DE102010014752A1 - Cooling arrangement for e.g. hybrid electric vehicle, has two exhaust gas releasing devices connected in series or parallel to cooling circuit, and coupling elements for connecting electric energy storage to cooling circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (10) has an electric energy storage (12) connected to a cooling circuit (14), and two exhaust gas releasing devices (22) connected in series or parallel to another cooling circuit (20), where the exhaust gas releasing devices release the exhaust gas during operation of the arrangement. Coupling elements (28, 32) connect the electric energy storage to the latter cooling circuit, and pump devices (16, 26) are connected to the two cooling circuits respectively for supplying coolant to coolers (18, 24) and/or the electric energy storage. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a cooling arrangement for a Vehicle with electric or at least partially electric drive. The cooling arrangement comprises at least one electrical energy storage, which in a first cooling circuit is involved. At least one more when releasing waste heat releasing Device is integrated in a second cooling circuit. Of Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a Vehicle with electric drive.

vehicles with electric drive usually have as electrical energy storage a high-voltage battery, which depending on the drive variant different Functions fulfilled. In a mild hybrid hybrid drive type is used the electric motor drive supporting an internal combustion engine Drive, especially if briefly a high power output of Drive desired is. The electric motor drive, the electrical energy over a Fuel cell available be put. The electric motor is used to recover braking energy and their conversion into electrical energy, which in the high-voltage battery is stored.

The High-voltage battery serves over it in addition to powering with a high voltage Aggregates when the vehicle is stationary, for example, when idling an electric refrigerant compressor an air conditioner is to be supplied with high voltage, and when the vehicle is driving. About that In addition, over the high-voltage battery by means of a voltage converter electrical High voltage energy into lower voltage electrical energy converted and these introduced into the 12 volt electrical system of the vehicle become.

at a full hybrid drive as well as an electric vehicle or an electric vehicle, which has a range extender (range Extender) for generating electrical energy by means of a via a Internal combustion engine driven generator comes as another Function for the high-voltage battery absorbing electrical energy while Charging by connecting to an external power grid. Furthermore, allows here the high-voltage battery driving with purely electric drive.

The Power consumption and power output of the high-voltage battery after The prior art is highly dependent on an operating temperature the high-voltage battery. Due to the inside of the high-voltage battery This is because the chemical processes that occur are the power consumption and power output both at high battery temperature as well limited at low battery temperature.

Out the prior art, it is therefore known, the high-voltage battery in a cooling circuit To integrate, which at high battery temperature or high outside temperature ensures that the high-voltage battery is kept in a temperature range, which makes it possible to absorb a high amount of energy, such as loading and recuperation of braking energy, as well as to give off a high amount of energy, such as while driving, to supply aggregates and to support the 12 volt electrical system. If the high-voltage battery is thus provided, Great Temperature range, also damage is avoided and it will achieved a comparatively long life of the high-voltage battery.

at especially low outside temperature It is known from the prior art, the high-voltage battery at least to the lower value of a high power output and power consumption enabling Temperature range to heat. by virtue of the big thermal mass of the high-voltage battery must be a large amount for this be spent on heating energy. While charging the high-voltage battery by connecting to an external power source come here in from the prior art known methods electrical heating elements used, so the charging of the high-voltage battery particularly large and special can be done efficiently.

At the Start of a comparatively cold high-voltage battery having Vehicle and the subsequent Driving at a comparatively low outside temperature can be a part the energy from the high-voltage battery via the electrical heating elements for quick heating the high-voltage battery can be used. However, this has the disadvantage that the energy content of the high-voltage battery and thus the range of the vehicle is reduced.

Becomes the high-voltage battery while driving at low outside temperature but not actively heated, Thus, the power consumption and the power output of the high-voltage battery via a restricted for a relatively long period of time. Depending on the driving style can due to the high thermal mass of the high-voltage battery come that it warms up while driving very slowly.

A disadvantage of a lack of preheating or slow heating of the high-voltage battery while driving is the fact that the driving performance is greatly reduced in electric driving, and that efficient recuperation, so recording electrical energy by recovered braking energy not possible is. If braking energy can not be recovered by converting it into electrical energy, then, as with conventional, non-electric vehicles, the braking energy must be converted to heat. This reduces in the vehicle with electric drive, the range of the vehicle over a mode of operation of the vehicle in which the recuperation is enabled. In addition, the brake system of the vehicle is particularly heavily loaded and even stronger than in only one internal combustion engine drive vehicles, since here the engine provides a comparatively large braking torque.

task The present invention is therefore a cooling arrangement of the type mentioned and a method of operating a vehicle with electric Drive to create which or which is a particularly efficient Use of at least one electrical energy storage allows.

These Task is by a cooling arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a method solved with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments with appropriate training of the invention are in the dependent claims specified.

at the cooling arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle is at least an electrical energy storage in a first Cooling circuit involved. At least one more heat-releasing when operating Device is integrated in a second cooling circuit. The cooling arrangement comprises at least one coupling element, by means of which the at least an electrical energy storage in the second cooling circuit einbindbar is. The invention is based on the finding that the at least one when operating waste heat releasing another device usually their waste heat over a cooler unused to the environment dissipates. Under waste heat In the present case, the heat released during operation of the device is to be understood. which in particular to protect the device from unwanted heat stress is dissipated.

If So the waste heat transferred to the at least one electrical energy storage is, this can be particularly quickly starting from a comparatively low outlet temperature brought to an operating temperature which are with improved power consumption and power output the energy storage is accompanied. This improves the electrical Performance in both a mild hybrid and a full hybrid vehicle or in an electric vehicle. Furthermore, the energy efficient Recuperation operation, in which braking energy into electrical energy is converted, particularly quickly possible and the range of the Vehicle especially big.

Becomes to increase the temperature of the at least one electrical energy store additionally used an electric heater, so is a merely given low electrical energy demand of this heater, because the waste heat the at least one further device for heating the electrical energy storage is used. As the electrical energy storage then you can release extra energy especially quickly in cold outside temperature a particularly good driving performance of the vehicle, in particular a good acceleration and a high maximum speed achievable.

Of the efficient use of the at least one electrical energy store is also reflected in the fact that recovered energy when braking can be, so in addition the brake system of the vehicle is spared. Also the life span of the at least one electrical energy store can be extended so because especially fast one for the Operation of the at least one electrical energy store favorable temperature is reached. Independently of whether the vehicle is a purely electric powered Vehicle or a vehicle, which is the electric drive only supportive uses, is at low outside temperature, so in winter, a particularly long range of the vehicle reachable.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises at least another when operating waste heat releasing device an electric motor and / or an internal combustion engine and / or a transmission and / or a charger for charging the electrical Energy storage and / or a voltage converter and / or a power distribution device and / or a fuel cell stack and / or a generator and / or a Exhaust system and / or a charge air tract. Instead of the waste heat of a or more of such facilities exclusively dissipate to the environment uses the present radiator assembly their waste heat targeted, with the at least one electrical energy storage to impose this. The at least one electrical energy store So in the cooling circuit, into which the at least one device releasing waste heat when operating is, a heat sink dar. The heat sink improves the operation of the device, as its overheating is avoided. At the same time, the heat sink uses the waste heat to reach an operating temperature, which is a high power consumption and power delivery.

In the inventive method for Operating a vehicle with electric drive, at least one electrical energy storage of the vehicle is heated, wherein for heating the at least one electrical energy storage a comprehensive at least one electrical energy storage first cooling circuit is coupled to a second cooling circuit, in which waste heat is introduced, which by operating at least a further device is generated.

The for the Cooling arrangement according to the invention described advantages and preferred embodiments also apply to the inventive method.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the below mentioned in the figure description and / or in the figures alone shown features and feature combinations are not only in the specified combination, but also usable in other combinations or in isolation, without to leave the scope of the invention.

Further Advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the Drawings in which identical or functionally identical elements with identical Reference numerals are provided. Showing:

1 a first embodiment of a two cooling circuits comprising cooling arrangement for a vehicle with electric drive, which can be coupled to each other by opening switching valves;

2 a further embodiment of such a cooling arrangement;

3 a further embodiment in which a heat transfer between the cooling circuits is not carried out by a fluidic coupling, but by a heat exchanger;

4 a further embodiment cooling arrangement, wherein compared to the in 1 shown cooling arrangement, an alternative arrangement of pumps is provided in the respective cooling circuits;

5 a further embodiment of the cooling arrangement with two high-voltage batteries connected in series in terms of flow;

6 a further embodiment of the cooling arrangement with two fluidically connected in parallel high-voltage batteries;

7 a cooling arrangement according to 6 in which one of the strands having the respective high-voltage battery can be shut off;

8th a further embodiment of the cooling arrangement with fluidically arranged in series heat sources;

9 a further embodiment of the cooling arrangement with fluidically connected in parallel heat sources;

10 a cooling arrangement in which optionally one or two fluidically connected in parallel heat sources can be used to heat the high-voltage battery; and

11 a cooling arrangement in which the high-voltage battery is integrated into a cooling circuit, which comprises a refrigerant compressor and an evaporator.

1 shows a cooling arrangement 10 for a vehicle with electric drive. This vehicle can be a hybrid electric vehicle in which the electric drive supports an internal combustion engine drive to increase performance (mild hybrid) or a vehicle in which the electric motor drive alone can provide for moving the vehicle (full hybrid) , Likewise, the cooling arrangement 10 in a purely electrically driven vehicle, which has no electric motor drive, can be used. The electrical energy can be provided in each of these vehicles, in particular by a fuel cell stack of the vehicle.

A high-voltage battery 12 is in a first cooling circuit 14 involved, in which a pump 16 a coolant from the high-voltage battery 12 to a battery cooler 18 and from the battery cooler 18 back to the high-voltage battery 12 promotes. If the high-voltage battery 12 If it heats up too much, either because of its operation or because of its particularly high outside temperature, the battery cooler is used 18 the removal of excess heat of the high-voltage battery 12 ,

In a similar way, a second cooling circuit provides 20 for the waste heat of a heat source 22 over a second cooler 24 can be delivered to the environment of the vehicle. For this pump another pump 26 Coolant from the heat source 22 to the radiator 24 ,

Has the high-voltage battery 12 However, not yet reached its operating temperature at which it has a particularly high power output and power consumption in recovering braking energy, in the present case, a switching valve 28 switched so that from the heat source 22 Coming coolant not the radiator 24 flows but via a connecting line 30 in the first cooling circuit 14 occurs upstream of the high-voltage battery 12 , The changeover valve 28 thus serves as a coupling element, by means of which the high-voltage battery 12 in the second cooling circuit 20 can be integrated.

A downstream of the high-voltage battery 12 arranged second switching valve 32 and a connection line 34 ensure that by means of the waste heat of the heat source 22 receiving high-voltage battery 12 cooled coolant back to the heat source 22 can be supplied.

This mode of operation of the cooling arrangement 10 in which the high-voltage battery 12 instead of the radiator 24 serves as a heat sink, is particularly advantageous in winter, when particularly low outside temperatures are present, which is a raising of the temperature of the high-voltage battery 12 difficult.

Same pump 26 , which in summer, so at high outside temperature, coolant from the heat source 22 to the radiator 24 promotes, can be used in winter operation, coolant of the high-voltage battery 12 supply and the high-voltage battery 12 to use as a heat sink.

The pump 16 , which in the first cooling circuit 14 can be left out of operation until the high-voltage battery 12 is heated so much that a high temperature can reduce their power output and power consumption again. Then the switching valve 32 reopened and coolant the battery cooler 18 be supplied. At the same time, the switching valve 28 also switched so that a flow through the radiator 24 no longer stopped.

At the heat source 22 it is a device releasing heat during operation, for example an electric motor of the vehicle or an internal combustion engine, a transmission, a charger for charging the high-voltage battery 12 , A voltage converter, by means of which the high-voltage of the high-voltage battery 12 can be converted into the lower voltage of the electrical system, to a power distribution device to a fuel cell stack, to a generator, to a part of an exhaust system or to a part of a charge air.

At the in 2 shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement 10 is the pump 26 of the second cooling circuit 20 downstream of the changeover valve 28 and upstream of the radiator 24 arranged while the pump 16 of the first cooling circuit 14 downstream of the high-voltage battery 12 and upstream of the switching valve 32 is arranged. In this arrangement of pumps 16 . 26 takes care of the pump 16 in winter operation for applying the high-voltage battery 12 with from the heat source 22 coming warm coolant and in summer operation for charging the battery cooler 18 with from the high-voltage battery 12 coming warm coolant.

At the in 3 shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement 10 leads from the switching valve 28 leading connection line 30 to a heat exchanger 36 from which the connecting line 34 the coolant returns to the heat source 22 supplies. In this embodiment, the high-voltage battery 12 So over the heat exchanger 36 in the second cooling circuit 20 einbindbar, if serving as a coupling element switching valve 28 is switched accordingly. The cooling circuits 14 . 20 However, they are fluidly separated. Accordingly, in the first cooling circuit 14 no switching valve provided, but the coupling of the cooling circuits 20 . 14 each other is done via the switching valve 28 ,

At the in 4 shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement 10 is the pump 16 of the first cooling circuit 14 fluidically between the high-voltage battery 12 and the switching valve 32 arranged, and the pump 26 fluidically between the heat source 22 and the switching valve 28 , So here can in winter operation, the pump 26 and additionally or additionally the pump 16 for applying the high-voltage battery 12 with from the heat source 22 make sure that the product is kept warm and warm.

In the 5 embodiment shown corresponds largely to in 4 shown, however, are two high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 fluidically in series in the first cooling circuit 14 involved. Here, therefore, the upstream of the first high-voltage battery heats up 12 arranged second high-voltage battery 38 earlier and can reach the desired operating temperature sooner. Due to the lower thermal mass of two high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 compared to a single high-voltage battery with the same output, the high-voltage battery reaches 38 their desired operating temperature so very quickly. In such an arrangement, it may be provided that the high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 offset in time, in particular successively, electrical energy and / or record.

Unlike the in 5 In the embodiment shown in FIG 6 embodiment shown, the two high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 fluidically connected in parallel in the first cooling circuit 14 involved. Here are both high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 evenly heated when that from the heat source 22 next heated coolant the two high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 flows in. This is particularly useful when the high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 be operated so that they simultaneously or at best with little time delay absorb or give electrical energy.

In the 7 embodiment shown corresponds largely to in 6 shown, however, in one is the high-voltage battery 38 having strand 40 of the first cooling circuit 14 a shut-off valve 42 arranged. When the high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 can be unloaded and loaded in chronological succession, so can the high-voltage battery 12 be heated particularly quickly by the shut-off valve 42 is closed. This happens faster than if the two high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 fluidically connected in series in the first cooling circuit 14 would be arranged.

At the in 8th shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement are in contrast to in 1 embodiment shown several heat sources 22 . 44 . 46 in the second cooling circuit 20 involved, with the heat sources 22 . 44 . 46 fluidically connected in series. In this case, preferably, the upstream of the high-voltage battery 12 and this closest heat source 22 a higher temperature level than the turn upstream of the heat source 22 arranged heat source 44 and this again a higher temperature level than the even further upstream heat source 46 , In alternative embodiments, two or more than three heat sources may also be used 22 . 44 . 46 be used.

At the in 9 shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement 10 is the second heat source 44 fluidically parallel to the first heat source 22 arranged. From the second heat source 44 The next heated coolant can be pumped 48 by closing another switching valve 50 the high-voltage battery 12 are supplied, as well as from the first heat source 22 Coming heated coolant when the switching valve 28 is switched accordingly. Alternatively, the switching valve 50 be switched so that from the second heat source 44 next heated coolant another cooler 52 flows in. For heating the high-voltage battery 12 So, optionally, the first heat source 22 or the second heat source 44 as well as depending on the operation of the pumps 26 . 48 and position of the changeover valves 28 . 50 only from one of the heat sources 22 . 44 coming coolant or from both heat sources 22 . 44 Coming coolant of the high-voltage battery 12 be supplied. Preferably, in this cooling arrangement 10 the heat source 44 a higher temperature level on the heat source 22 ,

At the in 10 shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement 10 are the two sources of heat 22 . 44 likewise in flow-related parallel cooling circuits 20 . 54 arranged, however, is between the cooling circuits 20 . 54 a connection line 56 intended. By opening one downstream of the heat source 22 and upstream of the pump 26 arranged switching valve 58 can be achieved that the heat source 22 leaving coolant first, the heat source 44 flows through and then only over the connecting line 30 the high-voltage battery 12 is supplied. Remains, however, the connection line 56 by appropriate switching of the switching valve 58 locked, so in winter operation of the high-voltage battery 12 only by means of the heat source 22 supplied heated coolant.

At the in 11 shown embodiment of the cooling arrangement are the first cooling circuit 14 and the second cooling circuit 20 not fluidically connected to each other, but also via a heat exchanger 36 , The heat exchanger 36 can into the high-voltage battery 12 be integrated and serves to heat the high-voltage battery 12 in the winter. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery 12 in the summer by means of an evaporator 60 cooled. Accordingly, the first cooling circuit 14 designed as a refrigerant circuit, which as a pumping means a refrigerant compressor 62 and as a condenser a condenser 64 includes. In the cooling circuit 14 may be another evaporator 66 which may be preceded by an expansion device (not shown), by means of the evaporator 66 to carry out a further cooling. So can about using the evaporator 66 an air conditioning of a passenger compartment of the vehicle feedable supply air done.

The for the coolant-cooled high-voltage batteries 12 . 38 described arrangements of one or more such electrical energy storage and / or the fluidically parallel or series arrangement of several heat sources 22 . 44 . 46 are also related to 11 described refrigerant-cooled battery cooling possible.

Claims (10)

Cooling arrangement for a vehicle with electric drive, with at least one electrical energy store ( 12 . 38 ), which in a first cooling circuit ( 14 ) and with at least one further device releasing waste heat during operation ( 22 . 44 . 46 ), which in a second cooling circuit ( 20 . 54 ) is involved, since characterized in that the cooling arrangement ( 10 ) at least one coupling element ( 28 . 32 . 50 . 58 ), by means of which the at least one electrical energy store ( 12 . 38 ) in the second cooling circuit ( 20 . 56 ) is einbindbar. Cooling arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the at least one coupling element ( 28 . 32 . 50 ) a flow through a respective radiator ( 18 . 24 . 52 ) can be prevented, which in the respective cooling circuit ( 14 . 20 . 56 ) is involved. Cooling arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the first cooling circuit ( 14 ) and / or in the second cooling circuit ( 20 . 56 ) at least one pumping device ( 16 . 26 . 48 . 62 ), by means of which a coolant or a refrigerant is fed to a radiator ( 18 . 24 . 52 . 64 ) and / or the at least one electrical energy store ( 12 . 38 ) can be fed. Cooling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one further when releasing heat releasing device ( 22 . 44 . 46 ) - an electric motor and / or an internal combustion engine and / or - a transmission and / or - a charger for charging the electrical energy storage and / or - a voltage converter and / or a power distribution device and / or - power electronics and / or - an electrical control unit and / or - a fuel cell stack and / or - a generator and / or - an exhaust system and / or a charge air tract comprises. Cooling arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that at least two of the devices releasing waste heat during operation ( 22 . 44 . 46 ) fluidically in series and / or parallel in the second cooling circuit ( 20 . 56 ) are involved. Cooling arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least two of the devices releasing waste heat during operation ( 22 . 44 . 46 ) in fluidically parallel cooling circuits ( 20 . 56 ) are involved. Cooling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the first cooling circuit ( 14 ) Waste heat from the second cooling circuit ( 20 . 56 ) by means of a heat exchanger ( 36 ) can be introduced. Cooling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least two electrical energy storage ( 12 . 38 ) fluidically in series and / or parallel in the first cooling circuit ( 14 ) are involved. Cooling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one electrical energy storage ( 12 ) in a first cooling circuit ( 14 ), which is a refrigerant compressor ( 62 ) and at least one evaporator ( 60 . 66 ). Method for operating a vehicle with an electric drive, in which at least one electrical energy store ( 12 . 38 ) of the vehicle, characterized in that for heating the at least one electrical energy store ( 12 . 38 ) the at least one electrical energy store ( 12 . 38 ) comprehensive first cooling circuit ( 14 ) with a second cooling circuit ( 20 . 56 ) in which waste heat is introduced, which by operating at least one further device ( 22 . 44 . 46 ) is produced.