EV Battery Thermal Loop Integration for Simpler Cooling and Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle thermal management systems for electric vehicles are complex, costly, and require intricate pipeline arrangements to efficiently cool and heat battery packs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle thermal management system that incorporates a first thermal management system with a direct-cooling device for the battery pack and a second thermal management system featuring a heat sink, heat exchanger, and waste heat utilization branch, which simplifies pipeline arrangements and reduces costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional battery heat exchange circuit with PTC, water pump, and heat exchanger is provided, then the battery pack can be heated and cooled, but the pipeline arrangement becomes complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery heat exchange circuit with the air conditioning system by integrating the battery heat exchanger with the air conditioning evaporator or condenser. This merging allows the same heat exchanger to serve dual purposes: cooling the battery pack during charging/discharging and providing heating or cooling for the passenger compartment, thereby simplifying the overall pipeline arrangement and reducing component count while maintaining reliable temperature management
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a battery heat exchanger for thermal management of the power battery, and simultaneously serves as an air conditioning evaporator or condenser for passenger compartment environmental control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated heat exchangers and complex pipeline arrangements, reducing system complexity while ensuring reliable battery temperature management
2Reliability
If an additional battery heat exchange circuit with multiple components is provided, then the battery pack can be heated and cooled, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery heat exchange circuit with the air conditioning system components, specifically integrating the battery heat exchanger with the air conditioning evaporator or condenser. This consolidation reduces the total number of components needed (eliminating redundant heat exchangers, valves, and piping), thereby lowering manufacturing costs and material requirements while maintaining effective battery temperature management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
By designing the heat exchanger to serve dual purposes - battery thermal management and air conditioning - the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated components. This multi-functional design reduces the bill of materials, simplifies assembly processes, and lowers overall system cost while ensuring reliable heating and cooling of the battery pack
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 achieves high heat exchange efficiency, simplifies pipeline arrangements, reduces costs, and ensures the battery pack operates within a suitable temperature range, improving charging and discharging efficiency, endurance, and service life.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange between the refrigerant and the battery pack is completed through the direct-cooling device
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger provided at the battery pack for heat exchange with the battery pack
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b~5a
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle thermal management system and an electric vehicle. The vehicle thermal management system includes a first thermal management system and a second thermal management system for a high-voltage system. The second thermal management system includes a heat sink, a heat exchanger, and a waste heat utilization branch. A water pump and a high-voltage system cooling branch passing through the high-voltage system that are in interconnected are arranged on the waste heat utilization branch. A cooling liquid outlet of the heat exchanger communicates with an inlet of the waste heat utilization branch. An outlet of the waste heat utilization branch optionally communicates with a cooling liquid inlet of the heat exchanger or with the cooling liquid inlet of the heat exchanger through the heat sink. The first thermal management system includes a compressor and a battery pack provided with a direct-cooling device. An outlet of the compressor communicates with a first port of the direct-cooling device of the battery pack. A second port of the direct-cooling device of the battery pack communicates with a refrigerant inlet of the heat exchanger through a first throttle branch, and a refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger communicates with an inlet of the compressor. In this way, the arrangement of pipeline arrangement for cooling and heating the battery pack is simplified.