Coolant circulation system for a vehicle
The coolant circulation system addresses temperature sensitivity in high-voltage batteries by adjusting coolant temperature, enhancing charging efficiency and preventing damage through thermal management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-18
AI Technical Summary
High-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, leading to potential damage, reduced power efficiency, and decreased charging efficiency due to overheating during fast charging or low ambient temperatures.
A coolant circulation system that combines external and internal coolant with a refrigerant line to manage thermal performance by heating or cooling the battery, using a control device to adjust coolant temperature based on battery requirements.
Improves charging efficiency by optimizing temperature management of high-voltage batteries during charging, preventing overheating and maintaining optimal operating conditions.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a coolant circulation system for a vehicle, wherein, in order to perform thermal or temperature management of a high-voltage battery provided in an electric vehicle, the coolant circulation system is configured to be connected to the high-voltage battery of the electric vehicle in order to combine a coolant manipulated outside the vehicle and a coolant circulating within the high-voltage battery of the vehicle. Therefore, cooled or heated coolant is supplied to the high-voltage battery.
[0002] From KR 10 2023 0 033 113 A, a coolant circulation system for a vehicle is known, comprising: a heating reservoir and a cooling reservoir configured to store coolant; a coolant line configured to be optionally connected to a battery system of the vehicle and supplying the coolant in both the heating reservoir and the cooling reservoir to the battery system, wherein the coolant line has a coolant valve configured to optionally supply the coolant in both the heating reservoir and the cooling reservoir to the battery system; and a refrigerant line in which the refrigerant is circulated, wherein the refrigerant line has a compressor, an expansion valve, a heating element provided in the heating reservoir, a cooling element provided in the cooling reservoir, and a refrigerant valve.which is configured in such a way as to change the flow direction of the refrigerant. Further refrigerant circulation systems are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 131 149 A1 and CN 1 13 629 310 A.
[0003] The development of technologies related to electric vehicles is progressing rapidly. Among these technologies, those related to the thermal management of high-voltage batteries are receiving particular attention in the case of electric vehicles. The high-voltage battery, which serves to replace or supplement the combustion engine of a conventional combustion engine vehicle, is more sensitive to temperature than the combustion engine itself. If the high-voltage battery overheats, it is easily damaged, and its power efficiency is reduced or diminished as a result. Therefore, electric vehicles are equipped with high-voltage battery cooling lines to ensure efficient thermal management of the high-voltage battery.
[0004] However, when a vehicle is powered by the high-voltage battery and when the high-voltage battery is being charged, heat is generated. In particular, the high-voltage battery generates more heat during fast charging, which can lead to battery degradation or a reduction in charging efficiency. Furthermore, very low ambient temperatures can also reduce the charging efficiency of the high-voltage battery.
[0005] In the above description, the control device and the control method for operating a fuel cell are mentioned only to aid in understanding the background of the invention.
[0006] In light of the foregoing, there is a need to develop a coolant circulation system for a vehicle. The system is connected to an electric vehicle in a stationary state within a specific environment, such as during the charging of a high-voltage battery, to exchange coolant via a coolant line and to cool or heat the coolant. This arrangement improves the charging efficiency and / or the thermal efficiency of the high-voltage battery.
[0007] The invention provides a coolant circulation system for a vehicle for the thermal management of a high-voltage battery in an electric vehicle. The coolant circulation system is configured to be connected to the electric vehicle's high-voltage battery in order to combine a coolant manipulated outside the vehicle with a coolant circulating within the vehicle's high-voltage battery and to supply cooled or heated coolant to the high-voltage battery. This allows the charging efficiency to be improved through temperature management of the high-voltage battery during charging.
[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to claim 1 is provided. The invention further provides a coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to claim 7 and a coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to claim 8.
[0009] The coolant line may include a coupling component connected to the vehicle's battery system and a water pump configured to circulate the coolant.
[0010] The coolant line can be configured to allow the coolant to flow from the water pump to the clutch part by passing through the heater reservoir or the cooling reservoir.
[0011] The coolant valve can have a first coolant valve and a second coolant valve, which can be configured to allow the coolant to flow selectively from the heater reservoir or the cooling reservoir to the clutch part.
[0012] The refrigerant line can be configured to allow the refrigerant to pass from the compressor through the heating core or external heat exchanger, the expansion valve and the cooling core, and be recirculated back to the compressor.
[0013] In response to the refrigerant valve's rotation position, the valve can allow refrigerant to flow to the compressor and heater core, and to the heater core and external heat exchanger, or it can prevent refrigerant from flowing to the heater core and cooling core. Alternatively, the valve can allow refrigerant to flow to the compressor and external heat exchanger, and to the heater core and cooling core, or it can prevent refrigerant from flowing to the compressor and heater core.
[0014] The refrigerant valve can have a first refrigerant valve configured to change the flow of refrigerant between the compressor, the expansion valve and the heater core, a second refrigerant valve configured to change the flow of refrigerant between the heater core, the external heat exchanger and the compressor, and a third refrigerant valve configured to allow the flow of refrigerant between the compressor and the external heat exchanger.
[0015] The expansion valve can have a first expansion valve located between the compressor and the external heat exchanger, and a second expansion valve located between the external heat exchanger and the cooling core.
[0016] The heating reservoir may contain a heater configured to heat the coolant.
[0017] The coolant circulation system may include a control device configured to receive a required coolant temperature from the battery system, control the coolant valve, the expansion valve and the refrigerant valve, and adjust the temperature of the coolant supplied to the vehicle's battery system.
[0018] If the vehicle's battery system requires an increase in coolant temperature, the control unit can circulate the refrigerant through the refrigerant line. This allows the coolant in the heater core to be heated by the heater core, and the heated coolant can then be supplied to the battery system.
[0019] If the temperature of the coolant in the cooling tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature, the control unit can allow the vehicle's battery system to perform control measures in accordance with the increase in coolant temperature.
[0020] The heater core may contain a heater configured to warm the coolant. If the vehicle's battery system requires an increase in coolant temperature, and the coolant temperature in the heater core is below a predetermined temperature, the control unit may limit the refrigerant circulation in the refrigerant line, operate the heater, and supply the warmed coolant in the heater core to the battery system.
[0021] If the vehicle's battery system requires heated coolant and cooled coolant, the control unit can circulate the refrigerant in the refrigerant line to heat the coolant in the heater reservoir through the heater core and to cool the coolant in the cooler core through the cooler core, and can selectively supply the coolant to the heater reservoir or the cooler reservoir in response to a coolant temperature requirement of the battery system.
[0022] If the vehicle's battery system requires cooling of the coolant, the control unit can circulate the refrigerant in the refrigerant line so that the coolant in the heater reservoir and the coolant in the cooling reservoir can each be cooled by the heater core and the cooling core respectively, and the cooled coolant can be supplied to the battery system.
[0023] The coolant circulation system for a vehicle configured as described above can be connected to the high-voltage battery of an electric vehicle to combine coolant supplied externally with coolant circulating within the high-voltage battery. This arrangement serves to manage the thermal performance of the high-voltage battery and to supply the cooled or heated coolant to the battery. Therefore, charging efficiency can be improved through temperature management of the high-voltage battery during charging.
[0024] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a view of a coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to the invention; Fig. 2 a block diagram of the in Fig. 1 coolant circulation system shown for a vehicle; Fig. 3 a view of an embodiment of a refrigerant valve according to the invention; Fig. 4 a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle in which the refrigerant valve according to the invention is used; Fig. 5 a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 a view of an embodiment with a plurality of expansion valves; Fig. 7 a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 9 a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to a further embodiment of the invention.
[0025] A coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to embodiments of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026] In the following description, the structural or functional description, which is specified for embodiments according to the inventive concept of the present disclosure, is intended to describe the embodiments. It is understood that the present inventive concept can be implemented in various ways without being limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.
[0027] The embodiments described herein can be modified in various ways and can take different forms. Specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and are described in detail in this specification. However, it is understood that the embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure are not limited to those described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Instead, it is understood that modifications, alterations, and substitutions are included within the scope of the inventive concept.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art of the technology to which this disclosure belongs. It is understood that terms defined by the glossary should be interpreted to have meanings consistent with those in the context of the related technology. Such terms should not be defined ideally or overly formally unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. An electric vehicle described herein may be a passenger vehicle, such as a car, van, off-road vehicle, or the like; or it may be a personal mobility vehicle, i.e., a means of mobility, such as an electric scooter; or it may be a drone or some other type of mobile device.
[0029] The present disclosure is described in detail below by describing embodiments of the present inventive concept with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical reference numerals given in the drawings denote identical components. Where a component, device, element, or the like of this disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element herein should be considered to be "configured" to fulfill that purpose or to perform that operation or function.
[0030] Fig. Figure 1 is a view of a coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the in Fig. 1 shown coolant circulation system for a vehicle. Fig. Figure 3 is a view of an embodiment of a refrigerant valve according to the invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle in which the refrigerant valve according to the invention is used.
[0031] Fig. Figure 5 is a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 6 shows a view of an embodiment with a plurality of expansion valves.
[0032] Fig. Figure 7 is a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0033] Fig. Figure 8 is a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to a further embodiment of the invention.
[0034] Fig. Figure 9 is a view of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to a further embodiment of the invention.
[0035] According to the invention, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a coolant circulation system for a vehicle comprising a heating reservoir 10 and a cooling reservoir 20, which store coolant. The system also includes a coolant line 30, which is optionally connected to a battery system B of the vehicle and shares the coolant in both the heating reservoir 10 and the cooling reservoir 20. The coolant line 30 has a coolant valve 31, which selectively supplies the coolant in both the heating reservoir 10 and the cooling reservoir 20 to the battery system B. The coolant circulation system further includes a refrigerant line 40 in which the refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant line 40 includes a compressor 41, an expansion valve 42, a heating element 43 located in the heating reservoir 10, a cooling element 44 located in the cooling reservoir 20, and a refrigerant valve 45, which reverses the flow direction of the refrigerant.
[0036] In the case of electric vehicles, the battery is recharged by a fast charger located outside the vehicle. Reducing the fast-charging time of electric vehicles is a very important economic factor. During fast charging, the charging current can be increased if the battery is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. Once the battery reaches this temperature, its temperature rises due to self-heating, necessitating rapid cooling. However, heating and cooling the battery requires a powerful heater and compressor inside the vehicle. Due to capacity limitations and cost reduction, it is not desirable to integrate these components into the vehicle.When the above-mentioned parts are mounted on the vehicle, even if the battery is not being charged, the vehicle's fuel efficiency will be adversely affected due to the high weight of the above-mentioned parts.
[0037] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the coolant circulation system for a vehicle is configured to supply heated or cooled coolant to the coolant line 30 of the vehicle battery when the vehicle battery is being charged. Thus, depending on the environment inside and outside the vehicle, the coolant circulation system heats the battery at the beginning of the charging process under very cold conditions to increase charging efficiency. Once the battery is sufficiently heated, it is cooled to prevent further temperature increases. Similarly, under very hot conditions, the battery is cooled to prevent overheating, thereby increasing charging efficiency and avoiding overheating.
[0038] Therefore, the coolant circulation system according to the invention has a control device 70 which receives a required coolant temperature from the battery system B and controls the coolant valve 31, the expansion valve 42 and the refrigerant valve 45 to adjust the temperature of the coolant supplied to the battery system B of the vehicle.
[0039] In this way, the control unit 70 can communicate with the vehicle and receive a required coolant temperature from the battery system B, and can receive temperature information of the coolant stored in the heating tank 10 and the cooling tank 20 from temperature sensors provided in the heating tank 10 and the cooling tank 20.
[0040] Therefore, the control unit 70 can adjust the temperature of the coolant supplied to the vehicle via coolant line 30 based on the coolant temperature required by the vehicle's battery system B. In other words, the control unit 70 receives information about the temperature after the vehicle's initial coolant inlet, the initial coolant temperature, the vehicle's ambient temperature, and the battery's state of charge (SOC) to determine the temperature of the coolant to be injected into battery system B. Accordingly, cooled or heated coolant is supplied to the vehicle's battery system B, thus improving the battery's charging efficiency.
[0041] For a detailed description of the coolant circulation system for a vehicle according to the invention, the coolant line 30 has a coupling part 32 connected to the battery system B of the vehicle and a water pump 33 circulating the coolant.
[0042] Here, the coupling part 32 is connected to the vehicle along with the fast charger. When the coupling part 32 is connected to the vehicle, the coolant in battery system B and the coolant in both the heater reservoir 10 and the cooling reservoir 20 are combined. Therefore, the vehicle's battery system B can be supplied with coolant at an optimal temperature, required for optimal battery system B, via the heater reservoir 10 and / or the cooling reservoir 20.
[0043] Furthermore, the coolant valve 31 can have a first coolant valve 31a and a second coolant valve 31b, which allow the coolant to flow selectively from the heater reservoir 10 or the cooling reservoir 20 to the coupling part 32.
[0044] In other words, coolant line 30 branches off to the inlet and outlet sides of the heater reservoir 10 and the inlet and outlet sides of the cooling reservoir 20. Coolant line 30 has the first coolant valve 31a and the second coolant valve 31b, so that the coolant in the heater reservoir 10 and the coolant in the cooling reservoir 20 can be selectively supplied to the vehicle's battery system B. Each of the first coolant valve 31a and the second coolant valve 31b can be a three-way valve and can be replaced by an integrated valve.
[0045] As described above, according to the invention, the coolant flows in the coolant line 30 from the water pump 33 to the coupling part 32, while passing through the heater reservoir 10 or the cooling reservoir 20. The coolant, at the temperature set in the heater reservoir 10 or the cooling reservoir 20, flows selectively via the coolant valve 31 to the coupling part 32.
[0046] Meanwhile, the refrigerant line 40 can have an external heat exchanger 50 that exchanges heat with the outside air. The external heat exchanger 50 can be configured to exchange heat with the outside air by operating a cooling fan. The external heat exchanger 50 can also be configured to regulate the temperature of the refrigerant in order to implement a heat pump.
[0047] Therefore, the refrigerant line 40 is configured to recirculate the refrigerant from the compressor 41 via the heating core 43 or the external heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 42 and the cooling core 44 to the compressor 41.
[0048] In other words, in response to the temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooling line 30 or a heating / cooling mode of the battery, the refrigerant line 40 can cool the coolant in the cooling reservoir 20 or heat the coolant in the heating reservoir 10, while the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 41, condensed by the heating core 43 or the external heat exchanger 50, expanded by the expansion valve 42, and evaporated by the cooling core 44.
[0049] In this case, the refrigerant valve 45 is a six-way valve and can selectively direct the flow of the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 41 to the heating core 43, the cooling core 44 and the external heat exchanger 50.
[0050] In other words, according to one embodiment of the invention, when the refrigerant is circulated from the compressor 41 selectively to the heating core 43 or the external heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 42 and the cooling core 44, the refrigerant valve 45 has a plurality of refrigerant valves 45.
[0051] Therefore, the refrigerant valve 45 can have the plurality of refrigerant valves or be integrated into one (e.g. a single) refrigerant valve to realize different embodiments.
[0052] One embodiment is as described in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the refrigerant valve 45 as a six-way valve. This single refrigerant valve 45 allows the refrigerant to flow selectively into the heating core 43, the external heat exchanger 50, the expansion valve 42, and the cooling core 44 to adjust the refrigerant temperature. Furthermore, by switching the refrigerant flow direction, the single refrigerant valve 45 can simplify the refrigerant line 40 circuit.
[0053] In response to a rotational position of the refrigerant valve 45, the refrigerant valve 45, in one position, allows the refrigerant to flow with respect to (e.g., between or into) the compressor 41 and the heating core 43, and onto the heating core 43 and the outer heat exchanger 50, and optionally prevents the refrigerant from flowing with respect to (e.g., between or into) the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44. In another position, the refrigerant valve 45 allows the refrigerant to flow with respect to (e.g., between or into) the compressor 41 and the outer heat exchanger 50, and onto the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44, and prevents the refrigerant from flowing with respect to (e.g., between or into) the compressor 41 and the heating core 43.
[0054] Therefore, the refrigerant valve 45 can have three flow paths, and one of the three flow paths is formed with a step difference that is higher than the other two flow paths, so that the refrigerant valve 45 can be configured to prevent the refrigerant from flowing with respect to one flow path when the refrigerant is flowing in the other two flow paths. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the refrigerant valve 45 has a first flow path F1, a second flow path F2, and a third flow path F3. Therefore, the refrigerant valve 45 has a first opening F1a and a second opening F1b corresponding to the first flow path F1, a third opening F2a and a fourth opening F2b corresponding to the second flow path F2, and a fifth opening F3a and a sixth opening F3b corresponding to the third flow path F3. When the refrigerant valve 45 is used in the refrigerant line 40, as shown in Figure 3, the refrigerant valve 45 has a first opening F1a and a second opening F1b corresponding to the first flow path F1, a third opening F2a and a fourth opening F2b corresponding to the second flow path F2, and a fifth opening F3a and a sixth opening F3b corresponding to the third flow path F3. Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the refrigerant can optionally flow to the heating core 43 and the outer heat exchanger 50 or to the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44 with respect to the compressor 41 and the heating core 43.
[0055] Therefore, if the refrigerant valve 45 changes the flow direction of the refrigerant only by means of a single valve, the refrigerant valve 45 allows the refrigerant to flow towards the compressor 41 and the heating core 43, and towards the heating core 43 and the external heat exchanger 50, while preventing the refrigerant from flowing towards the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44. Thus, heat from the refrigerant is stored in the heating core 43, and refrigerant flow towards the external heat exchanger 50 and the cooling core 44 is possible, allowing the temperature of the refrigerant to be manipulated. Furthermore, the refrigerant valve 45 allows the refrigerant to flow towards the compressor 41 and the external heat exchanger 50, and towards the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44, while preventing the refrigerant from flowing towards the compressor 41 and the heating core 43.Therefore, the outer heat exchanger 50 acts as a condenser, and the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44 act as evaporators to cool the coolant stored in the heating reservoir 10 and the cooling reservoir 20.
[0056] However, according to another embodiment of the refrigerant valve 45, the refrigerant valve 45 can have a first refrigerant valve 45a, a second refrigerant valve 45b, and a third refrigerant valve 45c. The first refrigerant valve 45a can modify the flow of refrigerant between the compressor 41, the expansion valve 42, and the heating core 43. The second refrigerant valve 45b can modify the flow of refrigerant between the heating core 43, the external heat exchanger 50, and the compressor 41. The third refrigerant valve 45c can allow the flow of refrigerant between the compressor 41 and the external heat exchanger 50.
[0057] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, if the refrigerant valve 45 comprises the first refrigerant valve 45a, the second refrigerant valve 45b, and the third refrigerant valve 45c, the degree of freedom for the installation of the refrigerant line 40 can be ensured. In this arrangement, if the first refrigerant valve 45a alters the flow of refrigerant between the compressor 41, a first expansion valve 42a, and the heating core 43, the refrigerant passing through the compressor 41 can optionally flow into the outer heat exchanger 50 or the heating core 43. Furthermore, if the second refrigerant valve 45b alters the flow of refrigerant between the heating core 43, the outer heat exchanger 50, and the compressor 41, the refrigerant passing through the heating core 43 can exchange heat with the outer heat exchanger 50 or flow into the compressor 41.If the third refrigerant valve 45c selectively allows the refrigerant to flow between the compressor 41 and the external heat exchanger 50, the refrigerant can selectively bypass the heating core 43. Therefore, each of the first refrigerant valve 45a and the second refrigerant valve 45b can be a three-way valve, and the third refrigerant valve 45c can be a two-way valve.
[0058] Meanwhile, the expansion valve 42 can have a first expansion valve 42a, which is arranged between the compressor 41 and the outer heat exchanger 50, and a second expansion valve 42b, which is arranged between the outer heat exchanger 50 and the cooling core 44.
[0059] As described above, the expansion valve 42 has the first expansion valve 45a and the second expansion valve 42b to realize a heat pump through the external heat exchanger 50, the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44.
[0060] For example, when the first expansion valve 42a is operating, the refrigerant passing through the compressor 41 transfers heat to the coolant in the heating tank 10 within the heating core 43. Similarly, the external heat exchanger 50 absorbs external heat through the expansion operation of the first expansion valve 42a. In this case, the second expansion valve 42b is open to increase the heat storage effect of the coolant through the heating core 43 during refrigerant recirculation. As described above, the heat pump can be implemented using the first expansion valve 42a and the second expansion valve 42b. The control of the first expansion valve 42a and the second expansion valve 42b is described in detail below.
[0061] Meanwhile, the heating vessel 10 can have a heater 60 that heats the coolant. This heater 60 can be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. If it is difficult for the heating core 43 to raise the temperature of the coolant to the required temperature, the heater 60 can be operated in conjunction with the heating core 43 to increase the coolant temperature.
[0062] According to the invention described above, the coolant circulation system for a vehicle can control a flow of refrigerant and a flow of coolant in response to different modes depending on a coolant temperature required by the battery system B.
[0063] As an example, if the vehicle's battery system B requires an increase in the coolant temperature, the control unit 70 circulates the coolant in the heater tank 10. Therefore, the coolant in the heater tank 10 is heated by the heater core 43, and the heated coolant is supplied to the battery system B.
[0064] The control device 70 can be controlled according to each embodiment of the expansion valve 42 as follows.
[0065] In other words, if the expansion valve 42 has an expansion valve, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 70 controls the refrigerant valve 45 to create a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 41 and condenses in the heater core 43. This increases the temperature of the refrigerant in the heater tank 10, and the refrigerant is expanded through the expansion valve 42 via the external heat exchanger 50 and evaporated in the cooling core 44 to cool the refrigerant in the cooling tank 20. The temperature of the refrigerant in the heater tank 10 can be adjusted when the heater 60 is operating. Furthermore, the refrigerant valve 31 of the refrigerant line 30 allows the refrigerant at the increased temperature in the heater tank 10 to be supplied to the battery system B. The battery system B can perform refrigerant temperature management that is optimized under charging conditions.
[0066] This controls, if the expansion valve 42 has a plurality of expansion valves, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the control device 70 controls the refrigerant valve 45, so that the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 41 and condenses in the heating element 43 to increase the temperature of the coolant in the heating tank 10. The refrigerant is evaporated in the external heat exchanger 50 by means of an expansion operation of the first expansion valve 42a to absorb heat from the outside air. Furthermore, when the second expansion valve 42b is open, it is possible to implement a heat pump in which the refrigerant exchanges heat with the coolant core 44 and is then recirculated to the compressor 41.
[0067] In a situation where the vehicle's battery system B, described above, requires an increase in coolant temperature, the coolant temperature can be increased if the coolant temperature in the cooling reservoir 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature. This predetermined temperature can be 0 °C. If the coolant temperature in the cooling reservoir 20 is equal to or greater than 0 °C, the storage of cold due to refrigerant evaporation in the cooling core 44 is permissible or possible, and it is desirable to meet the above condition.
[0068] However, limited, as in Fig. Figure 7 shows that when the vehicle's battery system B requires an increase in the coolant temperature, and the coolant temperature in the cooling tank 20 is less than the predetermined temperature, the control device 70 circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant line 40, operates the heater 60 and allows the heated coolant in the heater tank 10 to be supplied to the battery system B.
[0069] The predetermined temperature can be 0 °C, and if the temperature of the coolant in the cooling tank 20 is less than 0 °C, the cooling core 44 does not evaporate the refrigerant, thus limiting the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant line 40. The coolant in the heater tank 10 is heated by operating the heater 60, and the coolant valve 31 of the coolant line 30 allows the coolant with the increased temperature in the heater tank 10 to be supplied to the battery system B, thereby supplying the heated coolant required by the battery system B.
[0070] In another embodiment, when the vehicle's battery system B requires heated and cooled coolant, the control unit 70 circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant line 40, so that the coolant in the heater reservoir 10 is heated by the heater core 43, and the coolant in the cooler core 20 is cooled by the cooler core 44. The control unit 70 selectively supplies the coolant to the heater reservoir 10 or the coolant to the cooler reservoir 20 in response to a coolant temperature demanded by the battery system B.
[0071] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the control unit 70 controls the refrigerant valve 45 to create a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 41 and condenses in the heater core 43, thus increasing the temperature of the refrigerant in the heater reservoir 10. The refrigerant then expands in the expansion valve 42 as it passes through the external heat exchanger 50 and evaporates in the cooling core 44 to cool the refrigerant in the cooling reservoir 20. The temperature of the refrigerant in the heater reservoir 10 can be adjusted when the heater 60 is operating. Furthermore, the coolant valve 31 in the coolant line 30 mixes the heated refrigerant in the heater reservoir 10 and the cooled refrigerant in the cooling reservoir 20 in response to a coolant temperature required by the battery system B.The coolant valve 31 supplies the mixed coolant to the battery system B, so that the battery system B can perform the coolant temperature management, which is optimized for a charging condition.
[0072] In this case, if the expansion valve 42 has multiple expansion valves, the first expansion valve 42a is open, and the second expansion valve 42b is undergoing expansion. This refrigerant circuit is the same as the one with the single expansion valve 42.
[0073] Meanwhile, in another embodiment, if the vehicle's battery system B requires cooling of the coolant temperature, the control device 70 circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant line 40, so that the coolant in the heating tank 10 and the coolant in the cooling tank 20 are each cooled by the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44 respectively, and the cooled coolant is supplied to the battery system B.
[0074] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 9, the control unit 70 controls the refrigerant valve 45 to create a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 41, bypasses the heating core 43, and condenses in the external heat exchanger 50. It then expands in the expansion valve 42 and evaporates in the cooling core 44, thereby cooling the refrigerant in the cooling tank 20. Specifically, in situations such as summer when an increase in the temperature of the battery system B is not required, the battery system B only needs the cooled refrigerant. The control unit 70 controls the refrigerant valve 45 to allow the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve 42 to flow into the heating core 43, where it evaporates. Therefore, the coolant in the heating reservoir 10 and the coolant in the cooling reservoir 20 are each cooled by the heating core 43 and the cooling core 44, respectively.The coolant valve 31 of the coolant line 30 supplies the coolant cooled in the heater reservoir 10 and the coolant cooled in the cooling reservoir 20 to the battery system B. Therefore, the battery system B can perform coolant temperature management, which is optimized for a charging condition.
[0075] In this case, even if the expansion valve 42 has multiple expansion valves, the first expansion valve 42a is open, and the second expansion valve 42b is undergoing expansion. The refrigerant circuit is the same as with the single expansion valve 42.
[0076] The coolant circulation system for a vehicle configured as described above is connected to the high-voltage battery of an electric vehicle to combine coolant supplied externally with coolant circulating within the battery. This is done for thermal management of the high-voltage battery and to supply the coolant to the battery, either cooled or heated. Therefore, charging efficiency is improved through temperature management of the high-voltage battery during charging.
Claims
[1] Coolant circulation system for a vehicle, wherein the coolant circulation system comprises: a heating reservoir (10) and a cooling reservoir (20) configured to store coolant, a coolant line (30) configured to be selectively connected to a battery system (B) of the vehicle and supplying the coolant to the battery system (B) in both the heater reservoir (10) and the cooling reservoir (20), wherein the coolant line (30) has a coolant valve (31) configured to selectively supply the coolant to the battery system (B) in both the heater reservoir (10) and the cooling reservoir (20), and a refrigerant line (40) in which the refrigerant circulates, wherein the refrigerant line (40) comprises a compressor (41), an expansion valve (42), a heating core (43) provided in the heating vessel (10), a cooling core (44) provided in the cooling vessel (20), and a refrigerant valve (45) configured to change the flow direction of the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant line (40) further comprises an external heat exchanger (50) which is configured to perform heat exchange with outside air, and wherein the refrigerant valve (45) is a six-way valve and is configured to change the flow of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant passing through the compressor (41) may flow selectively to one or more of the heating core (43), the cooling core (44) and the external heat exchanger (50). [2] Coolant circulation system according to claim 1, wherein the coolant line (30) further comprises a coupling part (32) connected to the vehicle's battery system (B) and a water pump (33) configured to circulate the coolant. [3] Coolant circulation system according to claim 2, wherein the coolant line (30) is configured such that it allows the coolant to flow from the water pump (33) to the coupling part (32) by passing through the heater reservoir (10) or the cooling reservoir (20). [4] Coolant circulation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the coolant valve (31) has a first coolant valve (31a) and a second coolant valve (31b) configured to allow the coolant to flow selectively from the heater reservoir (10) or the cooling reservoir (20) to the coupling part (32). [5] Coolant circulation system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant line (40) is configured such that it allows the refrigerant to pass from the compressor (41) through the heating core (43) or the external heat exchanger (50), the expansion valve (42) and the cooling core (44) and to be recirculated to the compressor (41). [6] Coolant circulation system according to claim 1, wherein in response to a rotational position of the refrigerant valve (45) the refrigerant valve (45) allows the refrigerant to flow to the compressor (41) and the heating core (43) and to the heating core (43) and the external heat exchanger (50), and prevents the refrigerant from flowing to the heating core (43) and the cooling core (44), or the refrigerant valve (45) allows the refrigerant to flow to the compressor (41) and the external heat exchanger (50) and to the heating core (43) and the cooling core (44), and prevents the refrigerant from flowing to the compressor (41) and the heating core (43). [7] Coolant circulation system for a vehicle, wherein the coolant circulation system comprises: a heating reservoir (10) and a cooling reservoir (20) configured to store coolant, a coolant line (30) configured to be selectively connected to a battery system (B) of the vehicle and supplying the coolant to the battery system (B) in both the heater reservoir (10) and the cooling reservoir (20), wherein the coolant line (30) has a coolant valve (31) configured to selectively supply the coolant to the battery system (B) in both the heater reservoir (10) and the cooling reservoir (20), and a refrigerant line (40) in which the refrigerant circulates, wherein the refrigerant line (40) comprises a compressor (41), an expansion valve (42), a heating core (43) provided in the heating vessel (10), a cooling core (44) provided in the cooling vessel (20), and a refrigerant valve (45) configured to change the flow direction of the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant line (40) further comprises an external heat exchanger (50) which is configured to perform heat exchange with outside air, and wherein the refrigerant valve (45) comprises a first refrigerant valve (45a) configured to change the flow of refrigerant between the compressor (41), the expansion valve (42) and the heating core (43), a second refrigerant valve (45b) configured to change the flow of refrigerant between the heating core (43), the external heat exchanger (50) and the compressor (41), and a third refrigerant valve (45c) configured to allow the flow of refrigerant between the compressor (41) and the external heat exchanger (50). [8] Coolant circulation system for a vehicle, wherein the coolant circulation system comprises: a heating reservoir (10) and a cooling reservoir (20) configured to store coolant, a coolant line (30) configured to be selectively connected to a battery system (B) of the vehicle and supplying the coolant to the battery system (B) in both the heater reservoir (10) and the cooling reservoir (20), wherein the coolant line (30) has a coolant valve (31) configured to selectively supply the coolant to the battery system (B) in both the heater reservoir (10) and the cooling reservoir (20), and a refrigerant line (40) in which the refrigerant circulates, wherein the refrigerant line (40) comprises a compressor (41), an expansion valve (42), a heating core (43) provided in the heating vessel (10), a cooling core (44) provided in the cooling vessel (20), and a refrigerant valve (45) configured to change the flow direction of the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant line (40) further comprises an external heat exchanger (50) which is configured to perform heat exchange with outside air, and wherein the expansion valve (42) comprises a first expansion valve (42a) arranged between the compressor (41) and the outer heat exchanger (50) and a second expansion valve (42b) arranged between the outer heat exchanger (50) and the cooling core (44). [9] Coolant circulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating tank (10) has a heater (60) configured to heat the coolant. [10] Coolant circulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a control device (70) configured to receive a required coolant temperature of the battery system (B), controls the coolant valve (31), the expansion valve (42) and the refrigerant valve (45), and sets the temperature of the coolant supplied to the vehicle's battery system (B). [11] Coolant circulation system according to claim 10, wherein, when the vehicle's battery system (B) requires an increase in the temperature of the coolant, the control device (70) circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant line (40) so that the coolant in the heater reservoir (10) is heated by the heater core (43) and the heated coolant is supplied to the battery system (B). [12] Coolant circulation system according to claim 11, wherein when the temperature of the coolant in the cooling reservoir (20) is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature, the control device (70) enables the vehicle's battery system (B) to perform control in accordance with the increase in the temperature of the coolant. [13] Coolant circulation system according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the heater (10) has a heater (60) configured to heat the coolant, and wherein, when the vehicle's battery system (B) requires an increase in the temperature of the coolant, and the temperature of the coolant in the heater (20) is less than the predetermined temperature, the control device (70) limits the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant line (40), operates the heater (60) and supplies the heated coolant in the heater (10) to the battery system (B). [14] Coolant circulation system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, when the vehicle's battery system (B) requires heated coolant and cooled coolant, the control device (70) circulates the refrigerant of the refrigerant line (40) to heat the coolant in the heater reservoir (10) through the heater core (43) and to cool the coolant in the cooling core (20) through the cooling core (44), and the control device (70) selectively supplies the coolant to the heater reservoir (10) or the cooling reservoir (20) in response to a required coolant temperature of the battery system (B). [15] Coolant circulation system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein, when the vehicle's battery system (B) requires cooling of the coolant, the control device (70) circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant line (40) so that the coolant in the heater reservoir (10) and the coolant in the cooling reservoir (20) are each cooled by the heater core (43) and the cooling core (44), respectively, and the cooled coolant is supplied to the battery system (B).