Method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump

Abstract

The method relates to a method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump in which a coolant circulates, wherein in a first method step (I) heat is transferred from the environment to the coolant with the aid of at least one air-coolant heat exchanger (200) through which the coolant and the ambient air flows, the coolant is conveyed at least to an electric or electronic component or unit (500) at a temperature (T2) and in a second method step (II) heat is transferred from the component or unit (500) to the coolant, the coolant is then forwarded at least to a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) at a temperature (T3) and in a third method step (III) heat is removed from the coolant by the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) and fed to a consumer (600), and the temperatures T1 or / and T2 are controlled such that the heat absorption is at a maximum in method step (III), and the coolant cooled in the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) is conveyed back to the air-coolant heat exchanger (200).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump

[0003] The invention relates to a method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump with a coolant circuit in which a coolant circulates, in which, in a first step, the coolant absorbs heat from the environment with the aid of an air-coolant heat exchanger through which the ambient air and the coolant flow, and the coolant is passed on to an electronic component or unit at the set temperature.

[0004] With a sensor, the temperature of the coolant can be measured after the air-coolant heat exchanger and, in another version, also after the refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger.

[0005] In a second step, heat from at least one component is absorbed by the coolant and the coolant is then passed on to the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, and in a third step, heat is extracted from the coolant by the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger and fed to a consumer, and the coolant cooled in the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger is passed back to the air-coolant heat exchanger at the coolant temperature set by the control system.

[0006] The control system used maximizes the heat absorption of the coolant from the air-refrigerant heat exchanger and the electrical or electronic component or unit.

[0007] The invention further relates to the secondary circuit of a heat pump and a vehicle with a heat pump with a secondary circuit.

[0008] In electrically powered vehicles, such as those with electric motors that draw their energy from onboard batteries, the heat required to heat the vehicle cabin is obtained from various energy sources. The air in the vehicle cabin can be heated using electrical energy from the battery, but this reduces the energy available for propulsion and the range of motion. Extracting heat from thermal energy sources that have an unsuitable temperature level for heating the vehicle cabin requires heat pumps to adjust the temperature level. Heat pumps can, for example, extract heat from the ambient air and absorb the heat lost from components in the vehicle, transferring it to the vehicle cabin.Other aspects in the development of heat pumps in electric vehicles are the weight, which is also a factor that influences the maximum range of an electrically powered vehicle, as well as the size, since the space for installing units is usually limited in order to save weight and / or optimize the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

[0009] Solutions are known in the prior art that address the identified problem and relate to appropriately designed air heat pumps. For example, KR10-2018-0078074 A discloses an air heat pump for a vehicle, comprising a first coolant circuit for a first coolant and a second coolant circuit for a second coolant. The first coolant circuit comprises a compressor that compresses the first coolant and pumps it through the first coolant circuit, an internal heat exchanger in which heat is extracted from the air inside the vehicle, and an external heat exchanger in which heat is extracted from the ambient air. The internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger are connected to one another via a line, and a diffuser is arranged in the line.The first coolant circuit and the second coolant circuit are connected via an additional heat exchanger, allowing the first coolant to transfer heat to the second coolant. The second coolant circuit regulates the temperature of the passenger compartment. WO 2010 / 001116 A2 relates to a Kontra II system for a heat exchanger with means for determining a dew point. The heat exchanger is part of a space heating system. The control system determines the dew point temperature of the room air and controls an air heat pump used for the climate in the room, ensuring that, depending on the respective climatic conditions in the room, no condensation of the room air occurs.

[0010] There is a need for a method for controlling the temperature of the passenger compartment of an electrically powered vehicle and a corresponding device so that the heating operation of the vehicle cabin reduces the range of the electrically powered vehicle as little as possible.

[0011] This object is achieved by the method having the features of claims 1 and 13. Advantageous developments of the method and the subject matter are dealt with in dependent claims.

[0012] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump, in which a coolant circulates. The coolant reaches the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger at any desired flow temperature and is cooled to the target temperature. The heat from the coolant is transferred by the heat pump to consumers, e.g., the vehicle interior, battery, or heat storage unit. The temperature upstream of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger is monitored by a control system and maintained within the component limits by means of control interventions.

[0013] In a first process step, heat is transferred from the ambient air to the coolant via the air-to-coolant heat exchanger. The air-to-coolant heat exchanger absorbs heat from the ambient air and transfers it to the coolant, thus raising the coolant temperature to the target temperature. Additionally, the air-to-coolant heat exchanger can incorporate a device, such as a fan, that draws in ambient air and directs it into or through the air-to-coolant heat exchanger. An adjustable radiator grille can also influence the airflow. The coolant is then routed to an electrical or electronic component or unit via a first line section.

[0014] Using a temperature sensor, the coolant temperature can be measured downstream of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger and upstream of the component to be cooled. The measured temperature is transmitted to the computer or control system. For multiple components that are cooled consecutively by the coolant, the coolant temperature can be measured upstream of each component using a sensor. Additionally, the coolant temperature can be measured downstream of the component or downstream of the last component to be cooled.

[0015] In a second process step, heat is transferred from the electrical or electronic component or unit into the coolant. The coolant is then conveyed from the electrical or electronic component or unit to a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger via a second line section of the coolant circuit.

[0016] In a third process step, heat is extracted from the coolant as it flows through the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger and is supplied to a consumer via the heat pump, thereby cooling the coolant temperature to the target temperature. A heat pump is a machine with a refrigerant circuit that absorbs thermal energy at a low temperature level at the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger and supplies it to a consumer at a higher temperature level. These heat exchange units are connected to one another via pipes. The individual pipe sections can include a flexible hose or be formed from a flexible hose that is adapted to the installation situation.

[0017] If the temperature of the coolant in the respective line section is below the ambient temperature, the surfaces of the line sections enable an energy exchange with the ambient air, in which heat from the ambient air is transferred to the coolant flowing in the respective line section. For example, for one line section, the temperature of the coolant at the inlet to the air-to-coolant heat exchanger is higher than at the outlet of the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. The degree of energy transfer can be influenced by the choice of hose material, so that one can speak of a fourth process step.

[0018] The first line section, the second line section and the third line section together with the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, the air-coolant heat exchanger and at least one electrical or electronic component or unit form the coolant circuit.

[0019] In one embodiment, a conveying device is integrated into the closed coolant circuit, which conveys the coolant through the coolant circuit. The conveying device can be a conveying pump. The conveying pump can be arranged in particular in the second line section, which connects the at least one electrical or electronic component or assembly to the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger. The pump ensures a sufficient coolant mass flow in the coolant circuit. The pump can be an adjustable conveying pump, so that the coolant mass flow or the flow rate of the coolant in the coolant circuit can be adjusted, for example, by the regulation or control system.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one electrical or electronic unit is a traction component of an electrically driven vehicle, such as an electric motor, a DC / DC converter, a DC / AC converter, a battery arrangement or a component of the battery arrangement for operating the electric drive motor for the vehicle.

[0021] The heat recovered in the third process step by the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger is used in one embodiment to regulate the temperature of a passenger compartment of a battery-electric vehicle. In particular, the heat extracted from the coolant by the coolant of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger can be used to heat the passenger compartment, with the heating temperature being adjustable by a vehicle occupant. In another embodiment, the heat can be used to regulate the temperature of the battery or to charge a heat storage device.

[0022] In one embodiment, the temperature in the vicinity of the air-coolant heat exchanger is measured with a first sensor and the humidity in the vicinity of the air-coolant heat exchanger is measured with a second sensor. The measured values ​​from the sensors are transmitted to the computer as signals. Based on these values ​​and the stored characteristic data of the components, the computer determines the target temperature. The value of the target temperature is transmitted to the controller. In addition, the temperature in the first line section is measured with a sensor and the temperature in the third line section is measured with a sensor and transmitted to a controller. The first sensor and the second sensor can be combined in an intelligent sensor, which uses the air humidity and ambient temperature to directly determine the dew point temperature of the ambient temperature and transmits the data to the computer.

[0023] The control system regulates the heat absorption in the first process step and / or the third process step by adjusting the heat pump, the coolant pump, the radiator cover and the fan in such a way that the heat absorption in the first process step and / or the third process step is maximized by specified target temperatures in the circuit.

[0024] For example, the target temperature of the coolant can be set so that the coolant temperature does not fall below the dew point temperature of the ambient air. In one embodiment, the third line section is exposed to the ambient air, so that the third line section forms another heat exchanger with the environment, in which the temperature of the coolant is changed by the ambient air.

[0025] One aspect relates to a heat pump, wherein the heat pump is used to extract heat from at least one electrical or electronic component or unit of an electrically powered vehicle and to temper a consumer of the vehicle.

[0026] The heat pump comprises a secondary coolant circuit, the coolant circuit containing an air-to-coolant heat exchanger with a device that draws in ambient air and directs it through the heat exchanger, a device that controls the air flow through the air-to-coolant heat exchanger, a pump that controls the coolant mass flow, a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, and connecting lines. The coolant circuit also contains an electrical or electronic component or unit and temperature sensors.

[0027] Furthermore, for controlling the coolant circuit, there is a first sensor that measures the ambient air temperature, a second sensor that measures the ambient air humidity, a computer, and a controller. The first sensor and the second sensor send signals corresponding to the measured values ​​to the computer. The computer determines the target temperatures using the sensor data and the stored characteristics of the electrical or electronic components or assemblies. These target temperatures are sent to the controller and serve as a controlled variable so that the coolant temperature is subsequently regulated using the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger and the heat pump so that the calculated target temperatures are at least largely maintained.

[0028] In one embodiment, the coolant circulating in the heat pump's secondary circuit is water, for example, distilled water with a freezing point below 0°C. Preferably, the coolant is a mixture of glycol and distilled water. If the electric motor windings are directly cooled and / or if batteries are present in the circuit, oils are preferred as coolants.

[0029] In one embodiment, the electrical or electronic component or assembly through which the coolant flows comprises a cooling structure through which the coolant flows. The cooling structure can be a cooling plate, to which, for example, batteries and / or components of a battery assembly are connected, or a cooling housing for, for example, a motor or motor parts, with channels through which the coolant flows. The coolant can also be sprayed directly in a motor housing, for example, onto the winding heads of an electric motor or the electrically driven motor. The component can, in particular, be a traction component, such as the electric motor, a battery assembly, a DC / DC converter, or a DC / AC converter.

[0030] In one embodiment, the coolant circuit further comprises an additional temperature sensor that transmits the temperature of the coolant in the coolant circuit upstream of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger to the controller. The controller adjusts the heat pump output or the coolant temperature in the coolant-to-coolant heat exchanger if the temperature falls below or exceeds a specified target value.

[0031] The limit value is determined by the electrical or electronic component or unit, with the most sensitive component in the chain defining the temperature limits.

[0032] For example, if the target temperatures are set equal to the dew point temperature of the ambient air, this prevents ambient humidity from condensing on the components in the coolant circuit, and the condensate from freezing at certain temperatures. Both the condensate and the ice can damage or destroy components, for example, by corroding them or causing mechanical damage if ice forms.

[0033] The line or line sections of the coolant circuit can be insulated at least in sections. Individual, several or all line sections that connect the secondary circuit can be formed by a hose or comprise a hose. For example, each of the line sections can consist of a flexible hose that can be easily adapted to the installation environment. The hose can comprise a material that enables or facilitates heat transfer from the ambient air into the coolant via the surface of the hoses. If ice forms on the outside at a water and / or ambient temperature below 0°C, the flexible hose can ensure, through its mobility, that the ice is at least partially blown off the surface while driving.

[0034] The performance of a heat pump depends on a large temperature difference between the temperature of the coolant flowing through the air-to-coolant heat exchanger and the temperature of the air flowing through the heat exchanger. This means that the greater the temperature difference, the more power or energy can be transferred from the environment to the interior.

[0035] One aspect relates to an electrically powered vehicle with a battery arrangement, wherein the battery arrangement provides the energy for the electric drive, wherein the vehicle comprises a heat pump with a secondary circuit as described in the preceding paragraphs. Example

[0036] The initial situation: The ambient temperature in which a vehicle powered by an electric motor, for example a battery-electric vehicle, with a previously discussed heat pump with secondary circuit moves is below 15°C, and the passenger compartment requires heating.

[0037] First, the current temperatures upstream of the air-coolant heat exchanger and upstream of the component are recorded by sensors. The target temperatures calculated by the computer are derived from the stored component data, the ambient temperature, and the ambient air humidity. If condensation is not permitted, the target temperature, depending on the components or traction components, is in the range of the determined dew point of the ambient air. If there are multiple components, the most sensitive component in the chain defines the target temperature.

[0038] The determined target temperature at the air-coolant heat exchanger can be adjusted using the control system via the heat removal at the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger.

[0039] This means that the control maximizes the heat absorption of the coolant at the air-to-coolant heat exchanger by setting the target temperature, as well as the heat absorption at the component, while simultaneously protecting the components. This results in an energy efficiency advantage over existing methods and devices.

[0040] The following figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the described method, the described indirect air heat pump, and the vehicle with the indirect air heat pump. The figures show in detail:

[0041] Figure 1: a method for controlling an indirect air heat pump;

[0042] Figure 2: an indirect air heat pump for a vehicle with an electric motor;

[0043] Figure 3: a vehicle with an electric motor and the indirect air heat pump from Figure 2.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a sketch of a method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump WP, as shown by way of example in Figure 2.

[0045] The method comprises a first step I, in which heat is transferred from the environment into the coolant by means of at least one air-coolant heat exchanger 200, through which the coolant and the ambient air 700 (Figure 2) flow. By adjusting the heat pump WP and the devices 250, 251, and 300, the coolant temperature T2 is set to the target temperature T5 and the coolant temperature T1 is set to the target temperature T4 (Figure 2). To determine the target temperatures T4, T5, the air temperature of the ambient air 700 is measured with a sensor 210 and the humidity of the ambient air 700 is measured with a sensor 220. The sensors 210, 220 transmit the measured values ​​to a computer 230. A target temperature calculation is integrated into the computer 230. The computer determines the target temperature values ​​T4, T5 of the coolant from values ​​from the sensors and the stored characteristic data of the components 500.The computer 230 transmits these target temperature values ​​to a controller 240, which uses the received temperature value as a control variable to largely adjust the temperature of the coolant to the target temperatures by means of control interventions.

[0046] The coolant with the target temperature T5 is then passed to a component 500. The component 500 is an electrical or electronic component 500 that generates heat during operation.

[0047] In a second step II, the coolant flows through the component 500 or, for example, through a cooling plate 530 for the component 500 or a cooling housing of the component 500. A heat exchange takes place in that the coolant at least partially absorbs and transports away the heat of the component 500 through convection. The coolant leaves the component 500 at a temperature higher than temperature T2.

[0048] The coolant is now fed to a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400, in which, in a third step III, the heat of the coolant is transferred into a refrigerant of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 in a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, so that the coolant, when flowing out of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, has a temperature T1 which is lower than the temperature at the inlet to the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400. The heat obtained can be used to control the temperature of a consumer of the vehicle 100.

[0049] From the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 400, the coolant flows to the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, where the coolant is heated again at temperature T1 in step I, for example, to the calculated target temperature T5. The connection from the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 to the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200 can be a flexible hose connection. Depending on the length of this connection, heat transfer can occur between the ambient air 700 and the coolant, so that when flowing into the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, the temperature can be higher than the temperature at the outlet from the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 400.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an example of a heat pump HP with a secondary circuit SE featuring a target temperature control system. The secondary circuit SE comprises an air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, a heat exchanger WÜ, a piping system (in this example with the piping sections L1, L2, and L3), a conveying device 300 for conveying the coolant in the coolant circuit, and a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 400.

[0051] The air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200 is a heat exchanger (WÜ) through which the coolant of the coolant circuit and the ambient air 700 flow. To guide the ambient air 700 into and through the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, a fan 250 is arranged at the air inlet of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200. This fan draws in ambient air 700 and conveys it into the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200. A device 251 additionally controls the air flow through the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200. The task of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200 is to absorb heat from the ambient air 700 and release the coolant into the coolant.

[0052] The target temperatures T4, T5 are calculated by the computer 230 from the ambient temperature T3 and the air humidity F1, as well as from the stored characteristic data of the components 500. The target temperatures T4, T5 are transmitted to a controller 240.

[0053] To calculate the target temperatures T4, T5, the secondary circuit of the heat pump HP comprises a sensor 210 that measures the temperature of the ambient air 700, and a sensor 220 that measures the humidity of the ambient air 700. The sensors 210, 220 transmit the measured values ​​for the temperature and humidity of the ambient air 700 to a computer 230. The computer 230 determines the target temperature T4 for T1 and the target temperature T5 for T2 from the stored characteristic data of the components 500 and forwards the result to a controller 240. The controller 240 uses the target temperatures T4, T5 as a control variable to set the coolant temperature T1, T2 near the target temperatures via control lines S1, S2, S3, and S4 on the conveyor device 300, the heat pump HP, the device 250, and the device 251.The coolant is conducted via the first line section L1 to a heat exchanger (WÜ) at a temperature T2, which at least largely corresponds to the target temperature T5. A sensor 260 is arranged in the first line section L1. This sensor measures the temperature of the coolant downstream of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200 and sends the result to the controller 240, so that the controller 240 can determine whether the temperature in the first line section L1 at least substantially corresponds to the target temperature T5.

[0054] The heat exchanger WÜ comprises, for example, a cooling plate 530 for a component 500 or a cooling housing of a component 500. The component 500 is, for example, an electrical or electronic component or unit 500 for driving an electric vehicle 100 (Figure 3) that generates heat during operation. The heat from the component 500 is used by this method by means of a heat exchanger 610 to control the temperature of a consumer 600, such as the passenger compartment. The component 500 can be, for example, an electric motor 510, a battery arrangement 520, a DC / DC converter 550, or a DC / AC converter. Because the coolant, when flowing through the heat exchanger WÜ, has a temperature that lies within the temperature limits of the component 500, which at least substantially corresponds to the calculated target temperature T2, the component is protected from inadmissible thermal stress.For example, the component 500 exposed to the ambient air 700 may experience no or maximum permissible condensation or icing, which protects the component 500 from damage and destruction by water or ice.

[0055] As it flows through the heat exchanger WÜ, the coolant at least partially absorbs the heat from component 500 and dissipates it. In the process, the coolant is heated to a temperature greater than the inlet temperature T2. From the heat exchanger WÜ, the coolant at a temperature greater than T2 is conducted in the second line section L2 through a conveying device 300 to a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400. In the exemplary embodiment, the conveying device 300 is an electrically driven conveying pump. In the second line section L2 and in the conveying device 300, the coolant can release energy to the ambient air 700. This energy loss can, however, be minimized or completely avoided by thermally insulating the second line section L2 and the conveying device.

[0056] The coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 is another heat exchanger in which energy from the coolant is transferred to a refrigerant circuit of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400. The heat pump WP absorbs heat from the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger and transfers it at a higher temperature level, for example, to a passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 100 (Figure 3) or to another consumer 600. The energy extracted from the coolant can be made available as heat to the passenger compartment or one or more other consumers 600 upon request using known methods.

[0057] The coolant flows out of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 at a temperature T1 and is conducted via the third line section L3 to the air-coolant heat exchanger 200. The third line section L3 can be a hose connection with a flexible hose. The flexible hose allows the third line section L3 to be easily adapted to the installation situation in the electric vehicle 100 (Figure 3). The flexible hose also has the advantage that if ice forms on the hose surface due to low ambient temperature or low refrigerant temperature, movements of the hose while the electric vehicle 100 is driving (Figure 3) cause the ice to flake off, thus counteracting the buildup of a thick layer of ice.

[0058] When transporting the coolant from the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 to the air-coolant heat exchanger 200, the third line section L3 can act as an additional heat exchanger, transferring energy from the ambient air 700 into the coolant. If this is the case, the coolant at the inlet to the air-coolant heat exchanger 200 has a temperature that is higher than the temperature at the outlet of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a sketch of an electric vehicle 100 with a driven rear wheel (HR) and two front wheels (VR), with an electric motor 510 and a battery assembly 520 that provides the energy to drive the electric motor 510. The battery assembly is arranged on a cooling plate 530, in which cooling channels 540 are formed, through which a coolant flows, dissipating heat from the battery assembly 520. The coolant can then be passed through the electric motor 510 to cool it.

[0060] The battery arrangement 520 is integrated into the secondary circuit of a heat pump (Figure 2), the control of which maximizes the heat absorption of the coolant from the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200 and a component 500. The secondary circuit of the heat pump WP (Figure 2) comprises an air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, a line system, in the exemplary embodiment with the line sections L1, L2, and L3, a conveying element 300 for conveying the coolant in the coolant circuit, and a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 400.

[0061] The air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200 is a heat exchanger through which the coolant of the coolant circuit and the ambient air 700 (Figure 2) flow. To control the air mass flow of the ambient air 700 into and through the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, a device 250 is arranged at the air inlet of the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200. This device draws in the ambient air 700 and conveys it into the air-to-coolant heat exchanger 200, as well as an adjustable radiator cover 251. The goal is to supply the maximum possible heat to the coolant without placing excessive thermal stress on the components.

[0062] The target temperatures T4, T5 are calculated based on sensors 210 and 220 and the stored characteristic data of components 500 in computer 230. Computer 230 determines the target temperatures T4, T5 and forwards the result to a controller 240. The controller 240 sets the target temperatures T4, T5 at T1 and T2, respectively, via adjustments to devices 250, 251, and 300 and the heat pump WP, so that heat absorption is maximized in process step III.

[0063] The coolant is conveyed via the first line section L1 to the electrical or electronic component or assembly 500 and / or the cooling plate 530 of the battery assembly at the target temperature T5 calculated by the computer 230. Since the coolant has a temperature that at least substantially corresponds to the target temperature T5 when flowing through the cooling plate 530, no undue thermal stress can occur on the component 500. For example, no condensation or icing, or only the maximum permissible level, occurs on the battery assembly 520 exposed to the ambient air 700.

[0064] As it flows through the cooling plate 530, the coolant at least partially absorbs the heat from the battery assembly 520 and dissipates it. The coolant is heated to a temperature greater than T2. ​​From the battery assembly 520, the coolant at this temperature is conveyed in the line section L2 through a conveying device 300 to a coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400.

[0065] The coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 is another heat exchanger in which

[0066] Energy from the coolant is transferred to a refrigerant circuit of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400. The coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 is connected, for example, via the heat pump WP to a passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 100 (or another consumer). The energy extracted from the coolant can be made available to the passenger compartment or other consumers 600 as heat upon request using known methods.

[0067] The coolant flows out of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 at a temperature T1 and is conducted via the third line section L3 to the air-refrigerant heat exchanger 200. The third line section L3 can be a hose connection with a flexible hose. The flexible hose allows the third line section L3 to be easily adapted to the installation situation in the electric vehicle 100. The flexible hose also has the advantage that if ice forms on the hose surface due to low ambient temperature or low refrigerant temperature, movements of the hose while the electric vehicle 100 is driving cause the ice to flake off, thus counteracting the buildup of a thick layer of ice.

[0068] When transporting the coolant from the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400 to the air-coolant heat exchanger 200, the third line section L3 can act as an additional heat exchanger, transferring energy from the ambient air 700 into the coolant. If this is the case, the coolant at the inlet to the air-coolant heat exchanger 200 has a temperature T1 that is higher than the temperature at the outlet of the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger 400.

[0069] The computer product according to claim 13 is based on the task of calculating the required target temperatures T4, T5 from the data of the sensors 210, 220, 260, and 270 and the characteristics of the electrical and electronic components and assemblies 500. It comprises all calculation and analysis methods, algorithms, and procedures required to regulate the secondary circuit of a heat pump according to the aforementioned claims to maximize the heat absorption of the refrigerant, regardless of whether the calculations are performed by a computer 230 and / or a controller 240 in the vehicle, e.g., by a microprocessor in a control unit in which the required data, parameters, and algorithms are stored, or whether the calculations are performed in central locations to which the vehicle data is transmitted via communication systems. List of Reference Symbols

[0070] I Process step

[0071] II Process step

[0072] III Process step

[0073] Rear wheel

[0074] WP heat pump

[0075] SE secondary circuit of the heat pump

[0076] VR front wheel

[0077] WÜ heat exchanger

[0078] L1 line section

[0079] L2 line section

[0080] L3 line section

[0081] 51 Control line

[0082] 52 control line

[0083] 53 Control line

[0084] 54 Control line

[0085] T1 temperature

[0086] T2 temperature

[0087] T3 Ambient air temperature

[0088] T4 Target temperature for T1

[0089] T5 Target temperature for T2

[0090] F1 Humid ambient air

[0091] 100 vehicle, electric vehicle

[0092] 200 air-coolant heat exchangers

[0093] 210 Sensor

[0094] 220 Sensor

[0095] 225 intelligent sensor

[0096] 230 computers

[0097] 240 Control

[0098] 250 blowers

[0099] 251 Device for adjustable radiator grille

[0100] 260 sensors

[0101] 270 Sensor

[0102] 300 conveyor system

[0103] 400 Coolant Refrigerant Heat Exchanger Component

[0104] Electric motor, drive

[0105] Battery arrangement

[0106] Cooling plate, cooling structure

[0107] cooling channel

[0108] DC / DC converter

[0109] consumer

[0110] Heat exchanger to the consumer

[0111] Ambient air

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for controlling the secondary circuit of a heat pump in which a coolant circulates, in which a. in a first method step (I) heat is released from the environment into the coolant by means of at least one air-coolant heat exchanger (200) through which the coolant and the ambient air flow, b. the coolant is conducted at a temperature (T2) to at least one electrical or electronic component or assembly (500) and in a second method step (II) heat is released from the component or assembly (500) into the coolant, c. the coolant is then passed on at a temperature (T3) to at least one coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) and in a third method step (III) heat is extracted from the coolant by the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) and supplied to a consumer (600), and d.the temperatures T2 and / or T3 are controlled so that the heat absorption in process step (III) is maximum, and e. the coolant cooled in the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) is passed back to the air-coolant heat exchanger (200).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a conveying device (300) is integrated in the coolant circuit, which conveys the coolant through the coolant circuit.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coolant temperature (T2) is measured before a method step (II) with a temperature sensor (260) and transmitted to a controller (240), and the controller (240) influences the heat transfer from the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger by means of control interventions a) on the heat pump (WP) in method step (III), b) and / or on a device (250) in method step (I) influences the heat transfer from the air-coolant heat exchanger, c) and / or on a device (251) in method step (I) influences the heat transfer from the air-coolant heat exchanger, d) and / or on the device (300) influences the circulation of the coolant in the circuit, so that the coolant temperature (T2) before method step (II) is within the temperature limits of the component or unit (500).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the case of several components or assemblies (500), the most sensitive component in the chain defines a temperature limit of (T2).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coolant temperature (T1) is measured before a method step (I) with a temperature sensor (270) and transmitted to a controller (240), the controller (240) by means of control interventions a) on the heat pump (WP) in method step (III) influences the heat transfer from the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger, b) and / or on a device (250) in method step (I) influences the heat transfer from the air-coolant heat exchanger, c) and / or on a device (251) in method step (I) influences the heat transfer from the air-coolant heat exchanger, d) and / or on the device (300) influences the circulation of the coolant in the circuit, so that the coolant temperature (T2) before method step (II) lies within the tempering limits of the component or unit (500).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one electrical or electronic component or unit (500) is a component of an electrically driven vehicle (100), such as an electric motor (510), a DC / DC converter, a DC / AC converter, a battery arrangement (520) or a component of a battery arrangement (520) for operating an electric drive motor (510) for the vehicle (100).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat obtained in the third method step (III) by the coolant-refrigerant heat exchanger (400) is used a) for tempering a passenger compartment of an electrically driven vehicle (100), b) and / or for tempering a battery arrangement (520), c) and / or for tempering a heat accumulator, d) and / or for tempering any consumer (600).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a) the temperature (T3) of the ambient air and / or the dew point temperature of the ambient air are transmitted directly to the computer (230) by means of an intelligent sensor (225) and, on the basis of these values, temperature limits (T4) and / or (T5) for at least the temperature (T2) are transmitted to the controller (240), or b) the temperature (T3) of the ambient air is transmitted to a computer (230) by means of a first sensor (210) and the air humidity (F1) of the ambient air is transmitted by means of a second sensor (220), the dew point temperature of the ambient air is determined by the computer (230) and, on the basis of these values, temperature limits (T4) and / or (T5) for at least the temperature (T2) are transmitted to the controller (240).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (500) comprises a cooling structure (530) through which the coolant flows.

10. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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