Thermal management module and vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a thermal management module for a vehicle, and to a vehicle having said thermal management module. The thermal management module comprises: a refrigerant module having a first channel for refrigerant flow and a second channel for coolant flow; and a coolant plate that is in fluid communication with the second channel. In the thickness direction of the coolant plate, the refrigerant module at least partially coincides with the coolant plate, and the first channel at least partially coincides with the coolant plate.

Description

Thermal management module and vehicle Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a thermal management module for a vehicle and a vehicle having said thermal management module. Background Technology

[0002] The vehicle thermal management module is a crucial component, especially for new energy vehicles. Powered by batteries, the performance and lifespan of which are directly affected by temperature. Overheating or excessive cold can lead to performance degradation or even damage. Therefore, an effective thermal management module is necessary to ensure the battery operates within its optimal temperature range, extending battery life and improving vehicle range and reliability. Furthermore, the vehicle's motors, electronic control units, and various actuators also require suitable temperatures to guarantee their performance.

[0003] Currently, vehicles are becoming increasingly diversified in design and function, with a growing number of internal components. Simultaneously, there is a growing emphasis on lightweight vehicles and optimized space utilization. This places higher demands on the integration and spatial arrangement of thermal management modules within vehicles.

[0004] This disclosure aims to optimize the spatial arrangement of the thermal management module in a vehicle and improve the installation compatibility of the thermal management module in a vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the problems and needs mentioned above, this disclosure proposes a thermal management module for a vehicle and a vehicle having said thermal management module, which solves the above problems and brings other technical effects by adopting the following technical features.

[0006] On one hand, this disclosure proposes a thermal management module, comprising: a refrigerant module having a first channel for refrigerant flow and a second channel for coolant flow; and a coolant plate in fluid communication with the second channel. Wherein, in the thickness direction of the coolant plate, the refrigerant module and the coolant plate at least partially overlap, and the first channel and the coolant plate at least partially overlap.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant module is fixed to the coolant plate.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the coolant plate has a coolant plate body and a hollow portion that penetrates the coolant plate body, and the first channel passes through the hollow portion.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant module includes a heat exchanger and a valve assembly; the first channel includes an inlet channel, an intermediate channel, and an outlet channel; wherein the second channel and the intermediate channel are located in the heat exchanger, and the inlet channel and the outlet channel are located in the valve assembly; wherein at least one of the inlet channel and the outlet channel passes through the perforated portion.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly is integrated with the heat exchanger.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant is throttled and depressurized in the inlet channel.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly is located in the hollowed-out portion.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger is fixed to the coolant plate on one side, and the heat exchanger at least partially covers the perforated portion to be fixed to the valve assembly located in the perforated portion.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly has a first opening that allows refrigerant to flow into the inlet channel and a second opening that allows refrigerant to flow out of the outlet channel, wherein the first opening and the second opening are open in a direction away from the heat exchanger.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly includes an integral valve block, and the inlet channel and the outlet channel are respectively disposed in the integral valve block.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve assembly includes a split valve block, which comprises a first part and a second part that are separate from each other, wherein the inlet channel is located in the first part and the outlet channel is located in the second part.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal management module further includes a fluid management element in fluid communication with the coolant plate; the coolant plate body includes a first extension and a second extension surrounding the hollow portion, and the fluid management element is located at the junction of the first extension and the second extension.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid management element includes one or more of the following: a pump, a kettle, and a multi-way valve.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the first extension and the second extension are offset in the thickness direction of the coolant plate.

[0020] This disclosure also proposes a vehicle that includes a thermal management module as described in any of the preceding statements.

[0021] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the features and advantages of the present disclosure can be readily understood. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this disclosure will be briefly described below. The drawings are merely illustrative of some embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit all embodiments of this disclosure to them.

[0023] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a thermal management module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 1B shows a perspective view of the thermal management module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from another angle;

[0025] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a thermal management module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the thermal management module according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from another angle;

[0027] Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a thermal management module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3B shows a perspective view of the thermal management module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from another angle;

[0029] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the thermal management module according to this disclosure.

[0030] List of reference numerals 10: Refrigerant module 100; Coolant plate 101; Coolant plate body 102; Hollowed-out portion 103; First extension 104; Second extension 200; Heat exchanger 300; Valve assembly 301; Inlet channel 302; Outlet channel 303; First section 304; Second section 305; First opening 306; Second opening 400; Fluid management element Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0032] Compared to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, feasible embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may have fewer components, other components not shown in the drawings, different components, components arranged differently, or components with different connections, etc. Furthermore, two or more components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, “an” or “a” and similar terms do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as “connected” or “linked” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right” are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, which may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0034] The thermal management module of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a thermal management module according to a first embodiment of this disclosure, Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a thermal management module according to a second embodiment of this disclosure, Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a thermal management module according to a third embodiment of this disclosure, and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the thermal management module. The features common to each embodiment will be described first below.

[0035] The thermal management module includes channels for refrigerant flow and channels for coolant flow. The refrigerant, such as Freon or propane, absorbs and releases heat through phase changes of evaporation and / or condensation, thereby achieving a cooling effect. The coolant can be water, an aqueous ethylene glycol solution, or other chemical mixtures used to absorb and transfer heat to cool the equipment or system.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the thermal management module of this disclosure comprises two main parts: a refrigerant module 10 and a coolant plate 100. The refrigerant module 10 is preferably fixed to the coolant plate 10, for example, by bolts.

[0037] The refrigerant module 10 of the thermal management module has a first channel for refrigerant flow and a second channel for coolant flow. In a specific embodiment, the first channel for refrigerant flow includes an inlet channel 301, an intermediate channel, and an outlet channel 302, wherein refrigerant can flow into the intermediate channel via the inlet channel 301 of the refrigerant module 10 and flow out of the refrigerant module via the outlet channel 302.

[0038] The coolant plate 100 is in fluid communication with the second channel of the refrigerant module 10. Specifically, the coolant plate 100 also has a channel for coolant flow, which is in fluid communication with the second channel of the second refrigerant module 10, allowing coolant to flow between the coolant plate 100 and the refrigerant module 10. It should be noted that the complete coolant circuit may also include other components and channels for coolant flow besides the second channel and the coolant channel in the coolant plate 100.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant module 10 includes a heat exchanger 200 and a valve assembly 300. The heat exchanger 200 is the site for transferring and exchanging heat between the coolant and the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 200 has flow channels for coolant flow and flow channels for refrigerant flow. In the heat exchanger 200, the coolant and refrigerant flow channels can be designed to flow in parallel or in reverse, and these two flow channels can be meandering to increase the flow path length, thereby helping to improve heat exchange efficiency. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 4, the second channel and the intermediate channel mentioned above are located in the heat exchanger 200 and are flow channels inside the heat exchanger 200 for coolant and refrigerant, respectively.

[0040] Valve assembly 300 is directly or indirectly connected to heat exchanger 200 to introduce refrigerant into heat exchanger 200, where it exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and then exits heat exchanger 200 after heat exchange. The inlet channel 301 and outlet channel 302, mentioned above, are located within valve assembly 300 and are flow channels within valve assembly 300 that allow refrigerant to flow into and out of heat exchanger 200. Valve assembly 300 is preferably integrally connected to heat exchanger 200, for example, by welding. Valve assembly 300 may have the function of regulating and controlling fluid flow. Valve assembly 300 may be, for example, an expansion valve assembly 300 with throttling and pressure-reducing function, so that the refrigerant in inlet channel 301 has a higher pressure and the refrigerant in outlet channel 302 has a lower pressure. This disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the valve assembly, and in different embodiments, the valve assembly may have an integral structure or a split structure.

[0041] Although in the preferred embodiments shown in Figures 1A to 4, the refrigerant module 10 includes a heat exchanger 200 and a valve assembly 300, in other embodiments not shown, the refrigerant module 10 may not consist of a heat exchanger 200 and a valve assembly 300, but may have other forms and components, as long as it has a first channel for refrigerant flow and a second channel for coolant flow.

[0042] The coolant plate 100 of the thermal management module is a generally plate-shaped structure with a certain thickness. As mentioned above, the coolant plate 100 can be connected to the second channel of the refrigerant module 10 through an internal channel, thereby allowing coolant to flow between the coolant plate 100 and the refrigerant module 10. The coolant plate 100 can also serve as a carrier for the entire thermal management module 100, supporting thermal management components, such as, but not limited to, at least one or more of an expansion tank, multi-way valve, pump, heat exchanger, condenser, and temperature sensor. In the three embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, coolant plates 100 with different structures are illustrated. In Figures 3A-3B, only a portion of the coolant plate 100 is shown for clarity. This disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the coolant plate 100, and it does not need to be a standard plate shape.

[0043] This disclosure proposes that, in the thickness direction of the coolant plate 100, the refrigerant module at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate, and the first channel at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate. Figure 4 shows the thickness direction W of the coolant plate 100. By ensuring that the refrigerant module at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate in the thickness direction and that the first channel at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate, the thermal management module can maintain a compact overall structure while allowing for optimized flow channel arrangement. This results in reduced dimensions and space occupation in the thickness direction in at least some areas, thus optimizing the spatial arrangement of the thermal management module in the vehicle.

[0044] This overlap can be achieved by setting a cutout as described below. Alternatively, the refrigerant module and the first channel can be positioned outside the edge of the coolant plate or within a recess at the edge to achieve this overlap.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the inlet channel 301 and the outlet channel 302 in the refrigerant module 10 at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate 100. More preferably, in the embodiment shown in the figures, both the inlet channel 301 and the outlet channel 302 in the refrigerant module 10 at least partially overlap with the coolant plate 100.

[0046] Preferably, as shown in Figures 1A-4, the coolant plate 100 has a coolant plate body 101 and a perforated portion 102 penetrating the coolant plate body 101, through which a first channel passes. Specifically, at least one, preferably both, of the inlet channel 301 and the outlet channel 302 is located in the perforated portion 102. The perforated portion of this disclosure extends from one side of the coolant plate to the other, thereby forming a through-type perforated space. By providing such a perforated portion 102 to the coolant plate 100, the spatial layout is optimized, allowing the refrigerant module to fit more compactly with the coolant plate, thus improving space utilization efficiency.

[0047] This disclosure does not limit the specific shape and size of the cutout portion 102. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-1B, the cutout portion 102 is located approximately in the middle of the coolant plate body 101, surrounded by the main body of the coolant plate body 101, and has a generally rectangular shape. In the embodiments shown in Figures 2A-2B, the cutout portion 102 has an irregular shape and is surrounded by the first extension portion 103 and the second extension portion 104 of the coolant plate body 101. In the embodiments shown in Figures 3A-3B, most of the structure of the coolant plate is hidden, and the cutout portion 102 has an irregular shape.

[0048] At least a portion of the valve assembly 300 is preferably located in the cutout 102 of the coolant plate 100. The valve assembly 300 can be fixedly connected to the heat exchanger 300 in the cutout 102. The valve assembly 300 includes a first opening 305 that allows refrigerant to flow into the inlet channel 301 and a second opening 306 that allows refrigerant to flow out of the outlet channel 302. The first and second openings may also be referred to as valve inlet or valve outlet. As shown in FIG. 4, refrigerant can flow into the inlet channel 301 of the valve assembly 300 through the first opening 305 and into the heat exchanger 200. After heat exchange with the coolant, the refrigerant flows out along the outlet channel 302 through the second opening 306. Preferably, the inlet channel 301 and outlet channel 302 in the valve assembly 300 generally extend in the thickness direction of the coolant plate 100. Preferably, the first opening 305 and the second opening 306 open in a direction away from the heat exchanger 200. The first opening 305 and the second opening 306 can be configured to connect to a pipe (not shown), which in some cases is, for example, a metal pipe with high installation space requirements. By opening the first opening 305 and the second opening 306 in a direction away from the heat exchanger 200, the metal pipe can be arranged on the side of the coolant plate 100 opposite to the side where the heat exchanger is located. Preferably, the inlet for coolant inflow and the outlet for coolant outflow of the coolant plate 100 can also be located on this side, i.e., the side opposite to the heat exchanger. With this design, the installation adaptability of the thermal management module in the vehicle is significantly improved.

[0049] Furthermore, since the valve assembly 300 is located within the cutout 102 and the first opening 305 and the second opening 306 are open away from the heat exchanger 200, the positions of the first opening 305 and the second opening 306 are approximately flush with or near the main surface of the coolant plate 100, without protruding too far from the main surface of the coolant plate 100. This further makes the thermal management module structure compact, leaving more installation space for the pipes connected to the first opening 305 and the second opening 306.

[0050] In the first and second embodiments of this disclosure, the valve assembly 300 includes a one-piece valve block. Both the inlet channel 301 and the outlet channel 302 are located within the one-piece valve block; the one-piece valve block is located within the hollow portion 102. In the third embodiment, the valve assembly 300 includes a split valve block, wherein the split consists of a first portion 303 and a second portion 304 separated from each other. The inlet channel 301 is located in the first portion 303, and the outlet channel 302 is located in the second portion 304; the first portion 303 is located outside the hollow portion 102, and the second portion 304 is located within the hollow portion 102. In the inlet channel, the refrigerant is throttled and depressurized. In some embodiments, the functional portion for controlling and regulating fluid flow may be located only in the first portion 303, while the second portion 304 may only have a flow channel without the ability to regulate and control fluid flow. Alternatively, both the first portion 303 and the second portion 304 may be provided with functional portions for controlling and regulating fluid flow.

[0051] The heat exchanger 200 is preferably fixed to one side of the coolant plate 100, such that a second channel within the heat exchanger 200 is connected to a corresponding channel within the coolant plate 100 to achieve fluid communication. Preferably, the heat exchanger 200 also at least partially covers the perforated portion 102 to be fixed to the valve assembly 300 located in the perforated portion 102.

[0052] The thermal management module preferably further includes a fluid management element 400, which may include one or more of the following: a pump, a kettle, or a multi-way valve. An exemplary fluid management element 400 is shown in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. The coolant plate body 101 includes a first extension 103 and a second extension 104 surrounding the cutout portion 102. The fluid management element 400 is located at the junction of the first extension 103 and the second extension 104; for example, the outer wall of the fluid management element can be mounted to the junction of the first extension 103 and the second extension 104. The first extension 103 and the second extension 104 are generally longitudinally elongated structures, and may or may not have flow channels internally. The first extension 103 and the second extension 104 may have the same or different dimensions in the thickness direction of the coolant plate 100. Preferably, the first extension 103 and the second extension 104 are offset in the thickness direction of the coolant plate 100. That is, in the thickness direction of the coolant plate 100, the centerlines of the first extension 103 and the second extension 104 are not aligned. With this arrangement, maximum structural support for the fluid management element 400 can be achieved within a limited space through the first extension 103 and the second extension 104.

[0053] The thermal management module disclosed herein can be installed on various types of vehicles, especially new energy vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Specifically, the thermal management module can be installed on the vehicle's frame.

[0054] The exemplary embodiments of the thermal management module proposed in this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the above specific embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, and various combinations can be made to the various technical features and structures proposed in this disclosure without exceeding the protection scope of this disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A thermal management module, characterized in that, include: A refrigerant module (10) having a first channel for refrigerant flow and a second channel for coolant flow; The coolant plate (100) is in fluid communication with the second channel; Wherein, in the thickness direction of the coolant plate (100), the refrigerant module (10) at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate (100), and the first channel at least partially overlaps with the coolant plate (100).

2. The thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant module (10) is fixed on the coolant plate (100).

3. The thermal management module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The coolant plate (100) has a coolant plate body (101) and a cutout portion (102) penetrating the coolant plate body (101), and the first channel passes through the cutout portion (102).

4. The thermal management module as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigerant module (10) includes a heat exchanger (200) and a valve assembly (300), and the first channel includes an inlet channel (301), an intermediate channel and an outlet channel (302); The second channel and the intermediate channel are located in the heat exchanger (200), and the inlet channel (301) and the outlet channel (302) are located in the valve assembly (300). At least one of the inlet channel (301) and the outlet channel (302) passes through the hollow portion (102).

5. The thermal management module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The valve assembly (300) is integrated with the heat exchanger (200).

6. The thermal management module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, In the inlet channel (301), the refrigerant is throttled and depressurized.

7. The thermal management module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, At least a portion of the valve assembly (300) is located in the hollow portion (102).

8. The thermal management module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchanger (200) is fixed to the coolant plate (100) on one side, and the heat exchanger (200) at least partially covers the cutout (102) to be fixed to the valve assembly (300) located in the cutout (102).

9. The thermal management module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The valve assembly (300) has a first opening (305) that allows refrigerant to flow into the inlet channel (301) and a second opening (306) that allows refrigerant to flow out of the outlet channel (302), wherein the first opening (305) and the second opening (306) are open in a direction away from the heat exchanger (200).

10. The thermal management module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The valve assembly (300) includes an integral valve block, and the inlet channel (301) and the outlet channel (302) are respectively disposed in the integral valve block.

11. The thermal management module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The valve assembly (300) includes a split valve block comprising a first part (303) and a second part (304) that are separate from each other, wherein the inlet channel (301) is located in the first part (303) and the outlet channel (302) is located in the second part (304).

12. The thermal management module as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The thermal management module also includes a fluid management element (400) in fluid communication with the coolant plate (100); The coolant plate body (101) includes a first extension (103) and a second extension (104) surrounding the cutout portion (102), and the fluid management element (400) is located at the junction of the first extension (103) and the second extension (104).

13. The thermal management module as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The fluid management element (400) includes one or more of the following: a pump, a kettle, and a multi-way valve.

14. The thermal management module as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first extension (103) and the second extension (104) are offset in the thickness direction of the coolant plate (100).

15. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes a thermal management module as described in any one of claims 1-14.

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