DE102018217298A1 - Battery thermal management system for hybrid and all-electric vehicles using a heating condenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery thermal management system comprising a battery pack, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the battery pack, a pump interposed between the heat exchanger and the battery pack for flowing a heat exchange fluid in a refrigeration cycle between a heat exchanger and the battery pack, includes. A heating condenser is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit downstream of the battery pack and with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit. A valve is arranged in the cooling circuit with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit upstream of the heating condenser. The valve controls at least a portion of the flow of the heat exchange fluid through the heating condenser and / or the heat exchanger.

Description

Cross reference to related applications

This patent application claims the benefit of the provisional US Patent Application No. 62 / 571,564 , filed October 12, 2017. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

Area of Expertise

The present invention relates to a battery thermal management system, and more particularly to a thermal management system for a hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle, the thermal management system including a heating condenser.

background

Hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles use motors to power the vehicle. The battery is configured to store an electrical charge that may also be used to operate other vehicle components. In hybrid electric vehicles, where the vehicle is powered by a battery-powered engine, the need to operate an internal combustion engine is reduced. A reduced startup of the internal combustion engine increases the fuel economy of the vehicle, which is desirable.

Efficient use of the battery is desirable and maximizes the distance that the vehicle can be powered by the engine. It is desirable to maintain the battery within a predetermined temperature range to achieve optimum battery performance and efficiency. This can be achieved by a cooling system. Three main technologies are typically used to represent such a cooling system: air cooling, air conditioning refrigerant cooling, or liquid cooling.

Currently, most battery cooling systems use a coolant as a cooling device. Heat energy removed from the battery is typically diffused immediately through the vehicle's main radiator to the surrounding environment. As an example shows 1 a battery cooling system of the prior art. 1 shows a battery thermal management system 1 according to the prior art. The battery thermal management system 1 includes a battery pack 2 , a cooler or heat exchanger 3 and a pump 4 connected by a cooling circuit 5 , The coolant is pumped 4 through a cooling circuit 5 circulates to heat from the battery pack 2 to the coolant and from the coolant to the radiator 3 leave. Air comes with a blower 6 through the radiator 3 directed. The heat attached to the radiator 3 is discharged, is discharged to the air, which is blown through the radiator, and scattered by the air.

However, it requires an uneven heat load of the cooling circuit 5 of the battery pack 2 an oversized cooler 3 , an oversized blower 6 , and an oversized pump 4 to the heat load at a maximum heat generation of the battery pack 2 counteract. Due to this oversizing of the blower and the pump 4 , is the energy consumption by the blower 6 and the pump 4 higher than necessary, with the result that the vehicle is less efficient.

Consequently, it is desirable to have a battery thermal management system that includes a heating condenser, thereby minimizing thermal load peaks of the radiator and thus minimizing the size of the radiator.

SUMMARY

In accordance with and consistent with the present invention, a battery thermal management system incorporating a thermal condenser has surprisingly been discovered, thereby minimizing thermal peak loads on the radiator and minimizing the size of the radiator.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a battery thermal management system includes a battery pack, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the battery pack, a pump disposed between the heat exchanger and the battery pack to allow a heat exchange fluid in a refrigeration cycle between the heat exchanger and the battery pack flows. A heating condenser is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit downstream of the battery pack and in the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit. A valve is arranged in the cooling circuit in the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid (coolant) upstream of the heating condenser. The valve controls at least a portion of the coolant flow through the heating condenser and / or the heat exchanger.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a battery thermal management system includes a refrigeration cycle that promotes a heat exchange fluid. The refrigeration cycle includes a battery pack, a heat exchanger, a valve, a heating condenser and a pump in fluid communication with each other. The heating condenser is upstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit and downstream of the battery pack and the valve. A bypass circuit extends from the valve to a branch point halfway between the heating condenser and the heat exchanger, the bypass circuit bypassing the heating condenser.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a battery thermal management system includes a refrigeration cycle that promotes a heat exchange fluid. The refrigeration cycle includes a battery pack, a heat exchanger, a valve and a pump in fluid communication with each other. The valve is located upstream of the heat exchanger and downstream of the battery pack with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit. A second circuit extends from the valve and back to the valve. The second circuit comprises a heating condenser.

list of figures

• 1 ein schematisches Kreislaufdiagram eines Batterie-Wärmemanagement-Systems, gemäß dem Stand der Technik ist;
• 2 ein schematisches Kreislaufdiagram eines Batterie-Wärmemanagement-Systems, gemäß einer Ausführung der Erfindung ist;
• 3 ein schematisches Kreislaufdiagram eines Batterie-Wärmemanagement-Systems darstellt, gemäß einer weiteren Ausführung der Erfindung ist, wobei ein Heizkondensator umgangen und nicht verwendet wird; und
• 4 ein schematisches Kreislaufdiagram eines Batterie-Wärmemanagement-Systems wie in 3 ist, wobei der Heizkondensator nicht umgegangen wird und in Gebrauch ist.

The above objects and advantages of the invention, as well as others, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery thermal management system, according to the prior art;
• 2 FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a battery thermal management system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG.
• 3 Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a battery thermal management system according to another embodiment of the invention wherein a heating condenser is bypassed and not used; and
• 4 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery thermal management system as in 3 is, wherein the heating capacitor is not handled and is in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and attached drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The descriptions and drawings are intended to enable those skilled in the art to make use of the invention and are not intended to limit the idea of the invention in any way.

2 shows a battery thermal management system 10 a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The battery thermal management system 10 includes a battery pack 12 , a cooler or heat exchanger 13 , a pump 14 , a heating condenser 17 , a valve 18 connected by a cooling circuit 100 , The cooling circuit 100 includes a heat exchange fluid flowing therethrough. For example, the heat exchange fluid is a coolant. However, it is believed that the heat exchange fluid may be any heat exchange fluid, such as a refrigerant or water, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The battery pack 12 may include one battery or a plurality of batteries. The battery pack 12 is as a rechargeable battery or a plurality of rechargeable batteries (see 3-4 ), which provides electrical power to an engine (not shown) of a vehicle to drive the vehicle. The battery pack 12 also operates other system components (not shown) within the vehicle with electrical energy, such as lights, instruments and other control systems. It is believed that any type of battery may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The battery pack 12 typically includes a housing (not shown) that encloses the battery or the plurality of batteries. The cooling circuit 100 stands by heat exchange with the battery pack 12 in contact to heat from the battery pack 12 to the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit 100 transferred to. The heat exchange fluid circulates through the cooling circuit 100 by means of a pump 14 , The flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit 100 is indicated by arrows.

The valve 18 is downstream of the battery pack with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid 12 , and arranged in the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid upstream of the heating capacitor 17. The valve 18 controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid through the heating condenser 17 and a Baypass loop 102 , The valve 18 optionally opens and closes the flow of heat exchange fluid through the bypass loop 102 , Within the first operating mode 20 the vehicle opens the valve 18 the flow of heat exchange fluid through the bypass loop 102 and directs the flow of the heat exchange fluid around the heating condenser 17 around. During a second mode of operation of the vehicle, such as during an operation in which the load on the battery is high or in the non-uniform heat peaks through the battery pack 12 be generated closes the valve 18 the flow of heat exchange fluid through the bypass loop 102 and allows the heat exchange fluid the heating condenser 17 to flow through. In another example, it is assumed that within a third operating mode the valve 18 the flow of heat exchange fluid through the bypass loop 102 as well as through the heat condenser 17 allows. It is assumed that the valve 18 any Valve type may be, for example, a three-way valve or a four-way valve. A controller, solenoid, or actuator (not shown) is configured to position the valve 18 can be adjusted to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid between the heating capacitor 17 and the bypass loop 102 to control.

The bypass loop 102 leaves the cooling circuit 100 at the valve 18 and returns to the cooling circuit 100 at the branch point 104 back, which with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the radiator 13 downstream of the heating condenser 17 is arranged. It is assumed that the bypass loop 102 the cooling circuit 100 as needed, elsewhere in the cooling circuit 100 leave and be able to return to this to the heating condenser 17 to get around.

The heating condenser 17 includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat exchange fluid and a phase change material (PCM). It is believed that the heat exchanger can be any type of heat exchanger as needed. The phase change material is typically a high melting enthalpy substance, where melting and solidification at a particular temperature enables the storage and release of large amounts of heat energy. Heat energy is absorbed when the material changes from solid to liquid or when the material changes from solid to liquid. It is believed that the PCM may be any PCM, such as an organic PCM, an inorganic PCM, a eutetic material, a hygroscopic material, a solid-solid PCM material, or another PCM type, as needed, without to deviate from the idea of the invention. In one version, the PCM is in the heat exchanger of the heat condenser 17 hermetically sealed and is in heat transfer exchange with the coolant.

The cooler 13 is with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit 100 downstream of the heating condenser 17 arranged. Air is passed through the radiator by means of a fan 13 directed. The air is in heat transfer communication with the heat exchange fluid in the radiator 13 to extract heat from the heat exchange fluid and heat from the battery thermal management system 10 dissipate.

In the embodiment shown, the pump is 14 with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit 100 downstream of the radiator 13 arranged. The pump 14 is with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit 100 upstream of the battery pack 12 arranged. Any pumps may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The pump 14 causes the heat exchange fluid through the cooling circuit 100 , the battery pack 12 , the valve 18 , the heating condenser 17 or the bypass loop 102 , the branch point 104 and the radiator 13 to stream.

In operation, the heat exchange fluid circulates in the battery pack 12 to remove the heat from there. The heat from the battery pack 12 is withdrawn, is transferred to the heat exchange fluid and flows with the heat exchange fluid in the valve 18 , If the valve 18 to the heating condenser 17 is opened, the heat exchange fluid flows into the heating condenser 17 where a subset or all the heat from the battery pack 12 was transferred to the heat exchange fluid, on the PCM in the heating condenser 17 is transmitted. The heat exchange fluid flows to the radiator 13 where the heat from the battery pack 12 was transferred to the heat exchange fluid, but not to the PCM in the heating condenser 17 from which heat exchange fluid is transferred to the air blowing through the radiator. The heat that has been transferred to the air is then dissipated and the battery thermal management system 10 withdrawn. Conversely, if the valve to the bypass loop 102 is opened, the heat exchange fluid flows through the bypass loop 102 to the radiator 13 without the heating capacitor 17 to stream. On the radiator 13 , the heat from the battery pack 12 is transferred to the heat exchange fluid and is then transferred from the heat exchange fluid into the air passing through the radiator 13 blown, transferred. The heat flowing to the air passing through the radiator 13 blows, transfers, is discharged and the battery thermal management system 10 withdrawn. As mentioned above, it can also be assumed that the valve 18 is positioned so that the heat exchange fluid is made possible by the heating condenser 17 and the bypass loop 102 to stream, if necessary.

3 and 4 show a modified thermal management system that the valve 18 used, which is configured as a four-way valve and where the bypass loop 102 eliminated. The thermal management system 100 in 3 and 4 , is basically similar to the thermal management system 100 in 2 , Therefore, the reference numbers that were used to identify the components of the thermal management system 2 depict and describe used around the same or similar components of the thermal management system 100 in 3-4 depict and describe. According to this configuration, the valve is 18 with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit 100 upstream from the battery pack 12 and downstream of the radiator 13 arranged. The heating condenser 17 is in one second cycle 106 arranged, extending from the outlet 20 of the valve 18 extends for the second circuit and at an inlet 22 of the valve 18 for the second circuit to the valve 18 returns. During the second vehicle operation, such as during operation in which the load on the battery is high or non-uniform peaks in the heat generation by the battery pack 12 arise, the heat exchange fluid through the valve 18 flow through the inlet 26 for the cooling circuit, through the valve 18 and in the heating condenser 17 , from the heating condenser 17 and back to the valve 18 and from the valve 18 to the radiator 13 (as indicated by dotted lines in 4 shown). During the first vehicle operation in which it is desired that the flow is directly into the radiator 13 goes and not from the valve through the heating condenser 17 , the valve becomes 18 adjusted so that it only to the radiator 13 is open (as indicated by dotted lines in 3 shown). In the first operation, the heat exchange fluid flows through the valve 18 through the inlet 26 for the cooling circuit and through an outlet 24 for the cooling circuit directly into the cooler 13 ,

By using the battery thermal management system 10 As described above, the heat passing through the battery pack 12 is generated in the cooler 13 immediately dissipated, in that the heating condenser 17 is bypassed. Any non-uniform peaks in heat generation by the battery pack 12 , can in the PCM of the heating condenser 17 be dammed in which the position of the valve 18 is changed, so that the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heating condenser 17 slides. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by sensing a temperature rise of the heat exchange fluid and controlling the valve 18 reaches, which the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heating condenser 17 allowed. The excess heat in the heat exchange fluid is applied to the PCM of the heating condenser 17 transferred and acts to overheat the radiator 13 opposite. When the heat load on the battery thermal management system decreases to a predetermined desired level, the accumulated heat in the PCM of the heating condenser becomes 17 released and transferred back to the heat exchange fluid, which then from the heating condenser 17 in the cooler 13 flows. In the cooler 13 The heat from the heat exchange fluid is transferred to the air flowing through the radiator 13 is discharged, transmitted and discharged and the battery thermal management system 10 withdrawn.

Accordingly, the heat generated by the battery thermal management system 10 is delivered at a substantially uniform level, which allows a cooler 13 to use, which is smaller in dimension compared to coolers of the prior art. In addition, the battery thermal management system allows 10 the use of a smaller motor for the fan 16 , a smaller pump 14 and a smaller motor for the pump 14 , This reduction in dimensions minimizes the overall pack size of the battery thermal management system 10 , minimizes the electrical energy consumption of the battery thermal management system 10 , minimizes air resistance in the radiator 13 , minimizes the overall weight of the battery thermal management system 10 and maximizes the efficiency of the battery thermal management system 100 , Furthermore, by the use of the cooling circuit 100 for cooling the battery pack 12 the need for a more expensive active air conditioning system avoided.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate the essential features of the invention without departing from its spirit and purpose and making various changes and modifications to the invention to suit various purposes and conditions.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 62571564 [0001]

Claims (20)

A battery thermal management system comprising: a battery pack; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the battery pack; a pump that flows a heat exchange fluid through a cooling circuit between the heat exchanger and the battery pack; a heating condenser, which is arranged downstream of the battery pack with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit and, upstream of the heat exchanger, in the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit; and a valve disposed upstream of the heating condenser with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit, the valve being configured to control at least a portion of the flow of the heat exchange fluid through the heating condenser and / or the heat exchanger. The battery thermal management system after Claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a radiator. The battery thermal management system after Claim 1 or 2 wherein the heating condenser includes a phase change material configured to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid flowing in the heating condenser. The battery thermal management system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bypass loop bypassing the heating condenser. The battery thermal management system after Claim 4 wherein the bypass loop extends from the valve to a branch point located downstream of the heating condenser with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit. The battery thermal management system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchange fluid is a coolant. The battery thermal management system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is a four-way valve. The battery thermal management system off Claim 7 wherein the heating condenser is arranged in a second circuit which extends from the valve and returns to the valve. The battery thermal management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger and downstream of the battery pack with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the refrigeration cycle. The battery thermal management system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is arranged with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit upstream of the battery pack and downstream of the heat exchanger. The battery heat management system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fan directs air through the heat exchanger. A battery thermal management system comprising: a cooling circuit that conveys a heat exchange fluid, the cooling circuit comprising a battery pack, a heat exchanger, a valve, a heating condenser and a pump, which are in fluid communication with each other, wherein the heating condenser with respect to the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit upstream of the heating condenser and downstream of the battery pack and the valve is arranged; and a bypass loop extending from the valve to a branch point between the heating condenser and the heat exchanger, the bypass loop bypassing the heating condenser. The heat management system after Claim 12 wherein the pump is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and upstream of the battery pack with respect to the direction of flow of the heat exchange fluid in the cooling circuit. The heat management system after Claim 12 or 13 wherein the heating condenser includes a phase change material configured to exchange heat between the heat exchange fluid and the phase change material. The heat management system after Claim 12 . 13 or 14 , wherein the heat exchanger is a radiator. The heat management system after Claim 12 . 13 . 14 or 15 wherein the valve selectively opens and closes to direct the heat exchange fluid through the bypass loop and / or the heating condenser. A battery management system comprising: a refrigeration cycle through which a heat exchange fluid flows, the refrigeration cycle comprising a battery pack, a heat exchanger, a valve, and a pump in fluid communication with each other, the valve being responsive to the flow direction of the Heat exchange fluid is disposed in the cooling circuit upstream of the heat exchanger and downstream of the battery pack; and a second circuit extending from the valve and returning to the valve, the second circuit comprising a heating condenser. A thermal management system after Claim 17 wherein the valve optionally allows the heat exchange fluid to flow directly to the heat exchanger or through the second circuit. The heat management system after Claim 17 or 18 , wherein the valve is a four-way valve. A thermal management system after Claim 17 . 18 or 19 wherein the heating condenser comprises a phase change material configured to exchange heat with the heat exchange fluid.

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