Integrated Battery Cooling in Vehicle AC Heating and Cooling Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The power battery in new energy electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles requires a specific temperature range for optimal performance, and if not properly cooled, can lead to thermal runaway, reduced lifespan, and damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle thermal management system is developed, comprising an air conditioning system and a battery cooling system, which includes a compressor, three-way valves, heat exchangers, throttling elements, and a controller to manage refrigerant and coolant flow, ensuring effective cooling of the battery across various operational modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power battery operates at high current to increase power output, then the power output increases, but heat generation increases leading to thermal runaway risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat generated by the power battery into a useful resource by using it to pre-cool the refrigerant before it enters the evaporator. The battery cooling system captures this harmful heat and redirects it through the heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant, thereby reducing the compressor's workload and improving overall system efficiency while still effectively managing battery temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional thermal management system where the refrigerant circulation system serves dual purposes: cooling the passenger compartment through the evaporator and cooling the power battery through the battery cooling device. The three-way valve enables the system to dynamically switch between different cooling modes, allowing the same refrigerant loop to perform multiple functions simultaneously or alternately
2Reliability
If a separate battery cooling system is added to cool the power battery, then the battery cooling effectiveness improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery cooling function with the existing air conditioning refrigerant circulation system. By integrating the battery cooling device into the refrigerant loop and using the three-way valve to control refrigerant distribution, the system combines two cooling functions (cabin cooling and battery cooling) into a unified system, reducing the need for separate cooling circuits and components
Solution Approach 2:
The three-way valve acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the compressor, evaporator, and battery cooling device. It controls the flow direction of the refrigerant, enabling dynamic switching between cabin cooling mode and battery cooling mode, or simultaneous operation of both functions, thereby simplifying the overall control architecture
3Speed
If the air conditioning system cools the battery directly, then the cooling response speed improves, but the air conditioning system's ability to maintain cabin temperature is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic thermal management system where the three-way valve continuously adjusts refrigerant flow distribution based on real-time temperature conditions of both the cabin and battery. The system can dynamically switch between different operating modes: cabin cooling only, battery cooling only, or simultaneous dual cooling, ensuring optimal temperature control for both functions under varying operational conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively cools the vehicle battery during both cooling and heating modes of the air conditioning system, maintaining the battery within the appropriate temperature range and preventing thermal issues, thus ensuring the longevity and performance of the battery.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate heat exchanger... a second end of the first outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a suction port of the compressor through the second throttling element and the intermediate heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first throttling element, a second throttling element, and a third throttling element with a shut-off function
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a vehicle thermal management system and a transportation refrigeration vehicle. The vehicle thermal management system comprises: an air conditioning system, configured with a compressor, a first three-way valve, a first outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a regulating valve, an intermediate heat exchanger, and a first throttling element, a second throttling element, and a third throttling element connected through pipelines, and a battery cooling system, configured with a second outdoor heat exchanger, a battery cooling device, and a second three-way valve connected through pipelines.