Patent Application
20220397052
The present invention relates to a fluidic command device of a thermal management assembly of a thermal regulation system of a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a thermal management assembly that comprises said fluidic command device. Additionally, the present invention relates to the thermal regulation system of a vehicle, which comprises said thermal management assembly. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a vehicle, which comprises said system and comprises said thermal management assembly.
In other words, the present invention relates to the automotive field and in detail to the thermal regulation system of a vehicle. In particular, the term “vehicle” relates to any means of transport without any limitation as to type or size, i.e. a motor vehicle or a semi-articulated vehicle.
The need to manage the temperature of the operating groups of the vehicle to take them to and/or keep them in the best possible operating conditions (by cooling and/or heating them) is known from the prior art. In particular, hereinafter, “operating group” means a specific component or group of components for carrying out a given operation required for the motion of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, operating group means the endothermic engine group, or the battery group, or the gearbox group, or the transmission group, or the electric motor group, or the battery group. In particular, in the present discussion, as described in detail below, in some embodiments, an “operating group” comprises one or more components or groups of components also comprised in other distinct “operating groups”.
In recent years, hybrid-powered vehicle solutions have proliferated, in which a plurality of operating groups, such as the endothermic engine group, the battery group, and the electric motor group connected to said battery group, are necessarily present, each operating group having different needs. Indeed, each of said operating groups has a mutually different operating behavior; while both the vehicle is in motion and when it is stationary (e.g. the electric motor operates in situations with the endothermic engine in standby). Therefore, it is apparent that each operating group has different needs for thermal management, cooling and/or heating, as a function of the different operating situations of the vehicle and as a function of its physical features.
Vehicle solutions are thus known which comprise a specific thermal regulation system for each operating group, in which a specific amount of working fluid circulates. In such embodiments, each specific thermal regulation system is designed independently, requiring specific components (e.g. specific pump groups).
In this context, the problem of having, managing, providing, and producing a plurality of thermal regulation systems in the same vehicle is thus apparent.
Therefore, the main problem present in this field is that of having, accommodating, and managing a multitude of components required for the thermal management of each operating group comprised in the same vehicle.
Given the above, the need to solve the aforesaid technical problems is strongly felt.
It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a new fluidic command device by means of which such a need is met.
Such an object is achieved by a fluidic command device, a thermal management assembly, a thermal regulation system and a vehicle as described and claimed herein.
Preferred variants implying further advantageous aspects are also described.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description provided below of preferred exemplary embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral 500 indicates as a whole a thermal management assembly of a thermal regulation system 600 of a vehicle 900 (diagrammatically shown in the figures), according to the present invention.
The present invention also relates to the thermal regulation system 600 that comprises the thermal management assembly 500.
The present invention also relates to the vehicle 900 that comprises the thermal regulation system 600. Preferably, said vehicle 900 is hybrid-powered, i.e. is powered in combination by an endothermic engine group and at least one electric motor group electrically supplied by a respective battery group. In particular, in the present invention, the vehicle 900 comprises an endothermic engine group with power supply and two electric motor groups powered by two battery groups, respectively.
Preferably, according to the present invention, the vehicle 900 comprises a first operating group 910, a second operating group 920, a third operating group 930, and a fourth operating group 940.
Each operating group corresponds to a “load”. In particular, each operating group corresponds to a respective component or group of components comprised in the vehicle and preferably belonging to the power supply of the vehicle.
Preferably, the first operating group 910 is an endothermic engine group.
Preferably, the second operating group 920 comprises a first battery group and a second battery group.
Preferably, the third operating group 930 comprises the first battery group and a first electric motor group.
Preferably, the fourth operating group 940 comprises the second battery group and a second electric motor group.
According to the present invention, the first operating group 910, the second operating group 920, the third operating group 930, and the fourth operating group 940 are fluidically connected to the thermal regulation system 600.
Preferably, the first operating group 910, the second operating group 920, the third operating group 930, and the fourth operating group 940 are fluidically connected by means of a plurality of system ducts 601, 602, 603, 604, 611, 612, 613, 614 comprised in the thermal regulation system 600. Preferably, the thermal regulation system 600 further comprises specific heat exchanger groups (not shown).
According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in the accompanying figures, the thermal regulation system 600 comprises at least one system inlet duct and at least one system outlet duct in fluid connection with each operating group.
According to the present invention, the thermal management assembly 500 comprises a first pump group 510 suitable to command the motion of the working fluid comprising a first inlet duct 511 and a first outlet duct 512.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the thermal management assembly 500 comprises a second pump group 520 suitable, in turn, to command the motion of the working fluid comprising a second inlet duct 521 and a second outlet duct 522.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first pump group 510 comprises a first command unit 513 comprising a first impeller, which intercepts the working fluid flowing in the first inlet duct 511 to send it into the first outlet duct 512. Preferably, said first impeller is of the radial type, aspirating working fluid axially through the first inlet duct 511 to push it out tangentially towards the first outlet duct 512.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first pump group 510 further comprises a first stabilization tank 514, which divides the first inlet duct 511 into a first duct upstream section 511′ and a first duct downstream section 511″. In particular, said first stabilization tank 514 unifies the pressure of the flowing liquid before it reaches the first impeller comprised in the first command unit 513. In other words, the working fluid reaches the first command unit 513 after having flowed in the first stabilization tank 514.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second pump group 520 comprises a second command unit 523 comprising a second impeller, which intercepts the working fluid flowing in the second inlet duct 521 to send it into the second outlet duct 522. Preferably, the second impeller is of the radial type, aspirating working fluid axially through the second inlet duct 521 to push it out tangentially towards the second outlet duct 522.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second pump group 520 further comprises a second stabilization tank 524, which divides the second inlet duct 521 into a second duct upstream section 521′ and a second duct downstream section 521″. In particular, said second stabilization tank 524 unifies the pressure of the flowing liquid before it reaches the second impeller comprised in the second command unit 523. In other words, the working fluid reaches the second command unit 523 after having flowed in the second stabilization tank 524.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal management assembly 500 further comprises a fluidic command device 1 suitable to manage the amounts of working fluid flowing in the thermal management assembly 500.
In particular, the fluidic command device 1 is fluidically connected to the first pair of ducts 511, 512 and to the second pair of ducts 521, 522. Thereby, the fluidic command device 1 is suitable for managing through which of these ducts the working fluid flows.
Furthermore, the fluidic command device 1 is fluidically connectable by means of system ducts to the respective operating groups.
Indeed, the fluidic command device 1 comprises four inlet ports I1, 12, 13, 14, each one being fluidically connectable to a respective operating group 910, 920, 930, 940 to allow the working fluid to enter into the fluidic command device 1. In other words, through the four inlet ports I1, 12, 13, 14, the fluidic command device 1 receives working fluid from the respective operating groups 910, 920, 930, 940.
Furthermore, the fluidic command device 1 comprises four outlet ports O1, O2, O3, O4, each one being fluidically connectable to a respective operating group 910, 920, 930, 940 to allow the working fluid to exit from the fluidic command device 1. In other words, through the four outlet ports O1, O2, O3, O4, the fluidic command device 1 releases working fluid to the respective operating groups 910, 920, 930, 940.
Furthermore, the fluidic command device 1 comprises an auxiliary duct 30, which fluidically connects the first pump group 510 and the second pump group 520. Preferably, the auxiliary duct 30 is a bypass duct, which directly connects the first pump group 510 and the second pump group 520. In other words, the auxiliary duct 30 connects the first pump group 510 directly to the second pump group 520 so that no operating group is fluidically present between the two pump groups.
According to the present invention, the fluidic command device 1 is configurable in a first working configuration, in which the working fluid flows into the first inlet port I1 and flows out from the first outlet port O1, thus preventing the flow through the other inlet ports and the other outlet ports; in said first configuration, the working fluid flows between the first inlet port I1 and the first outlet port O1 into the first pump group 510, the auxiliary duct 30 and the second pump group 520.
Preferably, the first working configuration is diagrammatically shown by way of example in
In other words, in the first working configuration, the fluidic command device 1 is configured to identify a single fluid circuit in which the temperature of the first operating group 910 is managed. In yet other words, in the first working configuration, the fluidic command device 1 is configured to manage the temperature of the first operating group 910 using the first pump group 510 and the second pump group 520 in series.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the fluidic command device 1 is configurable in a second working configuration, in which the working fluid flows into the second inlet port 12 and flows out from the second outlet port O2, thus preventing the flow through the other inlet ports and the other outlet ports; in which, between the second inlet port 12 and the second outlet port O2, the working fluid flows both in the first pump group 510 and in the second pump group 520, thus preventing the flow in the auxiliary duct 30.
Preferably, the second working configuration is diagrammatically shown by way of example in
In other words, in the second working configuration, the fluidic command device 1 is configured to identify a single fluid circuit in which the temperature of the second operating group 920 is managed. In yet other words, in the second working configuration, the fluidic command device 1 is configured to manage the temperature of the second operating group 920 using the first pump group 510 and the second pump group 520 in parallel.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the fluidic command device 1 is configurable in a third working configuration, in which the working fluid flows into the third inlet port 13 and flows out from the third outlet port O3, in which between the third inlet port 13 and the third outlet port O3, the working fluid flows into the first pump group 510, and in which the working fluid flows into the fourth inlet port 14 and flows out from the fourth outlet port O4, in which between the fourth inlet port 14 and the fourth outlet port O4, the working fluid flows into the second pump group 520.
Preferably, the third working configuration is diagrammatically shown by way of example in
In other words, in the third working configuration, the fluidic command device 1 is configured to identify two distinct fluidic circuits, in which the temperature of the third operating group 930 and of the fourth operating group 940 is managed. In other words, in the third working configuration, the fluidic command device 1 is configured to manage the temperature of the third operating group 930 using one of the two pump groups, e.g. the first pump group 510, and to manage the temperature of the fourth operating group 940 using the remaining pump group, e.g. the second pump group 520.
According to a preferred embodiment, the fluidic command device 1 comprises a first command valve element 10 and a second command valve element 20. According to the above, each working configuration corresponds to the regulation of each command valve element 10, 20 to a predetermined position.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first command valve element 10 is fluidically connected on one side to the four inlet ports I1, 12, 13, 14 and to the first end of the auxiliary duct 31 and on the other side to the first inlet duct 511 and to the second inlet duct 521. In other words, the first command valve element 10 is fluidically connected on one side to the operating groups and on the other side to the first pump group 510 and the second pump group 520. In yet other words, the first command valve element 10 is suitable for receiving working fluid from the operating groups to direct it towards the first pump group 510 and/or the second pump group 520.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second command valve element 20 is fluidically connected on one side to the first outlet duct 512 and second outlet duct 522 and on the other side to a second end of the auxiliary duct 32 and the four outlet ports O1, O2, O3, O4. In other words, the second command valve element 20 is fluidically connected on one side to the first pump group 510 and to the second pump group 520 and on the other side to the operating groups. In yet other words, the second command valve element 20 is suitable for receiving working fluid from the first pump group 510 and/or the second pump group 520 to direct it towards the operating groups.
According to a preferred embodiment, both the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20 comprise therein a plurality of command sections, the positioning of which is such as to direct the flow of the working fluid from one side to the other of the respective command valve element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first command valve element 10 extends along a first axis X1-X1. The aforesaid different working configurations correspond to different angular positions of the first command valve element 10 with respect to the first axis X1-X1.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second command valve element 20 extends along a second axis X2-X2. The aforesaid different working configurations correspond to different angular positions of the second command valve element 20 with respect to the second axis X2-X2.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first axis X1-X1 and the second axis X2-X2 extend parallel to each other.
Preferably, the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20 are angularly positionable independently of each other.
Preferably, the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20 are angularly positionable at an angle simultaneously with each other.
According to a preferred embodiment, the fluidic command device 1 comprises command means 50 operatively connected to the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20 suitable to command them to a preferred angular position.
According to a preferred embodiment, said command means 50 comprise an active member 51, a first passive member 52′ engaged with the active member 51 and the first valve command element 10, and a second passive member 52″ engaged with the active member 51 and the second valve command element 20.
Preferably, the action of the active member 51 corresponds to a rotation of the first passive member 52′ and, therefore, of the first command valve element 10, and to a rotation of the second passive member 52″ and, therefore, of the second command valve element 20.
According to a preferred embodiment, the active member 51 comprises a gear and the first passive member 52′ and the second passive member 52″ comprise further gears, respectively, meshing with the active member 51.
Preferably, the first passive member 52′ and the second passive member 52″ extend about the first axis X1-X1 and the second axis X2-X2, respectively.
According to a preferred embodiment, the active member 51 is positioned between the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20.
According to a preferred embodiment, the active member 51 and the passive members 52′, 52″ are directly engaged with each other.
In further variants, the active member 51 and the passive members 52′, 52″ are indirectly engaged with each other, e.g. by means of additional motion transmission components, such as other gears or belt elements.
According to a preferred embodiment, the fluidic command device 1 comprising a device body 40 suitable to contain the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20.
Preferably, the device body 40 comprises a first connecting flange 41 and a second connecting flange 42. According to a preferred embodiment, the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20 are mounted between the first connecting flange 41 and the second connecting flange 42.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first connecting flange 41 comprises the four inlet ports I1, 12, 13, 14, and the four outlet ports O1, O2, O3, O4.
Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the first connecting flange 41 further comprises the first auxiliary port 310, which is connectable to the first end of the auxiliary duct 31, and the second auxiliary port 320, which is connectable to the second end of the auxiliary duct 32.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second connecting flange 42 comprises two pairs of ports for the connection with the first pump group 510 and the second pump group 520, respectively.
In particular, the first pair of connection ports 5110, 5210 are suitable for connecting fluidically the first inlet duct 511 and the second inlet duct 521.
Said first pair of connection ports 5110, 5210 is fluidically connected to the first command valve element 10.
In particular, the second pair of connection ports 5120, 5220 is suitable for putting the first outlet duct 512 and the second outlet duct 522 into fluid communication.
Said second pair of connection ports 5120, 5220 is fluidically connected to the second command valve element 20.
As shown by way of example in the accompanying figures, the first command valve element 10 and the second command valve element 20 comprise said command sections, the development of which is such as to direct the flow of working fluid between one connecting flange and the other, and, therefore, between the various components fluidically connected to said flanges. As can be seen in the accompanying figures, some command sections are suitable for joining two inlet flows into a single outlet flow, or vice versa. Or, as can be seen in the accompanying figures, some command sections are suitable for connecting a respective inlet with a respective outlet.
Preferably, as shown by way of example, the fluidic command device 1 is highly compact in size so that it is suitable for being accommodated in the engine compartment of a vehicle.
Preferably, the two pump groups have the features described in document 102018000010971 to the Applicant, as also shown as an example in the accompanying figures.
Additionally, as mentioned, the present invention further relates to the thermal regulation system 600 of a vehicle, which comprises said thermal management assembly 500 having the features described above. Said vehicle comprises a first operating group 910, a second operating group 920, a third operating group 930, and a fourth operating group 940, while the thermal regulation system 600 comprises a plurality of system ducts 601, 602, 603, 604, 611, 612, 613, 614 suitable to be fluidically connected the first operating group 910, the second operating group 920, the third operating group 930 and with the fourth operating group 940. Furthermore, said system ducts 601, 602, 603, 604, 611, 612, 613, 614 are suitable for being fluidically connected to the described thermal management assembly 500.
The present invention also relates to a vehicle 900, which comprises a first operating group 910, e.g. an endothermic engine group, a second operating group 920, e.g. a first battery group and a second battery group, a third operating group 930, e.g. comprising the first battery group and a first electric motor group, a fourth operating group 940, e.g. comprising the second battery group and a second electric motor group. Furthermore, the vehicle 900 of the present invention further comprises a thermal regulation system 600.
Preferably, said vehicle 900 is hybrid-powered, in which the first operating group 910 is an endothermic engine group, the second operating group 920 is a first battery group and a second battery group, the third operating group 930 is the first battery group and a first electric motor group, the fourth operating group 940 is the second battery group and a second electric motor group.
For example, an embodiment of the vehicle 900 of this type is a vehicle with an endothermic engine group, and which has, for example on an electrically driven axle, an electric power group (with respective battery group) for each wheel group.
Innovatively, the thermal management assembly, the thermal regulation system of a vehicle, which comprises such a management assembly and the vehicle which comprises the thermal regulation system largely fulfill the purpose of the present invention by solving the problems which emerged in typical solutions of the prior art.
Indeed, advantageously, the fluidic command device of the present invention allows the regulation of a plurality of operating groups of the vehicle.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device of the present invention allows simple management of the temperature of different operating groups of the vehicle, using only two pump groups.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device is of simple positioning in the vehicle, having compact dimensions and, therefore, compact overall dimensions.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device is cost-effective to manufacture.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device of the present invention manages the temperature of the vehicle in a highly effective and flexible manner.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device of the present invention manages the temperature of the vehicle in a plurality of different operating conditions, i.e. both in motion and stationary.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device is suitable, in the first working configuration, for managing the temperature of the endothermic engine group. In other words, in moving vehicle conditions at high rpm and/or high speeds, at which the vehicle is powered endothermically, the thermal management assembly exclusively manages the temperature of said “endothermic drive part”.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device is suitable, in the first configuration, for managing the temperature of an operating group such as the endothermic engine group by virtue of a double working fluid flow.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device is suitable, in the second configuration, for managing the temperature of two electric motor groups and respective battery groups. In other words, in moving vehicle conditions at low rpm and/or low speeds, at which the vehicle is electrically powered, the thermal management assembly exclusively manages the temperature of said “electric drive part”.
Advantageously, the fluidic command device is suitable, in the second configuration, to manage the temperature of an operating group with high load losses, such as the battery group, the battery groups, by virtue of a double head. Advantageously, in such a configuration, the temperature of the battery groups is managed separately from the temperature of the respective electric motor groups and, obviously, of the endothermic engine group; for example, this configuration applies in situations in which the vehicle is stationary, e.g. when recharging the battery group, or when starting the vehicle and starting the battery group.
Advantageously, the management of flows in ducts and circuits is highly simplified.
Advantageously, with simple rotational operations, the fluid management device is suitable for switching from one configuration to another. Advantageously, with a single rotational operation, the fluid management device is configurable in the desired working configuration.
In order to meet contingent needs, it is apparent that those skilled in the art can make changes to the fluidic command device, the thermal management assembly, and the thermal regulation system, as well as to the vehicle, all of which are contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102019000018704 | Oct 2019 | IT | national |
This application is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/IB2020/059506, having an International Filing Date of Oct. 9, 2020, which claims priority to Italian Application No. 102019000018704, filed Oct. 14, 2019, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/059506 | 10/9/2020 | WO |
