Heat exchanger and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and a vehicle. The heat exchanger comprises: a substrate and a first flow channel plate which are arranged in a stacked manner, wherein the first flow channel plate is provided with first grooves, the first grooves and the substrate form a first channel, the first channel is respectively in communication with a first inlet and a first outlet of the heat exchanger to form a first fluid loop used for battery cooling, the first flow channel plate is provided with second grooves, the second grooves and the substrate form a second channel, and the second channel is respectively in communication with a second inlet and a second outlet of the heat exchanger to form a second fluid loop used for battery cooling or heating. The heat exchanger is designed to be used for battery heating or cooling. The heat exchanger has a high degree of integration, effectively saving vehicle space and overall vehicle costs, and can effectively adjust the battery temperature, prolonging the battery service life.

Description

Heat exchanger and vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicle heat system, in particular to a heat exchanger and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of the automobile manufacturing industry towards electrification and intelligence, the requirements for the integration and compactness of the battery thermal management system of the automobile are also increasing.

[0003] The battery thermal management system includes a battery, a battery cooling plate, and an intermediate heat exchanger, etc. The battery cooling plate is a two-plate structure, specifically including a base plate and a flow channel plate, which cooperate to form a flow channel in the battery cooling plate. The refrigerant flows through the flow channel in the battery cooling plate, thereby exchanging heat with the battery placed on the battery cooling plate to cool the battery.

[0004] In a low temperature environment, the battery needs to be heated to reach a normal working state, and the optimal working temperature of the battery is about 25 degrees Celsius. In the past, a heating film needs to be laid on the battery cooling plate to heat the battery. However, the heating temperature of the heating film is difficult to control, and dry burning may occur, which is easy to cause damage to the battery. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above shortcomings in the prior art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a heat exchanger and a vehicle, which is committed to developing a heat exchanger that can be used for both heating and cooling the battery.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the present application provides a heat exchanger, comprising: a base plate and a first flow channel plate stacked; the first flow channel plate is provided with a first groove, and the first groove forms a first channel with the base plate; the first channel is respectively communicated with a first inlet and a first outlet of the heat exchanger to form a first fluid circuit for battery cooling; the first flow channel plate is provided with a second groove, and the second groove forms a second channel with the base plate; the second channel is respectively communicated with a second inlet and a second outlet of the heat exchanger to form a second fluid circuit for battery cooling or heating.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, the first flow channel plate is provided with at least two second grooves; the second grooves are communicated through a third channel.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, the third channel includes a third flow channel plate and a third cover plate; wherein the third flow channel plate is stacked with the base plate and the first flow channel plate; the third flow channel plate is provided with a third groove, and the second grooves are communicated through the third groove; the third cover plate is stacked with the third flow channel plate to form the third channel.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present application, the first flow channel plate is provided with a plurality of the second grooves for liquid inflow and a plurality of the second grooves for liquid outflow; the third flow channel plate is provided with a plurality of the third grooves for respectively connecting the plurality of the second grooves for liquid inflow and the plurality of the second grooves for liquid outflow.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present application, the first flow channel plate is provided with at least two second grooves; each of the second grooves is connected with the second inlet or the second outlet through a fourth flow channel.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present application, the fourth channel comprises a fourth flow channel plate and a fourth cover plate; the fourth flow channel plate is stacked with the substrate and the first flow channel plate; the fourth flow channel plate is provided with fourth grooves, each of the second grooves is connected with the second inlet or the second outlet through the fourth grooves; the fourth cover plate is stacked with the fourth flow channel plate to form the fourth channel.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present application, the second inlet or the second outlet is arranged at the end of the fourth channel away from the second grooves.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, the first flow channel plate is provided with a plurality of the second grooves for liquid inflow and a fourth flow channel plate connected therewith, and a plurality of the second grooves for liquid outflow and a fourth flow channel plate connected therewith; each of the fourth flow channel plates is provided with the fourth grooves comprising at least two branches, each of the branches connects a certain number of the second grooves and converges to the second inlet or the second outlet.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, the heat exchanger comprises a battery cooling plate.

[0015] To achieve the above object and other related objects, the present application provides a vehicle comprising the heat exchanger.

[0016] The present application designs a heat exchanger which can be used for heating and cooling the battery, has high integration degree, effectively saves the space of the vehicle, and can effectively regulate the temperature of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other features, properties, and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of the first surface of a battery cooling plate in one embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a second surface structure of a battery cooling plate according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a battery cooling plate shown in Fig. 1 without a third cover plate and a fourth cover plate;

[0021] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a battery cooling plate shown in Fig. 3 without a third flow channel plate and a fourth flow channel plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The subject technology is disclosed below with respect to various embodiments or examples of the subject technology. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of elements and arrangements are described below to provide a concrete basis for the patentable subject matter. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the application to these specific embodiments. For example, where a first feature is described as being formed over a second feature, the disclosure can encompass embodiments where the first and second features are formed in direct contact, as well as embodiments where additional features are formed between the first and second features such that the first and second features are not in direct contact. Additionally, like reference numerals and / or letters can be used in different instances and / or examples herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and is not intended to convey a relationship between the different embodiments and / or configurations discussed. Further, where a first element is described as being formed over a second element, the disclosure encompasses embodiments where the first and second elements are formed in direct contact, as well as embodiments where one or more other intervening elements are formed between the first and second elements such that the first and second elements are not in direct contact.

[0023] It is to be understood that the drawings are merely for purposes of illustration and are not to scale, and that the actual dimensions and shapes of the various elements can vary as actual conditions require.

[0024] The present disclosure is directed to providing a heat exchanger that can be used for both cooling and heating a battery. The heat exchanger is provided with a first fluid circuit for cooling the battery and a second fluid circuit for heating the battery.

[0025] When the battery needs to be cooled, a refrigerant can be caused to flow through the first fluid circuit of the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the battery and thereby cool the battery. At this time, the liquid (e.g., coolant) in the second fluid circuit is idle or not flowing. When the battery needs to be heated, the coolant can be caused to flow through the second fluid circuit of the heat exchanger to exchange heat with the battery and thereby heat the battery. At this time, the liquid (e.g., refrigerant) in the first fluid circuit is idle or not flowing. In other embodiments, when the refrigeration power demand is relatively high, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit can be used to cool the battery at the same time.

[0026] The first fluid circuit for cooling the battery and the second fluid circuit for heating the battery are arranged in one heat exchanger, so that the heat exchanger has high integration, effectively saves the vehicle space, and effectively regulates the temperature of the battery.

[0027] The first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are not limited in structure and shape. For example, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are arranged in I shape, U shape or S shape on the heat exchanger; for another example, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are arranged in a manner that the total circuit is divided into branch circuits, the branch circuits are converged into the total circuit, the branch circuits are connected or not connected on the heat exchanger. In summary, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit only need to be arranged on the heat exchanger without interference, so as to avoid the connection of the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit.

[0028] The first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are not limited in structure and shape. For example, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are arranged in I shape, U shape or S shape on the heat exchanger; for another example, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are arranged in a manner that the total circuit is divided into branch circuits, the branch circuits are converged into the total circuit, the branch circuits are connected or not connected on the heat exchanger. In summary, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit only need to be arranged on the heat exchanger without interference, so as to avoid the connection of the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit.

[0029] In addition, in other embodiments, the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit can be used to cool the battery at the same time, thereby increasing the battery cooling power.

[0030] The battery cooling plate is a key thermal management component of the battery and plays a crucial role in battery thermal management. It is mainly responsible for effectively transferring and dispersing the heat generated by the battery, ensuring that the battery maintains an appropriate temperature during operation, thereby improving the safety and performance of the battery. The flow channel of the battery cooling plate mainly includes a harmonica tube design and a stamping flow channel design. The harmonica tube design has high production efficiency and low cost, but poor structural flexibility; the stamping flow channel design has higher cost, but higher integration.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the original flow channel of the battery cooling plate is used as the first fluid circuit, and the second fluid circuit is integrated on the battery cooling plate, thereby designing a battery cooling plate with battery cooling and battery heating functions. The following will be described in detail in combination with the drawings.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery cooling plate 100 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 10 and a first flow channel plate 20 arranged in a stack.

[0033] Please see FIG. 1, the substrate 10 is a generally rectangular flat plate, and a hole 11 and a hole 12 are formed on one side of the substrate 10. One of the hole 11 and the hole 12 serves as a first inlet of a first fluid circuit of the battery cooling plate 100, and the other serves as a first outlet of the first fluid circuit.

[0034] Please see FIG. 2, the first flow channel plate 20 is a generally rectangular flow channel plate, and a first groove 21 is formed on the first flow channel plate 20. The first groove 21 protrudes away from the substrate 10. After the substrate 10 is assembled with the first flow channel plate 20, the substrate 10 and the first groove 21 form a first channel, wherein an A end of the first channel is connected with the hole 12, and a B end of the first channel is connected with the hole 11, thereby forming the first fluid circuit. When the hole 12 is the first inlet and the hole 11 is the first outlet, liquid enters the A end of the first channel from the hole 12, and then flows to the B end of the first channel after flowing through the first groove 21, and finally flows out of the first fluid circuit of the battery cooling plate 100 from the first outlet.

[0035] As described above, the present disclosure does not limit the structure and shape of the first channel. In the present embodiment, please see FIG. 4, the first groove 21 is arranged in a meandering manner on the first flow channel plate 20. In detail, the first groove 21 is divided into two parallel branches at the A end, and is arranged in a generally "concave" shape on the first flow channel plate 20, and finally converges to the B end of the first groove 21 through three parallel branches.

[0036] The present disclosure does not limit the positions where the first inlet and the first outlet are formed. In other embodiments, the substrate 100 can not be provided with the hole 11 and the hole 12, and the hole 11 and the hole 12 can be formed on the first flow channel plate 20, and in particular, are formed on the B end and the A end of the first channel respectively and are connected with the first channel to form the first outlet and the first inlet of the first fluid circuit.

[0037] In addition, the first flow channel plate 20 of the battery cooling plate 100 of the present disclosure is further provided with a second groove 22 in the gap of the first groove 21, and the first groove 21 and the second groove 22 do not interfere with each other. The second groove 22 protrudes away from the substrate 10, and the substrate 10 and the second groove 22 form a second channel after the substrate 10 is assembled with the first flow channel plate 20.

[0038] In practical applications, the number of the second grooves can be any number. When the number of the second grooves is one, the second groove and the substrate form a second channel, and holes are formed at both ends of the second channel to form a second inlet and a second outlet of a second fluid circuit, wherein the holes can be formed on the first flow channel plate or the substrate, and the present disclosure does not limit this. When the number of the second grooves is two or more, the second grooves are connected through a third channel.

[0039] Please see Fig. 4, in the present embodiment, eight parallel second grooves 22 are arranged on the first flow channel plate 20 at intervals, and each second groove 22 is provided with a hole 23 and a hole 24 at both ends. In other embodiments, the holes 23 and 24 can also be arranged on the base plate 100. In the present embodiment, each second groove 22 is communicated by a third channel at the end away from the first inlet and the first outlet of the battery cooling plate 100.

[0040] Specifically, please see Figs. 2 and 3, the third channel is composed of a third flow channel plate 30 and a third cover plate 31. The third cover plate 31 is arranged in stack with the third flow channel plate 30, the first flow channel plate 20 and the base plate 10 in sequence.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the third flow channel plate 30 is provided with a third groove, the third groove 32 protrudes towards the first flow channel plate 20, and the third cover plate 31 covers the third flow channel plate 30, so that the third channel is formed between the third cover plate 31 and the third groove 32.

[0042] In detail, please see Fig. 3, in the direction from the central axis C to both sides of the battery cooling plate 100, the length of the second groove 22 increases in sequence. The third flow channel plate 30 is provided with four third grooves 32, each third groove 32 is used to communicate a pair of second grooves 22 symmetrical to the central axis C, so the four third grooves 32 decrease in length in the direction close to the A end and the B end, thereby the third flow channel plate 30 is roughly trapezoidal. Correspondingly, the third cover plate 31 is a roughly trapezoidal flat plate, the outer contour of which is adapted to the outer contour of the third flow channel plate 30. Each third groove 31 is provided with a hole 33 and a hole 34 at both ends, please see Figs. 3 and 4, the hole 33 and the hole 24 are positionally corresponding and communicated, and the hole 34 and the hole 24' are positionally corresponding and communicated.

[0043] In other embodiments, the third channel can also be realized by separate pipes, which are not limited to the third flow channel plate described above. In addition, the present disclosure is also not limited to the structure and shape of the third flow channel plate, which can be designed according to the structure of the second channel to be communicated.

[0044] For example, each third flow channel plate is provided with one third groove and covered with one third cover plate to form one third channel, and each third channel is not integrated but separated from each other and connected between the second channels to be communicated. Compared with the integrated third flow channel plate, the separated third flow channel plate is more flexible in arrangement, thereby facilitating replacement and maintenance.

[0045] For another example, the third groove on the third flow channel plate is not the single flow channel structure introduced in the above embodiment, but includes complex flow channel structures such as splitting, converging and crossing.

[0046] For another example, the third groove on the third flow channel plate can also protrude away from the first flow channel plate, the third cover plate is arranged between the first flow channel plate and the third flow channel plate, and the third flow channel plate covers the third cover plate, so that the third cover plate and the third groove form a third passage. At this time, the hole communicating with the second groove will be arranged on the third cover plate, so that the second passage and the third passage are communicated.

[0047] As described above, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery cooling plate 100 further comprises a fourth passage, each second groove 22 is communicated with a fourth flow channel at the end close to the A end and the B end, and the second inlet and the second outlet of the second fluid circuit are arranged at the end of the fourth passage away from each second passage.

[0048] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fourth passage is composed of a fourth flow channel plate 40 and a fourth cover plate 41. The fourth cover plate 41 is arranged in stack with the fourth flow channel plate 40, the first flow channel plate 20 and the base plate 10 in sequence.

[0049] In this embodiment, the fourth flow channel plate 40 is provided with a fourth groove 42 protruding towards the first flow channel plate 20, and the fourth cover plate 41 is a flat plate covering the fourth flow channel plate 40, so that the fourth cover plate 41 and the fourth groove 42 form a fourth passage.

[0050] In detail, referring to FIG. 3, the second fluid circuit is approximately in the shape of a "U" letter, and the central axis C of the battery cooling plate 100 divides it into a liquid inflow area and a liquid outflow area. Taking the lower part of the central axis C as the liquid inflow area, the upper part of the central axis C is the liquid outflow area. The four second grooves 22 located in the liquid inflow area are used for liquid inflow, and the four second grooves 22 located in the liquid outflow area are used for liquid outflow. The four second grooves 22 located in the liquid inflow area are divided into two groups, the first group is close to the central axis C, and the second group is away from the central axis C. The four second grooves 22 located in the liquid outflow area are also divided into two groups, the first group is close to the central axis C, and the second group is away from the central axis C. The structure of the liquid outflow area will be described in detail below, and the principle of the liquid inflow area is similar to that of the liquid outflow area.

[0051] The fourth flow channel plate 40 is provided with a fourth groove 42 in the shape of a "Y" letter, the first end of the left side thereof is communicated with the first group of second grooves 22, the second end of the left side thereof is communicated with the second group of second grooves 22, and the end of the right side thereof is used to form the second outlet of the second fluid circuit.

[0052] Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the fourth groove 42 is provided with a hole 44 at the end of the right side as the second outlet of the second fluid circuit. In other embodiments, the hole 44 is not arranged on the fourth flow channel plate 40 but on the fourth cover plate 41, which is not limited to the present embodiment.

[0053] The fourth groove 42 includes two branches, each of which is provided with two holes 43 at the end, the two holes 43 at the first end are respectively in position correspondence and communication with the two holes 23 of the first group of second grooves 22, the two holes 43 at the second end are respectively in position correspondence and communication with the two holes 23 of the second group of second grooves 22, and the two branches converge at the side away from the second grooves 22 and extend for an end distance to communicate the second outlet.

[0054] In an actual application, the first inlet (such as the A end, hole 12) of the first fluid circuit is connected with the outlet of the electronic expansion valve, the first outlet (such as the B end, hole 11) of the first fluid circuit is connected with the inlet of the compressor, the second inlet (such as hole 44') of the second fluid circuit is connected with the electric heater, and the second outlet (such as hole 44) of the second fluid circuit is connected with the water pump.

[0055] When the battery cooling plate 100 needs to cool the battery, the refrigerant enters the first fluid circuit from the electronic expansion valve, flows from the A end to the B end, in the process, the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the battery is realized, the refrigerant takes away the heat of the battery, and then flows out of the first fluid circuit and enters the compressor, at this time, the second fluid circuit does not work, that is, there is no cooling liquid in the second fluid circuit, or there is cooling liquid but the cooling liquid does not flow, that is, there is no flow.

[0056] When the battery cooling plate 100 needs to heat the battery, the cooling liquid enters the second fluid circuit after being heated by the electric heater, flows from the hole 44' to the hole 44, in the process, the heat exchange between the cooling liquid and the battery is realized to provide heat for the battery, and then flows out of the second fluid circuit and enters the water pump, at this time, the first fluid circuit does not work, that is, there is no refrigerant in the first fluid circuit, or there is refrigerant but the refrigerant does not flow, that is, there is no flow.

[0057] In other embodiments, the fourth channel can also be realized by a separate pipe, not limited to the fourth flow channel plate described above. In addition, the present disclosure is also not limited to the structure and shape of the fourth flow channel plate, and can be designed according to the structure of the second channel that needs to be communicated.

[0058] For example, the second fluid circuit is connected into an "S" shape through the third channel between each second groove, at this time, only two second grooves have free ends, each fourth flow channel plate is provided with a fourth groove and covered with a fourth cover plate to form a fourth channel, one end of each fourth channel is respectively in communication with the free end of each second groove, and the other end of each fourth channel forms the inlet or outlet of the second fluid circuit.

[0059] For example, the fourth groove on the fourth flow channel plate can also protrude away from the first flow channel plate, the fourth cover plate is arranged between the first flow channel plate and the fourth flow channel plate, and the fourth flow channel plate covers the fourth cover plate, so that the fourth cover plate and the fourth groove form a fourth channel. At this time, the hole connected with the second groove will be arranged on the fourth cover plate, so that the second channel and the fourth channel are communicated.

[0060] In other embodiments, the battery cooling plate can not be provided with the fourth flow channel plate and the fourth cover plate, so that the holes on the end portions close to the A end and the B end of the second channel serve as the second inlet and the second outlet of the battery cooling plate, without being limited to the foregoing embodiments.

[0061] The application also provides a vehicle comprising the heat exchanger of any of the foregoing embodiments, and more specifically, the vehicle comprises the battery cooling plate of any of the foregoing embodiments. Referring to FIG. 4, first, the battery cooling plate comprises a first fluid circuit for cooling the battery and a second fluid circuit for heating the battery; second, when the second fluid circuit comprises a plurality of second grooves, the second fluid circuit can be communicated as needed through a third channel; third, the second fluid circuit can be configured to form a second inlet or a second outlet through a fourth fluid channel, and the second inlet and the second grooves are branched, and the second grooves and the second outlet are converged through a branch, and the like, so that the degree of integration is high, the vehicle space is saved, and the regulation of the temperature of the battery can be effectively achieved.

[0062] Although the application is disclosed with the preferred embodiments as above, it is not intended to limit the application, and any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the application, without departing from the technical solution of the application, fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the application.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, characterized by, The heat exchanger comprises: a base plate and a first flow channel plate stacked together; the first flow channel plate is provided with a first groove, and the first groove and the base plate form a first channel; the first channel is in communication with a first inlet and a first outlet of the heat exchanger respectively to form a first fluid circuit for battery cooling; the first flow channel plate is provided with a second groove, and the second groove and the base plate form a second channel; the second channel is in communication with a second inlet and a second outlet of the heat exchanger respectively to form a second fluid circuit for battery cooling or heating.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The first flow channel plate is provided with at least two second grooves; the second grooves are in communication with each other through a third channel.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein, The third channel comprises a third flow channel plate and a third cover plate; wherein, the third flow channel plate is stacked with the base plate and the first flow channel plate; the third flow channel plate is provided with a third groove, and the second grooves are in communication with each other through the third groove; the third cover plate is stacked with the third flow channel plate to form the third channel.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein The first flow channel plate is provided with a plurality of second grooves for liquid inflow and a plurality of second grooves for liquid outflow; the third flow channel plate is provided with a plurality of third grooves for respectively communicating the plurality of second grooves for liquid inflow and the plurality of second grooves for liquid outflow.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein The first flow channel plate is provided with at least two second grooves; the second grooves are in communication with the second inlet or the second outlet through a fourth flow channel.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 5, wherein, The fourth channel comprises a fourth flow channel plate and a fourth cover plate; wherein, the fourth flow channel plate is stacked with the base plate and the first flow channel plate; the fourth flow channel plate is provided with a fourth groove, and the second grooves are in communication with the second inlet or the second outlet through the fourth groove; the fourth cover plate is stacked with the fourth flow channel plate to form the fourth channel.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein The second inlet or the second outlet is arranged at an end of the fourth channel away from the second grooves.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein, The first flow channel plate is provided with a plurality of second grooves for liquid inflow and a fourth flow channel plate in communication therewith for liquid inflow, and a plurality of second grooves for liquid outflow and a fourth flow channel plate in communication therewith for liquid outflow; wherein, each fourth flow channel plate is provided with a fourth groove comprising at least two branches, and each branch communicates a certain number of second grooves and converges to the second inlet or the second outlet.

9. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The heat exchanger comprises a battery cooling plate.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The heat exchanger comprises: any one of claims 1-9.

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