CN110492196B

CN110492196B - Thermal management system, vehicle, conversion device and thermal management method

Info

Publication number: CN110492196B
Application number: CN201910712977.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安益路; 韩海滨; 刘安龙
Original assignee: Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-02
Filing date: 2019-08-02
Publication date: 2020-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-02
Also published as: CN110492196A

Abstract

The invention discloses a thermal management system, a vehicle, a conversion device and a thermal management method. The heat exchange unit is used for being thermally connected with the battery module, the heat exchange unit comprises a first port and a second port, and the battery module comprises a first area corresponding to the first port and a second area corresponding to the second port. The switching device is connected with the first port and the second port, and is operated according to the temperature difference between the first area and the second area so as to enable the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the first port and flow out of the heat exchange unit from the second port, or enable the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the second port and flow out of the heat exchange unit from the first port. In the thermal management system, the temperature difference between the two areas of the battery module can be balanced, so that the electrical property and the service life of the battery module can be improved.

Description

Thermal management system, vehicle, conversion device and thermal management method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of power batteries, in particular to a thermal management system, a vehicle, a conversion device and a thermal management method.

Background

At present, along with the improvement of the emission standard of automobile exhaust, electric automobiles are more and more concerned and valued by manufacturers and users. The electric automobile takes the power battery as a power source, and zero emission can be realized in the running process. Generally, there are two requirements for electric vehicles, namely, long driving range and short charging time. In order to solve the mileage anxiety of the electric automobile, the improvement of the energy density of the battery cell and the increase of the number of the batteries are the most mainstream technical routes at present, while the energy density of the battery cell is difficult to be greatly improved in a short time, and manufacturers mainly increase the endurance mileage of the electric automobile by increasing the number of the batteries. In order to solve the requirement of charging time, various manufacturers propose own fast charging and super fast charging schemes, and take the charging time as one of selling points. However, the rapid charging leads to the increase of the heating power of the battery cell, and at the same time, the more battery cells increase the heating value of the whole battery pack. In order to solve the heat dissipation problem of the battery pack, the cost is generally increased by increasing the flow rate of a cooling medium or designing a complex thermal management system or even sacrificing a part of the service life of the battery pack.

In the existing thermal management system of the power battery, a unidirectional flow mode is generally adopted for a cooling medium in the thermal management system, namely, the inlet end and the outlet end of cooling liquid are fixed and cannot realize reverse flow. During the cooling of the battery, the cell temperature in the inlet region is always lower than the cell temperature in the outlet region. During the heating of the battery, the cell temperature in the inlet region is always higher than the cell temperature in the outlet region. During cell cooling and heating, the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet regions is large, and excessive temperature differences can adversely affect the electrical performance and service life of the package.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a thermal management system, a vehicle, a conversion device and a thermal management method.

The thermal management system of the embodiment of the invention is used for a power battery of a vehicle, the power battery comprises a battery module, and the thermal management system is characterized by comprising:

the heat exchange unit is used for being thermally connected with the battery module and comprises a first port and a second port, and the battery module comprises a first area corresponding to the first port and a second area corresponding to the second port;

a switching device for communicating a heat exchange medium, the switching device connecting the first port and the second port, the switching device being operated according to a temperature difference between the first region and the second region to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the first port and to flow out of the heat exchange unit from the second port, or to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the second port and to flow out of the heat exchange unit from the first port.

In the thermal management system of the embodiment, the conversion device can switch the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit according to the temperature difference between the two areas of the battery module, so that the temperature difference between the two areas of the battery module can be balanced, and the electrical property and the service life of the battery module can be improved.

In certain embodiments, the switch device comprises a first three-way valve, a second three-way valve, a third three-way valve, and a fourth three-way valve, the second three-way valve connecting the first port, the fourth three-way valve connecting the second port, the first three-way valve directing the heat exchange medium into the switch device, the fourth three-way valve directing the heat exchange medium out of the switch device, the first three-way valve, the second three-way valve, the third three-way valve, and the fourth three-way valve being respectively operated to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the first port and out of the heat exchange unit from the second port, or to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the second port and out of the heat exchange unit from the first port.

In some embodiments, the switching device includes a housing and a valve, the housing is provided with a first port, a second port, a third port and a fourth port, the first port is connected to the first port, the second port is connected to the second port, the third port is used for guiding the heat exchange medium into the switching device, the fourth port is used for guiding the heat exchange medium to the switching device, a flow passage is arranged in the housing, and the valve is capable of being rotated to enable the third port to communicate with the first port through the flow passage and enable the fourth port to communicate with the second port through the flow passage, or enable the third port to communicate with the second port through the flow passage and enable the fourth port to communicate with the first port through the flow passage.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing connected to each other, the flow passage comprises a first channel and a second channel provided at the first housing and spaced apart from each other, and a third channel and a fourth channel provided at the second housing and spaced apart from each other, the first channel communicates with the first port, the second channel communicates with the second port, the third channel communicates with the third port, and the fourth channel communicates with the fourth port;

the valve is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole which are spaced, and the valve is configured such that the first through hole communicates the first channel with the third channel and the second through hole communicates the second channel with the fourth channel, or such that the first through hole communicates the first channel with the fourth channel and the second through hole communicates the second channel with the third channel when rotated.

In certain embodiments, the transition device comprises a seal ring sealingly connected between the first housing and the second housing.

In some embodiments, the switching device comprises a connecting rod partially located within the housing and connecting the valve, the connecting rod partially located outside the housing such that the valve is operated by the connecting rod.

In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a driver, a controller, and a temperature sensor, the controller is connected to the temperature sensor and the driver, the temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the first area and the second area, the controller is configured to calculate a temperature difference between the first area and the second area according to temperature data output by the temperature sensor, and control the driver to operate the conversion device if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

In some embodiments, the heat management system comprises a radiator and a pump, the radiator, the pump, the conversion device and the heat exchange unit are connected to form a circulation loop, and the pump is used for driving the heat exchange medium to flow in the circulation loop.

In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a fifth three-way valve connected between the pump and the radiator, a sixth three-way valve connected between the radiator and the transition device, and a heater connected between the fifth three-way valve and the sixth three-way valve.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a vehicle which comprises the power battery and the thermal management system of any one of the above embodiments, wherein the thermal management system is used for thermally managing the power battery.

In the vehicle of the above embodiment, the conversion device can switch the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit according to the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module, so that the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module can be balanced, and the electrical property and the service life of the battery module can be improved.

The embodiment of the invention provides a conversion device. The conversion device is used in a thermal management system. The thermal management system includes a heat exchange unit including a first port and a second port, the conversion device comprises a shell and a valve, wherein the shell is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface and a fourth interface, the first interface is connected to the first port, the second interface is connected to the second port, and the third interface is used for introducing the heat exchange medium into the conversion device, the fourth interface is used for guiding the heat exchange medium to the conversion device, a flow passage is arranged in the shell, the valve is capable of being rotated to communicate the third port with the first port through the flow passage and to communicate the fourth port with the second port through the flow passage, or the third interface is communicated with the second interface through the flow passage and the fourth interface is communicated with the first interface through the flow passage.

In the conversion device of the embodiment, the conversion device can switch the flowing direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit according to the temperature difference of the two areas of the battery module, so that the temperature difference of the two areas of the battery module can be balanced, and the electrical property and the service life of the battery module can be improved.

The embodiment of the invention provides a thermal management method. The thermal management method is used for a thermal management system. The heat management system comprises a conversion device and a heat exchange unit, the heat exchange unit is thermally connected with a battery module of a vehicle, the heat exchange unit comprises a first port and a second port, the battery module comprises a first area corresponding to the first port and a second area corresponding to the second port, the conversion device is communicated with a heat exchange medium, and the heat management method comprises the following steps:

acquiring the temperature difference between the first area and the second area;

controlling the operation of the switching device according to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region, so that the heat exchange medium flows into the heat exchange unit from the first port and flows out of the heat exchange unit from the second port, or so that the heat exchange medium flows into the heat exchange unit from the second port and flows out of the heat exchange unit from the first port.

In the heat management method of the embodiment, the conversion device can switch the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit according to the temperature difference between the two areas of the battery module, so that the temperature difference between the two areas of the battery module can be balanced, and the electrical property and the service life of the battery module can be improved.

In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a driver that controls operation of the conversion device based on a temperature difference of the first region and the second region, including:

judging whether the temperature difference between the first area and the second area is greater than or equal to a threshold value;

controlling the driver to operate the conversion device if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the threshold.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a temperature profile of a first zone and a second zone of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is another temperature profile of the first zone and the second zone of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another block diagram of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a heat exchange medium of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another schematic flow diagram of a heat exchange medium of a thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural view of the first housing of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of a second housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural view of a valve body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of yet another module of a thermal management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of yet another module of a thermal management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method of thermal management in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is another flow chart of a method of thermal management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the main element symbols:

the thermal management system 100, the power battery 10, the battery module 12, the first region 122, the second region 124, the heat exchange unit 20, the first port 22, the second port 24, the conversion device 30, the first three-way valve 32, the second three-way valve 34, the third three-way valve 36, the fourth three-way valve 38, the housing 310, the first housing 311, the first flow passage 320, the first housing through hole 322, the first chamber 324, the first groove 326, the second flow passage 340, the second housing through hole 342, the second chamber 344, the third groove 346, the second housing 313, the third flow passage 360, the third housing through hole 362, the third chamber 364, the third groove 366, the fourth flow passage 380, the fourth housing through hole 382, the fourth chamber 384, the fourth groove 386, the first interface 312, the second interface 314, the third interface 316, the fourth interface 318, the valve body 330, the first through hole 331, the second through hole 333, the connecting rod 332, the sealing ring 350, the radiator 40, the sealing ring 350, the heat exchanger 40, and the heat exchanger, Fifth three-way valve 60, sixth three-way valve 70, heater 80, driver 90, controller 110, temperature sensor 120, vehicle 1000.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are illustrative only for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying any number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as being fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. Specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to specific situations.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different configurations of embodiments of the invention. In order to simplify the disclosure of embodiments of the invention, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may repeat reference numerals and/or reference letters in the various examples, which have been repeated for purposes of simplicity and clarity and do not in themselves dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed. In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide examples of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize applications of other processes and/or use of other materials.

Referring to fig. 1, a thermal management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a power battery 10 of a vehicle. The power battery 10 includes a battery module 12. The thermal management system 100 comprises a heat exchange unit 20 and a conversion means 30 for communicating a heat exchange medium. The heat exchanging unit 20 is used to thermally connect with the battery module 12. The heat exchange unit 20 includes a first port 22 and a second port 24. The battery module 12 includes a first region 122 corresponding to the first port 22 and a second region 124 corresponding to the second port 24. The switching device 30 connects the first port 22 and the second port 24. The switch over device 30 is operated according to the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22 and to flow out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24, or to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24 and to flow out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22.

In the thermal management system 100 of the above embodiment, the conversion device 30 switches the flowing direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit 20 according to the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12, so that the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12 can be balanced, and the electrical performance and the service life of the battery module 12 can be improved.

Specifically, the power battery 10 may be mounted in a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The power battery 10 may provide kinetic energy to a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

The heat exchange unit 20 includes water-cooled plates, heat conductive pads, and the like. The heat exchanging unit 20 is thermally connected to the battery module 12 (thermally connected), and it can be understood that the heat exchanging unit 20 can exchange heat with the battery module 12 through a water cooling plate, a heat conducting pad, and other elements, so as to achieve the effect of cooling the battery module 12 or heating the battery module 12.

A heat exchange medium may flow in the heat exchange unit 20 so that the heat exchange medium may exchange heat with the battery module 12. The heat exchange medium can be liquid, gas or gel and other heat exchangers with good heat exchange effect and good fluidity.

During the cooling phase of the thermal management system 100, the temperature of the first port 22 may be lower than that of the second port 24 during the process that the low-temperature heat exchange medium flows to the second port 24 through the first port 22, and accordingly, the temperature of the first region 122 corresponding to the first port 22 may be lower than that of the second region 124 corresponding to the second port 24. When the switch device 30 of the present embodiment is operated, the low temperature heat exchange medium may be caused to switch the flow direction such that the heat exchange medium flows toward the first port 22 through the second port 24, and during the process of the heat exchange medium flowing toward the first port 22 through the second port 24, the temperature of the second port 24 may be lower than that of the first port 22, and accordingly, the temperature of the second region 124 corresponding to the second port 24 may be lower than that of the first region 122 corresponding to the first port 22.

Similarly, during the heating phase of the thermal management system 100, the temperature of the first port 22 may be higher than that of the second port 24 while the heat exchange medium with high temperature flows through the first port 22 to the second port 24, and accordingly, the temperature of the first region 122 corresponding to the first port 22 may be higher than that of the second region 124 corresponding to the second port 24. When the switch device 30 of the present embodiment is operated, the heat exchange medium of a high temperature may be caused to switch the flow direction such that the heat exchange medium flows toward the first port 22 through the second port 24, and during the process of the heat exchange medium flowing toward the first port 22 through the second port 24, the temperature of the second port 24 may be higher than that of the first port 22, and accordingly, the temperature of the second region 124 corresponding to the second port 24 may be higher than that of the first region 122 corresponding to the first port 22.

In this manner, the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 may be balanced, so that the electrical performance and the lifespan of the battery module 12 may be improved.

The battery module 12 of the above embodiment may be composed of one or more battery packs, and is not limited herein.

Specifically, referring to fig. 2, a curve a shows a first region 122 when the transfer device 30 is not installed in the related art. Curve B is a graph of the temperature of the second region 124 over time when the transfer device 30 is not installed in the related art. Curve C is a graph of the temperature of the first region 122 over time after the inverter device 30 is installed in the present embodiment. Curve D is a graph of the temperature of the second region 124 over time after installation of the inverter device 30 in the present embodiment. As can be seen from fig. 2, in one embodiment, at a time of 1250 seconds, a1 point in curve a corresponds to the temperature of the first region 122, and B1 point in curve B corresponds to the temperature of the second region 124, that is, in the case where the conversion device 30 is not installed, the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 is T1 — a 1-B1. At a time of 1250 seconds, the point C1 in the curve C corresponds to the temperature of the first region 122 and the point D1 in the curve D corresponds to the temperature of the second region 124, i.e., in the case of the installation of the conversion device 30, the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 is T2 — C1-D1. As can be seen from FIG. 2, T2 is less than T1. Therefore, the thermal management system 100 according to the present embodiment has the switching device 30 installed to change the flow direction of the heat exchange medium, and the difference between the highest temperature and the lowest temperature of the curve C and the curve D is small, so that the temperature difference between the two regions corresponding to the battery modules 12 is significantly reduced.

Specifically, referring to fig. 3, a curve E is a graph of a temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 over time when the inverter device 30 is not installed in the related art. Curves F are graphs showing the temperature difference between the first zone 122 and the second zone 124 with time after the installation of the inverter device 30 in the present embodiment. Curve H is the difference between the temperature difference of the first region 122 and the second region 124 after the conversion device 30 is not installed and the temperature difference of the first region 122 and the second region 124 after the conversion device 30 is installed. In one embodiment, point E1 in curve E is the temperature difference between the temperature of the first region 122 and the temperature of the second region 124 at 1700 seconds, and point F1 in curve F is the temperature difference between the temperature of the first region 122 and the temperature of the second region 124 at 1700 seconds. H1 in curve H is: h1 ═ E1-F1. That is, the temperature improvement is shown by the curve H, and it is understood from the graph that the maximum temperature difference of the improvement exceeds 8 ℃.

Referring to fig. 4, in some embodiments, the switch device 30 includes a first three-way valve 32, a second three-way valve 34, a third three-way valve 36, and a fourth three-way valve 38, the second three-way valve 34 is connected to the first port 22, the fourth three-way valve 38 is connected to the second port 24, the first three-way valve 32 is used for introducing the heat exchange medium into the switch device 30, and the fourth three-way valve 38 is used for leading the heat exchange medium out of the switch device 30. The first, second, third and fourth three-

way valves

32, 34, 36 and 38, respectively, are operated to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22 and out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24, or to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24 and out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22.

In this way, the direction of the heat exchange medium flowing into the heat exchange unit 20 can be realized by the rotation of the first three-way valve 32, the second three-way valve 34, the third three-way valve 36 and the fourth three-way valve 38, and the switching device 30 has a simple structure and is convenient to operate.

Specifically, referring to fig. 5, in one embodiment, the heat exchange medium is introduced into the first port a1 of the first three-way valve 32, flows out from the second port B1 of the first three-way valve 32, sequentially passes through the first port a2 and the second port B2 of the second three-way valve 34, and enters the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22. The heat exchange medium flows out from the second port 24 of the heat exchange unit 20, flows to the first port A3 of the third three-way valve 36 through the first port a4 and the second port B4 of the fourth three-way valve 38, and is led out from the second port B3 of the third three-way valve 36. Note that the arrows shown in the drawings indicate the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the present embodiment.

Referring to fig. 6, in another embodiment, the heat exchange medium is introduced into the first port a1 of the first three-way valve 32, flows out from the third port C1 of the first three-way valve 32, passes through the third port C4 and the first port a4 of the fourth three-way valve 38, and enters the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24. The heat exchange medium flows out from the first port 22 of the heat exchange unit 20, and flows to the third port C3 of the third three-way valve 36 through the second port B2 and the third port C2 of the second three-way valve 34 in this order, and is led out from the second port B3 of the third three-way valve 36. Note that the arrows shown in the drawings indicate the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the present embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7-9, in some embodiments, the switching device 30 includes a housing 310 and a valve 330, wherein the housing 310 is provided with a first port 312, a second port 314, a third port 316 and a fourth port 318. The first interface 312 is connected to the first port 22. The second port 314 is connected to the second port 24. The third port 316 is used for introducing the heat exchange medium into the conversion device 30. The fourth port 318 is used for leading the heat exchange medium out of the conversion device 30. A flow passage 370 is provided in the housing 310. The valve 330 can be rotated to communicate the third port 316 with the first port 312 via the flow passage 370 and to communicate the fourth port 318 with the second port 314 via the flow passage 370, or to communicate the third port 316 with the second port 314 via the flow passage 370 and to communicate the fourth port 318 with the first port 312 via the flow passage 370.

In this way, the interfaces connected by the different flow passages 370 in the housing 310 allow the heat exchange medium to be switched between the first port 22 and the second port 24, so that the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12 can be balanced.

Specifically, the housing 310 may be a cylinder, but in other embodiments, the housing 310 may be provided with other shapes, which is not limited herein. The valve 330 may also be cylindrical. The diameter of the housing 310 may correspond to the diameter of the valve. Of course, in other embodiments, the diameter of the housing 310 and the diameter of the valve 330 may be designed according to practical requirements, and are not limited herein.

In the present embodiment, when the valve 330 is in the first rotational state, the third port 316 communicates with the first port 312 via the flow passage 370, and the fourth port 318 communicates with the second port 314 via the flow passage 370. That is, the heat exchange medium enters the flow channel 370 from the third port 316, and enters the heat exchange unit 20 through the first port 22 after flowing out from the first port 312. And the heat exchange medium flowing out of the second port 24 of the heat exchange unit 20 can enter the flow channel 370 through the second port 314 and flow out at the fourth port 318.

With the valve 330 in the second rotational state, the third port 316 communicates with the second port 314 via the flow passage 370 and the fourth port 318 communicates with the first port 312 via the flow passage 370. That is, the heat exchange medium enters the flow channel 370 from the third port 316, and enters the heat exchange unit 20 through the second port 24 after flowing out from the second port 314. And the heat exchange medium flowing out of the first port 22 of the heat exchange unit 20 can enter the flow channel through the first port 312 and flow out at the fourth port 318.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, housing 310 includes a first housing 311 and a second housing 313 connected to each other. The flow passage 370 includes a first passage 320 and a second passage 340 provided at the first housing 311 and spaced apart from each other, and a third passage 360 and a fourth passage 380 provided at the second housing 313 and spaced apart from each other. The first passage 320 communicates with the first port 312. The second passage 340 communicates with the second port 314. The third passage 360 communicates with the third port 316. The fourth passage 380 communicates with the fourth port 318. The valve 330 is provided with first 331 and second 333 spaced apart through holes. The valve 330 is configured such that the first through-hole 331 communicates the first passage 320 with the third passage 360 and the second through-hole 333 communicates the second passage 340 with the fourth passage 380 when rotated, and such that the first through-hole 331 communicates the first passage 320 with the fourth passage 380 and the second through-hole 333 communicates the second passage 340 with the third passage 360.

In this way, the first passage 320 communicates with the third passage 360 and the second passage 333 through the first through hole 331 to communicate with the second passage 340 and the fourth passage 380, and the first passage 320 communicates with the fourth passage 380 and the second passage 333 through the first through hole 331 to communicate with the second passage 340 and the third passage 360, so that the heat exchange medium can be switched in the flow direction between the first port 312 and the second port 314.

Specifically, referring to fig. 8, in the present embodiment, the first housing 311 is formed with a first housing through hole 322, a second housing through hole 342, a first groove 326 and a second groove 346. The first housing through hole 322 communicates with the first groove 326 through the first chamber 324. The first housing through hole 322, the first chamber 324, and the first groove 326 form the first passage 320. The second housing through hole 342 communicates with the second groove 346 through the second chamber 344. The second housing through hole 342, the second chamber 344, and the second groove 346 form the second channel 340.

Referring to fig. 9, the second housing 313 is formed with a third housing through hole 362, a fourth housing through hole 382, a third groove 366 and a fourth groove 386. The third housing through hole 362 communicates with the third recess 366 through the third chamber 364. The third housing through bore 362, the third chamber 364, and the third recess 366 form a third passage 360. The fourth housing through-hole 382 communicates with the fourth groove 386 through the fourth chamber 384. The fourth housing through-hole 382, the fourth chamber 384, and the fourth groove 386 form a fourth channel 380.

In one embodiment, when the valve 330 is in the first rotation state, the heat exchange medium flows from the third port 316 to the third channel 360, the second through hole 333, and the second channel 340 in sequence, then flows from the second port 314 to the second port 24 to enter the heat exchange unit 20, flows out from the first port 22 of the heat exchange unit 20, passes through the first port 312, then flows into the first channel 320, the first through hole 331, and the fourth channel 380 in sequence, and is led out from the fourth port 318.

When the valve 330 is in the second rotation state, the heat exchange medium enters the fourth channel 380, the first through hole 331, the first channel 320 from the third port 316 in sequence, flows into the first port 22 from the first port 312 to enter the heat exchange unit 20, flows out from the second port 24 of the heat exchange unit 20, passes through the second port 314, enters the second channel 340, the second through hole 333, and the fourth channel 380 in sequence, and is led out from the fourth port 318.

It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, when the valve 330 is in the first rotation state, the valve 330 may be rotated by 90 ° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, so that the valve 330 is switched from the first rotation state to the second rotation state.

Referring to fig. 7, in some embodiments, the conversion device 30 includes a sealing ring 350, and the sealing ring 350 is sealingly connected between the first housing 311 and the second housing 313. This improves the sealing performance of the converter 30 and prevents the heat exchange medium from leaking.

Specifically, the sealing ring 350 may be a rubber material, a silicone material, or the like. The diameter of the sealing ring 350 may be the same as the diameter of the first and

second housings

311 and 313.

Referring to fig. 10, in some embodiments, the shifting apparatus 30 includes a connecting rod 332, the connecting rod 332 is partially disposed within the housing and connected to the valve 330, and the connecting rod 332 is partially disposed outside the housing such that the valve 330 is operated by the connecting rod 332.

Thus, the valve 330 can be rotated by controlling the connecting rod 332, and the valve is convenient to operate and simple in structure.

Specifically, the connecting rod 332 is partially disposed in the housing and connected to the valve 330, it being understood that a portion of the connecting rod 332 extends into the housing to connect to the valve 330 and another portion of the connecting rod 332 is exposed to the housing to facilitate rotation of the valve 330 via the connecting rod 332.

The connecting rod 332 may be a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, a truncated cone, etc., and is not limited herein.

Referring to fig. 12, in some embodiments, the thermal management system 100 includes a driver 90, a controller 110 and a temperature sensor 120, the controller 110 is connected to the temperature sensor 120 and the driver 90, the temperature sensor 120 is configured to detect the temperatures of the first area 122 and the second area 124, and the controller 110 is configured to calculate the temperature difference between the first area 122 and the second area 124 according to the temperature data output by the temperature sensor 120, and control the driver 90 to operate the valve 330 if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

In this way, the controller 110 may calculate the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 according to the temperature data output by the temperature sensor 120, and control the driver 90 to operate the valve 330 if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the threshold value, so that the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit 20 is switched by the operated valve 330, and thus the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12 may be balanced.

Specifically, the controller 110 includes an MCU (Microcontroller Unit). Controller 110 may be used to provide computational and control capabilities that support the operation of the overall thermal management system 100. The controller 110 may call the associated control program instructions to control the actuator 90 to operate the valve 330.

The driver 90 includes a driving motor. The driving motor drives the valve 330 to rotate in a preset direction after receiving a control command transmitted from the controller 110. It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the driver 90 may drive the flow direction of the valve ports of the first three-way valve 32, the second three-way valve 34, the third three-way valve 36, and the fourth three-way valve 38 shown in fig. 4 to realize the switching of the flow direction of the heat exchange medium. In another embodiment, the driver 90 may also drive the valve 330 of the switching device 30 shown in fig. 7 to 9 to switch the flow direction of the heat medium.

The temperature sensor 120 may be provided with a first region 122 and a second region 124, respectively, and serves to detect the temperatures of the first region 122 and the second region 124. The controller 110 may acquire the temperatures of the first and

second regions

122 and 124 through the temperature sensor 120 and calculate a temperature difference between the first and

second regions

122 and 124.

In particular, the electrical performance of the battery module 12 is easily affected if the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 is continuously greater than the threshold value. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by controlling the driver 90 to operate the valve 330 to switch the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit 20 in the case that the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 is continuously greater than the threshold value, the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12 can be balanced, and thus the electrical performance and the service life of the battery module 12 can be improved.

Referring to fig. 11, in some embodiments, the thermal management system 100 includes a heat sink 40 and a pump 50, the heat sink 40, the pump 50, the converting device 30 and the heat exchanging unit 20 are connected to form a circulation loop, and the pump 50 is used for driving the heat exchanging medium to flow in the circulation loop.

In this way, the thermal management system 100 is in an operating state for cooling the heat exchange medium, and the heat exchange medium is driven to flow in the circulation loop by the pump 50 and passes through the radiator 40 to reduce the temperature of the heat exchange medium.

The configuration of the switch device 30 shown in fig. 11 may be replaced with the switch device 30 shown in fig. 7 to realize the function of switching the heat exchange medium.

Specifically, the heat exchange medium may be water, and the pump 50 includes a water pump 50, and the water pump 50 may drive the water to flow in the circulation loop. The heat sink 40 includes, but is not limited to, a heat radiation fan. The heat of the heat exchange medium can be taken away by the heat radiation fan, so that the temperature of the heat exchange medium is reduced.

Referring to fig. 4, in some embodiments, the thermal management system 100 includes a fifth three-way valve 60, a sixth three-way valve 70, and a heater 80, the fifth three-way valve 60 being coupled between the pump 50 and the radiator 40, the sixth three-way valve 70 being coupled between the radiator 40 and the shifting apparatus 30, and the heater 80 being coupled between the fifth three-way valve 60 and the sixth three-way valve 70.

This allows the thermal management to be in an operational state of heating the heat exchange medium, which can be heated by the heater 80.

Specifically, the heater 80 includes a Positive Temperature Coefficient thermistor (PTC). A PTC thermistor is a semiconductor resistor typically having temperature sensitivity, and its resistance value increases stepwise with an increase in temperature when a certain temperature (curie temperature) is exceeded. It is understood that in other embodiments, the heater 80 includes, but is not limited to, heating wires, electric heating disks, heating elements that utilize recycled vehicle heat to heat the heat exchange medium, and the like.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, in an embodiment, when the thermal management system is in a cooling stage, the heat medium led out from one side of the converter 30 may sequentially flow to the radiator 40 through the first port a5 and the second port B5 of the fifth three-way valve 60, the radiator 40 may take away heat from the heat exchange medium to reduce the temperature of the heat exchange medium, and the low-temperature heat exchange medium passes through the first port a6 and the second port B6 of the sixth three-way valve 70, and is then led into the other side of the converter 30 under the action of the pump 50. In this case, the third port C3 of the fifth three-way valve 60 is closed.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, in another embodiment, the heat exchange medium led out from one side of the switching device 30 may sequentially flow through the first port a5 and the third port C5 of the fifth three-way valve 60 to the heater 80, the heater 80 may heat the heat exchange medium to raise the temperature of the heat exchange medium, and the low-temperature heat exchange medium may sequentially flow through the third port C6 and the second port B6 of the sixth three-way valve 70 and then be introduced into the other side of the switching device 30 by the pump 50. In this case, the second port B3 of the fifth three-way valve 60 is closed.

Referring to fig. 13, a vehicle 100 is further provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 100 comprises the power battery 10 and the thermal management system 100 of any one of the above embodiments, and the thermal management system 100 is used for performing thermal management on the power battery 10.

In the vehicle of the present embodiment, the conversion device 30 may switch the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit 20 according to the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12, so that the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12 may be balanced, and thus the electrical performance and the service life of the battery module 12 may be improved.

Referring to fig. 14, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a thermal management method, where the thermal management method includes:

step S10, acquiring a temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124;

step S20, controlling the operation of the switching device 30 according to the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124, so as to make the heat exchange medium flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22 and flow out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24, or to make the heat exchange medium flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24 and flow out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22.

The thermal management method of the above embodiment can be implemented by the thermal management system 100 of the present embodiment. Wherein, the steps S10 and S20 are implemented by the controller 110. The controller 110 is configured to obtain a temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124, and control the operation of the switching device 30 according to the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124, so as to enable the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22 and flow out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24, or enable the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit 20 from the second port 24 and flow out of the heat exchange unit 20 from the first port 22.

In the thermal management method according to the above embodiment, the conversion device 30 may switch the flow direction of the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange unit 20 according to the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12, so that the temperature difference between the two regions of the battery module 12 may be balanced, and thus the electrical performance and the service life of the battery module 12 may be improved.

Referring to fig. 15, in some embodiments, step S20 includes:

step S22, determining whether the temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 is greater than or equal to a threshold value;

in step S24, the driver 90 is controlled to operate the switching device 30 in the case where the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

The thermal management method of the above embodiment can be implemented by the thermal management system 100 of the present embodiment. Wherein, the steps S22 and S24 are implemented by the controller 110. The controller 110 is configured to determine whether a temperature difference between the first region 122 and the second region 124 is greater than or equal to a threshold value, and control the driver 90 to operate the switching device if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

Therefore, when the temperature difference between the first area 122 and the second area 124 is too large, the switching device 30 can be operated in time to change the flow direction of the heat exchange medium so as to reduce the temperature difference between the first area 122 and the second area 124, and the temperature reduction effect is obvious.

In the description herein, references to the description of the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an illustrative embodiment," "an example," "a specific example" or "some examples" or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and not to be construed as limiting the present invention, and that variations, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made in the above embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management system for a power battery of a vehicle, the power battery including a battery module, the thermal management system comprising:

a switching device for communicating a heat exchange medium, the switching device connecting the first port and the second port, the switching device being operated according to a temperature difference between the first region and the second region to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the first port and to flow out of the heat exchange unit from the second port, or to cause the heat exchange medium to flow into the heat exchange unit from the second port and to flow out of the heat exchange unit from the first port;

the conversion device comprises a shell and a valve, wherein the shell is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface and a fourth interface, the first interface is connected with the first port, the second interface is connected with the second port, the third interface is used for leading the heat exchange medium into the conversion device, the fourth interface is used for leading the heat exchange medium to the conversion device, a flow channel is arranged in the shell, and the valve can be rotated to enable the third interface to be communicated with the first interface through the flow channel and enable the fourth interface to be communicated with the second interface through the flow channel, or enable the third interface to be communicated with the second interface through the flow channel and enable the fourth interface to be communicated with the first interface through the flow channel;

the shell comprises a first shell and a second shell which are connected, the flow channel comprises a first channel and a second channel which are arranged on the first shell and are separated from each other, and a third channel and a fourth channel which are arranged on the second shell and are separated from each other, the first channel is communicated with the first interface, the second channel is communicated with the second interface, the third channel is communicated with the third interface, and the fourth channel is communicated with the fourth interface;

2. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the transition device comprises a first three-way valve, a second three-way valve, a third three-way valve, and a fourth three-way valve, the second three-way valve is connected to the first port, the fourth three-way valve is connected to the second port, the first three-way valve is used for guiding the heat exchange medium into the conversion device, the fourth three-way valve is used for guiding the heat exchange medium out of the conversion device, the first three-way valve, the second three-way valve, the third three-way valve, and the fourth three-way valve are respectively operated so that the heat exchange medium flows into the heat exchange unit from the first port and flows out of the heat exchange unit from the second port, or the heat exchange medium flows into the heat exchange unit from the second port and flows out of the heat exchange unit from the first port.

3. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the transition device comprises a seal ring sealingly connected between the first housing and the second housing.

4. The thermal management system of claim 1, wherein the conversion device comprises a connecting rod partially located within the housing and connecting the valve, the connecting rod partially located outside the housing such that the valve is operated by the connecting rod.

5. The thermal management system of claim 1, comprising a driver, a controller, and a temperature sensor, wherein the controller is connected to the temperature sensor and the driver, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the first area and the second area, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a temperature difference between the first area and the second area according to temperature data output by the temperature sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to control the driver to operate the conversion device if the temperature difference is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

6. The thermal management system of claim 1, comprising a heat sink and a pump, wherein the heat sink, the pump, the converting means and the heat exchange unit are connected to form a circulation loop, and wherein the pump is configured to drive the heat exchange medium to flow in the circulation loop.

7. The thermal management system of claim 6, comprising a fifth three-way valve connected between the pump and the radiator, a sixth three-way valve connected between the radiator and the transition device, and a heater connected between the fifth three-way valve and the sixth three-way valve.

8. A vehicle comprising a power battery and a thermal management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for thermally managing the power battery.

9. A conversion device for a thermal management system, wherein the thermal management system comprises a heat exchange unit, the heat exchange unit comprises a first port and a second port, the conversion device comprises a shell and a valve, the shell is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface and a fourth interface, the first interface is connected with the first port, the second interface is connected to the second port, the third interface is used for introducing the heat exchange medium into the conversion device, the fourth interface is used for guiding the heat exchange medium to the conversion device, a flow passage is arranged in the shell, the valve is capable of being rotated to communicate the third port with the first port through the flow passage and to communicate the fourth port with the second port through the flow passage, or the third interface is communicated with the second interface through the flow passage and the fourth interface is communicated with the first interface through the flow passage;

10. A heat management method is used for a heat management system and is characterized by comprising a conversion device and a heat exchange unit, wherein the heat exchange unit is thermally connected with a battery module of a vehicle, the heat exchange unit comprises a first port and a second port, the battery module comprises a first area corresponding to the first port and a second area corresponding to the second port, the conversion device is communicated with a heat exchange medium and comprises a shell and a valve, the shell is provided with a first interface, a second interface, a third interface and a fourth interface, the first interface is connected with the first port, the second interface is connected with the second port, the third interface is used for guiding the heat exchange medium into the conversion device, the fourth interface is used for guiding the heat exchange medium to the conversion device, and a flow channel is arranged in the shell, the valve can be rotated to enable the third port to be communicated with the first port through the flow passage and enable the fourth port to be communicated with the second port through the flow passage, or enable the third port to be communicated with the second port through the flow passage and enable the fourth port to be communicated with the first port through the flow passage; the shell comprises a first shell and a second shell which are connected, the flow channel comprises a first channel and a second channel which are arranged on the first shell and are separated from each other, and a third channel and a fourth channel which are arranged on the second shell and are separated from each other, the first channel is communicated with the first interface, the second channel is communicated with the second interface, the third channel is communicated with the third interface, and the fourth channel is communicated with the fourth interface; the valve is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole which are spaced, and the valve is configured to enable the first through hole to communicate the first channel with the third channel and the second through hole to communicate the second channel with the fourth channel when rotating, or enable the first through hole to communicate the first channel with the fourth channel and the second through hole to communicate the second channel with the third channel; the thermal management method comprises the following steps:

11. The thermal management method of claim 10, wherein the thermal management system comprises a driver that controls operation of the conversion device based on a temperature difference between the first region and the second region, comprising: