KR102819192B1 - Integrated thermal management system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle is introduced, including: a first cooling line which connects a reservoir, an electronic component module, a water-cooling condenser, a first multi-valve, and a first radiator, and in which the electronic component module circulates through the first radiator or the water-cooling condenser depending on the operation of the first multi-valve; and a second cooling line which connects a reservoir, a high-voltage battery, a chiller, a second multi-valve, and a second radiator, and in which the high-voltage battery circulates through the second radiator or the chiller depending on the operation of the second multi-valve.

Description

INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to an economical integrated thermal management system for a vehicle that increases thermal efficiency by preventing mixing of coolant during cooling of an electronic component module and a high-voltage battery, increases the efficiency of a water pump, and simplifies a cooling line.

Recently, the number of registered eco-friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles is increasing due to the policy of expanding the supply of eco-friendly vehicles and the preference for fuel-efficient vehicles. One type of eco-friendly vehicle is an electric vehicle or fuel cell vehicle, which is a vehicle that runs on electric batteries and electric motors without using petroleum fuel and engines. Electric vehicles have a system that rotates the motor with electricity stored in a high-voltage battery and drives the vehicle, so they have the advantages of not emitting harmful substances, making less noise, and being highly energy efficient.

In the case of conventional engine-powered vehicles, the waste heat of the engine is used to operate the heating system in the vehicle, but electric vehicles do not have engines, so they have a system that operates the heater using electricity. Therefore, electric vehicles have the problem of their driving range being greatly reduced when heated.

In addition, battery modules must be used in an optimal temperature environment to maintain optimal performance and long lifespan. However, it is difficult to use them in an optimal temperature environment due to the heat generated during operation and external temperature changes.

To solve these problems, methods to organically combine the air conditioning system and thermal management system of electric vehicles are being actively discussed.

In the case of conventional thermal management circuits, when cooling electronic components or batteries through heat exchange with the outside air, a radiator for electronic components and a radiator for batteries are provided separately. In addition, a heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of refrigerant using waste heat of electronic components and a chiller for cooling the battery are provided separately, or separate lines are provided for each heat exchanger. Therefore, the circuit constituting it is complex, and a large number of heat exchangers, radiators, expansion valves, water pumps, and valves are required, which causes problems of increased weight and cost.

And because of the complexity of these circuits, many individual cooling lines had to be connected to each other, which caused coolant to leak into unnecessary lines and required increased water pump performance.

The matters described as background technology above are only intended to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment that they correspond to prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

KR 10-1558611 B1

The present invention has been proposed to solve these problems, and aims to provide an economical integrated thermal management system for a vehicle by preventing mixing of coolant during cooling of an electronic component module and a high-voltage battery, thereby increasing thermal efficiency, increasing the efficiency of a water pump, and simplifying the cooling line.

In order to achieve the above object, the integrated thermal management system of the vehicle according to the present invention includes: a first cooling line which connects a reservoir, an electronic component module, a water-cooling condenser, a first multi-valve, and a first radiator, and in which the electronic component module circulates the first radiator or the water-cooling condenser depending on the operation of the first multi-valve; and a second cooling line which connects a reservoir, a high-voltage battery, a chiller, a second multi-valve, and a second radiator, and in which the high-voltage battery circulates the second radiator or the chiller depending on the operation of the second multi-valve.

The coolant of the first cooling line can circulate through the reservoir, the electronic component module, the water cooling condenser, and the first radiator when the electronic component module is in cooling mode, and can circulate through the reservoir, the electronic component module, and the water cooling condenser when the electronic component module is in waste heat recovery mode.

The coolant of the second cooling line can circulate through the reservoir, high-voltage battery, chiller, and second radiator during the primary cooling of the high-voltage battery, and can circulate through the high-voltage battery and chiller during the secondary cooling of the high-voltage battery.

It may further include a refrigerant line that connects the indoor condenser, water-cooled condenser, outdoor condenser, chiller, and compressor of the indoor air conditioning device and through which refrigerant circulates inside.

When heating a room, the refrigerant in the refrigerant line circulates through the indoor condenser, water-cooling condenser, outdoor condenser, chiller, and compressor, and the cooling water in the first cooling line can circulate through the reservoir, electronic component module, and water-cooling condenser.

When the temperature of the high-voltage battery is increased, the refrigerant in the refrigerant line circulates through the indoor condenser, water-cooled condenser, outdoor condenser, chiller, and compressor, and the coolant in the second cooling line can circulate through the high-voltage battery and chiller.

According to the integrated thermal management system of the vehicle of the present invention, the mixing of coolant during cooling of electronic component modules and high-voltage batteries is prevented, thereby increasing thermal efficiency, increasing the efficiency of the water pump, and simplifying the cooling line, which is economical.

Figures 1 to 7 are drawings showing the operation of an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 to 7 are drawings showing the operation of an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 7 are drawings showing the operation of an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to the present invention includes a first cooling line that connects a reservoir (R), an electronic component module (100), a water-cooling condenser (500), a first multi-valve (V1), and a first radiator (120), and in response to the operation of the first multi-valve (V1), the electronic component module (100) circulates the first radiator (120) or the water-cooling condenser (500); And it includes a second cooling line that connects a reservoir (R), a high-voltage battery (300), a chiller (700), a second multi-valve (V2), and a second radiator (320), and in which the high-voltage battery (300) circulates through the second radiator (320) or the chiller (700) depending on the operation of the second multi-valve (V2).

The present invention relates to an integrated thermal management system applied to electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles. Specifically, these vehicles are equipped with an electronic component module (100) composed of a motor, an inverter, a converter, etc., and a high-voltage battery (300). In addition, an indoor air conditioning device for air conditioning an indoor space is provided. Each of these has different thermal needs, and the present invention has a cooling circuit to control these components at independent temperatures.

First, in the case of the electronic component module (100), cooling is possible with external air through the first radiator (120). In the case of the high-voltage battery (300), cooling is also possible through the second radiator (320). In the case of the high-voltage battery (300), if a higher level of cooling is required, cooling is possible through the chiller (700) by operating the refrigerant circuit. In addition, if heating is required for the high-voltage battery (300), heating is possible by operating the refrigerant line and recovering the waste heat of the electronic component module (100) through the chiller (700). Alternatively, heating is possible at a higher level through the water heater (310). In the case of the indoor air conditioner, cooling is performed through the evaporator (710) by operating the refrigerant line during cooling. And when heating is required, heating is possible by operating the refrigerant line and recovering waste heat from the electronic component module (100) through the chiller (700). Or, a higher level of heating is possible through the PTC heater (H).

To this end, the integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to the present invention includes: a first cooling line which connects a reservoir (R), an electronic component module (100), a water-cooling condenser (500), a first multi-valve (V1), and a first radiator (120), and in which the electronic component module (100) circulates the first radiator (120) or the water-cooling condenser (500) depending on the operation of the first multi-valve (V1); and a second cooling line which connects a reservoir (R), a high-voltage battery (300), a chiller (700), a second multi-valve (V2), and a second radiator (320), and in which the high-voltage battery (300) circulates the second radiator (320) or the chiller (700) depending on the operation of the second multi-valve (V2).

And, when recovering waste heat of the electronic component module (100) of the present invention, the reservoir (R), the electronic component module (100), and the water cooling condenser (500) can be circulated.

The coolant of the second cooling line can circulate through the reservoir (R), the high voltage battery (300), the chiller (700), and the second radiator (320) during the first cooling of the high voltage battery (300), and can circulate through the high voltage battery (300) and the chiller (700) during the second cooling of the high voltage battery (300).

The present invention may further include a refrigerant line that connects an indoor condenser (730), a water-cooled condenser (500), an outdoor condenser (510), a chiller (700), and a compressor (720) of an indoor air conditioning device and through which refrigerant circulates inside.

When heating a room, the refrigerant in the refrigerant line circulates through the indoor condenser (730), the water-cooling condenser (500), the outdoor condenser (510), the chiller (700), and the compressor (720), and the cooling water in the first cooling line can circulate through the reservoir (R), the electronic component module (100), and the water-cooling condenser (500).

When the temperature of the high-voltage battery (300) is increased, the refrigerant in the refrigerant line circulates through the indoor condenser (730), the water-cooled condenser (500), the outdoor condenser (510), the chiller (700), and the compressor (720), and the cooling water in the second cooling line can circulate through the high-voltage battery (300) and the chiller (700).

The case illustrated in Fig. 1 is a case where cooling of an electronic component module is required. The cooling water of the first cooling line circulates through a reservoir (R), an electronic component module (100), a water cooling condenser (500), and a first radiator (120) when the electronic component module (100) is in cooling mode. The reservoir (R) is configured as a single body, but has a structure in which the interior is separated, and may be configured as a first reservoir and a second reservoir as illustrated. The cooling water of the reservoir (R) is circulated by a water pump (140), passes through the electronic component module (100) or a heat exchanger, passes through the water cooling condenser (500), flows to the first radiator (120) under the control of the first multi-valve (V1), and then is circulated back to the reservoir (R). In this way, cooling of the electronic component module (100) is performed. Therefore, through the control of the first multi-valve (V1), there is no leakage of coolant, and as a result, the efficiency of the water pump (140) is increased and the cooling efficiency is also increased.

And according to the integrated heat management system of the present invention, it is possible for the first multi-valve (V1) to form the first module (M1) together with the reservoir (R) and two water pumps (140, 340), and it is possible for the second multi-valve (V2) to form the second module (M2) together with the water pump (350).

The case of Fig. 2 shows a case where the electronic component module (100) is cooled as in Fig. 1 while the high-voltage battery (300) is cooled through the chiller (700). In this case, the electronic component module (100) is cooled in the same manner as in Fig. 1. In this state, the high-voltage battery (300) is cooled through the chiller (700) as in Fig. 2. Specifically, the refrigerant line connects the indoor condenser (730), the water-cooling condenser (500), the outdoor condenser (510), the chiller (700), and the compressor (720) of the indoor air conditioning unit, and the refrigerant circulates inside. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor (720), passes through the indoor condenser (730) of the indoor air conditioning unit, and then passes through the expansion valve (502) and the water-cooling condenser (500). The refrigerant passes through the outdoor condenser (510) in that state, is supplied to the expansion valve (702) and the chiller (700), and is then circulated back to the compressor (720). Then, the chiller (700), which has been cooled, exchanges heat with the cooling water. The cooling water that has passed through the chiller (700) passes through the water pump (350) under the control of the second multi-valve (V2) and is supplied and circulated to the high-voltage battery (300). Accordingly, the high-voltage battery (300) is cooled.

Figure 3 illustrates a process for heating a high-voltage battery. In this case, coolant is supplied and circulated to a high-voltage battery (300) through a water pump (350) under the control of a second multi-valve (V2). In this process, a water heater (310) is operated to heat the coolant, and it is supplied to the high-voltage battery (300) to perform heating.

Figure 4 is a process of cooling a high-voltage battery (300) using outside air. The coolant of the second cooling line circulates through the reservoir (R), the high-voltage battery (300), the chiller (700), and the second radiator (320) during the primary cooling of the high-voltage battery (300). That is, when a mild level of cooling is required, the coolant is primarily circulated through the reservoir (R), the water pump (350), the high-voltage battery (300), the chiller (700), and the second radiator (320) through the control of the first multi-valve (V1). In this process, the coolant does not leak at all due to the configuration of the second multi-valve (V2), and the efficiency of the overall system is increased.

Fig. 5 shows a process of cooling a high-voltage battery (300) with the outside air and simultaneously cooling an electronic component module (100) with the outside air. In this case, the cooling water flowing through the high-voltage battery (300) flows in the same way as in Fig. 4. At the same time, the cooling water flows through the electronic component module (100) as in Fig. 1. In conclusion, the cooling water flows as in Fig. 5 by the combination of these. In this process, the cooling water flowing through the electronic component module (100) and the high-voltage battery (300) is completely separated and blocked by the first multi-valve (V1) and the second multi-valve (V2). Therefore, the efficiency of the overall system is increased.

Fig. 6 shows a case where waste heat of an electronic component module (100) is recovered to heat a room. Cooling water circulates through a reservoir (R), an electronic component module (100), and a water-cooling condenser (500), so that the water-cooling condenser (500) recovers waste heat. Then, the refrigerant is compressed in a compressor (720), passes through an indoor condenser (730) of an indoor air conditioner, and then passes through an expansion valve (502) and a water-cooling condenser (500) to recover waste heat of the electronic component module (100). Then, the refrigerant passes through an outdoor condenser (510) in that state, and is supplied to an expansion valve (702) and a chiller (700), and then circulates back to the compressor (720). Through this, the refrigerant recovers waste heat of the electronic component module (100), and indoor heating is achieved through the indoor condenser (730) of the indoor air conditioner.

Fig. 7 is a case where waste heat of an electronic component module (100) is recovered to heat an interior and simultaneously heat a high-voltage battery (300). In this case, refrigerant and cooling water flow, similarly to the case of Fig. 6. At the same time, cooling water is circulated in the chiller (700) to transfer waste heat to the high-voltage battery through the chiller (700). In this case, the expansion valve (702) of the chiller (700) operates in a fully open state to prevent evaporation. Cooling water circulates waste heat recovered through the chiller (700) through the water pump (350) and transfers it to the high-voltage battery (300).

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the heat pump principle is not used. Therefore, there is no indoor condenser of the indoor air conditioning device. In this case, since there is no indoor condenser, there is no refrigerant circulation by the compressor in the indoor heating mode, and indoor heating can be performed by operating the PTC heater (H). In the indoor dehumidification mode, the refrigerant circulated by the compressor (720) in the same mode evaporates in the indoor evaporator (710) and enables indoor dehumidification through heat exchange with the indoor air. In the mode where indoor heating and cooling of the high-voltage battery (300) are simultaneously performed through the chiller (700) of the high-voltage battery (300), the refrigerant circulated by the compressor evaporates in the chiller (700) by the control of the second multi-valve (V2) and the operation of the water pump (350) of the second cooling line, and the cooled coolant cools the high-voltage battery (300).

Fig. 9 is a drawing showing an integrated thermal management system of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, there is no function of cooling a high-voltage battery (300) using a radiator. In this case, modularization through the first module (M1) and the second module (M2) is also possible as illustrated. In this case, the coolant of the second cooling line is cooled using a water-cooling condenser (500) that cools the coolant of the first cooling line. In addition, one of the water pumps present in the first module (M1) can be omitted, enabling additional cost reduction and weight reduction.

According to the integrated thermal management system of the vehicle of the present invention, the mixing of coolant during cooling of electronic component modules and high-voltage batteries is prevented, thereby increasing thermal efficiency, increasing the efficiency of the water pump, and simplifying the cooling line, which is economical.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously improved and modified without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

100: Electronic component module 300: High voltage battery
500 : Water Cooling Condenser 700 : Chiller

Claims (6)

A first cooling line connecting a reservoir, an electronic component module, a water cooling condenser, a first multi-valve, and a first radiator, and in which cooling water passing through the electronic component module circulates through the first radiator or the water cooling condenser according to the operation of the first multi-valve; and
A second cooling line is included, which connects the reservoir, the high-voltage battery, the chiller, the second multi-valve, and the second radiator, and the cooling water passing through the high-voltage battery circulates through the second radiator or the chiller according to the operation of the second multi-valve;
An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that the first multi-valve has four ports, each port being connected to the reservoir, the water cooling condenser, and the first radiator, and in the case of the port connected to the first radiator, two ports are connected to the first radiator to selectively control the circulation of coolant of the first radiator. In claim 1,
An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that the coolant of the first cooling line circulates through the reservoir, the electronic component module, the water cooling condenser, and the first radiator when the electronic component module is in cooling mode, and circulates through the reservoir, the electronic component module, and the water cooling condenser when the waste heat of the electronic component module is recovered. In claim 1,
An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that the coolant of the second cooling line circulates through the reservoir, the high voltage battery, the chiller, and the second radiator during primary cooling of the high voltage battery, and circulates through the high voltage battery and the chiller during secondary cooling of the high voltage battery. In claim 1,
An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that it further includes a refrigerant line connecting an indoor condenser, a water-cooled condenser, an outdoor condenser, the chiller, and a compressor of an indoor air conditioning device and through which refrigerant circulates inside. In claim 4,
An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that when heating a room, the refrigerant of the refrigerant line circulates through the indoor condenser, the water-cooling condenser, the outdoor condenser, the chiller, and the compressor, and the cooling water of the first cooling line circulates through the reservoir, the electronic component module, and the water-cooling condenser. In claim 4,
An integrated thermal management system for a vehicle, characterized in that when the temperature of the high-voltage battery is increased, the refrigerant of the refrigerant line circulates through the indoor condenser, the water-cooled condenser, the outdoor condenser, the chiller, and the compressor, and the coolant of the second cooling line circulates through the high-voltage battery and the chiller.