Thermal management system capable of being externally connected with cold source and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a heat management system capable of being externally connected with a cold source and a vehicle, the heat management system comprises a power loop, a refrigerant used for cooling a cooling liquid in the vehicle circulates in a first heat exchange loop, and the first heat exchange loop is formed by sequentially connecting a compressor, a condensation assembly and a cooling element; the condensation assembly comprises a condensation element and a heat exchange element, the heat exchange element is provided with a first channel communicating with the first heat exchange loop and a second channel separated from the first heat exchange loop, the second channel can communicate with a second heat exchange loop connected with an external cold source, and the external cold source is used for providing external cooling liquid circulating in the second heat exchange loop. The external cooling liquid is used for cooling the refrigerant flowing through the first channel. The heat management system depends on a vehicle-mounted cooling system under the normal condition, an external cold source can be connected through the heat exchange element according to the actual condition under the special working condition, and a refrigerant in the first heat exchange loop is cooled through external cooling liquid released by the external cold source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of vehicle thermal management technology, and in particular to a thermal management system and a vehicle capable of being connected to an external cooling source. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of fast-charging technology for pure electric vehicles, charging power is increasing. To achieve fast charging or even ultra-fast charging of vehicles, battery cooling is required.

[0003] Existing technologies all use the vehicle's onboard cooling system to cool the battery. However, the vehicle's cooling system may be insufficient during charging under conditions such as abnormally high ambient temperatures, when the cooling system of older vehicles has degraded, or when the air conditioning is on in the passenger compartment at the same time. This can prevent the vehicle's cooling system from effectively reducing the battery temperature during fast charging, resulting in a reduction in charging speed. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, the present application aims to provide a thermal management system and a vehicle that can be connected to an external cold source to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the vehicle cooling system.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application proposes a thermal management system capable of being connected to an external cooling source, comprising: a power circuit, the power circuit comprising at least a power battery, wherein a vehicle coolant for cooling the power battery circulates in the power circuit;

[0006] a first heat exchange circuit, wherein a refrigerant for cooling the coolant in the vehicle circulates in the first heat exchange circuit, the first heat exchange circuit being composed of a compressor, a condensing assembly, and a cooling element connected in sequence; an output end of the compressor being connected to an input end of the condensing assembly, an output end of the condensing assembly being connected to a first input end of the cooling element, and the first output end of the cooling element being connected to an input end of the compressor;

[0007] In which, the condensation component includes a condensation element and a heat exchange element, the heat exchange element includes a first channel and a second channel, the first channel is part of the first heat exchange circuit, the second channel is isolated from the first heat exchange circuit, the second channel can be connected to a second heat exchange circuit connected to an external cold source, the external cold source is used to provide an external coolant circulating in the second heat exchange circuit, and the external coolant is used to cool the refrigerant flowing through the first channel.

[0008] According to the technical solution provided in an embodiment of the present application, the first heat exchange circuit is formed by connecting the compressor, the heat exchange element, the condensing element and the cooling element in sequence, the input end of the first channel of the heat exchange element is the input end of the condensing component, and the output end of the condensing element is the output end of the condensing component.

[0009] According to the technical solution provided in an embodiment of the present application, the first heat exchange circuit is formed by connecting the compressor, the condensing element, the heat exchange element and the cooling element in sequence, the output end of the first channel of the heat exchange element is the output end of the condensing component, and the input end of the condensing element is the input end of the condensing component.

[0010] According to the technical solution provided in an embodiment of the present application, the cooling element includes a third channel and a fourth channel, the third channel is connected to the power circuit, the fourth channel is part of the first heat exchange circuit, the input end of the fourth channel is the first input end of the cooling element, and the output end of the fourth channel is the first output end of the cooling element.

[0011] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, it also includes a third heat exchange circuit, which is formed by connecting the compressor, the condensing component in the first heat exchange circuit, and the evaporator not in the first heat exchange circuit in sequence.

[0012] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the heat exchange element includes a first refrigerant interface and a second refrigerant interface, and the first refrigerant interface and the second refrigerant interface are connected through the first channel.

[0013] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the heat exchange element includes a first external water inlet and a second external water inlet, and the first external water inlet and the second external water inlet are connected through the second channel.

[0014] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first external water inlet and the second external water inlet are both quick-connect connectors.

[0015] According to the technical solution provided in an embodiment of the present application, a first expansion valve is provided between the condensing component and the cooling element in the first heat exchange circuit, and a second expansion valve is provided between the condensing component and the evaporator in the third heat exchange circuit.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application proposes a vehicle equipped with a thermal management system capable of being connected to an external cooling source as described above.

[0017] Compared to the prior art, the present invention offers the following advantages: The thermal management system not only relies on the vehicle's cooling system under normal circumstances, but can also, under special operating conditions as outlined in the background art, connect to an external cooling source (such as a garage water tank or charging station water tank) through a heat exchange element based on actual conditions. This external cooling source releases external coolant to cool the refrigerant in the first heat exchange circuit. Compared to conventional first heat exchange circuits that cool the refrigerant solely through a condenser, this provides secondary auxiliary cooling, improving the reliability of the vehicle's cooling system. It can provide stable cooling for the power battery in various usage scenarios and operating conditions, adapting to a variety of complex operating conditions. The design of an external cooling source provides users with more options and flexibility, allowing them to select the appropriate external cooling source based on actual needs and environmental conditions, further enhancing the system's adaptability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one structural embodiment of a thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a heat exchange element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of the first refrigerant interface and the second refrigerant interface provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] The text annotations in the figure represent:

[0023] 1. Vehicle-end water pump; 2. Battery; 3. Cooling element; 4. First expansion valve; 5. Second expansion valve; 6. Heat exchange element; 61. First external water inlet; 62. Second external water inlet; 63. First refrigerant interface; 64. Second refrigerant interface; 7. Condensing element; 8. Compressor; 9. External cold source; 10. External water pump; 11. Evaporator; 12. Power circuit; 13. First heat exchange circuit; 14. Second heat exchange circuit; 15. Third heat exchange circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for the purpose of explaining the relevant invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only portions relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0025] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] As mentioned in the background technology, in order to solve the problems in the prior art, this application proposes a thermal management system that can be connected to an external cooling source. Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, it includes: a power circuit 12, the power circuit 12 includes at least a power battery 2, and a vehicle coolant for cooling the power battery 2 circulates in the power circuit 12;

[0028] Specifically, the power circuit 12 also includes a vehicle-end water pump 1 and a vehicle-end water tank for containing the vehicle coolant. The vehicle-end water pump 1 provides driving force for the circulation of the vehicle coolant in the power circuit 12. The vehicle coolant flows in the power circuit 12 and absorbs the heat generated by the power battery 2 through heat exchange with the power battery 2, thereby cooling the power battery 2.

[0029] a first heat exchange circuit 13, wherein a refrigerant for cooling the coolant in the vehicle circulates in the first heat exchange circuit 13, and the first heat exchange circuit 13 is formed by sequentially connecting a compressor 8, a condensing assembly, and a cooling element 3; the output end of the compressor 8 is connected to the input end of the condensing assembly, the output end of the condensing assembly is connected to the first input end of the cooling element 3, and the first output end of the cooling element 3 is connected to the input end of the compressor 8;

[0030] In which, the condensation component includes a condensation element 7 and a heat exchange element 6, the heat exchange element 6 includes a first channel and a second channel, the first channel is part of the first heat exchange circuit 13, the second channel is isolated from the first heat exchange circuit 13, the second channel can be connected to the second heat exchange circuit 14 connected to the external cold source 9, the external cold source 9 is used to provide an external coolant circulating in the second heat exchange circuit 14, and the external coolant is used to cool the refrigerant flowing through the first channel.

[0031] Specifically, the first heat exchange circuit 13 of the traditional vehicle cooling system is that the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 enters the condensing element 7. The condensing element 7 is generally installed in a well-ventilated location such as the front of the car. In the condensing element 7, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is gradually cooled by heat exchange with the outside air. However, as the current vehicle charging power is getting higher and higher, the cooling demand for the battery 2 is also rising. The on-board cooling system cannot adapt to the cooling demand of the power battery 2 under certain special working conditions. In addition, if the cooling relies solely on the condensing element 7, once the condensing element 7 fails or its performance deteriorates, the effect of the entire cooling system will be greatly reduced. Based on this, this solution is proposed.

[0032] Specifically, the cooling element 3 also has a second input end and a second output end, which are used to connect the cooling element 3 to the power circuit 12, the second input end is connected to the power battery 2, and the second output end is connected to the vehicle-end water pump 1. In this solution, refrigerant circulates in the first heat exchange circuit 13, and the compressor 8 compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which is then output to the heat exchange component. When charging the power battery 2, if the power battery 2 is manually determined to be within the normal temperature range (a temperature that can be fully cooled by the on-board cooling system), the second channel of the heat exchange element 6 does not need to be connected to the external cold source 9. In this case, the refrigerant flows only through the first channel in the heat exchange element 6, relying on the cooling capacity of the condensing element 7 and the first heat exchange circuit 13 to reduce the temperature. However, if it is determined that the power battery 2 is above the normal temperature range (a temperature that cannot be cooled by the on-board cooling system alone), the second channel is manually connected to the external cold source 9 (which can be a garage water tank or a charging station water tank), and external coolant (water in the low-temperature water tank) circulates in the second heat exchange circuit 14. At this time, an external water pump 10 is required to circulate the external coolant, further reducing the temperature of the refrigerant through heat exchange with the refrigerant in the first channel of the heat exchange element 6. The cooled refrigerant enters cooling element 3, where it exchanges heat with the vehicle's coolant, lowering the temperature of the coolant and further cooling the power battery 2. The refrigerant in cooling element 3 absorbs heat and becomes low-pressure gas, which then returns to the input of compressor 8, completing a cycle.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the first heat exchange circuit 13 is formed by connecting the compressor 8, the heat exchange element 6, the condensing element 7 and the cooling element 3 in sequence, the input end of the first channel of the heat exchange element 6 is the input end of the condensing component, and the output end of the condensing element 7 is the output end of the condensing component.

[0034] Specifically, refer to Figure 1The first heat exchange circuit 13 can be sequentially connected by a compressor 8, a heat exchange element 6, a condensing element 7, and a cooling element 3. In this process, after exiting the compressor 8, the refrigerant first enters the first channel input of the heat exchange element 6 (which serves as the input of the condensing assembly). This means that the refrigerant first passes through the heat exchange element 6, where it undergoes a preliminary heat exchange with an external cooling source 9 (if connected). The refrigerant then enters the condensing element 7, where it undergoes a further phase transition from gas to liquid and releases heat. Finally, it enters the cooling element 3, where it exchanges heat with the vehicle's internal coolant, cooling it and, in turn, the power battery 2.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, reference Figure 2 The first heat exchange circuit 13 is formed by connecting the compressor 8, the condensing element 7, the heat exchange element 6 and the cooling element 3 in sequence. The output end of the first channel of the heat exchange element 6 is the output end of the condensing component, and the input end of the condensing element 7 is the input end of the condensing component.

[0036] The advantage of this embodiment is that the refrigerant passes through the heat exchange element 6 before entering the condensing element 7. In some cases, if the temperature of the external cooling source 9 is low enough or the heat exchange conditions are good, the refrigerant temperature may be reduced at the heat exchange element 6, reducing the workload of the subsequent condensing element 7.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling element 3 includes a third channel and a fourth channel, the third channel is connected to the power circuit 12, the fourth channel is part of the first heat exchange circuit 13, the input end of the fourth channel is the first input end of the cooling element 3, and the output end of the fourth channel is the first output end of the cooling element 3.

[0038] Specifically, the first heat exchange circuit 13 can also be sequentially connected by a compressor 8, a condensing element 7, a heat exchange element 6, and a cooling element 3. After exiting the compressor 8, the refrigerant first enters the condensing element 7, where it undergoes the primary condensation process, transforming from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas into a liquid state and releasing a large amount of heat. The refrigerant then enters the first channel output end of the heat exchange element 6 (which serves as the output end of the condensing assembly). If an external cooling source 9 is connected, the heat exchange element 6 can use this to further adjust the refrigerant's temperature. Finally, the refrigerant enters the cooling element 3, completing the cooling of the vehicle's internal coolant.

[0039] This embodiment conforms to the design principles of traditional air conditioning systems. Condensation element 7 first converts the refrigerant from gas to liquid, a critical heat release process. Further temperature adjustment is then performed using external cooling source 9 via heat exchange element 6. This approach is more beneficial to system stability, as the condensation process is a relatively common and established refrigeration step in air conditioning.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, a third heat exchange circuit 15 is further included. The third heat exchange circuit 15 is formed by sequentially connecting the compressor 8 in the first heat exchange circuit 13, the condensing component, and the evaporator 11 that is not in the first heat exchange circuit 13.

[0041] Specifically, the output end of the compressor 8 is connected to the input end of the condensing component, the output end of the condensing component is connected to the input end of the evaporator 11, and the output end of the evaporator 11 is then connected back to the input end of the compressor 8, forming a complete circulation loop, which is the third heat exchange loop 15. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant output from the condensing component flows into the evaporator 11. The evaporator 11 is usually located in a specific area that needs to be cooled, such as the interior space of the vehicle or the heat dissipation part of other specific equipment. In the evaporator 11, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding environment and quickly evaporates into a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, thereby cooling the specific area. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows out of the evaporator 11 and is sucked in by the compressor 8 again to start the next round of circulation.

[0042] Furthermore, if the first heat exchange circuit 13 fails or its performance degrades, the third heat exchange circuit 15 can continue to provide some cooling to a certain extent, ensuring basic system operation. The design of multiple heat exchange circuits also increases the redundancy of the thermal management system, improving the reliability and stability of the system and reducing the risk of failure of the entire thermal management system due to a single circuit failure.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the heat exchange element 6 includes a first refrigerant interface 63 and a second refrigerant interface 64 , and the first refrigerant interface 63 and the second refrigerant interface 64 are connected through the first channel.

[0044] Specifically, heat exchange element 6 is a heat exchanger that, in this embodiment, functions as a water-cooled condenser. During operation of the thermal management system, refrigerant from the first heat exchange circuit 13 enters the first channel of heat exchange element 6 through the first refrigerant port 63. As the refrigerant flows through the first channel, it exchanges heat with external coolant (if an external cooling source 9 is connected) flowing through the second channel, thereby achieving cooling. After heat exchange, the refrigerant exits the second refrigerant port 64 and continues to flow through the first heat exchange circuit 13, proceeding to the next component (such as condensing element 7 or cooling element 3).

[0045] Furthermore, in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency, some special structures, such as fins or spoilers, can be provided in the first channel to increase the heat exchange area and heat exchange effect between the refrigerant and the external coolant.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange element 6 includes a first external water inlet 61 and a second external water inlet 62 , and the first external water inlet 61 and the second external water inlet 62 are connected through the second channel.

[0047] Furthermore, the first external water inlet 61 and the second external water inlet 62 are both quick-connect connectors.

[0048] Specifically, the first external water inlet 61 and the second external water inlet 62 are also designed at appropriate locations on the heat exchange element 6 to connect to the second heat exchange circuit 14 of the external cooling source 9. External coolant can flow between the two external water inlets through the second channel. A quick-connect connector design facilitates rapid connection and disconnection of the external cooling source 9. The quick-connect connector should have good sealing and pressure resistance to ensure that coolant leakage does not occur during operation. Protective measures such as dust covers or sealing sleeves can also be provided for the quick-connect connector to prevent dust, impurities, etc. from entering the connector and affecting the reliability of the connection.

[0049] Furthermore, to improve heat exchange efficiency, the design of the second channel can be optimized to increase the contact area and heat exchange time between the external coolant and the refrigerant. For example, a spiral channel design can be adopted or the channel length can be increased.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the first heat exchange circuit 13 includes a first expansion valve 4 between the condensing component and the cooling element 3 , and the third heat exchange circuit 15 includes a second expansion valve 5 between the condensing component and the evaporator 11 .

[0051] Specifically, the presence of the first expansion valve 4 and the second expansion valve 5 enables the thermal management system to more precisely control temperature. By monitoring the power battery 2 temperature in real time, the opening of the first expansion valve 4 is automatically adjusted. By monitoring the temperature of specific areas in real time, the system can automatically adjust the opening of the second expansion valve 5, achieving dynamic regulation of cooling capacity. The first expansion valve 4 is not connected to the third heat exchange circuit 15, and the second expansion valve 5 is not connected to the first heat exchange circuit 13.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] Based on Example 1, this embodiment provides a vehicle equipped with a thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source as described in Example 1.

[0054] Specifically, under normal operating conditions, the thermal management system automatically adjusts its operating mode based on the temperature of the power battery 2 and the vehicle's operating status. If the power battery 2 temperature is within the normal range, the thermal management system can rely on its own first heat exchange circuit 13 for cooling. After the compressor 8 compresses the refrigerant, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the vehicle's internal coolant in the heat exchange assembly, lowering the coolant's temperature and thus cooling the power battery 2. At this time, if the vehicle's air conditioning system is also operating, the third heat exchange circuit 15 can provide cooling to the vehicle interior, enhancing passenger comfort. The first expansion valve 4 and the second expansion valve 5 automatically adjust the refrigerant flow and pressure based on the needs of their respective circuits to achieve optimal cooling. Under unusual operating conditions, such as driving in a high-temperature environment, when the cooling system of an older vehicle is degraded, or when the air conditioning is running in the passenger compartment while charging, the thermal management system can connect to an external cooling source 9. By connecting the second channel of the heat exchange element 6 to the second heat exchange circuit 14 of the external cooling source 9, the external coolant can cool the refrigerant in the first heat exchange circuit 13, enhancing the cooling effect. In this case, the first expansion valve 4 can further adjust the refrigerant flow rate based on the access to the external cooling source 9 and the temperature changes of the power battery 2, ensuring that the power battery 2 always remains within the appropriate operating temperature range. Simultaneously, the third heat exchange circuit 15 can also be adjusted accordingly based on the required interior temperature to ensure passenger comfort.

[0055] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core ideas of this application. The above is only the preferred implementation method of this application. It should be pointed out that due to the limitations of textual expression, there are objectively infinite specific structures. For ordinary technicians in this technical field, without departing from the principles of the present invention, they can also make several improvements, modifications or changes, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner; these improvements, modifications, changes or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other occasions without improvement, should be regarded as the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source, characterized in that: include: A power circuit (12), the power circuit (12) comprising at least a power battery (2), wherein a vehicle-mounted coolant for cooling the power battery (2) circulates in the power circuit (12); a first heat exchange circuit (13), wherein a refrigerant for cooling the coolant in the vehicle circulates in the first heat exchange circuit (13), and the first heat exchange circuit (13) is formed by sequentially connecting a compressor (8), a condensing assembly, and a cooling element (3); the output end of the compressor (8) is connected to the input end of the condensing assembly, the output end of the condensing assembly is connected to the first input end of the cooling element (3), and the first output end of the cooling element (3) is connected to the input end of the compressor (8); The condensation assembly includes a condensation element (7) and a heat exchange element (6), the heat exchange element (6) includes a first channel and a second channel, the first channel is a part of the first heat exchange circuit (13), the second channel is isolated from the first heat exchange circuit (13), and the second channel can be connected to a second heat exchange circuit (14) connected to an external cold source (9), the external cold source (9) is used to provide an external coolant circulating in the second heat exchange circuit (14), and the external coolant is used to cool the refrigerant flowing through the first channel.

2. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange circuit (13) is formed by sequentially connecting the compressor (8), the heat exchange element (6), the condensing element (7) and the cooling element (3), the input end of the first channel of the heat exchange element (6) is the input end of the condensing component, and the output end of the condensing element (7) is the output end of the condensing component.

3. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange circuit (13) is formed by sequentially connecting the compressor (8), the condensing element (7), the heat exchange element (6) and the cooling element (3); the output end of the first channel of the heat exchange element (6) is the output end of the condensing component, and the input end of the condensing element (7) is the input end of the condensing component.

4. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling element (3) includes a third channel and a fourth channel, the third channel is connected to the power circuit (12), the fourth channel is part of the first heat exchange circuit (13), the input end of the fourth channel is the first input end of the cooling element (3), and the output end of the fourth channel is the first output end of the cooling element (3).

5. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also includes a third heat exchange circuit (15), wherein the third heat exchange circuit (15) is formed by sequentially connecting the compressor (8) in the first heat exchange circuit (13), the condensing component, and the evaporator (11) not in the first heat exchange circuit (13).

6. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange element (6) comprises a first refrigerant interface (63) and a second refrigerant interface (64), and the first refrigerant interface (63) and the second refrigerant interface (64) are connected through the first channel.

7. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange element (6) comprises a first external water inlet (61) and a second external water inlet (62), and the first external water inlet (61) and the second external water inlet (62) are connected through the second channel.

8. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first external water inlet (61) and the second external water inlet (62) are both quick-connect connectors.

9. The thermal management system capable of connecting to an external cooling source according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first heat exchange circuit (13) includes a first expansion valve (4) between the condensing component and the cooling element (3), and the third heat exchange circuit (15) includes a second expansion valve (5) between the condensing component and the evaporator (11).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: A thermal management system capable of being connected to an external cooling source as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is provided.

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