Cooling system for a hybrid vehicle and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle and a control method thereof, the cooling system including: a cooling module including a cooling fan; an engine cooling device including a first line through which a first coolant flows, wherein the first line connects the cooling module and an engine of the hybrid vehicle; an intercooler provided inside the engine; an electrical component cooling device including: a water pump; and a second line connected to the cooling module, the water pump, and an electrical component, and configured to enable a second coolant to flow therethrough; and a controller configured to control operations of the cooling fan and the water pump, wherein the intercooler is provided on a branch line connected to the second line to circulate the second coolant, and wherein the intercooler is provided in parallel with the electrical component via the branch line.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0180994, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a cooling system for hybrid vehicles, and more specifically, to a cooling system for hybrid vehicles that uses an engine and an electric motor as power sources. Background Technology

[0004] Recently, due to increasing attention to energy efficiency and concerns about environmental pollution, the development of environmentally friendly vehicles that can substantially replace internal combustion engine vehicles has become necessary. These environmentally friendly vehicles are generally divided into two categories: electric vehicles that use fuel cells or electricity as a power source, and hybrid vehicles that are powered by both an engine and a battery.

[0005] In electric vehicles, propulsion is generated by converting the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. During this process, the chemical reaction within the fuel cell produces heat. Therefore, to ensure the proper functioning of the fuel cell, it is essential to effectively dissipate this heat.

[0006] Furthermore, hybrid vehicles generate drive torque by using electricity supplied by fuel cells or batteries to drive an electric motor and an engine that runs on conventional fuel. The performance of the electric motor can be ensured by effectively removing the heat generated by electrical components such as the hybrid power control unit (HPCU), oil pump control unit (OPU), hybrid starter generator (HSG), and inverter.

[0007] In hybrid vehicles, separate cooling systems must be used to effectively cool the engine, motor, and multiple electrical components that generate a lot of heat.

[0008] In addition, hybrid vehicles are equipped with an intercooler to cool the supplied air in their engines, and a separate cooling system must be used to cool the intercooler.

[0009] Therefore, hybrid vehicles typically use a water-cooled cooling system consisting of separate cooling units, which use cooled refrigerant to cool the engine, intercooler, and electrical components. Each of these cooling units generally requires components such as a radiator, reservoir, and water pump.

[0010] However, traditional hybrid vehicles have the following drawbacks: in addition to separate cooling equipment to prevent the engine, motor, electrical components and battery from overheating, and an air conditioning system to cool or heat the vehicle interior, a separate cooling equipment is also required to cool the intercooler, which leads to increased manufacturing costs and weight, and makes it difficult to ensure space for installing the cooling system.

[0011] In addition, each cooling device must be equipped with a radiator for cooling the coolant, which leads to the following disadvantages: the size and weight of the cooling module installed at the front of the vehicle may increase, and the layout of the connecting pipes for supplying refrigerant or coolant to the various devices becomes complicated in the narrow engine compartment.

[0012] The information disclosed in this background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0013] This disclosure provides a cooling system and control method for a hybrid vehicle, which reduces the number of components by using an electrical component cooling device configured to cool electrical components and also an intercooler, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and vehicle weight.

[0014] In one embodiment of this disclosure, a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle may include: a cooling module disposed at the front of the vehicle and including a cooling fan; and an engine cooling device including a first pipeline through which a first coolant flows. Specifically, the first pipeline connects the cooling module and the engine of the hybrid vehicle. The cooling system further includes: an intercooler disposed in the engine; and an electrical component cooling device including a water pump and a second pipeline connected to the cooling module, the water pump, and the electrical components. The second pipeline is configured to allow a second coolant to flow through it. The cooling system also includes a controller configured to control the operation of the cooling fan and the water pump. Specifically, the intercooler is disposed on a branch line connected to the second pipeline to circulate the second coolant, and is disposed in parallel with the electrical components via this branch line.

[0015] The first end of the branch line can be connected to the second line located between the water pump and the electrical components; the second end of the branch line can be connected to the second line located between the cooling module and the electrical components.

[0016] Secondary pipelines and branch pipelines can have different inner diameters to change flow resistance.

[0017] An air temperature sensor can be installed on the intercooler. This air temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller and is configured to measure the temperature of the air.

[0018] An electrical component temperature sensor may be installed on the electrical component. This electrical component temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller and configured to measure the temperature of the electrical component.

[0019] A coolant temperature sensor can be installed on the branch line. This coolant temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller and configured to measure the temperature of the second coolant flowing through the branch line.

[0020] The cooling module may further include: a first radiator connected to a first pipeline and configured to cool a first coolant by exchanging heat with ambient air; and a second radiator connected to a second pipeline and configured to cool a second coolant by exchanging heat with ambient air.

[0021] The second radiator can be located upstream of the first radiator; and the cooling fan can be located downstream of the first radiator.

[0022] The water pump can be an electric water pump, and the pump speed (e.g., RPM) can be controlled according to a control signal from a controller.

[0023] A liquid storage tank can be installed on the second pipeline.

[0024] Another embodiment of this disclosure provides a control method for a cooling system of a hybrid vehicle, wherein the hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; an engine cooling device disposed on a first pipeline through which a first coolant flows; an electrical component cooling device including a water pump disposed on a second pipeline through which a second coolant flows; electrical components disposed on the second pipeline; and an intercooler disposed in parallel with the electrical components via a branch pipeline connected to the second pipeline. The control method includes the following steps: during startup and operation of the hybrid vehicle, a controller converts the water pump demand RPM and the cooling fan duty cycle based on data detected by a data detector. The control method further includes: driving the water pump and cooling fan by selecting the maximum demand RPM and the maximum duty cycle from the converted water pump demand RPM and cooling fan duty cycle; and the controller determines whether the air temperature and the temperature of the electrical components are within permissible upper and lower temperature limits based on a predetermined reference temperature and data detected in real time by the data detector, and then controls the water pump speed and the cooling fan duty cycle.

[0025] In an implementation, the steps of switching demand RPM and duty cycle may include: the controller determining the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components based on data detected by the data detector; and the controller switching the water pump demand RPM and the cooling fan duty cycle based on the determined air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the determined temperature of the electrical components.

[0026] In an implementation, the steps of driving the water pump and the cooling fan may include: the controller selecting the maximum demand RPM and the maximum duty cycle from the converted water pump demand RPM and the cooling fan duty cycle, respectively; and the controller driving the water pump at the maximum demand RPM and driving the cooling fan at the maximum duty cycle.

[0027] The control method may further include the following steps: the controller determines whether the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits based on a predetermined reference temperature and data detected in real time by a data detector; and the controller maintains the speed of the currently driven water pump and the duty cycle of the currently driven cooling fan based on the determination that the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits (i.e., the conditions are met).

[0028] The control method may also include the following steps: based on the determination that the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are not within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits (i.e., the conditions are not met), return to the step of switching the water pump demand RPM and the cooling fan duty cycle.

[0029] The permissible upper and lower temperature ranges are set such that the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum reference temperature and less than a predetermined maximum reference temperature.

[0030] The data detectors include: an air temperature sensor disposed on the intercooler and configured to measure the temperature of the air introduced into the intercooler; an electrical component temperature sensor disposed on the electrical component and configured to measure the temperature of the electrical component; and a coolant temperature sensor disposed on a branch line and configured to measure the temperature of the second coolant.

[0031] As described above, the cooling system and control method for hybrid vehicles according to the embodiments can reduce the number of components and simplify the entire system by using an electrical component cooling device configured to cool electrical components to cool the intercooler.

[0032] Furthermore, this disclosure can help ensure space for installing the cooling system by streamlining the entire system, and improve space utilization by reducing the size and weight of the cooling module installed at the front of the vehicle.

[0033] In addition, this disclosure simplifies the layout of connecting pipes for flowing coolant in a narrow engine compartment and allows control of coolant flow rate by utilizing the flow resistance of the coolant, without the need for valves to control the direction and flow rate of the coolant.

[0034] Furthermore, this disclosure enables more efficient cooling of electrical components and the intercooler by driving the water pump and cooling fan with a maximum speed and a maximum duty cycle selected from the water pump demand driven RPM and the duty cycle of the cooling fan, which depend on the detected air temperature or coolant temperature and the temperature of the electrical components, and improves the performance and efficiency of the entire system. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing a cooling system control device that applies a control method for a cooling system of a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0038] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way.

[0039] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0040] 3: Engine

[0041] 4: Intercooler

[0042] 5: Electrical components

[0043] 7: Cooling module

[0044] 9: Cooling fan

[0045] 10: Engine cooling equipment

[0046] 11: First Pipeline

[0047] 12: First radiator

[0048] 20: Cooling equipment for electrical components

[0049] 21: Second pipeline

[0050] 22: Second radiator

[0051] 23: Water pump

[0052] 25: Branch pipeline

[0053] 27: Liquid Storage Tank

[0054] 100: Controller

[0055] 110: Data Detector

[0056] 112: Air temperature sensor

[0057] 114: Temperature sensor for electrical components

[0058] 116: Coolant temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the structures shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples and do not represent the full scope of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications, equivalents, and alternatives may exist in practice.

[0061] For the purpose of clarifying this disclosure, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted, and throughout the specification, the same elements or their equivalents are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0062] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of the components in the accompanying drawings are shown arbitrarily, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated in the drawings for clarity.

[0063] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” should be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements, but do not exclude any other elements.

[0064] Furthermore, terms such as “…unit,” “…device,” “…section,” “…component,” and “…building” used in the specification refer to a comprehensive element unit that performs at least one function or operation. When a component, controller, device, element, or apparatus of this disclosure is described as having a certain purpose or performing a certain operation or function, it should be understood herein as being “configured” to achieve that purpose or perform that operation or function. Each component, controller, device, element, or apparatus may be embodied independently or may be included as part of an apparatus, comprising a processor and memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium).

[0065] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0066] According to an embodiment, a cooling system for a hybrid vehicle is provided. This cooling system reduces the number of components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and vehicle weight, by using an electrical component cooling device 20 (configured to cool electrical components 5 and also the intercooler 4).

[0067] Reference Figure 1The cooling system may include: an intercooler 4, a cooling module 7, an engine cooling device 10, an electrical component cooling device 20, and a controller 100.

[0068] The cooling module 7 can be located at the front of the vehicle and may include a cooling fan 9.

[0069] The engine cooling device 10 may include a first pipeline 11 through which a first coolant flows and is connected to the cooling module 7. The engine 3 is connected to the engine cooling device 10 via the first pipeline 11.

[0070] The engine cooling system 10 may also include a water pump disposed in the engine 3 or on the first pipeline 11.

[0071] The water pump (e.g., a mechanical water pump) can be operated by the driving torque of engine 3.

[0072] The configured engine cooling equipment 10 can regulate the temperature of the engine 3 by circulating the first coolant along the first pipeline 11 through the operation of a mechanical water pump.

[0073] In this implementation, the intercooler 4 may be located in the engine 3.

[0074] Intercooler 4 can cool the air supplied from forced intake devices (such as turbochargers or superchargers) and supply the cooled air to engine 3.

[0075] Here, the intercooler 4 can be configured as a water-cooled intercooler, which is configured to use a coolant to cool the air supplied from the forced intake device.

[0076] In one embodiment, the electrical component cooling device 20 may include a water pump 23 and a second pipeline 21 connected to the cooling module 7, the water pump 23, and the electrical component 5. The second pipeline allows a second coolant to flow through it. In other words, the electrical component 5 and the water pump 23 are connected to each other via the second pipeline 21.

[0077] Here, electrical component 5 may include a hybrid power supply control unit (HPCU), or an oil pump control unit (OPU), or a hybrid starter generator (HSG), or an inverter, etc.

[0078] In addition, electrical component 5 may also include an electric power control unit (EPCU), an on-board charger (OBC), or an autonomous driving controller, etc.

[0079] In addition, a liquid storage tank 27 can be installed on the second pipeline 21.

[0080] Although the storage tank 27 is described as being located on the second pipeline 21, it is not limited thereto. The storage tank 27 may also be connected to the second pipeline 21 via a separate pipeline through which the second coolant flows.

[0081] The electrical component cooling device 20 can regulate the temperature of the electrical component 5 by circulating the second coolant along the second pipeline 21 through the operation of the water pump 23.

[0082] Here, the cooling module 7 may also include a first radiator 12 and a second radiator 22.

[0083] The first radiator 12 can be connected to the first pipeline 11 and can cool the first coolant by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0084] Here, the first radiator 12 can be located at the front of the vehicle. The cooling fan 9 can be located downstream of the first radiator 12. Therefore, the first radiator 12 can cool the first coolant through the operation of the cooling fan 9 and heat exchange with the ambient air.

[0085] In addition, the second radiator 22 can be connected to the second pipeline 21 and can cool the second coolant by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0086] The second radiator 22 can be located upstream of the first radiator 12, and can cool the second coolant by operating the cooling fan 9 and exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0087] In this embodiment, the intercooler 4 can be installed on a branch line 25 connected to the second line 21 to circulate the second coolant. The intercooler 4 can be connected in parallel with the electrical components 5 via the branch line 25. In other words, the intercooler 4 is configured in parallel with the electrical components 5 via the branch line 25 connected to the second line 21.

[0088] The first end of the branch line 25 can be connected to the second line 21 located between the water pump 23 and the electrical component 5.

[0089] Based on the flow direction of the second coolant, the second end of the branch line 25 can be connected to the second line 21 located between the second radiator 22 and the electrical component 5 in the cooling module 7.

[0090] Here, the inner diameter of the second pipeline 21 may be different from the inner diameter of the branch pipeline 25.

[0091] Accordingly, in the electrical component cooling device 20, when the second coolant flows through the second pipelines 21 and branch pipelines 25 with different inner diameters, the flow resistance of the second pipelines 21 and branch pipelines 25 can be used to control the flow rate of the second coolant through each pipeline, making them different from each other.

[0092] In other words, in this embodiment, the intercooler 4 can be cooled by a second coolant in conjunction with an electrical component cooling device 20 having an operating temperature similar to that of the supplied coolant.

[0093] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the separate cooling device that is traditionally used to cool the intercooler 4 and includes a radiator, piping and a water pump can be omitted.

[0094] In addition, the controller 100 can be electrically connected to the cooling fan 9 and the water pump 23 to control the operation of the cooling fan 9 and the water pump 23.

[0095] Here, the water pump 23 may be an electric water pump whose rotational speed (e.g., RPM) can be controlled according to the control signal of the controller 100.

[0096] In one embodiment, an air temperature sensor 112 may be mounted on the intercooler 4 and electrically connected to the controller 100. The air temperature sensor 112 is configured to measure air temperature.

[0097] Furthermore, an electrical component temperature sensor 114 can be installed on the electrical component 5 and electrically connected to the controller 100. The electrical component temperature sensor 114 can measure the temperature of the electrical component 5.

[0098] Furthermore, a coolant temperature sensor 116 can be installed on a branch line 25 at the upstream end of the intercooler 4 and electrically connected to the controller 100. The coolant temperature sensor 116 can measure the temperature of the second coolant flowing through the branch line 25.

[0099] Accordingly, the controller 100 can control the operation of the cooling fan 9 and the water pump 23 based on the signals output from the air temperature sensor 112, the electrical component temperature sensor 114 and the coolant temperature sensor 116.

[0100] The following is for reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 This describes a control method for a heat pump system for a vehicle configured as described above.

[0101] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a cooling system control device to which a control method for a cooling system of a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment is applied. Figure 3 This is a control flowchart illustrating a control method for a cooling system of a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0102] like Figure 2As shown, in the cooling system for a hybrid vehicle configured as described above, the cooling fan 9 and water pump 23 included in the electrical component cooling device 20 can be controlled by a cooling system control device, which may include a controller 100 and a data detector 110.

[0103] In this implementation, the data detector 110 can detect data for the controller 100 to control the operation of the cooling fan 9 and the water pump 23.

[0104] Data detected by data detector 110 can be transmitted to controller 100. Data detector 110 may include at least one of air temperature sensor 112, electrical component temperature sensor 114, and coolant temperature sensor 116.

[0105] The air temperature sensor 112 can measure the temperature of the air supplied to the intercooler 4 and can transmit the corresponding signal to the controller 100.

[0106] The electrical component temperature sensor 114 can measure the temperature of the electrical component 5 while the vehicle is in motion, and can transmit the corresponding signal to the controller 100.

[0107] In addition, the coolant temperature sensor 116 can measure the temperature of the second coolant introduced into the intercooler 4.

[0108] The coolant temperature sensor 116 can measure the temperature of the second coolant introduced into the intercooler 4 through the branch line 25, and can transmit the corresponding signal to the controller 100.

[0109] Here, the controller 100 may be implemented as one or more processors operated by a predetermined program, and the predetermined program may include a set of instructions for performing the various steps included in the control method of the cooling system according to the embodiment described below.

[0110] Accordingly, in the control method for the cooling system of a hybrid vehicle according to the embodiment, the controller 100 can control the cooling fan 9 and the water pump 23 based on the data detected by the data detector 110, thereby effectively cooling the intercooler 4 and the electrical components 5.

[0111] Furthermore, by driving the cooling fan 9 and water pump 23 at maximum duty cycle and maximum RPM based on the detected air temperature and the temperature of electrical component 5, the control method for the cooling system of a hybrid vehicle according to the embodiment can achieve more effective cooling of electrical component 5 and intercooler 4, thereby improving the performance and efficiency of the entire system.

[0112] According to an implementation method, the control method for the cooling system of a hybrid vehicle is used to cool the cooling system of the hybrid vehicle (see [link]). Figure 1 The cooling system includes an engine cooling unit 10 and an electrical component cooling unit 20, wherein an intercooler disposed in the engine 3 is disposed on a branch line 25 connected to the second line 21, and is disposed in parallel with the electrical component 5 via the branch line 25. Figure 3 As shown, the control method may include process (A), process (B) and process (C).

[0113] In an implementation, during process (A), during vehicle startup and operation, controller 100 can adjust the required RPM of water pump 23 and the operating duty cycle of cooling fan 9 based on data detected by data detector 110.

[0114] Process (A) may include the following steps.

[0115] In step S1, with the vehicle in the started (e.g., turned on) state, the user can begin driving the vehicle.

[0116] In this state, in step S2, the controller 100 can detect the temperature of the air supplied to the intercooler 4 or the temperature of the second coolant introduced into the intercooler 4, as well as the temperature of the electrical components 5, based on the data detected by the data detector 110.

[0117] Then, in step S3, the controller 100 can adjust the required RPM of the water pump 23 and the operating duty cycle of the cooling fan 9 based on the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant detected by the data detector 110 and the temperature of the electrical components 5.

[0118] In the implementation, in process (B), the maximum demand RPM and the maximum duty cycle can be selected from the demand RPM of the water pump 23 and the operating duty cycle of the cooling fan 9 obtained through process (A), and the controller 100 can drive the water pump 23 and the cooling fan 9 based on this.

[0119] Process (B) may include the following steps.

[0120] When process (A) is completed, controller 100 can compare the data converted in step S3 with the mapping of the working duty cycle of cooling fan 9 and the demand RPM of water pump 23 according to the predetermined temperature, and can select the maximum demand RPM and maximum working duty cycle of the converted water pump 23 and the working duty cycle of cooling fan 9 respectively in step S4.

[0121] Then, in step S5, the controller 100 can drive the water pump 23 at the maximum required RPM selected in step S4, and can drive the cooling fan 9 at the maximum duty cycle.

[0122] Furthermore, in process (C), the controller 100 can determine whether the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components 5 are within the allowable upper and lower temperature ranges based on a predetermined reference temperature and data detected in real time from the data detector 110, thereby controlling the RPM of the water pump 23 and the duty cycle of the cooling fan 9.

[0123] The process (C) may include the following steps.

[0124] When process (B) is completed, in step S6, the controller 100 can determine whether the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical component 5 are within the allowable upper and lower temperature ranges based on the data detected in real time from the data detector 110.

[0125] Here, the permissible upper and lower temperature ranges can be set such that the air temperature, the second coolant temperature, and the temperature of the electrical component 5 detected by the air temperature sensor 112, the electrical component temperature sensor 114, and the coolant temperature sensor 116, respectively, are all greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum reference temperature and less than a predetermined maximum reference temperature.

[0126] The allowable upper and lower temperature ranges can be set based on the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical component 5 detected from a predetermined data map.

[0127] In step S6, when it is determined that the air temperature, the temperature of the second coolant, and the temperature of the electrical component 5 are within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits (i.e., the conditions are met), in step S7, the controller 100 can maintain the RPM of the currently driven water pump 23 and the duty cycle of the cooling fan 9 respectively, and terminate the control.

[0128] On the other hand, when in step S6, which determines whether the air temperature, the temperature of the second coolant, and the temperature of the electrical component 5 are within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits, it is determined that the air temperature, the temperature of the second coolant, and the temperature of the electrical component 5 are not within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits (i.e., the conditions are not met), the controller 100 can return to step S3 and, based on the detected air temperature, the temperature of the second coolant, and the temperature of the electrical component 5, switch the required RPM of the water pump 23 and the operating duty cycle of the cooling fan 9.

[0129] While performing the above steps, the controller 100 can effectively control the duty cycle of the cooling fan 9 and the RPM of the water pump 23 based on the temperature of the air supplied to the intercooler 4, the temperature of the second coolant, and the temperature of the electrical components 5.

[0130] Therefore, as described above, the cooling system and control method for hybrid vehicles according to the embodiment can reduce the number of components and simplify the entire system by using an electrical component cooling device 20 configured to cool the electrical component 5 to cool the intercooler 4.

[0131] Furthermore, this disclosure can help ensure space for installing the cooling system by streamlining the entire system, and can improve space utilization by reducing the size and weight of the cooling module 7 installed at the front of the vehicle.

[0132] In addition, this disclosure simplifies the layout of connecting pipes for flowing coolant in the confined space of an engine compartment.

[0133] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, by setting the inner diameters of the second pipeline 21 and the branch pipeline 25 to be different from each other, the flow rate of the coolant can be controlled by utilizing the flow resistance of the coolant without using a valve for controlling the flow direction and flow rate of the coolant.

[0134] Furthermore, by driving the water pump 23 and the cooling fan 9 based on the detected air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components 5, the present disclosure can more effectively cool the intercooler 4 and the electrical components 5, and can improve the performance and efficiency of the entire system.

[0135] Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with embodiments now considered practical, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: A cooling module, which includes a cooling fan; An engine cooling device includes a first pipeline through which a first coolant flows, wherein the first pipeline connects the cooling module and the engine of the hybrid vehicle; An intercooler is installed inside the engine; Electrical component cooling equipment, comprising: Water pump; and A second pipeline, connected to the cooling module, the water pump, and electrical components, is configured to allow a second coolant to flow through the second pipeline; and A controller configured to control the operation of the cooling fan and the water pump. The intercooler is installed on a branch line connected to the second pipeline to circulate the second coolant, and The intercooler is connected in parallel with the electrical components via the branch pipeline.

2. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein: The first end of the branch line is connected to the second line located between the water pump and the electrical components; The second end of the branch line is connected to the second line located between the cooling module and the electrical components.

3. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein, The second pipeline and the branch pipeline are configured with different inner diameters to alter the flow resistance.

4. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein, An air temperature sensor is installed on the intercooler, and the air temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller and configured to measure the temperature of the air.

5. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein, An electrical component temperature sensor is provided on the electrical component, the electrical component temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller and is configured to measure the temperature of the electrical component.

6. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein, A coolant temperature sensor is installed on the branch line. The coolant temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller and is configured to measure the temperature of the second coolant flowing through the branch line.

7. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling module also includes: A first radiator, connected to the first conduit, is configured to cool the first coolant by exchanging heat with ambient air; and A second radiator, which is connected to the second pipeline, is configured to cool the second coolant by exchanging heat with ambient air.

8. The cooling system according to claim 7, wherein: The second heat sink is located upstream of the first heat sink; and The cooling fan is located on the downstream side of the first radiator.

9. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein: The water pump is an electric water pump, and its speed can be controlled based on a control signal from the controller.

10. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein, A liquid storage tank is installed on the second pipeline.

11. A control method for a cooling system of a hybrid vehicle, wherein, The hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; an engine cooling device disposed on a first pipeline through which a first coolant flows; an electrical component cooling device including a water pump disposed on a second pipeline through which a second coolant flows; electrical components disposed on the second pipeline; and an intercooler disposed in parallel with the electrical components via a branch line connected to the second pipeline. The control method includes the following steps: During the startup and operation of a hybrid vehicle, the water pump demand RPM and cooling fan duty cycle are converted based on data detected by a data detector. The water pump and the cooling fan are driven by selecting the maximum demand RPM and the maximum duty cycle from the converted water pump demand RPM and the converted cooling fan duty cycle; and Based on a predetermined reference temperature and data detected in real time by the data detector, it is determined whether the air temperature and the temperature of the electrical components are within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits, and then the RPM of the water pump and the duty cycle of the cooling fan are controlled.

12. The control method according to claim 11, wherein, The steps for converting demand RPM and duty cycle include: Based on the data detected by the data detector, determine the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant, and determine the temperature of the electrical components; and Based on the determined air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the determined temperature of the electrical components, the water pump RPM demand and the cooling fan duty cycle are adjusted.

13. The control method according to claim 11, wherein, The steps of driving the water pump and the cooling fan include: Select the maximum required RPM and the maximum operating duty cycle from the converted water pump demand RPM and the converted cooling fan duty cycle, respectively; and The water pump is driven at the maximum required RPM, and the cooling fan is driven at the maximum operating duty cycle.

14. The control method according to claim 11 further includes the following steps: Based on a predetermined reference temperature and data detected in real time by the data detector, it is determined whether the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are within the allowable upper and lower temperature limits. as well as Based on the determination that the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are within the permissible upper and lower temperature limits, the RPM of the currently driven water pump and the duty cycle of the currently driven cooling fan are maintained.

15. The control method according to claim 14, further comprising the following steps: Based on the determination that the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are outside the permissible upper and lower temperature limits, the process returns to the step of changing the water pump demand RPM and the cooling fan duty cycle.

16. The control method according to claim 14, wherein, The permissible upper and lower temperature ranges are set such that the air temperature or the temperature of the second coolant and the temperature of the electrical components are greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum reference temperature and less than a predetermined maximum reference temperature.

17. The control method according to claim 11, wherein, The data detector includes: An air temperature sensor is disposed on the intercooler and configured to measure the temperature of the air introduced into the intercooler; An electrical component temperature sensor, disposed on the electrical component and configured to measure the temperature of the electrical component; and A coolant temperature sensor is disposed on the branch line and configured to measure the temperature of the second coolant.

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