Pipeline for battery thermal management system of electric forklift

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of forklifts, in particular to a pipeline for a battery thermal management system of an electric forklift, which comprises a water cooling unit, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating unit provided with a heating pipe, an expansion water tank, a liquid cooling storage battery box provided with a water cooling plate and a pipeline structure. Two ends of the steel pipe are respectively connected with one end port of the rubber pipe. During use, a pure steel pipe structure is changed into a rubber pipe-steel pipe-rubber pipe combined form, and the rubber pipe is used as a flexible connecting piece, so that vibration in a forklift system is absorbed and reduced, and the condition that the joint of a steel pipe and equipment is broken due to vibration after the forklift runs for a long time due to the adoption of the pure steel pipe structure is avoided; by means of the characteristic that the material of the rubber pipe can be stretched and transformed, the whole pipeline is easier to install, larger errors can be contained in the installation process, if a certain rubber pipe goes wrong, the rubber pipe can be independently replaced, and the maintenance cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of forklifts, and specifically, to a pipeline for an electric forklift battery thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] With the active promotion and advocacy of the national new energy application market, the forklift industry has also undergone an innovative transformation. Among them, new energy lithium battery heavy forklifts, as star products under this trend, are gradually replacing some traditional fuel forklifts, leading the industry towards a more green and sustainable direction. For new energy lithium battery heavy forklifts, the performance and stability of the battery directly determine the operating efficiency, service life, and safety of the whole vehicle. In particular, the battery cooling system has become a key link in the design. An efficient cooling mechanism can effectively control the heat generated during the charging and discharging process of the battery, preventing overheating. This can not only extend the service life of the battery, reduce performance degradation caused by overheating, but also significantly improve the safety of operations, avoiding safety hazards caused by high temperatures.

[0003] Regarding the battery thermal management system, there are many existing technologies, such as:

[0004] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN217280970U discloses a new energy passenger vehicle and its power battery thermal management system, including a vehicle controller, a temperature sensing module, a self-circulation mechanism, a heating water circulation mechanism, and a second heat exchanger; the vehicle controller is connected to the temperature sensing module, the vehicle controller is connected to the heating water circulation mechanism, and the power supply terminals of the vehicle controller, the temperature sensing module, the self-circulation mechanism, and the heating water circulation mechanism are used to connect to the starting lead-acid battery of the new energy passenger vehicle; the temperature sensing module is configured to collect the temperature of the power battery of the new energy passenger vehicle; the pipeline containing hot water of the heating water circulation mechanism is connected to the pipeline containing circulating liquid of the self-circulation mechanism through the second heat exchanger to realize heating of the circulating liquid in the self-circulation mechanism. In addition, existing battery heating solutions consume the energy of the battery pack to heat the battery pack in low-temperature environments, affecting its service life and the cruising range of electric vehicles. The heating time is relatively long, and the heating rate does not meet the heating requirements of the winter environment in extremely cold regions.

[0005] It can be seen from this that most battery thermal management systems include a water cooling unit, a heating module, an expansion tank, and a pipeline system for connecting each part. The water cooling unit, heating module, and expansion tank are controlled through a vehicle controller, a temperature sensing module, and a self-circulation mechanism, as well as the layout of the pipeline lines to achieve temperature control of the battery. However, most pipeline systems are composed of customized steel pipes or rigid pipes. When connecting and installing with equipment, there cannot be any errors, and the accuracy requirements for the entire installation are high. Otherwise, it is difficult to install the entire device in the vehicle. In addition, during the actual use of the vehicle, due to the uneven ground, the vehicle will often vibrate during driving. The connections between the customized steel pipes or rigid pipes and the equipment are often rigid connections. Therefore, after a long time of driving, the connections are prone to vibration and breakage.

[0006] In view of this, we propose a pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide a pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0008] To achieve the above purpose, the present utility model provides the following technical solutions:

[0009] A pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift includes a water cooling unit, a PTC heating unit with a heating pipe, an expansion tank, a liquid-cooled battery box with a water cooling plate, and a pipeline structure. The inlet and outlet interfaces of the water cooling unit are respectively connected to the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit, the general water interface of the expansion tank, and the water cooling plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipeline structure. The pipeline structure includes a steel pipe and a rubber pipe, and the two ends of the steel pipe are respectively connected to one end port of the rubber pipe.

[0010] As a further scheme of the present utility model: brackets are provided on one side of the water cooling unit, the PTC heating unit, and the expansion tank, and the brackets are used to fix the water cooling unit, the PTC heating unit, and the expansion tank on the vehicle frame.

[0011] As a further scheme of the present utility model: the inlet interface of the water cooling unit is connected to the outlet interface of the water cooling plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipeline structure, and the outlet interface of the water cooling unit is connected to the inlet interface of the water cooling plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipeline structure; the inlet interface of the water cooling plate of the liquid-cooled battery box is connected to the outlet interface of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit through another group of pipeline structures, and the inlet interface of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit is connected to the outlet interface of the water cooling unit through another group of pipeline structures.

[0012] As a further solution of the present utility model: The water-cooled unit is further provided with a universal water interface, and the universal water interface of the water-cooled unit is connected to the universal water interface of the expansion tank through a pipeline structure. An exhaust interface is provided at the top of the expansion tank, and the exhaust interface is connected to an exhaust nozzle through a rubber hose.

[0013] As a further solution of the present utility model: The expansion tank is installed above the water-cooled unit, and the universal water interface of the expansion tank is provided at the bottom of the expansion tank.

[0014] As a further solution of the present utility model: Fixed frames are symmetrically provided at the same-side end of the water-cooled unit. The fixed frames are fixed to one side of the liquid-cooled battery box, and the liquid-cooled battery box is fixed to the vehicle frame.

[0015] As a further solution of the present utility model: Hose clamps are fixedly installed at the connection positions of the rubber hose with the inlet and outlet interfaces of the water-cooled unit, the universal water interface of the water-cooled unit, the heating pipes of the PTC heating unit, the universal water interface of the expansion tank, the exhaust interface of the expansion tank, the water-cooled plate of the liquid-cooled battery box, and the exhaust nozzle.

[0016] As a further solution of the present utility model: A pipe clip for fixing the steel pipe to the vehicle frame is sleeved on the steel pipe. The pipe clip includes symmetrically arranged clamping blocks. One side of each clamping block is symmetrically provided with a clamping groove, and the two clamping blocks are fixed by bolts.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0018] 1. In the pipeline of the battery thermal management system for electric forklifts, by setting the traditional pure steel pipe structure into a combination form of rubber hose + steel pipe + rubber hose, using the rubber hose as a flexible connector to absorb and reduce the vibration and noise in the system, avoiding the use of a pure steel pipe structure. After the forklift travels for a long time, the connection between the steel pipe and the equipment is prone to vibration breakage.

[0019] 2. In the pipeline of the battery thermal management system for electric forklifts, by utilizing the stretchable and transformable characteristics of the rubber hose itself, the installation of the entire pipeline is simpler, larger errors can be tolerated during the installation process, and if a certain part of the rubber hose has problems, it can be replaced separately, reducing the maintenance cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this solution;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the pipe clip structure of this solution.

[0022] The meanings of the various reference numerals in the figure are as follows:

[0023] 100, water-cooled unit; 101, bracket; 102, fixing bracket; 200, PTC heating unit; 300, expansion tank; 400, pipeline structure; 401, rubber hose; 402, steel pipe; 403, hose clamp; 404, pipe clip. Detailed implementation mode

[0024] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0025] As Figure 1 shown, this embodiment provides a pipeline for an electric forklift battery thermal management system, including a water-cooled unit 100 provided with a number of inlet and outlet interfaces, a PTC heating unit 200 provided with a heating pipe, an expansion tank 300, a liquid-cooled battery box provided with a water-cooled plate, and a pipeline structure 400. The inlet and outlet interfaces of the water-cooled unit 100 are respectively connected to the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit 200, the common water interface of the expansion tank 300, and the water-cooled plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipeline structure 400. Considering the convenience of equipment installation and the safety of forklift use, therefore, the pipeline structure 400 is set in the combined form of a rubber hose 401, a steel pipe 402, and a rubber hose 401. The rubber hose 401 is made of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber material. By using the material characteristics of the rubber hose 401, the installation of the entire pipeline is convenient, and at the same time, the vibration generated during the forklift driving is absorbed.

[0026] The improvement of this embodiment lies in: by setting the traditional pure steel pipe 402 structure into the combined form of a rubber hose 401, a steel pipe 402, and a rubber hose 401, using the rubber hose 401 as a flexible connector to absorb and reduce the vibration and noise in the system, avoiding the use of the pure steel pipe 402 structure. After the forklift has been driving for a long time, the connection between the steel pipe 402 and the equipment is prone to vibration breakage. At the same time, by using the stretchable and transformable characteristics of the rubber hose 401 itself, the installation of the entire pipeline is simpler, larger errors can be tolerated during the installation process, and if a certain part of the rubber hose 401 has problems, it can be replaced separately, reducing the maintenance cost.

[0027] Since the water-cooled unit 100, the PTC heating unit 200, and the expansion tank 300 are the main devices of the entire thermal management system, in order to facilitate the fixation of the water-cooled unit 100, the PTC heating unit 200, and the expansion tank 300, brackets 101 are provided on one side of the water-cooled unit 100, the PTC heating unit 200, and the expansion tank 300. The brackets 101 are used to fix the water-cooled unit 100, the PTC heating unit 200, and the expansion tank 300 to the vehicle frame.

[0028] Further introduce the pipeline layout. The water inlet interface of the water-cooled unit 100 is connected to the water outlet interface of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooled plate through the pipeline structure 400, and the water outlet interface of the water-cooled unit 100 is connected to the water inlet interface of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooled plate through the pipeline structure 400. The water inlet interface of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooled plate is connected to the water outlet interface of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit 200 through another group of pipeline structures 400, and the water inlet interface of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit 200 is connected to the water outlet interface of the water-cooled unit 100 through another group of pipeline structures 400. A water circulation is formed through the pipeline structure 400, and the water-cooled unit 100 and the PTC heating unit 200 are used to keep the temperature of the liquid-cooled battery box within the working temperature range.

[0029] At the same time, considering the influence of thermal expansion and contraction of the water in the water-cooled unit 100, a universal water interface is also provided on the water-cooled unit 100. The universal water interface of the water-cooled unit 100 is connected to the universal water interface of the expansion tank 300 through the pipeline structure 400. An exhaust interface is provided at the top of the expansion tank 300, and the exhaust interface is connected to the exhaust nozzle through the rubber hose 401. The expansion tank 300 is used to accommodate the expanded water volume in the water-cooled unit 100 due to heating. At the same time, the gas in the expansion tank 300 can also be ejected through the exhaust nozzle to release the pressure in the expansion tank 300 and avoid damage to the expansion tank 300.

[0030] Considering the convenience of draining the water in the expansion tank 300, the expansion tank 300 is installed above the water-cooled unit 100, and the universal water interface of the expansion tank 300 is provided at the bottom of the expansion tank 300. Through the structure of exhausting gas from the top and draining water from the bottom, it is convenient for the water in the expansion tank 300 to drain by its own weight, and at the same time, the gas and liquid are discharged from different interfaces respectively.

[0031] Considering the layout of the liquid-cooled battery box and the pipeline structure 400, fixing brackets 102 are symmetrically provided at the same side end of the water-cooled unit 100. The rubber hose 401 connected to the water inlet and outlet interfaces of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooled plate is fixed on one side of the fixing bracket 102, and the side of the fixing bracket 102 away from the fixed rubber hose 401 is fixed to one side of the liquid-cooled battery box, while the liquid-cooled battery box is fixed to the vehicle frame.

[0032] In order to strengthen the fixing effect at the connection between the hose 401 and each device and avoid the risk of the hose 401 falling off during the use of the forklift, therefore, hose clamps 403 are fixed at the connections between the hose 401 and the water-cooled unit 100, the PTC heating unit 200, the expansion tank 300 and the liquid-cooled battery box, the connection between the hose 401 and the steel pipe 402, the connection between the hose 401 and the exhaust interface, and the connection between the hose 401 and the exhaust nozzle, and the connections are simply and quickly fixed by the hose clamps 403.

[0033] The hose clamp 403 and its fixing method are further disclosed. The hose clamp 403 includes a steel strip and a bolt. First, the hose 401 is sleeved outside the nozzle of the steel pipe 402, then the steel strip is sleeved outside the connection between the hose 401 and the steel pipe 402, and finally the bolt is rotated to tighten the steel strip.

[0034] As Figure 2 shown, considering that if the steel pipe 402 is not fixed, the stability of the whole device is insufficient, and during the driving of the forklift, there is a situation where the steel pipe 402 is easily displaced due to vibration. Therefore, a pipe clamp 404 for fixing the steel pipe 402 to the vehicle frame is sleeved on the steel pipe 402. The pipe clamp 404 includes symmetrically arranged clamping blocks. One side of each clamping block is symmetrically provided with a clamping groove. The two clamping blocks are fixed by bolts. The pipe clamp 404 clamps the steel pipe 402 placed in the clamping groove by bolts, and at the same time, the pipe clamp 404 is fixed to the vehicle frame by bolts, thereby fixing the steel pipe 402 to the vehicle frame.

[0035] In summary, the working principle of this solution is as follows:

[0036] The bracket 101, pipe clamp 404, PTC heating unit 200 and expansion tank 300 are respectively installed at the preset positions on the vehicle frame by bolts. The water-cooling unit 100 is fixed to the bracket 101 by bolts. Insert the steel pipe 402 into the card slot of the pipe clamp 404, and rotate the bolt of the pipe clamp 404 to make the pipe clamp 404 clamp the steel pipe 402. Take the rubber hose 401, one end of the rubber hose 401 is sleeved outside the pipe orifice of the steel pipe 402, and the other end of the rubber hose 401 is sleeved outside the water inlet interface of the water-cooling unit 100, the water outlet interface of the water-cooling unit 100, the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit 200, the common water interface of the expansion tank 300, and the water inlet interface and the water outlet interface of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooling plate. Then take another rubber hose 401, one end of the rubber hose 401 is sleeved outside the exhaust interface of the expansion tank 300, and the other end is sleeved outside the air inlet interface of the exhaust nozzle. The steel strip is sleeved outside the connection between the rubber hose 401 and various interfaces. Finally, rotate the bolt to tighten the steel strip, thus completing the installation of the entire device. Start the device, the temperature sensor set on the surface of the liquid-cooled battery box housing collects the temperature in real time and transmits the temperature information into the vehicle controller. When the temperature is higher than the battery temperature threshold, the water outlet of the water-cooling unit 100 drains water to the water inlet of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooling plate through the pipeline structure 400. The water that absorbs heat then drains from the water outlet of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooling plate to the water inlet of the water-cooling unit 100, forming a water-cooling cycle. When the temperature is lower than the battery temperature threshold, the water outlet of the water-cooling unit 100 drains water to the water inlet of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit 200 through the pipeline structure 400. After the PTC heater in the PTC heating unit 200 heats the heating pipe, the water that absorbs heat then drains from the water outlet of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit 200 to the water inlet of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooling plate. The liquid-cooled battery box absorbs heat and warms up, and the water with reduced temperature then drains from the water outlet of the liquid-cooled battery box water-cooling plate to the water inlet of the water-cooling unit 100 through the pipeline structure 400, forming a water-heating cycle.

[0037] Although this specification is described according to the embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0038] Therefore, the above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and is not used to limit the scope of implementation of the present application; that is, all equivalent transformations made according to the scope of the claims of the present application are within the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A pipeline for an electric forklift battery thermal management system, comprising a water-cooling unit (100), a PTC heating unit (200) provided with heating pipes, an expansion water tank (300), a liquid-cooled battery box provided with a water-cooling plate, and a pipeline structure (400). The inlet and outlet interfaces of the water-cooling unit (100) are respectively connected to the heating pipes of the PTC heating unit (200), the common water interface of the expansion water tank (300), and the water-cooling plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipeline structure (400), and is characterized in that: The pipe structure (400) includes a steel pipe (402) and a rubber hose (401), and both ends of the steel pipe (402) are respectively connected to one end port of the rubber hose (401).

2. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: A bracket (101) is provided on one side of the water-cooled unit (100), the PTC heating unit (200), and the expansion tank (300), and the bracket (101) is used to fix the water-cooled unit (100), the PTC heating unit (200), and the expansion tank (300) to the vehicle frame.

3. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water inlet interface of the water-cooled unit (100) is connected to the water outlet interface of the water-cooled plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipe structure (400), and the water outlet interface of the water-cooled unit (100) is connected to the water inlet interface of the water-cooled plate of the liquid-cooled battery box through the pipe structure (400); the water inlet interface of the water-cooled plate of the liquid-cooled battery box is connected to the water outlet interface of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit (200) through another set of pipe structures (400), and the water inlet interface of the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit (200) is connected to the water outlet interface of the water-cooled unit (100) through another set of pipe structures (400).

4. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, wherein: The water-cooled unit (100) is also provided with a common water interface, and the common water interface of the water-cooled unit (100) is connected to the common water interface of the expansion tank (300) through the pipe structure (400). An exhaust interface is provided at the top of the expansion tank (300), and the exhaust interface is connected to an exhaust nozzle through a rubber hose (401).

5. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion tank (300) is installed above the water-cooled unit (100), and the common water interface of the expansion tank (300) is provided at the bottom of the expansion tank (300).

6. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: Fixing brackets (102) are symmetrically provided at the same-side end of the water-cooled unit (100), the fixing brackets (102) are fixed to one side of the liquid-cooled battery box, and the liquid-cooled battery box is fixed to the vehicle frame.

7. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: Hose clamps (403) are fixed at the connection points of the rubber hose (401) with the water inlet and outlet interfaces of the water-cooled unit (100), the common water interface of the water-cooled unit (100), the heating pipe of the PTC heating unit (200), the common water interface of the expansion tank (300), the exhaust interface of the expansion tank (300), the water-cooled plate of the liquid-cooled battery box, and the exhaust nozzle.

8. The pipeline for the battery thermal management system of an electric forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pipe clamp (404) for fixing the steel pipe (402) to the vehicle frame is sleeved on the steel pipe (402). The pipe clamp (404) includes symmetrically arranged clamping blocks, and clamping grooves are symmetrically provided on one side of the clamping blocks. The two clamping blocks are fixed by bolts.

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