Thermal management system, defrosting control method and device, vehicle, equipment and medium

Abstract

The invention provides a heat management system, a defrosting control method and device, equipment and a medium, and relates to the technical field of vehicles. When a low-temperature radiator needs to be defrosted, a target heat source capable of participating in defrosting is selected from a plurality of candidate heat sources of the heat management system; and heat of the target heat source is transmitted to the low-temperature radiator for defrosting in a liquid-liquid heat exchange mode and / or a cooling liquid circulation heat transfer mode. Heat transfer of the target heat source is achieved through the defrosting loop determined based on the target heat source, so that recycling of heat in different branches / loops in the heat management system is achieved, and defrosting energy consumption is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more particularly to a thermal management system, a defrosting control method, an apparatus, a vehicle, electronic equipment, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, to address the issues of reduced driving range in low temperatures and excessive heating energy consumption of traditional PTC air conditioning systems in pure electric mode for hybrid / range-extended electric vehicles, most vehicles opt for heat pump air conditioning systems. These systems utilize heat exchangers (such as outdoor evaporators) within the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump to absorb heat from the air and provide heating. However, current heat pump systems experience frost formation on the heat exchangers when using air-source heat absorption in low-temperature environments such as 10 to -5°C, which negatively impacts system efficiency and heating performance.

[0003] Currently, defrosting of heat exchangers in heat pump air conditioning systems can be achieved by switching the air conditioning system to cooling mode to transfer heat to the outdoor evaporator. However, this method affects the comfort of the passenger cabin temperature and the user experience. Therefore, PTC auxiliary heating defrosting is mainly used. However, PTC auxiliary heating defrosting is energy-intensive, costly, and inefficient.

[0004] Therefore, how to propose a vehicle thermal management system that can provide multiple heat sources for the defrosting task, and how to propose a low-energy defrosting control method based on the thermal management system, have become urgent problems to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a thermal management system, a defrosting control method, a device, a vehicle, electronic equipment, and a storage medium to address the above-mentioned technical problems and solve the problem of high energy consumption during defrosting of outdoor heat exchangers in current vehicles.

[0006] A thermal management system includes a coolant circuit and a refrigerant circuit equipped with a condenser and a battery cooler;

[0007] The coolant circuit includes an electric water pump branch, a low-temperature heat dissipation branch equipped with a low-temperature radiator, a battery cooling circuit equipped with the battery cooler, a warm air water pump branch equipped with the condenser, and a heat exchanger.

[0008] The first end of the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger is connected to the first end of the heating air pump branch, and the second end of the heating air pump branch is connected to the second end of the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger.

[0009] The first end of the electric water pump branch is connected to the first end of the other side of the heat exchanger pipe, the second end of the other side of the heat exchanger pipe is connected to the first end of the low temperature heat dissipation branch, and the second end of the low temperature heat dissipation branch is connected to the second end of the electric water pump branch.

[0010] When the thermal management system operates in air source heat pump mode, the low-temperature radiator is used to absorb heat from the ambient air.

[0011] In this embodiment, the refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a hot gas bypass branch, and a heat pump branch equipped with the condenser and the battery cooler; the hot gas bypass branch and the heat pump branch are respectively connected in parallel with the compressor.

[0012] In this embodiment, the coolant circuit further includes a proportional three-way valve and a coolant bypass branch;

[0013] The first end of the coolant bypass branch is connected to the first end of the heater pump branch, and the second end of the coolant bypass branch is connected to the second end of the heater pump branch.

[0014] The three ports that are connected to each other—the heat exchanger side pipe, the warm air pump branch, and the coolant bypass branch—are connected by the proportional three-way valve.

[0015] A defrosting control method, based on a thermal management system as described in any of the above embodiments, the method comprising:

[0016] Determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiators in the thermal management system;

[0017] If defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator, a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions is selected from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process.

[0018] Based on the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system, a defrosting circuit is determined.

[0019] In this embodiment of the application, determining whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system includes:

[0020] If the current heat source mode of the thermal management system includes the air source heat pump mode, then the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator are obtained.

[0021] Based on the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature, determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator.

[0022] In this embodiment of the application, selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting includes:

[0023] Determine whether the vehicle's driving status meets the conditions for defrosting to start;

[0024] If the defrosting start conditions are not met, the current heat source mode of the thermal management system is switched to water source heat pump mode, and the driving status is monitored in real time, and the step of determining whether the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting start conditions is re-executed.

[0025] If the defrosting activation conditions are met, then the step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for defrosting is executed.

[0026] In this embodiment of the application, the driving state includes vehicle speed and / or the duration during which the vehicle remains within a preset speed range;

[0027] The defrosting activation conditions include: the vehicle speed does not exceed the preset speed, and / or the vehicle remains within the preset speed range for a duration exceeding the preset duration.

[0028] In this embodiment of the application, after switching the current heat source mode of the thermal management system to the water source heat pump mode, the method further includes:

[0029] Real-time determination of whether the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range;

[0030] If the ambient temperature where the low-temperature radiator is located is within the preset temperature range, the air source heat pump mode will be restarted.

[0031] In this embodiment of the application, the multiple candidate heat sources include engine waste heat and compressor self-generated heat; the preset heating conditions include engine waste heat recovery conditions and the candidate heat source is compressor self-generated heat;

[0032] The step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from multiple candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting includes:

[0033] Determine whether the working mode of the heating circuit in the thermal management system is heating mode;

[0034] If the working mode of the heating circuit is heating mode, then determine whether the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery conditions.

[0035] If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the engine is identified as the target heat source.

[0036] If the conditions are not met, the self-generated heat of the compressor will be determined as the target heat source.

[0037] In this embodiment of the application, the plurality of candidate heat sources include electric drive active heat and electric drive waste heat, and the preset heating conditions include electric drive waste heat recovery conditions and electric drive heating conditions;

[0038] The selection of a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting includes:

[0039] If the working mode of the heating circuit is not the heating mode, then determine whether the waste heat from the electric drive meets the conditions for waste heat recovery from the electric drive.

[0040] If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the electric drive will be identified as the target heat source.

[0041] If the conditions are not met, then if the current ambient temperature and the remaining charge of the drive battery both meet the electric drive heating conditions, the electric drive active heat will be identified as the target heat source.

[0042] A defrosting control device, based on a thermal management system as described in any of the above embodiments, the device comprising:

[0043] The determination module is used to determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system.

[0044] The heat source selection module is used to select a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode if defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator, and use it as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process.

[0045] The determination module is used to determine the defrosting circuit based on the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system.

[0046] In this embodiment of the application, the determination module is used for:

[0047] If the current heat source mode of the thermal management system includes the air source heat pump mode, then the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator are obtained.

[0048] Based on the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature, determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator.

[0049] In this embodiment of the application, the heat source selection module is used for:

[0050] Determine whether the vehicle's driving status meets the conditions for defrosting to start;

[0051] If the defrosting start conditions are not met, the current heat source mode of the thermal management system is switched to water source heat pump mode, and the driving status is monitored in real time, and the step of determining whether the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting start conditions is re-executed.

[0052] If the defrosting activation conditions are met, then the step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for defrosting is executed.

[0053] In this embodiment of the application, the driving state includes vehicle speed and / or the duration during which the vehicle remains within a preset speed range;

[0054] The defrosting activation conditions include: the vehicle speed does not exceed the preset speed, and / or the vehicle remains within the preset speed range for a duration exceeding the preset duration.

[0055] In this embodiment of the application, the heat source selection module is used for:

[0056] Real-time determination of whether the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range;

[0057] If the ambient temperature where the low-temperature radiator is located is within the preset temperature range, the air source heat pump mode will be restarted.

[0058] In this embodiment of the application, the multiple candidate heat sources include engine waste heat and compressor self-generated heat; the preset heating conditions include engine waste heat recovery conditions and the candidate heat source is compressor self-generated heat;

[0059] The heat source selection module is used for:

[0060] Determine whether the working mode of the heating circuit in the thermal management system is heating mode;

[0061] If the working mode of the heating circuit is heating mode, then determine whether the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery conditions.

[0062] If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the engine is identified as the target heat source.

[0063] If the conditions are not met, the self-generated heat of the compressor will be determined as the target heat source.

[0064] In this embodiment of the application, the plurality of candidate heat sources include electric drive active heat and electric drive waste heat, and the preset heating conditions include electric drive waste heat recovery conditions and electric drive heating conditions;

[0065] The heat source selection module is used for:

[0066] If the working mode of the heating circuit is not the heating mode, then determine whether the waste heat from the electric drive meets the conditions for waste heat recovery from the electric drive.

[0067] If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the electric drive will be identified as the target heat source.

[0068] If the conditions are not met, then if the current ambient temperature and the remaining charge of the drive battery both meet the electric drive heating conditions, the electric drive active heat will be identified as the target heat source.

[0069] A vehicle includes a thermal management system as described in any of the above embodiments and a defrosting control device as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0070] An electronic device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps of the defrosting control method as described in the above embodiments.

[0071] A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the defrosting control method as described in the above embodiments.

[0072] In summary, when defrosting a low-temperature radiator is required, this application selects a target heat source from multiple candidate heat sources in its thermal management system to participate in defrosting. The heat from the target heat source is transferred to the low-temperature radiator for defrosting via liquid-liquid heat exchange and / or heat transfer through coolant flow. By utilizing a defrosting loop determined based on the target heat source, heat transfer to the target heat source is achieved, thereby realizing the recovery and utilization of heat in different branches / loops within the thermal management system and reducing defrosting energy consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0073] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0074] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a coolant circuit in a thermal management system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit in a thermal management system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a coolant circuit in a thermal management system according to another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a defrosting control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a defrosting control method according to another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a defrosting control method according to another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a defrosting control method according to another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a defrosting control method according to another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 9 This is a schematic block diagram of a defrosting control device according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 11 This is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0085] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0086] It should be understood that, when used in the specification and appended claims of this invention, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described feature, integral, step, or operation, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, and / or a collection thereof.

[0087] It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0088] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "if" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "when," "once," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if [described condition or event] is detected" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "once determined," "in response to determination," "once [described condition or event] is detected," or "in response to detection of [described condition or event]."

[0089] Furthermore, in the description of this invention and the appended claims, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0090] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of the invention include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0091] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the coolant circuit of a thermal management system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit structure of a thermal management system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application. Figure 1-2 As shown, the thermal management system 1 includes a coolant circuit 10 and a refrigerant circuit 20.

[0092] The refrigerant circuit 20 may include, but is not limited to, a condenser LCC and a battery cooler.

[0093] The coolant circuit 10 may include, but is not limited to, an electric water pump branch 11, a low-temperature heat dissipation branch 12 equipped with a low-temperature radiator LTR, a battery cooling circuit 13 equipped with a battery cooler, a warm air water pump branch 14 equipped with a condenser LCC, and a heat exchanger PHX.

[0094] The radiator of the low-temperature heat dissipation branch in this application can provide heat dissipation when participating in cooling, or absorb heat from the air as a vapor heat exchanger to realize an air source heat pump when participating in heating, so as to increase the heat source of the thermal management system and reduce the power consumption of heating.

[0095] It should be noted that the heat exchanger described above is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger or an internal heat exchanger, in which heat is exchanged between two pipes located inside the heat exchanger by utilizing the temperature difference of the medium flowing through the pipes. For example, a plate coaxial tube IHX or a plate heat exchanger PHX can be used as the heat exchanger described above. This application only uses PHX as an example of a heat exchanger and is not intended to limit the type of heat exchanger.

[0096] In this embodiment, the first end of the pipe on the PHX side of the heat exchanger is connected to the first end of the heater pump branch 14, and the second end of the heater pump branch is connected to the second end of the pipe on the PHX side of the heat exchanger. This forms a coolant flow loop based on the heater pump branch and the pipe on the PHX side of the heat exchanger. The heater pump branch may include, but is not limited to, the heater pump, the coolant-side pipe of the condenser LCC, and the heater core. The heater pump branch can be used to transfer the heat released from the condenser into the coolant to the heater core to heat the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the heater pump branch is also used to transfer the heat released from the condenser LCC into the coolant to the pipe on the PHX side of the heat exchanger, so as to exchange heat with the coolant on the other side of the PHX pipe.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first end of the electric water pump branch 11 is connected to the first end of the other side pipe of the heat exchanger PHX, the second end of the other side pipe of the heat exchanger PHX is connected to the first end of the low temperature heat dissipation branch 12, and the second end of the low temperature heat dissipation branch 12 is connected to the second end of the electric water pump branch 11.

[0098] The electric water pump branch 11, the other side of the heat exchanger PHX piping, and the low-temperature heat dissipation branch are sequentially connected to form a coolant transfer loop. The electric water pump branch 11 may include, but is not limited to, an electric water pump and electric drive equipment (such as an electronic control unit and drive motor). The electric water pump branch 11 is used to transfer the heat generated during the operation of the electric drive equipment to other branches via coolant, or to drive the coolant to flow to other branches to absorb / release heat. For example, when the electric drive equipment does not generate heat, the electric water pump operates, driving the coolant in the electric water pump branch to flow through the other side of the heat exchanger PHX piping to absorb heat from the PHX side piping, and driving the heat-absorbed coolant to flow to the low-temperature heat dissipation branch. This transfers heat from the warm air pump branch to the low-temperature radiator in the low-temperature heat dissipation branch, using the transferred heat to heat the low-temperature radiator and achieve a defrosting effect.

[0099] This application can transfer heat to the low-temperature heat dissipation branch in the following two ways:

[0100] Firstly, when there is defrosting heat in the coolant of the electric water pump branch, thermal defrosting of the electric water pump branch can be selected. In this case, the electric water pump branch can be connected to the low-temperature heat dissipation branch.

[0101] Secondly, when there is no defrosting heat in the coolant of the electric water pump branch, or when thermal defrosting of the electric water pump branch is not used, the heat of the coolant in the heater pump branch can be exchanged to the coolant in the pipe on the other side of the heat exchanger through a heat exchanger. This connects the electric water pump branch, the heat exchanger pipe, and the low-temperature heat dissipation branch, with the electric water pump in the electric water pump branch driving the coolant to circulate among the three. The heat in the coolant of the heater pump branch can be waste heat from the engine or heat absorbed from the refrigerant side by the condenser LCC.

[0102] The thermal management system proposed in this application places the heat exchanger that absorbs air heat in the air-source heat pump mode in the coolant circuit, specifically in the low-temperature heat dissipation branch, which is a low-temperature radiator. Simultaneously, a battery cooler with liquid-liquid heat exchange replaces the evaporator that exchanges heat with air in the refrigerant circuit. This shifts equipment prone to frosting from the refrigerant circuit to the coolant circuit. By establishing interconnected structures between the heat exchanger, the heater pump branch, the refrigerant circuit, the low-temperature heat dissipation branch, and the engine waste heat branch, heat transfer paths are established between these branches. This provides multiple heat sources for defrosting the low-temperature radiator, allowing for the determination of the defrosting circuit with the lowest power consumption by combining various heat sources.

[0103] Based on the above embodiments, the condenser LCC and battery cooler in the refrigerant circuit 20 are arranged in the heat pump branch 21. The refrigerant circuit 20 may also include, but is not limited to, the compressor ECP and the hot gas bypass branch 22.

[0104] Hot gas bypass branch 22 and heat pump branch 21 are connected in parallel to both ends of the compressor ECP. The hot gas bypass branch is used to depressurize the high-temperature, high-pressure gas flowing in this branch, and after depressurization, it flows back to the compressor for recompression. This converts a portion of the electrical energy consumed by the compressor into self-generated heat, while the remaining electrical energy can be used to compress the refrigerant to achieve a heat pump effect. The gas flowing out of the compressor outlet again is split between the heat pump branch and the hot gas bypass branch, and the heat pump branch releases heat to transfer heat from the refrigerant side to the coolant side.

[0105] In some embodiments, the heat pump branch may include, but is not limited to, a condenser LCC, a battery cooler, and an electronic expansion valve EXV1. The heat pump branch is used to release the heat absorbed by the battery cooler through the condenser, realizing the transfer of heat between different circuits / branches on the coolant side. The electronic expansion valve is used for throttling and pressure reduction, and the superheat at the compressor inlet is ensured by adjusting the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve EXV1. In addition, the condenser LCC may be a condenser with a built-in liquid receiver tank. If the condenser does not include a liquid receiver tank, a liquid receiver dryer R / D can be installed at the outlet of the condenser LCC.

[0106] Optionally, the hot gas bypass branch may include, but is not limited to, the electronic expansion valve EXV2. By adjusting the opening of the electronic expansion valve EXV2, the refrigerant flow to the hot gas bypass branch can be adjusted. After being depressurized by EXV2, the refrigerant in this branch mixes with the refrigerant flowing from the battery cooler at the compressor inlet to adjust the temperature of the mixed gas at the compressor inlet, ensuring superheat and preventing liquid slugging in the compressor. Simultaneously, it regulates the self-generated heat capacity of the compressor. Using the electronic expansion valve EXV2 allows for precise control of the refrigerant flow in the hot gas bypass branch, thereby accurately controlling the self-generated heat capacity of the compressor as needed and avoiding energy waste.

[0107] In addition, a combination of hot gas expansion valve and shut-off valve can be used to replace the electronic expansion valve EXV2 to achieve the effect of throttling and pressure reduction.

[0108] As a feasible implementation, the coolant circuit may further include a proportional three-way valve TWV1 and a coolant bypass branch; the coolant bypass branch, the heater pump branch, and the heat exchanger-side pipeline are connected in parallel, and the proportional three-way valve TWV1 is installed at any convergence point of the three paths. The three ends of the proportional three-way valve TWV1 are used to connect the three ports converging at that convergence point. Figure 1 As shown, for example, the first end of the coolant bypass branch is connected to the first end of the proportional three-way valve TWV1, the first end of the heater pump branch is connected to the second end of the proportional three-way valve TWV1, and the first end of the heat exchanger PHX side pipe is connected to the third end of the proportional three-way valve TWV1.

[0109] The second end of the coolant bypass branch and the second end of the PHX side pipe of the heat exchanger are simultaneously connected to the second end of the heater water pump branch.

[0110] The proportional three-way valve TWV1 controls the flow of coolant from the heater core branch to the coolant bypass branch via its first end, and then to the PHX side piping of the heat exchanger via its third end. This achieves the diversion of coolant flow from the heater core branch. The heater core branch and the coolant bypass branch form a warm air circuit for heating the passenger compartment, while the heater core branch and the PHX side piping of the heat exchanger form a defrosting heat transfer circuit.

[0111] The flow rate to the coolant bypass branch and the flow rate to the PHX side of the heat exchanger can be adjusted by using a proportional three-way valve, thereby adjusting the defrosting heat transferred from the heater core pump branch. The defrosting heat transfer circuit or the heater core circuit can be closed or opened simultaneously by adjusting the valve position of the proportional three-way valve, so as to transfer defrosting heat while providing heating to the passenger compartment.

[0112] This application connects the heater pump branch to both the heating circuit and the aforementioned defrosting heat transfer circuit by installing a proportional three-way valve at either the first or second end of the heater pump branch. This utilizes the heat from the coolant in the heater pump branch for passenger compartment heating and / or defrosting of the low-temperature radiators. The opening ratio of each valve in the proportional three-way valve can be adjusted according to defrosting requirements to regulate the defrosting heat supplied to the low-temperature radiators, thus preventing heat waste. In some embodiments, when there is residual heat from the electric drive available for defrosting, the connection between the second and third ends of the proportional three-way valve can be disconnected, preventing heat transfer from the heater pump branch to the low-temperature radiator branch.

[0113] As another feasible implementation, a four-way valve FWV1 is used to connect the other side of the heat exchanger PHX piping in series between the electric water pump branch and the low-temperature heat dissipation branch. During defrosting of the low-temperature heat dissipation radiator, the connection between the electric water pump branch and the low-temperature heat dissipation branch can be controlled by adjusting the opening / closing of the various valves in the four-way valve FWV1. For example, if defrosting requires using heat exchanged from other circuits by the heat exchanger, the electric water pump branch, the other side of the heat exchanger piping, and the low-temperature heat dissipation branch are connected in sequence; if defrosting only uses the waste heat from the electric drive, the electric water pump branch and the low-temperature heat dissipation branch are connected.

[0114] As another feasible implementation method, such as Figure 3 As shown, the aforementioned coolant bypass branch and proportional three-way valve TWV1 can be installed simultaneously with the four-way valve FWV1. It should be noted that the first end and the second end mentioned in this embodiment can be different ports at the inlet and outlet of the branch / pipeline, respectively.

[0115] like Figure 3As shown, the outlet of the electric water pump branch is connected to the first end of the four-way valve FWV1, the second end of the four-way valve FWV1 is connected to the inlet of the other side of the heat exchanger PHX, the third end of the four-way valve FWV1 is connected to the outlet of the other side of the heat exchanger PHX, the fourth end of the four-way valve FWV1 is connected to the inlet of the low-temperature heat dissipation branch, and the outlet of the low-temperature heat dissipation branch is connected to the inlet of the electric water pump branch.

[0116] like Figure 3 As shown, the proportional three-way valve TWV1 is installed at the inlet of the heating water pump branch.

[0117] In addition, this application may also include an engine waste heat branch and a four-way valve FWV2, the outlet of which may be the engine coolant outlet and the inlet of which may be the coolant inlet before the thermostat.

[0118] Connect the outlet of the engine waste heat circuit to the first end of the four-way valve FWV2, connect the inlet of the engine waste heat circuit to the second end of the four-way valve FWV2, connect the third end of the four-way valve FWV2 to the inlet of the heater pump in the heater pump circuit, and connect the fourth end of the four-way valve FWV2 to the second end of the proportional three-way valve TWV1. This allows the engine waste heat to be transferred to the heater pump circuit, thereby providing heat for passenger compartment heating and / or defrosting of the low-temperature radiator.

[0119] This application's thermal management system utilizes a battery cooler with liquid-liquid heat exchange as a heat absorption device in the refrigerant circuit, and places an air-source heat exchanger, which is prone to frosting, in the coolant circuit. Then, waste heat from the engine is connected to the heater core circuit via a four-way valve, or the condenser in the heater core circuit absorbs heat from the refrigerant circuit, and the heat is transferred to the low-temperature radiator via a heat exchanger. Furthermore, by connecting the electric drive water pump circuit and the low-temperature radiator circuit, defrosting from multiple heat sources, such as waste heat from the electric drive, heat from the electric drive stalled motor, or heat generated in the inefficient mode of the electric drive, is achieved. This thermal management system realizes heat exchange between different circuits and achieves heat recovery and utilization, providing multiple selectable heat sources for the low-temperature radiator and achieving low-energy defrosting.

[0120] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a defrosting control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application. The defrosting control method proposed in this application can provide multiple selectable heat sources for defrosting low-temperature radiators based on the thermal management system described in any of the above embodiments, thereby achieving low-energy defrosting. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0121] S401, determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system.

[0122] In this embodiment of the application, the thermal management system sets an air source heat exchanger in the coolant circuit, such as a low-temperature radiator (LTR). The low-temperature radiator can perform heat exchange between the coolant and the air. It can be used as a radiator when the thermal management system needs to dissipate heat, and as an air source heat absorption device (such as an evaporator) when the thermal management system needs to absorb heat.

[0123] Low-temperature radiators are at risk of frosting when absorbing heat from the air, which will affect the heat exchange efficiency.

[0124] Whether or not a low-temperature radiator needs defrosting can be determined by checking whether it is frosted.

[0125] S402, if defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator, a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions is selected from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process.

[0126] This application describes the mode in which a thermal management system uses a low-temperature radiator to obtain heat from the air source as an air source heat pump mode.

[0127] Compared to the air-source heat pump mode, which utilizes heat exchange between coolant and air, this application describes it as a water-source heat pump mode, which uses liquid-liquid heat exchange and heat transfer through coolant flow. Any device in the thermal management system capable of generating heat during operation can be considered a candidate heat source. The current operating conditions of the thermal management system can be used to determine whether each candidate heat source can meet any preset heating condition, and the heat source that meets any preset heating condition will be used as the target heat source for defrosting.

[0128] S403, Based on the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system, determine the defrosting circuit.

[0129] After identifying the target heat source, the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator can be determined based on the structure of the thermal management system of this application. Then, the connecting valves or water pumps that need to be controlled are identified. By adjusting the opening / closing of different valves in the connecting valves, the defrosting circuit that can transfer heat from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator is activated.

[0130] Furthermore, when there are multiple target heat sources, the defrosting heat preset for the low-temperature radiator, the current operating conditions of the thermal management system, and the heat transfer paths from these target heat sources to the low-temperature radiator can be combined to select the target heat source and the heat transfer path based on the target heat source that will not affect the current task of the thermal management system.

[0131] In summary, the defrosting control method proposed in this application selects a target heat source from multiple candidate heat sources in the thermal management system of this application when defrosting is required for a low-temperature radiator. The heat from the target heat source is transferred to the low-temperature radiator for defrosting via liquid-liquid heat exchange and / or heat transfer through coolant flow. Based on the defrosting loop determined by the target heat source, heat transfer to the target heat source is achieved, thereby realizing the recovery and utilization of heat in different branches / loops in the thermal management system and reducing defrosting energy consumption.

[0132] Based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, step S101 above, "determining whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system," may include the following steps:

[0133] S501, if the current heat source mode of the thermal management system includes the air source heat pump mode, then obtain the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator.

[0134] When a low-temperature radiator is used as a heat absorber, the air undergoes a phase change after dissipating heat, which may lead to frost formation on the radiator surface and affect the heat exchange efficiency. This application addresses this issue by using a temperature acquisition device to obtain the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the radiator inlet when the thermal management system is in air-source heat pump mode.

[0135] S502, Based on the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature, determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator.

[0136] By obtaining the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator, the temperature of the coolant in the low-temperature radiator before it exchanges heat with the ambient air can be determined.

[0137] Optionally, a minimum temperature limit for frost formation on the surface of the low-temperature radiator can be set based on the frost point of air. For example, if the frost point of air is 0℃, then the minimum temperature limit for frost formation on the surface of the low-temperature radiator can be set based on the coolant temperature threshold in the low-temperature radiator before heat exchange, such as -0.5℃. That is, if the coolant temperature in the low-temperature radiator before heat exchange is less than -0.5℃, the surface temperature of the low-temperature radiator is considered to have reached the air frost point. After heat exchange between the coolant and air, the gas in contact with the surface of the low-temperature radiator may undergo a phase change and frost form on the surface. Conversely, when the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is greater than or equal to -0.5℃, the surface temperature of the low-temperature radiator has not reached the air frost point, making frost formation on the surface unlikely. Therefore, the coolant temperature threshold at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator can be set to -0.5℃. When the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is greater than or equal to the aforementioned coolant temperature threshold, it is considered that defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is unnecessary. However, when the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is less than the aforementioned coolant temperature threshold, it is considered that the low-temperature radiator may be prone to frosting.

[0138] In addition, to make accurate judgments, when the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is lower than the aforementioned coolant temperature threshold (e.g., -0.5℃), the following process can be further added: judging the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator.

[0139] Optionally, if the difference between the ambient temperature T and the coolant temperature T1 at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is greater than or equal to a preset temperature difference threshold (e.g., T-T1≥5), it can be confirmed that defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is necessary; if the difference between the ambient temperature T and the coolant temperature T1 at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is less than the preset temperature difference threshold, it can be confirmed that defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is not necessary. The temperature difference threshold can be set based on the heat exchange efficiency of the low-temperature radiator in the current thermal management system; or, if the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is lower than the coolant temperature threshold, the heat exchange process between different ambient temperatures and different coolant temperatures can be checked for frost formation to determine the aforementioned temperature difference threshold. For example, if the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is less than -0.5℃, and the difference between the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is greater than or equal to 5℃, it is assumed that after the air exchanges heat with the coolant, a phase change will occur on the surface of the low-temperature radiator, and frost will form, confirming that defrosting treatment of the low-temperature radiator is required; if the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is greater than or equal to -0.5℃, or if the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is less than -0.5℃ and the difference between the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator is less than 5℃, it is confirmed that defrosting treatment of the low-temperature radiator is not required.

[0140] It should be noted that the above-mentioned coolant temperature threshold can be set according to the air frost point and the error range required by the low-temperature radiator of the current thermal management system, such as setting a temperature difference of ±0.5℃ or ±0.3℃, etc., and this application does not limit it.

[0141] In practice, in addition to the above-described embodiments, temperature / humidity sensors can also be installed on the air-side surface of the low-temperature radiator to determine whether frost has formed.

[0142] In this embodiment of the application, when the thermal management system is in air-source heat pump mode that utilizes a low-temperature radiator for heat absorption, the presence of frost on the low-temperature radiator is predicted based on the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the radiator inlet, thereby determining whether defrosting is necessary. By limiting the coolant temperature at the radiator inlet and the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the radiator inlet, the system predicts whether the current temperature conditions meet the requirements for air to undergo a phase change and condense into frost on the radiator surface, thus enhancing the accuracy of frost detection on the low-temperature radiator.

[0143] Based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, step S102 above, "selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from multiple candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting treatment," may include the following steps:

[0144] S601 determines whether the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting start conditions.

[0145] S602, if the defrosting start condition is not met, the current heat source mode of the thermal management system is switched to water source heat pump mode, and the driving status is monitored in real time, and the step of judging whether the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting start condition is re-executed.

[0146] S603, if the defrosting start condition is met, then the step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for defrosting is executed.

[0147] In practice, low-temperature radiators, which are devices that exchange heat with the air, can be installed at the ventilation point at the front of the vehicle. The oncoming wind speed can be estimated based on the vehicle's driving status. Under high oncoming wind speeds, the defrosting effect will be affected.

[0148] The defrosting activation conditions mentioned above may include a preset driving state. When the vehicle's driving state reaches the preset driving state, the defrosting process for the low-temperature radiator can be activated; when the vehicle's driving state does not reach the preset driving state, the defrosting process for the low-temperature radiator will not be activated.

[0149] If defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is confirmed to be necessary, but defrosting is not activated due to the current driving conditions not meeting the activation requirements, the current heat source mode selected by the thermal management system can be switched to water source heat pump mode. For example, when only air source heat pump heating is used, the heat source mode can be directly switched from air source heat pump mode to water source heat pump mode; when both air source heat pump heating and water source heat pump heating are used simultaneously, the current heat source mode can be adjusted to water source heat pump mode that only uses water source heat pump heating, to avoid aggravating the frosting of the low-temperature radiator and reduce the impact of low-temperature radiator frosting on vehicle heating.

[0150] In addition to switching the heat source mode, this application also monitors the vehicle's driving status in real time, and re-determines whether the current driving status meets the defrosting start conditions after monitoring the vehicle's current driving status.

[0151] When the vehicle's driving condition meets the defrosting activation conditions, the defrosting process for the low-temperature radiator is activated, that is, the step of "selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process" in step S102 above is continued.

[0152] In this embodiment, after determining that defrosting is necessary, and before performing defrosting on the target heat source, a judgment is made regarding the vehicle's driving status. If the current driving status makes the low-temperature radiator air susceptible to high oncoming wind speed, then to ensure defrosting effectiveness, defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is not initiated. However, to avoid exacerbating frost buildup on the low-temperature radiator and to prevent affecting vehicle heating, this application disables the current air source heat pump mode and uses the water source heat pump mode as the current heat source mode for the thermal management system. Defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is initiated only when the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting activation conditions. This approach ensures defrosting efficiency, avoids wasting defrosting heat, and reduces the impact of frost buildup and defrosting on vehicle heating.

[0153] Based on the above embodiments, the driving status may include vehicle speed and / or the duration during which the vehicle remains within a preset speed range; the corresponding defrosting start conditions may include, but are not limited to, vehicle speed not exceeding the preset speed and / or the duration during which the vehicle remains within the preset speed range exceeding the preset duration.

[0154] For example, the preset vehicle speed can be set to 10km / h, the corresponding preset vehicle speed range can be set to vehicle speed V≦10km / h, and the preset duration can be set to 3 minutes.

[0155] This application avoids the impact of large changes in vehicle speed within a short period of time (for example, when a user accelerates and then decelerates, or when briefly decelerating and then accelerating again when passing through a traffic light intersection) on the judgment process corresponding to the defrosting start condition by setting a preset duration.

[0156] If the vehicle speed is ≤10km / h and the duration of this condition is ≥3 minutes, then the current driving state is considered to meet the defrosting activation conditions. Otherwise, the current driving state is considered not to meet the defrosting activation conditions.

[0157] It should be noted that the preset speed and preset duration can be set as needed, and the specific values ​​are not limited in this application.

[0158] This application utilizes preset vehicle speed and preset duration to filter out driving conditions where the vehicle speed is relatively stable and does not generate significant headwinds. Under these driving conditions, defrosting of the low-temperature radiator is initiated to ensure effective defrosting. This application improves the accuracy of speed-based condition filtering by limiting the preset duration.

[0159] Based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, after "switching the current heat source mode of the thermal management system to the water source heat pump mode" in step S602 above, the defrosting control method can be further configured to include the following steps after the defrosting process of the low-temperature radiator is completed:

[0160] S701, determine in real time whether the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range.

[0161] When the air source heat pump mode is turned off and the water source heat pump mode is used as the heat source mode of the thermal management system, the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is acquired in real time, and after acquiring the current ambient temperature, it is determined whether the current ambient temperature is within the preset temperature range.

[0162] This preset temperature range is the ambient temperature range preset for the normal heat exchange process of the low-temperature radiator in air source heat pump mode. It can be set as needed, and this application does not limit it. For example, it can be set to [10℃, -10℃].

[0163] S702, if the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range, restart the air source heat pump mode.

[0164] If the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range, it can be assumed that the low-temperature radiator can absorb heat from the air at the current ambient temperature after defrosting and be used as an air source heat exchanger. Therefore, the air source heat pump mode is restarted to increase the heat source of the thermal management system and reduce the electrical energy consumed for heating.

[0165] In this embodiment, once the low-temperature radiator has finished defrosting and the current ambient temperature meets the operating temperature of the low-temperature radiator as an air source heat exchanger, the low-temperature radiator is restarted to increase the heat source of the thermal management system and reduce the electrical energy consumed for heating.

[0166] Based on the above embodiments, the various candidate heat sources may include, but are not limited to, engine waste heat and compressor self-generated heat; the preset heating conditions may include, but are not limited to, engine waste heat recovery conditions and the candidate heat source being compressor self-generated heat;

[0167] Correspondingly, such as Figure 8 As shown, step S102 above, "selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from multiple candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting treatment," may include the following steps:

[0168] S801, determine whether the working mode of the heating circuit in the thermal management system is the heating mode;

[0169] The working mode of the heating circuit can be heating mode or non-heating mode. Non-heating mode can include, but is not limited to, cooling mode.

[0170] The control unit can determine whether the heating circuit is in heating mode by judging whether the air conditioning in the passenger compartment is in heating mode, or by monitoring the state of the damper in the heating core of the heating circuit.

[0171] S802, if the working mode of the heating circuit is the heating mode, then determine whether the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery conditions.

[0172] When the heating circuit is in heating mode, it is necessary to further determine whether the engine waste heat meets the conditions for engine waste heat recovery.

[0173] For example, the engine waste heat recovery condition can be set to the coolant temperature at the engine outlet exceeding the preset defrosting temperature. That is, when the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery condition, it can be considered that there is engine waste heat that can be transferred to the low-temperature radiator to complete defrosting.

[0174] For example, the engine waste heat recovery condition can also be set to the engine being in operation and the coolant temperature at the engine outlet being greater than or equal to a temperature threshold. This temperature threshold can be set based on the heat loss during the heat transfer process from the engine waste heat branch to the low-temperature radiator. That is, when the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery condition, it can be considered that there is engine waste heat that can be transferred to the low-temperature radiator to participate in defrosting. For example, the heat recovery condition can be set to the engine being in operation and the engine cylinder head outlet water temperature being greater than or equal to 60°C.

[0175] It should be noted that the specific values ​​of the above-mentioned preset defrosting temperature and the above-mentioned temperature threshold can be set as needed, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0176] S803, if satisfied, then the waste heat of the engine is determined as the target heat source.

[0177] S804, if not satisfied, then the compressor's self-generated heat is determined as the target heat source.

[0178] If the current engine waste heat meets the conditions for engine waste heat recovery, then the engine waste heat is identified as the target heat source for defrosting the low-temperature radiator. If the current engine waste heat does not meet the conditions for engine waste heat recovery, then the refrigerant circuit is controlled to generate compressor self-generated heat, which is used as the target heat source.

[0179] Based on the thermal management system structure described in the above embodiments, it is clear that in this application, the waste heat from the engine and the heat generated by the refrigerant circuit need to be transferred to the low-temperature radiator through the heater pump branch and the other side of the heat exchanger PHX. Therefore, when the heater circuit is in heating mode, the heater pump branch is used to transfer the heat for heating the passenger compartment. Under this condition, using the heater pump branch to transfer defrosting heat will not affect the heating of the passenger compartment.

[0180] This application saves electricity consumed during defrosting by recovering and utilizing engine waste heat. When engine waste heat is insufficient for defrosting, the compressor generates its own heat to ensure the necessary heat for the low-temperature radiator. Furthermore, when the heater pump branch is needed to transfer defrosting heat, the system first checks the heater circuit. If the heater circuit is in heating mode, it then checks the availability of heat sources that need to be transferred to the low-temperature radiator via the heater pump branch. If the heater circuit is not in heating mode, there is no need to check these heat sources. This allows defrosting to be achieved without affecting the heating needs of the passenger compartment.

[0181] Optionally, when the heating circuit is not in heating mode, it is further determined whether the waste heat from the electric drive meets the conditions for waste heat recovery. If it does, the waste heat from the electric drive is identified as the target heat source; if it does not, and the current ambient temperature and the remaining charge of the drive battery both meet the conditions for electric drive heating, the active heat from the electric drive is identified as the target heat source. Thus, when the heating circuit is not in heating mode, defrosting is performed using the heat from the electric drive water pump branch (such as waste heat / active heat from the electric drive), without relying on the heating water pump branch in the heating circuit for defrosting heat transfer. This allows defrosting to be achieved without affecting the current operating mode of the passenger cabin air conditioning.

[0182] Optionally, before determining the operating mode of the heating circuit, it can be prioritized to determine whether there is available residual heat from the electric drive. If available residual heat is available, it can be used for defrosting. If there is no residual heat, the step of determining the operating mode of the heating circuit continues, and if it is operating in heating mode, the step of selecting the target heat source from engine waste heat and compressor self-generated heat continues. If it is not in heating mode, the above-described process of determining the active heat of the electric drive is performed.

[0183] Among them, electric drive active heating may include controlling the drive motor to stall or control the drive motor to operate inefficiently, and obtaining heat energy converted from electrical energy.

[0184] Based on the above embodiments, the defrosting circuit can be determined in the following way:

[0185] Firstly, if the target heat source is engine waste heat, the engine waste heat branch is connected in series to the heating circuit, and the heating water pump branch in the heating circuit is connected to the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger to transfer the engine waste heat to the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger. Additionally, the low-temperature heat dissipation branch, the electric water pump branch, and the pipe on the other side of the heat exchanger are connected in sequence to absorb the engine waste heat from the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger and transfer the engine waste heat to the low-temperature heat dissipation branch.

[0186] Secondly, if the target heat source is electric drive active heat or electric drive waste heat, then the low temperature heat dissipation branch and the electric drive water pump branch are connected to transfer the electric drive active heat or the electric drive waste heat to the low temperature heat dissipation branch.

[0187] Third, if the target heat source is compressor self-generated heat, then the hot gas bypass branch and water pump branch of the refrigerant circuit are connected, and the warm air water pump branch and the pipeline on one side of the heat exchanger are connected to transfer the compressor self-generated heat from the refrigerant circuit to the pipeline on one side of the heat exchanger; and the low temperature heat dissipation branch, the electric water pump branch and the pipeline on the other side of the heat exchanger are connected in sequence to absorb the compressor self-generated heat from the pipeline on one side of the heat exchanger and transfer the compressor self-generated heat to the low temperature heat dissipation branch.

[0188] In summary, this application places the heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the air in the coolant side, and uses the heat in different branches / circuits in the coolant side for defrosting. This eliminates the need for an auxiliary PTC from the outdoor heat exchanger for heating and defrosting, reducing costs and energy consumption. This application also selects a defrosting circuit that does not affect the current operating mode of the passenger cabin air conditioning system, i.e., the current operating mode of the heating circuit, to transfer defrosting heat, thus avoiding any impact on passenger cabin comfort during the defrosting process.

[0189] It should be understood that the sequence number of each step in the above embodiments does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0190] Figure 9 This is a block diagram of a defrosting control device according to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the device 900 includes a judgment module 901, a heat source selection module 902, and a determination module 903.

[0191] The judgment module 901 is used to determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system.

[0192] The heat source selection module 902 is used to select a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode if defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator, and use it as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process.

[0193] The determination module 903 is used to determine the defrosting circuit based on the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system.

[0194] In this embodiment of the application, the determination module is used for:

[0195] If the current heat source mode of the thermal management system includes the air source heat pump mode, then the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator are obtained.

[0196] Based on the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature, determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator.

[0197] In this embodiment of the application, the heat source selection module is used for:

[0198] Determine whether the vehicle's driving status meets the conditions for defrosting to start;

[0199] If the defrosting start conditions are not met, the current heat source mode of the thermal management system is switched to water source heat pump mode, and the driving status is monitored in real time, and the step of determining whether the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting start conditions is re-executed.

[0200] If the defrosting activation conditions are met, then the step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for defrosting is executed.

[0201] In this embodiment of the application, the driving state includes vehicle speed and / or the duration during which the vehicle remains within a preset speed range;

[0202] The defrosting activation conditions include: the vehicle speed does not exceed the preset speed, and / or the vehicle remains within the preset speed range for a duration exceeding the preset duration.

[0203] In this embodiment of the application, the heat source selection module is used for:

[0204] Real-time determination of whether the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range;

[0205] If the ambient temperature where the low-temperature radiator is located is within the preset temperature range, the air source heat pump mode will be restarted.

[0206] In this embodiment of the application, the multiple candidate heat sources include engine waste heat and compressor self-generated heat; the preset heating conditions include engine waste heat recovery conditions and the candidate heat source is compressor self-generated heat;

[0207] The heat source selection module is used for:

[0208] Determine whether the working mode of the heating circuit in the thermal management system is heating mode;

[0209] If the working mode of the heating circuit is heating mode, then determine whether the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery conditions.

[0210] If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the engine is identified as the target heat source.

[0211] If the conditions are not met, the self-generated heat of the compressor will be determined as the target heat source.

[0212] In this embodiment of the application, the plurality of candidate heat sources include electric drive active heat and electric drive waste heat, and the preset heating conditions include electric drive waste heat recovery conditions and electric drive heating conditions;

[0213] The heat source selection module is used for:

[0214] If the working mode of the heating circuit is not the heating mode, then determine whether the waste heat from the electric drive meets the conditions for waste heat recovery from the electric drive.

[0215] If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the electric drive will be identified as the target heat source.

[0216] If the conditions are not met, then if the current ambient temperature and the remaining charge of the drive battery both meet the electric drive heating conditions, the electric drive active heat will be identified as the target heat source.

[0217] In summary, the defrosting control device proposed in this application selects a target heat source from multiple candidate heat sources in the thermal management system of this application when defrosting is required for a low-temperature radiator. The heat from the target heat source is transferred to the low-temperature radiator for defrosting via liquid-liquid heat exchange and / or heat transfer through coolant flow. Based on the defrosting circuit determined by the target heat source, heat transfer to the target heat source is achieved, thereby realizing the recovery and utilization of heat in different branches / circuits in the thermal management system and reducing defrosting energy consumption.

[0218] To achieve the above embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown in the embodiments of this application, a vehicle 1000 is also proposed, including a thermal management system 1 as described in any of the above embodiments and a defrosting control device 900 as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0219] To implement the above embodiments, this application also proposes an electronic device 1100, such as... Figure 11 As shown, the electronic device 1100 may specifically include: a memory 1101, a processor 1102, and a computer program stored on the memory 1101 and executable on the processor 1102. When the processor 1102 executes the program, it implements the steps of the defrosting control method as shown in the above embodiments.

[0220] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, storage, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include non-volatile and / or volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in various forms, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), dual data rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), RAMbus direct RAM (RDRAM), direct memory bus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and RAMbus dynamic RAM (RDRAM), etc.

[0221] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the above-described division of functional units and modules is used as an example. In practical applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional units and modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0222] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, characterized in that, This includes the coolant circuit and the refrigerant circuit equipped with a condenser and a battery cooler; The coolant circuit includes an electric water pump branch, a low-temperature heat dissipation branch equipped with a low-temperature radiator, a battery cooling circuit equipped with the battery cooler, a warm air water pump branch equipped with the condenser, and a heat exchanger. The first end of the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger is connected to the first end of the heating air pump branch, and the second end of the heating air pump branch is connected to the second end of the pipe on one side of the heat exchanger. The first end of the electric water pump branch is connected to the first end of the other side of the heat exchanger pipe, the second end of the other side of the heat exchanger pipe is connected to the first end of the low temperature heat dissipation branch, and the second end of the low temperature heat dissipation branch is connected to the second end of the electric water pump branch. When the thermal management system operates in air source heat pump mode, the low-temperature radiator is used to absorb heat from the ambient air.

2. The thermal management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a hot gas bypass branch, and a heat pump branch equipped with the condenser and the battery cooler; the hot gas bypass branch and the heat pump branch are respectively connected in parallel with the compressor.

3. The thermal management system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The coolant circuit also includes a proportional three-way valve and a coolant bypass branch; The first end of the coolant bypass branch is connected to the first end of the heater pump branch, and the second end of the coolant bypass branch is connected to the second end of the heater pump branch. The three ports that are connected to each other—the heat exchanger side pipe, the warm air pump branch, and the coolant bypass branch—are connected by the proportional three-way valve.

4. A defrosting control method, characterized in that, Based on the thermal management system according to any one of claims 1-3, the method includes: Determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiators in the thermal management system; If defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator, a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions is selected from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process. Based on the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system, a defrosting circuit is determined.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Determining whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiators in the thermal management system includes: If the current heat source mode of the thermal management system includes the air source heat pump mode, then the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature at the inlet of the low-temperature radiator are obtained. Based on the ambient temperature and the coolant temperature, determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator.

6. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from multiple candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting includes: Determine whether the vehicle's driving status meets the conditions for defrosting to start; If the defrosting start conditions are not met, the heat source mode of the thermal management system is switched to water source heat pump mode, the driving status is monitored in real time, and the step of determining whether the vehicle's driving status meets the defrosting start conditions is re-executed. If the defrosting activation conditions are met, then the step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for defrosting is executed.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The driving status includes vehicle speed, and / or the duration during which the vehicle remains within a preset speed range; The defrosting activation conditions include: the vehicle speed does not exceed the preset speed, and / or the vehicle remains within the preset speed range for a duration exceeding the preset duration.

8. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, After switching the current heat source mode of the thermal management system to the water source heat pump mode, the method further includes: Real-time determination of whether the ambient temperature of the low-temperature radiator is within the preset temperature range; If the ambient temperature where the low-temperature radiator is located is within the preset temperature range, the air source heat pump mode will be restarted.

9. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The multiple candidate heat sources include engine waste heat and compressor self-generated heat; the preset heating conditions include engine waste heat recovery conditions and the candidate heat source is compressor self-generated heat. The step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from multiple candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting includes: Determine whether the working mode of the heating circuit in the thermal management system is heating mode; If the working mode of the heating circuit is heating mode, then determine whether the engine waste heat meets the engine waste heat recovery conditions. If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the engine is identified as the target heat source. If the conditions are not met, the self-generated heat of the compressor will be determined as the target heat source.

10. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of candidate heat sources include electric drive active heat and electric drive waste heat, and the preset heating conditions include electric drive waste heat recovery conditions and electric drive heating conditions. The step of selecting a heat source that meets any preset heating condition from multiple candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode as the target heat source for performing defrosting includes: If the working mode of the heating circuit is not the heating mode, then determine whether the waste heat from the electric drive meets the conditions for waste heat recovery from the electric drive. If the conditions are met, the waste heat from the electric drive will be identified as the target heat source. If the conditions are not met, then if the current ambient temperature and the remaining charge of the drive battery both meet the electric drive heating conditions, the electric drive active heat will be identified as the target heat source.

11. A defrosting control device, characterized in that, The thermal management system according to any one of claims 1-3 includes: The determination module is used to determine whether defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system. The heat source selection module is used to select a heat source that meets any preset heating conditions from a variety of candidate heat sources in the water source heat pump mode if defrosting is required for the low-temperature radiator, and use it as the target heat source for performing the defrosting process. The determination module is used to determine the defrosting circuit based on the heat transfer path from the target heat source to the low-temperature radiator in the thermal management system.

12. A vehicle, characterized in that, It includes the thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1-3 and the defrosting control device as described in claim 11.

13. An electronic device comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps of the defrosting control method as described in any one of claims 4-10.

14. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the program implements the steps of the defrosting control method as described in any one of claims 4-10.

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