Vehicle cooling system and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle cooling system (100), comprising: an air conditioning condenser (1) in which a refrigerant medium of an air conditioning system of a vehicle flows to perform heat exchange with an airflow (F) flowing through the air conditioning condenser (1); and an oil cooling assembly (10) for cooling an electric drive unit (2) of the vehicle by means of cooling oil, the oil cooling assembly (10) comprising an oil cooling radiator (11) in which the cooling oil flows to perform heat exchange with the airflow (F) flowing through the oil cooling radiator (11). The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising such a vehicle cooling system (100).

Description

[0001] VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle cooling system. The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising such a vehicle cooling system.

[0004] Background

[0005] An electric drive device of a vehicle is used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy for the vehicle to move, and may comprise an electric motor, a gearbox, and power electronics equipment. Due to the limitations of objective physical laws and actual manufacturing processes, energy transfer by various components in the electric drive device cannot reach 100% efficiency and is always accompanied by heat generation. A vehicle cooling system is used to cool the electric drive device, thereby avoiding performance degradation or system failure caused by accumulation of heat. In the vehicle cooling system, the electric drive device may be arranged in a cooling circuit, in which a cooling medium circulates to carry away the heat generated by the electric drive device. In an existing vehicle cooling system, it is known that a cooling medium such as cooling oil can come into direct contact with the electric motor and the gearbox and carry away the heat which they generate. The cooling medium can also flow in a channel provided in the power electronics equipment, to carry away heat generated by the power electronics equipment. At the same time, the vehicle cooling system can also release heat through heat exchange with an airflow blowing past a heat dissipation structure of an electric drive device housing, to lower the temperature of the cooling medium. However, the dissipation of heat from the cooling medium is limited by the capacity for heat exchange between the heat dissipation structure of the electric drive device housing and the airflow. When this capacity for heat exchange is limited, the dissipation of heat from the cooling medium is inadequate and the temperature thereof is therefore higher, and this has an impact on the effectiveness of i cooling of components in the electric drive device; in particular, cooling of electronic devices of the power electronics equipment is inadequate, and consequently, the sustained power of the electric drive device will be limited.

[0006] For this reason, there is a need for a vehicle cooling system that is able to fully dissipate heat from a cooling medium, so as to increase cooling capacity, while reducing the cost of the cooling system.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] Thus, the present disclosure is intended to provide a vehicle cooling system that is able to fully dissipate heat from a cooling medium, so as to increase cooling capacity, while reducing the cost of the cooling system.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle cooling system comprises: an air conditioning condenser, wherein a refrigerant medium of an air conditioning system of a vehicle flows in the air conditioning condenser, so as to perform heat exchange with an airflow flowing through the air conditioning condenser; and an oil cooling assembly for cooling an electric drive device of the vehicle by means of cooling oil, the oil cooling assembly comprising an oil cooling radiator, wherein the cooling oil flows in the oil cooling radiator, so as to perform heat exchange with an airflow flowing through the oil cooling radiator.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle cooling system that is able to fully dissipate heat from a cooling medium, so as to increase cooling capacity. The vehicle cooling system according to the present disclosure uses cooling oil as a cooling medium, and comprises an independently arranged oil cooling radiator in which cooling oil undergoes heat exchange with an airflow. The oil cooling radiator increases the area of heat exchange between the vehicle cooling system and the airflow, and can thus increase the capacity for heat dissipation from the cooling oil, to fully lower the temperature of the cooling oil, and thus enhance the cooling capacity of the vehicle cooling system. The electric drive device can have a greater output power overall, so can be used in medium- and large-sized vehicles, and is suitable for hot environments. In addition, since the cooling oil can dissipate heat by means of the oil cooling radiator which is independent of the electric drive device, without solely relying on a heat-dissipating structure of a housing of the electric drive device, the installation position of the electric drive device in the vehicle need not be restricted by a guarantee of heat exchange with an airflow, and can be chosen with greater freedom. For example, the electric drive device need not be arranged at a front end of the vehicle; instead, it can be arranged in a rear part of the vehicle, and heat can be dissipated from the cooling oil by means of the oil cooling radiator arranged at the front end of the vehicle.

[0011] A vehicle cooling system according to the present disclosure may also have one or more of the following features individually or in combination.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle cooling system further comprises an air cooling assembly for cooling the electric drive device by means of an airflow. The air cooling assembly can further increase the cooling capacity of the vehicle cooling system or reduce the size of the radiator, lowering the cost of the vehicle cooling system.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air cooling assembly comprises an airflow-guiding mechanism, the airflow-guiding mechanism being used to guide an airflow to flow past a surface of the electric drive device. The airflow can undergo heat exchange with the surface of the electric drive device, carrying away heat.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle cooling system further comprises: a water cooling assembly for cooling the electric drive device by means of cooling water. The water cooling assembly can provide additional cooling power, to further increase the cooling capacity of the vehicle cooling system.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water cooling assembly comprises a first water cooling duct arranged in the electric drive device. Cooling water flowing through the first water cooling duct undergoes heat exchange with various components of the electric drive device, carrying away heat. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water cooling assembly further comprises a heat exchanger, wherein the cooling water flows in the heat exchanger, and undergoes heat exchange in the heat exchanger with the refrigerant medium of the air conditioning system. That is to say, the water cooling assembly does not have an independent radiator, but dissipates heat generated by the electric drive device into the external environment via the air conditioning system of the vehicle.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric drive device comprises an electric motor, a gearbox and power electronics equipment, and the oil cooling assembly further comprises a first oil cooling duct arranged in the electric motor and the gearbox. Cooling oil flowing in the first oil cooling duct can carry away heat generated by the electric motor and the gearbox.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the oil cooling assembly further comprises a second oil cooling duct arranged in the power electronics equipment. Cooling oil flowing in the second oil cooling duct can carry away heat generated by the power electronics device.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power electronics device comprises a first power electronic assembly and a second power electronic assembly, wherein the second oil cooling duct is arranged in the first power electronic assembly and / or the second power electronic assembly. In an embodiment, the first power electronic assembly comprises an inverter, and the second power electronic assembly comprises a power distributor, an on-board charger, a DC-DC converter, etc. Cooling oil flowing in the second oil cooling duct can carry away heat generated by the first power electronic assembly and / or the second power electronic assembly.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the airflow-guiding mechanism comprises an airflow-guiding channel integrated on an underbody cover.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air cooling assembly comprises a heat-dissipating structure arranged on a surface of the electric drive device.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat-dissipating structure is a cooling fin.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water cooling assembly comprises a second water cooling duct arranged in an electrical energy storage means of the vehicle.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric drive device comprises an electric motor, a gearbox and a power electronics device; and the first water cooling duct is arranged in the power electronics equipment. In this embodiment, cooling water flowing in the first water cooling duct can carry away heat generated by the power electronics device.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power electronics device comprises a first power electronic assembly and a second power electronic assembly, wherein the first water cooling duct is arranged in the first power electronic assembly and / or the second power electronic assembly. Cooling water flowing in the first water cooling duct can carry away heat generated in the first power electronic assembly and / or the second power electronic assembly.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the oil cooling radiator and the air conditioning condenser do not overlap in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, or the oil cooling radiator is arranged to at least partially overlap with the air conditioning condenser in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the oil cooling radiator and the air conditioning condenser are positioned side by side.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the oil cooling radiator and the air conditioning condenser are integrated as a single radiator.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle cooling system further comprises a fan for generating or strengthening an airflow. That is to say, a portion of the airflow may be actively generated. In particular, when the vehicle is moving at a low speed, an airflow generated by motion of the vehicle is inadequate; the fan can supplement the airflow, so that the cooling capacity of the vehicle cooling system will not decrease too much.

[0029] The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle cooling system as described above.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric drive device of the vehicle is arranged at a front end of the vehicle, or the electric drive device of the vehicle is arranged at a rear end of the vehicle.

[0031] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] To explain the technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the drawings which need to be used in describing the embodiments are described in simple terms below. Obviously, the drawings in the description below are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art could obtain other drawings based on these drawings without expending inventive effort. The drawings below are not drawn to scale according to actual dimensions but rather focus on showing the main purpose of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows schematically an embodiment of a vehicle cooling system according to the present disclosure, wherein the vehicle cooling system comprises an oil cooling assembly and an air cooling assembly, the oil cooling assembly being able to cool all of an electric motor, a gearbox, and first and second power electronic assemblies of power electronics device of a vehicle electric drive device, and the air cooling assembly being able to cool the electric motor and the gearbox.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows schematically another embodiment of a vehicle cooling system according to the present disclosure, wherein the vehicle cooling system comprises an oil cooling assembly, an air cooling assembly and a water cooling assembly, the oil cooling assembly being able to cool an electric motor, a gearbox, and a first power electronic assembly of power electronics device of a vehicle electric drive device, the air cooling assembly being able to cool the electric motor and the gearbox, and the water cooling assembly being able to cool a second power electronic assembly of the power electronics device.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows schematically another embodiment of a vehicle cooling system according to the present disclosure, wherein the vehicle cooling system comprises an oil cooling assembly and a water cooling assembly, the oil cooling assembly being able to cool an electric motor and a gearbox of a vehicle electric drive device, and the water cooling assembly being able to cool first and second power electronic assemblies of power electronics device.

[0036] In all of the drawings, identical or similar components are indicated by identical reference numerals.

[0037] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0038] To clarify the objective, technical solutions and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure are described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Unless defined otherwise, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the common meanings as understood by those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. Words such as "one", "a" or "the" used in the description and the claims of the patent application disclosed herein do not indicate a quantity limit, but mean that there is at least one. Words such as "comprise" or "include" mean that the element or object appearing before the word encompasses the elements or objects and their equivalents listed after the word, without excluding other elements or objects. Although expressions such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various elements of the present disclosure, they are only intended to distinguish one component from another, rather than limiting the sequence or importance of the corresponding elements. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, "first element" may be written as "second element", and, similarly, "second element" may be written as "first element". The terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right” and the like are only used to indicate a relative positional relationship, and when the absolute position of a described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. In order to facilitate description, the drawings of the present disclosure accordingly simplify or omit components commonly used in the art, such as external connection lines and other components that are irrelevant to the description of the present disclosure. These omitted or simplified components do not affect the understanding of the content of the present disclosure by a person skilled in the art.

[0040] Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a vehicle cooling system 100 according to the present disclosure. The vehicle cooling system 100 is specifically configured to cool an electric drive device 2.

[0041] The electric drive device 2 comprises an electric motor 3, a gearbox 4 and a power electronics device 5. The electric motor 3 converts inputted electrical energy into rotational mechanical energy, and the gearbox 4 is mechanically coupled to the electric motor 3 to adjust the torque generated by and the rotation speed of the electric motor 3 and then transmit them to the wheels of the vehicle. The power electronics device 5 may comprise at least one of an inverter, a power distributor, an on-board charger, a DC-DC converter and other electronic devices. The inverter can be used to invert DC outputted by an electrical energy storage means (e.g. a battery or another electrical energy storage means) to AC capable of driving the electric motor; the power distributor is used to distribute electric power among the various parts of the vehicle; the on-board charger can charge the electrical energy storage means when the vehicle is recovering energy; and the DC-DC converter can convert high-voltage DC outputted by the electrical energy storage means to low- voltage DC suitable for use in a low- voltage system of the vehicle.

[0042] The electric motor 3 may be a synchronous electric motor, or an asynchronous electric motor. When the electric motor 3 is a synchronous electric motor, it may comprise a wound rotor or a permanent magnet rotor. In the embodiment shown, the electric motor 3 is a synchronous electric motor with permanent magnets, and the rated power supplied by the electric motor 3 may be in the range of 10 kW to 100 kW, or even higher. For example, for a rated power supply voltage of 48 V - 350 V, or a higher power supply voltage of up to 800 V, the rated power supplied by the electric motor may be 10 kW - 300 kW. The electric motor 3 may comprise a stator with three-phase windings, or a combination of two three-phase windings or five-phase windings.

[0043] Due to the mechanical coupling between the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, they are arranged adjacent to each other. For the sake of compactness and transmission efficiency, housings of the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4 may be integrated, i.e. these two housings may be integrally formed, or assembled from multiple housing components. Specifically, the two may be accommodated in a chamber defined by the same housing, or a housing that accommodates the electric motor 3 and a housing that accommodates the gearbox 4 may be fixedly connected by screws for example, and a sealing wall may be provided between these two housings. The power electronics device 5 is electrically connected to the electric motor 3 and an electric energy storage means 6. When the degree of integration of the electric drive device 2 needs to be increased, the power electronics device 5 may also be arranged adjacent to the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, a housing of the power electronics device 5 may optionally be integrated with housings of the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, and a sealing structure may be provided between the housings.

[0044] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the power electronics device 5 comprises a first power electronic assembly 5A and a second power electronic assembly 5B, which are accommodated in two separate housings. The first power electronic assembly 5 A is closer to the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, and may be an inverter for driving the electric motor 3 ; the second power electronic assembly 5B may comprise one or more of a power distributor, an on-board charger, a DC-DC converter and other electronic components. The separate housings of the first power electronic assembly 5A and the second power electronic assembly 5B can be arranged adjacent to each other or be integrated with each other, or may be arranged at different positions in the vehicle, thus being separated from each other by a certain distance.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle cooling system 100 comprises an oil cooling assembly 10 and an air cooling assembly 20. The vehicle cooling system 100 further comprises an air conditioning condenser 1, which is part of an air conditioning system of the vehicle. A refrigerant medium of the air conditioning system flows in the air conditioning condenser 1, and undergoes heat exchange with an airflow F flowing past the air conditioning condenser 1, dissipating heat into the external environment. After dissipating heat in the air conditioning condenser 1 , the refrigerant medium can subsequently be used for controlling the environment in the vehicle cabin, including temperature regulation and humidity regulation, etc.

[0046] The oil cooling assembly 10 is mainly used for cooling the electric drive device 2 of the vehicle. The oil cooling assembly 10 comprises an oil cooling radiator 11, a first oil cooling duct 12 arranged in the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, and a second oil cooling duct 13 arranged in the power electronics device 5. The electric drive device 2 is connected to the oil cooling radiator 11 by a pipeline. Cooling oil circulates between the electric drive device 2 and the oil cooling radiator 11. The cooling oil cools the electric drive device 2 as it flows through the electric drive device 2, and dissipates heat as it flows through the oil cooling radiator 11. Specifically, as it flows through the first oil cooling duct 12, the cooling oil can carry away heat generated by the electric motor 3 and gearbox 4; and as it flows through the second oil cooling duct 13, the cooling oil can carry away heat generated by the electronic devices of the power electronics device 5. As the cooling oil flows through the oil cooling radiator 11 , an airflow F flowing past the oil cooling radiator 11 undergoes heat exchange with the cooling oil, and dissipates into the external environment the heat that was carried away, causing the temperature of the cooling oil to fall. The first oil cooling duct 12 is arranged downstream of the second oil cooling duct 13 in the direction of cooling oil flow. Thus, after falling in temperature, the cooling oil flows through the second oil cooling duct 13 first, cooling the power electronics device 5, and then flows through the first oil cooling duct 12, cooling the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4. In particular, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the second oil cooling duct 13 is arranged in the first power electronic assembly 5 A and the second power electronic assembly 5B of the power electronics device 5, so can cool both. In addition, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the cooling oil in the second oil cooling duct 13 flows through the second power electronic assembly 5B first, and then through the first power electronic assembly 5A. It can be envisaged that the oil cooling assembly 10 could also be configured so that the cooling oil flows through the first power electronic assembly 5 A first, and then through the second power electronic assembly 5B.

[0047] The air cooling assembly 20 is also mainly used for cooling the electric drive device 2 of the vehicle. The air cooling assembly 20 comprises an airflow-guiding mechanism 21, and a heat-dissipating structure 22 arranged on a surface of the electric drive device 2. The airflow-guiding mechanism 21 guides an airflow F to flow past the surface of the electric drive device 2 so as to undergo heat exchange with the electric drive device 2, dissipating the heat generated by the electric drive device 2 into the external environment. The heat-dissipating structure 22, for example cooling fins, can increase the area of contact between the surface of the electric drive device 2 and the airflow F, to increase the cooling capacity of the air cooling assembly 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the heat-dissipating structure 22 is arranged on surfaces of the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4. It will be appreciated that the heat-dissipating structure 22 may also be arranged on a surface of the power electronics device 5.

[0048] Advantageously, the first oil cooling duct 12 and second oil cooling duct 13 of the oil cooling assembly 10 may comprise parts arranged on the surface of the electric drive device 2, or parts arranged near the surface of the electric drive device 2. Thus, the airflow F flowing past the surface of the electric drive device 2 can also lower the temperature of cooling oil flowing in the first oil cooling duct 12 and the second oil cooling duct 13, thus increasing the cooling capacity of the oil cooling assembly 10. In particular, the first oil cooling duct 12 in the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4 may be an open pipeline in the housings of the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, rather than a sealed pipeline. Thus, cooling oil can come into direct contact with components of the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, so as to cool same. Cooling oil can also flow to inner surfaces of the housings of the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, and undergo heat exchange with an airflow F flowing past outer surfaces of the housings, so as to dissipate heat.

[0049] The airflow F is mainly generated passively through motion of the vehicle; for example, as the vehicle moves, air flows in through a vehicle air inlet and flows past the air conditioning condenser 1, the oil cooling radiator 11, or the surface of the electric drive device 2. The airflow F may also include generation by a fan 40. For example, when the vehicle is moving at low speed or stationary, a passively generated airflow F is insufficient to meet the refrigeration demand, so the vehicle cooling system 100 can control the fan 40 to generate or strengthen an airflow F. The airflow-guiding mechanism 21 of the air cooling assembly 20 may comprise a component such as an airflow-guiding cover or a flow-guiding plate for guiding an airflow F from the vehicle air inlet towards the electric drive device 2, and may also comprise an airflow-guiding channel integrated in an underbody cover.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning condenser 1 and the oil cooling radiator 11 are positioned side by side, and their respective positions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle are the same. The air conditioning condenser 1 and the oil cooling radiator 11 can occupy the maximum cross-sectional area relative to the direction of flow of the airflow F, to make maximum use of the airflow F. The air conditioning condenser 1 and the oil cooling radiator 11 could also be integrated as a single radiator, forming different parts of the single radiator. The air conditioning condenser 1 and the oil cooling radiator 11 could also be arranged one in front of the other in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, without any overlap. Similar to the structure of the side-by-side arrangement, such a nonoverlapping arrangement of the air conditioning condenser 1 and the oil cooling radiator 11 can also ensure that an airflow F will not flow past one of the two first, and then flow past the other of the two, thus reducing air resistance, and ensuring that an airflow F flowing past either one of the two has not been heated by the other; consequently, the temperature of the airflow F is lower. It can also be envisaged that the oil cooling radiator 11 and the air conditioning condenser 1 are arranged with at least a partial overlap in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In a non-limiting embodiment, the cooling power required by the electric drive device 2 overall is about 5 kW, wherein the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4 together require a cooling power of about 3 kW, the first power electronic assembly 5 A in the power electronics device 5 requires a cooling power of about 1.5 kW, and the second power electronic assembly 5B requires a cooling power of about 0.5 kW. The vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is able to provide a cooling power of about 2.5 kW for the electric drive device 2 by means of the oil cooling assembly 10, and a cooling power of about 3 kW for the electric drive device 2 by means of the air cooling assembly 20, thereby meeting the cooling requirements of the electric drive device 2.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a vehicle cooling system 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared with the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 1, the main distinguishing feature of the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 2 is that this vehicle cooling system 100 also comprises a water cooling assembly 30.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 2, the water cooling assembly 30 comprises a first water cooling duct 31 arranged in the electric drive device 2, a second water cooling duct 33 arranged in the electrical energy storage means 6 of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger 32. Cooling water circulates in the various components of the water cooling assembly 30, and undergoes heat exchange in the heat exchanger 32 with the refrigerant medium of the vehicle air conditioning system, thereby transferring heat to the air conditioning system, so that the temperature of the cooling water falls. At the air conditioning condenser 1 , the heat transferred into the vehicle air conditioning system is finally dissipated into the external environment of the vehicle via an airflow F flowing past the air conditioning condenser 1. The first water cooling duct 31 is arranged downstream of the second water cooling duct 33 in the direction of cooling water flow. Thus, after falling in temperature, the cooling water flows through the second water cooling duct 33 first, thus cooling the electrical energy storage means 6, and then flows through the first water cooling duct 31, thus cooling the electric drive device 2. In addition, the highest temperature that the electrical energy storage means 6 of the vehicle is able to tolerate (abbreviated as the tolerable temperature hereinbelow) is typically lower than that of the power electronics device 5. Thus, in the water cooling assembly 30, the temperature of cooling water cooling the electrical energy storage means 6 in the second water cooling duct 33 will not rise higher than the tolerable temperature of the power electronics device 5. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the cooling water in the first water cooling duct 31 located downstream of the second water cooling duct 33 can be used to cool the power electronics device 5. In addition, when the air temperature falls in winter, the heat generated by the power electronics device 5 can also be used to heat the electrical energy storage means 6. Also, the power electronics device 5 has a very low specific heat capacity and heats up quickly, so can heat the electrical energy storage means 6 at a high response speed.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the first water cooling duct 31 is only arranged in, and cools, the second power electronic assembly 5B of the power electronics device 5, while the first power electronic assembly 5 A of the power electronics device 5 is still cooled by the second oil cooling duct 13 of the oil cooling assembly 10 arranged therein. Relatively speaking, the first power electronic assembly 5A is closer to the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, so the second oil cooling duct 13 of the oil cooling assembly 10 can be easily arranged therein. The second power electronic assembly 5B is further away from the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, and no longer has an oil cooling duct arranged therein. Such a structure of the water cooling assembly 30 is especially suitable for embodiments in which the first power electronic assembly 5A and the second power electronic assembly 5B are arranged separately. It can be envisaged that the vehicle cooling system 100 could also be configured to cool the second power electronic assembly 5B by means of the oil cooling assembly 10, and to cool the first power electronic assembly 5A by means of the water cooling assembly 30.

[0054] Apart from the above differences, the oil cooling assembly 10 and the air cooling assembly 20 of the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 2 are similar to the corresponding components of the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 1, so are not described in detail again.

[0055] As an example, the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 2 is able to provide a cooling power of about 2.5 kW for the electric drive device 2 by means of the oil cooling assembly 10, a cooling power of about 3 kW for the electric drive device 2 by means of the air cooling assembly 20, and a cooling power of more than about 2 kW by means of the water cooling assembly, to fully meet the cooling requirements of the electric drive device 2.

[0056] Fig. 3 shows a vehicle cooling system 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared with the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 2, the main distinguishing features of the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 3 are as follows: the vehicle cooling system 100 only comprises an oil cooling assembly 10 and a water cooling assembly 30, no longer comprising an air cooling assembly; the oil cooling assembly 10 only comprises a first oil cooling duct 12 arranged in the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4, no longer comprising another oil cooling duct arranged in the power electronics device 5; and a first water cooling duct 31 of the water cooling assembly 30 is arranged in both the first power electronic assembly 5A and the second power electronic assembly 5B of the power electronics device 5. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, cooling water in the first water cooling duct 31 flows through the second power electronic assembly 5B first, and then through the first power electronic assembly 5A. It can be envisaged that the water cooling assembly 30 could also be configured so that cooling water flows through the first power electronic assembly 5A first, and then through the second power electronic assembly 5B.

[0057] As stated above, the oil cooling assembly 10 of the vehicle cooling system 100 is only used to cool the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4; the power electronics device 5 is cooled by the water cooling assembly 30 alone. Generally, the electric motor 3 and the gearbox 4 are mainly composed of mechanical components, so have a higher tolerable temperature, whereas the power electronics device 5 comprises a large number of electronic devices, with a lower tolerable temperature. In the above-described embodiment of Fig. 3, the power electronics device 5 is no longer cooled by the oil cooling assembly 10, and the cooling oil will not come into contact with the electronic devices in the power electronics device 5. Therefore, the temperature of the cooling oil circulating in the oil cooling assembly 10 can exceed the tolerable temperature of the power electronics device 5. As an example, compared with the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the temperature of cooling oil in the oil cooling assembly 10 in Fig. 3 can increase from about 80°C to about 100°C. Thus, the cooling oil can dissipate heat into the airflow F more quickly in the oil cooling radiator 11. The cooling power of the oil cooling assembly 10 can increase from about 2.5 kW to 4 kW. In combination with the cooling power provided by the water cooling assembly, the vehicle cooling system 100 can meet the cooling requirements for the electric drive device 2 without the need for an air cooling assembly.

[0058] Apart from the above differences, the oil cooling assembly 10 and the water cooling assembly 30 of the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 3 are similar to the corresponding components of the vehicle cooling system 100 shown in Fig. 2, so are not described in detail again.

[0059] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is proposed, comprising a vehicle cooling system 100 as described above. The vehicle may be an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a range extended EV or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The vehicle may also be a hydrogen-powered vehicle. It will be appreciated that the above-described vehicle cooling system 100 is not intended to encompass all cooling means included in the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise a cooling means that is not part of the above-described vehicle cooling system 100.

[0060] Since the oil cooling assembly comprises a specially provided oil cooling radiator, the electric drive device 2 in the vehicle comprising the vehicle cooling system 100 described above no longer only relies on an airflow F flowing past its surface for heat dissipation. Thus, the installation position of the electric drive device 2 is no longer limited by the structure of an air intake system of the vehicle, and can be more flexible. For example, the electric drive device 2 may be arranged at a front end or a rear end of the vehicle, to drive the front wheels or rear wheels of the vehicle.

[0061] Certain features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined appropriately.

[0062] The above is a description of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as limiting it. Although some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the original teaching and advantages of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be comprised in the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. It should be understood that the above is a description of the present disclosure; the present disclosure should not be considered to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments are intended to be comprised within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle cooling system (100), characterized in that the vehicle cooling system (100) comprises: an air conditioning condenser (1), in which a refrigerant medium of an air conditioning system of a vehicle flows to perform heat exchange with an airflow (F) flowing through the air conditioning condenser (1); an oil cooling assembly (10) for cooling an electric drive device (2) of the vehicle by means of cooling oil, the oil cooling assembly (10) comprising an oil cooling radiator (11), in which the cooling oil flows to perform heat exchange with an airflow (F) flowing through the oil cooling radiator (11).

2. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle cooling system (100) further comprises: an air cooling assembly (20) for cooling the electric drive device (2) by means of an airflow (F).

3. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the air cooling assembly (20) comprises an airflow-guiding mechanism (21) configured to guide the airflow (F) to flow through a surface of the electric drive unit (2).

4. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vehicle cooling system (100) further comprises: a water cooling assembly (30) for cooling the electric drive unit (2) by cooling water.

5. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the water cooling assembly (30) comprises a first water cooling duct (31) arranged in the electric drive device (2).

6. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the water cooling assembly (30) further comprises a heat exchanger (32), inwhich the cooling water flows, and performs heat exchange in the heat exchanger (32) with the refrigerant medium of the air conditioning system.

7. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric drive device (2) comprises an electric motor (3), a gearbox (4) and a power electronics device (5); the oil cooling assembly (10) further comprises a first oil cooling duct (12) arranged in the electric motor (3) and the gearbox (4).

8. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the oil cooling assembly (10) further comprises a second oil cooling duct (13) arranged in the power electronics device (5).

9. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the power electronics device (5) comprises a first power electronic assembly (5 A) and a second power electronic assembly (5B), wherein the second oil cooling duct (13) is arranged in the first power electronic assembly (5 A) and / or the second power electronic assembly (5B).

10. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the airflow-guiding mechanism (21) comprises an airflow-guiding channel integrated on an underbody cover.

11. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 2, 3 or 10, characterized in that the air cooling assembly (20) comprises a heat-dissipating structure (22) arranged on a surface of the electric drive device (2).

12. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the heat-dissipating structure (22) is a cooling fin.

13. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the water cooling assembly (30) comprises a second water cooling duct (33) arranged in an electrical energy storage device (6) of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the electric drive device (2) comprises an electric motor (3), a gearbox (4) and a power electronics device (5); the first water cooling duct (31) is arranged in the power electronics device(5).

15. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the power electronics equipment (5) comprises a first power electronic assembly (5A) and a second power electronic assembly (5B), wherein the first water cooling duct (31) is arranged in the first power electronic assembly (5 A) and / or the second power electronic assembly (5B).

16. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oil cooling radiator (11) and the air conditioning condenser (1) do not overlap in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, or the oil cooling radiator (11) is arranged to at least partially overlap with the air conditioning condenser (1) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

17. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oil cooling radiator (11) and the air conditioning condenser (1) are positioned side by side.

18. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oil cooling radiator (11) and the air conditioning condenser (1) are integrated as a single radiator.

19. The vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of the precedingclaims, characterized in that the vehicle cooling system (100) further comprises a fan (40) for generating or strengthening the airflow (F).

20. A vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle comprises the vehicle cooling system (100) according to any one of the claims 1 to 19.

21. The vehicle according to claim 20, characterized in that the electric drive device (2) of the vehicle is arranged at a front end of the vehicle, or the electric drive device (2) of the vehicle is arranged at a rear end of the vehicle.

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