Thermal guarantee device, electric energy equipment and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a heat guarantee device, electric energy equipment and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of rail transit air conditioners, a liquid cooling branch of the heat guarantee device comprises a water return sub-branch, a water outlet sub-branch, a second heating branch and one or more first heating branches, and the second heating branch and the one or more first heating branches are arranged in parallel; each first heating branch is provided with a first heater; the second heating branch is provided with a second heater and a flow adjusting part; wherein the heating power of the first heater is Q1, and Q1 is a non-negative number; the heating power of the second heater is Q2, and Q2 is a non-negative number; the number of the first heating branches is N, and N is a natural number greater than 0; the heating power of the heat guarantee device can be adjusted in a stepless mode in the range of {kQ2 + NQ1k belongs to [0, 1]}, and k is the adjusting range of the flow adjusting piece. According to the heat guarantee device, stepless adjustment of the heating power is achieved, the problem that in the prior art, the temperature of cooling liquid is difficult to flexibly adjust through a single high-power electric heater is effectively solved, and therefore the stability and adaptability of temperature control are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of rail transit air conditioning technology, and in particular to a thermal protection device, electrical equipment and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The efficient operation of thermal protection devices is crucial for ensuring equipment performance and safety. With technological advancements, various battery thermal protection devices are widely used in fields such as new energy vehicles to ensure that batteries operate within a suitable temperature range, thereby extending battery life and improving their performance.

[0003] Typically, these devices achieve battery temperature control through complex liquid cooling and refrigeration circuits. However, existing thermal protection devices have certain limitations in terms of electric heating design.

[0004] In the process of realizing this utility model, the inventors discovered that the prior art has at least the following problems: At present, in the liquid cooling circuit of the conventional new energy vehicle power battery thermal protection device, the electric heater generally adopts a single high-power design, which makes it difficult to flexibly adjust the temperature of the coolant according to actual needs, resulting in insufficient temperature regulation. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a thermal protection device that enables stepless adjustment of heating power, effectively improving the problem of difficulty in flexibly adjusting coolant temperature in existing technologies using a single high-power electric heater, thereby enhancing the stability and adaptability of temperature control. Another purpose of this application is to provide an electrical energy device and a vehicle.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a thermal protection device, including a liquid-cooled branch for circulating coolant; the liquid-cooled branch includes:

[0007] The return water sub-branch and the outlet water sub-branch; and the sub-branch connected in parallel between the return water sub-branch and the outlet water sub-branch:

[0008] One or more first heating branches, each of which is provided with a first heater;

[0009] The second heating branch is equipped with a second heater and a flow regulator, and the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the second heater is regulated by the flow regulator.

[0010] Wherein, the heating power of the first heater is Q1, and Q1 is a non-negative number;

[0011] The heating power of the second heater is Q2, where Q2 is a non-negative number;

[0012] The number of the first heating branches is N, where N is a natural number greater than 0;

[0013] The heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}, where k is the adjustment range of the flow regulating component.

[0014] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device further includes a main outlet water line connected to the outlet water sub-branch, and the main outlet water line is equipped with an outlet water temperature sensor;

[0015] The opening and closing degree of the flow regulating component is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the outlet water temperature sensor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heating power Q1 of the first heater and the heating power Q2 of the second heater are both equal to Q, where Q is a non-negative number;

[0017] The heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {(k+N)Q|k∈[0,1]}.

[0018] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device further includes a dry cooling branch, which is connected in parallel with the liquid cooling branch and is connected to a dry cooler.

[0019] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device further includes a heat exchanger, which has a refrigerant channel and a coolant channel for heat exchange. The refrigerant channel is connected to a refrigeration circuit, and the coolant channel is connected to the liquid cooling branch.

[0020] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device further includes a return water main line and an outlet water main line, the return water main line being connected to a first parallel node of the liquid cooling branch and the dry cooling branch, and the outlet water main line being connected to a second parallel node of the liquid cooling branch and the dry cooling branch;

[0021] The main return water line is equipped with a return water temperature sensor, the main outlet water line is equipped with an outlet water temperature sensor, the liquid cooling branch line is equipped with a first control valve, and the dry cooling branch line is equipped with a second control valve.

[0022] When the thermal protection device is in normal cooling mode, the cooling circuit is working, the first control valve is open, and the second control valve is closed;

[0023] When the thermal protection device is in normal heating mode, the refrigeration circuit stops working, the first control valve opens, and the second control valve closes.

[0024] When the thermal protection device is in energy-saving mode, the refrigeration circuit stops working, the first control valve opens, the second control valve opens, and the opening and closing degree of the first control valve and the second control valve is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor and the outlet water temperature sensor.

[0025] When the thermal protection device is in the mixed mode, the refrigeration circuit is working, the first control valve is open, the second control valve is open, and the opening and closing degree of the first control valve and the second control valve is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor and the outlet water temperature sensor.

[0026] In some embodiments, the refrigeration circuit is connected to one or more first heat exchange structures, and the dry cooler includes one or more second heat exchange structures and a refrigeration fan.

[0027] The first heat exchange structure and the second heat exchange structure share the refrigeration fan.

[0028] In some embodiments, the plurality of first heat exchange structures are arranged in parallel, and the plurality of second heat exchange structures are arranged in parallel.

[0029] This application also provides an electrical power device, including the aforementioned thermal protection device.

[0030] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned electrical power equipment.

[0031] Compared to existing technologies, the thermal protection device provided in this application mainly includes a liquid cooling branch for circulating coolant; the liquid cooling branch includes a return water sub-branch and an outlet water sub-branch, as well as one or more first heating branches and second heating branches connected in parallel between the return water sub-branch and the outlet water sub-branch; each first heating branch is provided with a first heater; the second heating branch is provided with a second heater and a flow regulator, and the flow rate of coolant flowing through the second heater is adjusted by the flow regulator; wherein, the heating power of the first heater is Q1, where Q1 is a non-negative number; the heating power of the second heater is Q2, where Q2 is a non-negative number; the number of first heating branches is N, where N is a natural number greater than 0; the heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}, where k is the adjustment range of the flow regulator.

[0032] In existing technologies, the liquid cooling circuit of the thermal protection device for the power battery of new energy locomotives typically uses a single high-power electric heater for heating. While this design can meet the heating requirements to a certain extent, its fixed heating power cannot be flexibly adjusted according to actual operating conditions, resulting in unstable coolant temperature regulation and difficulty in precisely controlling it within the ideal temperature range required by the battery. Furthermore, a single high-power electric heater is prone to overheating or underheating when faced with different ambient temperatures and battery load variations, thereby affecting battery performance and lifespan.

[0033] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes an improved design for a thermal protection device. The core of this device lies in the innovative design of the liquid cooling branch, which includes a return water sub-branch and an outlet water sub-branch, with one or more first heating branches and second heating branches connected in parallel between them. Each first heating branch is equipped with a first heater with a heating power of Q1; while the second heating branch is equipped with a second heater and a flow regulator. The flow regulator allows for flexible adjustment of the coolant flow through the second heater, whose heating power is Q2. Here, Q1 and Q2 are both non-negative numbers, and the number of first heating branches is N, where N is a natural number greater than 0. The key to this design is that, through the reasonable configuration of multiple heating branches and their heating powers, the total heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}.

[0034] Specifically, when the required heating amount of the coolant is small, the flow regulator can be adjusted to allow some coolant to flow through the second heating branch, utilizing the heating power Q2 of the second heater for heating. At this time, the first heating branch can be partially or completely shut off. Through precise control of the flow regulator, the flow rate of the coolant in the second heating branch can be adjusted, thereby achieving continuous adjustment of the heating power between 0 and Q2. When the required heating amount of the coolant further increases, the first heater in the first heating branch can be gradually turned on, utilizing its heating power Q1 for heating. Since the number of first heating branches is N, the heating power can be adjusted within the range of NQ1 by turning on different numbers of first heaters. Finally, by combining the heating power of the first and second heating branches, the total heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}.

[0035] This stepless adjustment design allows the thermal protection device to flexibly adjust the heating power according to actual operating conditions, precisely controlling the coolant temperature. This effectively improves upon the problem of existing technologies where a single high-power electric heater struggles to flexibly adjust the coolant temperature. In this way, the thermal protection device can better adapt to different ambient temperatures and battery load variations, ensuring the coolant remains stable within the ideal temperature range required by the battery. This improves the stability and adaptability of temperature control, providing a more stable and reliable working environment for the power batteries of new energy vehicles.

[0036] Based on the above structural and process descriptions, it can be seen that the thermal protection device has at least the following beneficial effects: The thermal protection device realizes stepless adjustment of heating power, effectively improving the problem that it is difficult to flexibly adjust the coolant temperature of a single high-power electric heater in the prior art, thereby improving the stability and adaptability of temperature control. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the thermal protection device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the liquid cooling circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the liquid cooling branch provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another thermal protection device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0042] in:

[0043] Thermal protection device 100

[0044] Refrigeration circuit 1

[0045] Liquid cooling circuit 2, liquid cooling branch 201, heater branch 2011, first heating branch 20111, second heating branch 20112, return water sub-branch 2012, outlet water sub-branch 2013, dry cooling branch 202, return water main line 203, outlet water main line 204.

[0046] Heat exchanger 3, refrigerant flow channel 301, coolant flow channel 302,

[0047] Dry cooler 4, second heat exchange structure 401, refrigeration fan 402,

[0048] 5. Return water temperature sensor

[0049] Water outlet temperature sensor 6

[0050] First control valve 7

[0051] Second control valve 8

[0052] Heater 9, First heater 901, Second heater 902, Flow regulator 903

[0053] First heat exchange structure 10

[0054] Compressor 11

[0055] Gas-liquid separator 12

[0056] Low-pressure sensor 13

[0057] Inhalation temperature sensor 14

[0058] First fluoride nozzle 15

[0059] One-way valve 16

[0060] Exhaust temperature sensor 17

[0061] Second fluoride nozzle 18

[0062] High pressure sensor 19

[0063] High pressure switch 20

[0064] Third fluoride nozzle 21

[0065] Filter 22

[0066] Sight glass 23

[0067] Electronic expansion valve 24

[0068] Circulating pump 25

[0069] Automatic air vent valve 26

[0070] Expansion tank 27

[0071] Liquid injection port 28.

[0072] Return water pressure sensor 29

[0073] Impurity filter 30

[0074] Drainage port 31.

[0075] Water pressure sensor 32. Detailed Implementation

[0076] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0077] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0078] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 ,in, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal protection device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling circuit provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling branch provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0079] like Figure 1 As shown, the thermal protection device 100 mainly includes a refrigeration circuit 1, a liquid cooling circuit 2, and a heat exchanger 3. The thermal protection device 100 achieves precise control of the coolant temperature through the synergistic effect of the refrigeration circuit 1, the liquid cooling circuit 2, and the heat exchanger 3. Specifically, the refrigeration circuit 1 is a compression refrigeration circuit.

[0080] Refrigeration circuit 1 provides refrigeration by transferring heat through refrigerant circulation; liquid cooling circuit 2 circulates coolant to provide stable temperature control for the equipment requiring cooling; heat exchanger 3 acts as a bridge between the two, facilitating heat exchange between the refrigerant and coolant, thereby ensuring that the coolant maintains a suitable temperature in liquid cooling circuit 2. This structure allows the thermal protection device 100 to flexibly adjust the coolant temperature under different operating conditions, meeting the thermal management needs of the equipment.

[0081] In some cases, the two ends of the liquid cooling circuit 2 are connected to two interfaces of the battery cabinet. The battery cabinet, for example, is the power battery cabinet of a new energy vehicle.

[0082] like Figure 2As shown, the liquid cooling circuit 2 includes a liquid cooling branch 201, which includes a heater branch 2011, a return water sub-branch 2012, and an outlet water sub-branch 2013. The heater branch 2011 is connected in parallel between the return water sub-branch 2012 and the outlet water sub-branch 2013. The heater branch 2011 is divided into a first heating branch 20111 and a second heating branch 20112 depending on the component configuration. A heater 9 is installed in the heater branch 2011. The first heating branch 20111 is equipped with a first heater 901, and the second heating branch 20112 is equipped with a second heater 902 and a flow regulator 903.

[0083] In a first specific embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 provided in this application mainly includes a liquid cooling branch 201 for circulating coolant; the liquid cooling branch 201 includes a return water sub-branch 2012 and an outlet water sub-branch 2013, and one or more first heating branches 20111 and second heating branches 20112 connected in parallel between the return water sub-branch 2012 and the outlet water sub-branch 2013; each first heating branch 20111 is provided with a first heater 901; the second heating branch 20112 is provided with a second heater. The device 902 and the flow regulator 903 regulate the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the second heater 902. The heating power of the first heater 901 is Q1, where Q1 is a non-negative number; the heating power of the second heater 902 is Q2, where Q2 is a non-negative number; the number of first heating branches 20111 is N, where N is a natural number greater than 0; the heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}, where k is the adjustment range of the flow regulator 903.

[0084] When in use, the coolant enters the liquid cooling branch 201, first enters the return water sub-branch 2012, then splits into the first heating branch 20111 and the second heating branch 20112 of the heater branch 2011, and finally merges into the outlet water sub-branch 2013.

[0085] In existing technologies, the liquid cooling circuit 2 of the thermal protection device for the power battery of new energy locomotives typically uses a single high-power electric heater for heating. While this design can meet the heating requirements to a certain extent, its fixed heating power cannot be flexibly adjusted according to actual operating conditions, resulting in unstable coolant temperature regulation and difficulty in precisely controlling it within the ideal temperature range required by the battery. Furthermore, a single high-power electric heater is prone to overheating or underheating when faced with different ambient temperatures and battery load variations, thereby affecting battery performance and lifespan.

[0086] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes an improved design for a thermal protection device 100. The core of this device lies in the innovative design of the liquid cooling branch 201, which includes a return water sub-branch 2012 and an outlet water sub-branch 2013. One or more first heating branches 20111 and second heating branches 20112 are connected in parallel between these two. Each first heating branch 20111 is equipped with a first heater 901, with a heating power of Q1. The second heating branch 20112 is equipped with a second heater 902 and a flow regulator 903. The flow regulator 903 allows for flexible adjustment of the coolant flow through the second heater 902, which has a heating power of Q2. Wherein, Q1 and Q2 are both non-negative numbers, and the number of first heating branches 20111 is N, where N is a natural number greater than 0. The key to this design is that, by rationally configuring multiple heating branches and their heating power, the total heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}.

[0087] Specifically, when the required heating amount of the coolant is small, the flow regulator 903 can be adjusted to allow some coolant to flow through the second heating branch 20112, where it is heated using the heating power Q2 of the second heater 902. At this time, the first heating branch 20111 can be partially or completely shut off. Through precise control of the flow regulator 903, the flow rate of the coolant in the second heating branch 20112 can be adjusted, thereby achieving continuous adjustment of the heating power between 0 and Q2. When the required heating amount of the coolant further increases, the first heater 901 in the first heating branch 20111 can be gradually turned on, utilizing its heating power Q1 for heating. Since the number of first heating branches 20111 is N, the heating power can be adjusted within the range of NQ1 by turning on different numbers of first heaters 901. Finally, by combining the heating power of the first heating branch 20111 and the second heating branch 20112, the total heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be infinitely adjusted within the range {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}.

[0088] This stepless adjustment design allows the thermal protection device 100 to flexibly adjust the heating power according to actual operating conditions and precisely control the coolant temperature, effectively improving the problem of the difficulty in flexibly adjusting the coolant temperature of a single high-power electric heater in existing technologies. In this way, the thermal protection device 100 can better adapt to different ambient temperatures and battery load changes, ensuring that the coolant remains stable within the ideal temperature range required by the battery, thereby improving the stability and adaptability of temperature control and providing a more stable and reliable working environment for the power battery of new energy vehicles.

[0089] Based on the above structural and process descriptions, it can be seen that the thermal protection device 100 has at least the following beneficial effects: The thermal protection device 100 realizes stepless adjustment of heating power, effectively improving the problem that it is difficult to flexibly adjust the coolant temperature of a single high-power electric heater in the prior art, thereby improving the stability and adaptability of temperature control.

[0090] In some cases, the liquid cooling branch 201 is shipped without coolant. Of course, it can also be filled with coolant after leaving the factory, which should also fall within the scope of this embodiment. In addition, the "heating power" in this embodiment does not refer to the rated power of the heater 9, but to the working power of the heater 9 when it is working, such as the power in the shutdown state or the power in the running state. This embodiment does not limit the specific working state, and the heating power is not a calibrated value like the rated power.

[0091] In some cases, taking the flow regulating element 903 as a valve structure as an example, the adjustment range k of the flow regulating element 903 corresponds to the opening degree of the valve structure. The opening degree range of k∈[0,1] reflects the adjustment range of the flow regulating element 903 on the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the second heater 902.

[0092] In some cases, when the number of heater branches 2011 is 2, the number N of the first heating branch 20111 is 1, and the power of the first heating branch 20111 can switch between 0 and Q1. The number of the second heating branch 20112 is 1, and the power of the second heating branch 20112 can be infinitely adjusted between 0 and Q2. Therefore: when the first heating branch 20111 is not started, the total heating power can be infinitely adjusted between 0 and Q2, which is suitable for flexible scenarios with low power demand; when the first heating branch 20111 is started, the total heating power can be infinitely adjusted between Q1 and Q1+Q2, which is suitable for flexible scenarios with high power demand.

[0093] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling circuit 2 includes a liquid cooling branch 201, a return water main 203, and an outlet water main 204.

[0094] In some cases, the return water main line 203 is connected to the first interface of the battery cabinet, and the outlet water main line 204 is connected to the second interface of the battery cabinet.

[0095] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device 100 further includes a main outlet water line 204 connected to the outlet water sub-branch 2013, and the main outlet water line 204 is provided with an outlet water temperature sensor 6; the opening and closing degree of the flow regulating component 903 is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the outlet water temperature sensor 6.

[0096] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further optimizes its temperature control function by installing an outlet water temperature sensor 6 on the main outlet water line 204 connected to the outlet water sub-branch 2013, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of the coolant outlet water temperature. This improvement allows the thermal protection device 100 to more accurately control the coolant temperature to meet the temperature requirements of different application scenarios.

[0097] As a key component for temperature monitoring, the outlet water temperature sensor 6 can detect the temperature of the coolant in the main outlet water channel 204 in real time and feed the detected temperature signal back to the control system of the thermal protection device 100. Based on the detection results of the outlet water temperature sensor 6, the control system adjusts the opening and closing degree of the flow regulator 903. The adjustment function of the flow regulator 903 is reflected in the precise control of the coolant flow rate through the second heating branch 20112, thereby indirectly affecting the heating power of the second heater 902. In this way, the thermal protection device 100 can dynamically adjust the heating power according to changes in the outlet water temperature, ensuring that the coolant temperature remains stable within the set range.

[0098] Furthermore, this regulation mechanism based on outlet water temperature feedback not only improves the accuracy of temperature control but also enhances the adaptability and flexibility of the thermal protection device 100. In practical applications, the temperature requirements of the coolant may vary due to environmental conditions, load changes, and other factors. Through the synergistic effect of the outlet water temperature sensor 6 and the flow regulator 903, the thermal protection device 100 can quickly respond to these changes, achieving real-time regulation of the coolant temperature, thereby providing more stable and reliable thermal management support for the equipment.

[0099] In some embodiments, the heating power Q1 of the first heater 901 and the heating power Q2 of the second heater 902 are both equal to Q, where Q is a non-negative number; the heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {(k+N)Q|k∈[0,1]}.

[0100] In this embodiment, the heating system of the thermal protection device 100 has been further optimized to achieve more flexible and efficient heating power adjustment. Specifically, the heating power Q1 of the first heater 901 and the heating power Q2 of the second heater 902 are both set to the same value Q, where Q is a non-negative number. This design simplifies the management of heating power and provides a basis for stepless adjustment of heating power.

[0101] Since the heating power of both the first heater 901 and the second heater 902 is Q, the total heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be infinitely adjusted by regulating the operating status of the two heaters. Specifically, the adjustment range of the heating power can be expressed as {(k+N)Q|k∈[0,1]}. Wherein, k is the adjustment coefficient of the flow regulating element 903 in the second heating branch 20112, representing the proportion of the actual heating power of the second heater 902 to its maximum heating power Q; N is the number of first heating branches 20111, and the heating power of each first heating branch 20111 is Q.

[0102] When the flow regulator 903 of the second heating branch 20112 is completely closed, i.e., k=0, the heating power of the thermal protection device 100 is mainly provided by the first heating branch 20111, and its total heating power is NQ. As the flow regulator 903 gradually opens, the second heater 902 starts to work, and its heating power gradually increases from 0 to Q. At this time, the total heating power of the thermal protection device 100 varies between NQ and (N+1)Q. When the flow regulator 903 is fully open, i.e., k=1, the second heater 902 operates at its maximum power Q, and the total heating power of the thermal protection device 100 reaches its maximum value of (N+1)Q.

[0103] This design enables the thermal protection device 100 to achieve stepless adjustment over a wider range of heating power, thereby better adapting to temperature requirements under different operating conditions. By precisely controlling the opening degree of the flow regulator 903 and the number of activated first heating branches 20111, the thermal protection device 100 can flexibly adjust the temperature of the coolant to ensure that it is always within a suitable range, further improving the performance and reliability of the thermal protection device 100.

[0104] In some cases, continuing with the embodiment where the number of heater branches 2011 is 2, when the number of heater branches 2011 is 2, the number N of the first heating branch 20111 is 1, and the power of the first heating branch 20111 can switch between 0 and Q. The number of the second heating branch 20112 is 1, and the power of the second heating branch 20112 can be infinitely adjusted between 0 and Q. Therefore: when the first heating branch 20111 is not started, the total heating power can be infinitely adjusted between 0 and Q, which is suitable for flexible scenarios with low power requirements; when the first heating branch 20111 is started, the total heating power can be infinitely adjusted between Q and 2Q, which is suitable for flexible scenarios with high power requirements.

[0105] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling circuit 2 includes a liquid cooling branch 201, a dry cooling branch 202, a return water main 203, and an outlet water main 204.

[0106] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device 100 further includes a dry cooling branch 202, which is connected in parallel with the liquid cooling branch 201, and the dry cooling branch 202 is connected to a dry cooler 4.

[0107] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further expands its functionality by introducing a dry cooling branch 202, which is connected in parallel with the liquid cooling branch 201, providing more flow direction options and functional options for the coolant. The dry cooling branch 202 is connected to the dry cooler 4, and together with the liquid cooling branch 201, they constitute the core part of the thermal protection device 100. The two work together to meet the thermal protection needs under different operating conditions, including both cooling and heating.

[0108] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device 100 further includes a heat exchanger 3, which is provided with a refrigerant flow channel 301 and a coolant flow channel 302 capable of heat exchange. The refrigerant flow channel 301 is connected to the refrigeration circuit 1, and the coolant flow channel 302 is connected to the liquid cooling branch 201.

[0109] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 3 is provided with a refrigerant flow channel 301 and a coolant flow channel 302 for heat exchange. The refrigeration circuit 1 is connected to the refrigerant flow channel 301, in which the refrigerant circulates to achieve a refrigeration cycle. The liquid cooling circuit 2 is connected to the coolant flow channel 302, in which the coolant circulates to absorb and dissipate heat.

[0110] The dry cooling branch 202 and the liquid cooling branch 201 are connected in parallel between the return water main line 203 and the outlet water main line 204. This design allows the coolant to choose different paths according to actual needs when flowing through the thermal protection device 100. For example, the liquid cooling branch 201 has both cooling and heating functions, and achieves precise regulation of the coolant temperature through components such as the heater branch 2011 and the heat exchanger 3. The dry cooling branch 202 mainly provides cooling, and achieves coolant cooling through the dry cooler 4.

[0111] In some cases, the refrigeration process of the liquid cooling branch 201 usually involves heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant, which may be accompanied by a phase change (such as the vaporization or liquefaction of the refrigerant), while the refrigeration process of the dry cooling branch 202 usually does not involve a phase change, and the cooling of the coolant is mainly achieved through heat exchange between the dry cooler 4 and the external environment.

[0112] The advantage of this parallel configuration is that the liquid cooling branch 201 and the dry cooling branch 202 can work independently or collaboratively depending on different operating conditions and needs. For example, when the ambient temperature is low, the dry cooling branch 202 can be used preferentially for cooling to save energy; while when the ambient temperature is high or rapid cooling is required, the liquid cooling branch 201 and the dry cooling branch 202 can work simultaneously to provide a stronger cooling effect. In addition, when the liquid cooling branch 201 needs to cool, the dry cooling branch 202 can serve as a backup path, ensuring more flexible and efficient temperature regulation of the coolant.

[0113] Through this design, the thermal protection device 100 can not only meet diverse temperature regulation needs, but also optimize energy utilization according to actual working conditions, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the system.

[0114] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device 100 further includes a return water main line 203 and an outlet water main line 204. The return water main line 203 is connected to a first parallel node of the liquid cooling branch line 201 and the dry cooling branch line 202, and the outlet water main line 204 is connected to a second parallel node of the liquid cooling branch line 201 and the dry cooling branch line 202. The return water main line 203 is provided with a return water temperature sensor 5, the outlet water main line 204 is provided with an outlet water temperature sensor 6, the liquid cooling branch line 201 is provided with a first control valve 7, and the dry cooling branch line 202 is provided with a second control valve 8.

[0115] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further optimizes its temperature regulation function. By introducing a return water main line 203 and an outlet water main line 204, and installing a return water temperature sensor 5 and an outlet water temperature sensor 6 on them respectively, and by installing a first control valve 7 and a second control valve 8 on the liquid cooling branch line 201 and the dry cooling branch line 202 respectively, precise control of the coolant temperature and flexible adjustment under different operating conditions are achieved. This design allows the system to select different operating modes according to actual needs, thereby optimizing energy utilization and improving the overall efficiency of the system.

[0116] When the thermal protection device 100 is in normal mode, both the refrigeration circuit 1 and the liquid cooling circuit 2 operate normally. At this time, the first control valve 7 is open, allowing coolant to flow through the liquid cooling branch 201, while the second control valve 8 is closed, and the dry cooling branch 202 does not participate in coolant circulation. This mode is suitable for operating conditions requiring a stable cooling effect from the refrigeration circuit 1, using the liquid cooling branch 201 to regulate the coolant temperature and ensure efficient system operation.

[0117] When the thermal protection device 100 is in energy-saving mode, the refrigeration circuit 1 stops working, while the liquid cooling circuit 2 continues to operate. At this time, both the first control valve 7 and the second control valve 8 are open, allowing coolant to be distributed between the liquid cooling branch 201 and the dry cooling branch 202. The opening degree of the first control valve 7 and the second control valve 8 is adjusted and controlled according to the temperatures detected by the return water temperature sensor 5 and the outlet water temperature sensor 6. This mode is suitable for operating conditions with low ambient temperatures or low cooling demands. By utilizing the low ambient temperature through the dry cooling branch 202, the coolant temperature is reduced, thereby saving energy and improving the system's economy.

[0118] When the thermal protection device 100 is in hybrid mode, the refrigeration circuit 1 and the liquid cooling circuit 2 operate simultaneously. At this time, both the first control valve 7 and the second control valve 8 are open, and the coolant is distributed between the liquid cooling branch 201 and the dry cooling branch 202. Similarly, the opening degree of the first control valve 7 and the second control valve 8 is adjusted and controlled according to the temperatures detected by the return water temperature sensor 5 and the outlet water temperature sensor 6. This mode is suitable for operating conditions requiring rapid cooling or where the ambient temperature changes significantly. Through the synergistic effect of the refrigeration circuit 1 and the dry cooling branch 202, rapid regulation of the coolant temperature is achieved, ensuring stable operation of the system under complex conditions.

[0119] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another thermal protection device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0120] In some embodiments, the refrigeration circuit 1 is connected to one or more first heat exchange structures 10, and the dry cooler 4 includes one or more second heat exchange structures 401 and a refrigeration fan 402; the first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401 share the refrigeration fan 402, that is, the two are arranged in the refrigeration space generated when the refrigeration fan 402 is working.

[0121] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further improves the system's cooling efficiency and energy utilization efficiency by optimizing the structure of the refrigeration circuit 1 and the dry cooler 4. The refrigeration circuit 1 is connected to one or more first heat exchange structures 10, while the dry cooler 4 includes one or more second heat exchange structures 401 and a cooling fan 402. The first heat exchange structures 10 and the second heat exchange structures 401 are arranged in the cooling space generated when the cooling fan 402 is working. This design allows the cooling fan 402 to simultaneously provide cooling airflow to the first heat exchange structures 10 and the second heat exchange structures 401, thereby achieving efficient heat exchange.

[0122] Specifically, the cooling fan 402 creates a cooling space during operation. The airflow within this space is cooled and used to lower the temperature of the first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401, transferring heat from the first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401 into the cooling space. Because the cooling airflow of the cooling fan 402 flows through both the first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401 simultaneously, it carries away the heat released by them, thereby achieving a highly efficient cooling process.

[0123] The advantage of this design lies in the shared cooling fan 402, which avoids configuring separate cooling equipment for the first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401, thereby reducing system complexity and energy consumption. By sharing the cooling fan 402, the thermal protection device 100 can not only improve cooling efficiency but also reduce equipment size and cost, while improving system reliability and ease of maintenance. In addition, this shared design can optimize space utilization, enabling the thermal protection device 100 to achieve efficient cooling function within a compact space.

[0124] In some cases, the first heat exchange structure 10 is equivalent to a condenser. The refrigeration fan 402 is equivalent to a condenser fan.

[0125] In some embodiments, a plurality of first heat exchange structures 10 are arranged in parallel, and a plurality of second heat exchange structures 401 are arranged in parallel.

[0126] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further optimizes the design of its heat exchange structure. By arranging multiple first heat exchange structures 10 and multiple second heat exchange structures 401 in parallel, the overall performance and reliability of the system are significantly improved.

[0127] Specifically, multiple first heat exchange structures 10 are arranged in parallel in the refrigeration circuit 1. This design allows the refrigerant to exchange heat through multiple parallel heat exchange channels, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The parallel arrangement of the heat exchange structures can disperse the refrigerant flow, reduce the load on individual heat exchange structures, and make heat exchange more uniform and efficient. At the same time, this parallel design also increases the redundancy of the system. When one or more of the first heat exchange structures 10 fail, the other heat exchange structures can still operate normally, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the refrigeration circuit 1 and improving the reliability and stability of the system.

[0128] Similarly, multiple second heat exchange structures 401 are also arranged in parallel to work in conjunction with the refrigeration fan 402. This design not only improves the heat exchange efficiency of the dry cooler 4 but also enhances the redundancy and stability of the system. The parallel arrangement of the second heat exchange structures 401 ensures that heat is transferred more effectively to the refrigeration space when the coolant passes through the dry cooler 4, thereby achieving a better cooling effect. At the same time, this parallel design also provides a backup function for the system. When some heat exchange structures fail, the other heat exchange structures can continue to perform the heat exchange task, ensuring the normal operation of the dry cooler 4.

[0129] By using this parallel configuration, the thermal protection device 100 not only improves heat exchange efficiency but also enhances system redundancy and stability. This design enables the thermal protection device 100 to maintain efficient and stable operation under complex conditions, while reducing the risk of system failure due to the failure of a single heat exchange structure, significantly improving system reliability and service life.

[0130] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 4 In one specific embodiment, the refrigeration circuit 1 of the thermal protection device 100 further includes a compressor 11, and the following components are disposed upstream of the compressor 11 and between the compressor 11 and the heat exchanger 3: a gas-liquid separator 12, a low-pressure sensor 13, a suction temperature sensor 14, and a first refrigerant inlet 15; the following components are disposed downstream of the compressor 11 and between the compressor 11 and the first heat exchange structure 10: a one-way valve 16, a discharge temperature sensor 17, a second refrigerant inlet 18, a high-pressure sensor 19, and a high-pressure switch 20; and the following components are disposed downstream of the compressor 11 and between the compressor 11 and the heat exchanger 3: a third refrigerant inlet 21, a filter 22, a sight glass 23, and an electronic expansion valve 24.

[0131] Under the driving force provided by the compressor 11, the refrigerant can achieve the following flow path: compressor 11 - first heat exchange structure 10 - electronic expansion valve 24 - refrigerant flow channel 301 of heat exchanger 3 - compressor 11, thereby realizing a refrigeration cycle. In addition, the refrigeration circuit 1 is equipped with a frequency converter, which is electrically connected to the compressor 11 to control the compressor 11 to operate at a variable frequency.

[0132] The liquid cooling circuit 2 of the thermal protection device 100 also includes a circulation pump 25, and the following components are installed upstream of the circulation pump 25: an automatic air vent valve 26, an expansion tank 27, an injection port 28, a return water temperature sensor 5, a return water pressure sensor 29, and an impurity filter 30. The circulation pump 25 is located in the return water main line 203, and the following components are installed in the outlet water main line 204: an outlet water temperature sensor 6 and an outlet water pressure sensor 32.

[0133] The impurity filter 30 filters the coolant entering the liquid cooling circuit 2, preventing impurities in the coolant from damaging the circulating pump 25 and affecting the heat exchanger 3. The return water pressure sensor 29 and the outlet water pressure sensor 32 collect the return and outlet water pressure values ​​of the coolant and feed these pressure values ​​back to the controller for processing to execute relevant logic control. When the outlet or return water pressure is abnormal, the system will associate it with related faults to troubleshoot related problems in the return and outlet water pressures. For example, if the outlet water pressure is too high, the pump will stop operating; if the return water pressure is too low, an alarm will be issued. The drain port 31 and the fill port 28 are used to drain the coolant from the liquid cooling circuit 2 and to add coolant to it. The automatic air vent 26 is used to remove air from the liquid cooling circuit 2 when adding coolant, and can also remove gas flashed by the coolant during operation. The expansion tank 27 buffers the volume change of the coolant due to thermal expansion and contraction. One-way valve 16 prevents liquid refrigerant in the exhaust pipe from flowing back to compressor 11 during startup, thus avoiding damage to the compressor. Suction temperature sensor 14 and exhaust temperature sensor 17 monitor the operational stability of the refrigeration system and provide feedback signals to the controller. High-pressure safety switch 20 monitors the high-pressure condition of the refrigeration system to prevent compressor damage due to malfunctions. High-pressure sensor 19 and low-pressure sensor 13 monitor the high and low pressure conditions of the refrigeration system to maintain stable operation. Gas-liquid separator 12 separates the refrigerant returning from the evaporator (the refrigerant flow channel 301 of heat exchanger 3 serves as the evaporator of refrigeration circuit 1) into gas and liquid components, preventing liquid refrigerant from entering compressor 11 and causing damage. Dryer filter 22 filters impurities in the refrigeration system to prevent impurities from affecting the function of electronic expansion valve 24. Sight glass 23 observes the water content in the refrigeration system to prevent ice blockage due to excessive water content. Condenser fan 5 provides cooling air to the condenser in the refrigeration system and, in certain modes, cools the dryer 4.

[0134] When the external environment is under normal cooling demand conditions, the thermal protection device 100 operates in normal cooling mode. In normal cooling mode, the second control valve 8 is closed, and the flow regulator 903 is fully open. The coolant in the liquid cooling circuit 2 comes from the battery cabinet, passes sequentially through the impurity filter 30, the circulating pump 25, and the coolant flow channel 302 of the heat exchanger 3 for cooling, and then flows to the battery cabinet for cooling through the heater branch 2011 (no heating is performed at this time). After the coolant absorbs heat and heats up in the battery cabinet, it re-enters the liquid cooling circuit 2 of the thermal protection device 100 to complete one cycle.

[0135] When the external environment is under normal heating demand conditions, the thermal protection device 100 operates in normal heating mode. At this time, the second control valve 8 remains closed, and the refrigeration circuit 1 stops operating. Coolant enters the liquid cooling circuit 2, passing sequentially through the impurity filter 30, the circulation pump 25, and the heat exchanger 3 (which does not perform cooling at this time), before reaching the heater branch 2011. In the heater branch 2011, the coolant is heated by either the first heater 901 or the second heater 902 to the required temperature, and then flows from the liquid cooling circuit 2 to the battery cabinet for heat exchange. The coolant, cooled by the battery cabinet, returns to the liquid cooling circuit 2, completing the liquid cooling circuit cycle under normal heating mode.

[0136] When the liquid cooling circuit 2 is heating, the heating demand of the coolant is divided into the following N+1 cases: 0 < X ​​≤ Q, Q < X ≤ 2Q, ... NQ < X ≤ (N+1)Q, where Q represents the maximum electric heating capacity when a single heater 9 is fully open. When the electric heating capacity required by the coolant in the liquid cooling circuit 2 is 0 < X ​​≤ Q, the second heater 902 corresponding to the flow regulator 903 of the second heating branch 20112 is turned on in heating mode. At this time, the control system will adjust the opening degree of the flow regulator 903 according to the detection result of the outlet water temperature sensor 6. When the electric heating capacity required by the coolant in the liquid cooling circuit 2 is NQ < X ≤ (N+1)Q, all N first heaters 901 corresponding to the N first heating branches 20111 are turned on in heating mode. The control system will adjust the opening degree of the flow regulator 903 according to the detection result of the outlet water temperature sensor 6. When X = (N+1)Q, the flow regulator 903 will be adjusted to the fully open state under the regulation of the control system.

[0137] In some cases, the refrigeration fan 402 is an axial flow fan. The heater 9 is a pipe heater. The first control valve 7, the second control valve 8, and the flow regulator 903 are electrically operated two-way valves. The heat exchanger 3 is a plate heat exchanger. The first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401 are finned heat exchangers.

[0138] This application also provides an electrical power device, including the aforementioned thermal protection device 100.

[0139] The electrical equipment includes the aforementioned thermal protection device 100 and should have all the beneficial technical effects of the aforementioned thermal protection device 100, which will not be described in detail here.

[0140] In this embodiment, the electrical equipment can be a device that integrates a power battery, such as the battery cabinet of a new energy vehicle. By integrating the aforementioned thermal protection device 100, the thermal management requirements of its internal battery or other energy storage components are met. This design enables the electrical equipment to achieve precise control and stable regulation of the internal battery temperature through the thermal protection device 100, thereby ensuring that the battery operates within a suitable temperature range, extending battery life, and improving equipment performance and safety.

[0141] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned electrical power equipment.

[0142] The vehicle includes the aforementioned electrical equipment and should possess all the beneficial technical effects of the aforementioned electrical equipment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0143] In this embodiment, the vehicle can be a new energy rail vehicle (or new energy locomotive), such as an electric train, subway, or light rail. This design enables the new energy rail vehicle to utilize the thermal protection device 100 to perform efficient thermal management and stable regulation of the on-board power battery or other energy storage devices, ensuring that the battery maintains its optimal operating temperature under various operating conditions, thereby improving the vehicle's operating efficiency, reliability, and safety. Simultaneously, by optimizing thermal management, the battery's lifespan can be extended, and the vehicle's maintenance costs can be reduced.

[0144] It should be noted that many of the components mentioned in this application are general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art, and their structure and principle can be learned by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or through conventional experimental methods.

[0145] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0146] The thermal protection device, electrical equipment, and vehicle provided in this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to this application without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal protection device, characterized in that, Includes a liquid-cooled branch for circulating coolant; the liquid-cooled branch includes: The return water sub-branch and the outlet water sub-branch; and the sub-branch connected in parallel between the return water sub-branch and the outlet water sub-branch: One or more first heating branches, each of which is provided with a first heater; The second heating branch is equipped with a second heater and a flow regulator, and the flow rate of the coolant flowing through the second heater is regulated by the flow regulator. Wherein, the heating power of the first heater is Q1, and Q1 is a non-negative number; The heating power of the second heater is Q2, where Q2 is a non-negative number; The number of the first heating branches is N, where N is a natural number greater than 0; The heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {kQ2+NQ1|k∈[0,1]}, where k is the adjustment range of the flow regulating component.

2. The thermal protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a main outlet water line connected to the outlet water sub-branch, and the main outlet water line is equipped with an outlet water temperature sensor; The opening and closing degree of the flow regulating component is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the outlet water temperature sensor.

3. The thermal protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating power Q1 of the first heater and the heating power Q2 of the second heater are both equal to Q, where Q is a non-negative number; The heating power of the thermal protection device can be infinitely adjusted within the range of {(k+N)Q|k∈[0,1]}.

4. The thermal protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a dry cooling branch, which is connected in parallel with the liquid cooling branch, and the dry cooling branch is connected to a dry cooler.

5. The thermal protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a heat exchanger, which is provided with a refrigerant flow channel and a coolant flow channel for heat exchange. The refrigerant flow channel is connected to a refrigeration circuit, and the coolant flow channel is connected to the liquid cooling branch.

6. The thermal protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a return water main line and an outlet water main line, wherein the return water main line is connected to the first parallel node of the liquid cooling branch line and the dry cooling branch line, and the outlet water main line is connected to the second parallel node of the liquid cooling branch line and the dry cooling branch line; The main return water line is equipped with a return water temperature sensor, the main outlet water line is equipped with an outlet water temperature sensor, the liquid cooling branch line is equipped with a first control valve, and the dry cooling branch line is equipped with a second control valve. When the thermal protection device is in normal cooling mode, the cooling circuit is working, the first control valve is open, and the second control valve is closed; When the thermal protection device is in normal heating mode, the refrigeration circuit stops working, the first control valve opens, and the second control valve closes. When the thermal protection device is in energy-saving mode, the refrigeration circuit stops working, the first control valve opens, the second control valve opens, and the opening and closing degree of the first control valve and the second control valve is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor and the outlet water temperature sensor. When the thermal protection device is in the mixed mode, the refrigeration circuit is working, the first control valve is open, the second control valve is open, and the opening and closing degree of the first control valve and the second control valve is adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor and the outlet water temperature sensor.

7. The thermal protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The refrigeration circuit is connected to one or more first heat exchange structures, and the dry cooler includes one or more second heat exchange structures and a refrigeration fan. The first heat exchange structure and the second heat exchange structure share the refrigeration fan.

8. The thermal protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The plurality of first heat exchange structures are arranged in parallel, and the plurality of second heat exchange structures are arranged in parallel.

9. An electrical energy device, characterized in that, Includes the thermal protection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the electrical power equipment as described in claim 9.

Images