KR102758480B1 - System for cooling battery of vehicle and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle battery cooling system and a control method thereof according to an embodiment are disclosed. The vehicle battery cooling system comprises: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser for condensing the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger including a first expansion means for expanding the condensed refrigerant according to a first mode for battery cooling and a first heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant passing through the first expansion means with cooling water and circulating the same to the compressor; a second heat exchanger including a second expansion means for expanding the condensed refrigerant according to a second mode for indoor cooling and a second heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant passing through the second expansion means with air and circulating the same to the compressor; a first detection means for detecting a first pressure value at an input side of the compressor; a second detection means for detecting a second pressure value at an output side of the compressor; and a control unit for stopping the compressor and controlling the driving timing of the compressor based on the detected first and second pressure values when switching between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode occurs.

Description

{SYSTEM FOR COOLING BATTERY OF VEHICLE AND METHOD THEREOF}

The invention relates to automobiles, and more particularly to a vehicle battery cooling system and a method for controlling the same.

Electric vehicles have recently been gaining attention in the automobile industry as a solution to problems such as the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies and energy depletion. Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly because they are powered by motors that receive power from batteries or fuel cells, and because they produce less carbon emissions and noise, and use motors that are more energy efficient than conventional engines.

Electric vehicles are equipped with a battery cooling system that uses coolant. In the battery cooling system, when the battery temperature rises, cooling is achieved through heat exchange between a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant and coolant in a chiller connected to the air conditioning system to lower the temperature of the circulating coolant for battery cooling.

When switching from a battery cooling state to an indoor cooling state, if the chiller-side valve for battery cooling is closed and high pressure is generated in the refrigerant line, and the evaporator-side valve for indoor cooling suddenly opens, a popping noise may occur as high temperature and high pressure refrigerant flows into the valve. Similarly, when switching from an indoor cooling state to a battery cooling state, a popping noise may occur as the chiller-side valve opens.

Publication of Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0021506 Publication of Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0016709

Embodiments may provide a vehicle battery cooling system and a control method thereof.

A vehicle battery cooling system according to an embodiment may include: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger including a first expansion means that expands the condensed refrigerant according to a first mode for battery cooling, and a first heat exchanger that heat-exchanges the refrigerant passing through the first expansion means with cooling water and circulates the same to the compressor; a second heat exchanger including a second expansion means that expands the condensed refrigerant according to a second mode for interior cooling, and a second heat exchanger that heat-exchanges the refrigerant passing through the second expansion means with air and circulates the same to the compressor; a first detection means that detects a first pressure value of an input side of the compressor; a second detection means that detects a second pressure value of an output side of the compressor; and a control unit that stops the compressor and controls an operating time of the compressor based on the detected first pressure value and the second pressure value when switching between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode occurs.

The control unit can stop the compressor when a transition occurs between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode, detect the first pressure value and the second pressure value, and drive the compressor when a difference between the detected first pressure value and the second pressure value is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold pressure value.

The above control unit can close the first expansion means, open the second expansion means, and stop the compressor when a transition is made where the first mode is deactivated and the second mode is activated.

The above control unit can close the second expansion means, open the first expansion means, and stop the compressor when a transition is made where the second mode is deactivated and the first mode is activated.

A vehicle battery cooling system according to an embodiment may include: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the refrigerant; a first heat exchanger including a first expansion means that expands the condensed refrigerant according to a first mode for battery cooling, and a first heat exchanger that heat-exchanges the refrigerant passing through the first expansion means with cooling water and circulates the same to the compressor; a second heat exchanger including a second expansion means that expands the condensed refrigerant according to a second mode for interior cooling, and a second heat exchanger that heat-exchanges the refrigerant passing through the second expansion means with air and circulates the same to the compressor; and a control unit that stops the compressor and controls the driving timing of the compressor based on an elapsed time obtained by driving a timer when switching is made between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode.

The control unit can stop the compressor when a transition occurs between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode, drive the timer to obtain an elapsed time, and drive the compressor when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold time.

A method for controlling a vehicle battery cooling system according to an embodiment may include: a step of determining whether at least one of a first mode for battery cooling and a second mode for interior cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation; a step of stopping a compressor if the at least one switching has been performed; a step of detecting a first pressure value on an input side of the compressor and a second pressure value on an output side of the compressor; and a step of controlling an operating timing of the compressor based on the detected first pressure value and the second pressure value.

In the above controlling step, if the difference between the detected first pressure value and the second pressure value is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold pressure value, the compressor can be driven.

A method for controlling a vehicle battery cooling system according to an embodiment may include the steps of: determining whether at least one of a first mode for battery cooling and a second mode for interior cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation; if the at least one switching has been performed, the step of stopping the compressor; and the step of controlling the operating timing of the compressor based on an elapsed time obtained by driving a timer.

In the above controlling step, the timer is driven to obtain an elapsed time, and if the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined threshold time, the compressor can be driven.

According to an embodiment, by controlling the timing of the compressor operation when switching between activation and deactivation of at least one of the battery cooling mode and the room cooling mode, the occurrence of refrigerant bursting noise can be prevented.

According to an embodiment, the system can be operated stably because it is possible to prevent occurrence of refrigerant bursting noise by controlling the operating timing of the compressor at every transition.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2a to 2c are drawings for explaining the operating principle of the battery cooling system.
Figures 3a and 3b are drawings for explaining the installation location of the detection means.
FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a control method of a battery cooling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a battery cooling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a control method of a battery cooling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, one or more of the components among the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention can be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, can be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and/or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

These terms are only intended to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

In addition, when a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled, or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” by another component between the component and the other component.

In addition, when described as being formed or arranged “above or below” each component, above or below includes not only the case where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. In addition, when expressed as “above or below,” it can include the meaning of the downward direction as well as the upward direction based on one component.

In an embodiment, a novel control method is proposed, which comprises a detection means for measuring pressure on the input side and the output side of the compressor, and controls the operating timing of the compressor based on the pressure values on the input side and the output side of the compressor when switching between activation and deactivation of at least one of the battery cooling mode and the room cooling mode is performed.

In the embodiment, a novel control method is proposed that controls the operating timing of the compressor based on the elapsed time obtained by starting a timer when a transition between activation and deactivation of at least one of the battery cooling mode and the room cooling mode occurs.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery cooling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a battery cooling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a cooling unit (100) and a control unit (200) for battery cooling and indoor cooling.

The cooling unit (100) may include a compressor (110), a condenser (111), a first heat exchange unit (112), a second heat exchange unit (113), a first detection means (114a), a second detection means (114b), a reservoir tank (120), a first pump (121), a battery (122), a heater (123), a first valve (124), a second pump (125), electrical components (126), a radiator (127), a fan (128), and a second valve (129).

A compressor (110), a condenser (111), a first heat exchanger (112), a second heat exchanger (113), and a detection means (114) may be arranged on a refrigerant circulation line through which the refrigerant flows.

The refrigerant circulation line includes a first refrigerant circulation line for circulating refrigerant for battery cooling and a second refrigerant circulation line for circulating refrigerant for indoor cooling.

The compressor (110) can compress the refrigerant, and the condenser (111) can condense the refrigerant.

The first heat exchanger (112) is a heat exchanger for battery cooling, and can exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circulation line and the coolant flowing through the coolant circulation line.

The first heat exchanger (112) may include a first expansion means (112a) and a first heat exchanger (112b). The first expansion means (112a) may expand condensed refrigerant, and the first heat exchanger (112b) may heat-exchange the refrigerant and cooling water that have passed through the first expansion means (112a) and circulate them to the compressor.

At this time, the first expansion means (112a) must have a function of blocking the refrigerant according to fuel efficiency and other considerations, and may be an on/off solenoid TXV (Thermal eXpansion Valve) or an EXV (Electronic Expansion Valve) that controls the refrigerant flow rate according to the load.

The second heat exchanger (113) is a heat exchanger for indoor cooling, and can exchange heat between the refrigerant and air by evaporating the refrigerant flowing in the second refrigerant circulation path.

The second heat exchanger (113) may include a second expansion means (113a) and a second heat exchanger (113b). The second expansion means (113a) may expand condensed refrigerant, and the second heat exchanger (113b) may heat-exchange the refrigerant passing through the second expansion means (113a) with air and circulate it to the compressor.

At this time, the second expansion means (113a) must have a function of blocking the refrigerant according to fuel efficiency and other considerations, and may be an on/off solenoid TXV (Thermal eXpansion Valve) or an EXV (Electronic Expansion Valve) that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant.

The first detection means (114a) is arranged on the output side of the compressor (110) and can detect the pressure value between the compressor (110) and the condenser (111) or the condenser (111) and the first heat exchanger (112) or the second heat exchanger (113).

The second detection means (114b) is arranged on the input side of the compressor (110) and can detect the pressure value between the first heat exchange unit (112) or the second heat exchange unit (113) and the compressor (110).

At this time, the first detection means (114a) and the second detection means (114) can detect the pressure value when there is a request to switch from the battery cooling mode to the indoor cooling mode.

A first heat exchanger (112), a reservoir tank (120), a first pump (121), a battery (122), a heater (123), a first valve (124), a second pump (125), electrical components (126), a radiator (127), a fan (128), and a second valve (129) may be arranged on a coolant circulation line through which coolant flows.

The reservoir tank (120) stores coolant for battery cooling, and the first pump (121) can circulate the coolant stored in the reservoir tank to cool the battery (122).

The heater (123) heats the coolant that has passed through the battery (122), and the first heat exchanger (112) can circulate the heated coolant and refrigerant by exchanging heat.

The first valve (124) can open and close the coolant circulation line according to a control command. The first valve (124) is a three-way valve and can send the coolant to the electrical components (126) or bypass it to the reserve tank (120).

The second pump (125) can cool the electrical components (126) by circulating the cooling water that has passed through the first valve (124).

The radiator (127) can exchange heat between the coolant passing through the electric component (126) and the outside air, and the fan (128) can move the outside air to the radiator (127).

The second valve (129) can open and close the coolant circulation line according to a control command. The second valve (129) is a three-way valve and can send the coolant to the reservoir tank (120) or bypass it to the electrical components (126).

The control unit (200) determines whether at least one of the first mode for battery cooling and the second mode for indoor cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation, and if at least one of the switching has been performed, the control unit can obtain the first pressure value of the input side of the compressor detected from the first detection means (114a) and the second pressure value of the output side of the compressor detected from the second detection means (114b).

The control unit (200) can control the operating timing of the compressor by comparing the difference between the acquired first pressure value and the second pressure value with a predetermined threshold pressure. For example, the control unit (200) can operate the compressor if the difference is lower than the threshold pressure.

Figures 2a to 2c are drawings for explaining the operating principle of the battery cooling system.

Referring to FIG. 2a, the battery cooling system according to the embodiment can circulate coolant along the first coolant circulation line when the first mode for battery cooling is activated.

At this time, the first expansion means (112a) of the first heat exchanger (112) can be turned on, and the second expansion means (113a) of the second heat exchanger (113) can be turned off.

The first heat exchanger (112) can cool the battery by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant circulation line and the coolant flowing in the coolant circulation line.

Referring to FIG. 2b, the battery cooling system according to the embodiment can circulate refrigerant along the second refrigerant circulation line when the second mode for indoor cooling is activated.

At this time, the first expansion means (112a) of the first heat exchange unit (112) can be turned off, and the second expansion means (113a) of the second heat exchange unit (113) can be turned on.

The second heat exchanger (113) can cool the room by exchanging heat with the air by evaporating the refrigerant flowing in the second refrigerant circulation line.

Referring to FIG. 2c, the battery cooling system according to the embodiment can circulate refrigerant along the first refrigerant circulation line and the second refrigerant circulation line when both the first mode for battery cooling and the second mode for indoor cooling are activated.

At this time, the first expansion means (112a) of the first heat exchanger (112) is turned on, and the second expansion means (113a) of the second heat exchanger (113) can also be turned on.

The first heat exchange unit (112) can cool the battery by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant circulation line and the coolant flowing in the coolant circulation line, and the second heat exchange unit (113) can cool the interior by exchanging heat with the air by evaporating the refrigerant flowing in the second refrigerant circulation line.

Figures 3a and 3b are drawings for explaining the installation location of the detection means.

Referring to FIG. 3a, the first detection means (114a') is not installed between the compressor (110) and the condenser (111) as in FIG. 1, but may be installed between the condenser (111) and the first heat exchanger (112) or the second heat exchanger (113), and its function is the same.

Referring to FIG. 3b, the second detection means (114b’) is not installed on the input side of the compressor (110) as in FIG. 1, but may be installed on the output side of the first heat exchange unit (112) or the output side of the second heat exchange unit (113), and their functions are the same.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a control method of a battery cooling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a control unit according to an embodiment can check whether at least one of a first mode for battery cooling and a second mode for indoor cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation (S410).

Next, the control unit can stop the compressor if the switching has been made (S420).

Next, the control unit can detect the first pressure value on the input side of the compressor and the second pressure value on the output side through the first detection means and the second detection means (S430). That is, the control unit can apply pressure measurement commands to the first detection means and the second detection means, respectively, and in response thereto, obtain the first pressure value and the second pressure value measured from the first detection means and the second detection means, respectively.

Next, the control unit can calculate a difference value between the detected first pressure value and the second pressure value (S440) and compare the calculated difference value with a predetermined threshold pressure (S450).

Next, the control unit can drive the compressor if the difference value measured as a result of the comparison is lower than or equal to the threshold pressure (S460).

On the other hand, if the difference value measured as a result of the comparison exceeds the threshold pressure, the control unit can repeat the process of detecting the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a battery cooling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a battery cooling system according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a cooling unit (100) for battery cooling and indoor cooling, a control unit (200), and a timer (210).

The battery cooling system according to the second embodiment has the same configuration and function as the battery cooling system of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, except that the first detection means and the second detection means are not provided, and a timer (210) may be further provided.

At this time, the timer (210) can be driven when switching between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode.

The control unit (200) can check whether at least one of the first mode for battery cooling and the second mode for indoor cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation, and if the switching has been made, can start a timer to obtain the elapsed time.

The control unit (200) can compare the acquired elapsed time with a predetermined threshold time and control the operating time of the compressor according to the comparison result. For example, the control unit (200) can operate the compressor if the elapsed time is longer than the threshold time.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a control method of a battery cooling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit according to the embodiment can check whether at least one of the first mode for battery cooling and the second mode for indoor cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation (S610). For example, it can include all of 1) switching between activation and deactivation of the first mode, 2) switching between activation and deactivation of the second mode, and 3) switching between activation and deactivation of each of the first mode and the second mode.

Next, the control unit can stop the compressor if the switching has been made (S620).

Next, the control unit can drive a timer to obtain the elapsed time (S630).

Next, the control unit can compare the elapsed time with a predetermined threshold time (S640).

Next, the control unit can drive the compressor if the elapsed time as a result of the comparison is greater than or equal to a threshold time (S650).

On the other hand, if the elapsed time as a result of the comparison is less than the critical time, the control unit can repeat the process of comparing the elapsed time while stopping the compressor.

The term '~ part' used in this embodiment means a software or hardware component such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC, and the '~ part' performs certain roles. However, the '~ part' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ part' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Thus, as an example, the '~ part' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided in the components and '~ parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ parts' or further separated into additional components and '~ parts'. Additionally, the components and '~parts' may be implemented to regenerate one or more CPUs within the device or secure multimedia card.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

100: Cooling section
110: Compressor
111: Condenser
112: First heat exchanger
113: Second heat exchanger
114a: First detection means
114b: Second detection means
120: Reservoir Tank
121: Pump 1
122: Battery
123: Heater
124: Valve 1
125: 2nd pump
126: Battlefield Parts
127: Radiator
128: Cooling Fan
128: 2nd valve
200: Control Unit
210: Timer

Claims (10)

A compressor that compresses refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the above refrigerant;
A first heat exchanger including a first expansion means for expanding the condensed refrigerant according to a first mode for battery cooling, and a first heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant and cooling water passing through the first expansion means and circulating them to the compressor;
A second heat exchanger including a second expansion means for expanding the condensed refrigerant according to a second mode for indoor cooling and a second heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant passing through the second expansion means with air and circulating the same to the compressor;
A first detection means for detecting a first pressure value on the input side of the compressor;
A second detection means for detecting a second pressure value on the output side of the compressor; and
When switching between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode occurs, a control unit is included that stops the compressor, acquires the first pressure value and the second pressure value detected from the first detection means and the second detection means, respectively, and controls the driving timing of the compressor based on the acquired first pressure value and the second pressure value.
The above control unit,
A vehicle battery cooling system, which calculates a difference between the acquired first pressure value and the acquired second pressure value, and drives the compressor when the calculated difference value is lower than a predetermined threshold pressure value. delete In the first paragraph,
The above control unit,
A vehicle battery cooling system, wherein when a transition occurs where the first mode is deactivated and the second mode is activated, the first expansion means is closed, the second expansion means is opened, and the compressor is stopped. In the first paragraph,
The above control unit,
A vehicle battery cooling system, wherein when a transition occurs where the second mode is deactivated and the first mode is activated, the second expansion means is closed, the first expansion means is opened, and the compressor is stopped. A compressor that compresses refrigerant;
A condenser for condensing the above refrigerant;
A first heat exchanger including a first expansion means for expanding the condensed refrigerant according to a first mode for battery cooling, and a first heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant and cooling water passing through the first expansion means and circulating them to the compressor;
A second heat exchanger including a second expansion means for expanding the condensed refrigerant according to a second mode for indoor cooling and a second heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant passing through the second expansion means with air and circulating the same to the compressor;
When a transition between activation and deactivation of at least one of the first mode and the second mode is made, a control unit is included that stops the compressor, operates a timer, acquires an elapsed time, and controls the operating time of the compressor based on the acquired elapsed time.
The above control unit,
A vehicle battery cooling system that operates the compressor when the obtained elapsed time is compared with a predetermined threshold time and the elapsed time becomes longer than the threshold time as a result of the comparison. delete A step of determining whether at least one of the first mode for battery cooling and the second mode for room cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation;
Once the above transition has been made, the step of stopping the compressor;
A step of detecting a first pressure value on the input side and a second pressure value on the output side of the compressor after stopping the compressor; and
A step of controlling the driving timing of the compressor based on the detected first pressure value and the second pressure value,
In the above controlling step,
A control method for a vehicle battery cooling system, comprising: calculating a difference between the detected first pressure value and the detected second pressure value, and driving the compressor when the calculated difference value is lower than a predetermined threshold pressure value. delete A step of determining whether at least one of the first mode for battery cooling and the second mode for room cooling has been switched between activation and deactivation;
When the above transition has been made, the step of stopping the compressor; and
It includes a step of stopping the compressor, driving a timer to obtain an elapsed time, and controlling the driving timing of the compressor based on the obtained elapsed time.
In the above controlling step,
A control method for a vehicle battery cooling system, wherein the compressor is driven when the obtained elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold time and the elapsed time is compared with a predetermined threshold time. delete

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