Thermal management system and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal management systems face issues of poor overall energy efficiency and low integration due to separate liquid-cooling units for power conversion systems, leading to increased load and inefficient cooling in energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a switching valve group that allows for independent or combined circulation loops of two liquid pipelines, enabling flexible switching based on heating device requirements, and a control method that adjusts the valve position based on ambient temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate liquid-cooling unit is arranged for the power conversion system, then the cooling capacity for the power conversion system is improved, but the overall energy efficiency deteriorates and system integration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery cooling system and power conversion system cooling into a single integrated liquid cooling system. The cooling pump, radiator, and liquid cooling channels form a unified system that serves both the battery pack and power conversion system, eliminating the need for separate cooling units and improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining adequate cooling capacity for both components
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: cooling the battery pack through dedicated cooling channels and cooling the power conversion system through integrated cooling pathways. The same cooling medium and infrastructure perform multiple thermal management functions, reducing system complexity and energy consumption
2Temperature
If a separate liquid-cooling unit is arranged for the power conversion system, then the cooling performance for the power conversion system is improved, but the system integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery cooling infrastructure and power conversion system cooling into a single integrated system. The cooling pump, radiator, and liquid cooling channels form a unified infrastructure that serves both the battery pack and power conversion system, eliminating redundant components and improving system integration while maintaining adequate cooling performance for both components
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system is designed with universal applicability to handle thermal management for multiple subsystems. The same cooling medium circulates through both battery cooling channels and power conversion system cooling pathways, allowing a single system to perform multiple thermal management functions and reducing overall system complexity
3Device complexity
If air-cooling is used for the power conversion system, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the cooling performance becomes insufficient under high load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates liquid cooling infrastructure into the power conversion system while maintaining overall system simplicity. The liquid cooling channels are incorporated within the power conversion system housing, and the same cooling pump and radiator serve both battery and power conversion system cooling needs, providing high-performance cooling without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs liquid cooling (hydraulic principle) for the power conversion system instead of air cooling. The liquid cooling medium circulates through cooling channels in the power conversion system, providing superior heat dissipation performance under high load conditions while the integrated design maintains reasonable system simplicity
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
Improves energy efficiency and integration by optimizing cooling capacity distribution and reducing energy consumption, while meeting diverse thermal management needs of different devices.
Implementation Method 1
A first heat exchange unit, a first circulation pump and a first heat exchange device are connected in series on the first liquid pipeline. A second heat exchange unit, a second circulation pump and a second heat exchange device are connected in series on the second liquid pipeline
Implementation Method 2
the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit are heat exchange units for cooling capacity transfer
Implementation Method 3
liquid flow circulations of the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed in the present invention are a thermal management system and a control method. The thermal management system comprises: a first liquid pipeline, a second liquid pipeline and a switching valve group, the switching valve group being connected between the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline. The switching valve group can be switched back and forth between a first working position and a second working position; when the switching valve group is at the first working position, a circulation loop where the first liquid pipeline is located and a circulation loop where the second liquid pipeline is located are two circulation loops of which liquid flow circulations do not interfere with each other; and, when the switching valve group is at the second working position, the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline form a series circulation loop. The thermal management system can meet the working requirements of a device corresponding to a first heat exchanger and a device corresponding to a second heat exchanger with more economical energy consumption, thus improving the overall energy efficiency of the thermal management system. In addition, integrated management of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger significantly improves the integration level of the unit.