Experimental study on an integrated thermal management system for electric vehicle with collaborative control

Abstract

The fast growth of power battery energy density and driving conditions increasingly complex and extensive brings significant challenges to electric vehicles' integrated thermal management system. This study investigates cooperative control strategies for battery cooling refrigerant-based and AC cooling system to enhance efficiency and achieve integrated thermal management. The results demonstrated the efficacy of Com-VOVs mode, which enables the active distribution of cooling capacity across both circuits. It proves the method proposed have benefits over single-factor compressor regulation. Furthermore, compared to the threshold control mode, the Com-VOVs method improved the COP performance of the system significantly. It can efficiently lower pressure drop loss maximum 52.24% of the cold plate and stabilize the air temperature at the AC outlet. This work shows the benefits and importance of compressor and VOVs regulating collaboration for the integrated thermal management system through experiments.