A thermal management system, method and vehicle for integrated processing of a vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a heat management system, a method and a car for integrated processing of the car, comprising: a refrigeration cycle loop, a compressor and a refrigeration device being sequentially arranged on the refrigeration cycle loop; a first heat exchanger being arranged on a first heat exchange cycle loop, the first heat exchange cycle loop passing through the refrigeration device and exchanging heat with the refrigeration cycle loop at the refrigeration device; wherein the refrigeration cycle loop is arranged in a front engine compartment of the car, and the first heat exchange cycle loop is arranged in a passenger compartment of the car, and the technical scheme in the application has at least the following beneficial effects: the refrigeration cycle loop is arranged in the front engine compartment, the first heat exchange cycle loop is arranged to exchange heat with the refrigeration cycle loop, the first heat exchange cycle loop is arranged in the passenger compartment, the passenger compartment is cooled by the first heat exchange cycle loop, the overall structure of the refrigeration cycle loop is shortened, the refrigerant does not need to flow to the passenger compartment, and only circulates in the front engine compartment, thereby reducing leakage points and system arrangement requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive thermal management technology, specifically to an integrated automotive thermal management system, method, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Because the powertrain structure of electric vehicles differs from that of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, their thermal management systems also differ significantly. In high-temperature environments, electric vehicles need to generate sufficient cooling capacity to meet the cooling requirements of the vehicle interior.

[0003] Current automotive temperature control units cool the vehicle via a refrigerant system. However, due to the special nature of refrigerants, the balance of air conditioning system pressure, refrigerant flow distribution, and cooling efficiency are all constrained by unreasonable multi-loop distribution when the refrigerant is transported to various parts of the vehicle. This makes it difficult to maintain good system efficiency under complex and variable operating conditions, resulting in the system's actual performance failing to meet design goals. Furthermore, the numerous cooling system loops and the large distribution area of ​​various components lead to many refrigerant connection points, complex pressure-resistant piping design, and increased risk of leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal management system, method and vehicle for integrated automotive processing, to solve the problems in the prior art that the large number of cooling system circuits and the large distribution area of ​​various components lead to many refrigerant connection points, complex pressure-resistant pipeline design and increased risk of leakage.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a thermal management system for automotive integrated processing, comprising:

[0006] A refrigeration cycle circuit, wherein a compressor and a refrigerator are sequentially arranged in the refrigeration cycle circuit;

[0007] A first heat exchange circulation loop is provided with a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchange circulation loop passes through the refrigerator and exchanges heat with the refrigeration circulation loop at the refrigerator.

[0008] The refrigeration cycle circuit is located in the front engine compartment of the vehicle, and the first heat exchange cycle circuit is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0009] Optionally, the first heat exchange loop includes a first branch and multiple circulating refrigeration branches. The first branch exchanges heat with the circulating refrigeration branch loop through the refrigerator, and the multiple circulating refrigeration branches are all connected to the first branch.

[0010] Multiple of the aforementioned circulating refrigeration branches are located within the crew compartment.

[0011] Optionally, the thermal management system further includes:

[0012] The compressor, the condenser, and the refrigeration unit are sequentially arranged in the refrigeration cycle circuit;

[0013] The second heat exchange circulation loop is provided with a second heat exchanger. The second heat exchange circulation loop passes through the condenser and exchanges heat with the refrigeration circulation loop in the condenser.

[0014] The second heat exchange circulation loop is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0015] Optionally, the second heat exchange circulation loop includes a second branch and multiple circulating heating branches. The second branch exchanges heat with the circulating cooling branch loop through the condenser, and the multiple circulating heating branches are all connected to the second branch.

[0016] Multiple of the aforementioned circulating refrigeration branches are located within the crew compartment.

[0017] Optionally, the first heat exchange circulation loop further includes a third branch connected to the first branch, and the second heat exchange circulation loop further includes a fourth branch connected to the second branch. Both the third branch and the fourth branch exchange heat through a battery heat exchanger.

[0018] Optionally, the second heat exchange circulation loop further includes a fifth branch, which passes through an external radiator located downstream of the second heat exchanger.

[0019] Optionally, the refrigeration cycle circuit includes a sixth branch and a seventh branch connected in parallel. The sixth branch and the seventh branch are both located downstream of the compressor in the medium flow direction of the refrigeration cycle circuit. An air-cooled radiator is provided on the sixth branch, and the condenser is provided on the seventh branch.

[0020] This application also provides a thermal management method for automotive integrated processing, including the aforementioned thermal management system:

[0021] When the car needs to be cooled, the refrigeration cycle circuit uses a compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle circuit.

[0022] The refrigeration cycle loop and the first heat exchange cycle loop exchange heat through a refrigerator.

[0023] The first heat exchange loop cools the crew compartment.

[0024] Optionally, when the interior of the car needs to be heated, the condenser in the cooling cycle loop releases heat;

[0025] The refrigeration cycle loop and the second heat exchange cycle loop exchange heat through the condenser.

[0026] The second heat exchange loop heats the crew compartment.

[0027] This application also provides an automobile including the aforementioned thermal management system.

[0028] As described above, the beneficial effects of the technical solution in this invention include at least the following: the refrigeration cycle loop is set in the forward engine compartment, and a first heat exchange cycle loop is set to exchange heat with the refrigeration cycle loop. The first heat exchange cycle loop is set in the passenger compartment, and the passenger compartment is cooled down through the first heat exchange cycle loop. The overall structure of the refrigeration cycle loop is shortened, the refrigerant does not need to flow to the passenger compartment, but only circulates in the forward engine compartment, reducing leakage points and system layout requirements. At the same time, because the structure of the refrigeration cycle loop is simplified, the first heat exchange cycle loop can use a transport material with weak vibration to transport the coolant, reducing the vibration generated during cooling.

[0029] Moreover, by replacing the evaporator in the existing technology with a cooler and a first heat exchanger, the problem of frost formation on the evaporator surface can be avoided, and the range of lower evaporation temperature and evaporation pressure can be extended, thus expanding the capacity range of the refrigeration system. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the thermal management system structure of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a thermal management system including a second heat exchange loop, which is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Part number explanation:

[0033] 1. Refrigeration cycle loop; 11. Compressor; 12. Refrigerator; 13. Gas-liquid separator; 14. Liquid receiver; 15. Condenser; 16. Sixth branch; 17. Seventh branch; 18. Proportional distribution valve; 19. Air-cooled radiator; 2. First heat exchange cycle loop; 21. First heat exchanger; 22. First branch; 23. Third branch; 24. Cold water tank; 3. Second heat exchange cycle loop; 31. Second heat exchanger; 32. Second branch; 33. Fourth branch; 34. Fifth branch; 35. External radiator; 36. Hot water tank; 4. Battery heat exchanger; 5. Electric water pump. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0036] Numerous details are explored in the following description to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other embodiments, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 The present invention provides a thermal management system for automotive integrated processing, comprising: a refrigeration cycle loop 1, wherein a compressor 11 and a refrigerator 12 are sequentially arranged on the refrigeration cycle loop 1; a first heat exchange cycle loop 2 is provided with a first heat exchanger 21, wherein the first heat exchange cycle loop 2 passes through the refrigerator 12 and exchanges heat with the refrigeration cycle loop 1 at the refrigerator 12; wherein the refrigeration cycle loop 1 is located in the front engine compartment of the vehicle, and the first heat exchange cycle loop 2 is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0038] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the system includes a refrigeration cycle loop 1 and a first heat exchange cycle loop 2. The refrigeration cycle loop 1 is located in the forward engine compartment, and refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle loop 1. The refrigeration cycle loop 1 includes a gas-liquid separator 13, a compressor 11, a liquid receiver 14, and a refrigerator 12. The gas-liquid separator 13, compressor 11, liquid receiver 14, and refrigerator 12 are sequentially connected to form a closed loop. The refrigerant flows sequentially from the gas-liquid separator 13, compressor 11, liquid receiver 14, and refrigerator 12 and finally returns to the gas-liquid separator 13. The first heat exchange cycle loop 2 is a refrigeration loop, and the first heat exchange cycle loop 2 is connected to the refrigeration cycle loop 1 via the refrigerator 12. Heat exchange (the first heat exchange loop 2 achieves cooling and temperature reduction through the refrigeration unit 12). The first heat exchange loop 2 is equipped with a first heat exchanger 21 (the cold core of the air conditioning unit) to achieve cooling of the passenger compartment. The coolant flowing in the first heat exchange loop 2 is coolant (cold water is used in this embodiment). The first heat exchange loop 2 is set in the vehicle body and passenger compartment. Cold water replaces the refrigerant and flows in the vehicle body and passenger compartment. The refrigerant does not need to flow to the passenger compartment, but only circulates in the front engine compartment. The high-pressure component refrigeration unit in the vehicle can be removed, the connecting pipes can be reduced, the leakage points and system layout requirements can be reduced, the number of thermal expansion valves, electronic expansion valves and shut-off valves in the vehicle can be reduced, and the design structure of the refrigeration loop 1 can be simplified.

[0039] Furthermore, the first heat exchange loop 2 does not require the transport of refrigerant and uses materials with low vibration, such as TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer) modified materials and rubber materials, which can significantly reduce the vibration generated during cooling and improve the noise of refrigerant flow and vibration in the vehicle.

[0040] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the existing evaporator structure is replaced by a combination structure of the cooler 12 and the first heat exchanger 21, which avoids the problem of frost formation on the surface of the evaporator structure, and can extend the range of lower evaporation temperature and evaporation pressure, thereby expanding the capacity range of the refrigeration system.

[0041] The first heat exchange circulation loop 2 includes a first branch 22 and multiple circulating refrigeration branches. The first branch 22 exchanges heat with the circulating refrigeration branch loop through the refrigerator 12, and the multiple circulating refrigeration branches are all connected to the first branch 22.

[0042] The first branch 22 is located in the forward engine compartment and exchanges heat with the refrigeration cycle loop 1. The first branch 22 exchanges heat with the refrigerator 12. Multiple circulating refrigeration branches are set in the crew compartment to cool the crew compartment. One or more of the multiple circulating refrigeration branches pass through the first heat exchanger 21 to output refrigeration. A cold water tank 24 is also provided between the output end of the first branch 22 and the input end of the multiple circulating refrigeration branches. The cold water tank 24 is used to store the coolant after the first branch 22 exchanges heat with the refrigerator 12. The cold water tank 24 is provided with multiple outlets that are connected to the multiple circulating refrigeration branches respectively (or a multi-port connector can be used instead of a cold water tank 24, which is not limited here).

[0043] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the first heat exchange circulation loop 2 includes a first branch 22 and multiple circulating refrigeration branches. The first branch 22 and the refrigeration circulation loop 1 exchange heat to achieve a cooling effect. Both ends of the multiple refrigeration branches are connected to both ends of the first branch 22. The multiple refrigeration branches are arranged in parallel at various locations of the vehicle body and passenger compartment for cooling. Each circulating refrigeration branch is equipped with an electric water pump 5 to allow cold water to enter the corresponding refrigeration branch to cool the vehicle body.

[0044] The first heat exchanger 21 is installed on the first branch 22, and the first heat exchanger 21 cools the crew compartment.

[0045] Please see Figure 2 The thermal management system further includes:

[0046] The condenser 15, the compressor 11, the condenser 15 and the refrigerator 12 are sequentially arranged on the refrigeration cycle circuit 1;

[0047] The second heat exchange circulation loop 3 is provided with a second heat exchanger 31 (heat core of the air conditioning unit). The second heat exchange circulation loop 3 passes through the condenser 15 and exchanges heat with the refrigeration circulation loop 1 in the condenser 15.

[0048] The second heat exchange circulation loop 3 is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0049] In one embodiment of this application, the refrigeration cycle loop 1 further includes a condenser 15, which is disposed between the compressor 11 and the liquid storage tank 14. It also includes a second heat exchange cycle loop 3, which is a heating loop that heats the vehicle body and passenger compartment. The second heat exchange cycle loop 3 exchanges heat with the refrigeration cycle loop 1 through the condenser 15, thereby heating the water. The heated water then heats the vehicle body and passenger compartment.

[0050] By connecting the condenser 15 to the second heat exchange loop 3 for heating, a heat source can be provided to supplement the system in winter. Furthermore, the compressor 11 can achieve a COP (Coefficient of Performance is an important indicator for measuring system energy efficiency) > 1 through the compression cycle, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0051] The second heat exchange circulation loop 3 includes a second branch 32 and multiple circulating heating branches. The second branch 32 exchanges heat with the circulating cooling branch loop through the condenser 15, and the multiple circulating heating branches are all connected to the second branch 32.

[0052] The second branch 32 is located in the refrigeration cycle loop 1 in the forward engine compartment for heat exchange. The second branch 32 exchanges heat with the condenser 15. Multiple circulating refrigeration branches are set in the crew compartment to heat the crew compartment. One or more of the multiple circulating heating branches pass through the second heat exchanger 31 to output heat. A hot water tank 36 is set between the output end of the second branch 32 and the input ends of the multiple circulating heating branches. The hot water tank 36 is used to store the hot water exchanged between the second branch 32 and the condenser 15. The hot water tank 36 is provided with multiple outlets that are connected to the multiple circulating heating branches respectively (or a multi-port connector can be used instead of a hot water tank 36, which is not limited here).

[0053] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the second heat exchange circulation loop 3 includes a second branch 32 and multiple circulating heating branches. Both ends of each circulating heating branch are connected to both ends of the second branch 32. The second branch 32 exchanges heat with the condenser 15. The hot water heated by the second branch 32 then flows through the multiple circulating heating branches into the crew compartment to heat the crew compartment. Each circulating heating branch is equipped with an electric water pump 5.

[0054] The second branch 32 includes a high-pressure water heating PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient, referring to semiconductor materials or components with a large positive temperature coefficient). According to the hot water flow direction of the second branch 32, the hot water tank 36 is located downstream of the high-pressure water heating PTC. After the hot water in the second branch 32 exchanges heat with the condenser 15, it enters the high-pressure water heating PTC for reheating, and finally enters the circulating heating branch. The second heat exchanger 31 realizes the output of hot air to heat the crew cabin.

[0055] The first heat exchange circulation loop 2 further includes a third branch 23, which is connected to the first branch 22. The second heat exchange circulation loop 3 further includes a fourth branch 33, which is connected to the second branch 32. Both the third branch 23 and the fourth branch 33 exchange heat through the battery heat exchanger 4.

[0056] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the third branch 23 and the fourth branch 33 are connected to the battery heat exchanger 4. When the battery heat exchanger 4 needs to be cooled, the cold water in the third branch 23 cools the battery heat exchanger 4. When the battery heat exchanger 4 needs to be heated, the hot water in the fourth branch 33 heats the battery heat exchanger 4.

[0057] The battery heat exchanger 4 contains two channels that are not connected to each other. The third branch 23 is connected to the first channel of the battery heat exchanger 4 for heat exchange, and the fourth branch 33 is connected to the second channel of the battery heat exchanger 4 for heat exchange.

[0058] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the cooling of the battery heat exchanger 4 and the cooling of the crew compartment are both achieved through the first heat exchange loop 2. The evaporation pressure requirements of the battery heat exchanger 4 and the crew compartment are consistent, so there will be no problem of multi-loop hydraulic imbalance caused by the difference in evaporation pressure between the battery heat exchanger 4 and the crew compartment, thereby ensuring the cooling performance of the crew compartment.

[0059] The second heat exchange circulation loop 3 also includes a fifth branch 34, which passes through an external radiator 35, which is located downstream of the second heat exchanger 31.

[0060] In one embodiment of this application, an external radiator 35 (i.e., a water tank) is also provided.

[0061] The refrigeration cycle circuit 1 includes a sixth branch 16 and a seventh branch 17 connected in parallel. The sixth branch 16 and the seventh branch 17 are both located downstream of the compressor 11 in the medium flow direction of the refrigeration cycle circuit 1. A wind-cooled radiator 19 is provided on the sixth branch 16, and the condenser 15 is provided on the seventh branch 17.

[0062] In one embodiment of this application, specifically, the refrigeration cycle circuit 1 includes a sixth branch 16 and a seventh branch 17 connected in parallel. The sixth branch 16 and the seventh branch 17 are connected to the main circuit of the refrigeration cycle circuit 1 through a proportional distribution valve 18. Both the sixth branch 16 and the seventh branch 17 are connected to the liquid storage tank 14. When the refrigeration cycle circuit 1 is cooling, the proportional distribution valve 18 directs all the refrigerant from the sixth branch 16 into the liquid storage tank 14. When the refrigeration cycle circuit 1 is heating, the proportional distribution valve 18 directs the refrigerant from the seventh branch 17 into the liquid storage tank 14.

[0063] This application also provides a thermal management method for automotive integrated processing, including the aforementioned thermal management system, wherein the thermal management method includes:

[0064] When the car needs to be cooled, the refrigeration cycle circuit 1 compresses the refrigerant through the compressor 11 to cool it, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle circuit 1.

[0065] The refrigeration cycle loop 1 and the first heat exchange cycle loop 2 exchange heat through the refrigerator 12;

[0066] The first heat exchange loop 2 cools the crew compartment.

[0067] When the interior of the car needs to be heated, the condenser 15 of the cooling cycle circuit 1 releases heat.

[0068] The refrigeration cycle loop 1 and the second heat exchange cycle loop 3 exchange heat through the condenser 15.

[0069] The second heat exchange loop 3 heats the crew compartment.

[0070] This application also provides an automobile including the aforementioned thermal management system.

[0071] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management system for automotive integrated processing, characterized in that, include: A refrigeration cycle circuit, wherein a compressor and a refrigerator are sequentially arranged in the refrigeration cycle circuit; A first heat exchange circulation loop is provided with a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchange circulation loop passes through the refrigerator and exchanges heat with the refrigeration circulation loop at the refrigerator. The refrigeration cycle circuit is located in the front engine compartment of the vehicle, and the first heat exchange cycle circuit is located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The first heat exchange circulation loop includes a first branch and multiple circulating refrigeration branches. The first branch exchanges heat with the circulating refrigeration branch loop through the refrigerator, and the multiple circulating refrigeration branches are all connected to the first branch. Among them, multiple of the aforementioned circulating refrigeration branches are arranged in the crew compartment; The thermal management system also includes: The compressor, the condenser, and the refrigeration unit are sequentially arranged in the refrigeration cycle circuit; The second heat exchange circulation loop is provided with a second heat exchanger. The second heat exchange circulation loop passes through the condenser and exchanges heat with the refrigeration circulation loop in the condenser. The second heat exchange circulation loop is located inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle; The second heat exchange circulation loop includes a second branch and multiple circulating heating branches. The second branch exchanges heat with the circulating cooling branch loop through the condenser, and the multiple circulating heating branches are all connected to the second branch. Among them, multiple of the aforementioned circulating refrigeration branches are arranged in the crew compartment; The first heat exchange circulation loop further includes a third branch, which is connected to the first branch. The second heat exchange circulation loop further includes a fourth branch, which is connected to the second branch. Both the third branch and the fourth branch exchange heat through a battery heat exchanger.

2. The automotive integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second heat exchange circulation loop also includes a fifth branch, which passes through an external radiator located downstream of the second heat exchanger.

3. The automotive integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration cycle circuit includes a sixth branch and a seventh branch connected in parallel. Both the sixth branch and the seventh branch are located downstream of the compressor in the direction of medium flow in the refrigeration cycle circuit. An air-cooled radiator is provided on the sixth branch, and the condenser is provided on the seventh branch.

4. A thermal management method for integrated automotive processing, characterized in that, Including the thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1-3: When the car needs to be cooled, the refrigeration cycle circuit uses a compressor to compress the refrigerant for cooling, and the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle circuit. The refrigeration cycle loop and the first heat exchange cycle loop exchange heat through a refrigerator. The first heat exchange loop cools the crew compartment.

5. The thermal management method for automotive integrated processing according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the interior of the car needs to be heated, the condenser in the cooling cycle circuit releases heat; The refrigeration cycle loop and the second heat exchange cycle loop exchange heat through the condenser. The second heat exchange loop heats the crew compartment.

6. A car, characterized in that, Includes the thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1-3.

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