Distribution system for heat flows in a vehicle

Abstract

A distribution system (2) for heat flows in a vehicle (1) includes: a conduit system (7) for a heat storage medium; a first cooling circuit (3) for a first component (4), having a component heat exchanger (8) that dissipates heat from the first component (4), and an ambient heat exchanger (10) that dissipates the heat to the environment; a second cooling circuit (5) for a second component (6), having a component heat exchanger (9) that dissipates heat from the second component (6), and an ambient heat exchanger (11) that dissipates the heat to the environment. The conduit system (7) has a first valve device (12A), which allows or shuts off the flow of heat storage medium from the first cooling circuit (3) and / or from the second cooling circuit (5) into the first ambient heat exchanger (10), and a second valve device (12B), that allows or shuts off the flow of heat storage medium from the first ambient heat exchanger (10) into the first cooling circuit (3) and / or into the second cooling circuit (5).

Description

[0001] 2024PF00256 September 2, 2024

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Distribution system for heat flows in a vehicle

[0005] The invention relates to a distribution system for heat flows in a vehicle, in particular in an electric vehicle.

[0006] Vehicles, especially electric commercial vehicles, typically have several components that exchange heat within the vehicle or with the environment. For example, an electric commercial vehicle might have a radiator, a heat exchanger for the traction system, a heat exchanger for the battery, and a heat exchanger for the driver's cabin air conditioning.

[0007] In the field of drive technology, particularly in electric commercial vehicles, excess braking energy, which is converted into electrical energy by electric motors operating in generator mode, is converted into heat in braking resistors. This means that kinetic energy, for example, is converted into heat energy when the drive motor is operating in generator mode. If the energy generated by the electric motor cannot be used elsewhere, such as stored in a traction battery, this electrical energy must be converted into heat in a liquid-cooled braking resistor, which is then dissipated to the environment via a heat exchanger. Conversely, at low ambient temperatures, it is advantageous to heat the traction battery, for example, to better utilize its capacity.

[0008] Previously, separate cooling circuits with associated ambient heat exchangers were used for each heat generator. This required significantly more components and installation effort, as each cooling circuit and its associated ambient heat exchanger needed to be adequately sized. 2024PF00256

[0009] 2

[0010] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to distribute and utilize heat energy in the vehicle in the best possible way, or to dissipate it effectively.

[0011] This problem is solved by a distribution system for heat flows in a vehicle according to claim 1, a vehicle according to claim 11 and a method according to claim 12.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, a distribution system for heat flows in a vehicle, particularly in an electric vehicle, comprises: a piping system configured to carry a first heat storage medium; a first cooling circuit in the piping system for a first component of the vehicle, wherein the first cooling circuit comprises a first component heat exchanger and a first ambient heat exchanger, the first component heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat from the first component to the first heat storage medium, and the first ambient heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment; a second cooling circuit in the piping system for a second component of the vehicle, wherein the second cooling circuit comprises a second component heat exchanger and a second ambient heat exchanger, the second component heat exchanger being configured toThe system comprises a first valve assembly configured to allow or block the flow of heat from the first cooling circuit and / or the first cooling circuit into the first cooling circuit, and a second valve assembly configured to allow or block the flow of heat from the first cooling circuit and / or the first cooling circuit into the first cooling circuit. The system also includes a second valve assembly configured to allow or block the flow of heat from the first cooling circuit and / or the first cooling circuit into the second cooling circuit. 2024PF00256

[0013] 3

[0014] By providing separate valve assemblies, it is possible to use the first ambient heat exchanger to dissipate heat from both the first and second components. This allows the cooling circuits and their associated ambient heat exchangers to be smaller, particularly if the first and second components do not simultaneously transfer heat to the first heat storage medium.

[0015] Advantageously, the first component has a braking resistor designed to generate heat from electrical energy produced during braking, and the first component heat exchanger has a braking resistor heat exchanger designed to transfer the heat generated by the braking resistor to the first heat storage medium.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the distribution system, the second component has a drive unit designed to propel the vehicle, and the second component heat exchanger has a drive unit heat exchanger designed to transfer the heat generated by the drive unit into the first heat storage medium.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, at least one additional vehicle component is provided, and at least one additional cooling circuit for this additional vehicle component is provided. The additional cooling circuit comprises an associated additional component heat exchanger and an associated additional ambient heat exchanger, wherein the associated additional component heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the additional component to the first heat storage medium or to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the additional component, and the associated additional ambient heat exchanger is configured to transfer the heat from the first heat storage medium to the 2024PF00256

[0018] 4

[0019] to dissipate into the environment. The piping system has a third valve assembly and a fourth valve assembly, which are designed to allow the first heat storage medium from the first cooling circuit to flow into the further cooling circuit, or to shut it off.

[0020] Advantageously, at least one further component of the vehicle has a traction battery, and the associated further component heat exchanger is designed to dissipate heat from the traction battery into the first heat storage medium or to supply heat from the first heat storage medium to the traction battery.

[0021] In an advantageous further development of the distribution system, at least one additional component of the vehicle has a flow circuit for a second heat storage medium, and the associated additional component heat exchanger is designed to transfer heat from the second heat storage medium to the first heat storage medium or to supply heat from the first heat storage medium to the second heat storage medium.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of this distribution system, the flow circuit for a second heat storage medium includes a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system, and the associated additional component heat exchanger is designed to remove heat from the refrigerant circuit or to supply heat to the refrigerant circuit.

[0023] Advantageously, a bypass line is provided in the piping system, which is configured to bypass the first ambient heat exchanger, wherein the bypass line has a further valve arrangement configured to allow or block the flow of the first heat storage medium through the bypass line. 2024PF00256

[0024] 5

[0025] Advantageously, at least one of the valve devices in the distribution system has a 3 / 2-way valve.

[0026] Preferably, all valve devices of the distribution system each have a 3 / 2-way valve.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, has a distribution system as described above.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, in a method, in a first operating mode, the first valve device and the second valve device are connected such that the first heat storage medium, which has been heated by the first component of the vehicle, flows through the first ambient heat exchanger; and in a second operating mode, the first valve device and the second valve device are connected such that the first heat storage medium, which has been heated by the second component of the vehicle, flows through the first ambient heat exchanger.

[0029] Advantageously, in a third operating mode, a third valve device and a fourth valve device are connected in such a way that the first heat storage medium, which was heated in the first cooling circuit by the first component of the vehicle, flows through another cooling circuit to heat another component of the vehicle.

[0030] The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In particular, it shows

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a heat flow distribution system in a vehicle, comprising a cooling circuit for a first component of the vehicle and a cooling circuit for a second component of the vehicle; and 2024PF00256

[0033] 6

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a distribution system for heat flows in a vehicle, comprising a cooling circuit for the first component of the vehicle and another cooling circuit for a further component of the vehicle.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 with a distribution system 2 for heat flows in the vehicle 1, which has a first cooling circuit 3 for a first component 4 of the vehicle 1 and a second cooling circuit 5 for a second component 6 of the vehicle 1.

[0036] Vehicle 1 is designed as an electric vehicle, but can alternatively also be designed as a vehicle with a conventional combustion engine.

[0037] The distribution system 2 has a piping system 7 in which a first heat storage medium flows.

[0038] In the piping system 7, the first cooling circuit 3 is provided for the first component 4 of the vehicle 1, wherein in this embodiment the first component 4 comprises a brake resistor. The first cooling circuit 3 further comprises a first component heat exchanger 8, wherein in this embodiment the first component heat exchanger 8 comprises a brake resistor heat exchanger. In addition, the first cooling circuit 3 comprises a first ambient heat exchanger 10. The first component heat exchanger 8 is configured to transfer heat from the first component 4 to the first heat storage medium. The first ambient heat exchanger 10 is configured to transfer the heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment.

[0039] The brake resistor is designed to generate heat from the electrical energy produced during braking, and is one of the largest heat generators in a vehicle. The brake resistor heat exchanger is designed to transfer the heat generated by the brake resistor to the primary heat storage medium. 2024PF00256

[0040] 7

[0041] The component heat exchanger 8 is designed as a flow-through device for a heat storage medium. Heat is transferred from a component connected to the wall of the flow-through device to the heat storage medium within the flow-through device. The component heat exchanger is an integral part of the component. In alternative embodiments, the component heat exchanger 8 is a separate component.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the first component 4 of the vehicle 1 does not have the brake resistor and the first component heat exchanger 8 does not have the brake resistor heat exchanger, but another heat-generating component of the vehicle 1, from which heat is dissipated via a component heat exchanger, for example an internal combustion engine, is included in the first component 4.

[0043] The piping system 7 also includes a second cooling circuit 5 for the second component 6 of the vehicle 1, wherein in this embodiment the second component 6 comprises a drive unit. The drive unit has several drive components that require cooling. In particular, the drive unit includes an inverter for a traction motor, etc. The second cooling circuit 5 includes a second component heat exchanger 9, wherein in this embodiment the second component heat exchanger 9 is a drive unit heat exchanger. Furthermore, the second cooling circuit 5 includes a second ambient heat exchanger 11. The second component heat exchanger 9 is configured to transfer heat from the second component 6 to the first heat storage medium. The second ambient heat exchanger 11 is configured to transfer the heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, the second component 6 of the vehicle 1 does not have the drive unit, but another heat-generating component 2024PF00256

[0045] 8 of the vehicle 1, from which heat must be dissipated via another component heat exchanger, for example a pump for a power steering system.

[0046] The first ambient heat exchanger 10 of the first cooling circuit 3 and the second ambient heat exchanger 11 of the second cooling circuit 5 are connected in parallel in the piping system 7.

[0047] The piping system 7 has a first valve assembly 12A, which is configured to allow the first heat storage medium from the first cooling circuit 3 and / or the first heat storage medium from the second cooling circuit 5 to flow into the first ambient heat exchanger 10, or to shut it off. Furthermore, the piping system 7 has a second valve assembly 12B, which is configured to allow the first heat storage medium from the first ambient heat exchanger 10 to flow into the first cooling circuit 3 and / or the first heat storage medium from the first ambient heat exchanger 10 to flow into the second cooling circuit 5, or to shut it off.

[0048] The piping system 7 also includes a bypass line 17, which is designed to bypass the first ambient heat exchanger 10. The ambient line 17 is located adjacent to the first ambient heat exchanger 10 and runs parallel to it. The bypass line 17 has a third valve assembly 12C, which is designed to allow or block the flow of the first heat storage medium through the bypass line 17.

[0049] Furthermore, a first pump 18 is provided in the first cooling circuit to circulate the first heat storage medium through the piping system 7 in the first cooling circuit 3. A second pump 19 is also provided in the second cooling circuit to circulate the first heat storage medium through the piping system 7 in the second cooling circuit 5. 2024PF00256

[0050] 9

[0051] Fig. 2 shows the vehicle 1 with the distribution system 2 for heat flows in the vehicle 1, which has the first cooling circuit 3 for the first component 4 of the vehicle 1 and a further cooling circuit 13 for a further component 14 of the vehicle 1.

[0052] The additional cooling circuit 13 comprises an associated additional component heat exchanger 15 and an associated additional ambient heat exchanger 16. The associated additional component heat exchanger 15 is configured to transfer heat from the additional component 14 to the first heat storage medium or to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the additional component 14. The associated additional ambient heat exchanger 16 is configured to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment. In alternative embodiments, further cooling circuits are provided.

[0053] The further component 14 of the vehicle 1 has a traction battery and the associated further component heat exchanger 15 is designed to dissipate heat from the traction battery into the first heat storage medium or to supply heat from the first heat storage medium to the traction battery.

[0054] In alternative embodiments, the further component 14 of the vehicle 1 does not have a traction battery, and the associated component heat exchanger is not configured to transfer heat from the traction battery to the first heat storage medium or to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the traction battery. Instead, another further component 14 of the vehicle 1 is provided that releases heat or needs to be heated. For example, the further component 14 of the vehicle 1 has a flow circuit for a second heat storage medium (not shown), and the associated further component heat exchanger 15 is configured to transfer heat from the second heat storage medium to the first heat storage medium or to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the second heat storage medium. In particular, the flow circuit for a second heat storage medium has a 2024PF00256

[0055] 10

[0056] The refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system is set up, and the associated additional component heat exchanger is designed to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the first heat storage medium in order to cool a driver's cabin, or to supply heat from the first heat storage medium to the refrigerant in order to heat the driver's cabin.

[0057] The piping system 7 has a fourth valve assembly 12D and a fifth valve assembly 12E, which are designed to allow the first heat storage medium from the first cooling circuit 3 to flow into the further cooling circuit 13, or to shut it off.

[0058] Valve assemblies 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E each have a 3 / 2-way valve. In alternative embodiments, at least one of the valve assemblies 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E has a 3 / 2-way valve, and the remaining valve assemblies have different types of valves, for example, two 2 / 2-way valves each. In a further alternative embodiment, all valve assemblies 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E have different types of valves, or not all of the valve assemblies 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E are provided. In particular, the valve devices 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12G in alternative embodiments have proportional valves in order to also realize intermediate positions of the valves and, for example, to allow both the first heat storage medium from the first cooling circuit 3 and the first heat storage medium from the second cooling circuit 5 to flow into the first ambient heat exchanger 10.

[0059] Furthermore, the distribution system 2 has a control device (not shown) that controls the valve assemblies 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E. The valve assemblies 12A and 12B are controlled such that either the first heat storage medium in the first cooling circuit 3, which was heated by the first component 4 of the vehicle 1, flows through the first ambient heat exchanger 10, the first heat storage medium in the second cooling circuit 5, which was heated by the second component 6 of the vehicle 1, flows through the first ambient heat exchanger 10, or, in conjunction with controllable proportional valves, a defined 2024PF00256

[0060] 11

[0061] proportion of the first component 4 heated by the first component

[0062] heat storage medium and the first component 6 heated by the second component

[0063] The heat storage medium flows through the first ambient heat exchanger 10.

[0064] The valve devices 12D and 12E are controlled such that the first heat storage medium, which was heated by the first component 4 of the vehicle 1, circulates in the first cooling circuit 3, the first heat storage medium, which was heated by the first component 4 of the vehicle 1, flows into the further cooling circuit 13, and the first heat storage medium, which was heated by the further component 14, flows into the first cooling circuit 3, or, in conjunction with controllable proportional valves, a defined proportion flows from the first cooling circuit 3 into the further cooling circuit 13 or circulates in the first cooling circuit 3.

[0065] In addition, another pump 20 is provided in the further cooling circuit 13 to allow the first heat storage medium to flow through the piping system 7 in the further cooling circuit 13.

[0066] In alternative embodiments, not all pumps 18, 19, 20 are provided, but one or more pumps 18, 19, 20 are omitted if the heat storage medium circulates independently in the pipe system 7 due to the temperature difference and the resulting different density.

[0067] The system has different operating modes for running the distribution system.

[0068] In a first operating mode, the first valve assembly 12A and the second valve assembly 12B are connected such that the first heat storage medium, which has been heated by the first component 4 of the vehicle 1, in this embodiment by the brake resistor, flows through the first ambient heat exchanger 10. It is possible that a 2024PF00256 generated by the brake resistor

[0069] 12 A relatively large amount of heat is dissipated to the environment through the first ambient heat exchanger.

[0070] In a second operating mode, the first valve assembly 12A and the second valve assembly 12B are configured such that the first heat storage medium, heated by the second component 6 of the vehicle 1 (in this embodiment, by the drive unit), flows through the first ambient heat exchanger 10. Since no braking occurs during acceleration or propulsion of the vehicle 1, and therefore no heat is generated by the braking resistance, the heat generated by the drive unit is dissipated to the environment, either through the first ambient heat exchanger 10 in addition to the second ambient heat exchanger 11, or exclusively through the first ambient heat exchanger 10. This allows the second ambient heat exchanger 11 to be dimensioned at least smaller.

[0071] In an optional third operating mode, the fourth valve assembly 12D and the fifth valve assembly 12E are configured such that the first heat storage medium, heated in the first cooling circuit 3 by the first component 4 of the vehicle 1, flows through the further cooling circuit 13 to heat the further component 14 of the vehicle 1 via the further component heat exchanger 15. This eliminates the need for a separate heater for the traction battery at low ambient temperatures, for example, in the case of the traction battery as the further component 14; instead, the equipment used for cooling the battery can also be used for heating.

[0072] Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, these illustrations and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative or exemplary and not as limiting. The invention defined in the claims is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. In the claims, the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plurality. 2024PF00256

[0073] 13

[0074] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0075] 1 vehicle

[0076] 2 Distribution system

[0077] 3 first cooling circuit

[0078] 4 first component

[0079] 5 second cooling circuit

[0080] 6 second component

[0081] 7. Piping system

[0082] 8 first component heat exchanger

[0083] 9 second component heat exchanger

[0084] 10 first ambient heat exchanger

[0085] 11 second ambient heat exchanger

[0086] 12A, 12B,

[0087] 12C, 12D,

[0088] 12E Valve assembly

[0089] 13 additional cooling circuits

[0090] 14 additional components

[0091] 15 additional component heat exchangers

[0092] 16 additional ambient heat exchangers

[0093] 17 Bypass line

[0094] 18 pump

[0095] 19 pump

[0096] 20 pump

Claims

2024PF00256 14 PATENTANSPRÜCHE 1. Distribution system (2) for heat flows in a vehicle (1), in particular in an electric vehicle, comprising: a piping system (7) configured to carry a first heat storage medium, a first cooling circuit (3) in the piping system (7) for a first component (4) of the vehicle (1), wherein the first cooling circuit (3) comprises a first component heat exchanger (8) and a first ambient heat exchanger (10), the first component heat exchanger (8) being configured to transfer heat from the first component (4) to the first heat storage medium, and the first ambient heat exchanger (10) being configured to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment, a second cooling circuit (5) in the piping system (7) for a second component (6) of the vehicle (1), wherein the second cooling circuit (5) comprises a second component heat exchanger (9) and a second ambient heat exchanger (11).the second component heat exchanger (9) is configured to transfer heat from the second component (6) to the first heat storage medium, and the second ambient heat exchanger (11) is configured to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment, wherein the piping system (7) has a first valve assembly (12A) configured to allow or shut off the first heat storage medium from the first cooling circuit (3) and / or the first heat storage medium from the second cooling circuit (5), and the piping system (7) has a second valve assembly (12B) configured to allow or shut off the first heat storage medium from the first ambient heat exchanger (10) to flow into the first cooling circuit (3) and / or the first heat storage medium from the first ambient heat exchanger (10) to flow into the second cooling circuit (5).

2. Distribution system (2) according to claim 1 , wherein 2024PF00256 15 the first component (4) has a braking resistor designed to generate heat from electrical energy generated during braking, and the first component heat exchanger (8) has a braking resistor heat exchanger designed to dissipate the heat generated by the braking resistor into the first heat storage medium.

3. Distribution system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second component (6) has a drive unit configured to drive the vehicle (1), and the second component heat exchanger (9) has a drive unit heat exchanger configured to transfer the heat generated by the drive unit to the first heat storage medium.

4. Distribution system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one further component (14) of the vehicle (1) is provided, and at least one further cooling circuit (13) for the at least one further component (14) of the vehicle (1) is provided, wherein the at least one further cooling circuit (13) has an associated further component heat exchanger (15) and an associated further ambient heat exchanger (16), the associated further component heat exchanger (15) is configured to transfer heat from the at least one further component (14) to the first heat storage medium or to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the at least one further component (14), and the associated further ambient heat exchanger (16) is configured to transfer heat from the first heat storage medium to the environment, and wherein the piping system (7) has a third valve assembly (12D) and a fourth valve assembly (12E) configured to allow the first heat storage medium to flow from the first cooling circuit (3) into the further cooling circuit (13) or to shut it off.

5. Distribution system (2) according to claim 4, wherein 2024PF00256 16 which has at least one further component (14) of the vehicle comprising a traction battery, and the associated further component heat exchanger (15) is designed to dissipate heat from the traction battery into the first heat storage medium or to supply heat from the first heat storage medium to the traction battery.

6. Distribution system (2) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the at least one further component (14) of the vehicle (1) has a flow circuit for a second heat storage medium, and the associated further component heat exchanger (15) is configured to transfer heat from the second heat storage medium to the first heat storage medium or to supply heat from the first heat storage medium to the second heat storage medium.

7. Distribution system (2) according to claim 6, wherein the flow circuit for a second heat storage medium comprises a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system, and the associated further component heat exchanger (15) is configured to remove heat from the refrigerant circuit or to supply heat to the refrigerant circuit.

8. Distribution system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the piping system (7), a bypass line (17) is provided which is configured to bypass the first ambient heat exchanger (10), wherein the bypass line (17) has a further valve device (12C) which is configured to allow or shut off the flow of the first heat storage medium through the bypass line (17).

9. Distribution system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the valve assemblies (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E) is a 3 / 2- It has a directional control valve.

10. Distribution system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein 2024PF00256 17 all valve assemblies (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E) each have a 3 / 2-way valve.

11. Vehicle (1), in particular an electric vehicle, with a distribution system (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Method for operating a distribution system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in a first operating mode the first valve device (12A) and the second valve device (12B) are switched such that the first heat storage medium, which has been heated by the first component (4) of the vehicle (1), flows through the first ambient heat exchanger (10); and in a second operating mode the first valve device (12A) and the second valve device (12B) are switched such that the first heat storage medium, which has been heated by the second component (6) of the vehicle (1), flows through the first ambient heat exchanger (10).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein in a third operating mode a third valve device (12D) and a fourth valve device (12E) are connected such that the first heat storage medium, which was heated in the first cooling circuit (3) by the first component (4) of the vehicle, flows through a further cooling circuit (13) to heat a further component (14) of the vehicle (1 ).

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