Automobile thermal management system and method

Abstract

The automobile thermal management system comprises a thermal management controller, an electronic water pump, a temperature sensor, a first electric heating valve, a second electric heating valve, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient), an electric control three-way valve, a heat exchanger, a first flow channel flowing through an automobile motor and a second flow channel flowing through an inverter, the electronic water pump, the first electric heating valve, the second electric heating valve and the electric control three-way valve are all controlled by the heat management controller, the temperature sensor is electrically connected with the heat management controller, the electronic water pump, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are communicated with three valve ports of the electric control three-way valve respectively, and the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are used for controlling conduction of the PTC and the heat exchanger respectively. Multi-loop control is achieved through an electric heating valve under the condition that a multi-way valve (5-way or 6-way) is not used, and therefore the purposes of simplifying the module structure and optimizing the layout are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of thermal management, and more particularly to an automotive thermal management system and method. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of new energy vehicle models, the general trend of the development from traditional fuel vehicles to new energy vehicles has become clear. In new energy vehicles, the temperature control of drive motors, electronic controls (including inverters, etc.), and batteries directly affects the overall vehicle endurance and power performance.

[0003] The thermal management system (cooling control system) is connected to a cooling / heating medium supply device, allowing the cooling / heating medium to circulate through pipelines within the thermal management system, so as to achieve the purpose of removing the heat of motors, electronic controls (including inverters, etc.), and batteries or heating the above components to enable them to reach a suitable operating temperature more quickly.

[0004] To achieve the above purposes, each manufacturer has different strategies. The general trend in the industry is to increase the complexity of the circuit. For example, 5 / 6-way valves are available on the market now, and there are even 8 / 9-way valves or valves with more channels.

[0005] However, valves with more and more channels increase the difficulty of valve manufacturing and the complexity of control. At the same time, different controllers are required to control the valves and the electronic water pump, and the manufacturing cost will also increase. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In summary, to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an automotive thermal management system and method, which realizes the purpose of controlling multiple actuators with one controller through an electrothermal valve, reduces the use of control chips, and optimizes the layout.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: An automotive thermal management system includes a thermal management controller, an electronic water pump, a temperature sensor, a first electrothermal valve, a second electrothermal valve, a PTC, an electronically controlled three-way valve, a heat exchanger, a first flow channel flowing through an automotive motor, and a second flow channel flowing through an inverter. The electronic water pump, the first electrothermal valve, the second electrothermal valve, and the electronically controlled three-way valve are all controlled by the thermal management controller. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the thermal management controller. One end of the first flow channel is communicated with the first valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the other end is communicated with the inlet end of the electronic water pump. One end of the second flow channel is communicated with the second valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the other end is communicated with the inlet end of the electronic water pump. The outlet end of the electronic water pump is communicated with the third valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve. The temperature sensor is located at the outlet end of the electronic water pump. One end of the first electrothermal valve is communicated with the outlet end of the electronic water pump, and the other end is communicated with the PTC. The other end of the PTC is communicated with the inlet end of the electronic water pump. One end of the second electrothermal valve is communicated with the first flow channel and / or the second flow channel, and the other end is communicated with the heat exchanger. The other end of the heat exchanger is communicated with the inlet end of the electronic water pump.

[0008] Further, it includes multiple coolant circulation circuits, namely a heating circuit, a first heat dissipation circuit, a second heat dissipation circuit and a third heat dissipation circuit. The coolant in the heating circuit flows through an electronic water pump, a first electrothermal valve and a PTC. The coolant in the first heat dissipation circuit flows through the electronic water pump, an electronically controlled three-way valve and a first flow channel. The coolant in the second heat dissipation circuit flows through the electronic water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first flow channel and a second flow channel. The coolant in the third heat dissipation circuit flows through the electronic water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first flow channel or / and the second flow channel, a second electrothermal valve and a heat exchanger.

[0009] Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the heating circuit is lower than the preset value, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the first heat dissipation circuit is 20% higher than the preset value, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the second heat dissipation circuit is 40% higher than the preset value, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the first heat dissipation circuit is 50% higher than the preset value.

[0010] Further, both the first electrothermal valve and the second electrothermal valve include paraffin and heating wires.

[0011] An automotive thermal management method includes the above-mentioned automotive thermal management system. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the preset value, the electronic water pump and the first electrothermal valve are started, the second electrothermal valve is closed, the passage for the coolant to conduct to the PTC is opened, the PTC is started to heat the coolant circuit, so that the automotive thermal management system can quickly warm up. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is the same as the preset value, the electronic water pump is closed and the coolant does not flow. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 20% higher than the preset value, the automotive motor needs to be cooled. The electronic water pump is started, the first electrothermal valve and the second electrothermal valve are closed, the electronically controlled three-way valve is started, and the electronic water pump and the first flow channel are conducted to dissipate heat from the automotive motor. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 40% higher than the preset value, the automotive motor and the inverter need to be cooled simultaneously. The electronic water pump is started, the first electrothermal valve and the second electrothermal valve are closed, the electronically controlled three-way valve is started, and the electronic water pump, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are conducted to dissipate heat from the automotive motor and the inverter. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 50% higher than the preset value, the electronic water pump is started, the first electrothermal valve is closed, the second electrothermal valve and the electronically controlled three-way valve are started, and the electronic water pump, the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the heat exchanger are conducted, so that while dissipating heat from the automotive motor and the inverter, heat dissipation is also required through the heat exchanger.

[0012] Compared with the prior art solutions, in the vehicle thermal management system of the present invention, the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are all controlled by the same thermal management controller, reducing the use of control chips and lowering the cost; through the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve, multi-loop control is achieved without using a multi-way valve (5-way or 6-way), thereby simplifying the module structure and optimizing the layout.

[0013] The following describes the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a control flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a heating circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a first heat dissipation circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a second heat dissipation circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a third heat dissipation circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the thermal management system of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The following embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings further illustrate the specific embodiments of the vehicle thermal management system and method of the present invention. The vehicle thermal management system and method of the present invention are not limited to the descriptions of the following embodiments.

[0021] As Figure 1 、 6As shown in the figure, an automotive thermal management system includes a thermal management controller, an electric water pump, a temperature sensor, a first electric heating valve, a second electric heating valve, a PTC, an electronically controlled three-way valve, a heat exchanger, a first flow channel through which the automotive motor flows, and a second flow channel through which the inverter flows. The electric water pump, the first electric heating valve, the second electric heating valve, and the electronically controlled three-way valve are all controlled by the thermal management controller. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the thermal management controller. One end of the first flow channel is connected to the first valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the other end is connected to the inlet end of the electric water pump. One end of the second flow channel is connected to the second valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the other end is connected to the inlet end of the electric water pump. The outlet end of the electric water pump is connected to the third valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve. The temperature sensor is located at the outlet end of the electric water pump. One end of the first electric heating valve is connected to the outlet end of the electric water pump, and the other end is connected to the PTC. The other end of the PTC is connected to the inlet end of the electric water pump. One end of the second electric heating valve is connected to the first flow channel or / and the second flow channel, and the other end is connected to the heat exchanger. The other end of the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet end of the electric water pump.

[0022] The thermal management controller is a central integrated controller that centrally controls the electrical components in the system. The electric water pump is a centrifugal electric water pump composed of a drive motor and an impeller. The temperature sensor is used to detect the real-time temperature of the system water circuit and provide a basis for the control of the thermal management controller. The first electric heating valve is electrically controlled and can conduct the coolant in the heating circuit to the PTC when heating. The PTC is a Positive Temperature Coefficient heating device. The electronically controlled three-way valve is a three-way valve controlled by a PWM electrical signal and includes a motor and a valve to realize the switching and closing of different passages. The automotive motor is a power source that transmits power to the vehicle through a speed reduction mechanism. The inverter (electronically controlled) converts the direct current of the chemical battery into alternating current to drive the automotive motor. The second electric heating valve is electrically controlled and can conduct the coolant in the third heat dissipation circuit to the heat exchanger when heating.

[0023] Further, as Figures 2 - 5 shown in the figure, it includes multiple coolant circulation circuits, namely a heating circuit, a first heat dissipation circuit, a second heat dissipation circuit, and a third heat dissipation circuit. The coolant in the heating circuit flows through the electric water pump, the first electric heating valve, and the PTC. The coolant in the first heat dissipation circuit flows through the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the first flow channel. The coolant in the second heat dissipation circuit flows through the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first flow channel, and the second flow channel. The coolant in the third heat dissipation circuit flows through the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first flow channel or / and the second flow channel, the second electric heating valve, and the heat exchanger.

[0024] The heating circuit corresponds to the low-temperature state. When the system coolant is at a low temperature, the electric water pump and the first electric heating valve are started, the second electric heating valve is closed, the passage for the coolant to the PTC is conducted, the PTC is started, and the coolant circuit is heated. The coolant circulation circuit is: electric water pump → first electric heating valve → PTC → electric water pump, so that the vehicle motor and the inverter can quickly reach the appropriate operating temperature.

[0025] When the system coolant is at normal temperature, the system does not work.

[0026] The first cooling circuit corresponds to the higher-temperature state. When the system coolant is at a higher temperature and the vehicle motor needs to be cooled, the electric water pump is started, the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are closed, the electronically controlled three-way valve is started, and the first flow channel is conducted to dissipate heat from the vehicle motor. The coolant circulation circuit is: electric water pump → electronically controlled three-way valve → first flow channel (vehicle motor heat dissipation) → electric water pump.

[0027] The second cooling circuit corresponds to the high-temperature state. When the system coolant is at a high temperature and both the vehicle motor and the inverter need to be cooled simultaneously, the electric water pump is started, the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are closed, the electronically controlled three-way valve is started, and the first flow channel and the second flow channel are conducted to dissipate heat from the vehicle motor and the inverter. The coolant circulation circuit is: electric water pump → electronically controlled three-way valve → first flow channel and second flow channel (vehicle motor and inverter heat dissipation) → electric water pump.

[0028] The third cooling circuit corresponds to the ultra-high-temperature state. When the system coolant is at an ultra-high temperature and the coolant is insufficient to cool the vehicle motor and the inverter, the electric water pump is started, the first electric heating valve is closed, the second electric heating valve is started to conduct the heat exchanger, and the heat of the system is dissipated through the heat exchanger. The coolant circulation circuit is: electric water pump → electronically controlled three-way valve → first flow channel and second flow channel (vehicle motor and inverter heat dissipation) → second electric heating valve → heat exchanger → electric water pump.

[0029] Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the heating circuit is lower than the preset value, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the first cooling circuit is 20% higher than the preset value, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the second cooling circuit is 40% higher than the preset value, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the first cooling circuit is 50% higher than the preset value.

[0030] Further, both the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve include paraffin and heating wires. When the heating wires are not heated, the valve is closed; when the heating wires are heated, the paraffin melts, the volume increases, and the valve is pushed open.

[0031] A method for automobile thermal management, comprising the automobile thermal management system, wherein when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a preset value, the electronic water pump and the first electrothermal valve are started, the second electrothermal valve is closed, the coolant is conducted to the PTC path, the PTC is started, the coolant circuit is heated, and the automobile thermal management system is heated rapidly; when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is consistent with the preset value, the electronic water pump is shut down, and the coolant does not flow; when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 20 percent higher than the preset value, the automobile motor needs to be cooled, the electronic water pump is started, the first electrothermal valve and the second electrothermal valve are closed, the electronically controlled three-way valve is started, the electronic water pump and The first flow channel dissipates heat for the automobile motor. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 40 percent higher than the preset value, the automobile motor and inverter need to be cooled at the same time, the electronic water pump is started, the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are closed, the electronically controlled three-way valve is started, the electronic water pump, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are connected to dissipate heat for the automobile motor and inverter. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 50 percent higher than the preset value, the electronic water pump is started, the first electric heating valve is closed, the second electric heating valve and the electronically controlled three-way valve are started, the electronic water pump, the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the heat exchanger are connected, so that the automobile motor and inverter dissipate heat while also dissipating heat through the heat exchanger.

[0032] The temperature sensor directly monitors the temperature of the coolant. The coolant flows through the first flow channel and the second flow channel. Since the first flow channel and the second flow channel are used to cool the automobile motor and inverter, the temperature is connected to the drive motor and inverter through heat conduction. Monitoring the temperature of the coolant is equivalent to monitoring the temperature of the automobile motor and inverter.

[0033] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are conventionally placed in use. They are intended solely for ease of description and do not necessarily require the devices or components referred to to have a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used solely for distinction and description and should not be construed as indicating relative importance.

[0034] The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, and the specific implementation of the present invention should not be considered to be limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art of the present invention, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made, which should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automotive thermal management system, comprising a thermal management controller, characterized in that: It also includes an electric water pump, a temperature sensor, a first electric heating valve, a second electric heating valve, a PTC, an electronically controlled three-way valve, a heat exchanger, a first flow path through which the automotive motor flows, and a second flow path through which the inverter flows. The electric water pump, the first electric heating valve, the second electric heating valve, and the electronically controlled three-way valve are all controlled by a thermal management controller. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the thermal management controller. One end of the first flow path is communicated with the first valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the other end is communicated with the inlet end of the electric water pump. One end of the second flow path is communicated with the second valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the other end is communicated with the inlet end of the electric water pump. The outlet end of the electric water pump is communicated with the third valve port of the electronically controlled three-way valve. The temperature sensor is located at the outlet end of the electric water pump. One end of the first electric heating valve is communicated with the outlet end of the electric water pump, and the other end is communicated with the PTC. The other end of the PTC is communicated with the inlet end of the electric water pump. One end of the second electric heating valve is communicated with the first flow path or / and the second flow path, and the other end is communicated with the heat exchanger. The other end of the heat exchanger is communicated with the inlet end of the electric water pump.

2. The automotive thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein: It includes a plurality of coolant circulation circuits, namely a heating circuit, a first heat dissipation circuit, a second heat dissipation circuit, and a third heat dissipation circuit. The coolant of the heating circuit flows through the electric water pump, the first electric heating valve, and the PTC. The coolant of the first heat dissipation circuit flows through the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, and the first flow path. The coolant of the second heat dissipation circuit flows through the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first flow path, and the second flow path. The coolant of the third heat dissipation circuit flows through the electric water pump, the electronically controlled three-way valve, the first flow path or / and the second flow path, the second electric heating valve, and the heat exchanger.

3. The automotive thermal management system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the heating circuit is lower than the preset value, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the first heat dissipation circuit is 20% higher than the preset value, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the second heat dissipation circuit is 40% higher than the preset value, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor corresponding to the first heat dissipation circuit is 50% higher than the preset value.

4. A vehicle thermal management system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: Both the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve include paraffin and heating wires.

5. A vehicle thermal management method, characterized in that: Including the automotive thermal management system described in claims 1-4, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the preset value, the electric water pump and the first electric heating valve are started, and the second electric heating valve is closed, so that the coolant conducts to the path of the PTC, and the PTC is started to heat the coolant circuit, so that the automotive thermal management system quickly warms up. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is consistent with the preset value, the electric water pump is closed and the coolant does not flow. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 20% higher than the preset value, it is necessary to cool the automotive motor. The electric water pump is started, the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are closed, the electronic control three-way valve is started, and the electric water pump and the first flow channel are conducted to dissipate heat from the automotive motor. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 40% higher than the preset value, it is necessary to cool the automotive motor and the inverter at the same time. The electric water pump is started, the first electric heating valve and the second electric heating valve are closed, the electronic control three-way valve is started, and the electric water pump, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are conducted to dissipate heat from the automotive motor and the inverter. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is 50% higher than the preset value, the electric water pump is started, the first electric heating valve is closed, the second electric heating valve and the electronic control three-way valve are started, and the electric water pump, the first flow channel, the second flow channel and the heat exchanger are conducted, so that while dissipating heat from the automotive motor and the inverter, heat dissipation is also required through the heat exchanger.

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