Thermal management system and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal management systems in energy storage and other devices face issues of poor overall energy efficiency and low integration due to separate liquid-cooling units and air-cooling dissipation inadequacies, particularly in high-capacity systems.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with a switching valve group that allows for independent or combined circulation loops in a first and second liquid pipeline, 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 separate liquid-cooling units are arranged for the power conversion system, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the overall energy efficiency deteriorates and system integration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management systems of the battery pack and power conversion system into a single integrated liquid-cooling system. The cooling pump circulates coolant through a manifold that distributes cooled fluid to both the battery pack and power conversion system heat exchangers, enabling shared cooling resources and improved overall energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient cooling capacity for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-cooling system is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple thermal management needs. The same cooling pump, manifold, and coolant circulation system provide cooling for both the battery pack and power conversion system, allowing a single system to perform multiple functions and improve integration rather than requiring separate dedicated cooling units for each component.
2Temperature
If separate liquid-cooling units are arranged for the power conversion system, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the system integration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management systems of the battery pack and power conversion system into a single integrated liquid-cooling system. The cooling pump circulates coolant through a manifold that distributes cooled fluid to both the battery pack and power conversion system heat exchangers, enabling shared cooling resources and improved overall energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient cooling capacity for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-cooling system is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple thermal management needs. The same cooling pump, manifold, and coolant circulation system provide cooling for both the battery pack and power conversion system, allowing a single system to perform multiple functions and improve integration rather than requiring separate dedicated cooling units for each component.
3Device complexity
If air-cooling dissipation is used for the power conversion system, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling performance is insufficient for high-capacity systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management systems of the battery pack and power conversion system into a single integrated liquid-cooling system. The cooling pump circulates coolant through a manifold that distributes cooled fluid to both the battery pack and power conversion system heat exchangers, enabling shared cooling resources and improved overall energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient cooling capacity for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs liquid-cooling technology with a hydraulic circulation system to provide efficient heat dissipation for the power conversion system. The cooling pump drives coolant through liquid pipelines and heat exchangers, using fluid dynamics and thermal conduction to achieve superior cooling performance compared to air-cooling, which is insufficient for high-capacity systems with high thermal loads.
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 through adaptive loop configurations, meeting diverse thermal management needs effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The switching valve group is connected between the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline; the switching valve group can be switched between a first working position and a second working position. In a case that the switching valve group is in the first working position, liquid flow circulations of the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline do not interfere with each other. In a case that the switching valve group is in the second working position, the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline are connected in series to form a circulation loop.
Implementation Method 2
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.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system includes a first liquid pipeline, a second liquid pipeline and a switching valve group, and the switching valve group is connected between the first liquid pipeline and the second liquid pipeline. The switching valve group can be switched between a first working position and a second working position; when the switching valve group is at the first working position, a circulation loop having the first liquid pipeline and a circulation loop having the second liquid pipeline are two circulation loops in 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.