Method, computing unit and computer program for operating a temperature control system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024207360
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-08
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-13
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a temperature control system, in particular of a vehicle, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out the method. Background of the invention
[0002] Temperature control systems, such as cooling systems in vehicles, can be operated by setting predetermined flow temperatures and / or directing predetermined mass flows of temperature control medium to the respective component to be tempered. The control system is typically closely tailored to the respective system, making it difficult to transfer control systems from an existing to a new temperature control system, or requiring recalibration when changes are made to an existing system. Disclosure of the invention
[0003] According to the invention, a method for operating a temperature control system, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for implementing the method, are proposed, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.
[0004] The temperature control system comprises at least one component to be temperature controlled, and at least one heat exchanger configured to supply and / or extract heat from a temperature control medium. Furthermore, the temperature control system comprises at least one first flow control device configured to adjust a control ratio and / or a mass flow rate, in particular a mass flow rate, of the temperature control medium from the at least one heat exchanger to the at least one component to be temperature controlled and / or from the at least one component to be temperature controlled to the at least one heat exchanger. The temperature control system also comprises a temperature sensor. The at least one component to be temperature controlled is further arranged between a temperature sensor and the flow control device and / or the heat exchanger, in particular as part of a temperature control circuit, preferably as a cooling and / or heating circuit.
[0005] The invention preferably employs the method of distributing thermal power within the temperature control system as required by supplying the necessary mass flows of temperature control medium to the components to be temperature-controlled, based on target temperatures. For this purpose, a temperature distribution within the temperature control system is determined, and the system is controlled in such a way that the thermal requirements of all components are met with minimal effort.
[0006] Specifically, the method comprises measuring the inlet temperature of the temperature control medium using a temperature sensor. Preferably, the temperature of the temperature control medium is measured at a point within the temperature control system. In particular, the measured temperature serves as the inlet temperature for a component model, a downstream component, preferably adjusted for thermal losses up to the component.
[0007] In one process step, the outlet temperature of the temperature control medium of the component to be temperature controlled is determined using a thermal component model. For this determination, the inlet temperature of the temperature control medium entering the component is used. The inlet temperature corresponds, in particular, to the measured inlet temperature if the temperature sensor is located directly upstream of the component. "Directly" in this context means that no other component is positioned between them.
[0008] In one process step, the temperature control system is controlled depending on the determined output temperature. If several output temperatures are determined, the control is based on all determined temperatures and / or the output temperature of the component located directly upstream of the heat exchanger or the flow control device.
[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, in the control step, a flow control device, in particular a flow control device, is actuated such that the mass flow is distributed according to the determined control ratio. Preferably, a flow control device is actuated such that a mass flow is achieved. The required temperature control capacity can be provided precisely and with minimal energy expenditure. Cooling and heating capacities can be provided within a single temperature control system.
[0010] In the context of the present invention, the target temperature can be understood as a single temperature value or a temperature range around such a temperature value. For example, such a temperature range can be spanned between two temperature values that differ from each other as desired, e.g., by a maximum of 50 °C, 20 °C, 15 °C, etc.
[0011] The temperature control system can be a component of a vehicle, such as a gasoline, hybrid, or electric vehicle. This is a particularly relevant application for temperature control systems (e.g., air conditioning, battery temperature control, engine cooling, etc.). The temperature control system comprises a temperature control medium circuit, specifically a cooling and / or heating circuit, in which the temperature control medium circulates.
[0012] In some embodiments, the method additionally includes identifying further sensors available in the temperature control system. These sensors determine the current temperature of at least one component to be temperature controlled and / or the current temperature of the temperature control medium. If no sensor is directly available, the temperature is determined using a physical model of the temperature control system. This allows the method to be flexibly adapted to different temperature control systems, enabling, for example, subsequent expansions or ensuring that the affected system can continue operating even if a sensor malfunctions.
[0013] The physical model can, in particular, include one or more thermal component models of the components to be temperature-controlled and / or a thermal model of at least one heat exchanger and / or a hydraulic model of the temperature control system. This allows the essential components of the temperature control system to be computationally represented.
[0014] The hydraulic model can determine the mass flow rate of the temperature control medium, in particular based on at least one parameter comprising pressure drop coefficients across one or more temperature control medium paths of the temperature control system, a geometry, in particular cross-sectional area, of one or more temperature control medium paths, properties, in particular viscosity and / or density, of the temperature control medium, and a volumetric output of at least one flow control device. Thus, the essential hydraulic influencing factors are taken into account.
[0015] The physical model, particularly its thermal component, operates in some configurations based on one or more input variables from the group consisting of the inlet temperature of the temperature control medium to the at least one component to be temperature controlled, the current temperature of the at least one component to be temperature controlled, the thermal power of the at least one component to be temperature controlled, and the mass flow rate of the temperature control medium. This allows the use of the essential thermal influencing factors. From these input variables, the thermal component model of the respective component to be temperature controlled determines an outlet temperature of the temperature control medium from the component (and thus the inlet temperature of the temperature control medium to the component immediately downstream). Furthermore, a target inlet temperature of the temperature control medium (inlet temperature setpoint) and a target mass flow rate (e.g.,Mass flow setpoint) as well as minimum and maximum tolerable mass flow values can be derived.
[0016] According to a further advantageous development, the component to be temperature-controlled with the highest thermal demand (e.g., highest required mass flow rate setpoint, lowest required inlet temperature setpoint) can then be selected based on the determined parameters and used as the basis for the temperature control system. In other words, the component with the highest thermal demand can determine the control of the temperature control system (possibly limited by the maximum operating ranges of other components).
[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the outlet temperature of a first component can be assumed to be equal to the inlet temperature of a second component downstream of the first component in the flow direction of the temperature control medium. Preferably, the outlet temperature of the temperature control medium from a component to be temperature-controlled corresponds to the inlet temperature of the downstream component to be temperature-controlled. Accordingly, it is expedient to base the determination of the temperature distribution on the arrangement of the components relative to each other (also referred to as the configuration). The outlet temperature of the temperature control medium is preferably derived from the respective inlet temperature, a mass flow rate of the temperature control medium (or residence time), and a heat transfer function from the component to the temperature control medium or vice versa.
[0018] Using a temperature sensor to determine the temperature within the temperature control system, the local temperature can be determined for the sensor's position. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature can be determined model-based (regardless of whether a sensor is present or not), particularly using thermal component models. The measured value and / or the model value can then be validated for the sensor position by comparing the two values.
[0019] According to an advantageous development, the line that carries the temperature control medium and is formed between one of the components of the temperature control system: flow adjustment device, heat exchanger, component, can also be modeled. In particular, a cooling effect experienced by the temperature control medium in the line between the components can be taken into account.
[0020] Overall, the modular design of the system facilitates adaptation of the control system to various temperature control systems with different configurations and also allows for subsequent modifications to the system without having to redesign the entire control system. For example, in such a case, updating the configuration information (relative arrangement of the components to each other) and, if necessary, adding models, especially thermal component models, for newly added components is sufficient to enable the control of the modified temperature control system with otherwise identical functionality.
[0021] The flow adjustment device can, in particular, comprise one or more components from the group consisting of a flow-limiting valve, a multi-way valve, a throttle valve, a pump, and a bypass path. The bypass path is configured to redirect at least a portion of the temperature control medium back to the flow adjustment device, bypassing at least one component of the temperature control system, in particular the at least one heat exchanger and / or the at least one component to be temperature-controlled. This allows the heat transport within the temperature control system to be influenced in a variety of ways, enabling demand-based and targeted control.
[0022] An advantageous further development is that the heat exchanger and / or the heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the component to be tempered, which in turn is arranged downstream of the temperature sensor.
[0023] An advantageous further development is that two or more components to be tempered are arranged downstream of the temperature sensor and upstream of the flow control device and / or the heat exchanger, and that a thermal component model is used for each of the two or more components to determine the respective output temperature.
[0024] An advantageous step in further developing the process is to determine the inlet temperature of a subsequent component to be tempered when several tempering media flows are combined, from the outlet temperatures, taking into account the respective mass flow rates.
[0025] A particularly advantageous further development is that the component to be tempered with the greatest thermal requirement (e.g. highest required mass flow setpoint, lowest required inlet temperature setpoint) is determined based on the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature, in particular the component to be tempered is determined where there is the greatest difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature.
[0026] A computing unit according to the invention, e.g. a control unit of a vehicle, is configured, in particular in terms of programming, to carry out a method according to the invention.
[0027] Implementing a method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or computer program product with program code for carrying out all method steps is also advantageous, as this incurs particularly low costs, especially if an executing control unit is already available for other tasks. Finally, a machine-readable storage medium is provided with a computer program stored on it as described above. Suitable storage media or data carriers for providing the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical, and electrical storage media, such as hard drives, flash memory, EEPROMs, DVDs, etc. Downloading a program via computer networks (Internet, intranet, etc.) is also possible. Such a download can be wired or wireless (e.g., via a WLAN network, a 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G connection, etc.).
[0028] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.
[0029] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 schematically shows a temperature control system as it can be used in embodiments of the invention. Fig. 2 shows a simple illustration of a thermal model of a component to be tempered, as can be used in embodiments of the invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a more detailed illustration of a thermal model as may be used in embodiments of the invention. Fig. 4 shows a simplified representation of an embodiment of the invention in the form of a schematic block diagram. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a temperature control system with components to be tempered that can be operated at two different temperature levels. Embodiment(s) of the invention
[0030] Various physical quantities are shown in the figures. The symbol "P" refers to power, the symbol "T" to a temperature, and the symbol "dm" to a mass flow or a quantity derived therefrom or influencing it, such as a volume flow (also referred to as a "mass flow quantity" in the context of this disclosure). Mass flow corresponds to the volume flow times the density, in particular of the temperature control medium. Indices provide information about the respective reference point of the quantity, where "cool" refers to the temperature control medium or coolant, "comp" refers to a component to be temperature-controlled (e.g. component 120, 130, 140), "in" designates a quantity as it exists upstream of a respective component or at its inlet, and "out" the state downstream of the respective component or at the component outlet. The index "Act" designates a current or actual value, while "Des" or“SP” refers to a desired or target value.
[0031] In Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a temperature control system, as can be used in embodiments of the invention, designated overall by 100. Components 120, 130, 140 to be temperature-controlled, a pump 110, and a heat exchanger 150 are arranged in the temperature control system 100. In the example illustrated here, components 130 and 140 are connected in parallel, while component 120 is arranged in series with both. Each of the components 130, 140 illustrated here (components connected in parallel) can be supplied with temperature control medium, for example, via a valve 132, 142 dedicated to it. These valves 132, 142 can be used, for example, to adjust a mass flow and / or pressure of the temperature control medium to the respective component 130, 140. Each component 120, 130, 140, possibly with its associated valve 132, 142, forms a section of the temperature control system 100 referred to as a path.In the following, the component 120 connected in series with the subsequent components 130, 140 is referred to as the serial path 103, the component 130 with its associated valve 132 is referred to as the first parallel path 101 and the component 140 with its associated valve 142 is referred to as the second parallel path 102.
[0032] The heat exchanger 150 can be partially or completely bypassed by opening a bypass valve 152 to adjust the thermal performance of the temperature control system 100 as needed. It should be emphasized that not all of the valves 132, 142, 152 shown need to be present in an embodiment according to the invention. A distribution of the mass flow, particularly between the parallel paths 101, 102, can also be determined by means of suitable pipe cross-sections or the like. This allows friction losses, which frequently occur in valves, to be avoided or at least reduced.
[0033] In order to construct a scalable temperature control system 100, information about the component arrangement (which component is allocated where and what is the sequence of the components) should be available, in particular specified by means of a configuration. Preferably, the temperature distribution in the system and the mass flow of the temperature control medium should also be known. A variable is "known" in the sense used here if it is available in the form of sensor information (e.g., temperature sensor 160 for the temperature control medium, e.g., coolant, and / or the temperature of the component(s) 120, 130, 140 to be temperature-controlled and, if available, volume or mass flow), or if no sensor information is available, it is modeled.
[0034] A physical model of the temperature control system 100 can be used to model relevant quantities. This physical model can be composed of various sub-models, for example, a thermal model (thermal component model) of the component(s) 120, 130, 140 to be temperature controlled, a thermal model of the heat exchanger(s) 150, and a hydraulic model of the temperature control system 100. The temperature of the component to be temperature controlled can, for example, be derived from its thermal power (also known as power loss P). loss referred to) and the inlet temperature as well as the mass flow of the tempering medium, e.g. if no corresponding sensor is installed.
[0035] A computing unit 170 is connected to sensors (here sensor 160) for receiving data and to the provided actuators (here pump 110, valves 132, 142, 152) for transmitting data in order to control the latter according to the determined requirements.
[0036] As already described above, for each of the components 120, 130, 140 a desired initial temperature T cool,out of the temperature control medium (coolant). This determination can be performed, for example, in the computing unit 170, e.g., the control unit of the temperature control system 100 or the respective component 120, 130, 140.
[0037] These thermal component models are also called requester models because they impose requirements on the control system. Thermal component models of a component are also called requester models.
[0038] In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows embodiments of such a thermal component model, as can be used in the context of embodiments of the invention, and are designated overall by 200 and 300, respectively.
[0039] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the thermal component model 200. Model 200 models a two-mass model, with a first mass describing the component temperature and the second mass describing the coolant temperature. The two masses are coupled via heat exchange. In an advantageous development, the thermal resistance is taken into account during heat exchange. P loss corresponds to the power loss of the component and T cool,in corresponds to the inlet temperature of the temperature control medium. T comp corresponds to the temperature of the component and T cool,out corresponds to the initial temperature of the temperature control medium.
[0040] In Fig. 3 is a thermal component model 300 with additional details compared to the thermal component model 200 of Fig. 2. In the thermal component model 300, the power loss P is corrected loss,corr, so that the determined, modeled temperature of the component T comp with the T comp , meas is compared.
[0041] A thermal component model 200, 300 of the component 120, 130, 140 to be tempered uses as input variables, for example, an input temperature T cool,in of the temperature control medium at the component 120, 130, 140 to be tempered, in particular a current (in particular measured) temperature T comp,meas , if measured, the component to be tempered and in particular a current mass flow dm cool,Act of the temperature control medium.
[0042] In conjunction with a known thermal power P loss of the component to be tempered (e.g. power loss due to heat radiation to the environment, heat output due to work performed, ...) a future temperature T comp the component and / or an initial temperature T cool,outof the tempering medium must be modeled, in particular determined.
[0043] In Fig. This is shown as an example in Figure 3. The thermal component model 300 is based on a calculation (block 320) of a component temperature T comp and a calculation (block 330) of a tempering medium temperature at the component outlet T cool,out These calculations 320, 330 influence each other by changing the initial temperature T cool,out of the temperature control medium as input variable for the calculation 320 of the component temperature T comp is used, while the component temperature T comp in turn as input for the calculation 330 of the initial temperature T cool,out of the tempering medium is used.
[0044] Furthermore, the component temperature T calculated in this way is compIn the example shown, it is used to determine a correction value corr. For this purpose, the calculated (or model-based) component temperature T comp with a sensor-based determined component temperature T comp,meas compared (Block 312). A difference e between the two values T comp and T comp,meas is calculated, if necessary after prior filtering, (temporal) averaging, or other processing, with a weighting value Fac to obtain the correction value corr (block 314). For example, this can be done by multiplying the difference value e by the weighting value Fac.
[0045] In a step 316, the correction value corr thus determined is compared with a value P loss , which describes the thermal performance of the component under consideration, is calculated, for example additively. The thus determined (corrected) value P loss,corr is used as a further input variable for the calculation 320 of the component temperature T compused and can also be returned to the computing unit 170 for further applications.
[0046] In the corrected power loss P loss,corr This also includes influences not considered in the temperature model. Although the corrected power loss reflects the actual power loss of the component in question less accurately, the accuracy of the coolant outlet temperature T cool,out increased, which makes the process more robust overall.
[0047] In the calculation 330 of the initial temperature T cool,out of the tempering medium, in addition to the already mentioned component temperature T comp an inlet temperature T cool,in of the tempering medium, whose current mass flow (or a related mass flow quantity) dm cool,Actas well as other thermodynamically relevant quantities, such as heat capacity cp or density rho of the temperature control medium (and, if applicable, of the respective component under consideration) as input variables.
[0048] The current mass flow rate dm cool,Act of the tempering medium (e.g. through the component 120, 130, 140 to be tempered) can be determined, for example, by means of the already mentioned hydraulic model of the tempering system 100, whereby a sensor can also be used for this purpose.
[0049] The initial temperature T cool,out of a component (e.g. 120) essentially corresponds to the input temperature T cool,in of the immediately following component (e.g. 130, 140) and can therefore be used as input temperature T according to the configuration of the temperature control system 100 cool,in in the thermal component model of the subsequent component (130, 140).
[0050] The hydraulic model refers to complete temperature control medium paths 101, 102, 103 (e.g., a complete path 101, 102 of a parallel circuit, i.e., from the division of the partial flows to the merging of the partial flows) and the heat exchanger / bypass path 150 / 152. The hydraulic model establishes a relationship between the pressure drop across path 101, 102, 103, the heat exchanger / bypass path 150 / 152, the geometry of the path, and the properties of the temperature control medium. The hydraulic model of a path 101, 102, 103, 150 / 152 is particularly characterized by one or more variables: - Pressure drop coefficients (linear and quadratic part; can be determined by measurements) - Diameter or hydrodynamic cross-sectional areas of pipes or hoses - Properties of the temperature control medium (e.g. viscosity and density).
[0051] The hydraulic model of the temperature control system 100 determines the current mass flow rate dm³ from at least one parameter: the current pump speed, the pump characteristics, and the characteristics of the temperature control system. cool,Act of the temperature control medium (the characteristics of the temperature control system are composed of different paths; e.g., the serial path 103, the parallel path 102, 103, and the heat exchanger / bypass path 150 / 152; the pressure drops of the individual paths are summed to obtain the total pressure drop; the pump characteristics are known; the characteristics of the temperature control system 100 are calculated from the model—e.g., the total pressure drop in the system). Knowing that the same pressure drop exists across paths 101, 102 of a parallel circuit, the mass flow distribution can be calculated back.
[0052] If several temperature control media flows are combined, the inlet temperature T cool,inthe following component as the mixed temperature of the two initial temperatures T cool,out taking into account the respective mass flow components. In the example shown, this is particularly relevant for the inlet temperature of heat exchanger 150, since the two partial flows of the temperature control medium from the two parallel paths 101 and 102 are recombined here. In other embodiments of the temperature control system 100, however, this may also apply to other components to be temperature-controlled.
[0053] In Fig. 4 is a simplified representation of an embodiment of a control of a heat exchanger, as can be used within the scope of the invention, shown in the form of a schematic block diagram and designated overall by 400. For example, the diagram can be used as an illustration of a control of the heat exchanger 150 of the temperature control system 100 from Fig. 1. The controller 400 can be divided into four sub-areas:
[0054] A requester level 410: a requester is a component that makes wishes or requests for coordination or control.
[0055] A configuration level: The configuration determines the temperature distribution in the system and provides so-called requests (mass flow rate, actual and setpoint values for control, temperatures for pre-control, power input to the temperature control medium, etc.). The provision depends on the configured topology.
[0056] A coordination level: The coordination level knows the temperature distribution in the system and the power inputs; it can decide, if necessary, whether subsystems of the temperature control system (e.g., different cooling circuits) are coupled or separated. In the case of separate operation, it is possible to bring the subsystems into a state where they can be coupled. This is also initiated by the coordination level.
[0057] One controller level (420, 401, 405, 430): A central controller enable determines which controller (or actuator) is currently being controlled. The actuators with the lowest power consumption are preferably controlled first. If an actuator reaches its respective limit (e.g., maximum opening of a valve, maximum speed of a pump), the next controller level is enabled.
[0058] In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the temperature control system 100 will be described in more detail using a cooling circuit. The control system is basically constructed as just described, with the individual control levels, also with exemplary reference to Fig. 4, will now be explained in more detail. Requester level:
[0059] A requester is a function by means of which wishes or requirements for the control of the temperature control system 100 (e.g. set temperature T compSP a specific component to be tempered 120, 130, 140; target temperature T cool,in,Des of the temperature control medium at the component inlet). For example, a temporary target temperature can be determined based on a current operating situation (e.g., a different temperature can be requested during a battery charging process than during a discharging process).
[0060] Using a thermal component model 410 (see also 200, 300), for example, setpoint and current values are determined, in particular the following variables: A setpoint T cool,in,Des the inlet coolant temperature (temperature of the tempering medium) is calculated from the setpoint T comp,SP derived from the temperature of the respective component to be tempered.
[0061] A setpoint for the coolant mass flow dm cool,Des determined. A current inlet coolant temperature T cool,in,Act (this is known from the configuration) is then provided; A heat output P loss , or P loss_corr which is introduced into the coolant by the component; A control deviation, e.g. a difference between the setpoint and actual temperature of the component / coolant (used in the configuration, e.g. to select the component with the greatest thermal demand); A setpoint for a temperature difference between inlet T cool,in and initial temperature T cool,out of the coolant (used for pilot control).
[0062] The calculated or targeted and measured component temperatures are compared via an observer 412. Based on the deviation, the thermal performance of the component P loss be corrected P loss,corrThis makes the system very robust and minimizes the error in the calculated coolant outlet temperature. Furthermore, it is possible to check whether sensor information is trustworthy. For example, signal qualities, noise levels, or similar can be used for this purpose. If sensor information is identified as unreliable, a corresponding model value can be used instead, or the observer is deactivated in such a case, since a meaningful comparison is no longer possible.
[0063] The corrected thermal power P loss,corr the respective component 120, 130, 140 can, if necessary after filtering 414 (e.g. PT1 element), serve as a basis for the further requirements T cool,in,Des (from Requester Model 410) of this component to the controller. In the Fig. The example shown in Figure 4 is based on a current mass flow dm cool,Act and a desired inlet temperature T cool,in,Desas a request. Optionally, an expected initial temperature T cool,out,Des which results from the current and / or requested input temperatures and mass flows.
[0064] In summary, the requester level provides setpoints and corresponding feedback values (e.g., deviation between setpoint and actual value) that can be interpreted as requirements for the controller. Actual values are usually determined in the form of sensor signals and, if necessary (e.g., if no corresponding sensor 160, 560 is available), supplemented or replaced by modeled values.
[0065] 330 and 320 from Fig. 3 is comparable to 416 from Fig. 4. Configuration:
[0066] In the Fig. 1 and used primarily as an example, a single cooling or heating circuit with multiple paths is provided. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 5, however, the cooling system comprises two cooling circuits that can be operated at different temperature levels, a medium temperature circuit (MedT) 502 and a low temperature circuit (LoT) 501.
[0067] The configuration takes into account in particular the arrangement of various components in the cooling circuit, for example: - Parallel coolant paths in MedT circuit 502 - Serial coolant path in MedT circuit 502 - Radiator Bypass 152, 552 (heat exchanger bypass) (also configurable; available / not available) - 4-way valve 570 for coupling MedT circuit 502 and LoT circuit 501 - Order of components.
[0068] In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 5, the MedT circuit 502 comprises three components 520, 530, 540 to be cooled, of which components 530 and 540 are arranged in parallel to each other, and component 520 is arranged in series upstream of the two. The LoT circuit 501 in this example also comprises three components 521, 531, 541 to be cooled, which are arranged essentially analogously to the components of the MedT circuit 502, although this need not be the case in all embodiments.
[0069] The configuration determines where the respective component to be cooled is located. For example, a DC / DC converter can be arranged in a first parallel path (e.g. first parallel path 101), while a drive train can be arranged in a second parallel path (e.g. second parallel path 102) and an on-board charger (OBC) can be arranged in a serial path (e.g. serial path 103). It is understood that the components to be temperature-controlled listed here are merely examples for illustrative purposes and are in no way restrictive. Rather, any other components such as the combustion engine, air conditioning system, processors of computing devices, passenger seats, mirrors and other optical components and the like can be used as components to be temperature-controlled. Components to be temperature-controlled can be cooled, heated or, depending on the application situation orThe user can also temporarily cool and temporarily heat the system. Each component is assigned to its own path.
[0070] Different requirements can then be derived from the configuration, for example, determining the target mass flow of the temperature control medium. For this purpose, the individual component requirements, as they emerge from the requester level, are evaluated at the configuration level. In particular, component 120, 130, 140 with the largest difference between the setpoint and actual value can be selected as the basis for the control. Parallel paths can be considered differently than serial paths, since the temperature control medium is divided in parallel paths. This division is known to the configuration level.Using the known relative arrangement of components 120, 130, 140, a required outlet temperature of the temperature control medium from the heat exchanger and a corresponding mass flow rate can be determined within the configuration level in order to adequately supply the component with the highest thermal demand (for example, the heat input into the temperature control medium of all components upstream of the selected component can be taken into account). When setting the determined mass flow dm. cool,Des Furthermore, maximum and minimum tolerable limits are taken into account (e.g., limitations of pump 110 or the respective components 120, 130, 140). The requested setpoint for the inlet temperature of the selected component T cool,in,SP is used for the pre-control of the controller (405 in Fig. 4) is used.
[0071] The initial temperature T cool,out of a component to be tempered is used to determine the inlet temperature Tcool,in into the heat exchanger 150. If the heat exchanger is located directly downstream of the respective component, it can be assumed that these two temperatures will be essentially identical. However, if additional components are connected between the component in question and the heat exchanger 150, the initial temperature T cool,out from the component under consideration as input temperature T cool,in into the next component until all components are modeled and thus the input temperature T cool,in into the heat exchanger 150. Conversely, the outlet temperature T cool,out of the heat exchanger 150 of the inlet temperature T cool,in the first component in the temperature control system 100.
[0072] A pilot control model 420 of the heat exchanger determines from the requirements T cool,in,Desof the individual components or from an overall requirement determined by means of configuration / coordination, and in particular from the initial temperature T cool,out,Des the last component in the temperature control system 100 a desired mass flow distribution r Des between heat exchanger 150 and bypass or bypass path 152.
[0073] The distribution of the mass flow r thus determined Des is, as mentioned at the beginning, also an example of a mass flow quantity in the sense of the present invention and can, if necessary after a correction on the basis of a determined deviation between required and actual temperature (comparison 401) by means of a controller 405 (e.g. PI controller), be used as a control ratio r Reqd to actuator 430 (e.g., control of the bypass valve 152). The control ratio r Reqdcorresponds to the ratio of bypass mass flow to total mass flow. Specifically, the mass flow through heat exchanger 150 corresponds to the total mass flow minus the bypass mass flow.
[0074] The actuator 430 then controls the corresponding system 440 (in the example used here, the bypass valve 152) according to the control ratio r received by it Reqd .
[0075] From the mass flow dm cool,Des , the mass flow rate dm Air,Act of air conveyed through the heat exchanger 150 and the temperature of the air (or current ambient temperature) T Env_t and the temperature T cool,in,Des and the temperature T cool,out,Des The pre-control model 420 determines the desired mass flow distribution r of the heat exchanger. Des .
[0076] To determine the setpoint of the coolant mass flow dm cool,Des In a parallel circuit, the following procedure can be followed: - Selecting the maximum mass flow requirement (mass flow size) in the first parallel path 101 (determined from the thermal model based on a target temperature of the component 130 in the first parallel path 101); - Determine a pressure drop caused by this mass flow requirement (hydraulic model); - Determining the mass flow that would result from the pressure drop in the second parallel path 102 via the hydraulic model; - Determine the total mass flow (mass flow rate) as the sum of the mass flows from the first 101 and the second 102 parallel path.
[0077] The same procedure is followed for the second parallel path 102: - Selecting the maximum mass flow requirement in the second parallel path 102; - Determine the resulting pressure drop; - Determining the corresponding mass flow in the first parallel path 101 using the hydraulic model; - Determine the total mass flow as the sum of the two mass flows from the first 101 and second 102 parallel path.
[0078] The same applies to the heat exchanger / bypass path 150 / 152. The heat exchanger 150 is arranged in a first parallel path and the second flow adjustment device 152 is arranged in a second parallel path.
[0079] The maximum of the two total mass flows determined in this way is selected and used as the target mass flow dm cool,Des issued. Further configuration tasks - Providing the temperature distribution in the temperature control system. As already explained, it is assumed that the initial temperature of the temperature control medium T cool,out (n) from a component the input temperature T cool,in (n+1) of the downstream component is (T cool,out (n) = T cool,in (n+1); - Providing the current mass flows of the temperature control medium to the individual components. These are derived from the hydraulic model; - Providing the heat output (P loss ) of all configured components; - Provision of the controlled variables (setpoint (T comp,SP ) and actual temperature, especially downstream of the heat exchanger or in relation to the component selected for control; variables for the pilot control)
[0080] Since each requester has its initial temperature T cool,outprovides, the temperature mapping (output of component n to input of component n+1) can be carried out as shown above. If a temperature sensor is present at the input of a component, this is preferably selected to determine the current temperature of the incoming temperature control medium. Furthermore, using such a sensor-based determined temperature, the modeling upstream of the sensor position can be checked and, if necessary, adjusted or corrected (e.g., correction of the thermal power P loss a component to P loss,corr )
[0081] In addition, the following information can be determined during configuration: Parallel coolant branch: The arrangement of the components upstream of the mixing point in the first 101 and second 102 parallel paths. Knowing the respective component outlet temperatures and the mass flows of the temperature control medium in the given paths, the mixed temperature after the two parallel paths 101 and 102 merge can be determined. This is required in the configuration, as it is, for example, the inlet temperature of the radiator 150.
[0082] The inlet temperatures at the 4-way valve 570 (the 4-way valve combines or separates the cooling circuits 501, 502). If the circuits are separated, the inlet temperature of the first component 521, 520 corresponds to the respective inlet temperature of the 4-way valve of the separated circuit. These temperatures may be different. If the circuits are combined, the inlet temperature into the 4-way valve of the second circuit 502 is the inlet temperature of the first component in the first circuit 501. In other words, in the case described here, the temperature control medium flows from the pump 510 via the heat exchanger 550 into the 4-way valve 570 and from there through the first circuit 501 back into the 4-way valve 570 and then into the second circuit 502 and back to the pump 510. For use as separate circuits, a further pump 511 and a further heat exchanger 551 can be provided. Coordination:
[0083] Coordination determines—based on the temperature and power distribution—whether circuits 501 and 502 can be combined. The goal is to keep the circuits combined for as long as possible, since components of LoT circuit 501, e.g., a battery, can be actuated in an "energy-efficient" manner using residual heat from MedT circuit 502, e.g., the drive train, or from radiator 550.
[0084] The cooling capacity is determined using the radiator model. The total heat input of the components is known from the configuration. Using this information and the temperature distribution or the requested temperature of MedT circuit 502 (e.g., desired battery temperature), a coordinator state is derived (e.g., PTC heating, residual heat heating, radiator cooling, chiller cooling). Control concept:
[0085] The configuration selects the component with the greatest cooling requirement (or the lowest heating requirement). The coolant setpoint and actual values of the selected component are used for control. The lowest setpoint temperature therefore determines the entire control of the cooling system 100, 500.
[0086] For the pre-control, the target temperatures are determined from the configuration. The pre-control model takes into account the radiator 150, 550 and the bypass 152, 552.
[0087] As already mentioned, several controller stages are available for control (e.g. the thermal output or the outlet temperature of the temperature control medium from the component to be temperature controlled). For example, the thermal output of the temperature control system 100, 500 can initially be controlled via a mass flow distribution of the temperature control medium between the bypass 152, 552 and the heat exchanger 150, 550. If 100% of the temperature control medium is already passed through the heat exchanger 150, 550, no further performance increase can be achieved with this controller stage, so the next higher controller stage is activated, e.g. by increasing the pump output of the temperature control medium pump 110, 510. Once the pump has also reached its maximum flow rate, a fan, for example, can be switched on as the next controller stage to increase the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger 150, 550.Preferably, the control stages with low energy consumption are used first to increase performance and more energy-intensive control stages are added successively, while when performance is reduced, the most energy-intensive measures are initially reduced or switched off.
Claims
[1] Method for operating a temperature control system (100, 500) with at least one component (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) to be temperature controlled, at least one heat exchanger (150, 550, 551) which is designed to supply and / or extract heat from a temperature control medium, and at least one flow adjustment device (110, 132, 143, 152, 510, 511, 570, 552) which is designed to adjust a mass flow and / or a control ratio of the temperature control medium, wherein the at least one component (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) to be temperature controlled is arranged between a temperature sensor and the flow adjustment device (110, 132, 143, 152, 510, 511, 570, 552) and / or the heat exchanger (150, 550, 551), characterized by the procedural steps: - Measuring the inlet temperature ( Tcool,in ) of the tempering medium using the temperature sensor, - Determine the initial temperature of the tempering medium ( Tcool,out) of the component to be tempered (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) by means of a thermal component model (200, 300, 410), - Controlling the temperature control system (100, 500) depending on the determined initial temperature (T cool,out ). [2] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the flow adjustment device (110, 132, 143, 152, 510, 511, 570, 552) and / or the heat exchanger (150, 550, 551) is arranged downstream of the component to be tempered (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541), which in turn is arranged downstream of the temperature sensor [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat two components (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) to be tempered are arranged downstream of the temperature sensor and upstream of the flow adjustment device (110, 132, 143, 152, 510, 511, 570, 552) and / or the heat exchanger (150, 550, 551), and that for each of the two components a thermal component model (200, 300, 410) is provided for determining the respective output temperature ( Tcool,out ) is used. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the initial temperature of the tempering medium (T cool,out(n) ) from a component to be tempered (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) the inlet temperature (T cool,in(n+1) ) of the downstream component to be tempered (T cool,out(n) = T cool,in(n+1) ). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the step: - Determine the inlet temperature (T cool,in) of a subsequent component (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) to be tempered, in the case of several tempering media flows which are combined, from the initial temperatures ( Tcool,out ) taking into account the respective mass flow shares. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the temperature control system (100, 500) is controlled depending on the component(s) to be temperature controlled (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) with the greatest thermal requirement, in particular cooling or heating requirement. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the component to be tempered (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) with the greatest thermal demand based on the inlet temperature (T cool,in ) and the initial temperature (T cool,out), in particular the component (120, 130, 140, 520, 521, 530, 531, 540, 541) to be tempered is determined, in which between the inlet temperature (T Cool,in ) and the initial temperature (T Cool,out ) the greatest difference occurs. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature control system (100, 500) is part of a vehicle. [9] Computing unit (170) which is configured to carry out all method steps of a method according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Computer program which causes a computing unit (170) to carry out all method steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 8 when it is executed on the computing unit (170). [11] A machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program according to claim 10.