Cooling liquid loop, thermal management system, control method and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a cooling liquid loop, a heat management system, a control method and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and the cooling liquid loop comprises an evaporator, a first electronic water pump, a first electronic three-way valve, a second electronic three-way valve and a heat exchanger; the first end of the evaporator is connected with the first end of the first electronic water pump, the second end of the first electronic water pump is connected with the first end of the first electronic three-way valve, the second end of the first electronic three-way valve is connected with the first end of the second electronic three-way valve, and the second end of the second electronic three-way valve is connected with the first end of the heat exchanger. The second end of the heat exchanger is connected with the second end of the evaporator. According to the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is coupled with the vehicle-mounted thermal management system, refrigeration of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is achieved through the cooling liquid loop in the vehicle-mounted thermal management system, so that components such as a compressor and a condenser in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator are omitted, the cost and the weight of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator are reduced, and the noise problem of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator in a vehicle can be obviously solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and specifically relates to a coolant circuit, a thermal management system, a control method and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the thermal management system of an automobile, functions such as refrigeration or heating of an air conditioner are provided, and the thermal management system adopts a direct heat pump system or an indirect heat pump system.

[0003] Currently, whether it is a single air conditioner system of current new energy vehicles, a more complex heat pump system, or a pure electric heat pump system architecture, it is usually two completely independent parallel systems from an in-vehicle refrigerator, and the in-vehicle refrigerator contains independent components such as a compressor and a condenser. However, this will lead to an increase in the cost and weight of the in-vehicle refrigerator, and the in-vehicle refrigerator is usually placed in the passenger compartment, and obvious noise will also be generated when these components operate, affecting the comfort of the passengers in the compartment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a coolant circuit, a thermal management system, a control method and a vehicle for a vehicle, mainly aiming to improve the technical problems in the current existing technology that will lead to an increase in the cost and weight of the in-vehicle refrigerator and will also generate obvious noise.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a coolant circuit, including: an evaporator, a first electronic water pump, a first electronic three-way valve, a second electronic three-way valve and a heat exchanger;

[0006] The first end of the evaporator is connected to the first end of the first electronic water pump, the second end of the first electronic water pump is connected to the first end of the first electronic three-way valve, the second end of the first electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second electronic three-way valve, the second end of the second electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the heat exchanger, and the second end of the heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the evaporator;

[0007] Wherein, the heat exchanger is arranged in the in-vehicle refrigerator and is used for refrigerating the inside of the in-vehicle refrigerator.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present application provides a thermal management system, including: the coolant circuit as described in the first aspect and a refrigerant circuit, and the coolant circuit is coupled with the refrigerant circuit.

[0009] In a third aspect, the present application provides a control method for a thermal management system, which is applied to the thermal management system as described in the second aspect, including:

[0010] In response to a control instruction of the thermal management system, controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and opening the electronic expansion valve;

[0011] Control the operation of the target water pump in the coolant circuit and turn on the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant circuit, where the target water pump includes one or more of a first water pump, a second water pump, and a third water pump, and the target electronic expansion valve includes one or more of a first electronic three-way valve, a second electronic three-way valve, a third electronic three-way valve, a fourth electronic three-way valve, a fifth electronic three-way valve, a sixth electronic three-way valve, a seventh electronic three-way valve, and an eighth electronic three-way valve.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a vehicle, including: the thermal management system as described in the second aspect.

[0013] By means of the above technical solutions, the present application provides a coolant circuit, a thermal management system, a control method, and a vehicle for a vehicle. The coolant circuit includes: an evaporator, a first electronic water pump, a first electronic three-way valve, a second electronic three-way valve, and a heat exchanger; a first end of the evaporator is connected to a first end of the first electronic water pump, a second end of the first electronic water pump is connected to a first end of the first electronic three-way valve, a second end of the first electronic three-way valve is connected to a first end of the second electronic three-way valve, a second end of the second electronic three-way valve is connected to a first end of the heat exchanger, and a second end of the heat exchanger is connected to a second end of the evaporator; wherein, the heat exchanger is arranged in the on-vehicle refrigerator and is used for refrigerating the inside of the on-vehicle refrigerator. Compared with the current prior art, the present application designs a new coolant circuit for a vehicle. By coupling the on-vehicle refrigerator with the vehicle air-conditioning system and using the coolant circuit in the vehicle thermal management system to achieve refrigeration of the on-vehicle refrigerator, components such as a compressor and a condenser are saved in the on-vehicle refrigerator, thereby saving the cost and weight of the on-vehicle refrigerator, and the noise problem of the on-vehicle refrigerator in the vehicle can be significantly improved, and the comfort of the passengers in the cabin can be enhanced.

[0014] The above description is only an overview of the technical solutions of the present application. In order to be able to understand the technical means of the present application more clearly, it can be implemented according to the content of the specification. And in order to make the above and other purposes, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the following specifically illustrates the specific embodiments of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings here are incorporated into the specification and form a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present application.

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, for those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained according to these drawings without creative efforts.

[0017] Figure 1 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 Shows a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle-mounted refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3 Shows a schematic flow diagram of a control method for a thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4 Shows a schematic diagram of the thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application in an operating mode;

[0021] Figure 5 Shows a schematic diagram of the thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application in an operating mode;

[0022] Figure 6 Shows a schematic diagram of the thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application in an operating mode;

[0023] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of the thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application in an operating mode;

[0024] Figure 8 Shows a schematic diagram of the thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application in an operating mode.

[0025] Reference numerals

[0026] Evaporator 1101; First electronic water pump 1102; First electronic three-way valve 1103; Second electronic three-way valve 1104; Heat exchanger 1105; Cold core 1106; Third electronic three-way valve 1107; Battery cold plate 1108; Second electronic water pump 1109; Fourth electronic three-way valve 1110; Fifth electronic three-way valve 1111; Radiator 1112; Electric drive assembly 1113; Sixth electronic three-way valve 1114; Third electronic water pump 1115; Condenser 1116; Seventh electronic three-way valve 1117; Warm core 1118; Eighth electronic three-way valve 1119; Refrigerant carrier device 1120; Blower 1121; Expansion tank 1122; First water temperature sensor 1123; Second water temperature sensor 1124; Third water temperature sensor 1125; Fourth water temperature sensor 1126; Compressor 1201; Electronic expansion valve 1202; Gas-liquid separator 1203; Hot gas bypass valve 1204; First PT sensor 1205; Second PT sensor 1206; Third PT sensor 1207. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present application, the solutions of the present application will be further described below. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0028] In order to improve the technical problems in the current existing technologies that can lead to an increase in the cost and weight of the in-vehicle refrigerator and also generate obvious noise. This embodiment provides a coolant circuit 11 for a vehicle, as Figure 1 shown. The coolant circuit 11 includes: an evaporator 1101 (chiller), a first electronic water pump 1102, a first electronic three-way valve 1103, a second electronic three-way valve 1104, and a heat exchanger 1105; wherein, the first end of the evaporator 1101 is connected to the first end of the first electronic water pump 1102, the second end of the first electronic water pump 1102 is connected to the first end of the first electronic three-way valve 1103, the second end of the first electronic three-way valve 1103 is connected to the first end of the second electronic three-way valve 1104, the second end of the second electronic three-way valve 1104 is connected to the first end of the heat exchanger 1105, and the second end of the heat exchanger 1105 is connected to the second end of the evaporator 1101; wherein, the heat exchanger 1105 is arranged inside the in-vehicle refrigerator for refrigerating the inside of the in-vehicle refrigerator.

[0029] In some examples, in this embodiment, the evaporator 1101 in the vehicle air conditioning system is connected in series with the in-vehicle refrigerator to couple the in-vehicle refrigerator with the vehicle air conditioning system. Among them, the evaporator 1101 can achieve the purpose of refrigerating the passenger compartment and the in-vehicle refrigerator by exchanging heat with the coolant.

[0030] Exemplarily, in order to achieve the function of cooling the storage in the in-vehicle refrigerator, the low-temperature (-1°C to 5°C) coolant pumped out from the evaporator 1101 in the vehicle air conditioning system enters the heat exchanger 1105 inside the in-vehicle refrigerator through the second electronic three-way valve 1104 to cool the air inside the in-vehicle refrigerator. Among them, the heat exchanger 1105 inside the in-vehicle refrigerator can be an air-cooled heat exchanger 1105 or an evaporation coil built into the foaming structure of the refrigerator to achieve the same refrigerator refrigeration effect. The opening and closing of the second electronic three-way valve 1104 determine the opening and closing of the in-vehicle refrigerator (or a stop water valve is arranged on the pipeline of the in-vehicle refrigerator, and the switch function of the refrigerator is realized through the opening and closing of the stop water valve).

[0031] Compared with the current existing technologies, this embodiment proposes a coolant circuit 11, as Figure 1As shown in the figure, the coolant circuit 11 in the thermal management system of the present application is obtained by connecting in series an evaporator 1101, a first electronic water pump 1102, a first electronic three-way valve 1103, a second electronic three-way valve 1104, a heat exchanger 1105, etc. In this way, by coupling the in-vehicle refrigerator with the vehicle air conditioning system, the refrigeration demand of the in-vehicle refrigerator is realized by using the coolant circuit in the vehicle thermal management system, reducing the cost, weight and space requirements of the in-vehicle refrigerator, as well as the power consumption and noise problems generated by the independent compressor in the in-vehicle refrigerator, and improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle air conditioning thermal management system.

[0032] Furthermore, as a refinement and extension of the above embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the coolant circuit 11 may further include: a third electronic three-way valve 1107; the third end of the second electronic three-way valve 1104 is connected to the first end of the cold core 1106 of the air conditioner, the second end of the cold core 1106 is connected to the first end of the third electronic three-way valve 1107, and a first intermediate pipe orifice is provided in the pipeline between the heat exchanger 1105 and the evaporator 1101, and the second end of the third electronic three-way valve 1107 is connected to the first intermediate pipe orifice.

[0033] For example, the flow rate of the coolant flowing out of the air conditioner cold core 1106 through the battery cold plate 1108 and back to the evaporator 1101 can be adjusted by the third electronic three-way valve 1107.

[0034] Optionally, the coolant circuit 11 may further include: a second electronic water pump 1109, a fourth electronic three-way valve 1110; the third end of the third electronic three-way valve 1107 is connected to the first end of the battery cold plate 1108, the second end of the battery cold plate 1108 is connected to the first end of the second electronic water pump 1109, the second end of the second electronic water pump 1109 is connected to the first end of the fourth electronic three-way valve 1110, the second end of the fourth electronic three-way valve 1110 is connected to the first intermediate pipe orifice, and the third end of the fourth electronic three-way valve 1110 is connected to the second intermediate pipe orifice in the pipeline between the third electronic three-way valve 1107 and the battery cold plate 1108.

[0035] In this embodiment, since the temperatures required by the battery and the air conditioner are different, it is necessary to realize the adjustment of their different inlet temperatures. In order to better meet the heating and cooling conditions of the battery, a relatively independent second electronic water pump 1109, a third electronic proportional valve and an eighth electronic proportional valve can be used to realize the mixed adjustment of the outlet water temperature of the air conditioner cold and warm core 1118 and the inlet water temperature of the battery.

[0036] Optionally, the coolant circuit 11 may further include: a fifth electronic three-way valve 1111, a radiator 1112, and a sixth electronic three-way valve 1114; the third end of the first electronic three-way valve 1103 is connected to the first end of the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111, the second end of the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 is connected to the first end of the radiator 1112, the second end of the radiator 1112 is connected to the first end of the electric drive assembly 1113, the second end of the electric drive assembly 1113 is connected to the first end of the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114, and the second end of the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 is connected to the first intermediate pipe orifice.

[0037] In some examples, the radiator 1112 may be a low-temperature water tank radiator, which can cool the condenser 1116 in the air-conditioning and battery cooling modes and cool the electric drive assembly 1113. Exemplarily, the coolant flowing out of the condenser 1116 first passes through the low-temperature water tank radiator 1112 for cooling, then enters the electric drive assembly 1113 to cool the motor, and finally returns to the condenser 1116 to complete the circulation of the entire circuit.

[0038] Optionally, the coolant circuit 11 may further include: a sixth electronic three-way valve 1114, a third electronic water pump 1115, a condenser 1116, a seventh electronic three-way valve 1117, and an eighth electronic three-way valve 1119; the third end of the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 is connected to the first end of the third electronic water pump 1115, the second end of the third electronic water pump 1115 is connected to the first end of the condenser 1116, the second end of the condenser 1116 is connected to the first end of the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117, the second end of the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 is connected to the first end of the heater core 1118 of the air conditioner, and the third end of the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 is connected to the pipeline between the first electronic three-way valve 1103 and the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111; the second end of the heater core 1118 is connected to the first end of the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119, the second end of the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 is connected to the second intermediate pipe orifice, and the third end of the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 is connected to the third intermediate pipe orifice of the pipeline between the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 and the third electronic water pump 1115; a fourth intermediate pipe orifice is further provided between the battery cold plate 1108 and the second electronic water pump 1109, and a pipeline is connected between the third intermediate pipe orifice and the fourth intermediate pipe orifice.

[0039] The condenser 1116 in this embodiment may be a Water Cooled Condenser (WCC). By respectively controlling the electronic water pumps and electronic three-way valves in the coolant circuit 11 system, functions such as heating and cooling of the in-vehicle air conditioner, heating and cooling of the battery, cooling of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, cooling of the motor, and recovery of motor waste heat, as well as their combined functions, can be achieved. These electronic three-way valves can be further combined into multi-way valves, and there can be various forms of the combined valves, which are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0040] Optionally, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator may further include: a secondary refrigerant device 1120 and a blower 1121; the heat exchanger 1105 is disposed between the secondary refrigerant device 1120 and the blower 1121, and the secondary refrigerant device 1120 and the blower 1121 are used to cool the interior of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator when the compressor 1201 in the refrigerant circuit 12 stops working.

[0041] Exemplarily, in the coupling system of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator and the vehicle's air-conditioning thermal management system, the compressor 1201 of the vehicle's air conditioner has a strong refrigeration capacity. Even when the compressor 1201 operates at its minimum speed, its refrigeration capacity is far greater than the refrigeration demand of the refrigerator. As a result, when the vehicle is in a stationary state and the air conditioner is not turned on, the compressor 1201 will frequently start and stop when it only serves for the refrigerator refrigeration, which will affect the service life of the compressor 1201. For this reason, a secondary refrigerant device 1120 is built into the vehicle-mounted refrigerator to increase the load of the refrigerator, and when the compressor 1201 stops working, the secondary refrigerant can provide refrigeration capacity for the refrigerator. As Figure 2 shown, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator mainly includes a heat exchanger 1105, a blower 1121, a secondary refrigerant device 1120, a vehicle-mounted storage space, and corresponding circulation air ducts, etc. The circulating air is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing in the heat exchanger 1105. After the circulating cold air cools the secondary refrigerant, it then cools the vehicle-mounted refrigerator space through the circulation air duct, and then returns to the blower 1121 through the circulation air duct to complete the circulation of the cooling air. Ensure that when the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 1105 does not flow and loses its refrigeration function, the interior of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator can release cold through the secondary refrigerant, reducing the frequent start and stop of the compressor 1201. In addition, the heating function of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator completely relies on the built-in electric heater in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator for heating to keep the temperature of the in-vehicle refrigerator at the set temperature to achieve the heating function.

[0042] Through the combined setting of natural circulation air and the secondary refrigerant device 1120, especially in parking conditions such as high-temperature exposure in summer, the risk of loss or weakening of the refrigeration function of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is avoided. In this embodiment, components such as the compressor of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator are cancelled, the volume of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is reduced, which is convenient for the layout of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator in the vehicle, and / or the volume of the refrigerator is increased to store more food.

[0043] In some examples, the coolant circuit 11 may further include: an expansion tank 1122. An expansion tank 1122 may also be connected to the pipe opening between the third electronic water pump 1115 and the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114. The expansion tank 1122 can provide additional space to store the expanded coolant, prevent the internal pressure of the cooling system from being too high, and can also play a role in exhausting air through the vent on the lid.

[0044] In some examples, the coolant circuit 11 may further include: a first water temperature sensor 1123, a second water temperature sensor 1124, a third water temperature sensor 1125, and a fourth water temperature sensor 1126. By providing these four water temperature sensors, the temperature of the coolant in the sub-circuits of the coolant circuit 11 can be obtained, so as to accurately perform corresponding heat exchange control.

[0045] Furthermore, based on the above coolant circuit 11, this embodiment also proposes a thermal management system, including a coolant circuit 11 and a refrigerant circuit 12, wherein the coolant circuit 11 is coupled to the refrigerant circuit 12.

[0046] Optionally, the refrigerant circuit 12 includes: a compressor 1201, an electronic expansion valve 1202 (Electronic Expansion Valve, EXV), and a gas-liquid separator 1203 (AD); the third end of the evaporator 1101 is connected to the first end of the gas-liquid separator 1203, the second end of the gas-liquid separator 1203 is connected to the first end of the compressor 1201, the second end of the compressor 1201 is connected to the third end of the condenser 1116, the fourth end of the condenser 1116 is connected to the fourth end of the evaporator 1101, and an electronic expansion valve 1202 is provided on the pipeline between the condenser 1116 and the evaporator 1101.

[0047] In some examples, the condenser 1116 can convert the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant pumped out by the compressor 1201 from a gaseous state to a liquid state, so that the liquefied refrigerant can continue to circulate in the system, and can also achieve the purpose of heating the passenger compartment by exchanging heat with the refrigerant; the gas-liquid separator 1203 is mainly used to separate the gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant and can also be used to store the refrigerant. In addition, the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 12 can be R290 refrigerant. Due to its great risk of flammability, it is relatively important to reduce the refrigerant charge. The use of the electronic expansion valve 1202 can cooperate with the compressor 1201 to adjust the refrigerant flow rate and evaporation pressure, so that the system can operate efficiently under various load conditions, thereby allowing the refrigerant charge to be reduced while ensuring the system performance.

[0048] Optionally, the refrigerant circuit 12 may further include: a hot gas bypass valve 1204; a fifth intermediate pipe orifice is provided on the pipeline between the compressor 1201 and the condenser 1116, a sixth intermediate pipe orifice is provided on the pipeline between the gas-liquid separator 1203 and the evaporator 1101, a bypass pipeline is connected between the fifth intermediate pipe orifice and the sixth intermediate pipe orifice, and a hot gas bypass valve 1204 is provided on the bypass pipeline.

[0049] For example, the hot gas bypass valve 1204 can be used for low-temperature heating in winter. In this embodiment, canceling the hot gas bypass valve 1204 will not affect the function of the thermal management system, but the low-temperature heating capacity may be affected.

[0050] In some examples, the refrigerant circuit 12 may further include: a first PT sensor 1205, a second PT sensor 1206, and a third PT sensor 1207. The PT sensor can detect the temperature data at its location in real time, convert it into an electrical signal and record it for further data processing, analysis, and control system decision-making. In this embodiment, the PT sensor can be used to monitor the temperatures of components such as the compressor 1201 and the electronic expansion valve 1202 in the refrigerant circuit 12, so that the control system can control these components according to the temperature data.

[0051] Furthermore, to illustrate the processing procedure of the above thermal management system, this embodiment also provides a control method, as Figure 3 shown, the method includes:

[0052] Step 201, in response to a control instruction of the thermal management system, control the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve.

[0053] In some examples, the control instructions of the thermal management system may include: an instruction to turn on the air conditioner and refrigerator refrigeration modes, an instruction to turn on the single air conditioner refrigeration mode, an instruction to turn on the single refrigerator refrigeration mode, an instruction to turn on the air conditioner heating and refrigerator refrigeration modes, and an instruction to turn on the winter refrigerator refrigeration mode, etc.

[0054] Step 202, control the target electronic water pump in the coolant circuit to operate and open the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant circuit.

[0055] Wherein, the target electronic water pump includes one or more of the first electronic water pump 1102, the second electronic water pump 1109, and the third electronic water pump 1115, and the target electronic expansion valve includes one or more of the first electronic three-way valve 1103, the second electronic three-way valve 1104, the third electronic three-way valve 1107, the fourth electronic three-way valve 1110, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111, the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114, the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117, and the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119.

[0056] In some embodiments, the thermal management system may, in response to the opening commands of the air conditioner and the refrigerator cooling mode, control the compressor 1201 in the refrigerant circuit 12 to discharge the refrigerant, close the hot gas bypass valve 1204, and open the electronic expansion valve 1202; and control the first electronic water pump 1102, the second electronic water pump 1109, and the third electronic water pump 1115 in the coolant circuit 11 to operate, with the first electronic three-way valve 1103 opening its first and second ends, the second electronic three-way valve 1104 opening its first, second, and third ends, the third electronic three-way valve 1107 opening its first, second, and third ends, the fourth electronic three-way valve 1110 opening its first, second, and third ends, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 opening its first and second ends, the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 opening its first, second, and third ends, the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 opening its first, second, and third ends, and the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 opening its first and third ends.

[0057] Exemplarily, as Figure 4 shown, the air conditioner and refrigerator cooling mode mainly includes a combined cooling method of air conditioner cooling, battery cooling, and refrigerator cooling. The compressor 1201 discharges high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas, which releases heat through the condenser 1116 and absorbs heat in the evaporator 1101, completing the thermodynamic cycle of the refrigerant circuit 12 system. At this time, the hot gas bypass valve 1204 is closed, and the electronic expansion valve 1202 normally throttles and controls the supercooling degree at the outlet of the evaporator 1101.

[0058] In some examples, the three water pumps in the coolant circuit 11 can operate independently or in series. For example, the first electronic water pump 1102 and the third electronic water pump 1115 operate in series, allowing the coolant to release heat to the outside through the low-temperature water tank radiator 1112; the first electronic water pump 1102 pumps the coolant cooled by the refrigerant from the evaporator 1101 and connects to the cold core 1106 in the air conditioner box through the first electronic three-way valve 1103 and the second electronic three-way valve 1104 to cool the hot air in the air conditioner box. The cooled coolant is divided into two parts after passing through the third electronic three-way valve 1107. One part returns to the confluence point in front of the evaporator 1101, and the other part flows to the battery inlet end. The flow rate ratio of the two parts of the coolant coming out of the third electronic three-way valve 1107 can achieve a flow rate adjustment from 0% to 100%. For example, if it is adjusted to 0%, the coolant does not pass through the battery at this time and does not need to cool the battery. If it is adjusted to 100%, the battery cooling temperature is the same as the air conditioner box temperature at this time. Specifically, the opening degree or closing of the third electronic three-way valve 1107 can be adjusted according to whether the battery cold plate 1108 needs to be cooled.

[0059] In this embodiment, the coolant in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator also flows out from the evaporator 1101 as low-temperature coolant. After passing through the first electronic three-way valve 1103, it then passes through the second electronic three-way valve 1104. The coolant flowing out from the second electronic three-way valve 1104 is divided into two parts. One part enters the air-conditioning box, and the other part enters the vehicle-mounted refrigerator. By adjusting the flow rate of the second electronic three-way valve 1104, the refrigeration ratio of the refrigerator and the air conditioner can be adjusted. When the refrigerator reaches the set temperature, the refrigeration function of the refrigerator and the adjustment of the coolant flow rate can be achieved by closing the second end of the second electronic three-way valve 1104. In some examples, a flow cut-off valve can also be set on the refrigerator branch to replace the second electronic three-way valve 1104.

[0060] In some embodiments, the thermal management system can respond to the opening command of the single air-conditioning refrigeration mode, control the compressor 1201 in the refrigerant circuit 12 to discharge the refrigerant and close the hot gas bypass valve 1204, and open the electronic expansion valve 1202; and control the first electronic water pump 1102, the second electronic water pump 1109 and the third electronic water pump 1115 in the coolant circuit 11 to operate. The first electronic three-way valve 1103 opens the first end and the second end, the second electronic three-way valve 1104 opens the first end and the third end, the third electronic three-way valve 1107 opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the fourth electronic three-way valve 1110 opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 opens the first end and the second end, the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 opens the first end, the second end and the third end, and the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 opens the first end and the third end.

[0061] Exemplarily, as Figure 5 shown, the single air-conditioning refrigeration mode is mainly applicable to the working conditions of summer air-conditioning refrigeration and the vehicle-mounted refrigerator being closed or insulated. By switching the mode of the second electronic three-way valve 1104 in front of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the function of closing or opening the vehicle-mounted refrigerator can be achieved; after all the coolant passing through the second electronic three-way valve 1104 enters the air-conditioning cold core 1106, the heated coolant returns to the evaporator 1101 to realize the coolant circulation in the single air-conditioning refrigeration mode.

[0062] In some embodiments, the thermal management system may, in response to an instruction to activate the single-refrigerator cooling mode, control the compressor 1201 in the refrigerant circuit 12 to discharge the refrigerant, close the hot gas bypass valve 1204, and open the electronic expansion valve 1202; and control the first electronic water pump 1102 and the third electronic water pump 1115 in the coolant circuit 11 to operate, with the first electronic three-way valve 1103 opening its first and second ends, the second electronic three-way valve 1104 opening its first and second ends, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 opening its first and second ends, the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 opening its first, second, and third ends, and the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 opening its first and third ends.

[0063] Exemplarily, as Figure 6 shown, the single-refrigerator cooling mode is mainly applicable to the working condition where the vehicle air conditioner does not need to be turned on, both the cooling air conditioner and the heating function mode stop, but the refrigerator needs to be turned on to cool the items stored in the refrigerator. At this time, the compressor 1201 starts at the minimum speed to cool the vehicle-mounted refrigerator alone. At this time, since the refrigeration capacity of the compressor 1201 is much greater than the demand of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, the secondary refrigerant built into the refrigerator comes into play. When the thermal management system cools the vehicle-mounted refrigerator alone, the in-vehicle compressor 1201 can cool both the items stored in the refrigerator and the vehicle-mounted secondary refrigerant at the same time. When the in-vehicle compressor 1201 stops cooling the refrigerator, it is equivalent to expanding the refrigeration demand of the refrigerator to match the refrigeration capacity of the compressor 1201. The in-vehicle secondary refrigerant can also cool the items stored in the vehicle or keep the temperature of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator constant, thereby reducing the frequent start and stop of the vehicle air conditioner and achieving the matching of the refrigeration load demand between the vehicle air conditioner compressor 1201 and the vehicle-mounted refrigerator. In addition, since the thermal management system in this embodiment adopts a secondary circulation system, the heat capacity of the coolant circuit 11 system is relatively large. When the compressor 1201 stops running, the coolant cooled by the evaporator 1101 can still continuously cool the refrigerator until the coolant temperature is higher than the temperature inside the refrigerator, at which point the flow of the coolant entering the refrigerator can be cut off.

[0064] By applying the solution of this embodiment, the heat load imposed by the vehicle-mounted refrigerator on the vehicle air conditioner is reduced, and the refrigeration energy efficiency is improved. Especially in parking conditions such as high-temperature exposure in summer, the risk of loss or weakening of the refrigeration function of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is reduced.

[0065] In some embodiments, the thermal management system may, in response to an instruction to turn on the air-conditioning heating and refrigerator cooling modes, control the compressor 1201 in the refrigerant circuit 12 to discharge the refrigerant, close the hot gas bypass valve 1204, and open the electronic expansion valve 1202; and control the first electronic water pump 1102 and the third electronic water pump 1115 in the coolant circuit 11 to operate, with the first electronic three-way valve 1103 opening its first, second, and third ends, the second electronic three-way valve 1104 opening its first, second, and third ends, the third electronic three-way valve 1107 opening its first and second ends, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 opening its first and second ends, the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 opening its first and second ends, the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 opening its first and second ends, and the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 opening its first, second, and third ends.

[0066] Exemplarily, as Figure 7 shown, the air-conditioning heating and refrigerator cooling modes are mainly applicable to the mode of heating the air conditioner or battery or both in winter. Through the thermal management system including the compressor 1201, the functions of air-conditioning heating and battery heating are realized. Specifically, the coolant discharged by the third electronic water pump 1115 absorbs the heat of the refrigerant through the condenser 1116 and becomes high-temperature coolant, which then passes through the second end of the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 to heat the air conditioner and the battery. The high-temperature coolant flowing out from the second end of the seventh electronic three-way valve 1117 first passes through the air-conditioning heater core 1118 to heat the in-cabin air conditioner (if heating of the passenger compartment is not required, the air-conditioning temperature air damper can be closed, and the heater core 1118 will not heat the air), and then flows into the battery heating cold plate 1108 after passing through the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 and finally returns to the main branch of the third electronic water pump 1115 to complete the entire cycle. If only the air conditioner needs to be heated and the battery does not need to be heated, the second end of the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 can be closed, that is, the passage flowing through the battery cold plate 1108 is closed, so that all the coolant flowing out of the air-conditioning heater core 1118 passes through the third end of the eighth electronic three-way valve 1119 and directly returns to the third electronic water pump 1115.

[0067] In this embodiment, the coolant circuit 11 system on the evaporator 1101 side mainly heats the refrigerant in the evaporator 1101 with the coolant discharged by the first electronic water pump 1102, allowing the refrigerant to absorb heat and evaporate and return to the gas-liquid separator 1203 and the compressor 1201 to complete the cycle of the refrigerant circuit 12. After heating the refrigerant in the evaporator 1101, the temperature of the coolant decreases, passes through the third end of the first electronic three-way valve 1103, and then returns to the low-temperature water tank radiator 1112 after passing through the second end of the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111. The coolant absorbs heat from the air through the low-temperature water tank, absorbs the waste heat of the electric drive component 1113 (or the electric drive actively generates heat) from the electric drive when passing through the electric drive component 1113, and returns to the inlet of the evaporator 1101 through the connection of the first end and the second end of the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114, and then passes through the first electronic water pump 1102 to complete the entire cycle. Additionally, it can be determined according to specific circumstances whether the coolant needs to pass through the low-temperature water tank radiator 1112. If it is not necessary to pass through the low-temperature water tank radiator 1112, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 can be adjusted to close the second end and open the third end to achieve coolant bypass.

[0068] In some examples, the second electronic three-way valve 1104 can be used to switch the water circuit of the refrigerator and the water circuit of the indoor air-conditioning cold core 1106 respectively. If the refrigeration function of the in-vehicle refrigerator needs to be turned on, the functions of refrigerator and air-conditioning heating and dehumidification can be achieved through the mode switching of the second electronic three-way valve 1104.

[0069] In some embodiments, the thermal management system can respond to the opening instruction of the winter refrigerator refrigeration mode, control the compressor 1201 in the refrigerant circuit 12 to discharge the refrigerant and close the hot gas bypass valve 1204, and open the electronic expansion valve 1202; and control the first electronic water pump 1102 in the coolant circuit 11 to operate, the first electronic three-way valve 1103 to open the first end, the second end and the third end, the second electronic three-way valve 1104 to open the first end and the second end, the fifth electronic three-way valve 1111 to open the first end and the second end, and the sixth electronic three-way valve 1114 to open the first end and the second end.

[0070] Exemplarily, as Figure 8 shown, the winter refrigerator refrigeration mode is mainly applicable to the working conditions where the air-conditioning heating function does not need to be turned on in winter, such as the stationary working condition of the vehicle in winter. When the ambient temperature is relatively low, the natural air cold wind can be used to cool the coolant in the refrigerator. At this time, the compressor 1201 does not need to be turned on to achieve the refrigeration of the in-vehicle refrigerator (the in-vehicle temperature is relatively high). In the winter refrigerator refrigeration mode, only the first electronic water pump 1102 needs to be started, and the coolant flowing out of the water pump is divided into two paths. One path passes through the refrigerator to cool the items stored in the refrigerator, and the other path passes through the low-temperature water tank radiator 1112 of the front-end module to cool the coolant, and finally converges at the inlet of the evaporator 1101 to achieve heat exchange.

[0071] By applying the solution of this embodiment, the circulating coolant in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator can be cooled by using the ambient cold air without starting the compressor 1201, achieving a reduction in energy consumption.

[0072] At present, in the prior art, the compressor in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is placed inside the vehicle, which will generate obvious noise inside the vehicle and affect the comfort of the passengers in the cabin; the condenser of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is also inside the vehicle, and the heat load generated during the refrigeration process of the refrigerator will be completely transferred to the passenger cabin, and the vehicle's overall thermal management system needs to cool this part of the heat load, resulting in a reduction in the energy efficiency of the vehicle. By applying the coupling system of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator and the vehicle's air-conditioning thermal management system provided in this embodiment, the refrigeration demand of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator is realized by using the coolant circuit in the vehicle's overall thermal management system, reducing the cost, weight and space requirements of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator, as well as the power consumption and noise problems of the independent compressor in the vehicle-mounted refrigerator. At the same time, since the coolant circuit system in the vehicle's overall thermal management system is adopted, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator will not release heat to the vehicle interior through its own condenser as in the original way, thereby reducing the heat load of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator on the automotive air conditioner, improving the refrigeration energy efficiency, especially reducing the risk of loss or weakening of the refrigeration function of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator under parking conditions such as high-temperature exposure in summer, and increasing the service life and reliability of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator.

[0073] Furthermore, the embodiment of the present application also provides a vehicle, which specifically may include: as Figures 1 to 7 shown in the thermal management system. This vehicle may specifically be a new energy vehicle or a traditional vehicle, etc.

[0074] It should be noted that in this article, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising a..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.

[0075] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to these embodiments described herein, but rather will conform to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A cooling liquid circuit, characterized in that: include: An evaporator, a first electronic water pump, a first electronic three-way valve, a second electronic three-way valve and a heat exchanger; The first end of the evaporator is connected to the first end of the first electronic water pump, the second end of the first electronic water pump is connected to the first end of the first electronic three-way valve, the second end of the first electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second electronic three-way valve, the second end of the second electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the heat exchanger, and the second end of the heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the evaporator; Wherein, the heat exchanger is arranged in the vehicle refrigerator and is used for cooling the vehicle refrigerator.

2. The coolant circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coolant circuit further includes: a third electronic three-way valve; The third end of the second electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the cold core of the air conditioner, the second end of the cold core is connected to the first end of the third electronic three-way valve, the pipeline between the heat exchanger and the evaporator is provided with a first intermediate pipe opening, and the second end of the third electronic three-way valve is connected to the first intermediate pipe opening.

3. The coolant circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The coolant circuit also includes: a second electronic water pump and a fourth electronic three-way valve; The third end of the third electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the battery cold plate, the second end of the battery cold plate is connected to the first end of the second electronic water pump, the second end of the second electronic water pump is connected to the first end of the fourth electronic three-way valve, the second end of the fourth electronic three-way valve is connected to the first middle pipe opening, and the third end of the fourth electronic three-way valve is connected to the second middle pipe opening of the pipeline between the third electronic three-way valve and the battery cold plate.

4. The coolant circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The coolant circuit also includes: a fifth electronic three-way valve, a radiator, and a sixth electronic three-way valve; The third end of the first electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the fifth electronic three-way valve, the second end of the fifth electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the radiator, the second end of the radiator is connected to the first end of the electric drive component, the second end of the electric drive component is connected to the first end of the sixth electronic three-way valve, and the second end of the sixth electronic three-way valve is connected to the first intermediate pipe port.

5. The coolant circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The coolant circuit also includes: a sixth electronic three-way valve, a third electronic water pump, a condenser, a seventh electronic three-way valve, and an eighth electronic three-way valve; The third end of the sixth electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the third electronic water pump, the second end of the third electronic water pump is connected to the first end of the condenser, the second end of the condenser is connected to the first end of the seventh electronic three-way valve, the second end of the seventh electronic three-way valve is connected to the first end of the heating core of the air conditioner, and the third end of the seventh electronic three-way valve is connected to the pipeline between the first electronic three-way valve and the fifth electronic three-way valve; the second end of the heating core is connected to the first end of the eighth electronic three-way valve, the second end of the eighth electronic three-way valve is connected to the second middle pipe port, and the third end of the eighth electronic three-way valve is connected to the third middle pipe port of the pipeline between the sixth electronic three-way valve and the third electronic water pump; A fourth intermediate pipe opening is further provided between the battery cold plate and the second electronic water pump, and a pipeline is connected between the third intermediate pipe opening and the fourth intermediate pipe opening.

6. The coolant circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle refrigerator further comprises: a refrigerant device and a blower; The heat exchanger is arranged between the coolant device and the blower, and the coolant device and the blower are used to cool the vehicle refrigerator when the compressor in the refrigerant circuit stops working.

7. A thermal management system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a cooling liquid circuit and a refrigerant circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cooling liquid circuit is coupled to the refrigerant circuit.

8. The thermal management system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The refrigerant circuit comprises: a compressor, an electronic expansion valve and a gas-liquid separator; The third end of the evaporator is connected to the first end of the gas-liquid separator, the second end of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the first end of the compressor, the second end of the compressor is connected to the third end of the condenser, the fourth end of the condenser is connected to the fourth end of the evaporator, and the electronic expansion valve is arranged on the pipeline between the condenser and the evaporator.

9. The thermal management system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The refrigerant circuit further includes: a hot gas bypass valve; The pipeline between the compressor and the condenser is provided with a fifth intermediate pipe opening, the pipeline between the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator is provided with a sixth intermediate pipe opening, a bypass pipeline is connected between the fifth intermediate pipe opening and the sixth intermediate pipe opening, and the hot gas bypass valve is provided on the bypass pipeline.

10. A control method for a thermal management system, characterized in that: Applied to the thermal management system according to claim 9, the method comprises: In response to a control instruction of the thermal management system, the compressor in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to discharge the refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve; Control the operation of a target electronic water pump in a coolant circuit, and open a target electronic expansion valve in the coolant circuit, wherein the target electronic water pump includes one or more of a first electronic water pump, a second electronic water pump, and a third electronic water pump, and the target electronic expansion valve includes one or more of a first electronic three-way valve, a second electronic three-way valve, a third electronic three-way valve, a fourth electronic three-way valve, a fifth electronic three-way valve, a sixth electronic three-way valve, a seventh electronic three-way valve, and an eighth electronic three-way valve.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method of controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve in response to the control instruction of the thermal management system comprises: In response to a start instruction of the air conditioner and refrigerator cooling mode, the compressor in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to discharge the refrigerant and close the hot gas bypass valve, and the electronic expansion valve is opened; The controlling the target electronic water pump in the coolant loop to operate and opening the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant loop comprises: The operation of the first electronic water pump, the second electronic water pump and the third electronic water pump in the coolant circuit is controlled, the first electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the second electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the third electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the fourth electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the fifth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the sixth electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the seventh electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, and the eighth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the third end.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method of controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve in response to the control instruction of the thermal management system comprises: In response to a start instruction of the single air conditioning cooling mode, the compressor in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to discharge the refrigerant and close the hot gas bypass valve, and the electronic expansion valve is opened; The controlling the target electronic water pump in the coolant loop to operate and opening the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant loop comprises: The operation of the first electronic water pump, the second electronic water pump and the third electronic water pump in the coolant circuit is controlled, the first electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the second electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the third end, the third electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the fourth electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the fifth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the sixth electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the seventh electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, and the eighth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the third end.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method of controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve in response to the control instruction of the thermal management system comprises: In response to a start instruction of the single refrigerator refrigeration mode, controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge the refrigerant and close the hot gas bypass valve, and opening the electronic expansion valve; The controlling the target electronic water pump in the coolant loop to operate and opening the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant loop comprises: The operation of the first electronic water pump and the third electronic water pump in the coolant circuit is controlled, the first electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the second electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the fifth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the sixth electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, and the seventh electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the third end.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method of controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve in response to the control instruction of the thermal management system comprises: In response to a start instruction of the air conditioner heating mode and the refrigerator cooling mode, the compressor in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to discharge the refrigerant and close the hot gas bypass valve, and the electronic expansion valve is opened; The controlling the target electronic water pump in the coolant loop to operate and opening the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant loop comprises: Control the operation of the first electronic water pump and the third electronic water pump in the coolant circuit, the first electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the second electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the third electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the fifth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the sixth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the seventh electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, and the eighth electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method of controlling the compressor in the refrigerant circuit to discharge refrigerant and open the electronic expansion valve in response to the control instruction of the thermal management system comprises: In response to a start instruction of a winter refrigerator refrigeration mode, the compressor in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to discharge refrigerant and close a hot gas bypass valve, and the electronic expansion valve is opened; The controlling the target electronic water pump in the coolant loop to operate and opening the target electronic expansion valve in the coolant loop comprises: The first electronic water pump in the coolant circuit is controlled to operate, the first electronic three-way valve opens the first end, the second end and the third end, the second electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, the fifth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end, and the sixth electronic three-way valve opens the first end and the second end.

16. A vehicle, characterized in that: include: A thermal management system as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9.

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