MOTOR VEHICLE WITH AN OPTIMIZED COOLING CIRCUIT

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (2000), comprising a battery (100) powered by an on-board charger (20) for powering an electric machine (30), comprising a thermal regulation circuit (1000) conveying a heat transfer fluid and comprising a cooling circuit (200) integrating the battery (100) and cooperating with a condenser circuit (300), a charger circuit (400) comprising the on-board charger (20) and the electric machine (30) and cooperating with a radiator circuit (600) and with the condenser circuit (300), and a junction module (500) cooperating with the cooling circuit (200), the charger circuit (400) and the radiator circuit (600), and comprising a first circulation pump (1) regulating the flow rate in the cooling circuit (200), and a second circulation pump (2) regulating the flow rate in the charger circuit (400). Abstract figure: [Fig.3]

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN OPTIMIZED COOLING CIRCUIT

[0001] The invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one battery powered by at least one on-board charger for powering at least one electric machine, and comprising a thermal regulation circuit conveying a heat transfer fluid and itself comprising a cooling circuit integrating said at least one battery and cooperating with a condenser circuit, a charger circuit comprising said at least one on-board charger and said at least one electric machine and arranged to cooperate with a radiator circuit and with said condenser circuit.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of thermal regulation circuits, in particular cooling circuits, in particular for motor vehicles.

[0003] Such thermal regulation circuits convey at least one heat transfer fluid, and adopt a hydraulic architecture with circulation pumps, in particular independent water pumps, connected by EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) pipes. The term "hydraulic" is used here for everything relating to the heat transfer fluid, whether it is water, glycolated water, oil, another liquid, or a gas or mixture of gases.

[0004] Many of the solutions visible on the market are expensive and include a wide variety of components.

[0005] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates the hydraulic architecture of a high-performance thermal regulation circuit according to the prior art. This circuit is designed for the thermal regulation of at least one electrical machine 30 (for example comprising an inverter and an electric motor), a battery 100, and an on-board charger 20; more particularly this on-board charger 20 is of the so-called OBC DC / DC type, designed for recharging the battery in direct current: a combined high-voltage OBC DC / DC system combines the functionality of an on-board charger (OBC or "on board charger" in English) with that of a DC / DC converter (direct current / direct current). The thermal regulation circuit 1000 comprises a cooling circuit for the battery 100.

[0006] This cooling circuit of the battery 100 comprises in particular a loop which comprises, in the clockwise direction in [Fig.l], a cooling circuit 200 which itself comprises a battery 100, a three-way valve 5 cooperating with a five-way manifold 3 of a junction module 500, a pipe 8 or outlet pipe of the three-way valve 5, a junction 19 cooperating with a five-way manifold 3, a pipe 7 inlet of the first very low temperature circulation pump 1, a first very low temperature circulation pump 1, in particular a VLT (“Very Low Temperature”) water pump with a power of 150 W, fixed on a first support 11, a first three-way valve 14 cooperating with a condenser circuit, a battery cooler 50, also called in English “chiller”, a third junction 18 with a condenser circuit.

[0007] The condenser circuit 300 comprises, in the clockwise direction in [Fig.l], the first three-way valve 14, a fourth junction 17 with a charger circuit 400, a third circulation pump 23, a condenser 60 (in particular a water condenser), a second three-way valve 16 cooperating with the charger circuit 400, a device for heating the heat transfer fluid, more simply called a heater 70, an air heater 80, a third three-way valve 15 cooperating with the fourth junction 17 (by a bypass branch 25) and with the third junction 18.

[0008] The five-way collector 3 also cooperates, on the one hand with a radiator circuit 600 which comprises a degassing box 90 and a radiator 40 delimited by two junctions: a first junction 21 cooperating by a pipe 24 with the fourth junction 17 of the condenser circuit 300, and a second junction 22 cooperating by a pipe 29 with the second three-way valve 16 of the condenser circuit 300, and on the other hand with a charger circuit 400.

[0009] This charger circuit 400 comprises a conduit 6 or inlet pipe of a second circulation pump 2, in particular an LT (“Low temperature”) water pump with a power of 70 W, fixed on a second support 12 or on the same first support 11, an on-board charger 20 and the electrical machine 30, this charger circuit 400 cooperating with the radiator circuit 600 at a junction 22; the five-way collector 3 incorporates a non-return valve 9, and is fixed on a third support 10.

[0010] The pipe 29 connects the junction 22 to the second three-way valve 16 which cooperates with the condenser loop 300, which comprises the third circulation pump 23, the water condenser 60, the water heater 70, the air heater 80, and the third three-way valve 15 cooperating with the third junction 18 (between the battery cooler 50 and the battery 100), and the fourth junction 17 cooperating with the three-way valve 14, the third three-way valve 15, the third circulation pump 23, and the junction 21 on the radiator circuit 600.

[0011] In summary, this hydraulic architecture includes, in addition to the traditional components of a 2000 motor vehicle, in particular electric or hybrid, the specific elements which are: - a first circulation pump 1, in particular a very low temperature water pump, in particular with a power of 150 W, fixed on a first support 11; - a second circulation pump 2, in particular a low-temperature water pump, in particular with a power of 70 W, fixed on a second support 12 or on the same first support 11; - a five-way manifold 3, incorporating a non-return valve 9, and fixed on a third support 10; - a temperature sensor 4 at the outlet of a radiator 40; - a three-way valve 5; - a pipe 6 for the inlet of the low temperature pump 2; - a pipe 7 for the inlet of the very low temperature pump 1; - an outlet pipe 8 of the three-way valve 5.

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing to significantly reduce the number of components used in such a motor vehicle thermal regulation circuit, and to reduce the power of the components to allow lower energy consumption.

[0013] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes to optimize the junction module 500.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising at least one battery, powered by at least one on-board charger for powering at least one electric machine, and comprising a thermal regulation circuit conveying a heat transfer fluid and itself comprising a cooling circuit integrating said at least one battery and cooperating with a condenser circuit, a charger circuit comprising said at least one on-board charger and said at least one electric machine and arranged to cooperate with a radiator circuit and with said condenser circuit.

[0015] According to the invention, said thermal regulation circuit comprises a junction module, arranged to cooperate with said cooling circuit, with said charger circuit, and with said radiator circuit, said junction module comprising a first heat transfer fluid circulation pump arranged to regulate the flow rate of heat transfer fluid in said cooling circuit, and a second heat transfer fluid circulation pump arranged to regulate the flow rate of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in said charger circuit.

[0016] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to reduce the number and dimensioning of the components, and to make savings on supplies and assembly time, while ensuring the required reliability.

[0017] Advantageously, said junction module is a single-piece component which groups together at least said first circulation pump, said second circulation pump, and a collector made of plastic or light alloy or sheet metal incorporating means for fixing said junction module to a structure that said motor vehicle comprises.

[0018] This provides a compact and easy to fix module.

[0019] Advantageously, said first circulation pump is a very low temperature pump, with a power less than or equal to 70 W, and said second circulation pump is a low temperature pump, with a power less than or equal to 70 W.

[0020] This configuration makes it possible to limit the pumps to what is strictly necessary, and to avoid any unnecessary thermal generation.

[0021] Advantageously, said cooling circuit comprises said at least one battery, a pipe to said first very low temperature circulation pump which said junction module comprises, said first very low temperature circulation pump, a first three-way valve cooperating with a branch of said condenser circuit, a battery cooler, and a third junction with said condenser circuit.

[0022] This eliminates the three-way valve and the non-return valve of the prior art.

[0023] In a variant, said condenser circuit comprises a first three-way valve cooperating with two branches of said cooling circuit, a fourth junction with said charger circuit, a third circulation pump, a condenser, a second three-way valve cooperating with a branch of said charger circuit, a heater, an air heater, and a third three-way valve cooperating, on the one hand with said fourth junction by a bypass branch, and on the other hand with a third junction with said cooling circuit.

[0024] It is thus possible to reuse, without significant modification, a condenser circuit according to the prior art.

[0025] In another variant, said condenser circuit comprises a first three-way valve cooperating with two branches of said cooler circuit, a fourth junction with said charger circuit, a condenser, a second three-way valve cooperating with a branch of said charger circuit, a heater, an air heater, and a third three-way valve cooperating, on the one hand with said fourth junction via a bypass branch, and on the other hand with a third junction with said cooler circuit, and said first circulation pump and said second circulation pump are the only circulation pumps that said thermal regulation circuit comprises.

[0026] Thus, the third circulation pump according to the prior art can be eliminated; only the junction module ensures the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circuit.

[0027] Advantageously, said charger circuit comprises said at least one on-board charger and said at least one electrical machine, said charger circuit cooperating with said radiator circuit at a second junction.

[0028] Thus this charger circuit is without a circulation pump.

[0029] Advantageously, said radiator circuit comprises a degassing box and a radiator delimited by two junctions, a first junction cooperating by a first pipe with a fourth junction which said condenser circuit comprises, and a second junction cooperating on the one hand by a second pipe with a second three-way valve which said condenser circuit comprises, and on the other hand with said charger circuit.

[0030] Thus it is possible to retain a radiator circuit of the prior art.

[0031] Advantageously, said first pipe comprises a non-return valve preventing the return of the heat transfer fluid to said junction module.

[0032] Operational safety is thus ensured.

[0033] Advantageously, said thermal regulation circuit comprises at least one three-way valve in said cooling circuit and / or said condenser circuit, and said motor vehicle comprises control means arranged to control said first circulation pump, said second circulation pump, and each said three-way valve, as a function of information provided by temperature measuring means included in said thermal regulation circuit.

[0034] This makes piloting easier.

[0035] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a thermal regulation circuit according to the prior art; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in the form of a block diagram a thermal regulation circuit according to the invention; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a thermal regulation circuit according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig.2] illustrates a motor vehicle 2000, and in particular an electric or hybrid motor vehicle, comprising a thermal regulation circuit 1000 according to the invention. This electric or hybrid motor vehicle 2000 comprises at least one battery 100, powered by at least one on-board charger 20 for powering at least one electric machine 30.

[0037] This thermal regulation circuit 1000 also comprises a thermal regulation circuit 1000 conveying a heat transfer fluid and itself comprising a cooling circuit 200, integrating this at least one battery 100, and cooperating with a condenser circuit 300, and a charger circuit 400 comprising at least one on-board charger 20 and this at least one electrical machine 30, and which is arranged to cooperate with a radiator circuit 600 and with the condenser circuit 300.

[0038] According to the invention, the thermal regulation circuit 1000 comprises a junction module 500, which is arranged to cooperate with the cooling circuit 200, with the charger circuit 400, and with the radiator circuit 600.

[0039] As visible in [Fig. 3], this junction module 500 comprises a first circulation pump 1 for heat transfer fluid, which is arranged to regulate the flow rate of heat transfer fluid in the cooling circuit 200, and a second circulation pump 2 for heat transfer fluid which is arranged to regulate the flow rate of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the charger circuit 400.

[0040] More particularly, this circuit comprises a junction module 500 which is a single-piece, which integrates several functions, and at least a first circulation pump 1, and a second circulation pump 2. Advantageously, this module 500, called “two-pump module” or “2PM” is a part integrating several circulation pumps, a collector (in particular made of plastic), a system for fixing to the electrical machine or to the motor, allowing a significant reduction in cost and diversity, while retaining the same performance.

[0041] Advantageously, the junction module 500 is thus a single-piece component which groups together at least the first circulation pump 1, the second circulation pump 2, and a collector 13 made of plastic or light alloy or sheet metal integrating means for fixing the junction module 500 to a structure 130 which the motor vehicle 2000 comprises.

[0042] The 500 “2PM” junction module thus integrates: - the first circulation pump 1 very low temperature; - the second low temperature circulation pump 2.

[0043] The first circulation pump 1 is preferably a very low temperature pump, with a power less than or equal to 70 W, and the second circulation pump 2 is a low temperature pump, with a power less than or equal to 70 W.

[0044] The simplification of the architecture in fact makes it possible to lower the operating point of the first circulation pump 1 to a very low temperature, making it possible to reduce its power from 150 W to 70 W, and therefore its cost and its energy emission.

[0045] In addition, the integration of circulation pumps 1 and 2 into the single-unit junction module 500 allows the elimination of the following elements: - support 11 for fixing the circulation pumps; - the five-way collector 3; the non-return valve 9; support 10; temperature sensor 4 at the radiator outlet; the three-way valve 5; pipe 6 low temperature pump inlet; pipe 7 very low temperature pump inlet; pipe 8 three-way valve outlet.

[0046] The architecture diagram of the 500 “2PM” junction module now consists of at least: the first circulation pump 1 very low temperature; the second low temperature circulation pump 2; a plastic collector 13 integrating the fixings.

[0047] The battery cooling function at temperatures below 5°C was not affected by the removal of the three-way valve.

[0048] Indeed, this function is now provided by the battery cooler 50 and the refrigeration loop.

[0049] More particularly, the cooling circuit 200 comprises at least one battery 100, a pipe 8 towards the first very low temperature circulation pump 1 which the junction module 500 comprises, the first very low temperature circulation pump 1, a first three-way valve 14 cooperating with a branch of the condenser circuit 300, a battery cooler 50, and a third junction 18 with the condenser circuit 300.

[0050] In the illustrated variant, the condenser circuit 300 comprises a first three-way valve 14 cooperating with two branches of the cooler circuit 200, a fourth junction 17 with the charger circuit 400, a third circulation pump 23, a condenser 60, a second three-way valve 16 cooperating with a branch of the charger circuit 400, a heater 70, an air heater 80, and a third three-way valve 15 cooperating, on the one hand with the fourth junction 17 via a bypass branch 25, and on the other hand with a third junction 18 with the cooler circuit 200.

[0051] In another variant, the condenser circuit 300 comprises a first three-way valve 14 cooperating with two branches of the cooler circuit 200, a fourth junction 17 with the charger circuit 400, a condenser 60, a second three-way valve 16 cooperating with a branch of the charger circuit 400, a heater 70, an air heater 80, and a third three-way valve 15 cooperating, on the one hand with the fourth junction 17 by a bypass branch 25, and on the other hand with a third junction 18 with the cooler circuit 200. There is no circulation pump between the fourth junction 17 and the condenser 60, and the first pump circulation pump 1 and the second circulation pump 2 are then the only circulation pumps included in the thermal regulation circuit 1000.

[0052] The radiator circuit 600 still comprises the degassing box 90 and the radiator 40 delimited by two junctions: a first junction 21 cooperating via a first pipe 24 with the fourth junction 17 of the condenser circuit 300, and a second junction 22 cooperating, on the one hand via the second pipe 29 with the second three-way valve 16 of the condenser circuit 300, and on the other hand with the charger circuit 400.

[0053] More particularly, the first pipe 24 comprises a non-return valve 240 preventing the return of the heat transfer fluid to the junction module 500.

[0054] The charger circuit 400 now comprises at least one on-board charger 20 and at least one electrical machine 30, the charger circuit 400 cooperating with the radiator circuit 600 at the second junction 22.

[0055] More particularly, the thermal regulation circuit 1000 comprises at least one three-way valve 14, 15, 16, in the cooling circuit 200 and / or the condenser circuit 300, and the motor vehicle 2000 comprises control means 1500 which are arranged to control the first circulation pump 1, the second circulation pump 2, and each three-way valve 14, 15, 16, as a function of information provided by temperature measuring means 1100 which the thermal regulation circuit 1000 comprises. Naturally, these control means 1500 are also capable of controlling each of the elements of the thermal regulation circuit 1000, which is provided with control means.

[0056] The invention allows the elimination of six components, which results in a significant cost reduction of approximately 10% of the technical scope concerned on the cost of the components, as well as a reduction in the volume occupied, and a reduction in assembly time. Reliability is improved due to the reduction in the number of components.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle (2000), comprising at least one battery (100) powered by at least one on-board charger (20) for powering at least one electric machine (30), and comprising a thermal regulation circuit (1000) conveying a heat transfer fluid and itself comprising a cooling circuit (200) integrating said at least one battery (100) and cooperating with a condenser circuit (300), a charger circuit (400) comprising said at least one on-board charger (20) and said at least one electric machine (30) and arranged to cooperate with a radiator circuit (600) and with said condenser circuit (300), characterized in that said thermal regulation circuit (1000) comprises a junction module (500), arranged to cooperate with said cooling circuit (200), with said charger circuit (400), and with said radiator circuit (600),said junction module (500) comprising a first circulation pump (1) for heat transfer fluid arranged to regulate the flow rate of heat transfer fluid in said cooling circuit (200), and a second circulation pump (2) for heat transfer fluid arranged to regulate the flow rate of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in said charger circuit (400).,

2. Motor vehicle (2000) according to claim 1 characterized in that said junction module (500) is a single-piece component which groups together at least said first circulation pump (1), said second circulation pump (2), and a collector (13) made of plastic or light alloy or sheet metal integrating means for fixing said junction module (500) to a structure (130) which said motor vehicle (2000) comprises.

3. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that said first circulation pump (1) is a very low temperature pump, with a power less than or equal to 70 W, and in that said second circulation pump (2) is a low temperature pump, with a power less than or equal to 70 W.

4. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said cooling circuit (200) comprises said at least one battery (100), a pipe (8) towards said first very low temperature circulation pump (1) which comprises said junction module (500), said first very low temperature circulation pump (1), a first three-way valve (14) cooperating with a branch of said condenser circuit (300), a battery cooler (50), and a third junction (18) with said condenser circuit (300).

5. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said condenser circuit (300) comprises a first three-way valve (14) cooperating with two branches of said cooler circuit (200), a fourth junction (17) with said charger circuit (400), a third circulation pump (23), a condenser (60), a second three-way valve (16) cooperating with a branch of said charger circuit (400), a heater (70), a unit heater (80), and a third three-way valve (15) cooperating, on the one hand with said fourth junction (17) by a bypass branch (25), and on the other hand with a third junction (18) with said cooler circuit (200).

6. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said condenser circuit (300) comprises a first three-way valve (14) cooperating with two branches of said cooler circuit (200), a fourth junction (17) with said charger circuit (400), a condenser (60), a second three-way valve (16) cooperating with a branch of said charger circuit (400), a heater (70), an air heater (80), and a third three-way valve (15) cooperating, on the one hand with said fourth junction (17) by a bypass branch (25), and on the other hand with a third junction (18) with said cooler circuit (200), and in that said first circulation pump (1) and said second circulation pump (2) are the only circulation pumps that said thermal regulation circuit (1000) comprises.

7. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said charger circuit (400) comprises said at least one on-board charger (20) and said at least one electrical machine (30), said charger circuit (400) cooperating with said radiator circuit (600) at a second junction (22).

8. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said radiator circuit (600) comprises a degassing box (90) and a radiator (40) delimited by two junctions, a first junction (21) cooperating by a first pipe (24) with a fourth junction (17) which comprises said condenser circuit (300), and a second junction (22) cooperating on the one hand by a second pipe (29) with a second three-way valve (16) which comprises said condenser circuit (300), and on the other hand with said charger circuit (400).

9. Motor vehicle (2000) according to claim 8 characterized in that said first pipe (24) comprises a non-return valve (240) preventing the return of the heat transfer fluid to said junction module (500).

10. Motor vehicle (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that said thermal regulation circuit (1000) comprises at least one three-way valve (14; 15; 16) in said cooling circuit (200) and / or said condenser circuit (300), and in that said motor vehicle (2000) comprises control means (1500) arranged to control said first circulation pump (1), said second circulation pump (2), and each said three-way valve (14; 15; 16), as a function of information provided by temperature measuring means (1100) included in said thermal regulation circuit (1000).

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