Thermal management system and liquid pump for automobile

Abstract

The utility model relates to a thermal management system (200) and a liquid pump (100) for an automobile. The liquid pump (100) comprises a pump body (20) and a motor (60) connected to the pump body (20). The pump body (20) comprises a pump cavity (22), an impeller (40) contained in the pump cavity (22), a liquid inlet (28) connected with the pump cavity (22), a first liquid outlet (31), a second liquid outlet (35), a first check valve (33) installed on the first liquid outlet (31) and a second check valve (37) installed on the second liquid outlet (35), wherein the first liquid outlet (31) and the second liquid outlet (35) are connected with the pump cavity (22). And the impeller (40) can be driven by the motor (60) to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise, so that one of the first liquid outlet (31) and the second liquid outlet (35) is selectively conducted. The liquid pump (100) can replace a traditional three-way valve pump body, and the volume and cost of the liquid pump (100) and the thermal management system are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of liquid pumps, in particular to an integrated thermal management system of an electric vehicle and a dual-outlet liquid pump thereof. Background Art

[0002] The Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS) for electric vehicles integrates cabin air conditioning, the battery in the powertrain, and thermal management of the electric drive, enabling precise distribution and avoiding energy waste. For example, as battery temperature drops, the lithium ions responsible for transporting energy crystallize and solidify in the electrolyte, significantly reducing the battery's discharge capacity. The ITMS system recycles waste heat from the drive motor to heat the battery, improving battery activity and extending the electric vehicle's range.

[0003] However, most current ITMS systems have a complex structure, equipped with many three-way valves, sensors, water pumps and actuators to achieve feedback control of batteries, drive motors, cabin and ambient temperature and switching of working modes. As a result, the ITMS system is too large and costly, which is not conducive to installation and maintenance and expansion of vehicle space.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose an integrated thermal management system for electric vehicles with fewer parts, which can reduce volume and cost, facilitate vehicle space expansion, and facilitate installation and maintenance. Utility Model Content

[0005] One purpose of the utility model is to reduce the volume of a liquid pump and lower the cost of the liquid pump.

[0006] To this end, the first aspect of the present invention provides a liquid pump, comprising a pump body and a motor connected to the pump body; the pump body comprises a pump chamber, an impeller accommodated in the pump chamber, a liquid inlet connected to the pump chamber, a first liquid outlet and a second liquid outlet connected to the pump chamber, a first check valve installed to the first liquid outlet, and a second check valve installed to the second liquid outlet; the impeller can be driven by the motor to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to selectively connect the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet.

[0007] In one embodiment, the impeller is a centrifugal impeller, the liquid inlet is connected to the axial center of the impeller; the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet are connected to the circumferential outer side of the impeller; the impeller selectively connects the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet by driving the liquid.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pump body includes a pump casing with one end open, and the pump casing forms the pump chamber; the motor includes a motor inner casing, a rotor located inside the motor inner casing, and a stator located outside the motor inner casing; the motor inner casing is cylindrical with one end open and its open end faces the pump chamber, and the rotor drives the impeller.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rotor includes a rotor shaft and a rotor assembly sleeved on the rotor shaft; both ends of the rotor shaft are supported by the bottom of the pump casing and the motor inner casing respectively; the impeller is connected to the rotor assembly or the rotor shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment, the interior of the pump housing includes a plurality of connecting parts and a first supporting part facing the liquid inlet, the connecting part is connected to the first supporting part and the inner wall of the pump housing, and the first supporting part is used to support one end of the rotor shaft.

[0011] In one embodiment, both ends of the rotor shaft are fixedly connected to the pump housing and the bottom of the motor inner housing respectively; the rotor assembly is rotatably sleeved on the rotor shaft; and the impeller is connected to the rotor assembly.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rotor assembly includes a permanent magnet and an injection molded body for fixing the permanent magnet, wherein the injection molded body surrounds the rotor shaft; and the impeller is integrally formed with the injection molded body.

[0013] In one embodiment, the motor further comprises a motor housing with one end open, the open end of the motor housing facing the pump chamber; the motor inner housing is at least partially accommodated in the motor housing; a stator accommodating space is formed between the motor housing and the motor inner housing for accommodating the stator of the motor; the end of the motor housing facing the pump chamber and the end of the motor inner housing facing the pump chamber are sealed and connected to prevent liquid in the pump chamber from entering the stator accommodating space.

[0014] In one embodiment, the motor inner shell includes an annular shell, a bottom plate closing the bottom end of the annular shell, and an extension extending outward from the open end of the annular shell; the open end of the pump shell is connected to the end face of the extension or the outside of the extension.

[0015] In one embodiment, the motor inner shell further includes an outer ring portion, which extends from the outer side of the extension portion in a direction away from the pump shell; the open end of the pump shell is connected to the outer side of the outer ring portion, and the open end of the motor outer shell is connected to the inner side of the outer ring portion.

[0016] In one embodiment, the impeller includes a bottom cover and a plurality of blades fixed to the bottom cover, wherein the plurality of blades are evenly arranged around the center of the bottom cover; and the center of the bottom cover faces the liquid inlet.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first check valve and / or the second check valve include a valve cover mounted on the inner wall of the liquid outlet and a piston movably mounted to the valve cover via a connecting rod; the valve cover is provided with a through hole for liquid to flow through; the connecting rod sleeve is provided with a reset spring, the piston is located on the outside of the valve cover and blocks the through hole in the reset state to prevent external liquid from flowing in; when the liquid in the pump chamber is driven by the impeller and impacts the piston through the through hole, the piston overcomes the elastic force of the reset spring and moves away from the valve cover to open the through hole.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the volume and cost of the thermal management system of an automobile.

[0019] To this end, the present invention also provides a thermal management system for an automobile, comprising a first liquid circuit, a second liquid circuit, and the aforementioned liquid pump; the first liquid circuit forms a closed loop through the liquid inlet and the first liquid outlet, and the second liquid circuit forms a closed loop through the liquid inlet and the second liquid outlet; when the motor rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet are selectively connected through the impeller, thereby selectively connecting the first liquid circuit and the second liquid circuit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the thermal management system includes a common pipeline connected to the liquid inlet, and the common pipeline is a common part of the first liquid circuit and the second liquid circuit; at least one of the common pipeline, the first liquid circuit, and the second liquid circuit is provided with a heat dissipation device.

[0021] The utility model replaces the traditional three-way valve liquid pump with a newly designed double-outlet liquid pump with a simple structure, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid pump and the thermal management system using the liquid pump and lowering the cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid pump according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of the liquid pump shown;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front view schematic diagram of the liquid pump shown;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 AA sectional view of the liquid pump shown;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 BB sectional view of the liquid pump shown;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a thermal management system framework for an automobile according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate to facilitate implementation in an order other than the embodiments of this invention.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 An embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid pump 100, which can be used in a thermal management system 200 of an automobile. The liquid pump 100 includes a pump body 20 and a motor 60 connected to the pump body 20, the motor 60 is used to drive an impeller 40 in the pump body 20 (refer to Figure 2 The pump body 20 includes a liquid inlet 28, a first liquid outlet 31, a second liquid outlet 35, a first check valve 33 mounted to the first liquid outlet 31, and a second check valve 37 mounted to the second liquid outlet 35. The impeller 40 of the pump body 20 can be driven by a motor 60 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, selectively opening the first liquid outlet 31 or the second liquid outlet 35 while the other liquid outlet remains closed due to the action of the corresponding check valve.

[0031] Accordingly, thermal management system 200 includes a first liquid circuit 110 and a second liquid circuit 120. First liquid circuit 110 forms a closed loop through liquid inlet 28 and first liquid outlet 31, while second liquid circuit 120 forms a closed loop through liquid inlet 28 and second liquid outlet 35. When motor 60 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, impeller 40 selectively connects first liquid outlet 31 and second liquid outlet 35, thereby selectively connecting first liquid circuit 110 and second liquid circuit 120. The other liquid circuit remains closed due to the action of the corresponding check valve.

[0032] The thermal management system 200 includes a common pipeline 130 connected to the liquid inlet 28. This common pipeline 130 is a common component of the first liquid circuit 110 and the second liquid circuit 120. The thermal management system 200 can be used to dissipate heat or heat the working components of an electric vehicle, such as the drive motor, power battery, and passenger compartment, or to heat the power battery and passenger compartment. For example, a heat sink 140 is provided in the first liquid circuit 110 to dissipate heat. The heat sink 140 includes a radiator and a cooling fan. When coolant flows through the heat sink 140, heat is dissipated into the air through the radiator. The cooling fan is used to increase the rate of heat dissipation. When the temperature of the electric vehicle's drive motor is high, the liquid pump 100 is activated and the impeller 40 is controlled to rotate in a certain direction to open the first liquid outlet 31 and the first liquid circuit 110. The coolant flows through the drive motor, removes heat, and is discharged to the outside as it flows through the heat sink 140, thereby dissipating heat from the drive motor.

[0033] As will be appreciated, the coolant can also be used to heat components requiring heating. For example, when the ambient temperature is low and the cabin or power battery needs to be heated, the impeller of the liquid pump 100 is controlled to rotate in the other direction to open the second liquid outlet 35 and the second liquid circuit 120. The coolant no longer flows through the heat sink 140 of the first liquid circuit 110, but instead flows through the second liquid circuit 120 to heat the cabin or power battery, thus fully utilizing energy.

[0034] It is understandable that, as needed, a cooling device 150 may be provided in the common pipeline 130 to further cool the temperature of the coolant in the first liquid circuit 110 and the second liquid circuit 120 .

[0035] The liquid pump 100 of this embodiment integrates the functions of the three-way valve, water pump and actuator in the prior art. After replacing the above three with the liquid pump of this embodiment in the integrated thermal management system, the system volume and cost can be greatly reduced, which is conducive to the expansion of the vehicle space and facilitates installation and maintenance.

[0036] refer to Figures 1 to 5 The liquid pump 100 includes a pump body 20 and a motor 60 connected together. The pump housing 21 of the pump body 20 and the housing of the motor 60 are connected together. A pump chamber 22 is formed inside the pump housing 21. A liquid inlet 28, a first liquid outlet 31, and a second liquid outlet 35 are provided in the pump housing 21 and are all connected to the pump chamber 22. A first check valve 33 is provided at the first liquid outlet 31 to allow liquid to flow out and prevent external liquid from flowing in. A second check valve 37 is provided at the second liquid outlet 35 to allow liquid to flow out and prevent external liquid from flowing in.

[0037] refer to Figure 4The first check valve 33 includes a valve cover 3301 snapped onto the inner wall of the first liquid outlet 31 and a piston 3313 movably mounted to the valve cover 20 via a connecting rod 3311. The valve cover 20 is provided with a through-hole 3303 for liquid to flow through. The piston 3313 is located on the outside of the valve cover 20. The connecting rod 3311 is sleeved with a return spring 3315. The two ends of the return spring 3315 respectively abut against the inner ends of the valve cover 3301 and the connecting rod 3311, so that the piston 3313 blocks the through-hole 3303 in the reset state, thereby preventing external liquid from flowing in. When the liquid in the pump chamber 22 is driven by the impeller 40 through the through-hole 3303 and impacts the piston 3313, the piston 3313 overcomes the elastic force of the return spring 3315 and moves away from the valve cover 20, thereby no longer blocking the through-hole 3303, thereby opening the first liquid outlet 31. Preferably, a sealing ring 3305 is installed on the outer periphery of the valve cover 3301 to enhance the sealing between its outer periphery and the inner wall of the first liquid outlet 31. A sealing ring 3317 is installed on the outer periphery of the piston 3313 to enhance the sealing between it and the inner wall of the first liquid outlet 31 when in the reset state. The structure of the second check valve 37 is the same as that of the first check valve 33 and will not be further described.

[0038] The impeller 40 of the pump body 20 is housed in the pump chamber 22. The impeller 40 is a centrifugal impeller including a bottom cover 41 and a plurality of blades 43 fixed to the bottom cover 41. The blades 43 are evenly arranged around a center 42 of the bottom cover 41; the center 42 of the bottom cover 41 faces the liquid inlet 28.

[0039] The liquid inlet 28 is connected to the axial center 42 of the impeller 40. The first and second liquid outlets 31, 35 are connected to the circumferential outer sides of the impeller 40. When the impeller 40 rotates clockwise, the driving liquid impacts one of the liquid outlets, such as the first liquid outlet 31, causing the first liquid outlet 31 to flow, while the second liquid outlet 35 remains closed due to the action of the second check valve 37. Similarly, when the impeller 40 rotates counterclockwise, the driving liquid impacts the second liquid outlet 35, causing the second liquid outlet 35 to flow, while the first liquid outlet 31 remains closed due to the action of the first check valve 33.

[0040] In this embodiment, the housing of the motor 60 includes a motor inner housing 61 and a motor outer housing 67. The motor 60 includes a rotor 80 located on the inner side of the motor inner housing 61 and a stator 90 located on the outer side of the motor inner housing 61. The motor inner housing 61 is cylindrical with one end open and its open end faces the pump chamber 22. The motor 60 is a brushed DC motor, and the stator 90 includes a stator core, a stator winding wound around the stator core, etc. The rotor 80 includes a rotor shaft 81 and a rotor assembly 83 sleeved on the rotor shaft 81. The two ends of the rotor shaft 81 are supported by the pump housing 21 and the bottom plate 63 of the motor inner housing 61 respectively. The impeller 40 is connected to the rotor assembly 83. The rotor assembly 83 includes a permanent magnet 84 and an injection molding body 85 for fixing the permanent magnet 84, and the injection molding body 85 surrounds the rotor shaft 81.

[0041] refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, both ends of the rotor shaft 81 are fixedly connected to the pump casing 21 and the bottom plate 63 of the motor inner casing 61, respectively. The rotor assembly 83 is rotatably mounted on the rotor shaft 81 through a first bearing 87 and a second bearing 88. After the motor 60 is started, the stator 90 of the motor generates a rotating magnetic field, thereby driving the rotor assembly 83 to rotate, causing the impeller 40 to rotate with the rotor assembly 83. Preferably, the impeller 40 is integrally formed with the injection molded body 85. In an alternative solution, the rotor shaft 81 is rotatably mounted to the pump casing 21 and the bottom plate 63 of the motor inner casing 61, and the rotor assembly 83 is fixedly mounted on the rotor shaft 81 and rotates with the rotor shaft 81. In this case, the impeller 40 can be connected to either the rotor assembly 83 or the rotor shaft 81.

[0042] In this embodiment, the interior of the pump housing 21 includes several connecting portions 25 and a first support portion 26 facing the liquid inlet 28. The connecting portions 25 are connected to the first support portion 26 and the inner wall of the pump housing 21. The first support portion 26 is used to support one end of the rotor shaft 81. The bottom plate 63 of the motor inner housing 61 extends outward from the center to form a second support portion for supporting the other end of the rotor shaft 81. Preferably, the connecting portion 25 is in the form of a sheet or thin rod to minimize its impact on the flow of liquid at the liquid inlet 28.

[0043] The motor housing 67 surrounds the motor inner housing 61, with the open end of the motor housing 67 also facing the pump chamber 22. The motor inner housing 61 is at least partially housed within the motor housing 67. A stator receiving space 68 is formed between the motor housing 67 and the motor inner housing 61 for accommodating the stator 90 of the motor 60. The end of the motor housing 67 facing the pump chamber 22 and the end of the motor inner housing 61 facing the pump chamber 22 are sealed together to prevent liquid in the pump chamber 22 from entering the stator receiving space 68.

[0044] In this embodiment, the motor inner housing 61 includes an annular housing 62, a bottom plate 63 that seals the bottom end of the annular housing 62, and an extension 64 that extends outward from the open end of the annular housing 62. The open end 23 of the pump housing 21 is connected to the outside of the extension 64. Preferably, the motor inner housing 61 also includes an outer ring portion 65 that extends from the outside of the extension 64 in a direction away from the pump housing 21. The open end 23 of the pump housing 21 is connected to the outside of the outer ring portion 65. More specifically, the outer ring portion 65 further defines an annular receiving groove 66, into which the open end 23 of the pump housing 21 is inserted.

[0045] Preferably, the open end of the motor housing 67 is connected to the inner side of the outer ring portion 65. In this way, the risk of liquid entering the stator accommodating space 68 is further reduced.

[0046] In summary, the present invention replaces the traditional three-way valve, water pump, and actuator with a newly designed, simple-structured dual-outlet liquid pump, reducing size and saving costs. Installing a check valve at the outlet also simplifies and facilitates control. When used in a vehicle's thermal management system, the dual-outlet liquid pump also reduces size and saves costs. It also provides a simple and convenient way to easily control the opening and closing of one liquid circuit and the closing of the other, thereby switching operating modes.

[0047] The above embodiments merely represent preferred implementations of the present invention. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as combining different features from the various embodiments. These modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid pump comprising a pump body and a motor connected to the pump body, characterized in that: The pump body includes a pump chamber, an impeller accommodated in the pump chamber, a liquid inlet connected to the pump chamber, a first liquid outlet and a second liquid outlet connected to the pump chamber, a first check valve installed at the first liquid outlet, and a second check valve installed at the second liquid outlet; The impeller can be driven by the motor to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to selectively connect the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet.

2. The liquid pump according to claim 1, wherein The impeller is a centrifugal impeller, the liquid inlet is connected to the axial center of the impeller; the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet are connected to the circumferential outer side of the impeller; the impeller selectively connects the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet by driving the liquid.

3. The liquid pump according to claim 1, wherein The pump body includes a pump casing with an open end, and the pump casing forms the pump chamber; the motor includes a motor inner casing, a rotor located inside the motor inner casing, and a stator located outside the motor inner casing; the motor inner casing is cylindrical with an open end and its open end faces the pump chamber, and the rotor drives the impeller.

4. The liquid pump according to claim 3, wherein The rotor includes a rotor shaft and a rotor assembly sleeved on the rotor shaft; both ends of the rotor shaft are supported by the pump casing and the bottom of the motor inner casing respectively; the impeller is connected to the rotor assembly or the rotor shaft.

5. The liquid pump according to claim 4, wherein The interior of the pump housing includes a plurality of connecting parts and a first supporting part facing the liquid inlet. The connecting part is connected to the first supporting part and the inner wall of the pump housing. The first supporting part is used to support one end of the rotor shaft.

6. The liquid pump according to claim 4, wherein The two ends of the rotor shaft are respectively fixedly connected to the pump housing and the bottom of the motor inner housing; the rotor assembly is rotatably sleeved on the rotor shaft; and the impeller is connected to the rotor assembly.

7. The liquid pump according to claim 4, wherein The rotor assembly includes a permanent magnet and an injection molded body for fixing the permanent magnet, wherein the injection molded body surrounds the rotor shaft; and the impeller is integrally formed with the injection molded body.

8. The liquid pump according to claim 3, wherein The motor also includes a motor housing with an open end, and the open end of the motor housing faces the pump chamber; the motor inner housing is at least partially accommodated in the motor housing; a stator accommodating space is formed between the motor housing and the motor inner housing for accommodating the stator of the motor; the end of the motor housing facing the pump chamber and the end of the motor inner housing facing the pump chamber are sealed and connected to prevent liquid in the pump chamber from entering the stator accommodating space.

9. The liquid pump according to claim 8, wherein The motor inner shell includes an annular shell, a bottom plate closing the bottom end of the annular shell, and an extension extending outward from the open end of the annular shell; the open end of the pump shell is connected to the end surface of the extension or the outside of the extension.

10. The liquid pump according to claim 9, wherein The motor inner shell also includes an outer ring portion, which extends from the outer side of the extension portion in a direction away from the pump shell; the open end of the pump shell is connected to the outer side of the outer ring portion, and the open end of the motor outer shell is connected to the inner side of the outer ring portion.

11. The liquid pump according to claim 2, wherein The impeller includes a bottom cover and a plurality of blades fixed to the bottom cover, wherein the plurality of blades are evenly arranged around the center of the bottom cover; and the center of the bottom cover faces the liquid inlet.

12. The liquid pump according to claim 1, wherein The first check valve and / or the second check valve include a valve cover mounted on the inner wall of the liquid outlet and a piston movably mounted to the valve cover via a connecting rod; the valve cover is provided with a through hole for liquid to flow through; the connecting rod sleeve is provided with a reset spring, the piston is located on the outside of the valve cover and blocks the through hole in the reset state to prevent external liquid from flowing in; when the liquid in the pump chamber is driven by the impeller and impacts the piston through the through hole, the piston overcomes the elastic force of the reset spring and moves away from the valve cover to open the through hole.

13. A thermal management system for an automobile, characterized in that: It includes a first liquid circuit, a second liquid circuit, and a liquid pump according to any one of claims 1 to 12; the first liquid circuit forms a closed loop through the liquid inlet and the first liquid outlet, and the second liquid circuit forms a closed loop through the liquid inlet and the second liquid outlet; when the motor rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet are selectively connected through the impeller, thereby selectively connecting the first liquid circuit and the second liquid circuit.

14. The thermal management system according to claim 13, wherein: The thermal management system includes a common pipeline connected to the liquid inlet, and the common pipeline is a common part of the first liquid circuit and the second liquid circuit; at least one of the common pipeline, the first liquid circuit, and the second liquid circuit is provided with a heat dissipation device.

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