Cooling system for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cooling system (100) for a vehicle, comprising an air inlet (10) for guiding an air flow (F) into the air inlet (10) and comprising an upper region (11) and a lower region (12), a radiator (20) arranged downstream of the upper region (11) of the air inlet (10) such that the air flow (F) passing through the upper region (11) flows through the radiator (20). The heat sink (20) is not arranged downstream of the lower region (12) such that an air flow (F) passing through the lower region (12) flows below the heat sink (20). The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising such a cooling system (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling system for a vehicle. In particular, an air inlet of the cooling system can guide a part of the air flow to flow under a radiator of the vehicle, reducing the drag coefficient of the vehicle. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle including such a cooling system. Background Art

[0002] Aerodynamic drag is an important source of the driving resistance of a vehicle. When the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the aerodynamic drag rises rapidly and can account for more than half of the driving resistance. In particular, for new energy vehicles, the aerodynamic drag is a major constraint on increasing the cruising range at high speeds. Therefore, vehicles need to be aerodynamically designed to guide the air flow and reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

[0003] In addition to generating aerodynamic drag, the air flow blowing onto and around the vehicle can also carry away the heat generated during the vehicle's operation. It is known that the cooling system of a vehicle can guide the air flow through an air inlet to flow through a radiator, a condenser, and / or a battery to cool these components. However, in existing vehicles, although the cooling system can guide the air flow through the air inlet, the guided air flow is usually only used to cool the vehicle components and not to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a cooling system that can both guide the air flow to cool the vehicle and guide the air flow to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide a cooling system for a vehicle, in which an air inlet of the cooling system can guide a part of the air flow to flow under a radiator of the vehicle, reducing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

[0006] The above object is achieved by a cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes: an air inlet for guiding the air flow to flow into the air inlet, and the air inlet includes an upper region and a lower region; a radiator disposed downstream of the upper region of the air inlet such that the air flow passing through the upper region flows through the radiator. The radiator is not disposed downstream of the lower region such that the air flow passing through the lower region flows under the radiator.

[0007] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling system for a vehicle, which can both guide the airflow to cool the vehicle and guide the airflow to reduce the wind resistance of the vehicle. According to the cooling system of the present disclosure, the air inlet includes an upper region and a lower region. A radiator is arranged downstream of the upper region of the air inlet. The airflow passing through the upper region flows through the radiator, which can take away the heat in the radiator and be used to cool the vehicle. The radiator is not arranged downstream of the lower region of the air inlet, and the airflow passing through the lower region flows under the radiator. The airflow guided by this lower region forms a stable laminar flow around the radiator and other components at the bottom of the vehicle, which can reduce or even eliminate the undesirable turbulent flow at the bottom of the vehicle, thereby reducing the wind resistance of the vehicle.

[0008] The cooling system for a vehicle according to the present disclosure may also have one or more of the following features individually or in combination.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, only one layer of the radiator is arranged downstream of the upper region of the air inlet. That is to say, the airflow passing through the upper region only flows through one layer of the radiator, and the airflow flowing through this radiator will not flow through another layer of the radiator. Due to the blocking effect of the radiator on the airflow, a low-pressure area will appear behind multiple layers of radiators. A high-pressure area will appear in front of the vehicle due to the compression of the air by the moving vehicle. The unobstructed airflow from the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area will generate a large wind resistance on the vehicle. In the cooling system according to the present disclosure, since only one layer of the radiator is arranged downstream of the upper region, the blocking effect of the radiator on the airflow is reduced, the reduction of the air pressure behind it is suppressed, and even the low-pressure area no longer appears, thereby reducing or eliminating the wind resistance generated by this airflow from the high-pressure area to the low-pressure area on the vehicle.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling system further includes an electric drive device, and the electric drive device is arranged downstream of the upper region of the air inlet, so that the airflow passing through the lower region flows under the electric drive device. According to this feature, the airflow guided by the lower region of the air inlet can also form a stable laminar flow around the electric drive device, thereby reducing the wind resistance generated on the electric drive device.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling system further includes an electric drive device, and the electric drive device is arranged downstream of the lower region of the air inlet, so that the airflow passing through the lower region flows through the electric drive device and flows under the electric drive device. According to this feature, the airflow guided by the lower region of the air inlet can both cool the electric drive device and form a stable laminar flow around the electric drive device, reducing the wind resistance generated on the electric drive device.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat dissipation structure is provided on the housing of the electric drive device. Thus, the air flow passing through the upper region of the air inlet can also flow through this heat dissipation structure to cool the electric drive device.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat dissipation structure includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiator includes an air-conditioning condenser for the vehicle's air-conditioning system.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiator further includes a coolant radiator for the electric drive device.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coolant radiator and the air-conditioning condenser are arranged side by side downstream of the upper region, or the coolant radiator and the air-conditioning condenser are arranged offset from each other in the air flow direction passing through the upper region. That is, the coolant radiator and the air-conditioning condenser do not overlap in the air flow direction, so that the air flow does not flow through one of them first and then through the other.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coolant radiator and the air-conditioning condenser are an integrated single radiator.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric drive device and the radiator are arranged side by side downstream of the air inlet. Optionally, the electric drive device and the air-conditioning condenser can also be arranged offset from each other downstream of the air inlet. Further optionally, one of the electric drive device and the radiator is arranged downstream of the other.

[0019] The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle including the cooling system as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the description and drawings are for exemplary purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. The following drawings are not deliberately drawn to scale in actual size, and the emphasis is on showing the gist of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1 An embodiment of the cooling system for a motor according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, in which the electric drive device and the radiator are arranged side by side.

[0022] Figure 2 Another embodiment of the cooling system for a motor according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, in which the electric drive device and the radiator are arranged offset from each other in the air flow direction.

[0023] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a cooling system for an electric machine according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, wherein the electric drive device is arranged downstream of the radiator.

[0024] Figure 4 Another embodiment of a cooling system for an electric machine according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, wherein the electric drive device includes a coolant radiator arranged side by side with the air-conditioning condenser.

[0025] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a cooling system for an electric machine according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, wherein the coolant radiator of the electric drive device is integrated with the air-conditioning condenser into a single radiator.

[0026] Figure 6 Another embodiment of a cooling system for an electric machine according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, wherein the electric drive device is arranged downstream of the lower region of the air inlet, such that the air flow passing through the lower region flows both over and under the electric drive device. Detailed Description

[0027] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meanings as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The words such as "a", "an" or "the" used in the specification and claims of the present patent application do not denote a limitation in quantity, but rather mean that there is at least one. Words such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the elements or items appearing before the word cover the elements or items listed after the word and their equivalents. Although expressions such as "first" and "second" are used to describe the various elements of the present disclosure, they are only used to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the order or importance of the corresponding elements. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the "first element" may be written as the "second element", and similarly, the "second element" may be written as the "first element". "Connection" or "coupling" and the like do not limit to physical or mechanical connection, but may include electrical connection, whether direct or indirect. "Upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are only used to indicate relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are defined with respect to the air flow direction through the air inlet of the cooling system.

[0029] For ease of description, the accompanying drawings of the present disclosure correspondingly simplify or omit components commonly used in the art, such as external connection lines and other components irrelevant to the description of the present disclosure. These omitted or simplified components do not affect those skilled in the art's understanding of the content of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a cooling system 100 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] As shown in the figure, the cooling system 100 includes an air inlet 10, a radiator 20, and an electric drive device 30. The air inlet 10 can be arranged at the front end of the vehicle and is used to guide an air flow F to flow into the vehicle through the air inlet 10. The air inlet 10 includes an upper region 11 and a lower region 12. The radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30 are arranged downstream of the upper region 11 of the air inlet 10.

[0032] As Figure 1 shown, the radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30 are arranged side by side downstream of the upper region 11, and the radiator 20 is located above the electric drive device 30. It can be understood that the electric drive device 30 can also be arranged above the radiator 20. The upper region 11 of the air inlet 10 guides the air flow F passing through the upper region 11 to flow through the radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30, cooling the radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30. That is, the upper region 11 of the air inlet 10 constitutes an air-cooled area for cooling the vehicle.

[0033] Downstream of the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10, the radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30 are not arranged. The air flow F guided by the lower region 12 to pass through the lower region 12 flows under the electric drive device 30. Preferably, no other components that can impede the air flow F are provided on the flow path of the air flow F from the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10 to under the electric drive device 30, so that the air flow F passing through the lower region 12 can flow unobstructed under the electric drive device 30. It should be understood that if the radiator 20 is arranged under the electric drive device 30, the air flow F passing through the lower region 12 will flow under the radiator 20.

[0034] Traditionally, in order to enhance the cooling capacity, all the air inlets of vehicle cooling systems are designed as air-cooled areas, that is, the air flow passing through the air inlet is guided to the radiator or other components that require air-cooled heat dissipation (such as an electric drive device). The components at the bottom of the vehicle will disturb the air under the vehicle during vehicle driving, forming a turbulent flow, resulting in an increase in the vehicle's wind resistance. For vehicles without a bottom guard plate, the wind resistance generated by this turbulent flow under the vehicle is particularly prominent.

[0035] The cooling system 100 for a vehicle according to the present disclosure guides the air flow F to flow through the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10 from below the radiator 20 and / or the electric drive device 30. Advantageously, the radiator 20 and / or the electric drive device 30 of the cooling system 100 are the components at the bottommost part of the vehicle, and no other components are provided below them. The air flow F passing through the lower region 12 flows unobstructed below the vehicle, forming a stable laminar flow near the bottom of the vehicle, generating an air curtain effect, reducing or even eliminating the undesirable turbulence at the bottom of the vehicle, thereby reducing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle. That is, the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10 constitutes an aerodynamic region for reducing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle. Thus, the air inlet 10 of the cooling system 100 according to the present disclosure includes both an air-cooling region and an aerodynamic region, enabling the cooling system 100 to both guide the air flow to cool the vehicle and guide the air flow to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

[0036] Exemplarily, the radiator 20 is an air-conditioning condenser 21 for the air-conditioning system of the vehicle. The electric drive device 30 is provided with a heat dissipation structure 31 on the housing. Exemplarily, the heat dissipation structure 31 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 31a, which can increase the contact area between the electric drive device 30 and the air flow F passing through the upper region 11 to enhance the cooling capacity of the electric drive device 30. It should be understood that the heat dissipation structure 31 may have other configurations capable of increasing the contact area with the air flow F.

[0037] In different embodiments, the upper region 11 and the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10 may have different configurations. The upper region 11 and the lower region 12 may be separated from each other and are spaced apart by a spacer. Alternatively, no spacer may be provided between the upper region 11 and the lower region 12, and the two are connected. In addition, as Figure 1 shown, the air inlet 10 is provided with a guide vane 13 at the lower region 12, which guides the air flow F passing through the lower region 12 to change direction, making it flow closer to the lower part of the electric drive device 30, enhancing its effect of reducing the turbulence at the bottom of the vehicle. It can be understood that the guide vane 13 may also be arranged at the upper region 11 to adjust the direction and / or speed of the air flow F passing through the upper region 12. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the air inlet 10 may also be provided with a wind hood for adjusting the direction and / or speed of the air flow F. The wind hood may replace the guide vane 13, or the wind hood and the guide vane 13 may be provided in the air inlet 10 simultaneously to act synergistically.

[0038] Figure 1 An embodiment is shown in which the electric drive device 30 and the radiator 20 are arranged side by side downstream of the upper region 11. Figures 2 to 6 Other embodiments of the cooling system 100 according to the present disclosure are shown. It should be understood that except for the differences described in detail below, compared withFigure 1 All information related to the embodiments shown can be applied to Figures 2 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the electric drive device 30 of the cooling system 100 and the downstream of the air inlet 10 of the radiator 20 (specifically, downstream of the upper area 11 of the air inlet 10) are arranged staggered with each other. That is, the airflow F flowing through the radiator 20 will no longer flow through the electric drive device 30. Similarly, the airflow F flowing through the electric drive device 30 will no longer flow through the radiator 20. The airflow F passing through the lower area 12 will flow from under both the radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30. Further optionally, the cooling system 100 can also be configured to arrange one of the electric drive device 30 and the radiator 20 downstream of the other. Figure 3 As shown, at the downstream of the upper area 11 of the air inlet 10, the electric drive device 30 is arranged downstream of the radiator 20, so that the airflow F flowing through the radiator 20 will flow through the electric drive device 30 again, and the airflow F passing through the lower area 12 will flow under both the radiator 20 and the electric drive device 30. It should be understood that the radiator 20 can also be arranged downstream of the electric drive device 30, so that the airflow F flowing through the radiator 20 will flow through the electric drive device 30 again. Although not shown in the drawings, it can be understood that Figure 2 and Figure 3 The upper region 11 and / or the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10 shown may also be provided with guide vanes 13 and / or air shields.

[0040] In addition to the air conditioning condenser 21 for the air conditioning system of the vehicle, the radiator 20 also includes a coolant radiator 22 for the electric drive device 30. Figure 4 As shown, the electric drive device 30 is connected to the coolant radiator 22 through a pipeline. A coolant such as cooling water or cooling oil circulates between the electric drive device 30 and the coolant radiator 22. When the coolant flows through the electric drive device 30, the heat generated by the electric drive device 30 is taken away to cool the electric drive device 30. When the coolant flows through the coolant radiator 22, the coolant can be cooled by passing through the upper area 11 of the air inlet 10 and flowing through the air flow F from the coolant radiator 22.

[0041] exist Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the coolant radiator 22 and the air conditioner condenser 21 are arranged side by side downstream of the upper region 11 of the air inlet 10. The coolant radiator 22 is located below the air conditioner condenser 21, and the airflow F passing through the lower region 12 flows under the coolant radiator 22. Optionally, the air conditioner condenser 21 can also be arranged below the coolant radiator 22, and the airflow F passing through the lower region 12 flows under the air conditioner condenser 21. It can be understood that the coolant radiator 22 and the air conditioner condenser 21 can also be arranged to be staggered from each other in the direction of the airflow F passing through the upper region 11. That is, the airflow F flowing through the coolant radiator 22 will not flow through the air conditioner condenser 21 anymore. Similarly, the airflow F flowing through the air conditioner condenser 21 will not flow through the coolant radiator 22 anymore.

[0042] When flowing through the radiator, the pressure of the airflow F drops. If multiple layers of radiators are arranged downstream of the upper region 11 of the air inlet 10, a low-pressure area will appear behind the multiple layers of radiators. The high-pressure area generated by the compression of the air at the front end of the vehicle can be directly communicated with the low-pressure area through the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10, generating an airflow that can increase the air resistance. Therefore, for the cooling system 100 including multiple radiators, preferably only one layer of radiator 20 is arranged downstream of the upper region 11 of the air inlet 10. For example, for Figure 4 the illustrated embodiment including the coolant radiator 22 and the air conditioner condenser 21, the coolant radiator 22 and the air conditioner condenser 21 are not stacked in the direction of the airflow F. That is, the airflow F will not flow through one of them first and then through the other.

[0043] The coolant radiator 22 and the air conditioner condenser 21 can also be integrated into a single radiator 20. As Figure 5 shown, the coolant radiator 22 and the air conditioner condenser 21 are different parts of a single radiator 20, rather than being two separate radiators serving as the radiator of the vehicle's air conditioning system and the electric drive device respectively.

[0044] In Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the electric drive device 30 is shown to be downstream of the coolant radiator 22. It should be understood that Figure 4 and Figure 5 the above description is only used to show the connection relationship between the electric drive device 30 and the coolant radiator 22. The relative arrangement position of the electric drive device 30 and the coolant radiator 22 can be changed. The electric drive device 30 can be arranged at any suitable position of the vehicle.

[0045] In Figure 4 and Figure 5In [the figure], the electric drive device 30 is shown as not being provided with a heat dissipation structure. It can be understood that although a coolant radiator 22 for the electric drive device 30 is provided, a heat dissipation structure can also be provided on the housing of the electric drive device 30 to enhance the cooling capacity of the electric drive device 30. In addition, Figure 4 and Figure 5 a deflector vane 13 and / or a wind hood can also be provided in the upper region 11 and / or the lower region 12 of the air inlet 10 shown.

[0046] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the cooling system 100 according to the present disclosure is shown, in which the division of the upper region 11' and the lower region 12' of the air inlet 10 is different from that of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 As shown in Figure 6 in this embodiment, the radiator 20 is arranged downstream of the upper region 11' of the air inlet 10, and the air flow F passing through the upper region 11' flows through the radiator 20 to cool the radiator 20. The electric drive device 30 is arranged downstream of the lower region 12' of the air inlet 10, and the air flow F passing through the lower region 12' flows both through and under the electric drive device 30. That is to say, the lower region 12' is used both for air cooling of the electric drive device 30 and for generating a stable laminar flow as an air curtain under the electric drive device 30 to reduce the vehicle aerodynamic drag. Specifically, the top part of the lower region 12' is used for air cooling of the electric drive device 30, and the bottom part of the lower region 12' is used for generating an air curtain, constituting an aerodynamic region for reducing the vehicle aerodynamic drag.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is proposed, which includes the cooling system as described above. The vehicle can be an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a range extended electric vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The vehicle can also be a hydrogen energy vehicle.

[0048] Certain features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined.

[0049] The foregoing is a description of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. It should be understood that the foregoing is a description of the present disclosure and that the present disclosure should not be considered limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and modifications to the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cooling system (100) for a vehicle, characterized in that, The cooling system comprises: An air inlet (10) is used to guide an air flow (F) to flow into the air inlet (10), and the air inlet (10) includes an upper area (11) and a lower area (12), a radiator (20) arranged downstream of the upper region (11) of the air inlet (10) so that the air flow (F) passing through the upper region (11) flows through the radiator (20), The radiator (20) is not arranged downstream of the lower region (12), so that the airflow (F) passing through the lower region (12) flows below the radiator (20).

2. The cooling system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: Only one layer of the radiator (20) is arranged downstream of the upper region (11) of the air inlet (10).

3. The cooling system (100) according to claim 2, further comprising: The electric drive device (30) is arranged downstream of the upper region (11) of the air inlet (10), and the air flow (F) passing through the lower region (12) flows from below the electric drive device (30).

4. The cooling system (100) according to claim 2, further comprising: The electric drive device (30) is arranged downstream of the lower region (12') of the air inlet (10), and the air flow (F) passing through the lower region (12') flows through the electric drive device (30) and flows under the electric drive device (30).

5. The cooling system (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: A heat dissipation structure (31) is provided on the housing of the electric drive device (30).

6. The cooling system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The heat dissipation structure (31) comprises a plurality of heat dissipation fins (31a).

7. The cooling system (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The radiator (20) includes an air-conditioning condenser (21) for an air-conditioning system of a vehicle.

8. The cooling system (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The radiator (20) also includes a coolant radiator (22) for the electric drive device (30).

9. The cooling system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The coolant radiator (22) and the air conditioning condenser (21) are arranged side by side downstream of the upper area (11); or The coolant radiator (22) and the air conditioning condenser (21) are arranged offset from each other in the direction of the air flow (F) passing through the upper area (11).

10. The cooling system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The coolant radiator (22) and the air conditioning condenser (21) are an integrated single radiator.

11. The cooling system (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The electric drive device (30) and the radiator (20) are arranged side by side downstream of the air inlet (10); The electric drive device (30) and the radiator (20) are arranged offset from each other downstream of the air inlet (10); or One of the electric drive device (30) and the radiator (20) is arranged downstream of the other.

12. The cooling system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The air inlet (10) includes guide vanes (13) and / or air shrouds arranged in the upper region (11) and / or the lower region (12) to adjust the direction and / or speed of the air flow (F) passing through the air inlet (10).

13. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes the cooling system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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