Battery pack thermal management system and method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a heat management system and method for a battery pack, and relates to the technical field of battery heat management. The system comprises a heat exchange water path flowing through a plurality of battery boxes, a circulating water path communicated with the heat exchange water path, a water-air radiator arranged on the circulating water path, a first valve group and a heat management medium arranged in the circulating water path, the first valve group is provided with a first connector communicated with the outlet of the heat exchange water path, a second connector communicated with the inlet of the heat exchange water path and a third connector, the input end of the water-air radiator is connected with the first connector of the first valve group in parallel, and the output end of the water-air radiator is communicated with the third connector of the first valve group; the input end of the water-air radiator is communicated with the third interface of the first valve group, and the output end of the water-air radiator is connected in parallel with the second interface of the first valve group; the first valve group is used for adjusting and distributing the flow of the heat management medium passing through the water-air radiator. Therefore, a circulation pipeline of the heat management medium can be shortened, heat loss is reduced, and the heat utilization rate is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery thermal management, and more particularly, to a thermal management system and method for a battery pack of a heavy-duty truck for battery swapping. Background Art

[0002] New energy heavy-duty trucks usually use battery swapping to provide power sources, and common battery packs for heavy-duty truck battery swapping appear in the form of stacked multiple battery boxes. This is because it is necessary to increase the power of the battery pack as much as possible to increase the endurance of new energy heavy-duty trucks as much as possible. Compared with passenger cars, the energy consumption for thermal management of the battery pack for heavy-duty truck battery swapping increases significantly with the increase of the refrigeration circuit. When the existing battery pack thermal management system works, the coolant needs to flow through a PTC water heater, a water-air radiator, a water-cooling module, etc., forming a relatively large circulating water path. On the one hand, the too long pipeline brings an increase in thermal inertia and total heat capacity, and undoubtedly increases the flow resistance of the water path. In order to achieve the purpose of thermal management, there will be a greater demand for the amount of coolant and the driving power of the water pump. On the other hand, the too long pipeline leads to an increase in the environmental contact area and an increase in heat loss caused by heat exchange between the coolant and the air. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing thermal management system for heavy-duty truck battery swapping battery packs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a thermal management system and method for a battery pack for battery swapping.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a thermal management system for a battery pack for battery swapping, including: a heat exchange water path flowing through multiple battery boxes, a circulating water path communicating with the heat exchange water path, a water-air radiator, a first valve group provided on the circulating water path, and a thermal management medium provided in the circulating water path;

[0005] The first valve group has a first interface communicating with the outlet of the heat exchange water path, a second interface communicating with the inlet of the heat exchange water path, and a third interface. The input end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the first interface of the first valve group and the output end of the water-air radiator communicates with the third interface of the first valve group, or the input end of the water-air radiator communicates with the third interface of the first valve group and the output end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the second interface of the first valve group;

[0006] The first valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the water-air radiator.

[0007] In an embodiment, the water-air radiator is used for thermal management of the thermal management medium flowing through the heat exchange water path. The thermal management system for the battery pack for battery swapping is arranged on a heavy-duty truck for battery swapping, and the heavy-duty truck for battery swapping further includes a vehicle body provided with a drive system and a vehicle-end thermal management system provided on the vehicle body.

[0008] In one embodiment, heat is exchanged between the vehicle-end thermal management system and the battery swapping thermal management system through a quick-connect fitting. The first valve group further has a fourth interface, and the fourth interface of the first valve group is connected to the quick-connect fitting, and the quick-connect fitting is also connected to the vehicle-end thermal management system;

[0009] The fourth interface of the first valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the vehicle-end thermal management system.

[0010] In one embodiment, it further includes: a second valve group, a water pump, and a heater arranged on the circulating water path. The first interface of the second valve group is connected to the quick-connect fitting. When the second interface of the second valve group is connected to the input end of the heater, the third interface of the second valve group is in parallel with the output end of the heater, and the output end of the heater is connected to the input end of the water pump; the output end of the water pump is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange water path;

[0011] The second valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the heater.

[0012] In one embodiment, when the third interface of the first valve group is connected to the input end of the water-air radiator, the output end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the second interface of the first valve group.

[0013] In one embodiment, it further includes a third valve group arranged on the circulating water path. The first interface of the third valve group is connected to the first interface of the second valve group, the second interface of the third valve group is connected to the second interface of the first valve group, the second interface of the third valve group is also in parallel with the output end of the water-air radiator, and the third interface of the third valve group is connected to the quick-connect fitting 104, and the quick-connect fitting is also connected to the vehicle-end thermal management system;

[0014] The third valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the vehicle-end thermal management system.

[0015] In one embodiment, a water tank is further provided on the circulating water path.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for thermal management of a battery swapping battery pack. This method is applied to the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided in the first aspect. Temperature sensors are provided in each battery box. This method includes:

[0017] When the temperature difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor is greater than a preset temperature threshold, control the first interface of the first valve group to communicate with the outlet of the heat exchange water path, and the second interface of the first valve group to communicate with the inlet of the heat exchange water path, so that the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the water-air radiator is 0.

[0018] In one embodiment, the battery swapping battery pack thermal management method further includes:

[0019] When the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor exceed the preset temperature range, control the fourth interface of the first valve group to conduct with the quick connector, and the quick connector is also conducted with the hot water exchange water inlet, so that the thermal management medium passes through the hot water exchange water path, the water-air radiator, and the vehicle-end thermal management system, and returns to the hot water exchange water path.

[0020] In one embodiment, according to the lowest temperature and the highest temperature detected by each temperature sensor, a lowest temperature set and a highest temperature set are obtained;

[0021] Calculate the temperature difference according to the lowest temperature in the lowest temperature set and the highest temperature in the highest temperature set.

[0022] The battery swapping battery pack thermal management system and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention can shorten the circulation pipeline of the thermal management medium, reduce the thermal inertia and total heat capacity, reduce the flow resistance of the water path, reduce the demand for the thermal management medium and the driving power of the water pump, reduce the environmental contact area, and reduce the heat loss caused by the heat exchange between the thermal management medium and the air. Thereby reducing heat consumption and improving thermal utilization efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 It is another schematic structural diagram of a battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Components of the embodiments of the present invention generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations.

[0030] Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not require further definition and explanation in subsequent drawings.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", etc. are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship, it is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed during use. This is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0033] In addition, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive distinction and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] It should be noted that, without conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other.

[0035] This embodiment provides a heat management system for a battery pack for battery swapping.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1, the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 includes a hot water exchange circuit 101 flowing through a plurality of battery boxes 1011, a circulating water circuit 102 communicating with the hot water exchange circuit 101, a water-air radiator 1021, a first valve group 1022 provided on the circulating water circuit 102, and a thermal management medium provided in the circulating water circuit 102; the first valve group 1022 has a first interface communicating with the outlet of the hot water exchange circuit, a second interface communicating with the inlet of the hot water exchange circuit, and a third interface. The input end of the water-air radiator 1021 is in parallel with the first interface of the first valve group 1022 and the output end of the water-air radiator 1021 communicates with the third interface of the first valve group 1022. Alternatively, the input end of the water-air radiator 1021 communicates with the third interface of the first valve group 1022 and the output end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the second interface of the first valve group; the first valve group 1022 is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the water-air radiator 1021.

[0037] In one embodiment, the thermal management medium may be cooling water. In this embodiment, the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 may have a low-power refrigeration capacity and may also have a heat exchange capacity with the vehicle-end thermal management system. The vehicle-end thermal management system may be provided on the body of a battery swapping heavy truck. The vehicle-end thermal management system has a thermal management medium input and output function and can exchange heat with the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first valve group may be a three-way valve or a four-way valve, or other valve groups with more than 3 interfaces and having flow regulation, which are not limited herein.

[0039] In one embodiment, if the third interface of the first valve group 1022 is closed, the thermal management medium in the circulating water circuit 102 will not enter the water-air radiator 1021. In this way, it can be ensured that the water-air radiator 1021 is not connected to the circulating water circuit, the pipeline is shortened, the thermal inertia and total heat capacity are reduced, the flow resistance of the water circuit is reduced, the demand for the thermal management medium and the driving power of the water pump are reduced, the environmental contact area is reduced, and the heat loss caused by the heat exchange between the thermal management medium and the air is reduced. Thereby, the heat consumption is reduced and the heat utilization rate is improved.

[0040] In another embodiment, if the third interface of the first valve group 1022 is opened, part or all of the thermal management medium in the circulating water circuit 102 will enter the water-air radiator 1021. In this way, the water-air radiator 1021 can dissipate heat from the flowing thermal management medium.

[0041] In one embodiment, the water-air radiator 1021 is used to perform thermal management on the thermal management medium flowing through the hot water exchange circuit 101. For example, the water-air radiator 1021 can cool the thermal management medium flowing in from the hot water exchange circuit 101.

[0042] In one embodiment, the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system is disposed on a battery swapping heavy truck, and the battery swapping heavy truck further includes a vehicle body provided with a drive system and a vehicle-end thermal management system disposed on the vehicle body.

[0043] See Figure 2 , heat management medium exchange can be performed between the vehicle-end thermal management system 103 and the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100.

[0044] See Figure 3 , heat is exchanged between the vehicle-end thermal management system 103 and the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 through a quick-connect fitting 104. The quick-connect fitting 104 is a coolant exchange fitting, and heat is exchanged by mixing coolants. In some other embodiments, the quick-connect fitting 104 can also be configured as a plate heat exchanger to exchange heat based on the principle of isolated heat transfer, which will not be elaborated here. The first valve group 1022 further has a fourth interface. The fourth interface of the first valve group 1022 is connected to the quick-connect fitting 104, and the quick-connect fitting 104 is also connected to the vehicle-end thermal management system 105; the fourth interface of the first valve group 1022 is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the vehicle-end thermal management system 100.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the fourth interface of the first valve group 1022 is opened, part or all of the heat management medium on the circulation water path 102 enters the vehicle-end thermal management system 103 through the quick-connect fitting 104. After heat management in the vehicle-end thermal management system 103, the heat management medium returns to the circulation water path 102.

[0046] In another embodiment, when the fourth interface of the first valve group 1022 is closed, the heat management medium on the circulation water path 102 will not enter the vehicle-end thermal management system 103, shortening the pipeline length and reducing heat loss.

[0047] See Figure 4 , the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 includes: a second valve group 1023, a water pump 1025, and a heater 1024 disposed on the circulation water path 102. The first interface of the second valve group 1023 is connected to the quick-connect fitting. When the second interface of the second valve group 1023 is connected to the input end of the heater 1024, the third interface of the second valve group 1023 is in parallel with the output end of the heater 1024. The output end of the heater 1024 is connected to the input end of the water pump 1025; the output end of the water pump 1025 is connected to the hot water path inlet; the second valve group 1023 is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the heater 1024.

[0048] In one embodiment, if the second interface of the second valve group 1023 is opened, part or all of the heat management medium in the circulating water circuit 102 enters the heater 1024, and the heater 1024 heats the flowing heat management medium. In another embodiment, if the second interface of the second valve group 1023 is closed, none of the heat management medium in the circulating water circuit 102 enters the heater 1024.

[0049] It should be noted that in one embodiment, when the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 does not have a water chiller, the vehicle-end thermal management system can exchange heat with the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100, so that the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 can achieve heat dissipation and cooling.

[0050] See Figure 5 , when the third interface 3 of the first valve group 1022 is connected to the input end of the water-air radiator 1021, the output end of the water-air radiator 1021 is in parallel with the second interface 2 of the first valve group 1022. The first valve group 1022 is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the water-air radiator 1021.

[0051] As Figure 5 shown, if the third interface of the first valve group 1022 is opened, part or all of the heat management medium in the heat exchange water circuit 101 enters the water-air radiator 1021, and the water-air radiator 1021 dissipates heat from the flowing heat management medium.

[0052] If the third interface of the first valve group 1022 is closed, none of the heat management medium in the heat exchange water circuit 1021 enters the water-air radiator 1021.

[0053] Please see again Figure 5 , the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system 100 further includes a third valve group 1026 disposed in the circulating water circuit 102. The first interface of the third valve group 1026 is connected to the first interface of the second valve group. The second interface of the third valve group 1026 is connected to the second interface of the first valve group 1021. The second interface of the third valve group 1026 is also in parallel with the output end of the water-air radiator 1021. The third interface of the third valve group 1026 is connected to the quick connector 104, and the quick connector 104 is also connected to the vehicle-end thermal management system; the third valve group 1026 is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the vehicle-end thermal management system.

[0054] In one embodiment, when the third interface of the third valve group 1026 is opened, part or all of the heat management medium in the circulating water circuit 102 enters the vehicle-end heat management system 105, and the vehicle-end heat management system 105 can perform corresponding heat management on the flowing heat management medium, for example, heating or heat dissipation processing. In another embodiment, when the third interface of the third valve group 1026 is closed, the heat management medium in the circulating water circuit 102 does not enter the vehicle-end heat management system 105, and only the battery swapping battery thermal management system 100 realizes the heat management of the heat management medium. Please refer to again Figure 5 A water tank 1027 is provided on the circulating water circuit 102.

[0055] In Figure 5 , a small cycle of the circulating heat management medium of the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system can be formed. After equalizing the temperature, the heat management medium does not need to pass through the heater, shortening the pipeline length and saving energy. In Figure 5 , through the two three-way pipes of the first valve group and the second valve group, the Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 functions of the four-way pipe of the first valve group in Figure 5 are realized. The first valve group and the second valve group in

[0056] This embodiment provides a battery swapping battery pack thermal management method. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management method is applied to the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system provided in the above embodiment, and temperature sensors are provided in each battery box of the battery swapping battery pack thermal management system.

[0057] The battery swapping battery pack thermal management method includes:

[0058] When the temperature difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor is greater than a preset temperature threshold, control the first interface of the first valve group to be connected to the outlet of the hot water exchange circuit, and the second interface of the first valve group to be connected to the inlet of the hot water exchange circuit, so that the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the water-air radiator is 0.

[0059] In one embodiment, the battery swapping battery pack thermal management method further includes:

[0060] When the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor exceed a preset temperature range, control the fourth interface of the first valve group to be conducted with the quick connector, and the quick connector is also conducted with the inlet of the hot water exchange circuit, so that the heat management medium passes through the hot water exchange circuit, the water-air radiator, the vehicle-end heat management system, and returns to the hot water exchange circuit.

[0061] In one embodiment, the battery pack thermal management method further includes:

[0062] According to the minimum temperature and the maximum temperature detected by each temperature sensor, a minimum temperature set and a maximum temperature set are obtained;

[0063] The temperature difference is calculated according to the lowest temperature in the lowest temperature set and the highest temperature in the highest temperature set.

[0064] In summary, an embodiment of the present invention provides a thermal management method for the battery pack for battery replacement. When the temperature difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor is greater than a preset temperature threshold, the first interface of the first valve group is controlled to be connected to the outlet of the heat exchange circuit, and the second interface of the first valve group is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange circuit, so that the flow rate of the thermal management medium passing through the water-to-air radiator is 0. In this way, the circulation pipeline of the thermal management medium is shortened, the thermal inertia and total heat capacity are reduced, the flow resistance of the water circuit is reduced, the demand for the thermal management medium and the driving power of the water pump are reduced, the environmental contact area is reduced, and the heat loss caused by the heat exchange between the thermal management medium and the air is reduced. Thereby reducing heat loss and improving heat utilization.

[0065] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A heat management system for a battery pack with battery swapping, characterized in that, Comprising: A heat exchange water circuit flowing through multiple battery boxes, a circulating water circuit communicating with the heat exchange water circuit, a water-air radiator, a first valve group provided on the circulating water circuit, and a heat management medium provided in the circulating water circuit; The first valve group has a first interface communicating with the outlet of the heat exchange water circuit, a second interface communicating with the inlet of the heat exchange water circuit, and a third interface. The input end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the first interface of the first valve group, and the output end of the water-air radiator communicates with the third interface of the first valve group. Alternatively, the input end of the water-air radiator communicates with the third interface of the first valve group, and the output end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the second interface of the first valve group; The first valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the water-air radiator.

2. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein, The water-air radiator is used to perform heat management on the heat management medium flowing through the heat exchange water circuit. The battery swapping battery pack heat management system is provided on a battery swapping heavy truck, and the battery swapping heavy truck further includes a vehicle body provided with a drive system and a vehicle-end heat management system provided on the vehicle body.

3. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management system according to claim 2, wherein Heat is exchanged between the vehicle-end heat management system and the battery swapping battery pack heat management system through a quick-connect joint. The first valve group further has a fourth interface, the fourth interface of the first valve group is connected to the quick-connect joint, and the quick-connect joint is also connected to the vehicle-end heat management system; The fourth interface of the first valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the vehicle-end heat management system.

4. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management system according to claim 3, wherein, Further comprising: A second valve group, a water pump, and a heater provided on the circulating water circuit. The first interface of the second valve group is connected to the quick-connect joint. When the second interface of the second valve group is connected to the input end of the heater, the third interface of the second valve group is in parallel with the output end of the heater, and the output end of the heater is connected to the input end of the water pump; the output end of the water pump is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange water circuit; The second valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the heater.

5. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management system according to claim 4, wherein When the third interface of the first valve group is connected to the input end of the water-air radiator, the output end of the water-air radiator is in parallel with the second interface of the first valve group.

6. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising a third valve group provided on the circulating water circuit. The first interface of the third valve group is connected to the first interface of the second valve group, the second interface of the third valve group is connected to the second interface of the first valve group, the second interface of the third valve group is also in parallel with the output end of the water-air radiator, the third interface of the third valve group is connected to a quick-connect joint 104, and the quick-connect joint is also connected to the vehicle-end heat management system; The third valve group is used to adjust and distribute the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the vehicle-end heat management system.

7. The battery pack thermal management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A water tank is further provided on the circulating water circuit.

8. A thermal management method for a battery pack to be replaced, characterized in that, Applied to the battery swapping heavy truck battery pack heat management system according to any one of claims 1-7, temperature sensors are provided in each battery box, and the battery swapping battery pack heat management method includes: When the temperature difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor is greater than a preset temperature threshold, control the first interface of the first valve group to communicate with the outlet of the heat exchange water circuit, and the second interface of the first valve group to communicate with the inlet of the heat exchange water circuit, so that the flow rate of the heat management medium passing through the water-air radiator is 0.

9. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management method according to claim 8, wherein Applied to the battery pack thermal management system according to claim 3, the battery swapping thermal management method further includes: When the highest temperature and the lowest temperature collected by the temperature sensor exceed a preset temperature range, control the fourth interface of the first valve group to conduct with the quick connector, and the quick connector also conducts with the inlet of the heat exchange water circuit, so that the heat management medium passes through the heat exchange water circuit, the water-air radiator, and the vehicle-end thermal management system and returns to the heat exchange water circuit.

10. The battery swapping battery pack thermal management method according to claim 8, wherein The method further includes: Obtain a set of lowest temperatures and a set of highest temperatures according to the lowest temperature and the highest temperature detected by each temperature sensor; Calculate the temperature difference according to the lowest temperature in the set of lowest temperatures and the highest temperature in the set of highest temperatures.

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