Cooling system, battery module and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a cooling system, a battery module and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of batteries, and the cooling system comprises a cold plate, a compressor, a heater, a throttle valve and a condenser. The cold plate is provided with a cold plate outlet and a cold plate inlet. The compressor is provided with a compression inlet and a compression outlet, the compression inlet communicates with the cold plate outlet, and the compression outlet communicates with the cold plate inlet. The heater is connected between the compression inlet and the cold plate outlet in series so as to heat the refrigerant. According to the cooling system, a certain superheat degree can be maintained when a refrigerant enters the compression inlet of the compressor, and meanwhile, the refrigerant in the cold plate can be in a non-superheat state, so that the compressor can be protected, the temperature uniformity of the cold plate is improved, and the service life of the battery module is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a cooling system, a battery module and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, the new energy vehicle industry has higher and higher requirements for the charging speed of battery modules. The high-rate charging and discharging of battery modules means that the battery cells will be subjected to large currents, and the heat generated by the battery cells is approximately proportional to the square of the current. Therefore, good thermal management of battery modules through cooling systems is the basis for ensuring thermal safety, battery module performance and life. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a cooling system, which can protect the compressor and improve the temperature uniformity of the cold plate.

[0004] The present invention also provides a battery module having the above cooling system.

[0005] The present invention also provides a vehicle having the battery module.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling system includes: a cold plate, the cold plate having a cold plate outlet and a cold plate inlet; a compressor, the compressor having a compression inlet and a compression outlet, the compression inlet being connected to the cold plate outlet, and the compression outlet being connected to the cold plate inlet; a heater, the heater being connected in series between the compression inlet and the cold plate outlet to heat the refrigerant; a throttle valve, the throttle valve being connected in series between the compression outlet and the cold plate inlet; and a condenser, the condenser being connected in series between the throttle valve and the compression outlet.

[0007] According to the cooling system of the embodiment of the present invention, by connecting a heater in series between the compression inlet and the cold plate outlet, the heater can heat the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet, so that the refrigerant can reach an overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding liquid hammer on the compressor when the liquid refrigerant enters the compressor from the compression inlet, thereby protecting the compressor. At the same time, the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet can be in a non-overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the formation of an overheated area at the cold plate outlet, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, improving the temperature uniformity of the cold plate, and improving the cooling effect of the cold plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the heater includes: a heating pipeline, both ends of which are connected to the cold plate and the compressor respectively; a heat recovery pipeline, both ends of which are located between the condenser and the throttle valve, and the heat recovery pipeline is connected in parallel between the condenser and the throttle valve; wherein the refrigerant in the heat recovery pipeline exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heating pipeline.

[0009] Further, the heat recovery pipeline is provided with a regulating valve, and the regulating valve is provided between the heater and the condenser; and / or, the heat recovery pipeline is provided with a one-way valve, and the one-way valve is provided between the heater and the throttle valve.

[0010] In some embodiments, the refrigerant flows in opposite directions in the heat recovery pipeline and the heating pipeline.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cooling system further includes: a sensor disposed between the heater and the compressor.

[0012] Furthermore, the sensor includes a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor.

[0013] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery pack; and a cooling system as described in the above embodiment, wherein the cold plate is arranged close to the battery pack.

[0014] According to the battery module of the embodiment of the present invention, by adopting the cooling system of the above embodiment, the cooling system connects a heater in series between the compression inlet and the cold plate outlet, so that the heater can heat the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet, so that the refrigerant can reach an overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding liquid shock to the compressor when the liquid refrigerant enters the compressor from the compression inlet, thereby protecting the compressor. At the same time, the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet can be in a non-overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the formation of an overheating zone at the cold plate outlet, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, improving the temperature uniformity of the cold plate, that is, improving the cooling effect of the cold plate on the battery pack, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the battery module, improving the safety of the battery module, and extending the service life of the battery module.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heater is disposed outside the housing of the battery pack.

[0016] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module described in the above embodiment.

[0017] According to the vehicle of the embodiment of the present invention, by adopting the battery module of the above embodiment, the cooling system connects a heater in series between the compression inlet and the cold plate outlet, so that the heater can heat the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet, so that the refrigerant can reach an overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding liquid shock to the compressor when the liquid refrigerant enters the compressor from the compression inlet, thereby protecting the compressor. At the same time, the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet can be in a non-overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the formation of an overheating zone at the cold plate outlet, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, improving the temperature uniformity of the cold plate, that is, improving the cooling effect of the cold plate on the battery pack, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the battery module, improving the safety of the battery module, and extending the service life of the battery module.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a cooling system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals:

[0022] Cooling system 100,

[0023] Cold plate 10, cold plate outlet 11, cold plate inlet 12,

[0024] Compressor 20, compression inlet 21, compression outlet 22,

[0025] Heater 30, heating pipeline 31, heat recovery pipeline 32, regulating valve 33, check valve 34,

[0026] Throttle valve 40 , condenser 50 , temperature sensor 61 , pressure sensor 62 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0028] The disclosure below provides many different embodiments or examples to implement different structures of the present invention. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present invention, the parts and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are only examples, and the purpose is not to limit the present invention. In addition, the present invention can repeat reference numbers and / or letters in different examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the present invention provides various specific processes and examples of materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art can be aware of the applicability of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0029] The following describes a cooling system 100 , a battery module, and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the cooling system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cold plate 10, a compressor 20 and a heater 30. The cold plate 10 has a cold plate outlet 11 and a cold plate inlet 12. The compressor 20 has a compression inlet 21 and a compression outlet 22, the compression inlet 21 is connected to the cold plate outlet 11, and the compression outlet 22 is connected to the cold plate inlet 12. The heater 30 is connected in series between the compression inlet 21 and the cold plate outlet 11 to heat the refrigerant.

[0031] It can be understood that the working process of the cooling system 100 is as follows: the gaseous refrigerant is pressurized by the compressor 20, becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure gas and enters the condenser 50, the refrigerant is cooled by the condenser 50 and becomes a low-temperature and high-pressure liquid, and then the liquid refrigerant passes through the throttling effect of the throttle valve 40, and the pressure and temperature are simultaneously reduced to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state and enter the cold plate 10. The refrigerant evaporates in the cold plate 10, absorbs heat and gradually vaporizes, and the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate 10 enters the heater 30 and is heated to superheated steam, and the superheated steam refrigerant enters the compressor 20, and the cycle repeats.

[0032] When the refrigerant enters the compressor 20 from the compression inlet 21, the refrigerant needs to have a certain superheat temperature to reduce or avoid liquid hammer and damage to the compressor 20 caused by the liquid refrigerant entering the compressor 20 from the compression inlet 21. Preferably, the refrigerant has a superheat temperature of 0°C-5°C when entering the compressor 20 from the compression inlet 21.

[0033] Therefore, by connecting the heater 30 in series between the compression inlet 21 and the cold plate outlet 11, the heater 30 can heat the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet 11, so that the refrigerant can reach an overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding liquid hammer of the compressor 20 caused by the liquid refrigerant entering the compressor 20 from the compression inlet 21, thereby protecting the compressor 20. At the same time, the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet 11 can be in a non-overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the formation of an overheated area at the cold plate outlet 11 of the cold plate 10, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, improving the temperature uniformity of the cold plate 10, and improving the cooling effect of the cold plate 10.

[0034] In the present application, the refrigerant is a medium used to transport heat in the transport channel, and the type of the refrigerant is not limited. The transport channel is preferably a copper tube.

[0035] In the present application, there is no limitation on the type of the heater 30. For example, the heater 30 is a PTC heater 30.

[0036] In the present application, there is no limitation on the type of the cold plate 10. For example, the cold plate 10 is a stamping brazing cold plate 10.

[0037] In some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the cooling system 100 further includes: a throttle valve 40 and a condenser 50. The throttle valve 40 is connected in series between the compression outlet 22 and the cold plate inlet 12, and the condenser 50 is connected in series between the throttle valve 40 and the compression outlet 22.

[0038] It is understandable that the condenser 50 can cool the high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant into liquid refrigerant. The throttle valve 40 is also called an expansion valve. The refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 50 is throttled through the throttle valve 40 to reduce the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, thereby forming a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant entering the cold plate 10, so that the refrigerant can effectively exchange heat between the cold plate 10 and the cooling object (such as a battery).

[0039] Thus, the refrigerant can sequentially pass through the cold plate 10 , the compressor 20 , the condenser 50 and the throttle valve 40 and maintain a circulating flow, so as to ensure a continuous and stable cooling effect of the cold plate 10 .

[0040] Furthermore, if Figure 2 As shown, the heater 30 includes: a heating pipeline 31 and a heat recovery pipeline 32. The two ends of the heating pipeline 31 are respectively connected to the cold plate 10 and the compressor 20, and the two ends of the heat recovery pipeline 32 are located between the condenser 50 and the throttle valve 40, and the heat recovery pipeline 32 is connected in parallel between the condenser 50 and the throttle valve 40. The refrigerant in the heat recovery pipeline 32 exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heating pipeline 31.

[0041] It should be noted that the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 50 is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet 11 .

[0042] Thus, the two ends of the heating pipeline 31 are connected to the cold plate outlet 11 and the compression inlet 21 respectively, and the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet 11 flows to the compression inlet 21 after passing through the heating pipeline 31. Part of the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 50 can enter the heat recovery pipeline 32, and the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat recovery pipeline 32 is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant in the heating pipeline 31, so that heat exchange is performed between the heat recovery pipeline 32 and the heating pipeline 31, so that the temperature of the refrigerant in the heating pipeline 31 increases and reaches a superheated state.

[0043] At this time, the heat recovery pipe 32 can use the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 50 to heat the refrigerant in the heating pipe 31, thereby saving the external energy source for heating the refrigerant flowing into the compression inlet 21, thereby saving energy. For example, compared with the heater 30, the use of the PTC heater 30 can save the electric energy used by the PTC heater 30 to heat the refrigerant.

[0044] In addition, the refrigerant flowing out of the heat recovery pipe 32 can also be throttled through the throttle valve 40 to form a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant and enter the cold plate 10 through the cold plate inlet 12 .

[0045] In the present application, there is no restriction on the material of the heat recovery pipe 32 and the heating pipe 31. For example, the heat recovery pipe 32 and the heating pipe 31 are made of copper pipes, so that the heat recovery pipe 32 and the heating pipe 31 can have a higher heat exchange efficiency.

[0046] Further, the heat recovery pipeline 32 is provided with a regulating valve 33, and the regulating valve 33 is provided between the heater 30 and the condenser 50. Alternatively, the heat recovery pipeline 32 is provided with a check valve 34, and the check valve 34 is provided between the heater 30 and the throttle valve 40. Alternatively, the heat recovery pipeline 32 is provided with both the regulating valve 33 and the check valve 34.

[0047] Therefore, the regulating valve 33 can control the refrigerant flow rate entering the heat recovery pipe 32 from the condenser 50, thereby controlling the heat exchange efficiency between the heat recovery pipe 32 and the heating pipe 31 by controlling the refrigerant flow rate in the heat recovery pipe 32, and then controlling the heating effect of the heater 30 on the refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant outlet, so that the refrigerant flowing from the heater 30 to the compression inlet 21 can be maintained at a stable superheated temperature.

[0048] At the same time, when the regulating valve 33 controls the change of the refrigerant flow in the heat recovery pipe 32, the pressure in the heat recovery pipe 32 will change. By setting the one-way valve 34, it can be ensured that the refrigerant in the heat recovery pipe 32 can be guided to flow to the throttle valve 40, thereby reducing or avoiding the liquid refrigerant from flowing back into the heat recovery pipe 32, ensuring that the refrigerant can flow to the throttle valve 40 in one direction, and improving the smoothness and flow efficiency of the refrigerant flowing to the throttle valve 40.

[0049] In some embodiments, Figure 2 As shown, the flow directions of the refrigerant in the heat recovery pipeline 32 and the heating pipeline 31 are opposite.

[0050] It is understandable that the refrigerant temperature at the end of the heating pipeline 31 close to the compressor 20 is higher than the refrigerant temperature at the end close to the cold plate 10. The heat change trend of the refrigerant in the heat recovery pipeline 32 can be consistent with that in the heating pipeline 31, thereby ensuring that the temperature of the refrigerant in the heating pipeline 31 gradually increases during the process of flowing from the end close to the cold plate 10 to the end close to the compressor 20.

[0051] In this way, the heat exchange efficiency between the heat recovery pipe 32 and the heating pipe 31 can be improved, the heating effect of the heat recovery pipe 32 on the refrigerant in the heating pipe 31 can be improved, and the refrigerant flow in the heat recovery pipe 32 when the refrigerant in the heating pipe 31 is heated to the superheat temperature can be reduced.

[0052] In some embodiments, the cooling system 100 further includes a sensor disposed between the heater 30 and the compressor 20 .

[0053] Therefore, the sensor can detect the state of the refrigerant flowing to the compression inlet 21, and adjust the heating effect of the heater 30 on the refrigerant according to the detection result of the sensor, so that the refrigerant can be maintained at the superheated temperature, thereby improving the stability of the state of the refrigerant flowing to the compression inlet 21 and improving the protection effect on the compressor 20.

[0054] Furthermore, if Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the sensors include a temperature sensor 61 and a pressure sensor 62 .

[0055] It is understandable that the refrigerant entering the compressor 20 needs to have a certain degree of superheat to protect the compressor 20 from damage, but the superheat should not be too high, otherwise the efficiency of the cooling system 100 will be reduced. Usually, the superheat is more suitable to be 0-5°C.

[0056] Therefore, the temperature sensor 61 and the pressure sensor 62 can detect the temperature and pressure of the sensors respectively, so as to feedback and adjust the heating effect of the heater 30 and the refrigerant flow at the throttle valve 40, further improve the protection effect of the compressor 20, and ensure the overall working efficiency of the cooling system 100.

[0057] The battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery pack and the cooling system 100 of the above embodiment, wherein the cold plate 10 is arranged close to the battery pack to cool the battery pack.

[0058] The battery module of the present application adopts the cooling system 100 of the above embodiment. The cooling system 100 is connected in series with a heater 30 between the compression inlet 21 and the cold plate outlet 11, so that the heater 30 can heat the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet 11, so that the refrigerant can reach an overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding liquid hammer on the compressor 20 caused by liquid refrigerant entering the compressor 20 from the compression inlet 21, thereby protecting the compressor 20. At the same time, the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet 11 can be in a non-overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the formation of an overheating zone at the cold plate outlet 11 of the cold plate 10, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, improving the temperature uniformity of the cold plate 10, that is, improving the cooling effect of the cold plate 10 on the battery pack, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the battery module, and improving the safety and service life of the battery module.

[0059] In some embodiments, the heater 30 is disposed outside the battery pack housing, thereby reducing or avoiding the transfer between the heater 30 and the battery pack, and improving the cooling effect of the cooling system 100 on the battery pack.

[0060] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the battery module of the above embodiment.

[0061] The vehicle of the present application adopts the battery module of the above embodiment, and the cooling system 100 connects the heater 30 in series between the compression inlet 21 and the cold plate outlet 11, so that the heater 30 can heat the refrigerant flowing out of the cold plate outlet 11, so that the refrigerant can reach an overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor 20 from the compression inlet 21 to cause liquid hammer to the compressor 20 and cause damage, thereby protecting the compressor 20. At the same time, the refrigerant at the cold plate outlet 11 can be in a non-overheated state, thereby reducing or avoiding the cold plate 10 from forming an overheated area at the cold plate outlet 11, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, improving the temperature uniformity of the cold plate 10, that is, improving the cooling effect of the cold plate 10 on the battery pack, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the battery module, and improving the safety and service life of the battery module.

[0062] The cooling system 100, the battery module and other components and operations of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0063] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the terms "length", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0064] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0065] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0066] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0067] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cooling system, characterized in that: include: a cold plate, the cold plate having a cold plate outlet and a cold plate inlet; A compressor, the compressor having a compression inlet and a compression outlet, the compression inlet being connected to the cold plate outlet, and the compression outlet being connected to the cold plate inlet; A heater, the heater is connected in series between the compression inlet and the cold plate outlet to heat the refrigerant; A throttle valve, the throttle valve is connected in series between the compression outlet and the cold plate inlet; A condenser is connected in series between the throttle valve and the compression outlet.

2. The cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heater comprises: A heating pipeline, wherein two ends of the heating pipeline are respectively connected to the cold plate and the compressor; A heat recovery pipeline, both ends of which are located between the condenser and the throttle valve, and the heat recovery pipeline is connected in parallel between the condenser and the throttle valve; Wherein, the refrigerant in the heat recovery pipeline exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heating pipeline.

3. The cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat recovery pipeline is provided with a regulating valve, and the regulating valve is arranged between the heater and the condenser; And / or, the heat recovery pipeline is provided with a one-way valve, and the one-way valve is arranged between the heater and the throttle valve.

4. The cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The refrigerant flows in opposite directions in the heat recovery pipeline and the heating pipeline.

5. The cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A sensor is provided between the heater and the compressor.

6. The cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that The sensors include a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor.

7. A battery module, characterized in that: include: Battery pack; According to the cooling system of any one of claims 1 to 6, the cold plate is arranged close to the battery pack.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heater is arranged outside the housing of the battery pack.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising a battery module as described in any one of claims 7-8.

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