CN112339522A

CN112339522A - Thermal management system

Info

Publication number: CN112339522A
Application number: CN201910730115.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 董军启; 王奎阳; 刘巧凤; 贾世伟
Original assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-08
Filing date: 2019-08-08
Publication date: 2021-02-09

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular, to a thermal management system, comprising: a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a first indoor heat exchanger, and a first expansion device, a first coolant liquid circuit, and a first heat exchanger connected between the refrigerant circuit and the first coolant liquid circuit; the first cooling liquid loop comprises a first heat exchange assembly, the compressor is connected with a first end of the first indoor heat exchanger, a second end of the first indoor heat exchanger is connected with a first end of the first expansion device, a second end of the first expansion device is connected with a first end of the first heat exchanger, a second end of the first heat exchanger is connected with an inlet of the compressor, and under a first heating mode: the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the first expansion device and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger and the first heat exchange assembly are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger.

Description

Thermal management system

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of thermal management, in particular to a thermal management system.

Background

The heat management system of the automobile can realize refrigeration, heating, ventilation and air purification of air in the carriage. In low temperature environments, the thermal management system may regulate the ambient temperature within the cabin, but the outdoor heat exchanger of the system may frost, which may reduce the ability of the system to regulate the ambient temperature within the cabin. After the outdoor heat exchanger frosts, the related heat management system can firstly defrost the outdoor heat exchanger and then regulate the environment temperature in the cabin, or firstly regulate the environment temperature in the cabin and then defrost. Therefore, there is still a need for a thermal management system that is optimized such that the regulation of the ambient temperature inside the cabin and the defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger can be performed simultaneously.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present application provides a thermal management system.

In order to achieve the purpose, the following technical scheme is adopted in the application:

a thermal management system, comprising: the system comprises a refrigerant loop, a first cooling liquid loop and a first heat exchanger connected between the refrigerant loop and the first cooling liquid loop, wherein the refrigerant loop comprises a compressor, a first indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger and a first expansion device, the first cooling liquid loop comprises a first heat exchange assembly, the first end of the first indoor heat exchanger and the first end of the outdoor heat exchanger are connected with an outlet of the compressor, the second end of the first indoor heat exchanger and the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger are both connected with the first end of the first expansion device, the second end of the first expansion device is connected with the first end of the first heat exchanger, the second end of the first heat exchanger is connected with an inlet of the compressor, and the system comprises a first heating mode and a defrosting mode;

in the first heating mode: the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the first expansion device and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger and the first heat exchange assembly are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger.

In the defrost mode: the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first expansion device and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger and the first heat exchange assembly are communicated to form a loop, the heat of the first heat exchange assembly can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger;

the first heating mode and the defrosting mode can be executed simultaneously, when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are executed simultaneously, the refrigerant is divided into two paths after passing through the compressor, one path of the refrigerant flows to the first indoor heat exchanger, the other path of the refrigerant flows to the outdoor for heat exchange, and the two paths of the refrigerant flow to the first expansion device after being converged.

Optionally, the refrigerant circuit further includes a valve control device, an outlet of the compressor is connected to the valve control device, both the first end of the first indoor heat exchanger and the first end of the outdoor heat exchanger are connected to the valve control device, the system is in a first heating mode, the first indoor heat exchanger is communicated with the compressor through the valve control device, the system is in a defrosting mode, the outdoor heat exchanger is communicated with the compressor through the valve control device, and when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are simultaneously executed, the refrigerant is divided into two paths through the valve control device after passing through the compressor.

Optionally, the valve control device comprises a first valve and a second valve, the first valve is connected between the first end of the first indoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the compressor, and the second valve is connected between the first end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the compressor;

in the first heating mode: the second valve is closed, and the compressor, the first valve, the first indoor heat exchanger, the first expansion device and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop;

in the defrost mode: the first valve is closed, and the compressor, the second valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first expansion device and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop;

when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are simultaneously performed, both the first valve and the second valve are opened.

Optionally, the system further comprises a second cooling liquid loop and a second heat exchanger connected between the refrigerant loop and the second cooling liquid loop, the second cooling liquid loop comprises a second heat exchange assembly, the refrigerant loop further comprises a second expansion device, a second end of the second expansion device is connected with a first end of the second heat exchanger, a second end of the second heat exchanger is connected with a first end of the first heat exchanger or an inlet of the compressor,

the second end of the first indoor heat exchanger and the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger are both connected with the first end of a second expansion device, and the first expansion device and the second expansion device are arranged in parallel; or, the first end of the second expansion device is connected to the second end of the first expansion device;

when the first heating mode or the defrosting mode or the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are executed simultaneously, at least one of the first expansion device and the second expansion device is opened, the second heat exchanger and the second heat exchange assembly are communicated to form a loop, the heat of the second heat exchange assembly can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger.

Optionally, the system further comprises a third expansion device and a third valve, a first end of the third expansion device is connected to the second end of the first indoor heat exchanger, a second end of the third expansion device is connected to the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the third valve is connected between the first end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the first end of the first heat exchanger, and the system further comprises a second heating mode in which:

the first expansion device is closed, the third expansion device is opened, and the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the third expansion device, the outdoor heat exchanger, the third valve and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop;

the first heat exchanger and the first heat exchange assembly are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger.

Optionally, the system further comprises a third expansion device and a third valve, the first end of the third expansion device is connected to the second end of the first indoor heat exchanger, the second end of the third expansion device is connected to the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger, the third valve is connected between the first end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the inlet of the compressor, and the system further comprises a second heating mode in which:

the first expansion device is closed, the third expansion device is opened, and the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the third expansion device, the outdoor heat exchanger and the third valve are communicated to form a loop;

Optionally, the system further includes a fourth expansion device and a second indoor heat exchanger, a first end of the fourth expansion device is connected to the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger, a second end of the fourth expansion device is connected to the first end of the second indoor heat exchanger, and a second end of the second indoor heat exchanger is connected to an inlet of the first heat exchanger or the compressor, and the system further includes a refrigeration mode in which:

and the first expansion device is closed, and the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the fourth expansion device, the second indoor heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop, or the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the fourth expansion device and the second indoor heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop.

Optionally, the refrigeration system further includes a fifth expansion device and a third indoor heat exchanger, a first end of the fifth expansion device is connected to the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger, a second end of the fifth expansion device is connected to the first end of the third indoor heat exchanger, and a second end of the third indoor heat exchanger is connected to the first end of the first heat exchanger or the inlet of the compressor, in the refrigeration mode:

the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the fifth expansion device, the third indoor heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop, or the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the fifth expansion device and the third indoor heat exchanger are communicated to form a loop.

Optionally, the outdoor heat exchanger further comprises a fourth valve, a first end of the fourth valve is connected to the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and both the second end of the first indoor heat exchanger and the first end of the first expansion device are connected to the second end of the fourth valve.

Optionally, the first cooling liquid circuit or/and the second cooling liquid circuit further comprises a heater for heating the cooling liquid.

According to the technical scheme, the outdoor heat exchanger and the first indoor heat exchanger are connected to the outlet of the compressor in parallel, the refrigerant can be divided into two paths after passing through the compressor, one path of refrigerant flows to the outdoor heat exchanger to release heat to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger, the other path of refrigerant flows to the first indoor heat exchanger to release heat to heat air entering a cabin, the two paths of refrigerant can be converged and then flow to the first expansion device, and the refrigerant flows into the first heat exchanger after being throttled and cooled by the first expansion device; meanwhile, the first heat exchanger and the first heat exchange assembly are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger. The first heating mode and the defrosting mode of the system can be executed simultaneously, and the working efficiency of the system is improved.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a system piping connection diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a system piping connection diagram of another exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the system of an embodiment of the present application operating in a first heating mode;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the system of an embodiment of the present application operating in a defrost mode;

FIG. 5 is a system piping connection diagram of yet another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is another tubing connection for the second coolant loop of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a further plumbing connection for the second coolant loop of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a further plumbing connection for the second coolant loop of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the system of an embodiment of the present application operating in a second heating mode;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the system of another embodiment of the present application operating in a second heating mode;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the system of an embodiment of the present application in a cooling mode.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, like numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in this application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and the like as used in the description and in the claims, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Similarly, the use of the terms "a" or "an" and the like do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one; "plurality" means two or more than two. Unless otherwise indicated, "front", "rear", "lower" and/or "upper" and the like are for convenience of description and are not limited to one position or one spatial orientation. The word "comprising" or "comprises", and the like, means that the element or item listed as preceding "comprising" or "includes" covers the element or item listed as following "comprising" or "includes" and its equivalents, and does not exclude other elements or items.

The thermal management system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features of the following examples and embodiments can be supplemented or combined with each other without conflict.

Fig. 1 is a management connection diagram of a thermal management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, and the system includes: a refrigerant circuit comprising a compressor 1, a first indoor heat exchanger 2 and a first expansion device 6, a first coolant liquid circuit and a first heat exchanger 7 connected between the refrigerant circuit and the first coolant liquid circuit; the first cooling liquid loop comprises a first heat exchange assembly 8, a compressor 1 is connected with a first end 2-1 of a first indoor heat exchanger, a second end 2-2 of the first indoor heat exchanger is connected with a first end 6-1 of a first expansion device, a second end 6-2 of the first expansion device is connected with a first end 7-1 of the first heat exchanger, and a second end 7-2 of the first heat exchanger is connected with an inlet of the compressor 1. When the ambient temperature is lower in winter, after the outdoor heat exchanger 3 frosts, the heat exchange efficiency is reduced, even the heat exchange capability is lost, and the system can not absorb the temperature of the external environment through the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The system of the present application includes a first heating mode in which:

the compressor 1, the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the first expansion device 6 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger 7 and the first heat exchange assembly 8 are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly 8 can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger 7. The first cooling liquid circuit may further comprise a driving means 9, such as a pump, for flowing the cooling liquid of the first cooling liquid circuit.

The refrigerant circuit further comprises an outdoor heat exchanger 3, the outlet of the compressor 1 being connected to a first end 3-1 of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a second end 3-2 of the outdoor heat exchanger being connected to a first end 6-1 of the first expansion device, the system comprising a defrost mode in which:

the compressor 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the first expansion device 6 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger 7 and the first heat exchange assembly 8 are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly 8 can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger 7.

The outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the first indoor heat exchanger 2 are connected in parallel to the outlet of the compressor 1, and when the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is reduced or even lost, the system can replace the outdoor heat exchanger 3 with the first heat exchanger 7. Therefore, the first heating mode and the defrosting mode can be executed simultaneously, when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are executed simultaneously, the refrigerant is divided into two paths after passing through the compressor 1, one path of the refrigerant flows to the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the other path of the refrigerant flows to the outdoor heat exchange 3, the two paths of the refrigerant flow to the first expansion device 6 after being converged, and the refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 7 after being throttled and cooled by the first expansion device 6, and absorbs the temperature of the cooling liquid through the first heat exchanger 7, so that the heat utilization rate of the system is improved. When the system works, the heating mode and the defrosting mode are not required to be switched back and forth, and the heating mode of the system is not required to be specially closed to defrost, so that the working efficiency of the system is greatly improved, and the riding experience of passengers is better.

As shown in fig. 2, the refrigerant circuit may further include a valve control device 24, and the valve control device 24 may be a three-way valve. The valve control device 24 is provided with three connecting ports a, b and c, the outlet of the compressor 1 is connected with the port b of the valve control device 24, the first end 2-1 of the first indoor heat exchanger is connected with the port c of the valve control device 24, and the first end 3-1 of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected with the port a of the valve control device 24. In the system, in a first heating mode, the port b and the port c of the valve control device 24 are communicated, the first indoor heat exchanger 2 is communicated with the compressor 1 through the valve control device 24, in a defrosting mode, the port b and the port a of the valve control device 24 are communicated, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is communicated with the compressor 1 through the valve control device 24.

In some embodiments, the valve control means 24 may comprise a first valve 4 and a second valve 5, and two parallel branches connected at the outlet of the compressor 1, the first valve 4 and the second valve 5 being both conduction valves. The first valve 4 and the second valve 5 are respectively connected to two branches, so that the first valve 4 is connected between the first end 2-1 of the first indoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the compressor 1, and the second valve 5 is connected between the first end 3-1 of the outdoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the compressor 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the thick line indicates the flow path of the refrigerant, the thin solid line indicates the flow path of the coolant, and in the first heating mode: the second valve 5 is closed and then is not conducted, the first valve 4 is opened and then is in a conducting state, and the compressor 1, the first valve 4, the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the first expansion device 6 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop. The first heat exchanger 7 and the first heat exchange assembly 8 are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly 8 can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger 7. For example, when an automobile is heated in a low-temperature environment in winter for a long time, the outdoor heat exchanger is easily frosted, the heating performance of the air conditioning system is reduced due to the reduction of the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the situation that the ambient temperature in the automobile compartment cannot be increased or maintained occurs.

Heating principle after frosting of outdoor heat exchanger: the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 enters the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the first indoor heat exchanger 2 is arranged in an air duct of the air conditioning box, at the moment, the first indoor heat exchanger 2 releases heat, and the air passing through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 is heated and blown to the inside of the carriage. The refrigerant enters the first expansion device 6 after the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced, the first expansion device 6 throttles the refrigerant flow path to further reduce the temperature of the refrigerant, the refrigerant is changed into a gas-liquid two-phase state, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 7, the first heat exchanger 7 absorbs heat from the first coolant circuit, that is, the first indoor heat exchanger 2 is used as a condenser in this mode, the first heat exchanger 7 is used as an evaporator, the refrigerant flows to the gas-liquid separator 10 after flowing out of the first heat exchanger 7, is subjected to gas-liquid separation in the gas-liquid separator 10, and the gas refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 again to be compressed, and the cycle is repeated.

As shown in fig. 4, the thick line is a flow path of the refrigerant, the thin solid line is a flow path of the coolant, and in the defrosting mode: the first valve 4 is closed, and the compressor 1, the second valve 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the first expansion device 6 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop. The first heat exchanger 7 and the first heat exchange assembly 8 are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly 8 can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger 7. For example, when it is not necessary to maintain or raise the ambient temperature in the cabin of the automobile, the system may switch to the defrost mode to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger 3, restoring its heat exchange capacity.

The defrosting principle is as follows: the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 enters the outdoor heat exchanger 3, releases heat to the environment where the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is located, so that ice or frost covering the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is melted, the refrigerant enters the first expansion device 6 after the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced, the first expansion device 6 throttles a refrigerant flow path, the temperature of the refrigerant is further reduced, the refrigerant is changed into a gas-liquid two-phase state, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 7, the first heat exchanger 7 absorbs heat from the first cooling liquid loop, namely, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is used as a condenser in the mode, the refrigerant flows out of the first heat exchanger 7 and flows to the gas-liquid separator 10, is subjected to gas-liquid separation in the gas-liquid separator 10, and returns to the compressor 1 again to be compressed, and the cycle is. Under the defrosting mode, can use the evaporimeter in the middle of the first heat exchanger 7, consequently need not additionally to use the heat exchanger that sets up in the air-conditioning box and use as the evaporimeter to in the cabin is sent into to the cooling back when making the air process this heat exchanger, blow cold wind in the cabin, thereby reduced passenger's the experience of taking and environmental comfort.

The heat management system of this application can switch according to actual demand, can be earlier to the defrosting of outdoor heat exchanger 3, also can not defrost earlier, but adjust the indoor ambient temperature of car cabin earlier, perhaps all open first valve 4 and second valve 5 and be in the on-state, the defrosting mode with first mode of heating carries out simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the system of the present application may further comprise a second coolant loop comprising a second heat exchange assembly 12, and a second heat exchanger 11 connected between the refrigerant loop and the second coolant loop. The refrigerant circuit further includes a second expansion device 14 having a second end 14-2 connected to the first end 11-1 of the second heat exchanger. In the first heating mode or the defrosting mode, the second heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchange assembly 12 are communicated to form a loop, heat of the second heat exchange assembly 12 can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers heat to the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger 12. The second cooling liquid circuit may further comprise a driving device 13, such as a pump, for flowing the cooling liquid of the second cooling liquid circuit.

As shown in fig. 5, the second end 11-2 of the second heat exchanger is connected to the first end 7-1 of the first heat exchanger, the second end 3-2 of the outdoor heat exchanger and the second end 2-2 of the first indoor heat exchanger are both connected to the first end 14-1 of the second expansion device, and the first expansion device 6 and the second expansion device 14 are arranged in parallel.

In the first heating mode, the refrigerant passes through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 and then is divided into two paths, one path flows to the first expansion device 6, the other path flows to the second expansion device 14, part of the refrigerant is throttled and cooled by the second expansion device 14, and the refrigerant is changed into a gas-liquid two-phase state. The refrigerant passes through the second heat exchanger 11 to absorb heat of the cooling liquid in the second cooling liquid loop, the refrigerant and another part of refrigerant (the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state after being throttled by the first expansion device 6) are merged and then enter the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant absorbs heat of the cooling liquid in the first cooling liquid loop in the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant passes through the gas-liquid separator 10 to be subjected to gas-liquid separation, and then returns to the compressor 1 to be compressed again, and the cycle is repeated. The system improves the heating capacity of the system by recycling the redundant heat of the first heat exchange assembly 8 and the second heat exchange assembly 12.

In the defrosting mode, the refrigerant is divided into two paths after passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3, one path flows to the first expansion device 6, the other path flows to the second expansion device 14, part of the refrigerant is throttled and cooled by the second expansion device 14, the refrigerant is changed into a gas-liquid two-phase state, the refrigerant passes through the second heat exchanger 11 to absorb the heat of the cooling liquid in the second cooling liquid loop, the part of the refrigerant is converged with the other part of the refrigerant (the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state after being throttled by the first expansion device 6) and then enters the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant absorbs the heat of the cooling liquid in the first cooling liquid loop in the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant passes through the gas-liquid separator 10 to be subjected to gas-liquid separation and then returns to the compressor 1 to be compressed again. It is understood that, when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are simultaneously performed, the refrigerant is divided into two paths after passing through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

In some embodiments, since one of the refrigerants needs to pass through the second expansion device 14 and the second heat exchanger 11 after passing through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 and/or the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the flow resistance of the refrigerant is greater than that of the other refrigerant flowing to the first expansion device 6, and more refrigerant flows to the first expansion device 6, the first expansion device 6 may also be adjusted to have a smaller opening degree and a larger resistance, even the first expansion device 6 is directly closed, and the refrigerant directly flows to the second expansion device 14 after passing through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 or the outdoor heat exchanger 3, at this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 (or the first indoor heat exchanger 2), the second heat exchanger 11, and the first heat exchanger 7 are arranged in series. In this way, the degree of heat recovery of the second heat exchange assembly 12 can be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the first expansion device 6 and the second expansion device 14, for example, the second heat exchange assembly 12 needs to retain a certain amount of heat to maintain its operation.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the second end 11-2 of the second heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the gas-liquid separation 10, the flow resistance of the refrigerant flowing to the first expansion device 6 and the second expansion device 14 after passing through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 and/or the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is relatively small, the refrigerant distribution is relatively uniform, at this time, the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 11 are arranged in parallel, and the heat recovery of the first heat exchange assembly 8 and the second heat exchange assembly 12 can be controlled by adjusting the first expansion device 6 and the second expansion device 14 respectively.

It should be noted that the first heat exchange assembly 8 may include a motor and an inverter, and the second heat exchange assembly 12 may be a battery or other devices capable of generating excess heat. Waste heat generated by the motor, the inverter and the battery is transferred to the cooling liquid, the temperature of the cooling liquid is raised, and the high-temperature cooling liquid exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger. The cooling liquid reaches the motor after flowing out of the first heat exchanger 7 and takes away the residual heat of the motor to carry out heat protection on the motor, and the heat flowing through the inverter and taking away the heat of the inverter ensures the safe and reliable operation of the inverter. The first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 11 may be heat exchangers having two flow paths for the refrigerant and the coolant, respectively. The cooling fluid may be a mixture of water and ethanol. The first expansion device 6 and the second expansion device 14 may be electronic expansion valves, and are used for throttling and cooling the refrigerant. In some embodiments, the thermal management system may not be provided with the gas-liquid separator 10, the gas-liquid separator 10 may be replaced by a liquid storage tank disposed inside the compressor 1, or the gas-liquid separator is not required when the state after the refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchanger 7 is a gaseous state. The refrigerant may be carbon dioxide or the like.

In some embodiments, the first expansion device 6 and the second expansion device 14 may not be arranged in parallel. As shown in fig. 7, the first end 14-1 of the second expansion device is connected to the second end 6-2 of the first expansion device, and the refrigerant passes through the second end 6-2 of the first expansion device and then is divided into two paths, one path directly flows to the first heat exchanger 7, and the other path flows to the second expansion device 14.

In the first heating mode, the refrigerant releases heat to heat the air after passing through the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the cooled refrigerant is throttled and cooled by the first expansion device 6 and then divided into two paths, wherein one path of refrigerant flows to the second expansion device 14, part of refrigerant is throttled and cooled by the second expansion device 14 and flows to the second heat exchanger 11 to absorb the heat of the cooling liquid in the second cooling liquid loop, then the refrigerant is converged with the other path of refrigerant and then enters the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant absorbs the heat of the cooling liquid in the first cooling liquid loop in the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant passes through the gas-liquid separator 10 to be subjected to gas-liquid separation and then returns to the compressor 1 to be compressed again, and the cycle is carried out.

In the defrosting mode, the refrigerant releases heat after passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is defrosted, after throttling and cooling by the first expansion device 6, part of the refrigerant flows to the second expansion device 14, the part of the refrigerant is throttled and cooled by the second expansion device 14, passes through the second heat exchanger 11 to absorb heat of the coolant in the second coolant circuit, the part of the refrigerant and the other part of the refrigerant are converged and then enter the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant absorbs heat of the coolant in the first coolant circuit in the first heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant passes through the gas-liquid separator 10 to be subjected to gas-liquid separation and then returns to the compressor 1 to be compressed again, and the cycle is repeated. It is understood that, when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are simultaneously performed, the refrigerants respectively flow through the first indoor heat exchanger 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and then are merged to the first expansion device 6.

It should be noted that, as shown in fig. 7, the refrigerant may be divided into two paths after passing through the first expansion device 6, wherein one path of the refrigerant needs to pass through the second expansion device 14 and the second heat exchanger 11, and the flow resistance of this path of the refrigerant is greater than the flow resistance of the other path of the refrigerant, so that, in some cases, the second expansion device 14 may be selectively switched to the conduction mode (fully open), so as to adjust the flow resistances of the two paths of the refrigerant, and adjust the amount of the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 11.

In other embodiments, as shown in fig. 8, the second end 11-2 of the second heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the gas-liquid separator 10, the refrigerant can be divided into two paths after passing through the first expansion device 6, the flow resistance difference between the two paths of refrigerant is relatively small, and at this time, the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 11 are arranged in parallel. The first expansion device 6 may also reduce the temperature of the refrigerant before it enters the second expansion device 14, and the temperature of the refrigerant may be reduced again after throttling through the second expansion device 14. In addition, the degree of heat recovery of the first heat exchange assembly 8 and the second heat exchange assembly 12 can also be controlled by adjusting the opening degree of the second expansion device 14.

The thermal management system of the present application may further comprise a third expansion device 15, a third valve 16 and a fourth valve 23, the first end 15-1 of the third expansion device being connected to the second end 2-2 of the first indoor heat exchanger, the second end 15-2 of the third expansion device being connected to the second end 3-2 of the outdoor heat exchanger, the third valve 16 being connected between the first end 3-1 of the outdoor heat exchanger and the first end 7-1 of the first heat exchanger. The first end 23-1 of the fourth valve is connected to the second end 3-2 of the outdoor heat exchanger, the second end 2-2 of the first indoor heat exchanger and the first end 6-1 of the first expansion device are both connected to the second end 23-2 of the fourth valve, the fourth valve 23 may be a one-way valve, and the flow direction is from the first end 23-1 of the fourth valve to the second end 23-2 of the fourth valve, and the flow direction is reverse and cannot flow. Alternatively, the fourth valve 23 may be a two-way control valve, which is open and can be in both directions.

The heat management system may further include a second heating mode, where the second heating mode is a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 3 has heat exchange capability or has relatively strong heat exchange capability. The second heating mode can also be used for recovering the redundant heat generated by the first heat exchange assembly 8 and the second heat exchange assembly 12 through the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 11 respectively. As shown in fig. 9, the thick line indicates the flow path of the refrigerant, the thin solid line indicates the flow path of the coolant, and in the second heating mode: the second valve 5 is closed, the first valve 4 is open, the fourth valve 23 is open: the first expansion device 6 is closed, the third expansion device 15 is opened, and the compressor 1, the first valve 4, the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the third expansion device 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the third valve 16 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop; and the compressor 1, the first valve 4, the first indoor heat exchanger 2, the second expansion device 14, the second heat exchanger 11 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop.

That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is divided into two paths after releasing heat to the air by the first indoor heat exchanger 2. The first path is as follows: the refrigerant flows toward the third expansion device 15, is throttled by the third expansion device 15, and then becomes a refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 3, and absorbs heat of the external environment through the outdoor heat exchanger 3. As the second valve 5 is disconnected, the third valve 16 is opened and this portion of the refrigerant flows through the third valve 16 to the first heat exchanger 7. And a second path: the refrigerant flows to the second expansion device 14, is throttled and cooled by the second expansion device 14, and then becomes a low-temperature refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and the low-temperature refrigerant enters the second heat exchanger 11, absorbs heat of the relatively high-temperature coolant in the second coolant circuit through the heat exchanger 11, and then flows to the first heat exchanger 7. Finally, the two refrigerant paths converge and flow to the first heat exchanger 7.

In some examples, as shown in fig. 10, the thick line is a flow path of the refrigerant, and the thin solid line is a flow path of the cooling liquid, and the second end 11-2 of the second heat exchanger may also be connected to the inlet of the gas-liquid separator 10 in the second heating mode.

In some embodiments, the second cooling liquid loop further includes a heater 22, in a heating mode or a defrosting mode, when the second heat exchange assembly 12 cannot generate excessive heat or generates less heat, for example, the second heat exchange assembly 12 is a battery, when the automobile is just started, the temperature of the battery is low, the heater may be turned on, the heater 22, the second heat exchanger 11, and the second heat exchange assembly 12 are communicated to form a loop, the heater 22 heats the cooling liquid, the cooling liquid transfers heat to the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger 11, and meanwhile, the normal operating temperature of the battery may be ensured. The heater 22 may be an electric heater or a PTC heater. When the heat of the battery is insufficient and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 frosts, the heater 22 can continuously supply heat to the cabin.

As shown in fig. 11, the thermal management system of the present application further includes a fourth expansion device 18, a second indoor heat exchanger 19, a fifth expansion device 20, and a third indoor heat exchanger 21. The second indoor heat exchanger 19 and the third indoor heat exchanger 21 are both installed in an air duct of the vehicle air conditioning box, and the air flows through the third indoor heat exchanger 21 and then passes through the second indoor heat exchanger 19. A first end 18-1 of the fourth expansion device is connected to the second end 3-2 of the outdoor heat exchanger, a second end 18-2 of the fourth expansion device is connected to the first end 19-1 of the second indoor heat exchanger, the second end 19-2 of the second indoor heat exchanger is connected to the first heat exchanger 7, a first end 20-1 of the fifth expansion device is connected to the second end 3-2 of the outdoor heat exchanger, a second end 20-2 of the fifth expansion device is connected to the first end 21-1 of the third indoor heat exchanger, and a second end 21-2 of the third indoor heat exchanger is connected to the first end 7-1 of the first heat exchanger.

The system further comprises a refrigeration mode, under the high-temperature environment in summer, the system can be switched to the refrigeration mode, under the refrigeration mode, the second valve 5 is opened, the first valve 4 is closed, the third valve 16, the first expansion device 6 and the third expansion device 15 are all closed, and the compressor 1, the second valve 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the fourth expansion device 18, the second indoor heat exchanger 19 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop; and the compressor 1, the second valve 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the fifth expansion device 20, the third indoor heat exchanger 21 and the first heat exchanger 7 are communicated to form a loop.

Working principle in the refrigeration mode: the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 to release heat to the external environment, the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced, and the refrigerant is divided into two paths after passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The first path is as follows: the refrigerant flows to the second expansion device 14, is throttled and cooled by the second expansion device 14, and then becomes a low-temperature refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, the low-temperature refrigerant enters the second heat exchanger 11, absorbs heat of the relatively high-temperature coolant in the second coolant circuit through the heat exchanger 11, and then flows to the first heat exchanger 7. This way refrigerant makes the temperature of coolant liquid reduce, and the coolant liquid after the cooling returns to second heat exchange assembly 12, absorbs the unnecessary heat that second heat exchange assembly 12 produced, for example, second heat exchange assembly 12 includes the battery, and the unnecessary heat that the battery produced is absorbed by the coolant liquid that the temperature is lower relatively, and the temperature of battery self reduces to reach the purpose of cooling the battery. And a second path: the refrigerant flows to the fourth expansion device 18, is throttled and cooled by the fourth expansion device 18, is changed into a low-temperature refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, flows to the second indoor heat exchanger 19, absorbs heat of air through the second indoor heat exchanger 19, reduces the temperature of the air entering the passenger compartment, and finally flows to the first heat exchanger 7. And a third path: the refrigerant flows to the fifth expansion device 20, is throttled and cooled by the fifth expansion device 20, and then becomes a refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state, enters the third indoor heat exchanger 21, absorbs heat of humid air through the third indoor heat exchanger 21, and reduces the temperature of the humid air, after the humid air is cooled, the water vapor is condensed and discharged, the dry air flows to the second indoor heat exchanger 19 to be cooled again, and the refrigerant flows to the first heat exchanger 7 through the third indoor heat exchanger 21. And finally, the three paths of refrigerants are converged and then enter the first heat exchanger 7, and the refrigerants absorb the heat of the cooling liquid of the first cooling liquid loop through the first heat exchanger 7.

In other embodiments, when the battery is not required to be cooled, the second expansion device 14 is disconnected and the first refrigerant may not be circulated. When dehumidification of the air is not required, the fifth expansion device 20 may not be turned on and the air passes not through the third indoor heat exchanger 21 but directly through the second indoor heat exchanger 19. In addition, an air duct of the vehicle air conditioning box may be provided, so that the air passes through the third indoor heat exchanger 21 and then passes through the second indoor heat exchanger 19 to become air, and passes through the second indoor heat exchanger 19 and the third indoor heat exchanger 21 simultaneously. After the three paths of refrigerant are merged, the refrigerant does not flow to the first heat exchanger 7, and the refrigerant directly flows to the gas-liquid separator 10 or returns to the compressor 1.

The heat management system improves the heating capacity of the system by connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the first heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 11 in series or in parallel, and is favorable for improving the cruising mileage of the battery. In the defrosting mode, the frost layer on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is removed by utilizing the waste heat of the motor, and the refrigerant does not pass through the indoor heat exchanger to avoid blowing cold air at the indoor side.

Although the present application has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the application, and all changes, substitutions and alterations that fall within the spirit and scope of the application are to be understood as being covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A thermal management system, comprising: the refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor (1), a first indoor heat exchanger (2), an outdoor heat exchanger (3) and a first expansion device (6), the first cooling liquid circuit comprises a first heat exchange assembly (8), a first end (2-1) of the first indoor heat exchanger and a first end (3-1) of the outdoor heat exchanger are connected with an outlet of the compressor (1), a second end (2-2) of the first indoor heat exchanger and a second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger are connected with a first end (6-1) of the first expansion device, a second end (6-2) of the first expansion device is connected with the first end (7-1) of the first heat exchanger, and a second end (7-2) of the first heat exchanger is connected with an inlet of the compressor (1), the system includes a first heating mode and a defrost mode;

in the first heating mode: the compressor (1), the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the first expansion device (6) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger (7) is communicated with the first heat exchange assembly (8) to form a loop, the heat of the first heat exchange assembly (8) can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger (7);

in the defrost mode: the compressor (1), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the first expansion device (6) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop; the first heat exchanger (7) is communicated with the first heat exchange assembly (8) to form a loop, the heat of the first heat exchange assembly (8) can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger (7);

the first heating mode and the defrosting mode can be executed simultaneously, when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are executed simultaneously, the refrigerant is divided into two paths after passing through the compressor (1), one path of the refrigerant flows to the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the other path of the refrigerant flows to the outdoor heat exchanger (3), and the two paths of the refrigerant flow to the first expansion device (6) after being converged.

2. A thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that said refrigerant circuit further comprises a valve control means (24), said outlet of said compressor (1) being connected to said valve control means (24), said first end (2-1) of said first indoor heat exchanger and said first end (3-1) of said outdoor heat exchanger being connected to said valve control means (24), said system being characterized in that in a first heating mode said first indoor heat exchanger (2) is in communication with said compressor (1) via said valve control means (24), said system being characterized in that in a defrosting mode said outdoor heat exchanger (3) is in communication with said compressor (1) via said valve control means (24), and in that in the first heating mode and in the defrosting mode, the refrigerant is divided into two paths via said valve control means (24) after passing through said compressor (1) when said first heating mode and said defrosting mode are performed simultaneously.

3. A thermal management system according to claim 2, characterized in that said valve control means (24) comprises a first valve (4) and a second valve (5), said first valve (4) being connected between the first end (2-1) of said first indoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the compressor (1), said second valve (5) being connected between the first end (3-1) of said outdoor heat exchanger and the outlet of the compressor (1);

in the first heating mode: the second valve (5) is closed, and the compressor (1), the first valve (4), the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the first expansion device (6) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop;

in the defrost mode: the first valve (4) is closed, and the compressor (1), the second valve (5), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the first expansion device (6) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop;

when the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are simultaneously performed, both the first valve (4) and the second valve (5) are opened.

4. A thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising a second coolant circuit and a second heat exchanger (11) connected between the refrigerant circuit and the second coolant circuit, the second coolant circuit comprising a second heat exchange assembly (12), the refrigerant circuit further comprising a second expansion device (14), a second end (14-2) of the second expansion device being connected to a first end (11-1) of the second heat exchanger, a second end (11-2) of the second heat exchanger being connected to a first end (7-1) of the first heat exchanger or to an inlet of the compressor (1),

the second end (2-2) of the first indoor heat exchanger and the second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger are both connected with the first end (14-1) of a second expansion device, and a first expansion device (6) and the second expansion device (14) are arranged in parallel; or the first end (14-1) of the second expansion device is connected with the second end (6-2) of the first expansion device;

when the first heating mode or the defrosting mode or the first heating mode and the defrosting mode are simultaneously executed, at least one of the first expansion device (6) and the second expansion device (14) is opened, the second heat exchanger (11) and the second heat exchange assembly (12) are communicated to form a loop, the heat of the second heat exchange assembly (12) can be transferred to the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to the refrigerant through the second heat exchanger (11).

5. A thermal management system according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a third expansion device (15) and a third valve (16), the first end (15-1) of the third expansion device being connected to the second end (2-2) of the first indoor heat exchanger, the second end (15-2) of the third expansion device being connected to the second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger, the third valve (16) being connected between the first end (3-1) of the outdoor heat exchanger and the first end (7-1) of the first heat exchanger, the system further comprising a second heating mode in which:

the first expansion device (6) is closed, the third expansion device (15) is opened, and the compressor (1), the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the third expansion device (15), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the third valve (16) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop;

the first heat exchanger (7) and the first heat exchange assembly (8) are communicated to form a loop, heat of the first heat exchange assembly (8) can be transferred to cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid transfers the heat to a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger (7).

6. A thermal management system according to any of claims 1 to 4, comprising a third expansion device (15) and a third valve (16), the first end (15-1) of the third expansion device being connected to the second end (2-2) of the first indoor heat exchanger, the second end (15-2) of the third expansion device being connected to the second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger, the third valve (16) being connected between the first end (3-1) of the outdoor heat exchanger and the inlet of the compressor (1), the system further comprising a second heating mode in which:

the first expansion device (6) is closed, the third expansion device (15) is opened, and the compressor (1), the first indoor heat exchanger (2), the third expansion device (15), the outdoor heat exchanger (3) and the third valve (16) are communicated to form a loop;

7. A thermal management system according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a fourth expansion device (18) and a second indoor heat exchanger (19), the first end (18-1) of the fourth expansion device being connected to the second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger, the second end (18-2) of the fourth expansion device being connected to the first end (19-1) of the second indoor heat exchanger, the second end (19-2) of the second indoor heat exchanger being connected to the first heat exchanger (7) or to an inlet of the compressor (1), the system further comprising a cooling mode in which:

the first expansion device (6) is closed, and the compressor (1), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the fourth expansion device (18), the second indoor heat exchanger (19) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop, or the compressor (1), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the fourth expansion device (18) and the second indoor heat exchanger (19) are communicated to form a loop.

8. A thermal management system according to claim 7, further comprising a fifth expansion device (20) and a third indoor heat exchanger (21), a first end (20-1) of the fifth expansion device being connected to the second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger, a second end (20-2) of the fifth expansion device being connected to the first end (21-1) of the third indoor heat exchanger, and a second end (21-2) of the third indoor heat exchanger being connected to the first end (7-1) of the first heat exchanger or to the inlet (1) of the compressor, wherein in the cooling mode:

the compressor (1), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the fifth expansion device (20), the third indoor heat exchanger (21) and the first heat exchanger (7) are communicated to form a loop, or the compressor (1), the outdoor heat exchanger (3), the fifth expansion device (20) and the third indoor heat exchanger (21) are communicated to form a loop.

9. A thermal management system according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a fourth valve (23), a first end (23-1) of which is connected to the second end (3-2) of the outdoor heat exchanger, and wherein the second end (2-2) of the first indoor heat exchanger and the first end (6-1) of the first expansion device are both connected to the second end (23-2) of the fourth valve.

10. A thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that the first coolant circuit or/and the second coolant circuit further comprises a heater (22) for heating the coolant.