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. The liquid cooling branch comprises a plurality of heater branches, a water return sub-branch and a water outlet sub-branch, the plurality of heater branches are arranged in parallel, each heater branch is provided with a heater, and each heater can be independently controlled to operate; the water return sub-branch is communicated with a first parallel node of the plurality of heater branches; the water outlet sub-branch is communicated with a second parallel node of the plurality of heater branches; wherein the heating power of the heater is Q, and Q is a non-negative number; the number of the heater branches is N, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; the heating power of the thermal assurance device can be adjusted in multiple stages in the range of {kQk = 0, 1,..., N}. According to the heat guarantee device, multi-stage adjustment of the heating power is achieved, and the problem that in the prior art, the temperature of a single high-power heater is difficult to accurately control is effectively solved.

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 locomotive power battery thermal protection device, the electric heater generally adopts a single high-power design, which makes it difficult to achieve precise temperature control in actual operation, resulting in unstable temperature regulation. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a thermal protection device that enables multi-level adjustment of heating power, effectively improving the problem of precise temperature control of a single high-power heater in the prior art. 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] Multiple heater branches are connected in parallel; each heater branch is equipped with a heater, and each heater can be controlled and operated independently.

[0008] The return water sub-branch is connected to the first parallel node of the plurality of heater sub-branches;

[0009] The water outlet sub-branch is connected to the second parallel node of the plurality of heater branches;

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

[0011] The number of heater branches is N, where N is a positive integer greater than 1;

[0012] The heating power of the thermal protection device can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ|k=0,1,...,N}.

[0013] In some embodiments, the heater is provided with multiple heating circuits, which are connected to the heater branch, and each heating circuit can be controlled to operate independently.

[0014] Wherein, the number of heating circuits in a single heater is n, where n is a positive integer greater than 1;

[0015] The heating power of the thermal protection device can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ / n|k=0,1,...,N}.

[0016] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device further includes:

[0017] The main return water line is connected to the sub-branch of the return water line, and the main return water line is equipped with a return water temperature sensor.

[0018] The main water outlet is connected to the sub-branch water outlet, and the main water outlet is equipped with a water outlet temperature sensor.

[0019] The multiple heater branches are adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor and the outlet water temperature sensor.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The first heat exchange structure and the second heat exchange structure share the refrigeration fan.

[0024] 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.

[0025] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger; and / or,

[0026] Both the first heat exchange structure and the second heat exchange structure employ finned heat exchangers.

[0027] This application also provides an electrical power device, including the aforementioned thermal protection device.

[0028] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned electrical power equipment.

[0029] 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 multiple heater branches, a return water sub-branch, and an outlet water sub-branch, with the multiple heater branches connected in parallel, each heater branch equipped with a heater, and each heater capable of independent control operation; the return water sub-branch is connected to the first parallel node of the multiple heater branches; the outlet water sub-branch is connected to the second parallel node of the multiple heater branches; wherein, the heating power of the heater is Q, where Q is a non-negative number; the number of heater branches is N, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the heating power of the thermal protection device can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ|k=0,1,...,N}.

[0030] In existing technologies, the liquid cooling circuit of the thermal protection device for the power battery of new energy vehicles typically uses a single high-power electric heater to achieve the heating function. However, this design has significant limitations. Because the heating power of a single high-power electric heater is fixed and cannot be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs, it is difficult to achieve precise control of the coolant temperature. Especially under different working environments and conditions, the coolant temperature requirements may vary, and the lack of adjustment capability of a single high-power electric heater cannot meet these changing demands, resulting in unstable temperature regulation and consequently affecting the performance and safety of the power battery.

[0031] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a novel thermal protection device. The core of this device lies in the design of its liquid cooling branch. The liquid cooling branch includes multiple heater branches connected in parallel. Each heater branch is equipped with one heater, and each heater can be independently controlled. The key to this design is that by distributing the heaters across multiple branches and giving each heater independent control capabilities, the entire thermal protection device can flexibly adjust its heating power according to actual needs. Specifically, the heating power of each heater is Q, and the number of heater branches is N, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. This means that by controlling the operating state of different numbers of heater branches, the heating power of the thermal protection device can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of 0 to NQ, specifically within the range {kQ|k=0,1,...,N}. For example, when only a lower heating power is needed, only one heater branch can be activated; while when a higher heating power is needed, multiple heater branches, or even all branches, can be activated simultaneously to meet different temperature requirements.

[0032] This multi-stage adjustment capability enables the thermal protection device to precisely adjust the heating power according to the actual temperature requirements of the coolant, effectively improving the problem of precise temperature control of a single high-power heater in existing technologies. Simultaneously, since the number of heater branches N is greater than 1, and each heater branch can be controlled independently, when some heater branches fail, other branches can still operate normally, thus providing a backup function and improving the system's stability and reliability. Furthermore, by flexibly selecting the number of heater branches according to actual needs, unnecessary energy consumption is avoided, achieving energy-saving functionality and meeting energy conservation and environmental protection requirements.

[0033] 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 multi-level adjustment of heating power, effectively improving the problem that it is difficult to accurately control the temperature of a single high-power heater in the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0034] 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.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the thermal protection device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the liquid cooling circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the liquid cooling branch provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a refrigeration circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 5 Another schematic diagram of the thermal protection device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0040] in:

[0041] Thermal protection device 100

[0042] Refrigeration circuit 1

[0043] Liquid cooling circuit 2, liquid cooling branch 201, heater branch 2011, return water sub-branch 2012, outlet water sub-branch 2013, dry cooling branch 202, return water main line 203, outlet water main line 204.

[0044] Heat exchanger 3, refrigerant flow channel 301, coolant flow channel 302,

[0045] Dry cooler 4, second heat exchange structure 401, refrigeration fan 402,

[0046] 5. Return water temperature sensor

[0047] Water outlet temperature sensor 6

[0048] First control valve 7

[0049] Second control valve 8

[0050] Heater 9, Heating circuit 901

[0051] First heat exchange structure 10

[0052] Compressor 11

[0053] Gas-liquid separator 12

[0054] Low-pressure sensor 13

[0055] Inhalation temperature sensor 14

[0056] First fluoride nozzle 15

[0057] One-way valve 16

[0058] Exhaust temperature sensor 17

[0059] Second fluoride nozzle 18

[0060] High pressure sensor 19

[0061] High pressure switch 20

[0062] Third fluoride nozzle 21

[0063] Filter 22

[0064] Sight glass 23

[0065] Electronic expansion valve 24

[0066] Circulating pump 25

[0067] Automatic air vent valve 26

[0068] Expansion tank 27

[0069] Liquid injection port 28.

[0070] Return water pressure sensor 29

[0071] Impurity filter 30

[0072] Drainage port 31.

[0073] Water pressure sensor 32. Detailed Implementation

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] Refrigeration circuit 1 provides cooling 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 effectively 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling circuit 2 includes a liquid cooling branch 201.

[0081] In a first specific embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 provided in this application mainly includes a liquid cooling branch 201; the liquid cooling branch 201 includes multiple heater branches 2011, a return water sub-branch 2012, and an outlet water sub-branch 2013, the multiple heater branches 2011 are arranged in parallel, each heater branch 2011 is equipped with a heater 9, and each heater 9 can be independently controlled and operated; the return water sub-branch 2012 is connected to the first parallel node of the multiple heater branches 2011; the outlet water sub-branch 2013 is connected to... The second parallel node of multiple heater branches 2011; wherein, the heating power of heater 9 is Q, and Q is a non-negative number; the number of heater branches 2011 is N, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; the heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ|k=0,1,...,N}, and the adjustment level k takes a value within the range of the number of heater branches 2011 N, which actually means the number of heater branches 2011 in use, while N is the total number of heater branches 2011, including both in use and out use.

[0082] When in use, the coolant enters the liquid cooling branch 201, first enters the return water sub-branch 2012, then splits into the heater branch 2011, and finally merges into the outlet water sub-branch 2013.

[0083] 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 to achieve the heating function. However, this design has significant limitations. Because the heating power of a single high-power electric heater is fixed and cannot be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs, it is difficult to achieve precise control of the coolant temperature. Especially under different operating environments and conditions, the coolant temperature requirements may vary, and a single high-power electric heater, lacking good adjustment capabilities, cannot meet these changing demands, resulting in unstable temperature regulation and consequently affecting the performance and safety of the power battery.

[0084] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a novel thermal protection device 100. The core of this device lies in the design of its liquid cooling branch 201. The liquid cooling branch 201 includes multiple heater branches 2011, which are arranged in parallel. Each heater branch 2011 is equipped with a heater 9, and each heater 9 can be independently controlled. The key to this design is that by distributing the heaters 9 across multiple branches and giving each heater 9 independent control capabilities, the entire thermal protection device 100 can flexibly adjust its heating power according to actual needs. Specifically, the heating power of each heater 9 is Q, and the number of heater branches 2011 is N, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. This means that by controlling the operating states of different numbers of heater branches 2011, the heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of 0 to NQ, specifically within the adjustment range {kQ|k=0,1,...,N}. For example, when only a lower heating power is required, only one heater branch 2011 can be activated; while when a higher heating power is required, multiple heater branches 2011, or even all branches, can be activated simultaneously to meet different temperature requirements.

[0085] This multi-level adjustment capability enables the thermal protection device 100 to precisely adjust the heating power according to the actual temperature requirements of the coolant, effectively improving the problem of precise temperature control of a single high-power heater in existing technologies. Simultaneously, since the number N of heater branches 2011 is greater than 1, and each heater branch 2011 can be controlled independently, when some heater branches 2011 fail, other branches can still operate normally, thus providing a backup function and improving the stability and reliability of the system. Furthermore, by flexibly selecting the number of heater branches 2011 according to actual needs, unnecessary energy consumption is avoided, achieving energy-saving functionality and meeting energy conservation and environmental protection requirements.

[0086] 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 multi-level adjustment of heating power, effectively improving the problem that it is difficult to accurately control the temperature of a single high-power heater in the prior art.

[0087] In some cases, the liquid cooling branch 201 is shipped without coolant. Of course, it is also possible to fill it with coolant after it leaves the factory, which should also fall within the scope of this embodiment.

[0088] In addition, the "heating power" in this embodiment does not refer to the rated power of heater 9, but to the working power of heater 9 when it is working, such as the power in the off 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.

[0089] In some cases, when the number N of heater branches 2011 is 2, the heating power of each heater branch 2011 is Q. Therefore: when one heater branch 2011 is started, the total heating power is Q, which is suitable for low power demand scenarios; when two heater branches 2011 are started, the total heating power is 2Q, which is suitable for high power demand scenarios.

[0090] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the heater 9 is provided with multiple heating circuits 901, which are connected to the heater branch 2011, and each heating circuit 901 can be controlled to operate independently.

[0091] Among them, the number of heating circuits 901 in a single heater 9 is n, where n is a positive integer greater than 1;

[0092] The heating power of the thermal protection device 100 can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ / n|k=0,1,...,N}.

[0093] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further refines the adjustment precision of the heating power by setting multiple heating circuits 901 in the heater 9. Each heater 9 contains multiple heating circuits 901, which are connected to the heater branch 2011, so that the part that can be independently controlled is no longer limited to the entire heater 9, but is refined to the heating circuits 901 in the heater 9. This design allows the heating power of the heater 9 to be adjusted more flexibly according to actual needs.

[0094] Specifically, a single heater 9 has n heating circuits 901, where n is a positive integer greater than 1. This means that each heater 9 can achieve different heating powers by controlling different numbers of heating circuits 901. This multi-level adjustment capability further expands the heating power adjustment range of the thermal protection device 100, enabling it to be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of ({kQ / n|k=0,1,...,N}).

[0095] Through this design, the thermal protection device 100 can not only precisely adjust the heating power according to the actual temperature requirements of the coolant, but also achieve a more energy-efficient operating mode. For example, in low-power demand scenarios, only some heating circuits 901 need to be activated to meet the demand, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption. In addition, when some heating circuits 901 fail, other heating circuits 901 can still operate normally, further improving the reliability and stability of the system.

[0096] In some cases, taking the embodiment where the number N of heater branches 2011 is 2 as an example, and the number of heating circuits 901 of each heater 9 is 2, the heating power of each heater branch 2011 is Q, and the heating power of each heating circuit 901 is Q / 2. Therefore: When one heating circuit 901 is activated, the total heating power is Q / 2. This low power setting is suitable for scenarios with low coolant temperature requirements, such as when the ambient temperature is high, only a low heating power is needed to maintain the coolant temperature; when two heating circuits 901 are activated, the total heating power is Q. In this case, it is preferable to use two heating circuits 901 with the same heater 9. This medium power setting is suitable for scenarios with moderate coolant temperature requirements, providing higher heating power while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption; when three heating circuits 901 are activated, the total heating power is 3Q / 2. This higher power setting is suitable for scenarios with high coolant temperature requirements, quickly raising the coolant temperature and ensuring it can reach the required temperature rapidly; when four heating circuits 901 are activated, the total heating power is 2Q. This high power setting is suitable for scenarios with extremely high coolant temperature requirements, such as when the ambient temperature is extremely low, requiring the highest heating power to quickly raise the coolant temperature.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] In some embodiments, the thermal protection device 100 further includes:

[0100] The main return water line 203 is connected to the sub-branch return water line 2012. The main return water line 203 is equipped with a return water temperature sensor 5.

[0101] The main outlet water channel 204 is connected to the sub-branch water channel 2013. The main outlet water channel 204 is equipped with an outlet water temperature sensor 6.

[0102] Among them, multiple heater branches 2011 are adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor 5 and the outlet water temperature sensor 6.

[0103] 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, thereby achieving real-time monitoring and precise control of the coolant temperature. This design allows the thermal protection device 100 to dynamically adjust the operating state of the heater branch line 2011 according to the actual temperature feedback, thereby ensuring that the coolant temperature is always kept within a suitable range.

[0104] Specifically, the main return water line 203 is connected to the return water sub-branch 2012 in the liquid cooling branch line 201, responsible for collecting and guiding the coolant preparing to enter the heater branch line 2011. The return water temperature sensor 5, installed on the main return water line 203, can monitor the temperature of the coolant return water in real time; this temperature is also the temperature of the coolant before it enters the heater branch line 2011. Similarly, the main outlet water line 204 is connected to the outlet water sub-branch 2013, used to transport the heated coolant to the equipment or area requiring heating, while the outlet water temperature sensor 6 is used to monitor the temperature of the coolant outlet water; this temperature is also the temperature of the coolant after it leaves the outlet line.

[0105] Using the data from these two temperature sensors, the thermal protection device 100 can accurately determine the temperature changes of the coolant during the heating process. Based on this temperature feedback information, multiple heater branches 2011 can be adjusted and controlled according to actual needs. For example, when the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor 5 is lower than the set value, the system can increase the number of heater branches 2011 that are turned on or increase their heating power to raise the coolant temperature; conversely, when the temperature detected by the outlet water temperature sensor 6 is higher than the set value, the system can reduce the number of heater branches 2011 that are turned on or reduce their heating power to avoid overheating.

[0106] This temperature feedback-based regulation and control mechanism not only improves the intelligence level of the thermal protection device 100, but also further enhances its ability to adapt to different operating conditions, ensuring the stability and reliability of the coolant temperature. Simultaneously, by precisely controlling the operating status of the heater branch 2011, energy can be effectively saved, and the overall system efficiency can be improved.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[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] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration circuit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0115] 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.

[0116] In this embodiment, the thermal protection device 100 further optimizes its function by introducing a heat exchanger 3, enabling the liquid cooling branch 201 to achieve both cooling and heating functions. The heat exchanger 3 internally provides a refrigerant flow channel 301 and a coolant flow channel 302 for heat exchange. The refrigerant flow channel 301 is connected to the refrigeration circuit 1, while the coolant flow channel 302 is connected to the liquid cooling branch 201. This design allows the thermal protection device 100 to flexibly switch between cooling and heating modes under different operating conditions.

[0117] Specifically, when the liquid cooling branch 201 needs to perform its cooling function, the refrigeration circuit 1 starts working, while the heater branch 2011 stops working. However, the heater branch 2011 does not obstruct the flow of coolant; that is, the heater branch 2011 does not heat the coolant flowing through it. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration circuit 1 and enters the heat exchanger 3 through the refrigerant channel 301. In the heat exchanger 3, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the coolant, absorbing heat from the coolant and thus lowering the coolant's temperature. The coolant, after being cooled by the heat exchanger 3, continues to circulate in the liquid cooling branch 201, providing a low-temperature environment for the equipment requiring cooling. This refrigeration method utilizes the phase change characteristics of the refrigerant, enabling efficient heat transfer and rapid cooling.

[0118] Conversely, when the liquid cooling branch 201 needs to perform its heating function, the refrigeration circuit 1 stops working, while the heater branch 2011 starts operating. At this time, the coolant flowing from the coolant channel 302 of the heat exchanger 3 flows into the heater branch 2011, and the heater 9 heats the coolant through an independently controlled heating circuit 901. The heated coolant then flows out of the liquid cooling branch 201 to be delivered to the target area, providing heat to the equipment requiring heating. This heating method, by directly heating the coolant with an electric heater, can quickly raise the coolant temperature to meet the heating needs of the equipment.

[0119] Through this design, the thermal protection device 100 can flexibly switch between cooling and heating modes according to actual needs, achieving precise control of the coolant temperature. In cooling mode, efficient cooling is achieved through heat exchange between the refrigerant and the coolant; in heating mode, rapid temperature rise is achieved by directly heating the coolant with an electric heater. This dual-function design not only improves the adaptability and flexibility of the thermal protection device 100, but also optimizes energy utilization according to different operating conditions, improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the system.

[0120] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 Another schematic diagram of the thermal protection device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] In some cases, the first heat exchange structure 10 is equivalent to a condenser. The refrigeration fan 402 is equivalent to a condenser fan.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] In some embodiments, heat exchanger 3 is a plate heat exchanger.

[0133] In this embodiment, a plate heat exchanger is a highly efficient heat exchange device, the core component of which consists of multiple parallel metal plates. Narrow channels are formed between these plates, through which refrigerant and coolant flow, exchanging heat. Plate heat exchangers feature high heat exchange efficiency, compact structure, and ease of maintenance and cleaning, significantly improving the heat exchange performance and operating efficiency of the thermal protection device 100.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first heat exchange structure 10 and the second heat exchange structure 401 employ finned heat exchangers.

[0135] In this embodiment, the finned heat exchanger significantly increases the heat exchange area by adding fins to the outside of the heat exchange tubes, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. Finned heat exchangers are characterized by high heat exchange efficiency, strong adaptability, and structural stability, enabling them to adapt to different fluid media and operating conditions. In the thermal protection device 100, the use of finned heat exchangers further optimizes the overall performance of the system, ensuring efficient heat exchange under various operating conditions.

[0136] By employing plate heat exchangers and finned heat exchangers, the thermal protection device 100 not only improves heat exchange efficiency but also optimizes the overall system performance. The combination of the high heat exchange capacity of the plate heat exchanger and the large heat exchange area of ​​the finned heat exchanger enables the thermal protection device 100 to achieve efficient heat exchange under various operating conditions while maintaining the system's compactness and stability. This design not only improves system operating efficiency but also reduces energy consumption, meeting energy conservation and environmental protection requirements.

[0137] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 5 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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 into a gas-liquid state, preventing liquid refrigerant from entering compressor 11 and causing damage. Dryer filter 22 filters impurities in the refrigeration system to prevent them 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 (refrigeration fan 402 is used as a fan for both the dry cooler and the condenser) provides cooling air to the condenser in the refrigeration system and, in certain modes, cools the dry cooler 4.

[0141] In some cases, a first control valve 7 is installed on the return water sub-branch 2012 of the liquid cooling branch 201, and a second control valve 8 is installed on the dry cooling branch 202.

[0142] In normal cooling mode, the second control valve 8 is closed. The coolant from the battery cabinet in the liquid cooling circuit 2 passes sequentially through the impurity filter 30, the circulation pump 25, and the coolant flow channel 302 of the heat exchanger 3 for cooling. Then, the coolant passes through the heater 9 but is not heated, and flows directly from the drain port 31 back to the battery cabinet for cooling. After absorbing heat and heating up in the battery cabinet, the coolant re-enters the liquid cooling circuit 2 of the thermal protection device 100, completing one cycle.

[0143] When the external environment is under normal heating demand conditions, the unit operates in normal heating mode. The second control valve 8 is closed, refrigeration circuit 1 stops operating, and coolant enters liquid cooling circuit 2. It passes sequentially through impurity filter 30, circulation pump 25, and heat exchanger 3 (without refrigeration at this time) before reaching electric heater 9. The coolant is heated to the required temperature in electric heater 9 and then flows from liquid cooling circuit 2 to the battery cabinet for heat exchange. The coolant, cooled by the battery cabinet, returns to liquid cooling circuit 2, completing the liquid cooling circuit cycle in normal heating mode.

[0144] In some cases, the refrigeration fan 402 is an axial flow fan. The heater 9 is a duct heater (or duct-type electric heater). The first control valve 7 and the second control valve 8 are electrically operated two-way valves.

[0145] This application also provides an electrical power device, including the aforementioned thermal protection device 100.

[0146] 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.

[0147] In this embodiment, the electrical equipment can be a device that integrates a power battery, such as a battery cabinet, specifically a power battery cabinet for a new energy vehicle. By integrating the aforementioned thermal protection device 100, the thermal management requirements of its internal battery or other electrical energy storage components are met. This design enables the electrical equipment to achieve precise control 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.

[0148] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned electrical power equipment.

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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 for efficient thermal management of the onboard 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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.

[0153] 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: Multiple heater branches are connected in parallel; each heater branch is equipped with a heater, and each heater can be controlled and operated independently. The return water sub-branch is connected to the first parallel node of the plurality of heater sub-branches; The water outlet sub-branch is connected to the second parallel node of the plurality of heater branches; Wherein, the heating power of the heater is Q, and Q is a non-negative number; The number of heater branches is N, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; The heating power of the thermal protection device can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ|k=0,1,...,N}.

2. The thermal protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heater is provided with multiple heating circuits, which are connected to the heater branch circuit, and each heating circuit can be controlled and operated independently. Wherein, the number of heating circuits in a single heater is n, where n is a positive integer greater than 1; The heating power of the thermal protection device can be adjusted in multiple levels within the range of {kQ / n|k=0,1,...,N}.

3. The thermal protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The main return water line is connected to the sub-branch of the return water line, and the main return water line is equipped with a return water temperature sensor. The main water outlet is connected to the sub-branch water outlet, and the main water outlet is equipped with a water outlet temperature sensor. The multiple heater branches are adjusted and controlled according to the temperature detected by the return water temperature sensor and the outlet water temperature sensor.

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, 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.

7. The thermal protection device according to claim 6, 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.

8. The thermal protection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger; and / or, Both the first heat exchange structure and the second heat exchange structure employ finned heat exchangers.

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.

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