"VEHICLE THERMAL MANAGEMENT ASSEMBLY"

[0001]The present invention relates to a thermal management assembly of a thermal management system of a vehicle. Additionally, the present invention also relates to the thermal management system of a vehicle, which comprises said thermal management assembly. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a vehicle that comprises said system and said thermal management assembly.

[0002]In other words, the present invention relates to the automotive field, and in detail, to the thermal management 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.

[0003]The need to manage the temperature of the operating groups of the vehicle to bring 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, "operating group" hereinafter means a specific component or group of components for carrying out a given operation necessary for the motion of the vehicle. Therefore, for example, "operating group" means the engine group, for example of endothermic type, but also of electric type.

[0004]Additionally, with specific reference to the present invention, "operating groups" comprise an "electronic group" which identifies a "battery pack" comprised in the vehicle.

[0005]With particular reference to the electronic groups, and in particular to the battery packs, the need is particularly felt to bring them to optimal operating conditions as soon as required. [0006]That is, it was noted how it is of fundamental importance to bring the electronic group to an optimal operating temperature as soon as possible, for example after the ignition. Moreover, the more rigid temperatures are in the ambient in which the vehicle operates, the more such a problem is felt.

[0007]Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a new thermal management assembly by means of which such a problem is solved.

[0008]In particular, such an object is achieved by a thermal management assembly as claimed in claim 1.

Similarly, such an object is achieved by a thermal management system of a vehicle, which comprises such a thermal management assembly as claimed in claim 13. Moreover, such an object is achieved by a vehicle which comprises the thermal management system according to claim 16.

[0009]The claims dependent on the aforesaid claims show preferred variants implying further advantageous aspects. [0010]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:

[0011]- Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the thermal management system fluidically connected to some vehicle operating groups, comprising a thermal management assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]- Figure 2 depicts the diagrammatic view of the thermal management system in Figure 1, in an activation phase of the thermal management assembly;

[0013]- Figure 3 shows the diagrammatic view of the thermal management system in Figure 1, in a first configuration, or in a heating configuration, of the thermal management assembly;

[0014]- Figure 4 shows the diagrammatic view of the thermal management system in Figure 1, in a second configuration, or in a regenerating configuration, of the thermal management assembly. [0015]With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates a thermal management assembly of a thermal management system 500 of a vehicle, according to the present invention.

[0016]The present invention also relates to the thermal management system 500, which comprises the thermal management assembly 1.

[0017]In particular, the thermal management system 500 of the present invention, and/or on which the thermal management assembly 1 of the present invention is mountable, comprises a first fluidic circuit 510 in which a first amount of fluid flows and a second fluidic circuit 520 in which a second amount of fluid flows.

[0018]According to a preferred embodiment, a first fluid flows in said first fluidic circuit 510, while a second fluid, which is distinct from the first one, flows in said second fluidic circuit 520.

[0019]According to other embodiments, the same liquid instead flows in the first fluidic circuit 510 and in the second fluidic circuit 520. [0020]According to a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic circuit 510 is fluidically connectable to an electronic group 600, for example a battery pack, of the vehicle. That is, the liquid flowing in the first fluidic circuit 510 is suitable to adjust the temperature of the electronic group 600. [0021]According to a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic circuit 520 is fluidically connectable to an operating group 700, for example an engine group, of the vehicle. That is, the liquid flowing in the second fluidic circuit 520 is suitable to adjust the temperature of the operating group 700.

[0022]Preferably, both the first fluidic circuit 510 and the second fluidic circuit 520 comprise specific ducts suitable to allow the fluid connection with the respective operating groups.

[0023]According to a preferred embodiment, the first fluidic circuit 510 comprises a first pump group 519 suitable to move the first amount of fluid in the first circuit, i.e., in the ducts thereof. [0024]According to a preferred embodiment, the second fluidic circuit 520 comprises a second pump group 529 suitable to move the second amount of fluid in the second circuit, i.e., in the ducts thereof.

[0025]According to the present invention, the thermal management assembly 1 is fluidically connectable to the first fluidic circuit 510 and to the second fluidic circuit 520.

[0026]As thoroughly described below, the thermal management assembly 1 is suitable to manage the temperature of the liquid flowing in the first fluidic circuit 510, and therefore the temperature of the electronic group 600.

[0027]According to the present invention, the thermal management assembly 1 comprises a main body 2 fluidically connected to said circuits. That is, the thermal management assembly 1 is connectable to the ducts of said circuits. In further other words, the main body 2 is a fluid collector.

[0028]According to a preferred embodiment, the main body 2 comprises a first pair of mouths connected to the first fluidic circuit and a second pair of mouths connected to the second fluidic circuit.

[0029]Indeed, the main body 2 comprises a first inlet mouth 211 and a first outlet mouth 212 fluidically connected to the first fluidic circuit 510.

[0030]Moreover, the main body 2 comprises a second inlet mouth 221 and a second outlet mouth 222 fluidically connected to the second fluidic circuit 520.

[0031]According to the present invention, the main body 2 comprises a plurality of fluid connection sections extending between the aforesaid inlet and outlet mouths. Therefore, the liquid flowing in the first fluidic circuit 510 and the liquid flowing in the second fluidic circuit 520 are suitable to flow in said fluid connection sections. [0032]According to the present invention, the thermal adjustment assembly 1 comprises a command member 5 housed in the main body 2, which is configurable in a plurality of configurations as described below. [0033]In particular as hereinafter thoroughly described, the command member 5 is suitable to allow the passage of liquid in one fluid section rather than in the other, thus identifying specific fluidic paths in the main body 2 for the liquid or for the liquids. [0034]That is, by virtue of the command member 5, one or more fluidic paths in which the first amount of fluid and the second amount of fluid flow are identified in the main body 2, as needed.

[0035]According to the present invention, the thermal adjustment assembly 1 comprises a thermal adjustment member 3 comprising a container 30 and a predetermined amount of phase change material S housed in said container 30.

[0036]Said thermal adjustment member 3 is at least partially housed in the main body 2 or is located on the main body 2.

[0037]Preferably, said container 30 is sealingly closed, containing the phase change material S therein, avoiding possible external contaminations thereof. [0038]According to a preferred embodiment, the phase change material S is a liquid-based substance containing a super-saturated liquid.

[0039]Preferably, the phase change material S consists of a super-saturated liquid in its entirety. [0040]According to the present invention, the phase change material S in a liquid state "is activatable" so that it is subjected to a phase change which brings it to the solid state. The phase change material S generates heat (it releases thermal energy) during said phase change. The heat generated is therefore suitable to heat the environment surrounding container 30, thus transferring heat. That is, once the phase change material S is activated, it is subjected to an exothermic crystallization reaction, transforming it from liquid to solid. Therefore, phase in the present disclosure is referred to as the "heating phase". Preferably, such a phase is depicted in Figure 2b.

[0041]According to the present invention, the phase change material S in a solid state broughtable back to the liquid state. In other words, the phase change material S is suitable to be subjected to a new phase change, which, from solid, brings it back to the liquid state; that is, the phase change material S is "recharged" or is "regenerated". Specifically, such an operation can be carried out by heating the phase change material S in the solid state. That is, the crystalline form into which the phase change material S was transformed during the above- described "heating phase" is dissolved. Therefore, phase in the present disclosure is referred to as the "regenerating phase". Preferably, such a phase is depicted in Figure 2c.

[0042]According to the present invention, the activation that allows the start of the "heating phase" is obtained by a mechanical action. [0043]In particular, the thermal adjustment assembly 1 of the present invention comprises a mechanical ignition member 4 suitable to carry out a vibratory mechanical action on the thermal adjustment member 3. Such a vibratory mechanical action is suitable to trigger an exothermic crystallization reaction of the phase change material S, transforming it from liquid to solid.

[0044]According to the embodiment, the mechanical ignition member 4 is mounted on container 3 or is integrally embedded within container 3. [0045]Preferably, the mechanical ignition member 4 is substantially a switch, which when turned ON, results in a vibratory action on the phase change material S, which activates the crystallization.

[0046]According to a preferred embodiment, certain fluidic sections comprised in the main body 2 are located in a proximal region to the thermal adjustment member 3, i.e., proximal to container 30. Therefore, the fluid flowing in such fluidic sections is preferably subjected to a heat exchange with said adjustment member 3. [0047]Preferably, the main body 2 comprises a first main fluid section 21a and a second main fluid section 22a located in a proximal area to the thermal adjustment member 3. The amount of fluid flowing in the first main fluid section 21a and the amount of fluid flowing in the second main fluid section 22a are subjected to heat exchange operations with the thermal adjustment member 3. [0048]According to a preferred embodiment, the first main fluid section 21a and the second main fluid section 22a are mutually fluidically distinct. [0049]According to a variant, the first main fluid section

21a and the second main fluid section 22a are fluidically connectable by means of auxiliary fluidic sections 21c, 22c, in which the flow of fluid through the first main fluid section 21a and/or through the second main fluid section 22a and/or through the auxiliary fluidic sections 21c, 22c is controlled by the command member 5.

[0050]According to a preferred embodiment, certain fluidic sections comprised in the main body 2 are located in a region distal from the thermal adjustment member 3, i.e., far from container 30. Therefore, the fluid flowing in such fluidic sections is not preferably subjected to a heat exchange with said adjustment member 3.

[0051]Preferably, the main body 2 comprises a first fluid bypass section 21b located in a distal position from the thermal adjustment member 3, which communicates the first inlet mouth 211 with the first outlet mouth 212.

[0052]Moreover, the main body 2 preferably comprises a second fluid bypass section 22b located in a distal position from the thermal adjustment member 3, which communicates the second inlet mouth 221 with the second outlet mouth 222.

[0053]According to such preferred embodiments, the fluid flowing in the first fluid bypass section 21b and in the second fluid bypass section 22b are not subjected to significant variations in temperature.

[0054]According to the present invention, the command member 5 is housed in the main body 2 and is configurable in a first configuration (or heating configuration) during the modification of the physical state of the phase change material S from liquid to solid. In particular, a fluidic path is defined in such a first configuration of the command member 5 in the fluid connection sections, in which the circulating fluid of the first circuit 510 flows from the first inlet mouth 211 to the first outlet mouth 212 close to the thermal adjustment member 3.

[0055]That is, in the first configuration, the command member 5 delimits such a fluidic path so that the fluid circulating in the first circuit 510 flows from the first inlet mouth 211 to the first outlet mouth 212 through at least one main fluid section 21a, 22a. Therefore, such a fluid is preferably subjected to heat exchange with the thermal adjustment member 3, which generates heat during the transition thereof from liquid to solid, thus increasing the temperature thereof.

[0056]According to a preferred embodiment, in the first configuration, the command member 5 is suitable to prevent the flow of fluid in the second fluidic circuit 520. [0057]According to a preferred variant, in the first configuration, the fluid circulating in the second circuit 520 flows from the second inlet mouth 221 to the second outlet mouth 222 through the second fluid bypass section 22b, thus being distal from the thermal adjustment member 3.

[0058]According to the present invention, the command member 5 is configurable in a second configuration (or regenerating configuration) during the modification of the physical state of the phase change material S from solid to liquid. In particular, a fluidic path is defined in such a second configuration of the command member 5 in the fluid connection sections, in which the circulating fluid of the second circuit flows from the second inlet mouth 221 to the second outlet mouth 222 close to the thermal adjustment member 3.

[0059]That is, in the second configuration, the command member 5 delimits such a fluidic path so that the fluid circulating in the second circuit 520 flows from the second inlet mouth 221 to the second outlet mouth 222 through at least one main fluid section 21a, 22a. Therefore, such a fluid is preferably subjected to heat exchange with the thermal adjustment member 3 which is contrary to that of the above-described phase: it is the flowing fluid to be at a greater temperature than the temperature of the adjustment member 3, and in particular, some of the phase change material S is in a solid crystalline state, which is subjected to heating and therefore is brought back to a liquid state.

[0060]According to a preferred embodiment, in the second configuration, the command member 5 is suitable to prevent the flow of fluid in the first fluidic circuit 510.

[0061]According to a preferred variant, in the second configuration, the fluid circulating in the first circuit 510 flows from the first inlet mouth 211 to the first outlet mouth 212 through the first fluid bypass section

21b, thus being distal from the thermal adjustment member

3.

[0062]According to a preferred embodiment therefore, the command member 5 commands the flow of the first amount of fluid and/or the flow of the second amount of fluid flowing in both the first main fluid section 21a and the second main fluid section 22a.

[0063]In other words, in the first configuration, the command member 5 commands the flow of the first amount of fluid and/or of the second amount of fluid flowing in both the first main fluid section 21a and the second main fluid section 22a, thus increasing the heat exchange region with the adjustment member 3. [0064]According to a preferred embodiment, the command member 5 comprises a command group operatively connected to the adjustment member 3. Therefore, the command group is preferably suitable to operate as a function of the temperature of the adjustment member 3 by controlling specific configurations of the adjustment member 3.

[0065]According to a preferred embodiment, like that shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the command member 5 comprises a plurality of valve command elements 51, 52, 53, 54 housed in respective fluidic sections of the main body 2, the positioning of which adjusts the passage of fluid in a respective section.

[0066]Preferably, the valve command elements 51, 52, 53,

54 are located to correspond to fluidic junctions of different fluidic sections comprised in the main body 2. [0067]According to a preferred embodiment, the valve command elements 51, 52, 53, 54 substantially are valves positionable in respective angular positions such as to allow, prevent or direct the flow of fluid in the fluidic sections. [0068]Preferably, the command group is suitable to adjust each valve command element 51, 52, 53, 54 in a respective position so as to define the aforesaid fluidic paths.

[0069]As mentioned, the present invention also relates to the thermal management system 500 of a vehicle. [0070]Preferably, the first fluidic circuit 510 comprises a first heat exchange device 518, for example a radiator, suitable to have a heat exchange with the first amount of fluid flowing in the first circuit. Preferably, the second fluidic circuit 520 comprises a second heat exchange device 528, e.g., a radiator, suitable to have a heat exchange with the second amount of fluid flowing in the second circuit.

[0071]As shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, also the fluidic circuitscomprise specific valve elements 515, 516 and specific bypass ducts 510b by means of which specific components such as the first heat exchange device 518 arebypassable.

[0072]According to a preferred embodiment, said valve elements 515, 516 are specifically configurable to correspond to the first configuration of the thermal adjustment assembly 1 so as to facilitate to the greatest extent possible the heat exchange of the first amount of fluid with the electronic group 600, i.e., the battery pack, which is heated as quickly as possible. [0073]According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal adjustment assembly 1 is operatively connectable to the control unit of the vehicle so as to control the first configuration (the heating configuration) upon the ignition of the vehicle. [0074]As mentioned, the present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an electronic group 600, for example a battery pack, an operating group 700, for example a engine group, and a thermal management system 500 having the above-described features. [0075]Innovatively, the thermal management assembly, the thermal management system of a vehicle comprising such a management assembly, and the vehicle comprising said thermal management system broadly achieve the purpose of the present invention, solving the problems which arose in the solutions typical of the prior art. [0076]Indeed, the thermal management assembly advantageously has highly simplified heat exchange methods with the thermal adjustment member, in both the first heating configuration and the second regenerating configuration.

[0077]Moreover, the phase change material advantageously is safely housed in the container, avoiding risks of losses or leaks thereof.

[0078]The phase change material advantageously is activable simply and abruptly with a mechanical operation.

[0079]Advantageously, the thermal management assembly is reliable and safe, thus suitable to be housed in a vehicle and to be subjected to a large number of work cycles.

[0080]Advantageously, the command member is simple to implement.

[0081]Advantageously, the thermal management assembly is connectable to the control unit of the vehicle and controllable therefrom.

[0082]It is apparent that, in order to meet contingent needs, those skilled in the art may make changes to the thermal management assembly and to the thermal management system, as well as to the vehicle, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.