Thermal management system, energy storage container and control method of thermal management system

Abstract

The invention provides a heat management system, an energy storage container and a control method of the heat management system.The heat management system is used for conducting heat exchange on a battery and comprises a refrigerant loop, and the refrigerant loop comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling element, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger and a multi-way valve which are sequentially connected; the third heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchange part exchanging heat with the first heat exchange part, the first heat exchange part is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the throttling element, and the second heat exchange part is arranged between the second heat exchanger and the compressor; the multi-way valve is connected with an outlet of the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part, an inlet of the compressor and the second heat exchange part, and the working states of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger can be switched. In the refrigeration mode, the supercooling degree of the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part is increased, so that the dryness of the refrigerant flowing through the throttling element and flowing to the second heat exchanger is smaller, and uniform temperature of a plurality of battery cells in the battery is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of energy storage containers, and in particular to a thermal management system, an energy storage container, and a control method for the thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] In the field of energy storage systems, the batteries in the energy storage systems have high requirements on the temperature they are in, and a thermal management system is required to ensure that the batteries are within a certain temperature range. In the process of realizing the present invention, the inventors found that there are at least the following technical problems in the prior art: when the battery temperature is high, a refrigerant circuit is required to directly exchange heat with the battery. The refrigerant flows to the cold plate after condensation by the condenser and throttling by the throttling device. The refrigerant flowing to the cold plate exchanges heat with the battery to achieve cooling of the battery. The refrigerant is usually in a gas-liquid two-phase state after only one throttling. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows to the cold plate, and the cold plate cannot ensure uniform temperature of multiple cells in the battery. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present application provides a thermal management system, which at least effectively improves the temperature uniformity of the thermal management system for multiple batteries in the battery in the cooling mode. The present application also provides an energy storage container including the above thermal management system. The present application also provides a thermal management system control method applicable to the above thermal management system.

[0004] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] A thermal management system for exchanging heat for a plurality of batteries in an energy storage system includes a refrigerant circuit, wherein the refrigerant circuit includes:

[0006] A compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling element and a second heat exchanger connected in sequence;

[0007] A third heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchange part for exchanging heat with the first heat exchange part, wherein the first heat exchange part is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the throttling element, and the second heat exchange part is arranged between the second heat exchanger and the compressor;

[0008] The multi-way valve is respectively connected to the outlet of the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part, the inlet of the compressor, and the second heat exchange part, and can switch the working states of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0009] Optionally, the multi-way valve includes a first interface connected to the compressor outlet, a second interface connected to the first heat exchanger or the first heat exchange part, a third interface connected to the compressor inlet, and a fourth interface connected to the second heat exchange part, and in different modes, different interfaces among the first interface, the second interface, the third interface and the fourth interface are connected in pairs.

[0010] Optional,

[0011] When the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, the second interface of the multi-way valve is connected to the first heat exchanger;

[0012] When the refrigerant circuit is in a heating mode, the second interface of the multi-way valve is connected to the first heat exchange part.

[0013] Optionally, the thermal management system also includes:

[0014] A first branch, a second branch and a third branch are arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and are connected in series in sequence, and a liquid reservoir and a filter are arranged in sequence on the second branch in the flow direction of the refrigerant;

[0015] a fourth branch, connected in parallel with the second branch and the third branch;

[0016] a fifth branch, connected in parallel with the first branch and the second branch;

[0017] The first branch, the third branch, the fourth branch and the fifth branch are all provided with regulating valves for adjusting the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir and the filter in sequence in the cooling mode or the heating mode.

[0018] Optionally, the first branch is provided with a first one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the first heat exchanger to the second branch, the third branch is provided with a second one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second branch to the second heat exchanger, the fourth branch is provided with a third one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second heat exchanger to the second branch, and the fifth branch is provided with a fourth one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second branch to the first heat exchanger.

[0019] Optionally, the thermal management system also includes a graded throttling component arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, a plurality of the second heat exchangers are arranged in parallel, and each of the second heat exchangers exchanges heat with the same battery, and the graded throttling component can throttle the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger at least twice, and make the throttled refrigerant flow evenly to the plurality of second heat exchangers.

[0020] Optionally, the second interface of the multi-way valve and the second heat exchanger are connected through a sixth branch, the second heat exchanger and the compressor are connected through a seventh branch, and the first heat exchange part is located in the sixth branch, and the second heat exchange part is located in the seventh branch.

[0021] Optionally, the thermal management system includes:

[0022] The eighth branch is provided with the compressor and the gas-liquid separator;

[0023] a ninth branch, connected in parallel with the eighth branch, and a first throttling element is arranged in the ninth branch;

[0024] The tenth branch is connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger, and a solenoid valve is arranged on the tenth branch.

[0025] Optionally, the thermal management system includes:

[0026] an eleventh branch connecting the fourth interface of the multi-way valve and the third heat exchanger, and a fifth one-way valve is provided on the eleventh branch for only allowing the refrigerant to flow from the third heat exchanger to the multi-way valve;

[0027] The twelfth branch is connected in parallel with the eleventh branch, and the eleventh branch is provided with a second throttling element.

[0028] An energy storage container comprises any one of the thermal management systems described above.

[0029] A control method for a thermal management system, applicable to any of the thermal management systems described above, comprises the following steps:

[0030] In heating mode:

[0031] Control the first interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve to be connected and the second interface and the third interface to be connected, control the second throttle and the throttle to be opened, control the first throttle to be closed, and control the compressor to start; so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve, the second throttle, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the throttle, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second interface of the multi-way valve, the third interface of the multi-way valve, and the gas-liquid separator in sequence and then flows back to the compressor;

[0032] In very low temperature heating mode:

[0033] Control the first interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve to be connected and the second interface and the third interface to be connected, control the second throttle, the throttle and the first throttle to open, and control the compressor to start; so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is divided into two parts, one part of the refrigerant flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve, the second throttle, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the throttle, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second interface of the multi-way valve, the third interface of the multi-way valve, and the gas-liquid separator in sequence, and then flows back to the compressor; the other part of the refrigerant flows through the first throttle and the gas-liquid separator and then flows back to the compressor;

[0034] In cooling mode:

[0035] Control the first interface and the second interface of the multi-way valve to be connected and the third interface and the fourth interface to be connected, control the second throttling device and the first throttling device to be closed, control the throttling device to be opened, and control the compressor to start, so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve, the second interface of the multi-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the throttling device, the second heat exchanger, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve, the third interface of the multi-way valve, and the gas-liquid separator in sequence and then flows back to the compressor.

[0036] The thermal management system provided in the present application is provided with a refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling device and a second heat exchanger connected in sequence, wherein the first heat exchanger is used for exchanging heat with the environment, and the second heat exchanger is used for exchanging heat with the battery, and the refrigerant flows from the compressor to the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part, the throttling device, the second heat exchanger and the second heat exchange part in the refrigerant circuit in sequence to cool the battery; the refrigerant flows from the compressor to the second heat exchange part, the second heat exchanger, the throttling device, the first heat exchanger and the first heat exchange part in the refrigerant circuit in sequence to heat the battery. With such arrangement, in the cooling mode of the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant flowing from the second heat exchanger to the second heat exchange part exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing from the first heat exchanger to the first heat exchange part, so as to increase the supercooling of the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part, thereby making the dryness of the refrigerant flowing to the second heat exchanger after passing through the throttling device smaller. In other words, there is more liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant flowing to the second heat exchanger, thereby ensuring uniform temperature of multiple battery cells in the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management system provided in this embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management system in cooling mode;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management system in the heating mode;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management system in heating mode at extremely low temperatures.

[0042] Figure 1-Figure 4 middle:

[0043] 1- compressor, 2- first heat exchanger, 3- third heat exchanger, 4- second heat exchanger, 5- gas-liquid separator, 6- multi-way valve, 7- first branch, 8- second branch, 9- third branch, 10- fourth branch, 11- fifth branch, 12- liquid storage tank, 13- filter, 14- first check valve, 15- second check valve, 16- third check valve, 17- fourth check valve, 18- graded throttling assembly, 19- sixth branch, 20- seventh branch, 21-eighth branch, 22-ninth branch, 23-tenth branch, 24-first throttling element, 25-solenoid valve, 26-eleventh branch, 27-twelfth branch, 28-fifth one-way valve, 29-second throttling element, 30-thirteenth branch, 31-fourteenth branch, 32-fifteenth branch, 33-sixteenth branch, 34-seventeenth branch, 35-sixth one-way valve, 36-seventh one-way valve, 37-eighth one-way valve, 38-ninth one-way valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The present application provides a thermal management system. The present application also provides an energy storage container including the thermal management system. The present application also provides a control method of the thermal management system applicable to the thermal management system.

[0045] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0046] like Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a thermal management system, which is a component of an energy storage container and is used to exchange heat for multiple batteries of the energy storage system, that is, the thermal management system is used to cool or heat the batteries so that the batteries are at a suitable operating temperature. The thermal management system includes a refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant circuit is sequentially connected to a compressor 1, a first heat exchanger 2, a throttling device and a second heat exchanger 4, as well as a third heat exchanger 3 and a multi-way valve 6; wherein the third heat exchanger 3 includes a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchange part that exchanges heat with the first heat exchange part, and the first heat exchange part is arranged between the first heat exchanger 2 and the throttling device, and the second heat exchange part is arranged between the second heat exchanger 4 and the compressor 1; the multi-way valve 6 is respectively connected to the outlet of the compressor 1, the first heat exchanger 2, the first heat exchange part, the inlet of the compressor 1, and the second heat exchange part, and can switch the working states of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4.

[0047] In this embodiment, an optional implementation is provided. When the battery temperature is high, the battery needs to be cooled by a refrigerant circuit. Figure 2The specific working mode is as follows: first, the compressor 1 works to compress the refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows to the first heat exchanger 2 through the multi-way valve 6. At this time, the first heat exchanger 2 is a condenser, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with the external environment in the first heat exchanger 2, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant becomes a medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant; then, the medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 2 flows through the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3 and then flows to the throttling device, and the throttling device throttles the medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows to the second heat exchanger 4; the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with the battery, and transfers the cold in the refrigerant to the battery to achieve cooling of the battery; then, from The refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger 4 is wet steam with a dryness less than 1. The refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger 4 flows to the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, and the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part and the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchange part in the third heat exchanger 3 will exchange heat to increase the supercooling of the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part. The wet steam flowing through the second heat exchange part is completely evaporated and superheated, so that only two-phase refrigerant is achieved in the second heat exchanger during refrigeration, and the battery is kept at a constant temperature by the latent heat of evaporation; the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange part flows through the multi-way valve 6 and then flows to the gas-liquid separator 5, the gas-liquid separator 5 separates the gas and liquid in the refrigerant, and the gaseous refrigerant flows back to the compressor 1, thereby completing a refrigeration cycle for the battery.

[0048] In this embodiment, another optional implementation is provided. When the battery temperature is low, the battery needs to be heated by a refrigerant circuit. Figure 3 The specific working mode is as follows: first, the compressor 1 works to compress the refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows through the multi-way valve 6 and then flows to the second heat exchange part, and then flows to the second heat exchanger 4. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with the battery, and the refrigerant transfers heat to the battery to heat the battery; then, the high-pressure refrigerant with reduced temperature flowing out of the second heat exchanger 4 flows to the throttling device, and the throttling device throttles the high-pressure refrigerant with reduced temperature into low-pressure refrigerant; then, the low-pressure refrigerant flows to the first heat exchange part, and the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part is heated to the battery. The medium will exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchange part to reduce the superheat of the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchange part; then, the refrigerant flows to the first heat exchanger 2. At this time, the first heat exchanger 2 is an evaporator. The low-pressure refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment through the first heat exchanger 2, and the dryness of the refrigerant increases, and finally it is completely evaporated and superheated in the first heat exchange part; finally, the refrigerant with increased temperature flows through the multi-way valve 6 and then flows to the gas-liquid separator 5. The gas-liquid separator 5 separates the gas and liquid in the refrigerant, and the gaseous refrigerant flows back to the compressor 1, thereby completing a heating cycle for the battery.

[0049] It should be noted that the throttling device is a throttling device arranged in the second branch 8 in the graded throttling assembly 18 mentioned below.

[0050] It should also be noted that the battery can be a battery in all electrical energy fields such as photovoltaic power generation, tidal power generation, thermal power generation, nuclear power generation, geothermal power generation, hydropower generation, biomass power generation or wind power generation.

[0051] The above-mentioned thermal management system is provided with a refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant circuit includes a compressor 1, a first heat exchanger 2, a throttling device and a second heat exchanger 4 connected in sequence, wherein the first heat exchanger 2 is used for heat exchange with the environment, and the second heat exchanger 4 is used for heat exchange with the battery. The refrigerant flows from the compressor 1 to the first heat exchanger 2, the first heat exchange part, the throttling device, the second heat exchanger 4 and the second heat exchange part in the refrigerant circuit in sequence to cool the battery; the refrigerant flows from the compressor 1 to the second heat exchange part, the second heat exchanger 4, the throttling device, the first heat exchanger 2 and the first heat exchange part in the refrigerant circuit in sequence to heat the battery. With such a configuration, the battery is directly heat-exchanged only through the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. In this application, only the refrigerant is used as the heat exchange medium, and the configuration of heat exchange media such as water is reduced, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the battery; and the thermal management system has a simple structure.

[0052] Moreover, in the cooling mode of the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant flowing from the second heat exchanger 4 to the second heat exchange part exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing from the first heat exchanger 2 to the first heat exchange part, so as to increase the supercooling of the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part, thereby making the dryness of the refrigerant flowing to the second heat exchanger 4 after passing through the throttling device smaller. In other words, there is more liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant flowing to the second heat exchanger 4, thereby ensuring uniform temperature of multiple battery cells in the battery.

[0053] In some embodiments, the multi-way valve 6 includes a first interface ( Figure 1 a port shown), and a second port ( Figure 1 port b shown), and a third port connected to the inlet of compressor 1 ( Figure 1 c port shown), and a fourth port ( Figure 1 d port as shown), and in different modes, different interfaces among the first interface, the second interface, the third interface and the fourth interface are connected in pairs.

[0054] In this embodiment, an optional implementation is provided. When the battery temperature is high, the battery needs to be cooled by a refrigerant circuit. The first interface and the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 are controlled to be connected, and the third interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6 are controlled to be connected, and the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 is controlled to be connected to the first heat exchanger 2.

[0055] Another optional implementation is also provided in this embodiment. When the battery temperature is low, the battery needs to be heated through a refrigerant circuit. The first interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6 are controlled to be connected, and the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 is controlled to be connected to the third interface, and the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 is controlled to be connected to the first heat exchange part.

[0056] It should be noted that different interfaces among the first interface, the second interface, the third interface and the fourth interface are connected in pairs, which means that when the first interface and the second interface are connected, the third interface and the fourth interface are connected; when the first interface and the fourth interface are connected, the second interface and the third interface are connected.

[0057] Here, by setting a multi-way valve, the switching between cooling mode and heating mode can be conveniently realized to ensure that the battery is at a suitable temperature under different ambient temperatures. In addition, by setting the third heat exchanger 3, the refrigerant circuit can be in the cooling mode to increase the supercooling of the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part, so that the dryness of the refrigerant flowing to the second heat exchanger 4 after passing through the throttling device is smaller, that is, the refrigerant flowing to the second heat exchanger 4 can contain more liquid refrigerant, thereby ensuring the uniform temperature of multiple cells in the battery. In addition, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3 can reduce the superheat of the gaseous refrigerant and improve the uniform temperature performance when heating the battery. At the same time, the first heat exchange part can continue to evaporate and overheat the wet steam coming out of the first heat exchanger 2, so that there is only a two-phase evaporation process in the first heat exchanger, increasing the overall heating capacity of the system.

[0058] In some embodiments, when the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 is connected to the first heat exchanger 2; when the refrigerant circuit is in heating mode, the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 is connected to the first heat exchange part. For example, the first heat exchanger 2 and the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3 can be respectively arranged on the two branches connected to the second interface of the multi-way valve 6, and a one-way valve or an on-off valve is arranged between the first heat exchanger 2 and the second interface and between the first heat exchange part and the second interface, so that the connection between the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 and the first heat exchanger 2 or the first heat exchange part can be realized. Such a setting can make it easier for the refrigerant circuit to switch between the cooling mode and the heating mode, and enable the refrigerant circuit to recycle the cold energy or heat energy carried by the refrigerant through the third heat exchanger.

[0059] In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a first branch 7, a second branch 8, a third branch 9, a fourth branch 10 and a fifth branch 11. The first branch 7, the second branch 8 and the third branch 9 are arranged in series between the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4, and in the flow direction of the refrigerant, a liquid reservoir 12 and a filter 13 are arranged in sequence on the second branch 8; the fourth branch 10 is connected in parallel with the second branch 8 and the third branch 9; the fifth branch 11 is connected in parallel with the first branch 7 and the second branch 8; wherein the first branch 7, the third branch 9, the fourth branch 10 and the fifth branch 11 are all provided with regulating valves for adjusting the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in sequence in the cooling mode or the heating mode.

[0060] Specifically, when the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange part flows through the regulating valve in the first branch 7, then flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in the second branch 8, then flows through the regulating valve in the third branch 9, and then flows to the second heat exchanger 4 and transfers the cold to the battery; such arrangement ensures that when the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in sequence. When the refrigerant circuit is in heating mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger 4 flows through the regulating valve of the fourth branch 10, then flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in the second branch 8, then flows through the regulating valve of the fifth branch 11, and then flows to the first heat exchanger 2 and exchanges heat with the environment; such arrangement ensures that when the refrigerant circuit is in heating mode, the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in sequence. In this way, the liquid storage device 12 can better store the refrigerant and replenish the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, and the filter 13 can better filter the refrigerant, thereby improving the filtering effect of the filter 13.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first branch 7 is provided with a first check valve 14 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the first heat exchanger 2 to the second branch 8, the third branch 9 is provided with a second check valve 15 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second branch 8 to the second heat exchanger 4, the fourth branch 10 is provided with a third check valve 16 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second heat exchanger 4 to the second branch 8, and the fifth branch 11 is provided with a fourth check valve 17 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second branch 8 to the first heat exchanger 2. Such a configuration can ensure that the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange part flows through the first branch 7, the second branch 8 and the third branch 9 in sequence when the refrigerant circuit is in the cooling mode, and ensures that the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in sequence; and can ensure that the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger 4 flows through the fourth branch 10, the second branch 8 and the fifth branch 11 in sequence when the refrigerant circuit is in the heating mode, and can also ensure that the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir 12 and the filter 13 in sequence. Compared with the setting method of setting regulating valves such as on-off valves in the first branch 7, the third branch 9, the fourth branch 10 and the fifth branch 11, by setting the above-mentioned one-way valve, the adjustment of the opening and closing of the on-off valve can be reduced, making the control logic in the refrigerant circuit simpler.

[0062] In some embodiments, the thermal management system further includes a graded throttling component 18 disposed between the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4. A plurality of the second heat exchangers 4 are disposed in parallel, and each of the second heat exchangers 4 exchanges heat with the same battery. The graded throttling component 18 can throttle the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 2 at least twice, and make the throttled refrigerant flow evenly to the plurality of second heat exchangers 4. Specifically, when the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, please refer to Figure 2 The specific working mode is as follows: First, the compressor 1 works to compress the refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows to the first heat exchanger 2. At this time, the first heat exchanger 2 is a condenser, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with the external environment in the first heat exchanger 2, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant becomes a medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant; then, the medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 2 flows to the graded throttling component 18, and the graded throttling component 18 throttles the medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows to the second heat exchanger 4; the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with the battery, and transfers the cold in the refrigerant to the battery to achieve cooling of the battery; then, the refrigerant flows to the gas-liquid separator 5 after passing through the second heat exchanger 4, and the gas-liquid separator 5 separates the gas and liquid in the refrigerant, and the gaseous refrigerant flows back to the compressor 1, thereby completing a refrigeration cycle for the battery. The low-pressure refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment through the first heat exchanger 2, the dryness of the refrigerant increases, and finally completely evaporates and overheats in the first heat exchange part.

[0063] Here, a plurality of second heat exchangers 4 are arranged in parallel, and each second heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with the same battery, that is, each second heat exchanger 4 needs to convert the same amount of heat as the battery. Since when using a thermal management system to cool or heat the battery, it is necessary to ensure that the heat of each battery is within an appropriate temperature range, and each battery is in working condition at the same time, the temperature difference of each battery is not large. In this way, as long as the flow rate and temperature of the refrigerant flowing through each second heat exchanger 4 are the same, uniform cooling or heating of multiple batteries can be ensured, so that the temperature of each battery is within an appropriate range.

[0064] In some embodiments, the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 is connected to the second heat exchanger 4 through the sixth branch 19, the second heat exchanger 4 is connected to the compressor 1 through the seventh branch 20, and the first heat exchange part is located in the sixth branch 19, and the second heat exchange part is located in the seventh branch 20. Specifically, by setting the sixth branch 19 and the seventh branch 20 arranged in parallel, the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3 are arranged, so as to cool the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 2 in the cooling mode, and reduce the superheat in the refrigerant derived from the compressor 1 in the heating mode, thereby improving the cooling effect on the battery in the cooling mode, and improving the temperature uniformity of heating the battery in the heating mode.

[0065] When the thermal management system works in an extremely low temperature environment, such as an environment of about -30°C, the refrigerant cannot obtain heat from the external environment through the first heat exchanger 2. Based on the above, in some embodiments, the thermal management system includes an eighth branch 21, a ninth branch 22 and a tenth branch 23. The eighth branch 21 is provided with a compressor 1 and a gas-liquid separator 5; the ninth branch 22 is connected in parallel with the eighth branch 21, and a first throttling device 24 is provided in the ninth branch 22; the tenth branch 23 is connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger 2, and a solenoid valve 25 is provided on the tenth branch 23. For details, please refer to Figure 4When the thermal management system works in an extremely low temperature environment, the compressor 1 starts and closes the solenoid valve 25 located on the tenth branch 23. The compressor 1 compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing out of the compressor 1 is divided into two parts; one part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows to the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3 through the multi-way valve 6, and then flows to a plurality of second heat exchangers 4 arranged in parallel after flowing through the second heat exchange part. The plurality of second heat exchangers 4 transfer heat to the corresponding batteries respectively to achieve heating of the batteries. Then the refrigerant flows to the first heat exchanger of the third heat exchanger 3. The heat exchange part exchanges heat with the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchange part, thereby reducing the superheat of the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchange part. The refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchange part flows through the tenth branch 23 and then flows to the multi-way valve 6; another part of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows to the ninth branch 22, and the first throttling member 24 in the ninth branch 22 throttles the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The throttled refrigerant merges with a part of the refrigerant flowing out of the multi-way valve 6 and then flows back to the compressor 1, so as to avoid damage to the compressor 1 due to the influx of liquid, thereby prolonging the service life of the compressor 1.

[0066] Through the above settings, the thermal management system can operate in extremely low temperature environments, thereby improving the application scope of the thermal management system and enabling it to ensure that the battery is at a suitable operating temperature even in low-end environments.

[0067] In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes an eleventh branch 26 and a twelfth branch 27, the eleventh branch 26 connects the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6 and the third heat exchanger 3, and the eleventh branch 26 is provided with a fifth check valve 28 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the third heat exchanger 3 to the multi-way valve 6; the twelfth branch 27 is connected in parallel with the eleventh branch 26, and the eleventh branch 26 is provided with a second throttling member 29. For details, please refer to Figure 3 , in the heating mode, the second throttle 29 is opened, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows to the second throttle 29 in the twelfth branch 27 through the multi-way valve 6 and then flows to the second heat exchange part, so that the superheat of the refrigerant flowing through the second heat exchange part can be reduced. In particular, by adjusting the opening of the second throttle 29, the superheat of the refrigerant after heat exchange in the second heat exchange part can be controlled. , improve the heat exchange efficiency of the internal heat exchange and the battery, and achieve the uniformity of temperature when heating multiple batteries. In addition, in the cooling mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange part flows back to the gas-liquid separator 5 through the eleventh branch 26 and the multi-way valve 6; in this way, when the refrigerant circuit needs to be in the cooling mode, the second throttle 29 can be closed; when the refrigerant circuit is in the heating mode, the second throttle 29 can be opened, so as to facilitate the switching of the cooling mode and the heating mode of the refrigerant circuit, making the control logic in the thermal management system simpler.

[0068] In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a thirteenth branch 30, a fourteenth branch 31, a fifteenth branch 32, a sixteenth branch 33 and a seventeenth branch 34, and the thirteenth branch 30, the fourteenth branch 31 and the fifteenth branch 32 are arranged in series between the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 and the first branch 7, and in the flow direction of the refrigerant, the first heat exchanger 2 and the first heat exchange part are arranged in sequence on the fourteenth branch 31; the sixteenth branch 33 is connected in parallel with the fourteenth branch 31 and the fifteenth branch 32; the seventeenth branch 34 is connected in parallel with the thirteenth branch 30 and the fourteenth branch 31; wherein the thirteenth branch 30, the fifteenth branch 32, the sixteenth branch 33 and the seventeenth branch 34 are all provided with regulating valves for adjusting the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant flows through the first heat exchanger 2 and the first heat exchange part in sequence in the cooling mode or the heating mode. In this way, when the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the multi-way valve 6 can flow through the regulating valve of the thirteenth branch 30 in sequence, then flow through the first heat exchanger 2 of the fourteenth branch 31 and the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, then flow through the regulating valve of the fifteenth branch 32, and flow to the first branch 7; and when the refrigerant circuit is in heating mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the first branch 7 can flow through the regulating valve of the seventeenth branch 34 in sequence, then flow through the first heat exchanger 2 of the fourteenth branch 31 and the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, then flow through the regulating valve of the sixteenth branch 33, and flow to the second interface of the multi-way valve 6. With such a configuration, the switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode of the refrigerant circuit can be conveniently realized, so that the refrigerant can flow through the first heat exchanger 2 and the first heat exchange part in sequence regardless of whether the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode or heating mode.

[0069] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, the thirteenth branch 30 is provided with a sixth one-way valve 35 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the multi-way valve 6 to the fourteenth branch 31, the fifteenth branch 32 is provided with a seventh one-way valve 36 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the fourteenth branch 31 to the first branch 7, the sixteenth branch 33 is provided with an eighth one-way valve 37 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the fifth branch 11 to the fourteenth branch 31, and the seventeenth branch 34 is provided with a ninth one-way valve 38 that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the fourteenth branch 31 to the multi-way valve 6. Compared with the method of providing regulating valves such as on-off valves in the above branches, such a configuration can conveniently realize the control of the refrigerant flow direction, making the control logic more convenient.

[0070] An energy storage container includes any one of the above mentioned thermal management systems. Since the energy storage container includes the above mentioned thermal management system, the beneficial effects of the thermal management system on the energy storage container can be found in the above mentioned contents and will not be described in detail here.

[0071] A control method for a thermal management system, applicable to any of the above thermal management systems, comprises the following steps:

[0072] In heating mode:

[0073] The first interface (port a) and the fourth interface (port d) of the multi-way valve 6 are controlled to be connected, and the second interface (port b) and the third interface (port c) are controlled to be connected, the second throttle 29 and the throttle are controlled to be opened, the first throttle 24 is controlled to be closed, and the compressor 1 is controlled to start; so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve 6, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6, the second throttle 29, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the throttle, the first heat exchanger 2, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, the second interface of the multi-way valve 6, the third interface of the multi-way valve 6, and the gas-liquid separator 5 in sequence and then flows back to the compressor 1;

[0074] In very low temperature heating mode:

[0075] The first interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6 are controlled to be connected and the second interface and the third interface are controlled to be connected, the second throttle 29, the throttle and the first throttle 24 are controlled to be opened, and the compressor 1 is controlled to start; so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is divided into two parts, one part of the refrigerant flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve 6, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6, the second throttle 29, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the throttle, the first heat exchanger 2, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, the second interface of the multi-way valve 6, the third interface of the multi-way valve 6, and the gas-liquid separator 5 in sequence, and then flows back to the compressor 1; the other part of the refrigerant flows through the first throttle 24 and the gas-liquid separator 5 and then flows back to the compressor 1;

[0076] In cooling mode:

[0077] Control the first interface and the second interface of the multi-way valve 6 to be connected and the third interface and the fourth interface to be connected, control the second throttle 29 and the first throttle 24 to be closed, control the throttle to be opened, and control the compressor 1 to start, so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve 6, the second interface of the multi-way valve 6, the first heat exchanger 2, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, the throttle, the second heat exchanger 4, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger 3, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve 6, the third interface of the multi-way valve 6, and the gas-liquid separator 5 in sequence and then flows back to the compressor 1.

[0078] Such a setting can facilitate the switching of the thermal management system between different modes and improve the degree of automation of the thermal management system, so that the thermal management system can realize heat exchange of the battery in different temperature modes to ensure that the battery is at a suitable operating temperature.

[0079] The basic principles of the present application are described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, strengths, effects, etc. mentioned in the present application are only examples and not limitations, and it cannot be considered that these advantages, strengths, effects, etc. are required by each embodiment of the present application. In addition, the specific details disclosed above are only for the purpose of illustration and ease of understanding, not for limitation, and the above details do not limit the present application to being implemented by adopting the above specific details.

[0080] The block diagrams of the devices, apparatuses, equipment, and systems involved in this application are only illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, and configured in the manner shown in the block diagram. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these devices, apparatuses, equipment, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as "including", "comprising", "having", etc. are open words, referring to "including but not limited to", and can be used interchangeably with them. The words "or" and "and" used here refer to the words "and / or" and can be used interchangeably with them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The words "such as" used here refer to the phrase "such as but not limited to", and can be used interchangeably with them.

[0081] It should also be noted that in the apparatus, device and method of the present application, each component or each step can be decomposed and / or recombined. Such decomposition and / or recombination should be regarded as equivalent solutions of the present application.

[0082] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present application. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0083] It should be understood that the qualifiers "first", "second", "third", "fourth", "fifth" and "sixth" used in the description of the embodiments of the present application are only used to more clearly explain the technical solutions and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0084] The above description has been given for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application to the forms disclosed herein. Although multiple example aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, changes, additions and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, characterized in that: Used to exchange heat for multiple batteries in an energy storage system, including a refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant circuit comprising: A compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling element and a second heat exchanger connected in sequence; A third heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchange part for exchanging heat with the first heat exchange part, wherein the first heat exchange part is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the throttling element, and the second heat exchange part is arranged between the second heat exchanger and the compressor; The multi-way valve is respectively connected to the outlet of the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part, the inlet of the compressor, and the second heat exchange part, and can switch the working states of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-way valve includes a first interface connected to the compressor outlet, a second interface connected to the first heat exchanger or the first heat exchange part, a third interface connected to the compressor inlet, and a fourth interface connected to the second heat exchange part, and in different modes, different interfaces among the first interface, the second interface, the third interface and the fourth interface are connected in pairs.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the refrigerant circuit is in cooling mode, the second interface of the multi-way valve is connected to the first heat exchanger; When the refrigerant circuit is in a heating mode, the second interface of the multi-way valve is connected to the first heat exchange part.

4. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A first branch, a second branch and a third branch are arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and are connected in series in sequence, and a liquid reservoir and a filter are arranged in sequence on the second branch in the flow direction of the refrigerant; a fourth branch, connected in parallel with the second branch and the third branch; a fifth branch, connected in parallel with the first branch and the second branch; The first branch, the third branch, the fourth branch and the fifth branch are all provided with regulating valves for adjusting the flow direction of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant flows through the liquid reservoir and the filter in sequence in the cooling mode or the heating mode.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first branch is provided with a first one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the first heat exchanger to the second branch, the third branch is provided with a second one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second branch to the second heat exchanger, the fourth branch is provided with a third one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second heat exchanger to the second branch, and the fifth branch is provided with a fourth one-way valve that only allows the refrigerant to flow from the second branch to the first heat exchanger.

6. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a graded throttling component arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, a plurality of the second heat exchangers are arranged in parallel, and each of the second heat exchangers exchanges heat with the same battery. The graded throttling component can throttle the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger at least twice, and make the throttled refrigerant flow evenly to the plurality of the second heat exchangers.

7. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second interface of the multi-way valve is connected to the second heat exchanger through the sixth branch, the second heat exchanger is connected to the compressor through the seventh branch, the first heat exchange part is located in the sixth branch, and the second heat exchange part is located in the seventh branch.

8. The thermal management system according to claim 7, characterized in that: include: The eighth branch is provided with the compressor and the gas-liquid separator; a ninth branch, connected in parallel with the eighth branch, and a first throttling element is arranged in the ninth branch; The tenth branch is connected in parallel with the first heat exchanger, and a solenoid valve is arranged on the tenth branch.

9. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: include: an eleventh branch connecting the fourth interface of the multi-way valve and the third heat exchanger, and a fifth one-way valve is provided on the eleventh branch for only allowing the refrigerant to flow from the third heat exchanger to the multi-way valve; The twelfth branch is connected in parallel with the eleventh branch, and the eleventh branch is provided with a second throttling element.

10. An energy storage container, characterized in that: A thermal management system comprising any one of claims 1-9.

11. A control method for a thermal management system, characterized in that: A thermal management system applicable to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: In heating mode: Control the first interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve to be connected and the second interface and the third interface to be connected, control the second throttle and the throttle to be opened, control the first throttle to be closed, and control the compressor to start; so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve, the second throttle, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the throttle, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second interface of the multi-way valve, the third interface of the multi-way valve, and the gas-liquid separator in sequence and then flows back to the compressor; In very low temperature heating mode: Control the first interface and the fourth interface of the multi-way valve to be connected and the second interface and the third interface to be connected, control the second throttle, the throttle and the first throttle to open, and control the compressor to start; so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is divided into two parts, one part of the refrigerant flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve, the second throttle, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the throttle, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the second interface of the multi-way valve, the third interface of the multi-way valve, and the gas-liquid separator in sequence, and then flows back to the compressor; the other part of the refrigerant flows through the first throttle and the gas-liquid separator and then flows back to the compressor; In cooling mode: Control the first interface and the second interface of the multi-way valve to be connected and the third interface and the fourth interface to be connected, control the second throttling device and the first throttling device to be closed, control the throttling device to be opened, and control the compressor to start, so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows through the first interface of the multi-way valve, the second interface of the multi-way valve, the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the throttling device, the second heat exchanger, the second heat exchange part of the third heat exchanger, the fourth interface of the multi-way valve, the third interface of the multi-way valve, and the gas-liquid separator in sequence and then flows back to the compressor.

Images