Integrated thermal management system for vehicles

Abstract

An integrated thermal management system for vehicles is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the integrated thermal management system for vehicles includes: a housing; a thermal management module disposed within the housing through which a flammable refrigerant circulates to regulate the temperature of vehicle components; and a fluid contained within the housing to surround the thermal management module and prevent the flammable refrigerant from exploding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an integrated thermal management system for vehicles, and more specifically, to an environmentally friendly integrated thermal management system for vehicles.

[0002] ‌ Background Technology

[0003] Recently, in order to address climate change, there has been a growing demand for new types of transportation, such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.

[0004] In particular, electric vehicles use a thermal management system that integrates the vehicle's cooling system, which cools the heat generated by the motor, battery, etc., with the air conditioning system, which regulates the temperature inside the vehicle.

[0005] This integrated thermal management system includes a condenser and an evaporator that use refrigerant.

[0006] However, refrigerants pose climate and environmental pollution problems, thus creating a demand for the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants.

[0007] As a replacement for conventional refrigerants, environmentally friendly propane gas is attracting attention.

[0008] However, when propane gas is used as a refrigerant and leaks, there is a high risk of propane gas explosion.

[0009] ‌ Summary of the Invention Technical issues

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide an integrated thermal management system for vehicles that uses environmentally friendly refrigerants.

[0011] The problems of this invention are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand the undescribed problems through the following description.

[0012] ‌ Solution to the problem

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, an integrated thermal management system for vehicles is provided, comprising a housing; a thermal management module disposed in the housing and configured to regulate the temperature of vehicle components by circulating a flammable refrigerant; and a fluid contained in the housing, surrounding the thermal management module and preventing the flammable refrigerant from exploding.

[0014] In addition, the flammable refrigerant may be propane gas.

[0015] In addition, the fluid can be water or silicone oil at a temperature lower than room temperature.

[0016] In addition, the thermal management module may include a condenser configured to circulate the flammable refrigerant and a compressor configured to compress the flammable refrigerant.

[0017] In addition, the vehicle integrated thermal management system may further include: a heat medium inlet pipe configured to receive heat medium from the vehicle component and supply the heat medium to the thermal management module; and a heat medium outlet pipe configured to supply the heat medium passing through the thermal management module to the vehicle component.

[0018] In addition, the vehicle integrated thermal management system may further include: a first fluid inlet connected to the housing and into which fluid flows; and a first fluid outlet connected to the housing and from which fluid flows out.

[0019] Furthermore, the first fluid inlet may be located on a side adjacent to the lower side of the housing, and the first fluid outlet may be located on the upper side of the housing.

[0020] In addition, the vehicle integrated thermal management system may also include a second fluid inlet formed in the thermal management module and the fluid flowing into the second fluid inlet.

[0021] In addition, the vehicle integrated thermal management system may also include a fluid discharge line configured to receive the fluid from the thermal management module and discharge the fluid to the outside of the housing.

[0022] In addition, the vehicle integrated thermal management system may also include a fluid inlet line configured to connect the first fluid inlet to the second fluid inlet.

[0023] In addition, the vehicle integrated thermal management system may also include a damper disposed between the lower side of the housing and the thermal management module.

[0024] ‌ Advantages of the invention

[0025] According to the above configuration, even if the flammable refrigerant leaks, the vehicle integrated thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention prevents the flammable refrigerant from exploding by dissolving the flammable refrigerant in the fluid.

[0026] In addition, unlike conventional refrigerant emissions, the use of flammable refrigerants prevents environmental pollution.

[0027] ‌ Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles, viewed from the other side, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This diagram schematically illustrates the thermal management module of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This diagram schematically illustrates the thermal management module of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic perspective view of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] 100: Automotive Integrated Thermal Management System

[0034] 110: Shell

[0035] 120: Thermal Management Module

[0036] L: Fluid

[0037] ‌ Detailed Implementation

[0038] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to readily implement the invention. The invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. For clarity of illustration, portions unrelated to the description in the drawings have been omitted, and throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts.

[0039] The words and terms used in this specification and claims are not to be construed as having their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in accordance with the principle that the inventor may define terms and concepts to best illustrate his / her invention, and in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0040] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings correspond to preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, various equivalents and modifications that can replace these configurations may exist when submitting this invention.

[0041] In this specification, terms such as “including / comprise” or “having” are intended to describe the presence of features, quantities, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be construed as excluding or adding more than one other feature, quantity, step, action, component, part or combination thereof.

[0042] Unless otherwise specified, the statement that a component is the "front," "rear," "upper," or "lower" of another component includes not only cases where the component is in direct contact with the other component at its "front," "rear," "upper," or "lower" location, but also cases where the component has another component disposed therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the statement that a component is "connected / coupled" to another component includes not only cases where the component is directly connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is indirectly connected to the other component.

[0043] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, will illustrate an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 1 This schematically illustrates a perspective view of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an integrated heat treatment system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the other side.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention, an integrated thermal management system 100 for vehicles includes a housing 110, a thermal management module 120, and a fluid L.

[0046] The housing 110 houses the thermal management module 120 and the fluid L. The housing 110 may be made of a metallic material. However, the housing 110 is not limited to being made of a metallic material, and may be made of various materials such as rigid plastics.

[0047] The thermal management module 120 is housed within the housing 110. Furthermore, the thermal management module 120 regulates the temperature of vehicle components (not shown) installed in the vehicle by circulating a combustible refrigerant. These vehicle components can be various electronic devices that generate heat, such as batteries and motors in electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles.

[0048] Furthermore, the combustible refrigerant can be propane gas. However, the combustible refrigerant is not limited to propane gas and can also be an environmentally friendly refrigerant material.

[0049] Additionally, the thermal management module 120 includes a condenser 121 and an evaporator 122. The condenser 121 and the evaporator can cool the heat received from vehicle components.

[0050] The fluid L is contained within the housing 110. Furthermore, the fluid L surrounds the thermal management module 120. Here, the fluid can be cold water (water at a temperature lower than room temperature) or silicone oil.

[0051] In addition, when flammable refrigerant leaks from the thermal management module 120, fluid L dissolves the flammable refrigerant to prevent it from exploding.

[0052] In this way, according to one embodiment of the invention, the automotive integrated thermal management system 100 uses environmentally friendly propane gas to cool vehicle components and also prevents flammable refrigerant explosions by using fluid L.

[0053] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle integrated thermal management system 100 further includes a heat medium inlet pipe 136 and a heat medium outlet pipe 138.

[0054] The heat medium inlet pipe 136 receives heat medium from vehicle components and supplies heat medium to the thermal management module 120. Additionally, the heat medium inlet pipe 136 passes through the housing 110 via a first heat medium inlet 146 formed on the side of the housing 110. Furthermore, the heat medium inlet pipe 136 is connected to the thermal management module 120 via a second heat medium inlet 126 formed in the thermal management module 120.

[0055] Therefore, the heat medium undergoes heat exchange in the thermal management module 120 through the heat medium inlet pipe 136.

[0056] The heat medium outlet pipe 138 supplies heat medium to the vehicle components via the thermal management module 120. Additionally, the heat medium outlet pipe 138 is connected to the thermal management module 120 via a second heat medium outlet 128 formed in the thermal management module 120. Furthermore, the heat medium outlet pipe 138 passes through the housing 110 via a first heat medium outlet 148 formed on the side of the housing 110.

[0057] Therefore, the heat medium that is exchanged in the thermal management module 120 is supplied to the vehicle components through the heat medium outlet pipe 138.

[0058] Furthermore, according to various embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle integrated thermal management system 100 includes a first fluid inlet 145, a second fluid inlet 125, a fluid discharge line 137, and a first fluid outlet 147.

[0059] The first fluid inlet 145 is connected to the side of the housing 110. The first fluid inlet 145 is configured to allow fluid to flow into the housing 110 from the outside of the housing 110.

[0060] A second fluid inlet 125 is formed in the thermal management module. The second fluid inlet 125 is configured to allow fluid in the housing 110 to flow into the thermal management module 120.

[0061] The fluid discharge line 137 is configured to receive fluid from the thermal management module 120 and discharge the fluid to the outside of the housing 110. The fluid discharge line 137 is connected to the thermal management module 120 via a second fluid outlet 127 formed in the thermal management module 120.

[0062] A first fluid outlet 147 is connected to the side of the housing 110. The first fluid outlet 147 is configured to allow fluid to be discharged. In addition, a fluid discharge line 137 passes through the first fluid outlet 147 and through the side of the housing 110.

[0063] Therefore, fluid outside the housing 110 is supplied to the thermal management module 120 through the first fluid inlet 145 and the second fluid inlet 125, thus preventing the explosion of flammable refrigerant when it leaks from the thermal management module 120.

[0064] In addition, the fluid inside the thermal management module 120 is discharged to the outside of the housing 110 by passing through the second fluid outlet 127, the fluid discharge pipe 137 and the first fluid outlet 147 in sequence.

[0065] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the automotive integrated thermal management system 100 may also include a damper 150.

[0066] The damper 150 is disposed between the lower side of the housing 110 and the thermal management module 120. That is, the damper 150 supports the thermal management module 120. Furthermore, the damper 150 may be made of rubber. However, the damper 150 is not limited to being made of rubber and may be made of various elastic materials.

[0067] Therefore, the damper 150 prevents shocks from outside the housing 110 from being transmitted to the thermal management module 120.

[0068] ‌

[0069] Figure 3 This diagram schematically illustrates the thermal management module of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Reference Figure 3 The thermal management module 120 includes a first heat exchanger 120a, a compressor 120b, and a second heat exchanger 120c.

[0071] The combustible refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 120b via the first flow path P3 to the first heat exchanger 120a. Furthermore, the first heat exchanger 120a may be the aforementioned condenser. Additionally, according to various embodiments of the invention, the first heat exchanger 120a may be an evaporator.

[0072] Compressor 120b compresses flammable refrigerant. The compressed flammable refrigerant is then delivered to the second heat exchanger 120c via the second flow path P4.

[0073] When the first heat exchanger 120a is a condenser, the second heat exchanger 120c can be an evaporator. Furthermore, according to various embodiments of the present invention, when the first heat exchanger 120a is an evaporator, the second heat exchanger 120c can be a condenser.

[0074] In addition, the combustible refrigerant of the second heat exchanger 120c can be stored in the refrigerant storage unit 120d through the second flow path P4.

[0075] The combustible refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage unit 120d is supplied to the first heat exchanger 120a through the first flow path P3.

[0076] In this manner, the combustible refrigerant passes sequentially through the first heat exchanger 120a, the compressor 120b, the second heat exchanger 120c, and the refrigerant storage unit 120d.

[0077] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, fluid movement occurs through a fluid conduit P1 formed within the thermal management module 120. Specifically, the fluid surrounds a first flow path P3 and a second flow path P4 through which the flammable refrigerant flows within the thermal management module 120. Therefore, when the flammable refrigerant leaks from the first flow path P3 and the second flow path P4, the fluid dissolves the flammable refrigerant to prevent an explosion.

[0078] In addition, the fluid exchanges heat with the combustible refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 120a.

[0079] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the heat medium moves through a heat medium conduit P2 formed inside the thermal management module 120. Additionally, when the heat medium conduit P2 passes through the second heat exchanger 120c, the heat medium and the combustible refrigerant exchange heat in the second heat exchanger 120c.

[0080] ‌

[0081] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Reference Figure 4 Unlike the above embodiments, the vehicle integrated thermal management system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a fluid outlet 116 formed on the upper side of the housing 110, and the description of the same or similar components as those in the above embodiments is replaced with the above content.

[0083] Since the fluid outlet 116 is formed on the upper side of the housing 110, the fluid inside the housing 110 is discharged to the upper side of the housing 110 through the fluid outlet 116. Therefore, when the temperature of the fluid inside the housing 110 rises, it has the following advantage: the relatively high-temperature fluid inside the housing 110 is first smoothly discharged to the outside of the housing 110.

[0084] Furthermore, according to various embodiments of the present invention, the fluid inlet 115 is provided on a side adjacent to the lower side of the housing 110. Therefore, when the temperature of the fluid flowing in through the fluid inlet 115 is higher than the temperature of the fluid inside the housing 110, it has the advantage that the fluid flowing in through the fluid inlet 115 moves smoothly into the housing 110.

[0085] ‌

[0086] Figure 5 This is a schematic perspective view of an integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Reference Figure 5 Unlike the above embodiments, the vehicle integrated thermal management system 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a fluid inlet pipe 335, and the description of the same or similar components as those in the above embodiments is replaced with the above content.

[0088] The fluid inlet pipe 335 passes through the housing 110 and is connected to the thermal management module 120 via the second fluid inlet 125. Fluid from outside the housing 110 is supplied to the thermal management module 120 through the fluid inlet pipe 335.

[0089] In this way, according to another embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the above embodiment, there is an advantage that the fluid supplied to the housing 110 is managed separately from the fluid supplied to the thermal management module 120.

[0090] ‌

[0091] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth in this specification. Those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the invention can readily propose other embodiments by supplementing, modifying, removing, or adding components within the same spirit, and these are also considered to be within the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An integrated thermal management system for vehicles, comprising: case; A thermal management module, which is disposed in the housing and configured to regulate the temperature of vehicle components by circulating a combustible refrigerant; as well as A fluid contained within the housing, surrounding the thermal management module, and preventing the flammable refrigerant from exploding.

2. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein, The flammable refrigerant is propane gas.

3. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein, The fluid is water or silicone oil at a temperature lower than room temperature.

4. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein, The thermal management module includes: A condenser configured to circulate the flammable refrigerant; and A compressor configured to compress the flammable refrigerant.

5. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 1 further includes: A heat medium inlet pipe is configured to receive heat medium from the vehicle component and supply the heat medium to the thermal management module; and A heat medium outlet pipeline is configured to supply the heat medium, which passes through the thermal management module, to the vehicle component.

6. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 1 further includes: A first fluid inlet is connected to the housing and the fluid flows into the first fluid inlet; and A first fluid outlet is connected to the housing and the fluid flows out from the first fluid outlet.

7. The integrated thermal management system for vehicles according to claim 6, wherein, The first fluid inlet is located on a side adjacent to the lower side of the housing, and The first fluid outlet is located on the upper side of the housing.

8. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 6 further includes: A second fluid inlet is formed in the thermal management module and the fluid flows into the second fluid inlet.

9. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 8 further includes: A fluid discharge line configured to receive the fluid from the thermal management module and discharge the fluid to the outside of the housing.

10. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 9, further comprising: A fluid inlet line configured to connect the first fluid inlet to the second fluid inlet.

11. The vehicle integrated thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising: A damper is disposed between the lower side of the housing and the thermal management module.

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