Development Trend of New Energy Vehicle Thermal Management Systems 1
1. Overview of new energy vehicle thermal management system
In the development process of new energy vehicles, research on thermal management technology occupies a pivotal position. The thermal management system of new energy vehicles mainly includes three parts: air conditioning thermal management system, motor and electronic control cooling system, and battery thermal management system. It is an important guarantee for the driving safety, cruising range and comfort of electric vehicles.
(1) Air conditioning thermal management system: It mainly relies on air conditioning refrigerant refrigeration, PTC heating or heat pump air conditioning heating to adjust the air temperature in the car to ensure passenger comfort.
(2) Motor and electronic control cooling system: Keep the motor and related electronic control systems of electric vehicles operating within a suitable temperature range to ensure the service life and operational reliability of the motor and control system. The cooling methods mainly include air cooling and liquid cooling. way.
(3) Battery thermal management system: Maintain the temperature of the battery pack within an appropriate range to ensure its performance and life. Based on different cooling media, it is mainly divided into air cooling, liquid cooling, phase change material and heat pipe cooling.
2. Three stages of development of new energy vehicle thermal management
The development of automotive thermal management systems mainly includes: engine cooling systems, automotive air conditioning systems, waste heat recovery systems, electronic device cooling systems, battery thermal management systems, fuel cell water/thermal management systems, and autonomous driving thermal systems.
New energy vehicle heat pipes are basically divided into three stages. The current stage is basically in stages 1 and 2. Most new energy vehicle batteries, electric drives and cockpits are separate systems. A small number of car companies have already entered the stage of connecting the three electricity and cockpit through core components to achieve integrated thermal management of the entire vehicle. Every innovation in thermal management technology brings new development opportunities as well as challenges.
Phase 1: Decentralized Thermal Management
The battery, motor electronic control and air conditioning system circuits are independent of each other, and each has a complete temperature control and piping system. However, the energy utilization is insufficient. At the same time, the system pipeline is complex, there are many parts, and the manufacturing and maintenance are time-consuming.
Phase 2: Integrated Thermal Management
Multi-channel valves or pipelines are used to connect some or all circuits in the battery, motor electronic control and air conditioning system to form a circulation loop. The thermal management controller coordinates heat management according to the temperature control needs of each component to reduce energy waste. However, the system integration is high, the control is complex, and the control is difficult.
Phase 3: Intelligent Thermal Management
The thermal management system has integrated functions, modular structure, and intelligent control to achieve the ultimate goal of lowest energy consumption and optimal energy distribution of the entire vehicle.
In addition, the high-voltage trend of new energy vehicles is also triggering the continuous iteration of thermal management technology. High-voltage platforms can improve charging efficiency, reduce losses, and achieve lightweighting of the entire vehicle. Relevant companies are also accelerating the layout of thermal management components that match 800V high-voltage technology, such as 800V electric compressors and liquid-cooled supercharging piles.
