Patent Description:
It is generally known that vehicles are equipped with batteries supplying electric power to devices and apparatuses installed in such vehicles. In particular, in some modern applications power is also supplied in order to at least partly propel the vehicle, e.g. on electric or "hybrid" vehicles.

In order to ensure the proper operation and a long life of the battery of a vehicle, it is desirable to keep the battery temperature within a given operating range. For example, excessively high operating temperatures may significantly reduce the number of recharging cycles that the battery can be subjected to. Vice versa, excessively low temperatures may reduce the battery performance.

Battery temperature is normally regulated by means of a hydraulic circuit in which a liquid, in particular water, is used in order to effect a thermal exchange with the battery for heating and, respectively, cooling it. The liquid is cooled and, respectively, heated by a reversible thermodynamic circuit in thermal exchange with the hydraulic circuit. The reversible thermodynamic circuit is configured for acting as a refrigerating machine and, respectively, as a heat pump, depending on the thermal interaction that needs to be effected between the battery and the thermal regulation circuit.

However, such measures, which employ a reversible thermodynamic circuit, require the use of costly and complex components and do not allow for simultaneous optimization of the operation of the refrigeration and heat pump cycles.

<CIT> discloses a heat pump system for a vehicle. The system includes a first cooling apparatus including a first radiator, an electric product including at least one motor, and at least one first water pump which are connected with a first coolant line. There is a second cooling apparatus including a second radiator and a second water pump which are connected with a second coolant line. A battery module is provided at a battery coolant line selectively connected with the second coolant line. A cooling device is connected with the battery coolant line through a second valve. There is a heating device connected with the battery coolant line through a third valve and a centralized energy (CE) module connected with the coolant line and the first and second connection lines in order to supply a coolant of a low temperature to the cooling device, and to supply a coolant of a high temperature to the heating device.

<NPL> discloses a unified thermal management system that satisfies diverse thermal and design needs of the auxiliary loads in BEVs. The system integrates a semi-hermetic refrigeration loop with a coolant network, to improve thermal efficiency.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a system for controlling the temperature of a battery in a vehicle, wherein such system can solve the problems suffered by the prior art and can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner.

According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a system having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.

In particular, due to the fact that there is a refrigeration circuit configured for being run through by a fluid that can be subjected to a refrigeration cycle in a non-reversible manner, thermal exchange optimization is possible in this system without using any complex and costly components.

It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.

With reference to the annexed drawings, reference numeral <NUM> designates as a whole a system for controlling the temperature of a battery in a vehicle.

As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, system <NUM> may be configured for use in a motor vehicle of any category and type. For example, said motor vehicle may be a motorcar for transporting people or goods, a commercial vehicle, an industrial vehicle, a military vehicle, a building-site vehicle, a sports car, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), an agricultural machine, a train, a bus, etc. Such vehicle may be propelled by means of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a "hybrid" propulsion system.

System <NUM> comprises a battery <NUM> (or a plurality of batteries) configured for outputting electric power, the temperature of which needs to be controlled, in particular increased or decreased, according to the operating conditions.

As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, battery <NUM> may be any type of battery wherein it is necessary, or desirable, to control the temperature. In particular, battery <NUM> is configured for supplying electric power to the vehicle on which system <NUM> is installed. For example, the electric power that the battery can supply may be at least partly used for propelling the vehicle on which the system is installed.

System <NUM> further comprises a thermal regulation circuit <NUM>, shown in the drawings by means of a continuous line. Thermal regulation circuit <NUM> is configured for being run through by any liquid, e.g. water, suitable for thermally interacting with battery <NUM>, in particular for heating and, respectively, cooling it depending on the operating condition of system <NUM>.

As will be described more in detail below, thermal regulation circuit <NUM> comprises a plurality of ducts or branches configured to be put in selective communication with one another, so as to define a plurality of paths for the liquid flowing therethrough.

Thermal regulation circuit <NUM> comprises an operative tract <NUM> in thermal exchange relation with battery <NUM>, so as to control the temperature thereof. In this manner, the liquid flowing through operative tract <NUM> can thermally interact with battery <NUM>. In particular, the liquid flowing through operative tract <NUM> can yield heat to battery <NUM> and, respectively, receive heat from battery <NUM>, depending on the temperature of the liquid compared with that of battery <NUM>.

System <NUM> further comprises a refrigeration circuit <NUM>, shown in the drawings by means of a dashed line. Refrigeration circuit <NUM> is configured for being run through by a fluid that can be subjected to a refrigeration cycle in a non-reversible manner and co-operates with thermal regulation circuit <NUM>, as will be described more in detail below.

Refrigeration circuit <NUM> comprises a condenser <NUM> and an evaporator <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated herein by way of example, refrigeration circuit <NUM> comprises an expansion or lamination valve <NUM> connected downstream of condenser <NUM> and upstream of evaporator <NUM>, and a compressor <NUM> connected downstream of evaporator <NUM> and upstream of condenser <NUM>.

Preferably, refrigeration circuit <NUM> further comprises an accumulator <NUM> connected downstream of the condenser and upstream of the expansion or lamination valve <NUM>. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated herein the refrigeration circuit comprises a dryer <NUM> connected downstream of condenser <NUM> (in particular, in a position situated downstream of accumulator <NUM>) and upstream of expansion or lamination valve <NUM>.

Condenser <NUM> is in thermal exchange relation with a heating tract <NUM> of thermal regulation circuit <NUM>, whereas evaporator <NUM> is in thermal exchange relation with a cooling tract <NUM> of thermal regulation circuit <NUM>.

System <NUM> comprises a valve assembly <NUM> associated with thermal regulation circuit <NUM>. Valve assembly <NUM> is configured to act upon thermal regulation circuit <NUM> by selectively taking a heating configuration and a cooling configuration, in particular with reference to the thermal exchange occurring with battery <NUM>. For example, the operation of valve assembly <NUM> - and, in particular, the switching between the heating configuration and the cooling configuration - can be controlled by a control device or module (not shown) included in system <NUM> in accordance with predetermined or operator-defined criteria.

In <FIG> system <NUM> is shown with valve assembly <NUM> in the heating configuration. In the heating configuration, valve assembly <NUM> defines in thermal regulation circuit <NUM> a closed heating path for the liquid between operative tract <NUM> and heating tract <NUM>. The closed heating path, indicated by black arrows designated as A in <FIG>, is drawn with a bolder line in comparison with the rest of thermal regulation circuit <NUM>.

In <FIG> system <NUM> is shown with valve assembly <NUM> in the cooling configuration. In the cooling configuration, valve assembly <NUM> defines in thermal regulation circuit <NUM> a closed cooling path for the liquid between operative tract <NUM> and cooling tract <NUM>. The closed cooling path, indicated by black arrows designated as B in <FIG>, is drawn with a bolder line in comparison with the rest of thermal regulation circuit <NUM>.

Typically, the heating configuration is used in the vehicle in the winter period, or anyway at lower operating temperatures. Conversely, the cooling configuration is used in the vehicle in the summer period, or anyway at higher operating temperatures.

Preferably, thermal regulation circuit <NUM> comprises a thermal stabilization tract <NUM> in thermal exchange relation with a radiator <NUM>. For example, radiator <NUM> may be the radiator of the vehicle on which system <NUM> is to be installed.

In particular, in the heating configuration shown in <FIG> valve assembly <NUM> defines in thermal regulation circuit <NUM> a further closed cooling path, drawn with a bolder line and designated as A', for the liquid. The further closed cooling path A' is defined by connecting together cooling tract <NUM> and thermal stabilization tract <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated herein, in such heating configuration valve assembly <NUM> simultaneously defines the closed heating path A associated with battery <NUM> and the further closed cooling path A' associated with radiator <NUM>, such closed paths A and A' being separate from each other.

In particular, in the cooling configuration shown in <FIG> valve assembly <NUM> defines in thermal regulation circuit <NUM> a further closed heating path, drawn with a bolder line and designated as B' , for the liquid. The further closed heating path B' is defined by connecting together heating tract <NUM> and thermal stabilization tract <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated herein, in such cooling configuration valve assembly <NUM> simultaneously defines the closed cooling path B associated with battery <NUM> and the further closed heating path B' associated with radiator <NUM>, such closed paths B and B' being separate from each other.

Preferably, thermal regulation circuit <NUM> comprises an interior heating tract <NUM> in thermal exchange relation with an air conditioning apparatus <NUM>. In particular, apparatus <NUM> may be the system for conditioning the air in the interior or cabin of vehicle <NUM> whereon the system is to be installed. Said apparatus <NUM> may be any type of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, interior heating tract <NUM> is configured to be connected in parallel with operative tract <NUM>, in particular when valve assembly <NUM> is in the heating configuration.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, system <NUM> further comprises a heating pumping device <NUM> configured to induce a forced circulation of liquid in the closed heating path when valve assembly <NUM> is in the heating configuration. In particular, heating pumping device <NUM> is situated in heating tract <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, system <NUM> further comprises a cooling pumping device <NUM> configured to induce a forced circulation of liquid in the closed cooling path when valve assembly <NUM> is in the cooling configuration. In particular, cooling pumping device <NUM> is situated in cooling tract <NUM>.

Preferably, valve assembly <NUM> comprises a heating valve <NUM>, a cooling valve <NUM> and a return switching valve <NUM>. Heating valve <NUM> is situated between heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>. Cooling valve <NUM> is situated between cooling tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>. Return switching valve <NUM> is situated downstream of operative tract <NUM> and upstream of heating tract <NUM> and of cooling tract <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, heating valve <NUM> is also a switching valve and is situated downstream of heating tract <NUM> and upstream of operative tract <NUM> and of thermal stabilization tract <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, cooling valve <NUM> is also a switching valve and is situated downstream of cooling tract <NUM> and upstream of operative tract <NUM> and of thermal stabilization tract <NUM>.

In particular, in the heating configuration of valve assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>:.

In particular, in the cooling configuration of valve assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>:.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, valve assembly <NUM> further comprises an intermediate valve arrangement configured for controlling the flow towards interior heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM> in the heating configuration and, respectively, in the cooling configuration.

In particular, the intermediate valve arrangement comprises a first intermediate valve <NUM> situated downstream of heating tract <NUM> and of heating valve <NUM>. Also, the first intermediate valve <NUM> is situated upstream of interior heating tract <NUM> and of operative tract <NUM>, which are connected in parallel with each other. The first intermediate valve <NUM> is configured for controlling, in the heating configuration, the flow of fluid coming from heating tract <NUM> and directed towards interior heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>. Preferably, the first intermediate valve <NUM> is a flow control valve (e.g. a proportional valve) configured for distributing, in the heating configuration, the flow of liquid between interior heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM> (e.g. only allowing the flow of liquid into either one of interior heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM> and, respectively, distributing a part of the flow to interior heating tract <NUM> and the other part of the flow to operative tract <NUM>). Conversely, in the cooling configuration the first intermediate valve <NUM> inhibits the flow of liquid coming from cooling tract <NUM> towards interior heating tract <NUM>.

In particular, the intermediate valve arrangement comprises a second intermediate valve <NUM> situated downstream of cooling tract <NUM> and of cooling valve <NUM>. Also, the second intermediate valve <NUM> is connected between interior heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>, which are connected in parallel with each other. The second intermediate valve <NUM> is configured for controlling, in the cooling configuration, the flow of fluid coming from cooling tract <NUM> and directed towards interior heating tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>. Preferably, in the cooling configuration the second intermediate valve <NUM> is a switching valve that selectively puts in communication cooling tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>, preventing the flow of liquid through interior heating tract <NUM>. Conversely, in the heating configuration, downstream of cooling valve <NUM>, the second intermediate valve <NUM> selectively prevents the communication between cooling tract <NUM> and operative tract <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, valve assembly <NUM> further comprises a pair of recirculation valves <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g. a pair of switching valves, and a bypass valve <NUM>, e.g. a shut-off valve, configured for connecting thermal stabilization tract <NUM> to heating tract <NUM> and, respectively, to cooling tract <NUM>.

In the heating configuration the following occurs:.

In the cooling configuration the following occurs:.

Claim 1:
System (<NUM>) for controlling the temperature of at least one battery (<NUM>) in a vehicle; said system comprising:
- at least one battery (<NUM>) configured for outputting electric power;
- a thermal regulation circuit (<NUM>) configured for being run through by a liquid and comprising an operative tract (<NUM>) in thermal exchange relation with said battery (<NUM>), so as to control the temperature thereof;
said system being characterized in that it further comprises:
- a refrigeration circuit (<NUM>) configured for being run through by a fluid that can be subjected to a refrigeration cycle in a non-reversible manner; said refrigeration circuit (<NUM>) in turn comprising
a condenser (<NUM>) in thermal exchange relation with a heating tract (<NUM>) of said thermal regulation circuit (<NUM>); and
an evaporator (<NUM>) in thermal exchange relation with a cooling tract (<NUM>) of said thermal regulation circuit (<NUM>); and
- a valve assembly (<NUM>) associated with the thermal regulation circuit (<NUM>) and configured for selectively taking
a heating configuration, in which said valve assembly (<NUM>) defines, in the thermal regulation circuit (<NUM>), a closed heating path (A) for the liquid between the operative tract (<NUM>) and the heating tract (<NUM>);
a cooling configuration, in which said valve assembly (<NUM>) defines, in the thermal regulation circuit (<NUM>), a closed cooling path (B) for the liquid between the operative tract (<NUM>) and the cooling tract (<NUM>)
said system being characterised in that said valve assembly (<NUM>) comprises
- a heating valve (<NUM>) situated between the heating tract (<NUM>) and the operative tract (<NUM>);
- a cooling valve (<NUM>) situated between the cooling tract (<NUM>) and the operative tract (<NUM>); and
- a return switching valve (<NUM>) situated downstream of the operative tract (<NUM>) and upstream of the heating tract (<NUM>) and of the cooling tract (<NUM>).