DE102021109740A1 - Cooling system with central valve device for an electric vehicle and electric vehicle with such a cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

A cooling system (100) for an electric vehicle (200) or a hybrid vehicle is described with a first coolant circuit (KK1) for cooling at least one electrical and/or mechanical component (14), the first coolant circuit (KK1) having a first coolant pump (16 ) and a cooler (18); a second coolant circuit (KK2) for cooling an electrical energy store (20), in particular a high-voltage battery, the second coolant circuit (KK2) having a second coolant pump (22); a third coolant circuit (KK3) for conditioning the electrical energy store (20), the third coolant circuit (KK3) having a heat exchanger (24), in particular a chiller, which is thermally connected to a refrigeration system (26) of the electric vehicle, and/or an auxiliary heating module (28); and a central valve device (12) which is operatively connected to each coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3); each coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3) having at least one respective coolant flow (KVx) which begins at the central valve device (12) and at least one respective coolant return (KRx) which ends at the central valve device (12), the central valve device (12) can be set in several switch positions (I-VII), with at least one coolant return (KRx) of each coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3) being connected to at least one of the coolant feeds (KVx) in each switch position (I-VII). . An electric vehicle (200) with such a cooling system (100) is also described.

Description

The invention relates to a cooling system for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle with a first coolant circuit for cooling at least one electrical and/or mechanical component, the first coolant circuit having a first coolant pump and a cooler; a second coolant circuit for cooling an electrical energy store, in particular a high-voltage battery, the second coolant circuit having a second coolant pump; a third coolant circuit for conditioning the electrical energy store, wherein the third coolant circuit has a heat exchanger, in particular a chiller, which is thermally operatively connected to a refrigeration system of the electric vehicle, and/or has an additional heating module.

The documents provide an example of the technical background DE 10 2019 107 190 A1 , DE 10 2015 215 164 A1 and U.S. 2017/152957 A1 pointed out, from which various differently constructed cooling systems for motor vehicles are known.

Mixing and switching valves, each with a maximum of four connections, are usually installed in the coolant circuit of electric vehicles. Such valves are used to distribute the volume flow of coolant to the various components to be cooled as required. The resulting topologies of coolant circuits are decentralized and highly branched due to the use of different valves.

For additional functionalities or interconnections, additional valves, such as non-return valves, are required in known coolant circuits. This leads to increased complexity and higher costs, in particular also due to higher development and assembly costs. Furthermore, more space is required through the use of additional valves. Furthermore, due to the multiple connections of hoses with the different valves, there are higher pressure losses in the coolant circuit, which leads to greater power consumption at the coolant pump, so that more (electrical) energy is consumed, which has a disadvantageous effect on the range, especially in an electric vehicle.

The object on which the invention is based is seen as specifying a cooling system with an improved topology in which the above disadvantages can be avoided.

This object is achieved by a cooling system with the features of patent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle with such a cooling system. Advantageous configurations with expedient developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

A cooling system for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle is therefore proposed
a first coolant circuit for cooling at least one electrical and/or mechanical component, the first coolant circuit having a first coolant pump and a cooler;
a second coolant circuit for cooling an electrical energy store, in particular a high-voltage battery, the second coolant circuit having a second coolant pump;
a third coolant circuit for conditioning the electrical energy store, the third coolant circuit having a heat exchanger, in particular a chiller, which is thermally operatively connected to a refrigeration system of the electric vehicle, and/or has an additional heating module; and
a central valve device operatively connected to each coolant circuit.
It is provided that each coolant circuit has at least one respective coolant supply, which begins at the central valve device, and has at least one respective coolant return, which ends at the central valve device, and that the central valve device can be adjusted into a plurality of switching positions, with at least one coolant return from each coolant circuit is connected to at least one of the coolant supply lines.

Such a cooling system has a topology that starts from the central valve device, so that a large number of individual valves can be dispensed with. This enables a direct connection of all components of the central valve device that are to be cooled. This direct connection allows pressure losses to be reduced in comparison with known cooling systems, so that higher coolant volume flows can be achieved with the same power consumption. An electrical and/or mechanical component contained in the first coolant circuit can, for example, be a drive-side component (such as an electric motor) or an electrical charging device or a current transformer or a Transmission or the like. The cooler in question can be a low-temperature cooler, for example.

In the cooling system, all interconnections of the coolant circuits can be adjusted solely by adjusting the central valve device.

Depending on the switching position, the central valve device can act as a mixing valve and/or switching valve for a relevant coolant circuit.

In other words, the central valve device is designed in such a way that many or all of the valves hitherto present in such cooling systems can be replaced. This reduces the complexity and component count of the cooling system, which has a positive effect on assembly and maintenance. Furthermore, acoustic complaints due to a ball moving abruptly in the check valve can also be ruled out, for example, due to the omission of check valves in individual line strands or sections.

In the cooling system, the first coolant circuit can have a bypass section branching off downstream from the first coolant pump and upstream from the radiator, which ends at the central valve device and forms a bypass coolant return of the first coolant circuit to the central valve device. Such a bypass section allows for full or partial bypass of the radiator, which is enabled based on the setting of the central valve assembly. The bypass section can act as the only coolant return for the first coolant circuit. Alternatively, the bypass coolant return can act together with the coolant return from the cooler for a partial flow of the coolant flowing back. Furthermore, the bypass section can also be blocked by means of the central valve device, so that the entire coolant mass flow is routed via the cooler and the coolant return there.

In the cooling system, the first coolant circuit can have an additional section branching off downstream from the first coolant pump and upstream from the drive-side component to be cooled, which ends at the central valve device and forms an additional coolant return of the first coolant circuit. The additional coolant return can also be activated or deactivated by means of the central valve device. Furthermore, it is also possible that only a partial flow of coolant flows through the additional coolant return and a partial flow is guided, for example, through the bypass coolant return.

In the cooling system, a first air separation device, which is connected to an expansion tank, can be arranged in the first coolant circuit upstream of the first coolant pump. A compensating line, which is connected to the compensating tank, can branch off in the second coolant circuit upstream of the second coolant pump. On the one hand, this makes it possible to fill the cooling system by filling coolant in the expansion tank and entering the first coolant circuit via the first air separation device. Furthermore, due to the equalizing line in the second coolant circuit, there is a reliable pressure or coolant volume balance. If required, for example coolant can be drawn from the expansion tank into the second coolant circuit via the equalizing line.

In the cooling system, the third coolant circuit can have a chiller coolant supply line and an additional heater coolant supply line, which are arranged parallel to one another in terms of flow and which, depending on the switching position of the central valve device, individually or jointly form the function of the coolant supply line (KV3) of the third coolant circuit (KK3). This makes it possible to condition or heat coolant in the third coolant circuit by means of the chiller and/or by means of the additional heater if this is necessary in an operating state of the cooling system or the electric vehicle, for example at low ambient temperatures and/or when the electric vehicle is started . Of course, coolant can also be cooled by exchanging heat with the coolant in the chiller, so that cooling of the electrical energy store is assisted.

In the cooling system, the second coolant circuit can have a charging coolant flow, which is fluidically arranged parallel to the second coolant pump. Coolant can flow through the charging coolant flow in particular if the electrical energy storage device is connected to a (rapid) charging station and increased cooling of the electrical energy storage device is required.

In the cooling system, the first coolant pump and the second coolant pump can be connected in parallel with one another in terms of flow by means of the central valve device. The two coolant pumps can thus be connected in parallel, in particular during (rapid) charging of the electrical energy store, in order to improve the cooling of the electrical energy store.

• Kühlmittelrücklauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs.

In the cooling system, the central valve device can establish the following connections in a first switching position, which can also be referred to as the filling position or basic position:

• Coolant return of the first coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the second coolant circuit;
• Coolant return of the second coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the third coolant circuit;
• Coolant return of the third coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the first coolant circuit.

• Kühlmittelrücklauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Chiller-Kühlmittelvorlauf und dem Zusatzheizer-Kühlmittelvorlauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs.

The central valve device can continue to establish the following connection in the first switch position:

• Coolant return of the second coolant circuit with the chiller coolant supply and the additional heater coolant supply of the third coolant circuit.

• Kühlmittelrücklauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittel-vorlauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittel-vorlauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs.

In the cooling system, the central valve device can establish the following connections in a second switching position, which can also be referred to as cooling with separate coolant circuits:

• Coolant return of the first coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the first coolant circuit;
• Coolant return of the second coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the third coolant circuit;
• Coolant return of the third coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the second coolant circuit.

• Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs, wobei Kühlmittel aus dem Kühlmittelrücklauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs und dem Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf gemischt werden oder wobei Kühlmittel nur über den Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf geleitet wird.

The central valve device can continue to establish the following connection in the second switching position:

• Bypass coolant return of the first coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the first coolant circuit, with coolant from the coolant return of the first coolant circuit and the bypass coolant return being mixed, or with coolant only being routed via the bypass coolant return.

• Zusatz-Kühlmittelrücklauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Lade-Kühlmittelvorlauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem zu dem Lade-Kühlmittelvorlauf parallelen Kühlmittelvorlauf des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs;
• Kühlmittelrücklauf des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs.

In the cooling system, the central valve device can establish the following connections in a third switch position, which can also be referred to as DC-Max charging:

• Additional coolant return of the first coolant circuit with the charging coolant supply of the second coolant circuit;
• Coolant return of the second coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the third coolant circuit;
• Coolant return of the third coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the second coolant circuit parallel to the charging coolant supply;
• Coolant return of the third coolant circuit with the coolant supply of the first coolant circuit.

In the case of the cooling system, the central valve device can also be set to other switching positions, so that other operating states can be implemented. The central valve device is therefore not limited to the three switching positions mentioned above, but includes these three and other switching positions.

An electric vehicle may be equipped with a cooling system as described above. In particular, such a cooling system can be accommodated in a front area of the electric vehicle. For this purpose, the central valve device and large parts of the coolant circuits connected to it can be be combined in a central cooling system module. It is possible for the central cooling system module to be designed such that only (vehicle) components arranged at different locations or positions in the electric vehicle, such as electrical energy stores, drive components or coolers, have to be connected to it.

• 1 ein vereinfachtes und schematisches Prinzipschaltbild eines Kühlsystems mit Zentralventileinrichtung;
• 2 eine Vergrößerung der Zentralventileinrichtung der 1 mit nummerierten Anschlüssen;
• 3 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine erste Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 4 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine zweite Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 5 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine dritte Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 6 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine vierte Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 7 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine fünfte Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 8 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine sechste Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 9 in den Teilfiguren A) und B) eine siebte Schaltstellung der Zentralventileinrichtung in dem Kühlsystem und der mittels der Zentralventileinrichtung hergestellten Verbindungen zwischen jeweiligen Kühlmittelrückläufen und Kühlmittelvorläufen;
• 10 das Kühlsystem der 1 mit einem zentralen Thermomanagement-Modul.

Further advantages and details of the invention result from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. It shows:

• 1 a simplified and schematic block diagram of a cooling system with a central valve device;
• 2 an enlargement of the central valve device of 1 with numbered connectors;
• 3 in sub-figures A) and B) a first switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 4 in sub-figures A) and B) a second switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 5 in sub-figures A) and B) a third switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 6 in sub-figures A) and B) a fourth switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 7 in sub-figures A) and B) a fifth switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 8th in sub-figures A) and B) a sixth switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 9 in sub-figures A) and B) a seventh switching position of the central valve device in the cooling system and the connections established by means of the central valve device between the respective coolant returns and coolant supplies;
• 10 the cooling system 1 with a central thermal management module.

In 1 a cooling system 100 for an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle 200 is shown in a simplified and schematic manner. The motor vehicle 200, in particular an electric vehicle, is in 1 only indicated as a schematic rectangle around the cooling system 100.

Overall, the cooling system 100 forms an overall circuit for coolant for cooling or conditioning or temperature control of components of the motor vehicle 200. The cooling system has a central valve device 12, which is also alternatively referred to below as the central valve 12.

Cooling system 100 has a first coolant circuit KK1 for cooling at least one electrical and/or mechanical component 14 of motor vehicle 200. The first coolant circuit KK1 has a first coolant pump 16 and a cooler 18 . The term electrical and/or mechanical component 14 summarizes various components here, such as an electric motor (not shown here) and/or a current converter, such as a DC/DC converter, a gear or the like.

The cooling system 100 also has a second coolant circuit KK2 for cooling an electrical energy store 20, in particular a high-voltage battery, the second coolant circuit KK2 having a second coolant pump 22.

The cooling system 100 also includes a third coolant circuit KK3 for conditioning the electrical energy store 20, the third coolant circuit KK3 having a heat exchanger 24, in particular a chiller, which is connected to a refrigeration system 26 of the Electric vehicle is in thermal connection. Furthermore, an additional heating module 28 can be provided in the third coolant circuit KK3. The additional heating module 28 can, for example, be an electric additional heater or a high-voltage heater.

The second coolant circuit KK2 and the third coolant circuit KK3 can also be collectively referred to as a so-called battery circuit.

The cooling system 100 has an expansion tank 30 . The cooling system 100 can be filled with coolant by means of the expansion tank 30 . The expansion tank 30 is connected via a line section 32 to an air separation device 34 which is arranged in the first coolant circuit KK1. In the example shown, the air separation device 32 is arranged upstream of the first coolant pump 16 . If a venting routine is carried out with the cooling system, air or air bubbles can escape into the expansion tank 30 via the line section 32 .

The first coolant circuit KK1 can have a bypass section 36 branching off downstream of the first coolant pump 16 and upstream of the radiator 18 . The bypass section 36 begins at a junction 38 and ends at the central valve device 12. The bypass section 36 thus forms a so-called bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 to the central valve device 12.

The first coolant circuit KK1 can further have an additional section 40 branching off downstream from the first coolant pump 16 and upstream from the drive-side component 14 to be cooled. The additional section 40 begins at a branch 42 and ends at the central valve device 12. The additional section 40 thus forms an additional coolant return KRZ of the first coolant circuit KK1.

As can be seen from the above description of the first coolant circuit KK1 , in the example shown, starting from the central valve device 12 , this has a coolant feed KV1 and a coolant return KR1 having the cooler 18 . Furthermore, coolant in the first coolant circuit KK1 can also be routed back to the central valve 12 via the bypass coolant return KRB and/or the additional coolant return KRZ.

Starting from the central valve 12 , the second coolant circuit KK2 has a coolant supply line KV2 and a coolant return line KR2 that has the electrical energy store 20 . In addition, the second coolant circuit KK2 can have a charging coolant flow KVL, which is arranged in parallel to the second coolant pump 22 in terms of flow. the charging coolant flow KVL begins at the central valve 12 and ends at a branch 44 which is arranged downstream of the second coolant pump 22 .

Furthermore, in the second coolant circuit KK2, upstream of the second coolant pump 22, a compensating line 46 branches off, which is shown in broken lines. The compensating line 46 opens into the compensating tank 30 so that a coolant compensation or pressure compensation in the cooling system 100 can take place in this way. Air can also escape into the equalizing tank 30 via the equalizing line 46 .

Starting from the central valve 12, the third coolant circuit KK3 has a coolant supply KV3 and a coolant return KR3. In the example shown, the third coolant circuit KK3 includes a chiller coolant flow KVC and an additional heater coolant flow KVH, which are fluidically arranged parallel to one another. The two aerodynamically parallel feeds KVC and KVH flow into a branch 48.

In the case of the above with reference to the 1 In the cooling system 100 described, the central valve device 12 represents a central element that serves as the starting point for the topology of the cooling system or the coolant circuits KK1, KK2, KK3. In this case, the central valve 12 is in particular designed or designed in such a way that all connections of the coolant circuits KK1 , KK2 , KK3 can only be adjusted by adjusting the central valve device 12 . Depending on the switching position, the central valve device 12 can act as a mixing valve and/or switching valve for a relevant coolant circuit KK1, KK2, KK3.

2 shows the central valve 12 in an enlarged schematic representation with numbered connections. In the example shown, connections of the central valve device 12 are assigned to the feeds KVx and returns KRx of the respective coolant circuits KKn as follows: connection Coolant circuit KKn Forward KVx Return KRx 1 KK2 KV2 --- 2 KK2 KVL --- 3 KK2 --- KR2 4 KK1 --- KR1 5 KK1 --- KRB 6 KK1 KV1 --- 7 KK1 --- KRZ 8th KK3 KVC/KV3 9 KK3 KVH --- 10 KK3 --- KR3

The numbering of the connections 1 to 10 used here as an example can of course also be different. Furthermore, the central valve device 12 can also have more or fewer than the ten connections shown here as an example.

In the following, with reference to the 3 until 9 various switching positions of the central valve device or of the central valve 12 are described, with the upper figure, which is marked with A), showing the lines through which flow is active and the lines through which flow does not flow are shown as dotted. Lines or line sections through which flow can optionally take place are shown in dashed lines. In the respective bottom figure B), the connections established by means of the central valve device 12 in the respective switching position between the feeds and returns of the various coolant circuits KK1, KK2, KK3 are shown. It should be noted that crossing lines do not represent a fluid connection. A connection provided or adjustable in the central valve device 12 is represented by a black dot. The switching positions are marked with Roman numerals.

• a) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 4 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung.
• b) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3 (KVC) des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 8 miteinander in Verbindung.
• c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung.
• d) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Zusatzheizer-Kühlmittelvorlauf KVH des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 9 miteinander in Verbindung; entsprechend wird der Kühlmittelstrom vom Anschluss 3 innerhalb des Zentralventils auf die Anschlüsse 8 und 9 aufgeteilt bzw. verzweigt.

3 shows a first switching position I of the central valve 12. This switching position I can also be referred to as the basic position or starting position. In this first switching position I, the following connections are established:

• a) coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the connections 4 and 1 are connected to one another.
• b) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the coolant supply KV3 (KVC) of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 3 and 8 are connected to one another.
• c) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1; in the central valve 12, the connections 10 and 6 are connected to one another.
• d) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the additional heater coolant supply KVH of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 3 and 9 are connected to one another; Correspondingly, the coolant flow from port 3 within the central valve is split or branched to ports 8 and 9.

In the first switching position I, the connections 2, 5 and 7 are blocked or closed, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KVL, KR3 and KRZ or does not flow in.

In this first switching position (basic position), the cooling system 100 can be filled, for example, via the expansion tank 30. Furthermore, this first switching position can also be a basic position be going that the cooling system 100 is initially operated in this setting when starting the cooling or the electric vehicle. In this switch position I, the first coolant circuit KK1 is fluidically connected to the second coolant circuit KK2.

• a) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 4 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung;
• b) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3/KVC des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 8 miteinander in Verbindung;
• c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung;
• d) Optional: Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1, wobei Kühlmittel aus dem Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 und aus dem Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB gemischt wird; im Zentralventil 12 stehen in diesem Fall also die Anschlüsse 4, 5 mit dem Anschluss 6 in Verbindung, wobei die übrigen Verbindungen b) und c) beibehalten werden können. Alternativ kann der gesamte Kühlmittelvolumenstrom auch nur über den Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB geleitet werden. In einem solchen Fall würden nur die Anschlüsse 5 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung stehen, Anschluss 4 wäre aber gesperrt.

4 shows a second switch position II of the central valve 12. This switch position II can also be referred to as cooling with separate circuits. The following connections are made in this second switching position II:

• a) coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit; in the central valve 12, the connections 4 and 6 are connected to one another;
• b) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the coolant supply KV3/KVC of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 3 and 8 are connected to one another;
• c) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the connections 10 and 1 are connected to one another;
• d) Optional: bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1, wherein coolant from the coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 and from the bypass coolant return KRB is mixed; In this case, the connections 4, 5 in the central valve 12 are connected to the connection 6, while the other connections b) and c) can be retained. Alternatively, the entire coolant volume flow can also only be routed via the bypass coolant return KRB. In such a case, only ports 5 and 6 would communicate with each other, but port 4 would be blocked.

In the second switching position II, the connections 2, 7 and 9 are blocked or locked, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KVL, KRZ and KVH or does not flow in.

In switching position II, the components to be cooled are cooled in separate circuits. Drive-side components 14 are cooled by coolant that circulates only in the first coolant circuit by means of the first coolant pump 16. The electrical energy store 20 is cooled by coolant that circulates in the fluidically interconnected coolant circuits KK2 and KK3 by means of the second coolant pump 22. In this switching position II the first coolant circuit KK1 is separated from the second coolant circuit KK2, so that the two coolant pumps 16, 22 each operate autonomous coolant circuits.

• a) Zirklulations-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRZ des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Lade-Kühlmittelvorlauf KVL des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 7 und 2 miteinander in Verbindung;
• b) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3/KVC des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 8 miteinander in Verbindung;
• c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem zu dem Lade-Kühlmittelvorlauf KVL parallelen Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; in dem Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung;
• d) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1; in dem Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung;
• e) Optional: Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1, wobei Kühlmittel aus dem Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 und dem Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB gemischt werden.

5 shows a third switching position III of the central valve 12. This switching position III can also be referred to as DC-Max charging. The following connections are made in this third switching position III:

• a) circulation coolant return KRZ of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the charging coolant supply KVL of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the connections 7 and 2 are connected to one another;
• b) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the coolant supply KV3/KVC of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 3 and 8 are connected to one another;
• c) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2, which is parallel to the charging coolant supply KVL; in the central valve 12, the ports 10 and 1 are connected to one another;
• d) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1; in the central valve 12, the ports 10 and 6 are connected to one another;
• e) Optional: bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1, wherein coolant from the coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 and the bypass coolant return KRB are mixed.

In the case of the connections c) and d) described above for the third switching position III, it should be noted that the coolant mass flow is distributed to the connections 1 and 6 within the central valve. In the third switching position III, the two coolant pumps 16, 22 are connected in parallel to one another. This results in improved or increased cooling, in particular on the electrical energy store 20 achieved, which is particularly useful when (rapidly) charging the energy store 20 . In this switching position III, the first coolant circuit KK1 is fluidically connected to the second coolant circuit KK2. In this case, coolant equalization or venting can take place, including the expansion tank 30 .

In the third switching position III, the connections 4 and 9 are blocked or blocked, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KR1 and KVH or does not flow in.

• a) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 4 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung;
• b) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3/KVC des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 8 miteinander in Verbindung;
• c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem zu dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1; in dem Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung;
• d) Optional: Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2, wobei Kühlmittel aus dem Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 und dem Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB gemischt werden oder wobei Kühlmittel nur über den Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB geleitet wird.

6 shows a fourth switching position IV of the central valve 12. This switching position IV can also be referred to as a combined circuit. The following connections are made in this fourth switching position IV:

• a) coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the ports 4 and 1 are connected to one another;
• b) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the coolant supply KV3/KVC of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 3 and 8 are connected to one another;
• c) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1; in the central valve 12, the ports 10 and 6 are connected to one another;
• d) Optional: bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2, with coolant from the coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 and the bypass coolant return KRB being mixed or with coolant being routed only via the bypass coolant return KRB becomes.

In the fourth switching position IV, the connections 2, 7 and 9 are blocked or closed, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KVL, KRZ and KVH or does not flow in.

In this switching position IV, the first coolant circuit KK1 is fluidically connected to the second coolant circuit KK2. In this case, coolant equalization or venting can take place, including the expansion tank 30 .

1. a) Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 5 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung;
2. b) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Zusatzheizer-Kühlmittelvorlauf KVH des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 9 miteinander in Verbindung;
3. c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; in dem Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung;
4. d) Optional: Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem Kühlmittelvorauf KV1, so dass der Kühlmittelvolumenstrom auf den Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 und den Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB aufgeteilt wird.

7 shows a fifth switching position V of the central valve 12. This switching position V can also be referred to as heating the battery. The following connections are made in this fifth switching position V:

1. a) bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1; in the central valve 12, the connections 5 and 6 are connected to one another;
2. b) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the additional heater coolant supply KVH of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 3 and 9 are connected to one another;
3. c) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the ports 10 and 1 are connected to one another;
4. d) Optional: coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the coolant flow KV1, so that the coolant volume flow is divided between the coolant return KR1 and the bypass coolant return KRB.

In the fifth switching position V, the connections 2, 4, 7 and 8 are blocked or locked, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KVL, KR1, KRZ and KVC or does not flow in.

In switch position V, coolant can be heated by means of additional heater 28 in the third coolant circuit. The heated coolant then flows into the second coolant circuit KK2, where it can give off heat to the electrical energy store 20, so that the latter is tempered or conditioned. In this switching position V, the first coolant circuit KK1 is separated from the second coolant circuit KK2, so that the two coolant pumps 16, 22 each operate autonomous coolant circuits.

• a) Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem (Chiller-)Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3/KVC des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 5 und 8 miteinander in Verbindung;
• b) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung;
• c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1; in dem Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung.

8th shows a sixth switching position VI of the central valve 12. This switching position VI can also be referred to as heat pump operation. The following connections are made in this sixth switching position VI:

• a) bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the (chiller) coolant supply KV3/KVC of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 5 and 8 are connected to one another;
• b) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the ports 3 and 1 are connected to one another;
• c) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1; in the central valve 12, the connections 10 and 6 are therefore connected to one another.

In the sixth switching position VI, the connections 2, 4, 7 and 9 are blocked or blocked, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KVL, KR1, KRZ and KVH or does not flow in.

In switching position VI, the coolant in the region of drive-side component(s) 14 in first coolant circuit KK1 absorbs heat. The heated coolant flows bypassing the radiator 18 by means of the bypass coolant return KRB into the third coolant circuit KK3 and there into the chiller 24 . The chiller 24 consequently works as a water heat pump for the refrigeration system 26. In this switching position VI, the first coolant circuit KK1 is separated from the second coolant circuit KK2, so that the two coolant pumps 16, 22 each operate autonomous coolant circuits.

• a) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem (Chiller-)Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3/KVC und dem Zusatzheizer-Kühlmittelvorlauf KVH des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 4 und 8, 9 miteinander in Verbindung.
• b) Bypass-Kühlmittelrücklauf KRB des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1 mit dem (Chiller-)Kühlmittelvorlauf KV3/KVC und dem Zusatzheizer-Kühlmittelvorlauf KVH des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 5 und 8, 9 miteinander in Verbindung;
• c) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV2 des zweiten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK2; im Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 3 und 1 miteinander in Verbindung;
• d) Kühlmittelrücklauf KR3 des dritten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK3 mit dem Kühlmittelvorlauf KV1 des ersten Kühlmittelkreislaufs KK1; in dem Zentralventil 12 stehen also die Anschlüsse 10 und 6 miteinander in Verbindung.

9 shows a seventh switching position VII of the central valve 12. This switching position VII can also be referred to as excess heat function. The following connections are made in this seventh switch position VII:

• a) coolant return KR1 of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the (chiller) coolant supply KV3/KVC and the additional heater coolant supply KVH of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 4 and 8, 9 are connected to one another.
• b) bypass coolant return KRB of the first coolant circuit KK1 with the (chiller) coolant supply KV3/KVC and the additional heater coolant supply KVH of the third coolant circuit KK3; in the central valve 12, the connections 5 and 8, 9 are connected to one another;
• c) coolant return KR2 of the second coolant circuit KK2 with the coolant supply KV2 of the second coolant circuit KK2; in the central valve 12, the ports 3 and 1 are connected to one another;
• d) coolant return KR3 of the third coolant circuit KK3 with the coolant supply KV1 of the first coolant circuit KK1; in the central valve 12, the connections 10 and 6 are therefore connected to one another.

In the seventh switching position VII, the connections 2 and 7 are blocked or closed, so that the coolant is in the corresponding line sections KVL and KRZ or does not flow in.

In switching position VII, the coolant circulates mainly in the cooling circuits KK1 and KK3, with the coolant circuit KK2 being operated separately from this. With the so-called excess heat function, the coolant is circulated in the coolant circuits KK1 and KK3 in such a way that heat can be dissipated from the system into the environment, if necessary by means of the vehicle's refrigeration system. The coolant can absorb or give off heat in the area of the chiller 24 in particular in the third coolant circuit KK3 and absorb heat in the area of the additional heater 28 . In this switching position VII, the first coolant circuit KK1 is separated from the second coolant circuit KK2, so that the two coolant pumps 16, 22 each operate autonomous coolant circuits.

10 shows the cooling system 100 of FIG 1 , wherein a so-called central thermal management module 300 is shown hatched. The components of the cooling system 100 lying under the hatching can be combined or integrated in the module 300 . Such a central thermal management module 300 can be made available as a modular component, so that it only has to be the cooler 18, the electrical energy store 20 and the drive-side components 14 must be connected. As a result, the effort involved in assembling a motor vehicle 200 is reduced.

The central valve device 12 used as part of the cooling system 100 presented here can have a structure such as that described, for example, in the applications filed at the same time by the applicant entitled "Central valve device with rotatable adjustment element for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, cooling system and electric vehicle with such a cooling system" and "Central valve device with connection grid and rotatable adjustment element for a cooling system of a motor vehicle and electric vehicle with such a cooling system" is described. Reference is made to the content of these two applications, in particular with regard to the internal structure and the resulting switching positions within the central valve device 12 .

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102019107190 A1 [0002]
• DE 102015215164 A1 [0002]
• US2017152957A1[0002]

Claims (16)

Cooling system (100) for an electric vehicle (200) or a hybrid vehicle a first coolant circuit (KK1) for cooling at least one electrical and/or mechanical component (14), the first coolant circuit (KK1) having a first coolant pump (16) and a cooler (18); a second coolant circuit (KK2) for cooling an electrical energy store (20), in particular a high-voltage battery, the second coolant circuit (KK2) having a second coolant pump (22); and a third coolant circuit (KK3) for conditioning the electrical energy store (20), the third coolant circuit (KK3) having a heat exchanger (24), in particular a chiller, which is thermally connected to a refrigeration system (26) of the electric vehicle, and/or an auxiliary heating module (28); a central valve device (12) which is operatively connected to each coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3); each coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3) having at least one respective coolant flow (KVx), which begins at the central valve device (12), and at least one respective coolant return (KRx), which ends at the central valve device (12), the central valve device (12) can be set in several switch positions (I-VIII), with at least one coolant return (KRx) of each coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3) being connected to at least one of the coolant feeds (KVx) in each switch position (I-VII). . Cooling system (100) after claim 1 , wherein all interconnections (I-VII) of the coolant circuits (KK1, KK2, KK3) can be adjusted solely by adjusting the central valve device (12). Cooling system (100) after claim 2 , wherein the central valve device (12) depending on the switching position (I-VII) as a mixing valve and / or switching valve for a relevant coolant circuit (KK1, KK2, KK3) acts. Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coolant circuit (KK1) has a bypass section (36) which branches off downstream from the first coolant pump (16) and upstream from the radiator (18) and which ends at the central valve device (12) and forms a bypass coolant return (KRB) of the first coolant circuit (KK1) to the central valve device (12). Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coolant circuit (KK1) has an additional section (40) which branches off downstream from the first coolant pump (16) and upstream from the drive-side component (14) to be cooled and which is connected to the central valve device (12 ) ends and forms an additional coolant return (KRZ) of the first coolant circuit (KK1). Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the first coolant circuit (KK1) upstream of the first coolant pump (16) a first air separation device (34) is arranged, which is connected to an expansion tank (30). Cooling system (100) after claim 6 , wherein in the second coolant circuit (KK2) upstream of the second coolant pump (22) branches off a compensating line (46) which is connected to the compensating tank (30). Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third coolant circuit (KK3) has a chiller coolant feed (KVC) and an additional heater coolant feed (KVH), which are arranged in parallel to one another in terms of flow and which, depending on the switching position of the central valve device (12) form individually or together the function of the coolant flow (KV3) of the third coolant circuit (KK3). Cooling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second coolant circuit (KK2) has a charging coolant flow (KVL) which is fluidically arranged parallel to the second coolant pump (22). Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first coolant pump (16) and the second coolant pump (22) can be fluidically switched parallel to one another by means of the central valve device (12). Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central valve device (12) produces the following connections in a first switching position (I): Coolant return (KR1) of the first coolant circuit (KK1) with the coolant flow (KV2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2); Coolant return (KR2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2) with the coolant flow (KV3, KVC) of the third coolant circuit (KK3); Coolant return (KR3) of the third coolant circuit (KK3) with the coolant flow (KV1) of the first coolant circuit (KK1). Cooling system (100) after claim 11 and claim 8 , wherein the central valve device (12) in the first switching position (I) establishes the following connection: coolant return (KR2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2) with the chiller coolant supply (KVC) and the auxiliary heater coolant supply (KVH) of the third coolant circuit (KK3) . Cooling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central valve device (12) produces the following connections in a second switching position (II): Coolant return (KR1) of the first coolant circuit (KK1) with the coolant flow (KV1) of the first coolant circuit (KK1); Coolant return (KR2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2) with the coolant flow (KV3, KVC) of the third coolant circuit (KK3); Coolant return (KR3) of the third coolant circuit (KK3) with the coolant flow (KV2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2). Cooling system (100) after Claim 13 and claim 4 , wherein the central valve device (12) in the second switching position (II) establishes the following connection: bypass coolant return (KRB) of the first coolant circuit (KK1) with the coolant supply (KV1) of the first coolant circuit (KK1), with coolant from the coolant return (KR1 ) of the first coolant circuit (KK1) and the bypass coolant return (KRB) are mixed or coolant is passed only via the bypass coolant return (KRB). Cooling system (100) after claim 5 and claim 9 , wherein the central valve device (12) in a third switching position (III) produces the following connections: additional coolant return (KRZ) of the first coolant circuit (KK1) with the charging coolant supply (KVL) of the second coolant circuit (KK2); Coolant return (KR2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2) with the coolant flow (KV3, KVC) of the third coolant circuit (KK3); Coolant return (KR3) of the third coolant circuit (KK3) with the coolant flow (KV2) of the second coolant circuit (KK2) parallel to the charging coolant flow (KVL); Coolant return (KR3) of the third coolant circuit (KK3) with the coolant flow (KV1) of the first coolant circuit (KK1). Electric vehicle (200) with a cooling system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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