VEHICLE COMPONENT THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a thermal management system (1) for components of a vehicle using a heat transfer fluid, said system (1) comprising: a first thermal management circuit (2) for an electrical energy storage means, a second thermal management circuit (7) for an air heater to regulate the temperature of a passenger compartment, fluid connection means (22a, 22b, 22c) of the first circuit (2) with the second circuit (7), control means (23) arranged to: connect the first and second circuits (2, 7) via the fluid connection means (22a, 22b, 22c), activate a first pump (3) and a second pump (8), activate a heating device (11) to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in said first and second connected circuits (2, 7). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE ELEMENTS

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a system for thermal management of elements of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling a system for thermal management of elements of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid. The field of the invention is thus that of the thermal management of the elements of a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle.

[0002] Electric vehicles usually include a thermal management circuit for an electrical energy storage means, such as a 400V electric battery. This type of circuit includes a pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid in the circuit as well as a device for heating the heat transfer fluid and a device for cooling the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit. The heat transfer fluid thus heated or cooled is used to regulate the temperature of the 400V electric battery.

[0003] Electric vehicles further comprise a thermal management circuit of an air heater to regulate the temperature of the passenger compartment. This type of circuit usually comprises a pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid in the circuit as well as a device for heating the heat transfer fluid and a device for cooling the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit. The heat transfer fluid thus heated or cooled is used to regulate the temperature of the air heater and consequently the passenger compartment.

[0004] Electric vehicles also include a thermal management circuit for a rotating electrical machine, such as a traction machine. This type of circuit includes a pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid in the circuit and a radiator for cooling the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit. The heat transfer fluid thus cooled is used to regulate the temperature of the rotating electrical machine.

[0005] It should be noted that these three circuits are used independently and each consume a lot of electrical energy to decrease or increase the temperature of the heat transfer fluid. Such a significant consumption of electrical energy necessarily impacts the driving range of the electric vehicle.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing in particular a system for thermal management of elements of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid making it possible to optimize the electrical consumption used in particular to increase the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.

[0007] In this context, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a system for thermal management of elements of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid, the system comprising: • a first thermal management circuit for an electrical energy storage means comprising: • a first pump for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit, • a means of storing electrical energy, • a second thermal management circuit of an air heater to regulate the temperature of a passenger compartment comprising: • a second pump for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the second circuit, • a device for heating the heat transfer fluid, • an air heater, • means of fluid connection of the first circuit with the second circuit, • control means designed for: • connect the first and second circuits via the fluid connection means, • activate the first pump and the second pump, • activate the heating device to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first and second connected circuits.

[0008] Thanks to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to merge via the fluid connection means two circuits so that a single heating device is used to heat the heat transfer fluid used to increase the temperature of the electrical energy storage means and also to increase the temperature of the passenger compartment via the air heater. As a single heating device is used, the electrical consumption for regulating the temperature of the battery and the passenger compartment is optimized.

[0009] Furthermore, since a heating device, namely the one usually present to increase the temperature of the thermal management circuit of the electrical energy storage means, is eliminated, the cost of both circuits is reduced.

[0010] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the system according to this aspect of the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0011] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the system further comprises a third thermal management circuit for a rotating electrical machine, the third circuit comprising: • a rotating electrical machine, • a third pump for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the third circuit, • a radiator to cool the heat transfer fluid, • the fluid connection means being further arranged to connect the third circuit with the first circuit or the second circuit.

[0012] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the control means are arranged to: • connect the first circuit with the third circuit via the fluid connection means; • activate the first pump and the third pump so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit and the third circuit by means of the radiator.

[0013] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the control means are arranged to: • connect the first circuit with the third circuit via the fluid connection means, • deactivate the third pump so as to prevent the heat transfer fluid from passing into the radiator, and • activate the first pump so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit by means of recovering joule losses from the rotating electrical machine.

[0014] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the control means are arranged to: • connect the second circuit with the third circuit via the fluid connection means, • activate the second pump and the third pump so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit and the third circuit by means of the radiator.

[0015] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the control means are arranged to isolate the first circuit, the second circuit and the third circuit from each other via the fluid connection means.

[0016] According to another non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling a thermal management system of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid according to one of the aforementioned aspects, the method comprising the steps controlled by the means of controlling, when the vehicle is stationary and the temperature of the means of storing electrical energy is below a minimum threshold temperature, • connect the first circuit with the second circuit via the fluid connection means, • activate the first and second pumps, and • activate the heating device to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first and second connected circuits.

[0017] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of, when the vehicle is in motion and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means is above a maximum threshold temperature: • connect the first circuit with the third circuit via the fluid connection means, • activate the first pump and the third pump so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit and the third circuit by means of the radiator.

[0018] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of, when the vehicle is in motion and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means is below a threshold temperature: • connect the first circuit with the third circuit via the fluid connection means, • deactivate the third pump so as to prevent the heat transfer fluid from passing into the radiator, and • activate the first pump so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit by means of recovering joule losses from the rotating electrical machine.

[0019] According to a non-limiting aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps controlled by the control means of, when the temperature difference between the passenger compartment and the exterior of the vehicle is greater than a threshold temperature difference: • connect the second circuit with the third circuit via the fluid connection means, • activate the second pump and the third pump so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit and the third circuit by means of the radiator.

[0020] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures.

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a thermal management system for elements of a vehicle according to one aspect of the invention.

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically represents a thermal management system for elements of a vehicle according to another aspect of the invention.

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically represents a thermal management system for elements of a vehicle according to another aspect of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically represents a thermal management system for elements of a vehicle according to another aspect of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.5] schematically represents a thermal management system for elements of a vehicle according to another aspect of the invention.

[0026] [Fig.6] schematically represents a step diagram of a method for controlling a thermal management system for elements of a vehicle according to one aspect of the invention.

[0027] [Fig.l] illustrates a system 1 for thermal management of elements of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid.

[0028] The system 1 comprises a first circuit 2 for thermal management of an electrical energy storage means, for example a 400V battery.

[0029] The first circuit 2 comprises in series: • a first pump 3 for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the first circuit 2, • a first cooling device 4 for the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit 2, this first cooling device 4 being able to be formed by a heat transfer fluid / refrigerant exchanger from an air conditioning compressor not shown making it possible to lower the temperature of the heat transfer fluid. This type of first cooling device 4 is also known under the term Chiller, • a first temperature probe 5 for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit 2, and • a means of storing electrical energy 6.

[0030] The system 1 comprises a second circuit 7 for thermal management of an air heater to regulate the temperature of a passenger compartment.

[0031] The second circuit 7 comprises in series: • a second pump 8 for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the second circuit 7, • a second temperature probe 9 for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid leaving the second pump 8, • a second cooling device 10 for the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit 7, this second cooling device 10 being able to be formed by a heat transfer fluid / refrigerant exchanger from an air conditioning compressor not shown making it possible to lower the temperature of the heat transfer fluid. This type of second cooling device 10 is also known as a condenser, • a heating device 11 for the heat transfer fluid, this heating device 11 can be formed by a heating resistor, • a third temperature probe 12 for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid leaving the heating device 11, • an air heater 13 formed by a heat transfer fluid / air exchanger used to increase or decrease the temperature of the passenger compartment.

[0032] The system 1 further comprises a third circuit 14 for thermal management of a rotating electrical machine.

[0033] The third circuit 14 comprises in series: • an OBC DC-DC 15 type converter, • a 16 inverter, • a rotating electrical machine 17, • a fourth temperature probe 18 for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the third circuit 14, • a third pump 19 for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the third circuit 14, • a radiator 20 equipped with a motor-fan unit 21 for cooling the heat transfer fluid circulating in the third circuit 14.

[0034] The system 1 also comprises fluid connection means 22a, 22b, 22c arranged for: • connect the first circuit 2 with the second circuit 7, and for • connect the third circuit 14 with the first circuit 2 or the second circuit 7.

[0035] To this end, the fluid connection means are formed by a first three-way solenoid valve 22a which, depending on whether it is open or closed, allows or prohibits the circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the first circuit 2 and the third circuit 14.

[0036] The fluid connection means 22 further comprise a second two-way solenoid valve 22b which allows the circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the third circuit 14 and the second circuit 7 to be authorized or prohibited, depending on whether it is open or closed.

[0037] The fluid connection means 22 further comprise a connection circuit 22c connecting a part of the second circuit 7 located downstream of the air heater 13 with a part of the first circuit 2 located upstream of the first pump 3.

[0038] The system 1 further comprises control means 23 arranged for: • connect the first and second circuits 2,7 by opening the first three-way solenoid valve 22a and the second two-way solenoid valve 22b, • activate the first pump 3, the second pump 8 and the third pump 19, • activate the heating device 11 to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first and second connected circuits 2,7, • deactivate the fan motor unit 21 of the radiator 20.

[0039] The system 1 further comprises an expansion tank 24 containing the heat transfer liquid.

[0040] Thus, in operation, the heat transfer fluid of the system 1 is heated by the heating device 11 of the second circuit 7. The heated heat transfer fluid circulates in the second circuit 7 then joins the first circuit 2 by passing through the connection circuit 22c connecting the part of the second circuit 7 located downstream of the air heater 13 with the part of the first circuit 2 located upstream of the first pump 3. After passing through the electrical energy storage means 6, the heat transfer fluid passes through the first three-way solenoid valve 22a, then the second two-way solenoid valve 22b to join the heating device 11 and be heated again.

[0041] Furthermore, since the third pump 19 of the third circuit 14 can be activated so as to cool the rotating electrical machine 17 of the third circuit 14, the motor-fan unit 21 of the radiator 20 is inhibited to avoid excessively cooling the heated heat transfer fluid circulating in the part of the connection circuit 22c shared with the heated heat transfer fluid.

[0042] In a complementary implementation illustrated in [Fig.2], the control means 23 can further be arranged to: • connect the first circuit 2 with the third circuit 14 by opening the first three-way solenoid valve 22a and closing the second two-way solenoid valve 22b, and • activate the first pump 3 and the third pump 19 so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit 2 and the third circuit 14 by means of the radiator 20.

[0043] In a complementary implementation illustrated in [Fig.3], the control means 23 can further be arranged to: • connect the first circuit 2 with the third circuit 14 by opening the first three-way solenoid valve 22a and closing the second solenoid valve 22b, and • deactivate the third pump 19 so as to prevent the heat transfer fluid from passing into the radiator 20, and • activate the first pump 3 so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit 2 by means of recovering joule losses from the rotating electrical machine 17.

[0044] In a complementary implementation illustrated in [Fig.4], the control means 23 can further be arranged to: • connect the second circuit 7 with the third circuit 14 by opening the second two-way solenoid valve 22b and closing the first three-way solenoid valve 22a, and • activate the second pump 8 and the third pump 19 so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit 7 and the third circuit 14 by means of the radiator 20.

[0045] In a complementary implementation illustrated in [Fig. 5], the control means 23 can further be arranged to isolate the first circuit 2, the second circuit 7 and the third circuit 14 from each other by closing the first three-way solenoid valve 22a as well as the second two-way solenoid valve 22b.

[0046] [Fig. 6] shows a step diagram of an embodiment of the method 100 according to the invention. In a non-limiting implementation, the steps of the method 100 are executed by the control means 23 which can for example be formed by a control unit of the electric vehicle, called EVCU (for “Electric Vehicle Control Unit” in English).

[0047] According to this embodiment, when the vehicle is stationary and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means 6 is below a minimum threshold temperature, the method 100 comprises the steps of: • connect 101 the first circuit 2 with the second circuit 7 via the fluid connection means, in the example illustrated in [Fig.l] by opening the first three-way solenoid valve 22a and the second two-way solenoid valve 22b, • activate 102 the first pump 3, the second pump 8 and the third pump 19, • activate 103 the heating device 11 to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first and second connected circuits 2, 7, and • deactivate 104 the fan motor unit 21 of the radiator 20.

[0048] Thus, the heat transfer fluid of the system 1 is heated by the heating device 11 of the second circuit 7. The heated heat transfer fluid circulates in the second circuit 7 then joins the first circuit 2 by passing through the connection circuit 22c connecting the part of the second circuit 7 located downstream of the air heater 13 with the part of the first circuit 2 located upstream of the first pump 3. After passing through the electrical energy storage means 6, the heat transfer fluid passes through the first three-way solenoid valve 22a, then the second two-way solenoid valve 22b to reach the heating device 11 and be heated again.

[0049] Furthermore, since the third pump 19 of the third circuit 14 is activated so as to cool the rotating electrical machine 17 of the third circuit 14, the motor-fan unit 21 of the radiator 20 is inhibited to avoid cooling the heat transfer fluid at the part of the connection circuit 22c shared with the heated heat transfer fluid.

[0050] When the vehicle is in motion and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means 6 is above a maximum threshold temperature, the method 100 comprises the steps of • connect 105 the first circuit 2 with the third circuit 14 via the fluid connection means, in the example illustrated in [Fig.2] by opening the first three-way solenoid valve 22a and closing the second two-way solenoid valve 22b, • activate 106 the first pump 3 and the third pump 19 so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit 2 and the third circuit 14 by means of the radiator 20.

[0051] When the vehicle is in motion and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means 6 measured by the first temperature probe 4 is below a threshold temperature, the method 100 comprises the steps of: • connect 107 the first circuit 1 with the third circuit 14 via the fluid connection means, in the example illustrated in [Fig.3], by opening the first three-way solenoid valve 22a and closing the second solenoid valve 22b, • deactivate 108 the third pump 11 so as to prevent the heat transfer fluid from passing into the radiator 20, and • activate 109 the first pump 3 so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit 2 by means of recovering joule losses from the rotating electrical machine 17.

[0052] When the temperature difference between the passenger compartment and the exterior of the vehicle is greater than a threshold temperature difference, the method 100 comprises the steps of: • connect 110 the second circuit 7 with the third circuit 14 via the fluid connection means, in the example illustrated in [Fig.4], by opening the second two-way solenoid valve 22b and closing the first three-way solenoid valve 22a, • activate 111 the second pump 8 and the third pump 19 so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit 7 and the third circuit 14 by means of the radiator 20.

[0053] Generally speaking, in accordance with the various aspects of the invention mentioned above, the least electrically energy-intensive operations have been favored to save electrical energy and promote the autonomy of electric vehicles while guaranteeing the proper functioning and good thermal performance that users desire.

Claims

1. Claims System (1) for thermal management of elements of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid, said system (1) comprising: - a first circuit (2) for thermal management of an electrical energy storage means comprising: • a first pump (3) for circulating said heat transfer fluid in said first circuit (2), • a means of storing electrical energy (6), - a second circuit (7) for thermal management of an air heater to regulate the temperature of a passenger compartment comprising: • a second pump (8) for circulating said heat transfer fluid in said second circuit (7), • a heating device (11) for said heat transfer fluid, • an air heater (13), - a third circuit (14) for thermal management of a rotating electrical machine, said third circuit (14) comprising: • a rotating electrical machine (17), • a third pump (19) for circulating said heat transfer fluid in said third circuit (14), • a radiator (20) for cooling said heat transfer fluid, - fluidic connection means (22a, 22b, 22c) of said first circuit (2) with said second circuit (7), and being further arranged to connect said third circuit (14) with said first circuit (2) or said second circuit (7), - control means (23) arranged for: • connecting said first and second circuits (2, 7) via said fluid connection means (22a, 22b, 22c), • activate said first pump (3) and said second pump (8), • activate said heating device (11) to heat said heat transfer fluid circulating in said first and second circuits (2, 7) connected, characterized in that said control means (23) are arranged to: • connect the first circuit (2) with the third circuit (14) via the fluid connection means (22a, 22c), • deactivate the third pump (19) so as to prevent passage of the heat transfer fluid into the radiator (20), and • activate the first pump (3) so as to heat said heat transfer fluid circulating in said first circuit (2) by means of recovery of joule losses from the rotating electrical machine (17).

2. System (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said control means (23) are arranged to: • connect the first circuit (2) with the third circuit (14) via the fluid connection means (22a, 22c); • activate the first pump (3) and the third pump (19) so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in said first circuit (2) and said third circuit (14) by means of the radiator (20).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the control means (23) are arranged to • connect the second circuit (7) with the third circuit (14) via the fluid connection means (22b, 22c), • activate the second pump (8) and the third pump (19) so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in said second circuit (7) and said third circuit (14) by means of the radiator (20).

4. System (1) according to claim one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (23) are arranged to isolate the first circuit (2), the second circuit (7) and the third circuit (14) from each other via the fluid connection means (22a, 22b).

5. Method (100) for controlling a thermal management system (1) of a vehicle by means of a heat transfer fluid according to any one of the preceding claims, said method (100) comprising the steps controlled by the control means (23) of, when the vehicle is stationary and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means (6) is below a minimum threshold temperature, • connecting (101) the first circuit (2) with the second circuit (3) via the fluid connection means (22a, 22b, 22c), • activating (102) the first and second pumps (3, 8), • activating (103) the heating device (11) to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in said first and second connected circuits (2, 7), • connecting (107) the first circuit (2) with the third circuit (14) via the fluid connection means (22a, 22c), • deactivating (108) the third pump (11) so as to prevent the heat transfer fluid from passing into the radiator (20),• activate (109) the first pump (3) so as to heat the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit (2) by means of recovering joule losses from the rotating electrical machine (17).,

6. Method (100) according to claim 5 comprising the steps of, when the vehicle is in motion and the temperature of the electrical energy storage means (6) is above a maximum threshold temperature: • connecting (105) the first circuit (2) with the third circuit (14) via the fluid connection means (22a, 22c), • activating (106) the first pump (3) and the third pump (19) so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the first circuit (2) and the third circuit (14) by means of the radiator (20).

7. Method (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6 comprising the steps of, when the temperature difference between the passenger compartment and the exterior of the vehicle is greater than a threshold temperature difference: connecting (110) the second circuit (7) with the third circuit (14) via the fluid connection means (22b, 22c), activate (111) the second pump (8) and the third pump (19) so as to cool the heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit (7) and the third circuit (14) by means of the radiator (20).

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