Battery thermal management system, method, and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a battery thermal management system, method and vehicle, and relates to the technical field of vehicles.The battery thermal management system comprises a vehicle-mounted air conditioner module, a liquid storage module, a battery module and a heat pipe.The vehicle-mounted air conditioner module is used for generating condensed water.The liquid storage module is provided with a liquid storage cavity, and the liquid storage cavity is used for collecting the condensed water generated by the vehicle-mounted air conditioner module.The battery module comprises a battery shell and a battery arranged in the battery shell.The evaporation end of the heat pipe is located in the battery shell and is used for heat exchange with the battery.The condensation end of the heat pipe is located in the liquid storage cavity and is used for heat exchange with the condensed water in the liquid storage cavity.The battery thermal management system effectively improves the heat pipe heat transfer efficiency and improves the battery heat dissipation performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more specifically, to a battery thermal management system, method, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In a battery thermal management system that uses heat pipes for heat dissipation, the evaporation end of the heat pipe is usually thermally coupled to the battery to absorb heat, while the condensation end is located outside the battery pack or in a specific air duct, relying on natural convection or forced air cooling to dissipate heat to the outside air.

[0003] However, under extreme conditions such as high-temperature exposure of vehicles, high-power fast charging, or prolonged high-speed, high-current driving, the heat generation power of the battery increases dramatically, and the heat load at the condenser end of the heat pipe increases significantly. Its temperature can climb to 70°C to 85°C or even higher. At this time, relying solely on ambient air convection heat transfer is insufficient to meet the heat dissipation requirements of the condenser end, resulting in a weakening of the driving force of the phase change cycle of the working fluid inside the heat pipe, a significant decrease in the overall heat transfer efficiency, and consequently a decrease in battery performance and heat dissipation effect, and even the danger of battery fire and explosion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a battery thermal management system, method, and vehicle.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a battery thermal management system, including an on-board air conditioning module, a liquid storage module, a battery module, and a heat pipe; the on-board air conditioning module is used to generate condensate; the liquid storage module is provided with a liquid storage chamber for collecting the condensate generated by the on-board air conditioning module; the battery module includes a battery housing and a battery disposed within the battery housing; the evaporation end of the heat pipe is located within the battery housing and is used for heat exchange with the battery; the condensation end of the heat pipe is located within the liquid storage chamber and is used for heat exchange with the condensate within the liquid storage chamber.

[0006] Optionally, the battery thermal management system further includes a battery temperature detection device, an ambient temperature detection device, a liquid level detection device, a control device, and an electrically controlled valve; the battery temperature detection device is disposed inside the battery casing and is used to detect the battery temperature; the ambient temperature detection device is used to detect the ambient temperature; the liquid level detection device is disposed inside the liquid storage chamber and is used to detect the liquid level height in the liquid storage chamber; the electrically controlled valve is disposed at the bottom of the liquid storage module and is used to conduct to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber; the control device is used to electrically connect to the battery temperature detection device, the ambient temperature detection device, the liquid level detection device, and the electrically controlled valve respectively.

[0007] Optionally, the control device is used for: The device receives the battery temperature detected by the battery temperature detection device, the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection device, and the liquid level height in the storage chamber detected by the liquid level detection device. The opening and closing of the electronically controlled valve is controlled based on the battery temperature, the ambient temperature, and the liquid level.

[0008] Optionally, the liquid storage module and the heat pipe are an integrated structure; and / or, the junction between the heat pipe and the liquid storage module is sealed.

[0009] Optionally, the liquid storage module is provided with an overflow port for natural overflow of condensate, and the overflow port is located above the heat pipe; And / or, the battery has multiple batteries, and the evaporation end of the heat pipe is provided between two adjacent batteries; And / or, the length of the evaporation end of the heat pipe is greater than the length of the condensation end of the heat pipe.

[0010] Optionally, the heat pipe includes a heat-conducting shell and a heat transfer medium; the two ends of the heat-conducting shell along the axial direction are located inside the battery shell and the liquid storage cavity, respectively; the heat transfer medium is disposed inside the heat-conducting shell.

[0011] Optionally, the heat pipe further includes a wick, which is disposed within the heat-conducting housing; the wick is used to draw the heat transfer medium from the condenser end of the heat pipe to the evaporator end of the heat pipe.

[0012] Secondly, the present invention provides a battery thermal management method, employing the battery thermal management system described above, comprising: Obtain battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level in the reservoir. When the battery temperature, the ambient temperature, and the liquid level meet the first preset conditions, the condensate in the liquid storage chamber is discharged.

[0013] Optionally, the first preset condition is configured as follows: the battery temperature is less than or equal to a preset battery temperature, the ambient temperature is less than a preset ambient temperature, and the liquid level is greater than zero; The process of draining the condensate from the liquid storage chamber includes: The electrically controlled valve is opened to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber; When the liquid level is zero, the electrically controlled valve is closed.

[0014] Thirdly, the present invention provides a vehicle including the battery thermal management system described above.

[0015] Compared with related technologies, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: By collecting the condensate generated by the vehicle's air conditioning module into the reservoir of the heat pipe, and placing the condenser end of the heat pipe in the reservoir for heat exchange with the condensate, while simultaneously placing the evaporator end of the heat pipe inside the battery casing for heat exchange with the battery, the battery's heat can be directly transferred to the cooler condensate via the heat pipe. This utilizes the condensate generated by the vehicle's air conditioning module as a heat dissipation medium for the condenser end of the heat pipe, effectively reducing the heat pipe's operating temperature, enhancing the phase change cycle driving force and overall heat transfer efficiency of the working fluid inside the heat pipe, and thus improving the battery's heat dissipation performance. In summary, compared to existing technologies where the condenser end of the heat pipe relies on ambient air convection for heat dissipation, resulting in insufficient heat dissipation and decreased heat transfer efficiency under extreme conditions, the battery thermal management system of this invention effectively improves the heat pipe's heat transfer efficiency and enhances the battery's heat dissipation performance by utilizing the condensate generated by the vehicle's air conditioning module for heat exchange with the condenser end of the heat pipe. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a control principle diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a heat pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the battery thermal management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. Vehicle air conditioning module; 200. Liquid storage module; 201. Liquid storage chamber; 202. Overflow port; 300. Battery module; 301. Battery housing; 302. Battery; 400. Heat pipe; 401. Heat-conducting housing; 402. Liquid wick; 403. Heat transfer medium; 500. Battery temperature detection device; 600. Ambient temperature detection device; 700. Liquid level detection device; 800. Control device; 900. Electrically controlled valve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the present invention. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended, meaning "including but not limited to"; the term "optionally" means "optional embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the following description. It should be noted that the concepts of "first," "second," etc., mentioned in this invention are used only to distinguish different devices, modules, or units, and are not intended to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules, or units or their interdependencies.

[0020] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this invention are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0021] In relevant battery thermal management systems, the evaporation end of the heat pipe is typically thermally coupled to the battery to absorb heat, while the condensation end is located outside the battery pack or in a specific air duct, relying on ambient air convection for heat dissipation. However, under extreme conditions such as high-temperature exposure of the vehicle, high-power fast charging, or prolonged high-speed, high-current driving, the battery's heat generation power increases dramatically, and the heat load on the condensation end increases significantly. Relying solely on ambient air convection heat transfer is no longer sufficient to meet the heat dissipation requirements, leading to a weakening of the driving force for the phase change cycle of the working fluid inside the heat pipe, a significant decrease in overall heat transfer efficiency, and consequently, an impact on battery performance and safety.

[0022] To solve the above problems, such as Figure 1 As shown, the battery thermal management system of this embodiment includes an on-board air conditioning module 100, a liquid storage module 200, a battery module 300, and a heat pipe 400. The on-board air conditioning module 100 is used to generate condensate. The liquid storage module 200 is provided with a liquid storage chamber 201, which is used to collect the condensate generated by the on-board air conditioning module 100. The battery module 300 includes a battery housing 301 and a battery 302 disposed in the battery housing 301. The evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 is located in the battery housing 301 and is used for heat exchange with the battery 302. The condensation end of the heat pipe 400 is located in the liquid storage chamber 201 and is used for heat exchange with the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201.

[0023] Specifically, the vehicle air conditioning module 100 is the vehicle's original refrigeration and air conditioning system, including a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and connecting pipes. During cooling operation, condensate is generated on the surface of the evaporator. The liquid storage module 200 is a container structure with a hollow liquid storage chamber 201, located above the battery module 300. This liquid storage chamber 201 is connected to the evaporator drain outlet of the vehicle air conditioning module 100 via a guide pipe, and is used to collect and temporarily store the condensate generated during the operation of the vehicle air conditioning module 100. In the structure of the battery module 300, the battery housing 301 is a box made of metal or high-strength plastic, and the battery 302 consists of multiple individual cells arranged in series and parallel and fixed inside the battery housing 301. The heat pipe 400 is a closed phase change heat transfer element with an evaporation end and a condensation end. Its evaporation end passes through the wall of the battery housing 301 and extends into the interior of the battery housing 301, and is arranged in close contact with or near the surface of the battery 302 for heat exchange. Its condensation end passes through the wall of the liquid storage module 200 and extends into the interior of the liquid storage chamber 201, and can be immersed in the condensate collected in the liquid storage chamber 201 for heat exchange.

[0024] During operation, the heat generated by the battery 302 is first transferred to the evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 located inside the battery casing 301. The heat transfer medium 403 inside the heat pipe 400 absorbs heat at this end and undergoes a phase change. The generated steam flows to the condensation end of the heat pipe 400 located inside the liquid storage chamber 201. At the condensation end, if there is condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201, the steam exchanges heat with the cooler condensate and condenses to release heat. The released heat is absorbed by the condensate. If there is no condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201, the steam exchanges heat with the air and condenses to release heat. In this way, the condensed liquid heat transfer medium 403 flows back to the evaporation end under the action of gravity, thereby forming a continuous phase change heat transfer cycle, which reduces the temperature of the battery 302.

[0025] In this embodiment, the condensate generated by the vehicle air conditioning module 100 is collected into the liquid storage chamber 201 of the liquid storage module 200, and the condensing end of the heat pipe 400 is placed in the liquid storage chamber 201 to exchange heat with the condensate. At the same time, the evaporating end of the heat pipe 400 is placed in the battery casing 301 to exchange heat with the battery 302. This allows the heat of the battery 302 to be directly transferred to the cooler condensate through the heat pipe 400. Thus, the condensate generated by the vehicle air conditioning module 100 is used as the heat dissipation medium for the condensing end of the heat pipe 400, which effectively reduces the operating temperature of the heat pipe 400, enhances the phase change cycle driving force and overall heat transfer efficiency of the working fluid inside the heat pipe 400, and improves the heat dissipation effect of the battery 302. In summary, compared with the existing technology where the condenser end of the heat pipe 400 relies on ambient air convection for heat dissipation, resulting in insufficient heat dissipation and reduced heat transfer efficiency under extreme conditions, the battery thermal management system of the present invention can effectively improve the heat transfer efficiency of the heat pipe 400 and enhance the battery heat dissipation performance by utilizing the condensate generated by the vehicle air conditioning module 100 to exchange heat with the condenser end of the heat pipe 400.

[0026] Meanwhile, the condensate is generated from the normal cooling cycle of the vehicle air conditioning module 100 to cool the passenger compartment. It is a byproduct of the vehicle air conditioning module 100 maintaining a comfortable environment in the passenger compartment and is not specifically prepared for battery thermal management. Therefore, using this condensate as a heat dissipation medium at the condenser end of the heat pipe 400 in the battery thermal management system is essentially a recycling and reuse of a byproduct of the vehicle's existing energy consumption. There is no need to add additional water production devices, water pumps, or energy-consuming equipment to obtain this condensate. Especially under extreme conditions of high-temperature exposure of the vehicle, the demand for passenger compartment cooling and battery heat dissipation often occur simultaneously. At this time, the vehicle air conditioning module 100 needs to operate to maintain the passenger compartment temperature, and the condensate it produces can be collected simultaneously and used to enhance battery heat dissipation. This achieves energy synergy and resource reuse between passenger compartment thermal comfort and battery thermal safety, significantly improving the overall vehicle energy utilization efficiency.

[0027] Optionally, such as Figure 2 As shown, the battery thermal management system also includes a battery temperature detection device 500, an ambient temperature detection device 600, a liquid level detection device 700, a control device 800, and an electrically controlled valve 900. The battery temperature detection device 500 is located inside the battery housing 301 and is used to detect the battery temperature. The ambient temperature detection device 600 is used to detect the ambient temperature. The liquid level detection device 700 is located inside the liquid storage chamber 201 and is used to detect the liquid level height in the liquid storage chamber 201. The electrically controlled valve 900 is located at the bottom of the liquid storage module 200 and is used to conduct water to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201. The control device 800 is electrically connected to the battery temperature detection device 500, the ambient temperature detection device 600, the liquid level detection device 700, and the electrically controlled valve 900, respectively.

[0028] Specifically, the battery temperature detection device 500 is a thermocouple or thermistor temperature sensor, arranged inside the battery housing 301 and close to the surface of the battery 302, used to detect the operating temperature of the battery 302 in real time. The ambient temperature detection device 600 is a temperature sensor, arranged near the external air intake grille of the vehicle or at the air return vent inside the passenger compartment, used to detect the air temperature of the vehicle's environment. The liquid level detection device 700 is an ultrasonic liquid level sensor, installed on the inner side wall of the liquid storage chamber 201, used to detect the liquid level of condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201; the electronically controlled valve 900 is located at the bottom of the liquid storage module 200, used to open and drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201. It should be understood that the area affected by condensate can be considered as the bottom of the liquid storage module 200. The control device 800 is a battery thermal management controller (BMS), which is electrically connected to the battery temperature detection device 500, ambient temperature detection device 600, liquid level detection device 700 and electronically controlled valve 900 through shielded wiring harness or vehicle bus, forming a complete signal acquisition, transmission and control loop.

[0029] In this optional embodiment, by integrating a battery temperature detection device 500, an ambient temperature detection device 600, a liquid level detection device 700, a control device 800, and an electrically controlled valve 900, the active and controllable discharge of condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 is realized. This not only improves the problem of heat pipe heat transfer interruption caused by accidental discharge of condensate during the critical period of high-temperature heat dissipation of the battery, but also reduces the risk of damage to the liquid storage module 200 due to freezing expansion in winter. At the same time, the control device 800 can intelligently decide the timing of discharge based on the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level, improving the system's automation level and environmental adaptability, and ensuring that the evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 is always in a good heat exchange state.

[0030] Optionally, the control device 800 is used to: receive the battery temperature detected by the battery temperature detection device 500, the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection device 600, and the liquid level height in the liquid storage chamber 201 detected by the liquid level detection device 700; and control the opening and closing of the electrically controlled valve 900 according to the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level height.

[0031] Specifically, the control device 800 continuously receives battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level using a fixed-period polling method, and compares and logically combines the real-time information with preset thresholds. When it is necessary to activate the electrically controlled valve 900 to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201, the control device 800 outputs a start command, and the electrically controlled valve 900 is opened; when it is not necessary to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201, the control device 800 outputs a stop command, and the electrically controlled valve 900 is closed.

[0032] In this optional embodiment, by clarifying the information receiving path of the control device 800 and the multi-condition fusion control logic, the precise control of the opening and closing timing of the electronically controlled valve 900 is achieved. This not only improves the problem of heat pipe heat transfer interruption caused by accidental discharge of condensate during the critical period of high-temperature heat dissipation of the battery, but also reduces the risk of damage to the liquid storage module 200 due to freezing expansion in winter, and significantly improves the automation level and operational reliability of the thermal management system under complex working conditions.

[0033] Optionally, the liquid storage module 200 and the heat pipe 400 are integrated; and / or, the junction of the heat pipe 400 and the liquid storage module 200 is sealed.

[0034] Specifically, the liquid storage module 200 and the heat pipe 400 are formed into an inseparable integral component through injection molding or welding processes, and there is no independent mechanical connection interface between the heat pipe 400 and the liquid storage module 200. The junction where the heat pipe 400 passes through the shell wall of the liquid storage module 200 is sealed by laser welding, friction welding, brazing, or high-temperature resistant sealant bonding. The weld or adhesive layer continuously covers the entire circumferential gap of the penetration part, forming a permanent seal.

[0035] In this optional embodiment, the integrated structural design significantly improves the structural integration and connection reliability between the liquid storage module 200 and the heat pipe 400, simplifies the assembly process, and reduces manufacturing costs; the sealed connection eliminates the risk of condensate leakage.

[0036] Optionally, such as Figure 1 As shown, the liquid storage module 200 is provided with an overflow port 202 for natural overflow of condensate, and the overflow port 202 is located above the heat pipe 400.

[0037] Specifically, an overflow port 202 is provided on the upper side or top wall of the liquid storage module 200. This overflow port 202 is a circular through-hole, a rectangular notch, or a pipe structure with a connecting tube, and is directly connected to the liquid storage chamber 201. The overflow port 202 is positioned higher than the highest point of the condenser end of the heat pipe 400 within the liquid storage chamber 201, ensuring that the condenser end of the heat pipe 400 is always below the overflow port 202, guaranteeing sufficient immersion depth for effective heat exchange. When the condensate level in the liquid storage chamber 201 rises to the height of the overflow port 202 due to the continuous operation of the vehicle air conditioning module 100, excess condensate can naturally flow out of the liquid storage chamber 201 and be discharged to the drainage area under the vehicle chassis or to the outside atmosphere.

[0038] In other embodiments, the overflow port 202 may also be flush with the highest position of the condenser end of the heat pipe 400 within the liquid storage chamber 201. No specific limitation is made here; it depends on the actual requirements.

[0039] In this optional embodiment, the overflow port 202 serves as the upper limit control structure for the liquid level in the storage chamber 201. When the condensate level reaches the lower edge of the overflow port 202, the excess condensate automatically overflows and is discharged, stabilizing the liquid level in the storage chamber 201 below the height of the overflow port 202 and preventing the liquid level from rising indefinitely. Thus, the overflow port 202 achieves self-limiting protection of the liquid level in the storage chamber 201, not only avoiding the risk of overflow and backflow caused by excessive condensate accumulation, but also ensuring that the condenser end of the heat pipe 400 is always in a stable submerged state.

[0040] Optionally, such as Figure 1 As shown, there are multiple batteries 302, and an evaporation end of a heat pipe 400 is provided between two adjacent batteries 302.

[0041] Specifically, the battery module 300 consists of multiple batteries 302 arranged sequentially in the horizontal or vertical direction and fixed within the battery housing 301, with a heat dissipation gap reserved between adjacent batteries 302. The evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 is a metal tubular or flat structure that passes axially through the wall of the battery housing 301 and extends into the interior of the battery housing 301, embedding itself in the heat dissipation gap between adjacent batteries 302. The outer wall surface of the evaporation end is fitted to the side surfaces of the batteries 302 on both sides, or elastic thermal contact is achieved through thermally conductive adhesive or thermally conductive pads.

[0042] In this optional embodiment, by directly arranging the evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 in the gap between adjacent batteries 302, the heat inside the battery module 300 is directly absorbed, significantly improving the temperature uniformity of the battery module 300. At the same time, the arrangement of the evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 extending into the battery module 300 shortens the thermal response time, enabling the heat pipe 400 to quickly respond to thermal changes inside the battery 302, effectively suppressing the formation of hot spots inside the battery module 300, and improving the heat dissipation reliability and operational safety of the battery module 300 under high power conditions.

[0043] Optionally, such as Figure 1 As shown, the length of the evaporator end of heat pipe 400 is greater than the length of the condenser end of heat pipe 400.

[0044] Specifically, the evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 is located in the gap between two adjacent batteries 302, and its axial extension length along the heat pipe 400 is greater than the extension length of the condensation end located in the liquid storage chamber 201. The specific dimensions can be determined according to actual needs, and there are no restrictions here.

[0045] In this optional embodiment, the longer evaporation end provides a larger heat exchange area in contact with the surface of the battery 302, enabling it to absorb more heat from the gap between two adjacent batteries 302. This allows the heat transfer medium inside the heat pipe 400 to fully evaporate at the evaporation end, generating sufficient steam. The shorter condensation end, on the other hand, allows for efficient condensation and rapid heat dissipation of the steam. Thus, by designing the length of the evaporation end of the heat pipe 400 to be greater than the length of the condensation end, the contact area between the evaporation end and the heat inside the battery module 300 is increased, improving the heat pipe 400's ability and rate of heat absorption from the battery 302.

[0046] In addition, the shorter condensation end reduces the space occupied by the liquid storage chamber 201, which is conducive to the compact arrangement of the liquid storage module 200 and the rational use of vehicle space.

[0047] Optionally, such as Figure 3 As shown, the heat pipe 400 includes a heat-conducting shell 401 and a heat transfer medium 403; the two ends of the heat-conducting shell 401 along the axial direction are located in the battery shell 301 and the liquid storage chamber 201, respectively; the heat transfer medium 403 is disposed in the heat-conducting shell 401.

[0048] Specifically, in the structure of the heat pipe 400, the heat-conducting shell 401 is a thin-walled metal round or flat tube made of copper or aluminum alloy. One end of the tube is the evaporation end, located inside the battery shell 301, and the other end is the condensation end, located inside the liquid storage chamber 201. The two ends are connected by an integrally formed tube wall to form a sealed cavity. The heat transfer medium 403 is a low-boiling-point liquid working fluid, such as deionized water, ethanol, or acetone, which is appropriately filled inside the heat-conducting shell 401.

[0049] During operation, the evaporation end located inside the battery casing 301 absorbs heat from the battery 302, and the liquid heat transfer medium 403 in the heat-conducting casing 401 absorbs heat and evaporates into steam. The steam flows to the condensation end under a small pressure difference. At the condensation end, the steam exchanges heat with the cooler condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 and then condenses into liquid. The released heat is carried away by the condensate. The condensed liquid heat transfer medium 403 flows back to the evaporation end under gravity and absorbs heat and evaporates again, forming a continuous and stable phase change heat transfer cycle.

[0050] Furthermore, the heat pipe 400 also includes a wick 402, which is disposed inside the heat-conducting housing 401; the wick 402 is used to draw the heat transfer medium 403 from the condensing end of the heat pipe 400 to the evaporating end of the heat pipe 400.

[0051] Specifically, the wick 402 is a metal wire mesh, sintered copper powder, or an axial channel structure, attached to the entire inner wall surface of the heat-conducting shell 401, and continuously extending axially from the condensing end to the evaporating end, forming a liquid return channel with capillary pores. The wick 402 uses capillary force to adsorb and transport the liquid heat transfer medium 403 from the condensing end region of the heat pipe 400 to the evaporating end region of the heat pipe 400.

[0052] In this optional embodiment, the condensed liquid heat transfer medium 403 can flow back to the evaporation end with the assistance of the wick 402. In this way, the capillary reflux driving force provided by the wick 402 ensures stable liquid reflux of the heat pipe 400 under any installation posture and vibration conditions, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency and thermal response speed of the heat pipe 400.

[0053] Another embodiment of the battery thermal management method of the present invention employs the battery thermal management system described above, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes the following steps: Obtain the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level in the storage chamber 201; When the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level meet the first preset conditions, the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 is discharged.

[0054] Specifically, the battery temperature is acquired in real time by a battery temperature detection device 500 located inside the battery casing 301; the ambient temperature is acquired in real time by an ambient temperature detection device 600 located outside the vehicle; and the liquid level is acquired in real time by a liquid level detection device 700 located inside the liquid storage chamber 201. When the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level in the liquid storage chamber 201 simultaneously meet the first preset condition, the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 is drained, and heat dissipation relies solely on the heat pipe 400.

[0055] In this embodiment, when there is condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201, the evaporation end of the heat pipe can exchange heat with the condensate. At this time, the battery 302 dissipates heat through both the condensate and the heat pipe. However, when the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level meet the first preset conditions, the condensate is prone to freezing and expansion in winter. Therefore, the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 needs to be drained to improve this problem.

[0056] Optionally, the first preset condition is configured as follows: the battery temperature is less than or equal to the preset battery temperature, the ambient temperature is less than the preset ambient temperature, and the liquid level is greater than zero.

[0057] Specifically, the first preset condition is configured to simultaneously satisfy three indicators: the battery temperature is less than or equal to a preset battery temperature, which is typically 40°C and stored in the memory of the control device 800; the ambient temperature is less than a preset ambient temperature, which is typically 5°C; and the liquid level in the storage chamber 201 is greater than zero. The control device 800 compares the real-time collected battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level with the above three preset thresholds. Only when all three comparison results indicate that the threshold requirements are met is the first preset condition determined to be met, and the condensate in the storage chamber 201 is drained.

[0058] In this optional embodiment, by jointly determining the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level in the storage chamber 201, the accurate timing of condensate discharge in the storage chamber 201 is ensured. This not only improves the problem of heat pipe heat transfer interruption caused by mis-draining condensate during the critical period of high-temperature heat dissipation of the battery, but also reduces the risk of damage to the storage module 200 due to freezing expansion in winter, and significantly improves the automation level and operational reliability of the thermal management system under complex working conditions.

[0059] Optionally, draining the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 includes: controlling the electrically controlled valve 900 to open to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201; and controlling the electrically controlled valve 900 to close when the liquid level is zero.

[0060] Specifically, after the electrically controlled valve 900 opens, the liquid storage chamber 201 forms a passage with the external drainage channel, and the condensate flows out naturally by gravity. The liquid level detection device 700 continuously monitors the liquid level of the remaining condensate in the liquid storage chamber 201 at a fixed sampling frequency and converts the detected liquid level into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the control device 800. As the condensate is continuously discharged, the liquid level continues to decrease. When the liquid level drops to zero, the liquid level detection device 700 sends a signal representing the cavity state to the control device 800. Upon receiving this signal, the control device 800 immediately executes the valve closing logic, cutting off the power supply or drive signal to the electrically controlled valve 900. Under the spring force or motor reset action, the electrically controlled valve 900 closes the valve port, causing the liquid storage chamber 201 to return to a closed state, and the drainage process terminates.

[0061] In this optional embodiment, precise closed-loop control of condensate discharge in the storage chamber 201 is achieved by automatically closing the electrically controlled valve 900 when the liquid level drops to zero. This control method avoids the energy waste and continuous heating of the electromagnetic coil caused by the electrically controlled valve 900 remaining open after the storage chamber 201 has been emptied, thus extending the service life of the electrically controlled valve 900. At the same time, timely valve closure blocks direct communication between the external environment and the storage chamber 201, preventing backflow of dust, impurities, and moisture, and ensuring the cleanliness of the subsequently collected condensate and the heat exchange stability of the heat pipe evaporator.

[0062] A vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery thermal management system described above.

[0063] The vehicle in this embodiment has the same beneficial effects as the battery thermal management system described above compared to related technologies, so it will not be described again here.

[0064] While the present invention has been disclosed above, its scope of protection is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such changes and modifications will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery thermal management system, characterized in that, The system includes an in-vehicle air conditioning module (100), a liquid storage module (200), a battery module (300), and a heat pipe (400). The in-vehicle air conditioning module (100) is used to generate condensate. The liquid storage module (200) is provided with a liquid storage chamber (201) for collecting the condensate generated by the in-vehicle air conditioning module (100). The battery module (300) includes a battery housing (301) and a battery (302) disposed in the battery housing (301). The evaporation end of the heat pipe (400) is located in the battery housing (301) and is used for heat exchange with the battery (302). The condensation end of the heat pipe (400) is located in the liquid storage chamber (201) and is used for heat exchange with the condensate in the liquid storage chamber (201).

2. The battery thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a battery temperature detection device (500), an ambient temperature detection device (600), a liquid level detection device (700), a control device (800), and an electrically controlled valve (900); the battery temperature detection device (500) is disposed inside the battery housing (301) and is used to detect the battery temperature; the ambient temperature detection device (600) is used to detect the ambient temperature; the liquid level detection device (700) is disposed inside the liquid storage chamber (201) and is used to detect the liquid level height in the liquid storage chamber (201); the electrically controlled valve (900) is disposed at the bottom of the liquid storage module (200) and is used to conduct to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber (201); the control device (800) is used to electrically connect to the battery temperature detection device (500), the ambient temperature detection device (600), the liquid level detection device (700), and the electrically controlled valve (900), respectively.

3. The battery thermal management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control device (800) is used for: The battery temperature detected by the battery temperature detection device (500), the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection device (600), and the liquid level height in the liquid storage chamber (201) detected by the liquid level detection device (700) are received. The opening and closing of the electrically controlled valve (900) is controlled according to the battery temperature, the ambient temperature, and the liquid level.

4. The battery thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid storage module (200) and the heat pipe (400) are an integrated structure; and / or, the junction of the heat pipe (400) and the liquid storage module (200) is sealed.

5. The battery thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid storage module (200) is provided with an overflow port (202) for natural overflow of condensate, and the overflow port (202) is located above the heat pipe (400); And / or, the battery (302) has multiple batteries, and the evaporation end of the heat pipe (400) is provided between two adjacent batteries (302); And / or, the length of the evaporation end of the heat pipe (400) is greater than the length of the condensation end of the heat pipe (400).

6. The battery thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat pipe (400) includes a heat-conducting shell (401) and a heat transfer medium (403); the two ends of the heat-conducting shell (401) along the axial direction are located in the battery shell (301) and the liquid storage chamber (201), respectively; the heat transfer medium (403) is disposed in the heat-conducting shell (401).

7. The battery thermal management system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat pipe (400) also includes a liquid wick (402), which is disposed inside the heat-conducting housing (401); the liquid wick (402) is used to draw the heat transfer medium (403) from the condensing end of the heat pipe (400) to the evaporating end of the heat pipe (400).

8. A battery thermal management method, employing a battery thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, include: Obtain the battery temperature, ambient temperature, and liquid level in the reservoir (201); When the battery temperature, the ambient temperature, and the liquid level meet the first preset conditions, the condensate in the liquid storage chamber (201) is discharged.

9. The battery thermal management method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first preset condition is configured as follows: the battery temperature is less than or equal to a preset battery temperature, the ambient temperature is less than a preset ambient temperature, and the liquid level is greater than zero. The process of draining the condensate from the liquid storage chamber (201) includes: The electrically controlled valve (900) is opened to drain the condensate in the liquid storage chamber (201); When the liquid level is zero, the electrically controlled valve (900) is closed.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes a battery thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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