Vehicle and thermal management system thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a vehicle and a thermal management system thereof, and belongs to the technical field of vehicles. The thermal management system comprises a switching element. The thermal management system further comprises a first thermal management circuit connected with the switching element. The thermal management system further comprises a second thermal management circuit connected with the switching element, and the first thermal management circuit and the second thermal management circuit are communicated through a pressure balance flow path. The switching element is used for controlling the first thermal management circuit and the second thermal management circuit to be connected in series or in parallel. The thermal management system further comprises an expansion kettle connected to one of the first thermal management circuit and the second thermal management circuit. In the above manner, the pressure balance and thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits can be considered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more particularly to a vehicle and its thermal management system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, the importance of vehicle thermal management systems is constantly increasing. Whether it is the thermal management system of a traditional fuel vehicle engine or the thermal management system of a new energy vehicle (including pure electric vehicles, range-extended electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles), the thermal management of components such as batteries, electric drive components, passenger compartments, and range extenders all require expansion tanks to store, replenish, and vent coolant.

[0003] For a simple thermal management system using a direct heat pump, the water side typically involves the battery circuit and the electric drive circuit. If a dual expansion tank structure is used, with each circuit equipped with an independent expansion tank, a significant liquid level difference will occur in the expansion tanks when these two circuits are running in parallel due to the pressure difference between them. If a single expansion tank structure is used, the tank is internally divided into two chambers connected to the two circuits respectively. While this reduces the number of expansion tanks, the pressure difference between the circuits causes heat exchange within the tank, leading to heat leakage between the two circuits, resulting in heat loss and increased vehicle energy consumption.

[0004] This shows that current thermal management systems cannot simultaneously balance pressure and provide thermal isolation between different circuits. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a vehicle and its thermal management system that can balance pressure and thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to a first aspect of this application, a thermal management system for a vehicle is provided. The thermal management system includes a switching element. The thermal management system also includes a first thermal management circuit connected to the switching element. The thermal management system further includes a second thermal management circuit connected to the switching element, and the first and second thermal management circuits are connected via a pressure-balanced flow path. The switching element is used to control whether the first and second thermal management circuits are connected in series or in parallel. The thermal management system also includes an expansion tank connected to one of the first and second thermal management circuits.

[0007] Optionally, the first thermal management circuit includes a battery and a battery flow path, the battery being connected to a switching element through the battery flow path; the second thermal management circuit includes an electric drive assembly and an electric drive flow path, the electric drive assembly being connected to the switching element through the electric drive flow path, and the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path being connected through a pressure balancing flow path; the switching element is used to control the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path to be connected in series or in parallel, and the expansion tank is connected to one of the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path.

[0008] Optionally, the thermal management system further includes: a flow channel structure, wherein the flow channels of the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path are both disposed in the flow channel structure; wherein, the pressure balance flow path includes pressure balance microholes formed in the flow channel structure, and the flow channels of the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path are connected through the pressure balance microholes.

[0009] Optionally, the battery flow path includes a battery pump body and a cooler, with the battery, switching element, battery pump body and cooler connected in series, and a pressure balancing flow path connected between the inlet of the switching element and the battery pump body.

[0010] Optionally, the electric drive flow path includes an electric drive pump body, an electric drive assembly, a switching element, and the electric drive pump body connected in series, and a pressure balance flow path is connected between the switching element and the inlet of the electric drive pump body.

[0011] Optionally, the switching element has a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface, the first interface being connected to the heat exchange fluid outlet of the electric drive assembly; the electric drive flow path further includes: a conducting element having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the first port being connected to the inlet of the electric drive pump body, the second port being connected to the second interface; and a radiator, the inlet of which is connected to the third interface, and the outlet of the radiator being connected to the third port; wherein, a pressure balancing flow path is connected between the second port and the second interface.

[0012] Optionally, when the expansion tank is connected to the electric drive flow path, the expansion tank is connected between the first port and the inlet of the electric drive pump body.

[0013] Optionally, when the expansion vessel is connected to the battery flow path, the expansion vessel is connected between the switching element and the battery pump body.

[0014] Optionally, the switching element has a fourth interface and a fifth interface, the fourth interface being connected to the heat exchange fluid outlet of the battery, and the fifth interface being connected to the inlet of the battery pump body; wherein, the expansion tank is connected between the fifth interface and the inlet of the battery pump body.

[0015] According to a second aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided, including a thermal management system as described in the embodiments above.

[0016] In the thermal management system of this application embodiment, the first thermal management loop and the second thermal management loop are connected through a pressure balancing flow path, and an expansion vessel is connected to one of the first and second thermal management loops. When the switching element controls the first and second thermal management loops to be connected in series, the first and second thermal management loops jointly achieve pressure regulation and functions such as heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through an expansion vessel. Since the first and second thermal management loops are connected in series, there is no pressure difference between them. When the switching element controls the first and second thermal management loops to be connected in parallel, the thermal management loop connected to the expansion vessel can achieve pressure regulation and functions such as heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through the expansion vessel. Because the first and second thermal management loops are connected through a pressure balancing flow path, the thermal management loops not connected to the expansion vessel can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management loops through the pressure balancing flow path. Furthermore, the heat exchange fluids of the first and second thermal management loops will not exchange heat within the expansion vessel, achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management loops.

[0017] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the following description denote the same parts.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the first flow channel plate of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in the first operating condition of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in the second operating condition of this application; Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application under a third operating condition; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the flow path of the heat exchange fluid in this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in the fourth operating condition of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the flow path of the heat exchange fluid in this application; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10-Switching element; 11-First interface; 12-Second interface; 13-Third interface; 14-Fourth interface; 15-Fifth interface; 20-First thermal management circuit; 21-Battery; 22-Battery flow path; 23-Battery pump body; 24-Cooler; 30-Second thermal management circuit; 31-Electric drive assembly; 32-Electric drive flow path; 33-Electric drive pump body; 34-Conduction element; 341-First port; 342-Second port; 343-Third port; 35-Radiator; 40-Pressure balance flow path; 41-Pressure balance micro-orifice; 50-Expansion vessel; 60-Flow channel structure; 61-First flow channel plate; 62-Second flow channel plate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] 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 a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0022] To address the technical problem that existing thermal management systems cannot simultaneously achieve pressure balance and thermal isolation between different circuits, one embodiment of this application provides a vehicle thermal management system. The thermal management system includes a switching element. It also includes a first thermal management circuit connected to the switching element. Furthermore, it includes a second thermal management circuit connected to the switching element, and the first and second thermal management circuits are connected via a pressure balancing flow path. The switching element controls whether the first and second thermal management circuits are connected in series or in parallel. The thermal management system also includes an expansion tank connected to one of the first and second thermal management circuits. Details are provided below.

[0023] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application.

[0024] In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a thermal management system. The vehicle can be a gasoline-powered vehicle or a new energy vehicle (including pure electric vehicles, range-extended electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, etc.). This application uses a new energy vehicle as an example for illustration only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

[0025] The vehicle's thermal management system includes a switching element 10. The thermal management system also includes a first thermal management circuit 20, which is connected to the switching element 10. The thermal management system further includes a second thermal management circuit 30, which is connected to the switching element 10, and the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected via a pressure balancing flow path 40. The switching element 10 is used to control whether the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected in series or in parallel. The thermal management system also includes an expansion tank, which is connected to one of the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30.

[0026] In this embodiment, when the switching element 10 controls the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 to be connected in series, the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 together achieve pressure regulation and heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting functions through an expansion vessel. Since the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected in series, there is no pressure difference between them. When the switching element 10 controls the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 to be connected in parallel, the thermal management circuit connected to the expansion vessel can achieve pressure regulation and heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting functions through the expansion vessel. Because the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected through a pressure balance flow path 40, the thermal management circuits not connected to the expansion vessel can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balance flow path 40. Furthermore, at this time, the heat exchange fluids of the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 will not exchange heat within the expansion vessel, achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits.

[0027] It should be noted that the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 can be any two of the vehicle's battery 21 circuit, electric drive circuit, and heating circuit. For example, in this embodiment, the first thermal management circuit 20 can be the battery 21 circuit and the second thermal management circuit 30 can be the electric drive circuit. This is only for the purpose of discussion and is not intended to limit the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 in this embodiment.

[0028] Specifically, the first thermal management circuit 20 includes a battery 21 and a battery flow path 22, with the battery 21 connected to the switching element 10 via the battery flow path 22. The second thermal management circuit 30 includes an electric drive assembly 31 and an electric drive flow path 32. The electric drive assembly 31 may include one or more of a motor, on-board charger, converter, autonomous driving controller, etc., without limitation herein. The electric drive assembly 31 is connected to the switching element 10 via the electric drive flow path 32, and the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected via a pressure balancing flow path 40. The switching element 10 is used to control the series or parallel connection of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32, and the expansion tank 50 is connected to one of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0029] When the switching element 10 controls the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 to be connected in series, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 jointly achieve pressure regulation and heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting functions through an expansion tank. At this time, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected in series, so there is no pressure difference between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32. When the switching element 10 controls the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 to be connected in parallel, the thermal management circuit connected to the expansion tank can achieve pressure regulation and heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting functions through the expansion tank. Since the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected through the pressure balancing flow path 40, the thermal management circuits not connected to the expansion tank can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balancing flow path 40. At this time, the heat exchange fluids of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 will not exchange heat in the expansion tank, achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits.

[0030] In one embodiment, the expansion vessel 50 is connected to the electric drive flow path 32. When the switching element 10 controls the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 to be connected in parallel, the electric drive flow path 32 can achieve functions such as pressure regulation, heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through the expansion vessel. Since the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected through the pressure balancing flow path 40, the battery flow path 22 can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balancing flow path 40. At this time, the heat exchange fluid of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 will not exchange heat in the expansion vessel, achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits. When the switching element 10 controls the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 to be connected in series, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 jointly achieve functions such as pressure regulation, heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through one expansion vessel. At this time, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected in series, so there is no pressure difference between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0031] Specifically, the electric drive flow path 32 includes an electric drive pump body 33. The electric drive assembly 31, the switching element 10, and the electric drive pump body 33 are connected in series. The switching element 10 has a first interface 11, a second interface 12, and a third interface 13. The first interface 11 is connected to the heat exchange fluid outlet of the electric drive assembly 31. The electric drive flow path 32 also includes a conductive element 34 and a radiator 35. The conductive element 34 has a first port 341, a second port 342, and a third port 343. The first port 341 is connected to the inlet of the electric drive pump body 33, and the second port 342 is connected to the second interface 12. The inlet of the radiator 35 is connected to the third interface 13, and the outlet of the radiator 35 is connected to the third port 343. An expansion tank 50 is connected between the first port 341 and the inlet of the electric drive pump body 33.

[0032] In one embodiment, the pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected between the switching element 10 and the inlet of the electric drive pump body 33. At this time, the heat exchange fluid pressure at the connection of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is relatively low, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of the pressure balancing flow path 40 in balancing the pressure of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0033] Specifically, the pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected between the second port 342 and the second interface 12. One end of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected to the flow path between the switching element 10 and the inlet of the electric drive pump body 33. Since the inlet of the electric drive pump body 33 is on the pump suction side, the pressure is relatively low. Therefore, the pressure of the heat exchange fluid in the flow path between the second port 342 and the second interface 12 is low. Connecting the pressure balancing flow path 40 here helps to improve the efficiency of the pressure balancing flow path 40 in balancing the pressure of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0034] In one embodiment, the battery flow path 22 includes a battery pump body 23 and a cooler 24. The battery 21, switching element 10, battery pump body 23, and cooler 24 are connected in series. A pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected between the switching element 10 and the inlet of the battery pump body 23. At this time, the heat exchange fluid pressure at the connection of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is relatively low, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of the pressure balancing flow path 40 in balancing the pressure of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0035] Specifically, the switching element 10 has a fourth interface 14 and a fifth interface 15. The fourth interface 14 is connected to the heat exchange fluid outlet of the battery 21, and the fifth interface 15 is connected to the inlet of the battery pump body 23. The switching element 10 can be a five-way valve or other conducting element 34, which is not limited here. The pressure balancing flow path 40 is specifically connected between the fifth interface 15 and the inlet of the battery pump body 23. One end of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected to the flow path between the fifth interface 15 and the inlet of the battery pump body 23. Since the inlet of the battery pump body 23 is on the pump suction side, the heat exchange fluid pressure in the flow path between the fifth interface 15 and the inlet of the battery pump body 23 is relatively low. Moreover, the connection point of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is located near the inlet of the battery pump body 23. Therefore, connecting the pressure balancing flow path 40 here is beneficial to improving the efficiency of the pressure balancing flow path 40 in balancing the pressure of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0036] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, one end of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected between the switching element 10 and the inlet of the electric drive pump body 33, and the other end of the pressure balancing flow path 40 is connected between the switching element 10 and the inlet of the battery pump body 23. That is, the two ends of the pressure balancing flow path 40 are respectively connected to the low-pressure side of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32. The pressure on the low-pressure side of both the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 is low and the pressure difference is small, which makes the pressure difference between the two ends of the pressure balancing flow path 40 small. When the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are running in parallel, the pressure balancing flow path 40 can quickly and smoothly achieve pressure balance between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32. This not only improves the response speed and efficiency of pressure balancing, but also helps to maintain the thermal stability of each circuit when it operates independently, and avoids problems such as abnormal liquid level and aggravated heat surge caused by pressure imbalance as much as possible.

[0037] Please refer to the following: Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the first flow channel plate of this application.

[0038] In one embodiment, the thermal management system further includes a flow channel structure 60. The flow channels of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are both integrated within the flow channel structure 60. A pressure balancing flow path 40 includes pressure balancing micro-holes 41 formed in the flow channel structure 60, and the flow channels of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected through the pressure balancing micro-holes 41.

[0039] In this way, when a pressure difference exists between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32, the pressure balancing micro-orifice 41 can instantly balance the pressure between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32, eliminating the pressure difference. Furthermore, because the flow area of ​​the pressure balancing micro-orifice 41 is small, the amount of fluid passing through per unit time is extremely small, thus greatly limiting the mutual flow of heat exchange fluid between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32. It is precisely because the pressure balancing micro-orifice 41 can quickly eliminate the pressure difference between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 that a sustained significant pressure difference is difficult to form between them. Without pressure difference driving the flow, the heat exchange fluid between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 will not experience macroscopic flow, thereby further ensuring the thermal isolation effect between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32, effectively avoiding heat exchange and energy loss caused by fluid flow.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flow channel structure 60 includes a first flow channel plate 61 and a second flow channel plate 62. The first flow channel plate 61 and the second flow channel plate 62 are joined to form the flow channel of the battery flow path 22 and the flow channel of the electric drive flow path 32. Among them, pressure balancing microholes 41 are formed in the first flow channel plate 61.

[0041] The following section describes the different operating conditions of the thermal management system in this embodiment.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the thermal management system has a first operating condition. In this condition, the switching element 10 controls the connection between the first interface 11 and the fifth interface 15, and the connection between the second interface 12 and the fourth interface 14. The battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 operate in series. The waste heat generated by the electric drive assembly 31 flows to the switching element 10 through the electric drive flow path 32, and then enters the battery flow path 22, flowing through the battery 21 and heating it. This path does not pass through the radiator 35, avoiding heat loss to the outside air. In this condition, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected as a continuous flow path. The battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 achieve pressure regulation, liquid storage, liquid replenishment, and venting functions through a single expansion tank. At this time, there is no pressure difference between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32, so the pressure balancing flow path 40 has no actual pressure balancing function at this time.

[0043] like Figure 5As shown, the thermal management system has a second operating condition. In this condition, the switching element 10 controls the connection between the first interface 11 and the fifth interface 15, and the connection between the third interface 13 and the fourth interface 14. The battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 operate in series. At this time, the ambient temperature is low, and the radiator 35 is used to cool the battery 21. The heat exchange fluid flows sequentially through the electric drive assembly 31, the switching element 10, the battery 21, the cooler 24, and other components before returning. In this condition, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected as a continuous flow path. The battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 achieve pressure regulation, liquid storage, liquid replenishment, and venting functions through a single expansion tank. At this time, there is no pressure difference between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32, so the pressure balancing flow path 40 has no actual pressure balancing function.

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, the thermal management system has a third operating condition. In this condition, the switching element 10 controls the connection between the first interface 11 and the third interface 13, and controls the connection between the fourth interface 14 and the fifth interface 15. The battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 operate in parallel. The battery flow path 22 circulates independently, and the heat exchange fluid forms a closed loop through the battery 21, the switching element 10, the battery pump body 23, and the cooler 24, cooling the battery 21 through the cooler 24. The electric drive flow path 32 also circulates independently, and the heat exchange fluid forms another closed loop through the electric drive assembly 31, the switching element 10, the radiator 35, the conducting element 34, and the electric drive pump body 33, dissipating heat from the electric drive assembly 31 through the radiator 35. Under this operating condition, the electric drive flow path 32 can achieve functions such as pressure regulation, heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through the expansion tank. Since the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected through the pressure balance flow path 40, the battery flow path 22 can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balance flow path 40. At this time, the heat exchange fluids of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 will not exchange heat in the expansion tank, thus achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits.

[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, the flow channel structure 60 is provided with: a heat exchange fluid outlet 211 for the battery 21, a battery pump body 23, a heat exchange fluid inlet 241 for the cooler 24, an electric drive pump body 33, a heat exchange fluid inlet 311 and a heat exchange fluid outlet 312 for the electric drive assembly 31, and a heat exchange fluid inlet 351 and a heat exchange fluid outlet 352 for the radiator 35. The flow path of the heat exchange fluid in the battery flow path 22 is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in Figure P, the flow path of the heat exchange fluid in the electric drive flow path 32 is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in the middle T, the exhaust fluid replenishment path is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in Figure S.

[0046] like Figure 8As shown, the thermal management system has a fourth operating condition. In this condition, the switching element 10 controls the connection between the first interface 11 and the second interface 12, and controls the connection between the fourth interface 14 and the fifth interface 15. The battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 operate in parallel. The battery flow path 22 circulates independently, and the heat exchange fluid forms a closed loop through the battery 21, the switching element 10, the battery pump body 23, and the cooler 24, cooling the battery 21 through the cooler 24. The electric drive flow path 32 also circulates independently, and the heat exchange fluid flows through the electric drive assembly 31, the switching element 10, the conducting element 34, and the electric drive pump body 33 before returning to the electric drive assembly 31. The heat exchange fluid does not pass through the radiator 35, thereby achieving the retention of operating heat of the electric drive assembly 31. Under this operating condition, the electric drive flow path 32 can achieve functions such as pressure regulation, heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through the expansion tank. Since the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected through the pressure balance flow path 40, the battery flow path 22 can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balance flow path 40. At this time, the heat exchange fluids of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 will not exchange heat in the expansion tank, thus achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits.

[0047] like Figure 9 As shown, the flow channel structure 60 is provided with: a heat exchange fluid outlet 211 for the battery 21, a battery pump body 23, a heat exchange fluid inlet 241 for the cooler 24, an electric drive pump body 33, a heat exchange fluid inlet 311 and a heat exchange fluid outlet 312 for the electric drive assembly 31, and a heat exchange fluid inlet 351 and a heat exchange fluid outlet 352 for the radiator 35. The flow path of the heat exchange fluid in the battery flow path 22 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown in Figure P, the flow path of the heat exchange fluid in the electric drive flow path 32 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown in the middle T, the exhaust fluid replenishment path is as follows: Figure 9 As shown in Figure S.

[0048] Please refer to the following: Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the thermal management system of the vehicle in this application.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the expansion vessel 50 is connected to the battery flow path 22. When the switching element 10 controls the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 to be connected in parallel, the battery flow path 22 can achieve functions such as pressure regulation, heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through the expansion vessel. Since the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected through the pressure balancing flow path 40, the electric drive flow path 32 can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balancing flow path 40. At this time, the heat exchange fluids of the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 will not exchange heat within the expansion vessel, achieving thermal isolation between different thermal management circuits. When the switching element 10 controls the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 to be connected in series, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 jointly achieve functions such as pressure regulation, heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting through one expansion vessel. At this time, the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32 are connected in series, so there is no pressure difference between the battery flow path 22 and the electric drive flow path 32.

[0050] Specifically, the expansion vessel 50 is connected between the switching element 10 and the battery pump body 23. The expansion vessel 50 is connected between the fifth interface 15 of the switching element 10 and the inlet of the battery pump body 23.

[0051] This application provides a vehicle that includes a thermal management system as described in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] In summary, in the thermal management system of this application embodiment, the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected through a pressure balancing flow path 40, and the expansion vessel is connected to one of the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30. When the switching element 10 controls the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 to be connected in series, the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 jointly realize pressure regulation and heat exchange fluid storage, replenishment, and venting functions through an expansion vessel. Furthermore, since the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected in series at this time, there is no pressure difference or high / low liquid level difference between them. When the switching element 10 controls the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 to be connected in parallel, the thermal management circuit connected to the expansion vessel can realize pressure regulation and heat exchange fluid functions through the expansion vessel. The thermal management system has functions such as storage, replenishment, and venting. Since the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 are connected through the pressure balance flow path 40, the thermal management circuits not connected to the expansion tank can achieve pressure balance between different thermal management circuits through the pressure balance flow path 40, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the thermal management system under different operating conditions and improving the overall reliability and safety of the thermal management system. Furthermore, at this time, the heat exchange fluids of the first thermal management circuit 20 and the second thermal management circuit 30 will not exchange heat in the expansion tank, which can achieve the thermal isolation effect between different thermal management circuits and fundamentally solve the problem of heat leakage between different circuits in the thermal management system.

[0053] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0055] The embodiments, implementation methods, and related technical features of this application can be combined and substituted for each other without conflict.

[0056] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that, The thermal management system includes: Switching components; The first thermal management circuit is connected to the switching element; A second thermal management circuit is connected to the switching element, and the first and second thermal management circuits are connected via a pressure-balanced flow path. The switching element is used to control whether the first and second thermal management circuits are connected in series or in parallel. An expansion vessel is connected to one of the first thermal management circuit and the second thermal management circuit.

2. The thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first thermal management circuit includes a battery and a battery flow path, wherein the battery is connected to the switching element through the battery flow path; The second thermal management circuit includes an electric drive assembly and an electric drive flow path. The electric drive assembly is connected to the switching element through the electric drive flow path, and the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path are connected through the pressure balancing flow path. The switching element is used to control the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path to be connected in series or in parallel, and the expansion tank is connected to one of the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thermal management system also includes: The flow channel structure is provided in the flow channel structure, where the flow channel of the battery flow path and the flow channel of the electric drive flow path are both disposed. The pressure balance flow path includes pressure balance microholes formed in the flow channel structure, and the flow channels of the battery flow path and the electric drive flow path are connected through the pressure balance microholes.

4. The thermal management system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The battery flow path includes a battery pump body and a cooler. The battery, the switching element, the battery pump body and the cooler are connected in series. The pressure balance flow path is connected between the inlet of the switching element and the battery pump body.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The electric drive flow path includes an electric drive pump body, the electric drive assembly, the switching element and the electric drive pump body are connected in series, and the pressure balance flow path is connected between the switching element and the inlet of the electric drive pump body.

6. The thermal management system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The switching element has a first interface, a second interface and a third interface, wherein the first interface is connected to the heat exchange fluid outlet of the electric drive assembly; The electric drive current path also includes: A conductive element has a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the first port is connected to the inlet of the electric pump body, and the second port is connected to the second interface; and A radiator, the inlet of which is connected to the third interface, and the outlet of which is connected to the third port; The pressure balancing flow path is connected between the second port and the second interface.

7. The thermal management system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the expansion vessel is connected to the electric drive flow path, the expansion vessel is connected between the first port and the inlet of the electric drive pump.

8. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the expansion vessel is connected to the battery flow path, the expansion vessel is connected between the switching element and the battery pump body.

9. The thermal management system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The switching element has a fourth interface and a fifth interface. The fourth interface is connected to the heat exchange fluid outlet of the battery, and the fifth interface is connected to the inlet of the battery pump body. The expansion tank is connected between the fifth interface and the inlet of the battery pump body.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The thermal management system includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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