and a third temperature regulation requirement corresponding to a passenger cabin, respectively;

[0039] confirming the target working mode of the heat management system based on the second temperature regulation requirement, the third temperature regulation requirement, the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time water inlet temperature and the ambient temperature.

[0040] In summary, the technical scheme specifically discloses a heat management system of a vehicle and a control method, wherein the heat management system includes a battery-controller heat management unit and an air conditioner heat management unit; the battery-controller heat management unit and the air conditioner heat management unit share the same first heat exchange element and second heat exchange element, and the first heat exchange element and the second heat exchange element each include two heat exchange channels, the two heat exchange channels of the same heat exchange element are respectively used for being communicated with the battery-controller heat management unit and the air conditioner heat management unit; the battery-controller heat management unit includes a battery cold plate and a controller cold plate which are arranged in parallel; the two ends of the main pipeline in parallel with the battery cold plate and the controller cold plate are respectively communicated with the internal heat exchange channels of the corresponding first heat exchange element and second heat exchange element through different proportional distribution valves.

[0041] In existing thermal management systems, the thermal management systems of the controllers are mostly set up independently, which makes it impossible to efficiently distribute energy according to the operating range of components such as batteries and air conditioners. In this application, the air conditioning thermal management unit and the battery-controller thermal management unit can be coupled to realize heat exchange between the loops inside different thermal management units. At the same time, the proportional distribution valve can be used to regulate the flow of the corresponding loops, thereby rationally and efficiently distributing energy within the thermal management system to meet the various temperature control requirements of the thermal management system. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle's thermal management system.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a vehicle's thermal management system.

[0045] The following are the labeling elements in the diagram: 1. First heat exchanger; 11. First heat exchange channel; 12. Second heat exchange channel; 2. Second heat exchanger; 21. Third heat exchange channel; 22. Fourth heat exchange channel; 3. Battery cold plate; 4. Controller cold plate; 5. Water pump; 6. First three-way proportional valve; 7. Heater; 8. Second three-way proportional valve; 9. Compressor; 10. Indoor heat exchanger; 13. Outdoor heat exchanger; 14. First electronic expansion valve; 15. Check valve; 16. Second electronic expansion valve; 17. First solenoid valve; 18. Second solenoid valve; 19. Gas-liquid separator; 20. Evaporator; 23. Expansion tank; 24. Third electronic expansion valve. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0047] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 The diagram shown in this embodiment illustrates the structure of a vehicle thermal management system, which includes a battery-controller thermal management unit and an air conditioning thermal management unit.

[0050] The battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit share the same first heat exchange member 1 and second heat exchange member 2, and the first heat exchange member 1 and the second heat exchange member 2 each include two heat exchange channels, and the two heat exchange channels of the same heat exchange member are respectively used for being connected with the battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit;

[0051] The battery-controller thermal management unit includes the battery cold plate 3 and the controller cold plate 4 arranged in parallel;

[0052] The two ends of the main pipeline in parallel with the battery cold plate 3 and the controller cold plate 4 are respectively connected with the internal heat exchange channels of the corresponding first heat exchange member 1 and second heat exchange member 2 through different proportional distribution valves, so as to realize the coupling of the battery cold plate 3, the controller cold plate 4 and the air conditioner thermal management unit, and then meet the energy distribution control of the thermal management system under different temperature control requirements.

[0053] In the embodiment of the application, the type of the first heat exchange member 1 can be selected as a cooler, and the cooler has two heat exchange channels, namely a first heat exchange channel 11 and a second heat exchange channel 12; the type of the second heat exchange member 2 can be selected as a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger has two heat exchange channels, namely a third heat exchange channel 21 and a fourth heat exchange channel 22; by connecting the first heat exchange channel 11, the second heat exchange channel 12, the third heat exchange channel 21 and the fourth heat exchange channel 22 to the air conditioner thermal management unit and the battery-controller thermal management unit respectively, the coupling of the air conditioner thermal management unit and the battery-controller thermal management unit is realized, which provides a basic condition for the collaborative energy distribution and adjustment of the two thermal management units.

[0054] Meanwhile, the battery-controller thermal management unit includes the battery cold plate 3 and the controller cold plate 4 arranged in parallel, where the battery cold plate 3 and the controller cold plate 4 can respectively refer to the temperature control device of the battery pack and the temperature control device of the intelligent / automatic driving controller; in addition, the two ends of the main pipeline in parallel with the battery cold plate 3 and the controller cold plate 4 are connected with the first heat exchange member 1 and the second heat exchange member 2 based on the proportional distribution valve, so that when facing complex and variable temperature control requirements, heat exchange between the loops inside different thermal management units can be realized through the coupled thermal management system, and the proportional distribution valve is adjusted to control the loop flow, so that the energy distribution inside the thermal management system is reasonably and efficiently carried out to meet various temperature control requirements; here, the different temperature control requirements are, for example, heating requirements of the battery pack, heating requirements of the battery pack and the passenger cabin, heating or cooling requirements of the controller, etc.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the battery-controller thermal management unit includes a first cooling liquid loop;

[0056] The first cooling liquid circuit comprises a water pump 5, a first three-way proportional valve 6, a first heat exchange member 1, a heater 7, a second three-way proportional valve 8 and a controller cold plate 4 connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path;

[0057] The first three-way proportional valve 6 has a first input valve port, a first output valve port A and a second output valve port B. The first input valve port is connected in communication with the output end of the water pump 5. The first output valve port A is connected in communication with the input end of the first heat exchange channel 11 inside the first heat exchange member 1. The output end of the first heat exchange channel 11 is connected in communication with the input end of the heater 7.

[0058] The second three-way proportional valve 8 has a second input valve port, a third output valve port C and a fourth output valve port D. The second input valve port is connected in communication with the output end of the heater 7. The third output valve port C is connected in communication with one end of the controller cold plate 4.

[0059] Specifically, in the first cooling liquid circuit, the circulating cooling liquid in the circuit is provided by the water pump 5. The cooling liquid of the water pump 5 flows into the first heat exchange channel 11 through the first input valve port and the first output valve port A of the first three-way proportional valve 6 in liquid communication, and exchanges heat with the medium in the second heat exchange channel 12, and then flows into the heater 7. The heater 7 can be used to heat the cooling liquid to meet the heating needs of the subsequent battery pack or intelligent / automatic driving controller. After flowing into the heater 7, the cooling liquid flows into the controller cold plate 4 through the second input valve port and the third output valve port C of the second three-way proportional valve 8 in liquid communication, so as to realize temperature regulation of the intelligent / automatic driving controller.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the battery-controller thermal management unit comprises a second cooling liquid circuit.

[0061] The second cooling liquid circuit comprises the water pump 5, the first three-way proportional valve 6, the first heat exchange member 1, the heater 7, the second three-way proportional valve 8 and the battery cold plate 3 connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path.

[0062] The one end of the battery cold plate 3 is connected in communication with the fourth output valve port D, and the other end is connected in communication with the connecting pipeline for connecting the water pump 5 and the controller cold plate 4.

[0063] Specifically, the second cooling liquid circuit is essentially based on the first cooling liquid circuit, and the battery cooling plate 3 is connected in parallel on both sides of the controller cooling plate 4 to form a circulating flow path of the water pump 5→the first three-way proportional valve 6→the first heat exchange member 1→the heater 7→the second three-way proportional valve 8→the battery cooling plate 3→the water pump 5; in this process, since one end of the battery cooling plate 3 is connected to the fourth output valve port D, by controlling the opening and closing of the two output valve ports of the second three-way proportional valve 8, the cooling liquid passing through the heater 7 can be selectively flowed into the battery cooling plate 3 or the controller cooling plate 4; of course, the two output valve ports of the second three-way proportional valve 8 can also be opened according to the preset opening degree, and the cooling liquid passing through the heater 7 flows into the battery cooling plate 3 and the controller cooling plate 4 through the flow control proportional valve, respectively, to form a comprehensive circuit of the first cooling liquid circuit and the second cooling liquid circuit, and the specific needs are combined with the actual working conditions and the set control strategy, which is not specially limited here.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the battery-controller thermal management unit comprises a third cooling liquid circuit;

[0065] The third cooling liquid circuit forms a circulating flow path by the water pump 5, the first three-way proportional valve 6, the heater 7, the second three-way proportional valve 8, the controller cooling plate 4, and the second heat exchange member 2 in the first cooling liquid circuit;

[0066] The input end of the third heat exchange channel 21 in the second heat exchange member 2 is connected in communication with the second output valve port B, and the output end of the third heat exchange channel 21 is connected in communication with the heater 7.

[0067] Specifically, the third cooling liquid circuit is also essentially based on the first cooling liquid circuit, and the second heat exchange member 2 is connected in parallel on both sides of the heater 7 and the battery cooling plate 3 to form a circulating flow path of the water pump 5→the first three-way proportional valve 6→the second heat exchange member 2→the heater 7→the second three-way proportional valve 8→the controller cooling plate 4→the water pump 5; in this process, the input end of the third heat exchange channel 21 in the second heat exchange member 2 is connected to the second output valve port B, and the output end thereof is connected in communication with the input end of the heater 7, so that the circulating cooling liquid in the circuit provided by the water pump 5 exchanges heat with the air conditioner thermal management unit at the second heat exchange member 2, i.e., exchanges heat with the medium flowed into the fourth heat exchange channel 22.

[0068] It needs to be explained that the third cooling circuit still retains the branch communication flow path of the second three-way proportional valve 8 and the controller cold plate 4, so here also based on the conduction of the second three-way proportional valve 8, with the branch communication flow path of the second three-way proportional valve 8 and the battery cold plate 3 in the second cooling liquid circuit, a comprehensive circuit is formed, that is, the cooling liquid of the second heat exchange element 2 and the heater 7 can also be selectively flowed into the controller cold plate 4 or the battery cold plate 3 through the second three-way proportional valve 8; of course, it can also be that the flow control proportional is flowed into the battery cold plate 3 and the controller cold plate 4 from two output valve ports respectively.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the air conditioning thermal management unit comprises: a first refrigerant circuit;

[0070] The first refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor 9, an indoor heat exchange element 10, a second heat exchange element 2, an outdoor heat exchange element 13 and a first heat exchange element 1 connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path;

[0071] The output end of the compressor 9 is in communication with the input end of the indoor heat exchange element 10, and the input end thereof is in communication with the output end of the second heat exchange channel 12 inside the first heat exchange element 1;

[0072] The output end of the indoor heat exchange element 10 is in communication with the input end of the fourth heat exchange channel 22 inside the second heat exchange element 2; the output end of the fourth heat exchange channel 22 is in communication with the input end of the outdoor heat exchange element 13; the output end of the outdoor heat exchange element 13 is in communication with the input end of the second heat exchange channel 12;

[0073] A first electronic expansion valve 14 is arranged on the first connecting pipeline between the second heat exchange element 2 and the outdoor heat exchange element 13; a one-way valve 15 and a second electronic expansion valve 16 are arranged in sequence on the second connecting pipeline between the outdoor heat exchange element 13 and the first heat exchange element 1 (in the direction of the outdoor heat exchange element 13 pointing to the first heat exchange element 1).

[0074] Specifically, the types of the indoor heat exchange element 10 and the outdoor heat exchange element 13 can both be condensers; the indoor condenser is generally arranged in the air conditioning box and can be used for heating the passenger compartment through condensation heat release; and the outdoor condenser can realize heat exchange with the environment; in the first refrigerant circuit, the compressor 9 compresses the refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and then enters the circulating flow path to participate in heat exchange;

[0075] Further, in the refrigeration working condition, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchange element 10 and the second heat exchange element 2 in sequence, and then enters the outdoor heat exchange element 13 to exchange heat with the environment, and further forms low-temperature liquid refrigerant. Then, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant can efficiently cool the medium flowing through the first heat exchange channel 11 after flowing into the second heat exchange channel 12 of the first heat exchange element 1, and can effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the controller cold plate 4 and the battery cold plate 3. Meanwhile, in the refrigeration mixed air working condition, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat at the indoor heat exchange element 10 and the outdoor element 13, and further forms low-temperature liquid refrigerant. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the refrigerant output by the first heat exchange element 1 returns to the compressor 9 through a gas-liquid separator 19. The gas-liquid separator 19 is designed to separate the gas and liquid components in the fluid, and ensures that the refrigerant in the compressor 9 operates in the correct state.

[0076] Meanwhile, the first connecting pipeline and the second connecting pipeline are also provided with a first electronic expansion valve 14, a second electronic expansion valve 16 and a one-way valve 15. The electronic expansion valve can reduce the pressure and throttle the gas in the pipeline, and can also adjust the flow of the medium in the pipeline. The one-way valve 15 is mainly used to prevent the backflow of the medium and ensure the stability of the medium flow in the heat management system.

[0077] In the heat pipe system application of the embodiment of the present application, the first electronic expansion valve 14 is a large-diameter valve. In the refrigeration working condition, the flow of the refrigerant needs to be large, so the valve is kept fully open to allow the refrigerant to flow smoothly through the system and complete the refrigeration cycle. In the heating working condition, the system needs to throttle to increase the heat absorption of the refrigerant, thereby improving the efficiency of the system. At this time, the first electronic expansion valve 14 functions as a throttle to limit the flow of the refrigerant, thereby increasing the heat absorption of the refrigerant at the outdoor heat exchange element 13. The second electronic expansion valve 16 is also used to reduce the pressure, throttle and adjust the flow of the medium entering the first heat exchange element 1.

[0078] It needs to be explained that, since the heat management system provided by the embodiment of the present application has multiple heat exchange elements, the state of the medium is relative. For example, the above-mentioned "high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is converted into medium-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant at the indoor heat exchange element 10", where the temperature of the medium-temperature liquid refrigerant only indicates that the temperature of the liquid refrigerant is lower than the temperature of the gaseous refrigerant generated by the compressor 9 at this time.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the air conditioner heat management unit comprises a second refrigerant circuit;

[0080] The second refrigerant circuit comprises a circulating flow path formed by the compressor 9, the indoor heat exchange element 10, the second heat exchange element 2 and the outdoor heat exchange element 13 in the first refrigerant circuit in sequence;

[0081] The output end of the outdoor heat exchange element 13 is connected to the input end of the compressor 9 through a first branch pipeline connected in parallel with the first heat exchange element 1; a first electromagnetic valve 17 is arranged on the first branch pipeline; one end of the first branch pipeline is connected to the second connecting pipeline, and the connecting end is located between the one-way valve 15 and the second electronic expansion valve 16; and the other end of the first branch pipeline is connected to the connecting pipeline between the first heat exchange element 1 and the compressor 9.

[0082] Specifically, the second refrigerant circuit is essentially based on the first refrigerant circuit, and a circulation flow path of the compressor 9→ the indoor heat exchange element 10→ the second heat exchange element 2→ the outdoor heat exchange element 13→ the compressor 9 is formed through the first branch pipeline connected in parallel on both sides of the first heat exchange element 1; in this process, the low-pressure liquid refrigerant after heat exchange with the environment at the outdoor heat exchange element 13 no longer enters the medium in the first heat exchange element 1 and the first heat exchange channel 11 for heat exchange, but directly returns to the compressor 9, so as to ensure the heating efficiency when the ambient temperature is high and the controller cold plate 4 generates a heating demand.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the air conditioner thermal management unit comprises a third refrigerant circuit.

[0084] The third refrigerant circuit comprises a circulation flow path formed by the compressor 9, the indoor heat exchange element 10, the second heat exchange element 2 and the first heat exchange element 1 in the first refrigerant circuit in sequence.

[0085] The output end of the fourth heat exchange channel 22 is connected to the input end of the second heat exchange channel 12 through a second branch pipeline connected in parallel with the outdoor heat exchange element 13; a second electromagnetic valve 18 is arranged on the second branch pipeline.

[0086] Both ends of the second branch pipeline are connected to the first connecting pipeline and the second connecting pipeline respectively, and the two connecting ends are located on the side of the first electronic expansion valve 14 away from the outdoor heat exchange element 13 and between the one-way valve 15 and the second electronic expansion valve 16 respectively.

[0087] Specifically, the third refrigerant circuit is essentially also based on the first refrigerant circuit, and a circulation flow path of the compressor 9→ the indoor heat exchange element 10→ the second heat exchange element 2→ the first heat exchange element 1→ the compressor 9 is formed through the second branch pipeline connected in parallel on both sides of the outdoor heat exchange element 13; the second electromagnetic valve 18 and the first electromagnetic valve 17 are both used to control the conduction state of the branch pipeline according to the temperature control demand and control strategy of the thermal management system.

[0088] In this process, the liquid refrigerant after heat exchange with the third heat exchange channel 21 at the second heat exchange element 2 is directly subjected to pressure reduction, throttling and flow regulation control by the second electronic expansion valve 16, and then flows into the first heat exchange element 1 to exchange heat with the medium in the first heat exchange channel 11, and finally returns to the compressor 9. Through the heat exchange at the first heat exchange element 1, the third refrigerant circuit completes the waste heat utilization of the intelligent / automatic driving controller when the intelligent / automatic driving controller generates a large amount of heat, and realizes the heating of the passenger cabin.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, an expansion tank 23 is further arranged between the battery-controller thermal management unit, for accommodating the expansion water in the system to prevent damage caused by volume expansion due to the increase of the water temperature of the cooling liquid; and an evaporator 20 arranged in the air conditioner tank is further included in the air conditioner thermal management circuit. The input end of the heat exchange channel in the evaporator 20 is connected to the second connecting pipeline, and a third electronic expansion valve 24 is further arranged on the connecting pipeline, and the other end is connected to the pipeline between the first heat exchange element 1 and the compressor 9. The evaporator 20 can convert the liquid low-temperature refrigerant into vapor and absorb the heat of the cooled medium, achieving the corresponding refrigeration purpose.

[0090] Embodiment 2

[0091] Firstly, based on the above, the thermal management system has multiple thermal management units, and each thermal management unit corresponds to multiple circuits. The multiple circulating flow paths are collectively operated to form multiple comprehensive circuits to meet the functional requirements of the thermal management system. Next, the control method in actual application is introduced in combination with the structure and principle of the thermal management system.

[0092] In combination with Figure 2 , based on the thermal management system of the vehicle in Embodiment 1, the embodiment of the present application proposes a control method of the thermal management system of the vehicle, which comprises the following steps:

[0093] S1, acquiring the real-time inlet water temperature of the target vehicle controller, and judging the first temperature regulation requirement of the current controller; the first temperature regulation requirement at least includes: heating requirement and cooling requirement;

[0094] When the energy distribution of the thermal management system is performed, the first temperature regulation requirement of the controller is first determined, the specific heating requirement or cooling requirement is obtained by collecting the real-time inlet water temperature and comparing with the preset water temperature T10, and then the working mode of the thermal management system is selected according to the corresponding temperature regulation requirement.

[0095] Here, the target vehicle can be an intelligent driving vehicle or an automatic driving vehicle, which is not specifically limited.

[0096] S2, acquire the ambient temperature, and confirm the target working mode of the thermal management system based on the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time water inlet temperature, and the ambient temperature; the thermal management system comprises a battery-controller thermal management unit and an air conditioner thermal management unit coupled with each other;

[0097] In addition to the first temperature regulation requirement of the controller, the ambient temperature also needs to be acquired, and finally the heating or cooling circuit with high efficiency is selected according to the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time water inlet temperature, and the ambient temperature.

[0098] In addition, due to the coupling of the battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit based on the thermal management system architecture of the embodiment of the present application, in a preferred embodiment, after the ambient temperature is acquired, the method further comprises: step one, acquiring the second temperature regulation requirement corresponding to the battery pack of the target vehicle and the third temperature regulation requirement corresponding to the passenger cabin, respectively;

[0099] Step two, confirming the target working mode of the thermal management system based on the second temperature regulation requirement, the third temperature regulation requirement, the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time water inlet temperature, and the ambient temperature.

[0100] Due to the temperature control requirements of the battery pack and the passenger cabin of the target vehicle, on the one hand, the temperature control requirements are controlled by the battery management system (BMS), and on the other hand, the temperature control requirements are selected to be turned on by the user according to the user's own requirements, so that the second temperature regulation requirement and the third temperature regulation requirement can be acquired, and the real-time water inlet temperature and the ambient temperature can be combined to select the preferred target working mode that can meet multiple temperature control requirements.

[0101] S3, controlling the circuit flow and the opening degree of the proportional distribution valve in the battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit according to the target working mode, so as to meet the temperature regulation requirement.

[0102] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the working mode includes six kinds, which can be comprehensively selected according to the first temperature regulation requirement, the second temperature regulation requirement, the third temperature regulation requirement, the real-time water inlet temperature, and the ambient temperature to obtain the final target working mode, and finally the thermal management system is controlled to run according to the circuit flow and the opening degree of the proportional distribution valve corresponding to the target working mode.

[0103] It should be noted that in combination with the above judgment and acquisition actions, the method can be executed by the vehicle, or can be executed by the vehicle domain controller (VDC), the battery management system (BMS), and the instrument in cooperation.

[0104] The following is an example based on the working mode of the thermal management system and the actual application conditions.

[0105] (1) Working mode one: according to the first cooling liquid circuit + the first refrigerant circuit flow; this working mode can cool the intelligent / autonomous driving controller through the refrigerant.

[0106] When the real-time water inlet temperature of the controller is greater than T10, the cooling demand is generated, and the environment temperature is greater than T00, the cooling can be carried out through the air conditioner thermal management system and the first heat exchange element 1; the main path is that the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 9 first, then condensed and heat-released through the outdoor heat exchange element 13, and then evaporated and heat-absorbed through the first heat exchange element 1, so as to cool the cooling liquid flowing in the first heat exchange channel 11, and the cooled cooling liquid is used to cool the intelligent / autonomous driving controller; when the water inlet temperature of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller is less than T11, the cooling can be exited. This mode has strong cooling capacity, and can realize the rapid cooling of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller; in addition, if the real-time water inlet temperature is lower than the air dew point temperature and the water temperature cannot be increased by adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor 9, the water temperature of the cooling liquid can be adjusted by starting the heater 7.

[0107] (2) Working mode two: according to the first and second cooling liquid circuits + the first refrigerant circuit flow; the working principle of this working mode is similar to that of working mode one, that is, the intelligent / autonomous driving controller can be cooled through the refrigerant.

[0108] When the battery pack and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller both have cooling demand, the two output valve ports of the second three-way proportional valve 9 can be turned on, and the flow of the cooling liquid flowing through the battery pack and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller can be adjusted, and the cooling of the two can still be carried out through the air conditioner thermal management system and the first heat exchange element 1.

[0109] (3) Working mode three: according to the third cooling liquid circuit + the second refrigerant circuit flow; this working mode can heat the intelligent / autonomous driving controller by using the heat pump system.

[0110] When the ambient temperature is greater than T01, the air conditioning heat management system can absorb heat from the environment through the first electronic expansion valve 1 after throttling, and if the ambient temperature is less than T02, the air conditioning heat pump cannot absorb heat from the environment. When the real-time inlet water temperature of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller is less than T14, a heating demand is generated, and the ambient temperature is greater than T01, the main path of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller in response to the heating demand is that the compressor 9 compresses the refrigerant, and then condenses and releases heat in the second heat exchange element 2, and then absorbs heat from the environment through the outdoor heat exchange element 13 after throttling through the first electronic expansion valve 14, and then returns to the compressor 9; the other side of the cooling liquid is heated by the medium in the fourth heat exchange channel 22 when flowing through the second heat exchange element 2, and the heated cooling liquid flows into the intelligent / autonomous driving controller to realize heat pump heating of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller, and the heater 7 does not work at this time, and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller exits heating when the real-time inlet water temperature is greater than T13; this mode realizes heat pump system heating of the controller, and has high heating efficiency compared with using the heater 7, which can effectively reduce energy consumption and improve the cruising range.

[0111] (4) Working mode four: according to the comprehensive circuit composed of the second cooling liquid circuit and the third cooling liquid circuit + the second refrigerant circuit flow; this working mode is similar to working mode three, that is, the heat pump system can be used to heat the intelligent / autonomous driving controller.

[0112] When the battery pack and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller have a heating demand at the same time, and the ambient temperature is greater than T01, the air conditioning heat pump system can heat the intelligent / autonomous driving controller and the battery pack through working mode four; specifically, according to the demand of the battery pack and the controller, the flow through the intelligent / autonomous driving controller and the battery pack can be adjusted by turning on the two output valve ports of the second three-way proportional valve 9. The air conditioning heat pump system absorbs heat from the environment, which has higher efficiency than the heater, can effectively reduce energy consumption, and improve the cruising range.

[0113] Since the above-mentioned comprehensive circuit composed of the second cooling liquid circuit and the third cooling liquid circuit is mentioned, the circuit is further described here, that is, the circuit of the water pump 5→ the first three-way proportional valve 6→ the second heat exchange element 2→ the heater 7→ the third output valve port C of the second three-way proportional valve→ the controller cold plate 4 and the fourth output valve port D of the second three-way proportional valve→ the battery cold plate 3, and finally returns to the water pump 5.

[0114] (5) Working mode five: according to the first cooling liquid circuit + the third refrigerant circuit flow; this working mode can realize heater heating of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller in low-temperature working conditions or extremely low-temperature working conditions.

[0115] When the intelligent / autonomous driving controller has excess heat, it can be used to heat the passenger cabin. Specifically, when the real-time water inlet temperature of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller is less than T14 and the ambient temperature is less than T02, the coolant can be heated by the heater 7 to heat the intelligent / autonomous driving controller, and when the real-time water inlet temperature of the controller is greater than T13, the heater 7 heating is turned off; in low temperature conditions, when the real-time water inlet temperature of the controller is greater than T12, the air conditioning heat pump system can absorb heat through the first heat exchange element 1, and use the large amount of excess heat generated by the intelligent / autonomous driving controller to heat the passenger cabin, which can reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioner, improve the cruising range, and the real-time water inlet temperature is less than T13, the utilization of excess heat of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller is turned off.

[0116] (6) Working mode six: according to the first and second coolant circuits + the third refrigerant circuit flow; this working mode is similar to mode five in working principle, realizing the heating of the heater to heat the intelligent / autonomous driving controller, the battery and the passenger cabin; when the intelligent / autonomous driving controller has excess heat, it can be used to heat the battery or the passenger cabin.

[0117] When the real-time water inlet temperature of the controller is less than T14, the ambient temperature is less than T02, and the battery pack has heating demand, the battery pack and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller can be heated by the heater 7 and the second three-way proportional valve 8. The second three-way proportional valve 8 can adjust the flow of heated coolant through the battery pack and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller, and then distribute the heat; at the same time, since the passenger cabin cannot absorb heat from the environment, the first heat exchange element 1 and the heater 7 can also generate heat absorption to heat the passenger cabin; in low temperature conditions, when the real-time water inlet temperature of the controller is greater than T12, the air conditioning heat management system and the battery pack both have heating demand, the excess heat of the intelligent / autonomous driving controller can be used to heat the passenger cabin and the battery pack, and when the real-time water temperature is less than T13, the heating is turned off.

[0118] Based on the above description, it can be known that the application can realize the cooling of the battery pack and the intelligent / autonomous driving controller in high temperature conditions by working modes one and two; working modes three and four, the air conditioning heat pump system absorbs heat from the environment, and at the same time heats the intelligent / autonomous driving controller and the battery pack, the heat pump system has high heating efficiency, can reduce the energy consumption of the heat management system, and improve the cruising range; working modes five and six can use the heater to heat the battery pack, the intelligent / autonomous driving controller and the passenger cabin in low temperature conditions or extremely low temperature conditions, and at the same time, when the intelligent / autonomous driving controller generates excess heat, the excess heat can be used to reversely heat the battery pack and the passenger cabin to improve the discharge capacity of the battery pack, reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioner, and improve the low temperature cruising range of the whole vehicle.

[0119] It should be explained that the temperature values can be set as follows: T00 can be set as 30℃, T01 can be set as -7℃, and T02 can be set as -9℃; that is, T00>T01>T02; T10 can be set as 40℃, T11 can be set as 25℃, T12 can be set as 20℃, T13 can be set as 15℃, and T14 can be set as 0℃; that is, T10>T11>T12>T13>T14; the specific values set above are not specially limited, and are only exemplary.

[0120] The above description is merely preferred embodiments of the present application and a description of the technical principles of the application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the application disclosed in the present application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combinations of the above technical features, and should also cover other technical solutions formed by the combinations of the above technical features or equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the technical solutions formed by the mutual replacement of the above features and the technical features disclosed in the present application (but not limited to) having similar functions.

Claims

1. A thermal management system of a vehicle, characterized by, The application relates to a battery-controller-thermo-management unit and an air conditioner-thermo-management unit. The battery-controller-thermo-management unit and the air conditioner-thermo-management unit share a first heat exchange element (1) and a second heat exchange element (2), and the first heat exchange element (1) and the second heat exchange element (2) each comprise two heat exchange channels, and the two heat exchange channels of the same heat exchange element are respectively connected with the battery-controller-thermo-management unit and the air conditioner-thermo-management unit. The battery-controller-thermo-management unit comprises a battery cold plate (3) and a controller cold plate (4) arranged in parallel. The main pipeline connected with the battery cold plate (3) and the controller cold plate (4) in parallel is connected with the internal heat exchange channels of the first heat exchange element (1) and the second heat exchange element (2) through different proportional distribution valves respectively, so that the battery cold plate (3), the controller cold plate (4) and the air conditioner-thermo-management unit are coupled, and energy distribution control of the thermo-management system under different temperature control requirements is realized. The battery-controller-thermo-management unit comprises a first cooling liquid circuit. The first cooling liquid circuit comprises a water pump (5), a first three-way proportional valve (6), the first heat exchange element (1), a heater (7), a second three-way proportional valve (8) and the controller cold plate (4) connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path. The first three-way proportional valve (6) has a first input valve port, a first output valve port and a second output valve port, the first input valve port is connected with the output end of the water pump (5), the first output valve port is connected with the input end of the internal first heat exchange channel (11) of the first heat exchange element (1), and the output end of the first heat exchange channel (11) is connected with the input end of the heater (7). The second three-way proportional valve (8) has a second input valve port, a third output valve port and a fourth output valve port, the second input valve port is connected with the output end of the heater (7), and the third output valve port is connected with one end of the controller cold plate (4). The battery-controller-thermo-management unit comprises a second cooling liquid circuit. The second cooling liquid circuit is formed by the water pump (5), the first three-way proportional valve (6), the first heat exchange element (1), the heater (7), the second three-way proportional valve (8) and the battery cold plate (3) in the first cooling liquid circuit connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path. One end of the battery cold plate (3) is connected with the fourth output valve port, and the other end is connected with a connecting pipeline for connecting the water pump (5) and the controller cold plate (4). The air conditioner-thermo-management unit comprises a first refrigerant circuit. The first refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor (9), an indoor heat exchange element (10), the second heat exchange element (2), an outdoor heat exchange element (13) and the first heat exchange element (1) connected in sequence to form a circulating flow path. The output end of the compressor (9) is connected with the input end of the indoor heat exchange element (10), and the input end is connected with the output end of the internal second heat exchange channel (12) of the first heat exchange element (1). ​ The output end of the indoor heat exchange element (10) is connected with the input end of the fourth heat exchange channel (22) in the second heat exchange element (2); the output end of the fourth heat exchange channel (22) is connected with the input end of the outdoor heat exchange element (13); the output end of the outdoor heat exchange element (13) is connected with the input end of the second heat exchange channel (12); A first electronic expansion valve (14) is arranged on the first connecting pipeline between the second heat exchange element (2) and the outdoor heat exchange element (13); a one-way valve (15) and a second electronic expansion valve (16) are arranged on the second connecting pipeline between the outdoor heat exchange element (13) and the first heat exchange element (1) in sequence.

2. The thermal management system of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by The battery-controller thermal management unit comprises a third cooling liquid circuit; The third cooling liquid circuit forms a circulating flow path by the water pump (5), the first three-way proportional valve (6), the heater (7), the second three-way proportional valve (8), the controller cold plate (4) and the second heat exchange element (2) in the first cooling liquid circuit. The input end of a third heat exchange channel (21) in the second heat exchange element (2) is connected with the second output valve port, and the output end of the third heat exchange channel (21) is connected with the heater (7).

3. A thermal management system for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein The air conditioner thermal management unit comprises a second refrigerant circuit; The second refrigerant circuit comprises a circulating flow path formed by the compressor (9), the indoor heat exchange element (10), the second heat exchange element (2) and the outdoor heat exchange element (13) in the first refrigerant circuit in sequence. The output end of the outdoor heat exchange element (13) is connected with the input end of the compressor (9) through a first branch pipeline arranged in parallel with the first heat exchange element (1); a first electromagnetic valve (17) is arranged on the first branch pipeline; one end of the first branch pipeline is connected with the second connecting pipeline, and the connection port thereof is located between the one-way valve (15) and the second electronic expansion valve (16); the other end of the first branch pipeline is connected with the connecting pipeline between the first heat exchange element (1) and the compressor (9).

4. The thermal management system of claim 3, wherein The air conditioner thermal management unit comprises a third refrigerant circuit; The third refrigerant circuit comprises a circulating flow path formed by the compressor (9), the indoor heat exchange element (10), the second heat exchange element (2) and the first heat exchange element (1) in the first refrigerant circuit in sequence. The output end of the fourth heat exchange channel (22) is connected with the input end of the second heat exchange channel (12) through a second branch pipeline arranged in parallel with the outdoor heat exchange element (13); a second electromagnetic valve (18) is arranged on the second branch pipeline; The two ends of the second branch pipeline are respectively connected with the first connecting pipeline and the second connecting pipeline, and the two connection ports are respectively located on the side of the first electronic expansion valve (14) away from the outdoor heat exchange element (13) and between the one-way valve (15) and the second electronic expansion valve (16).

5. A thermal management system for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein A gas-liquid separator (19) is further arranged between the first heat exchange element (1) and the compressor (9).

6. A control method of a thermal management system of a vehicle, characterized by, The method applied to the thermal management system of the vehicle of any one of claims 1-5, comprising: obtaining a real-time inlet water temperature of a target vehicle controller, and determining a first temperature regulation requirement of the current controller; the first temperature regulation requirement at least includes heating requirement and cooling requirement; obtaining an ambient temperature, and confirming a target working mode of the thermal management system based on the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time inlet water temperature and the ambient temperature; the thermal management system includes a battery-controller thermal management unit and an air conditioner thermal management unit coupled with each other; controlling the loop circulation inside the battery-controller thermal management unit and the air conditioner thermal management unit and the opening degree of the proportional distribution valve according to the target working mode, so as to meet the temperature regulation requirement.

7. The vehicle thermal management system control method according to claim 6, characterized by, After obtaining the ambient temperature, the method further comprises: obtaining a second temperature regulation requirement corresponding to a battery pack of the target vehicle and a third temperature regulation requirement corresponding to a passenger cabin, respectively; confirming a target working mode of the thermal management system based on the second temperature regulation requirement, the third temperature regulation requirement, the first temperature regulation requirement, the real-time inlet water temperature and the ambient temperature.

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