Thermomodule, indirect heat transfer medium circuit system and electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermomodule (TM) for a fluid circuit system (6), in particular of an electric vehicle. A valve system (VS) is incorporated by a multi-part housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) of the thermomodule (TM) with liquid channels (K). The valve system (VS) has at least one camshaft (6) with an associated actuator (10) for driving the camshaft (6). The housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) has a core housing section (4) accommodating lift valves (8) and the camshaft (6), as well as several further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) adjacent to the core housing section (4), which are each positively connected to the core housing section (4) and thereby at least partially enclose the core housing section (4) in its circumferential direction. The core housing section (4) and these further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) form interconnected liquid channel sections. The invention also relates to an indirect heat transfer medium circuit system and an electric vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermomodule for a liquid circuit system of an electric vehicle, an indirect heat transfer medium circuit system and an electric vehicle.

[0002] Electric vehicles require a so-called thermal management system, which operates individual components of the electric vehicle within an assigned optimal temperature range.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to enable improved heating and / or cooling or temperature control of an electric vehicle.

[0004] This problem is solved by a thermomodule proposed and protected according to claim 1.

[0005] The valve system of the proposed thermomodule thus makes it possible to determine or define how a liquid is to be conveyed and guided within the housing of the thermomodule in the individual adjustable heating and cooling modes – and thus also within a liquid cooling circuit and a liquid heating circuit of the liquid circuit system of the electric vehicle containing this thermomodule – in order to be able to operate the individual components of the electric vehicle within an assigned optimal temperature range.

[0006] In one embodiment, the additional housing sections can each surround the core housing section in its circumferential direction, adjoining an adjacent one of these additional housing sections, or even completely enclosing it.

[0007] In a further embodiment, the housing can accommodate at least one first electric liquid pump for pumping liquid in a liquid cooling circuit of the liquid circuit system and at least one second electric liquid pump for pumping liquid in a liquid heating circuit of the liquid circuit system, and each can be arranged on and / or at least partially in the housing.

[0008] In another embodiment, at least two lift valves enclosing an angle to each other can be provided in the circumferential direction of the camshaft.

[0009] In another embodiment, the respective stroke axes of the stroke valves, along which the associated actuating elements are longitudinally movable in conjunction with the camshaft, can intersect or form a point of intersection with each other - additionally or alternatively.

[0010] In a further embodiment, at least two spaced-apart lift valves can be provided in a longitudinal extension or longitudinal direction of the camshaft - additionally or alternatively.

[0011] In a further embodiment, at least two star-shaped arrangements of lift valves can be provided within the housing of the thermomodule, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal extent or longitudinal direction of the camshaft.

[0012] The individual star-shaped arrangements can have at least three or four lift valves that are offset from each other by 120° or 90° in the circumferential direction of the camshaft, or enclose such an angle with each other.

[0013] The respective stroke axes of the individual star-shaped arrangements, along which the associated actuating elements are longitudinally movable in conjunction with the camshaft, can intersect or form a point of intersection with each other.

[0014] Furthermore, an indirect heat transfer medium circuit system - also called an indirect thermal system - for an electric vehicle is proposed and placed under protection (claim 11), wherein this heat transfer medium circuit system has a thermal module of the type described above.

[0015] In such an indirect heat transfer medium circuit system, heat or energy can be transported or distributed very efficiently, i.e., indirectly via the fluid circuit system, to the individual heat sinks of an electric vehicle.

[0016] In this process, heat and energy distribution can largely be implemented via the liquid cycle system, i.e., based on a liquid, for example in the form of a water-glycol mixture.

[0017] This has the advantage that the refrigerant circuit – also called CRU (Compact Refrigerant Unit) – can be greatly simplified and designed to be very compact or as small as possible. Consequently, the amount of refrigerant used, for example a synthetic refrigerant such as R134a or R1234yf, or a natural refrigerant such as R744 or R290, can be reduced to a minimum.

[0018] Furthermore, an electric vehicle with a thermomodule of the type described above is proposed and placed under protection (claim 12).

[0019] At this point, it is clarified that the spelling of the terms with parentheses, such as liquid circuit system, liquid cooling circuit, liquid heating circuit, heat transfer medium circuit system and refrigerant circuit, is intended to cover possible variations of these terms, although they each describe the same thing (→ liquid circuit system = liquid circuit system; liquid cooling circuit = liquid cooling circuit; liquid heating circuit = liquid heating circuit; heat transfer medium circuit system = heat transfer medium circuit system; refrigerant circuit = refrigerant circuit).

[0020] The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the figures. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. These will be illustrated as follows: Fig. 1 a proposed thermomodule in a first sectional view parallel to the longitudinal extent of the thermomodule, Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1. Thermomodule shown in a second sectional view parallel to the transverse extent of the thermomodule and Fig. 3 an excerpt from the in Fig. 2 shown in the illustration.

[0021] The proposed thermomodule TM has a multi-part housing, which is composed of housing parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 4. With reference to the Fig. Figure 2 shows that, based on the visible division lines, a core housing part or section in the form of a core housing block 4 is surrounded by individual housing parts or sections 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, which are positively fitted together and, abutting the core housing block 4, surround or enclose it both circumferentially, i.e., around the indicated X-X axis, and longitudinally, i.e., along the indicated X-X axis. Although not shown, the end faces S1, S2 of the core housing block 4 could also be at least partially encompassed or enclosed by these housing parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4.

[0022] However, in the Fig. 1 Two end-face housing parts or sections 2e, 2f are shown, which form this multi-part housing and complete and close it in the longitudinal extent or longitudinal direction of the thermomodule TM.

[0023] The core housing block 4 can also be divided into two parts - in analogy to the surrounding housing parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d - or even have more than two parts that can be plugged together or that, when plugged together, form such a core housing block 4.

[0024] The multi-part nature of this housing can be understood not only in the circumferential direction, but also in the longitudinal direction of the thermomodule TM. This means that the respective housing parts can also be made of more than one part in the longitudinal direction of the thermomodule TM.

[0025] The core housing block 4 and the housing parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d shown each have individual liquid channels or liquid channel sections K through which a liquid can be conveyed by means of at least one liquid pump. Sensors in the form of temperature and / or pressure sensors can be provided at some points in these liquid channels or liquid channel sections K, each attached to one of the housing parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4 and projecting into or extending into the associated liquid channel or liquid channel section K.

[0026] The core housing block 4 accommodates a valve system VS with a camshaft 6. This camshaft 6 can be driven by an actuator 10 – comprising an electric motor, a gearbox, and a control unit – which is arranged on the end face S1 of this multi-part housing 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 4 and accommodated by housing part 2f. The housing of the actuator 10 can be joined to housing part 2f in such a way that it partially – as shown in Fig. 1 is shown - extending into the housing part 2f.

[0027] The core housing block 4 also accommodates a plurality of so-called lift valves 8, whose movable actuating elements 18, 20 (see e.g. Fig. 3) via an associated cam of the camshaft 6 from their associated valve seat 22 - against the action of an associated coil spring, which presses the respective actuating element 18, 20 against the associated valve seat 22, provided the camshaft assumes a corresponding orientation or angle of rotation - to allow a fluid flow through the respective lift valve 8.

[0028] Such a fluid flow FS is in the Fig. 3 illustrated by an arrow. Also in this Fig. 3 the interaction of a cam with the associated actuating body 18, 20, 28 is illustrated by an arrow in the direction of which the actuating body 18, 20, 28 is lifted out of or raised from its associated valve seat 22 against the direction of the associated coil spring.

[0029] The individual housing parts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 4 can advantageously be made, at least to a large extent, of a thermally stable plastic – for example, a plastic made of PP-GF30 or PP-GF40 (polypropylene (PP) with 30% or 40% glass fiber content, respectively). The remaining components forming the valve system VS, on the other hand, can be made of a plastic, such as this type, and / or of metal.

[0030] While the elements 24, 26 of the respective lift valve 8 are fixed to the housing or stationary relative to the core housing block 4, the element 28, against which the associated coil spring presses, is longitudinally movable or longitudinally displaceable or longitudinally displaceable relative to the associated lift axis and thus forms, together with the elements 18, 20, the respective actuating body, which as such is longitudinally movable or longitudinally displaceable or longitudinally displaceable along the associated lift axis by interacting accordingly with the associated cam of the camshaft 6.

[0031] In one embodiment, this multi-part housing 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 4 can even accommodate at least one first electric liquid pump P for pumping liquid in a liquid cooling circuit of a liquid circuit system, as well as at least one second electric liquid pump - not shown here - for pumping liquid in a liquid heating circuit of the liquid circuit system, and each can be arranged on and / or at least partially in the housing 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 4.

[0032] The in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. The valve system VS shown in Figure 3, for example, has a total of four star-shaped arrangements of poppet valves 8. Each of these star-shaped arrangements has four poppet valves 8 that are offset from each other by 90° in the circumferential direction of the camshaft 8. The individual poppet axes, along which the associated actuating elements 18, 20 are longitudinally movable in conjunction with the camshaft 6, intersect with each other or have a common point of intersection.

[0033] The previously described, proposed thermomodule TM is part of an indirect heat transfer system for an electric vehicle. This heat transfer system comprises a refrigerant circuit with a compressor for circulating a refrigerant and a liquid circuit with this thermomodule TM.

[0034] In the Fig.Figure 2 also illustrates some of the several fluid connections 12, 14, 16 via which the proposed thermomodule TM can be fluidically integrated into or is integrated into this fluid circuit system.

[0035] The liquid circuit system is thermally connected to the refrigerant circuit via a first heat exchanger in the form of an evaporator on the one hand and a second heat exchanger in the form of a condenser on the other.

[0036] The proposed thermomodule TM uses at least one liquid pump and a valve system to determine how the liquid is to be pumped and guided within the housing of the thermomodule TM – and thus also within a liquid cooling circuit and a liquid heating circuit of the electric vehicle's liquid circuit system comprising this thermomodule TM – in order to operate the individual components of the electric vehicle within an assigned optimal temperature range.

[0037] The proposed thermomodule TM thus allows the liquid cooling circuit and the liquid heating circuit to be influenced or switched section by section.

[0038] The proposed thermomodule TM enables energy-efficient heating of, for example, a vehicle cabin and / or a vehicle battery.

[0039] Such energy-efficient heating results in an increased range for electric vehicles. This means that the electric vehicle's energy storage system, or battery, is used more for propelling the vehicle and less for providing heat or energy to temperature-control the vehicle cabin and / or the battery.

[0040] Although the preceding description explains exemplary embodiments, it should be noted that a multitude of variations are possible. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to restrict the scope of protection, applications, or structure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the skilled person with a guideline for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby various modifications, particularly with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims and these equivalent combinations of features.

Claims

[1] Thermomodule (TM) for a fluid circuit system, in particular of a vehicle, through whose multi-part housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) with fluid channels (K) a valve system (VS) is accommodated, through whose multi-part housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) with fluid channels (K) a valve system (VS) is accommodated, through whose multi-part housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) with fluid channels (K) a valve system (VS) is accommodated, through whose multi-part housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) with fluid channels (K) a valve system (VS) is accommodated, wherein the housing comprises a core housing section (4) accommodating the lift valves (8) and the camshaft (6) as well as several further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) adjacent to the core housing section (4), each of which is positively connected to the core housing section (4) and thereby at least partially encloses the core housing section (4) in its circumferential direction, wherein the core housing section (4) and these further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) form communicating liquid channel sections. [2] Thermomodule (TM) according to claim 1, wherein the further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) each abut an adjacent of these further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) enclose the core housing section (4) in its circumferential direction. [3] Thermomodule (TM) according to claim 1, wherein the further housing sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) completely enclose the core housing section (4) in its circumferential direction. [4] Thermomodule (TM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one first electric liquid pump for conveying liquid in a liquid cooling circuit of the liquid circuit system and at least one second electric liquid pump for conveying liquid in a liquid heating circuit of the liquid circuit system are accommodated by the housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4) and are each arranged on and / or at least partially in the housing (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 4). [5] Thermomodule (TM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two lift valves (8) enclosing an angle to each other are provided in the circumferential direction of the camshaft (6). [6] Thermomodule (TM) according to claim 5, wherein the respective stroke axes of the stroke valves (8), along which the associated actuating elements (18, 20) are longitudinally movable in conjunction with the camshaft (6), intersect each other. [7] Thermomodule (TM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two spaced-apart lift valves (8) are provided in the longitudinal direction of the camshaft (6). [8] Thermomodule (TM) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two star-shaped arrangements of lift valves (8) are provided, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the camshaft (6). [9] Thermomodule (TM) according to claim 8, wherein the individual star-shaped arrangements have at least three or four lift valves (8). [10] Thermomodule (TM) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the respective stroke axes of the star-shaped arrangements, along which the associated actuating elements (18, 20) are longitudinally movable in conjunction with the camshaft (6), intersect each other. [11] Indirect heat transfer system for an electric vehicle, comprising: a refrigerant circuit with a compressor for conveying a refrigerant, a liquid circuit system with a thermomodule (TM) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the liquid circuit system is thermally connected to the refrigerant circuit via a first heat exchanger in the form of an evaporator and a second heat exchanger in the form of a condenser. [12] Electric vehicle with a thermomodule (TM) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.

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