Battery temperature control device

Abstract

The battery temperature control device includes: a heat medium circuit (10), a control unit (50), a battery temperature acquisition unit (53a), and a common flow path temperature acquisition unit (54a). The heat medium circuit connects a battery heat exchanger (11), an outside air heat exchanger (12), a heat medium pump (13), and a flow rate adjustment unit (14) to circulate the heat medium. The battery heat exchanger exchanges heat between the battery (B) and the heat medium. The outside air heat exchanger is connected in parallel with respect to the battery heat exchanger and exchanges heat between the heat medium and the outside air. The flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium in a first path through which the heat medium flows at least via the outside air heat exchanger and the flow rate of the heat medium in a second path through which the heat medium flows bypassing the outside air heat exchanger. Further, in the case of a low temperature environment, the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit is controlled to adjust the flow rate ratio between the heat medium in the first path and the heat medium in the second path so that the battery temperature becomes a preset reference temperature.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020 - 065853 filed on April 1, 2020, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery temperature adjustment device that adjusts the temperature of a battery by using a heat medium circuit in which a heat - supply medium circulates. Background art

[0004] Conventionally, as a technique related to a battery temperature adjustment device using a heat medium circuit, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. The in - vehicle temperature adjustment device of Patent Document 1 has a low - water - temperature circuit that circulates low - temperature cooling water as a heat medium, and adjusts the temperature of the battery by circulating the low - temperature cooling water.

[0005] Prior art documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015 - 186989

[0008] Here, in the technique of Patent Document 1, an auxiliary radiator is arranged in the low - water - temperature circuit. Therefore, by transferring the heat generated by the battery to the auxiliary radiator via the low - temperature cooling water and dissipating the heat to the outside air, the battery can be cooled.

[0009] When adjusting the temperature of the battery by using the heat exchange with the outside air in the auxiliary radiator, when the outside air is at a low temperature (for example, 0°C or lower), the low - temperature cooling water in the auxiliary radiator will be supercooled, and the battery will be cooled to a temperature lower than the appropriate temperature range.

[0010] When the battery is supercooled, it is considered to be a cause of a decrease in the output of the battery itself. In addition, when the temperature difference between the battery and the low - temperature cooling water becomes too large, a temperature deviation occurs inside each element of the battery, which is considered to be a cause of battery deterioration.

[0011] Moreover, in the case where the outside air is extremely low - temperature (for example, - 10°C or lower), when the battery temperature is significantly lower than the appropriate temperature, such as becoming 0°C or lower, the decrease in the output of the battery is more significant. In addition, the temperature difference between the battery and the low - temperature cooling water further increases, and it can be foreseen that the above - mentioned battery deterioration will be further accelerated. Summary of the invention

[0012] In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery temperature adjustment device that can suppress the occurrence of a decrease in the output of the battery and the like when adjusting the temperature of the battery using heat exchange with the outside air in a low - temperature environment of the outside air.

[0013] To achieve the above object, a battery temperature control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a heat medium circuit, a control unit, a battery temperature acquisition unit, and a common flow path temperature acquisition unit.

[0014] The heat medium circuit connects a battery heat exchanger, an outside air heat exchanger, a heat medium pump, and a flow rate adjustment unit to circulate the heat medium. The battery heat exchanger exchanges heat between the battery and the heat medium. The outside air heat exchanger is connected in parallel with respect to the battery heat exchanger and exchanges heat between the heat medium and the outside air. The heat medium pump pumps the heat medium to circulate the heat medium. The flow rate adjustment unit adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium in a first path through which the heat medium flows at least via the outside air heat exchanger and the flow rate of the heat medium in a second path through which the heat medium bypasses the outside air heat exchanger.

[0015] The control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit. The battery temperature acquisition unit acquires the battery temperature as the temperature of the battery. The common flow path temperature acquisition unit acquires the common flow path temperature, which is the temperature of the heat medium flowing in a common flow path shared by either the first path or the second path.

[0016] Moreover, in a case where the device is in a low-temperature environment where the outside air temperature is lower than a preset reference outside air temperature, the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit is controlled to adjust the flow rate ratio of the heat medium in the first path to the heat medium in the second path so that the battery temperature becomes a preset reference temperature.

[0017] Thereby, in a low-temperature environment, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in the first path, it is possible to appropriately adjust the proportion of the heat medium cooled by heat exchange with the outside air in the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit. As a result, the battery temperature control device can suppress an excessive temperature drop of the heat medium flowing in the battery heat exchanger even in a low-temperature environment, and can suppress a decrease in the output and deterioration of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is an overall structural diagram of the battery temperature control device according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the trajectories of lithium ions in a state where there is a temperature difference inside the battery element.

[0021] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the trajectories of lithium ions in a state where the temperature inside the battery element is uniform.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of the control of the flow rate adjustment valve according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 It is an overall structural diagram of the battery temperature control device according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the indoor air conditioner unit according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the control system of the battery temperature control device according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a flowchart of the control of the flow rate adjustment valve when the outside air temperature is low.

[0027] Figure 9 It is a flowchart of the control of the flow rate adjustment valve when cooling the supply air.

[0028] Figure 10 It is an overall structural diagram of the battery temperature control device according to the third embodiment.

[0029] Figure 11 It is an explanatory diagram showing a modification example of the configuration of the battery heat exchanger and the heat medium pump in the heat medium circuit.

[0030] Figure 12 It is an explanatory diagram showing a modification example of the flow rate adjustment section in the heat medium circuit.

[0031] Figure 13 It is an explanatory diagram showing a first modification example of the refrigeration cycle in the battery temperature control device.

[0032] Figure 14 It is an explanatory diagram showing a second modification example of the refrigeration cycle in the battery temperature control device.

[0033] Figure 15 It is an explanatory diagram showing a first modification example of the configuration of the battery heat exchanger and the chiller in the heat medium circuit of the battery temperature control device.

[0034] Figure 16 It is an explanatory diagram showing a second modification example of the configuration of the battery heat exchanger and the chiller in the heat medium circuit of the battery temperature control device. Specific Embodiments

[0035] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a plurality of modes for implementing the present invention will be described. In each embodiment, the same reference signs may be assigned to parts corresponding to those described in the previous embodiments, and repeated descriptions may be omitted. When only a part of the structure is described in each embodiment, other previously described embodiments can be applied to other parts of the structure. Except for the combinations explicitly shown in each embodiment between parts that can be specifically combined, as long as the combination does not cause any obstacles, the embodiments can be partially combined with each other even if not explicitly stated.

[0036] (First Embodiment)

[0037] First, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the battery temperature control device of the present invention is disposed in an electric vehicle that obtains the driving force for vehicle travel from a driving electric motor. And, the battery temperature control device takes the battery B mounted on the electric vehicle as the object of temperature adjustment.

[0038] As Figure 1 shown, the battery temperature control device 1 of the first embodiment has a heat medium circuit 10, and the temperature of the battery B is adjusted by circulating the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10. As the heat medium of the heat medium circuit 10, a solution containing ethylene glycol, antifreeze, etc. can be used.

[0039] The heat medium circuit 10 is constituted by connecting a battery heat exchanger 11, an outside air heat exchanger 12, a heat medium pump 13, and a flow rate adjustment valve 14 through a heat medium circulation flow path 15. The heat medium pump 13 is a heat medium pump that pumps the heat medium passing through at least one of the battery heat exchanger 11 and the outside air heat exchanger 12 in the heat medium circuit 10 to the flow rate adjustment valve 14. The heat medium pump 13 is an electric pump whose rotation speed (i.e., pumping capacity) is controlled by a control voltage output from the control device 50.

[0040] The heat medium inlet of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is connected to the discharge port of the heat medium pump 13. The flow rate adjustment valve 14 is constituted by an electric three-way flow rate adjustment valve having three inflow and outflow ports. One of the heat medium outlets of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is connected to the heat medium inlet of the outside air heat exchanger 12. And, the other of the heat medium outlets of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is connected to the inlet side in the battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11. As Figure 1 shown, in the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment, with respect to the flow of the heat medium, the battery heat exchanger 11 and the outside air heat exchanger 12 are connected in parallel with each other.

[0041] Further, the flow rate adjustment valve 14 continuously changes the opening areas of the heat medium flow outlet on one side and the heat medium flow outlet on the other side according to the control signal from the control device 50. Therefore, with respect to the heat medium pumped by the heat medium pump 13 in the heat medium circuit 10, the flow rate adjustment valve 14 can continuously adjust the flow rate ratio of the heat medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger 11 to the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat exchanger 12.

[0042] The battery heat exchanger 11 is a heat exchanger for adjusting the temperature of the battery B by exchanging heat between the heat medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a and the battery element Bc constituting the battery B. The battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a in the battery heat exchanger 11 is a passage structure in which a plurality of passages are connected in parallel inside the dedicated housing of the battery B.

[0043] Here, the battery B supplies power to various electrical devices in the electric vehicle, and a secondary battery (in this embodiment, a lithium-ion battery) that can be charged and discharged is used, for example. The battery B is a so-called battery pack formed by laminating a plurality of battery elements Bc and connecting these battery elements Bc in series or in parallel electrically.

[0044] When such a battery B becomes low temperature, its internal resistance increases and its output is likely to decrease, and when it becomes high temperature, the deterioration of each battery element Bc is likely to progress. Also, since the battery B generates heat during charging and discharging, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the battery B within an appropriate temperature range (for example, 10°C or higher and 40°C or lower) that can fully utilize the charge and discharge capacity of the battery B.

[0045] As described above, since the battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11 employs a passage structure connected in parallel, it is formed so as to be able to uniformly absorb the waste heat of the battery B from the entire area of the battery B.

[0046] Such a battery heat exchanger 11 can be formed by disposing the battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a between the laminated battery elements Bc. Alternatively, the battery heat exchanger 11 can also be integrated with the battery B. For example, by providing the battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a in the dedicated housing that houses the laminated battery elements Bc, it can be integrated with the battery B.

[0047] Further, the outside air heat exchanger 12 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the heat medium flowing out from one outlet of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 and the outside air OA blown by an outside air fan (not shown). The outside air heat exchanger 12 is disposed on the front side in the drive device room of the electric vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle is running, the running wind can contact the outside air heat exchanger 12.

[0048] As Figure 1 shown, the outlet in the heat medium passage 11a of the heat exchanger 11 for battery and the heat medium outlet of the outside air heat exchanger 12 are both connected to the suction port of the heat medium pump 13. That is, in the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment, the heat medium drawn out from the heat exchanger 11 for battery and the heat medium flowing out from the outside air heat exchanger 12 merge while flowing toward the heat medium pump 13, and are sucked in from the suction port of the heat medium pump 13.

[0049] The heat medium circuit 10 configured in this way can switch the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14. For example, regarding the flow of the heat medium discharged from the heat medium pump 13, the flow rate adjustment valve 14 can continuously adjust the flow rate ratio of the heat medium passing through the outside air heat exchanger 12 to the heat medium passing through the heat medium passage 11a of the heat exchanger 11 for battery.

[0050] Specifically, in the heat medium circuit 10, the flow rate adjustment valve 14 can be controlled so that the inlet on the heat medium pump 13 side communicates with the outlet on the heat exchanger 11 for battery side, and the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side is closed. In this case, the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 is switched so that the entire amount of the heat medium pumped from the heat medium pump 13 passes through the heat medium passage 11a of the heat exchanger 11 for battery.

[0051] When the circulation of the heat medium is continued in this way, when the heat medium passes through the heat exchanger 11 for battery, the heat medium is heated by the waste heat of the battery B, so that the waste heat of the battery B can be accumulated in the heat medium.

[0052] Alternatively, in the heat medium circuit 10, the flow rate adjustment valve 14 can be controlled so that the inlet on the heat medium pump 13 side communicates with the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side, and the outlet on the heat exchanger 11 for battery side is closed. In this case, the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 is switched so that the entire amount of the heat medium pumped from the heat medium pump 13 passes through the outside air heat exchanger 12.

[0053] According to this method, all the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 can be supplied to the outside air heat exchanger 12. Therefore, if the temperature of the heat medium is lower than the outside air temperature, the heat medium can absorb heat from the outside air OA. Thus, the outside air OA can be used as a heat source. On the other hand, if the temperature of the heat medium is higher than the outside air temperature, the heat possessed by the heat medium can be dissipated to the outside air OA. That is, the battery temperature adjustment device 1 can adjust the temperature of the battery B by using the heat medium circuit 10.

[0054] Here, in the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment, the battery heat exchanger 11, the outside air heat exchanger 12, the heat medium pump 13, and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 are connected via the heat medium circulation flow path 15. As Figure 1 shown, the heat medium circulation flow path 15 is composed of a first flow path 15a, a second flow path 15b, and a common flow path 15c.

[0055] The first flow path 15a refers to the heat medium flow path connected to one of the flow outlets of the flow rate adjustment valve 14. Therefore, the outside air heat exchanger 12 is arranged in the first flow path 15a of the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment.

[0056] And the second flow path 15b refers to the heat medium flow path connected to the other of the flow outlets of the flow rate adjustment valve 14. Therefore, the battery heat exchanger 11 is arranged in the second flow path 15b of the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment.

[0057] As Figure 1 shown, at the suction side of the heat medium pump 13 in the heat medium circuit 10, the end of the first flow path 15a, the end of the second flow path 15b, and the end of the common flow path 15c are connected. That is, the connection part of the first flow path 15a, the second flow path 15b, and the common flow path 15c constitutes the ends of the first flow path 15a, the second flow path 15b, and the common flow path 15c respectively.

[0058] Therefore, the common flow path 15c can be regarded as the heat medium flow path connecting the connection part with the first flow path 15a and the second flow path 15b and the flow inlet of the flow rate adjustment valve 14. And the heat medium pump 13 is arranged in the common flow path 15c of the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment.

[0059] In the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment, by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the heat medium can be made to flow and circulate in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the outside air heat exchanger 12, and the heat medium pump 13. The circulation path of the heat medium in this case is composed of the first flow path 15a and the common flow path 15c and passes through the outside air heat exchanger 12, so it corresponds to the first path.

[0060] Or, in the heat medium circuit 10, by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the heat medium can be made to flow in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the battery heat exchanger 11, and the heat medium pump 13 and circulate bypassing the outside air heat exchanger 12. The circulation path of the heat medium in this case is composed of the second flow path 15b and the common flow path 15c, which corresponds to the second path.

[0061] Next, referring to Figure 1, the control system of the battery temperature control device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. The control device 50 is composed of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. and its peripheral circuits.

[0062] Furthermore, the control device 50 performs various operations and processes based on the control program stored in its ROM, thereby controlling the operations of various controlled devices connected to its output side. The controlled devices include the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14, etc.

[0063] As Figure 1 shown, a control sensor group for controlling the operations of each component device is connected to the input side of the control device 50. The control sensor group in the first embodiment includes an outside air temperature sensor 52a, a battery temperature sensor 53a, and a first heat medium temperature sensor 54a. The detection signals of these control sensor groups are input to the control device 50.

[0064] The outside air temperature sensor 52a is an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the outside of the vehicle (outside air temperature) Tam. The outside air temperature sensor 52a is arranged to detect the temperature of the outside air OA supplied to the outside air heat exchanger 12 in the drive device room.

[0065] The battery temperature sensor 53a is a battery temperature detection unit that detects the battery temperature TBA which is the temperature of the battery B. The battery temperature sensor 53a has a plurality of temperature detection units to detect the temperatures of a plurality of parts in the battery B. Therefore, in the control device 50, the temperature difference of each part in the battery B can also be detected. The battery temperature sensor 53a is an example of a battery temperature acquisition unit.

[0066] Moreover, as the battery temperature TBA, the average value of the detection values of the plurality of temperature detection units is adopted. In addition, the battery temperature sensor 53a can also detect the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger 11 and estimate the temperature of the battery B based on the temperature of the heat medium.

[0067] The first heat medium temperature sensor 54a detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the common flow path 15c in the heat medium circuit 10. The first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is arranged in the common flow path 15c between the discharge port of the heat medium pump 13 and the inlet of the flow rate adjustment valve 14. The first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is an example of a common flow path temperature acquisition unit, and the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a corresponds to the common flow path temperature.

[0068] Further, the battery temperature control device 1 controls the operation of the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 with reference to the detection results of the outside air temperature sensor 52a, the battery temperature sensor 53a, and the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a, so that the battery temperature becomes a preset reference temperature. Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 can use the heat medium circuit 10 to suppress the output reduction and deterioration of the battery.

[0069] Here, regarding the temperature adjustment of the battery B using the heat medium, an investigation is made focusing on the inside of each battery element Bc. As Figure 2 shown, a positive electrode Pe, a negative electrode Ne, and an electrolyte are arranged inside the battery element Bc of the battery B which is a lithium ion battery, and charging and discharging are performed by the movement of lithium ions between the positive electrode Pe and the negative electrode Ne.

[0070] As the positive electrode Pe, for example, a lithium transition metal composite oxide can be used. Further, as the negative electrode Ne, for example, a carbon material can be used instead, and as the electrolyte, a non-aqueous electrolyte such as an organic solvent can be used.

[0071] As described above, when the battery B is charged and discharged, lithium ions move between the positive electrode Pe and the negative electrode Ne via the electrolyte. When the temperature difference in the battery element Bc is small and within a specified temperature range, as Figure 2 shown, it can be considered that lithium ions move uniformly between the positive electrode Pe and the negative electrode Ne.

[0072] In this regard, in the case of adjusting the temperature of the battery B using the heat medium circuit 10, a temperature distribution is generated inside the battery element Bc by heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11 for the battery. Inside the battery element Bc, the part closer to the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11 for the battery is more easily affected by the heat medium, and the influence of the heat medium on the part farther from the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11 for the battery is smaller.

[0073] Consider the case where the outside air temperature becomes extremely low (for example, -10°C or lower). Since the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 exchanges heat with the extremely low-temperature outside air OA in the outside air heat exchanger 12, it is cooled to the same level as the outside air OA. The heat medium cooled to an extremely low temperature flows through the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11 for the battery and absorbs heat from each battery element Bc of the battery B.

[0074] In this case, in the battery element Bc, heat is absorbed from the part close to the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger, and the amount of heat absorbed at the part far from the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger becomes smaller. That is, as Figure 3As shown, a temperature distribution is generated inside the battery element Bc, and the temperature difference inside the battery element Bc becomes larger. In addition, in Figure 3 In the case of Figure 3 a battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a through which an extremely low-temperature heat medium flows is arranged on the lower side in

[0075] Then, consider the case of charging and discharging the battery element Bc in a state where a temperature difference is generated inside the battery element Bc. When a temperature difference is generated inside the battery element Bc, it can be considered that the salt concentration of the electrolyte inside the battery element Bc becomes uneven corresponding to the temperature distribution inside the battery element Bc.

[0076] Therefore, during the charging and discharging of the battery B, as Figure 3 shown, it can be considered that lithium ions concentrate and move to the part with a high salt concentration in the positive electrode Pe and the negative electrode Ne, thereby generating current concentration between the positive electrode Pe and the negative electrode Ne. When current concentration occurs between the positive electrode Pe and the negative electrode Ne, local deterioration of the battery B can be predicted.

[0077] When adjusting the temperature of the battery B through the heat medium circuit 10, in order to suppress deterioration and output reduction caused by current concentration in the battery element Bc, the battery temperature control device 1 of the first embodiment performs control related to the temperature adjustment of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10.

[0078] Figure 4 Shows the control content for suppressing local deterioration and output reduction of the battery B in an environment where the outside air OA is at a low temperature. This Figure 4 control program is executed by the control device 50 before the charging and discharging of the battery B or at the start of the charging and discharging of the battery B.

[0079] First, in step S1, it is determined whether the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 52a is lower than a preset reference outside air temperature. Here, the reference outside air temperature refers to the outside air temperature set to correspond to the battery temperature (for example, 10 °C) at which sufficient output can be obtained from the battery B without the need for warm-up of the battery B, and is, for example, 0 °C.

[0080] That is, in step S1, it is determined whether the outside air is in a low-temperature environment. If it is determined that the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature, step S2 is entered. On the other hand, if it is determined that the outside air temperature is not lower than the reference outside air temperature, the control program shown in Figure 4 is ended and executed again.

[0081] In step S2, it is determined whether the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 52a is lower than the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a. The heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is the temperature of the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c, which is equivalent to the common flow path temperature.

[0082] When it is determined that the outside air temperature is lower than the heat medium temperature, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the outside air temperature is not lower than the heat medium temperature, the control program shown once Figure 4 is ended and executed again.

[0083] In step S3, it is determined whether the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is rising. For example, for the detection result of the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a, the determination in step S3 is made by comparing the previous detection result with the current detection result. In other words, in step S3, it is determined whether the temperature of the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c is rising.

[0084] When it is determined that the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is rising, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that this is not the case, the control program shown once Figure 4 is ended and executed again.

[0085] Then, in step S4, the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is controlled so that the flow rate of the heat medium with respect to the outside air heat exchanger 12 on the first flow path 15a side increases, and the flow rate of the heat medium with respect to the battery heat exchanger 11 on the second flow path 15b side decreases. Thereby, the flow rate ratio in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is adjusted so that the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat exchanger 12 increases.

[0086] At this time, the opening degrees of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side and the outlet on the battery heat exchanger 11 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 are determined so that the battery temperature approaches a preset specified value. The specified value is a target value determined within an appropriate temperature range (for example, 15°C or higher and 55°C or lower) in the battery B.

[0087] Specifically, it is determined that as the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a rises, the opening degree of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 becomes larger. That is, it is determined that the larger the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature and the specified value, the larger the opening degree of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side.

[0088] At this time, it is determined that as the temperature of the heat medium detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a rises, the opening degree of the outlet on the battery heat exchanger 11 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 becomes smaller. That is, it is determined that the larger the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature and the specified value, the smaller the opening degree of the outlet on the battery heat exchanger 11 side. After that, one Figure 4 control program is ended and executed again.

[0089] Here, in the heat medium circuit 10, the heat medium cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 12 and the heat medium after passing through the battery heat exchanger 11 are mixed while flowing through the common flow path 15c. Therefore, regarding the flow rate ratio between the flow rate of the heat medium on the battery heat exchanger 11 side and the flow rate of the heat medium on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side, by adjusting in such a way as to increase the flow rate on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side and decrease the flow rate on the battery heat exchanger 11 side, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the common flow path 15c can be reduced.

[0090] Then, the heat medium after passing through the common flow path 15c is distributed to the battery heat exchanger 11 side and the outside air heat exchanger 12 side by the flow rate adjustment valve 14. Therefore, by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the common flow path 15c, the magnitude of the temperature difference between the heat medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger 11 and each battery element Bc of the battery B can be adjusted.

[0091] Thereby, the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium in the battery heat exchanger 11 and the battery temperature of the battery B can be reduced, so that the occurrence of power concentration in each battery element Bc of the battery B can be suppressed. As a result, even in an environment where the outside air is at a low temperature, regarding the temperature adjustment of the battery B using heat exchange with the outside air OA, it is possible to suppress the output reduction and deterioration of the battery B due to the temperature difference inside the battery element Bc.

[0092] In addition, in step S4, it may also be determined that as the temperature of the heat medium detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a decreases, the opening degree of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 becomes smaller. In this case, it is determined that as the temperature of the heat medium decreases, the opening degree of the outlet on the battery heat exchanger 11 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 becomes larger.

[0093] As described above, according to the battery temperature adjustment device 1 of the first embodiment, when the temperature of the battery B is adjusted by heat exchange with the outside air in a low-temperature environment, the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is controlled according to Figure 4 the control program shown.

[0094] Accordingly, even in an environment where the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature, the battery temperature control device 1 can adjust the flow rate ratio between the heat medium on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side and the heat medium on the battery heat exchanger 11 side, so as to adjust the battery temperature of the battery B to a preset reference temperature.

[0095] As a result, the battery temperature control device 1 of the first embodiment can suppress the temperature variation of the heat medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger 11 even in a low-temperature environment, thereby suppressing the output reduction and deterioration of the battery B caused by the influence of the low-temperature outside air OA.

[0096] Moreover, when the battery temperature control device 1 of the first embodiment controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 according to the Figure 4 control program shown, it is controlled such that the flow rate of the heat medium on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side increases as the temperature of the heat medium detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a rises.

[0097] Accordingly, with the battery temperature control device 1, the flow rate ratio between the heat medium on the battery heat exchanger 11 side and the heat medium on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side can be appropriately adjusted according to the condition of the heat medium temperature flowing through the common flow path 15c, and the deterioration and output reduction of the battery B caused by the influence of the low-temperature outside air can be suppressed.

[0098] As Figure 1 shown, in the heat medium circuit 10 of the battery temperature control device 1 of the first embodiment, the heat medium pump 13 is arranged in the common flow path 15c shared by the circulation path of the heat medium passing through the battery heat exchanger 11 and the circulation path of the heat medium passing through the outside air heat exchanger 12. Therefore, with the battery temperature control device 1, the circulation of the heat medium passing through the battery heat exchanger 11 and the circulation of the heat medium passing through the outside air heat exchanger 12 can be achieved by the operation of one heat medium pump 13.

[0099] (Second Embodiment)

[0100] Next, with reference to Figures 5 - 9 , a second embodiment different from the first embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the battery temperature control device 1 of the present invention is applied to a battery temperature control device with a vehicle interior air conditioning function. The battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment includes a heat medium circuit 10, a refrigeration cycle 20, a heating unit 30, an interior air conditioning unit 40, a control device 50, etc., and in addition to adjusting the temperature of the battery B mounted on an electric vehicle, it also performs air conditioning of the vehicle interior which is the air conditioning target space.

[0101] Further, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment can switch among a refrigeration mode, a heating mode, and a dehumidifying heating mode as the air-conditioning operation modes for the vehicle interior. The refrigeration mode is an operation mode in which the supply air blown into the vehicle interior is cooled and then blown into the vehicle interior. The heating mode is an operation mode in which the supply air is heated and then blown into the vehicle interior. The dehumidifying heating mode is an operation mode for dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior in which the supply air that has been cooled and dehumidified is reheated and then blown into the vehicle interior.

[0102] Moreover, the battery temperature control device 1 can switch the presence or absence of the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20 regardless of the state of the air-conditioning operation mode. Therefore, the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle 20 in the battery temperature control device 1 can be defined by the combination of the state of the air-conditioning operation mode and the presence or absence of the cooling of the battery B. Thus, the operation modes of the battery temperature control device 1 include seven operation modes: a refrigeration mode, a heating mode, a dehumidifying heating mode, a sole cooling mode, a cooling refrigeration mode, a cooling heating mode, and a cooling dehumidifying heating mode.

[0103] The sole cooling mode is an operation mode in which the air-conditioning for the vehicle interior is not performed, and the battery B is cooled using the refrigeration cycle 20. The cooling refrigeration mode is an operation mode in which the vehicle interior is refrigerated using the refrigeration cycle 20 and the battery B is cooled. The cooling heating mode is an operation mode in which the vehicle interior is heated using the refrigeration cycle 20 and the battery B is cooled. The cooling dehumidifying heating mode is an operation mode in which the vehicle interior is dehumidified and heated using the refrigeration cycle 20 and the battery B is cooled.

[0104] In addition, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the battery temperature control device 1, an HFC-based refrigerant (specifically, R134a) is used as the refrigerant, and a subcritical refrigeration cycle is configured in which the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure does not exceed the critical pressure of the refrigerant. Refrigeration oil for lubricating the compressor 21 is mixed into the refrigerant. As the refrigeration oil, PAG oil (polyalkylene glycol oil) that is compatible with the liquid-phase refrigerant is used. A part of the refrigeration oil circulates in the cycle together with the refrigerant.

[0105] Next, each component device constituting the refrigeration cycle 20 in the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment will be described. The refrigeration cycle 20 is a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle device. As Figure 5 shown, the refrigeration cycle 20 includes: a compressor 21, a heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger 22, a first expansion valve 24a, a second expansion valve 24b, a chiller 25, and an air-conditioning evaporator 26.

[0106] The compressor 21 sucks in refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 20, compresses it, and then discharges it. The compressor 21 is disposed inside the vehicle engine hood. The compressor 21 is an electric compressor of a fixed displacement type compression mechanism that is rotationally driven by an electric motor and has a fixed discharge capacity. The rotational speed of the compressor 21 (i.e., the refrigerant discharge capacity) is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0107] Moreover, the inlet side of the refrigerant passage 22a in the heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 21. The heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22 is a heat exchanger that dissipates the heat of the high - pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 to the high - temperature side heat medium in the high - temperature side heat medium circuit 31 constituting the heating unit 30, thereby heating the high - temperature side heat medium.

[0108] The heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22 has a refrigerant passage 22a through which the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle 20 flows and a heat medium passage 22b through which the high - temperature side heat medium of the high - temperature side heat medium circuit 31 flows. The heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22 is formed of the same kind of metal with excellent heat transfer properties (e.g., aluminum alloy), and each component is integrated by brazing.

[0109] Thus, the high - pressure refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage 22a and the high - temperature side heat medium flowing in the heat medium passage 22b can exchange heat with each other. The heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22 is an example of a condenser that dissipates the heat of the high - pressure refrigerant and constitutes a part of the heating unit 30 described later.

[0110] A refrigerant branch portion 23a having a three - way joint structure is connected to the outlet of the refrigerant passage 22a of the heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22. The refrigerant branch portion 23a branches the flow of the liquid - phase refrigerant flowing out from the heat medium - refrigerant heat exchanger 22. In the refrigerant branch portion 23a, one of the three inflow - out ports is used as the refrigerant inlet, and the remaining two are used as refrigerant outlets.

[0111] The refrigerant inlet side of the cooler 25 is connected to one refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant branch portion 23a via the first expansion valve 24a. The refrigerant inlet side of the air - conditioning evaporator 26 is connected to the other refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant branch portion 23a via the second expansion valve 24b.

[0112] The first expansion valve 24a is a decompression portion that decompresses the refrigerant flowing out from one refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant branch portion 23a at least in the operation mode and heating mode of cooling the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20. The first expansion valve 24a is an electric variable throttle mechanism and has a valve element and an electric actuator. That is, the first expansion valve 24a is constituted by a so - called electric expansion valve and is an example corresponding to the first decompression portion.

[0113] The valve element of the first expansion valve 24a is configured to be able to change the passage opening degree (in other words, the throttling opening degree) of the refrigerant passage. The electric actuator has a stepping motor that changes the throttling opening degree of the valve element. The operation of the first expansion valve 24a is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0114] In addition, the first expansion valve 24a is constituted by a variable throttling mechanism having a fully open function of fully opening the refrigerant passage when the throttling opening degree is fully open and a fully closed function of closing the refrigerant passage when the throttling opening degree is fully closed. That is, the first expansion valve 24a can exert the pressure reducing effect of the refrigerant by setting the refrigerant passage to be fully open.

[0115] Moreover, the first expansion valve 24a can cut off the inflow of the refrigerant to the chiller 25 by closing the refrigerant passage. That is, the first expansion valve 24a has both the function of a pressure reducing portion for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant and the function of a refrigerant circuit switching portion for switching the refrigerant circuit.

[0116] The refrigerant inlet side of the chiller 25 is connected to the outlet of the first expansion valve 24a. The chiller 25 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve 24a and the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit 10.

[0117] The chiller 25 has a chiller refrigerant passage 25a through which the low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve 24a flows and a chiller heat medium passage 25b through which the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit 10 flows. Therefore, the chiller 25 is an evaporator that evaporates the low-pressure refrigerant by heat exchange between the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the chiller refrigerant passage 25a and the heat medium flowing through the chiller heat medium passage 25b and absorbs heat from the heat medium.

[0118] As Figure 1 shown, a second expansion valve 24b is connected to the other refrigerant outlet in the refrigerant branch portion 23a. The second expansion valve 24b is a pressure reducing portion that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the other refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant branch portion 23a at least in the operation mode of cooling the supply air using the refrigeration cycle 20. The second expansion valve 24b is an example of the second pressure reducing portion.

[0119] The second expansion valve 24b is an electric type variable throttling mechanism similar to the first expansion valve 24a and has a valve element and an electric actuator. That is, the second expansion valve 24b is constituted by a so-called electric expansion valve and has a fully open function and a fully closed function.

[0120] That is, the second expansion valve 24b can function as a decompression unit for the refrigerant by fully opening the refrigerant passage. Further, the second expansion valve 24b can cut off the inflow of the refrigerant to the air-conditioning evaporator 26 by closing the refrigerant passage. That is, the second expansion valve 24b has both the function of a decompression unit for decompressing the refrigerant and the function of a refrigerant circuit switching unit for switching the refrigerant circuit.

[0121] The refrigerant inlet side of the air-conditioning evaporator 26 is connected to the outlet of the second expansion valve 24b. The air-conditioning evaporator 26 is an evaporator that exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the second expansion valve 24b and the supply air W in the cooling mode and the dehumidifying heating mode, thereby evaporating the low-pressure refrigerant and cooling the supply air W. As Figure 6 shown, the air-conditioning evaporator 26 is disposed within the housing 41 of the indoor air-conditioning unit 40. The air-conditioning evaporator 26 corresponds to an example of the air-conditioning heat exchange unit.

[0122] As Figure 1 shown, the other refrigerant inlet side of the refrigerant merging portion 23b is connected to the refrigerant outlet side of the cooler 25. Further, one refrigerant inlet side of the refrigerant merging portion 23b is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the air-conditioning evaporator 26. Here, since the refrigerant merging portion 23b has the same three-way joint structure as the refrigerant branching portion 23a, two of the three inflow / outflow ports are used as refrigerant inlets, and the remaining one is used as a refrigerant outlet.

[0123] The refrigerant merging portion 23b merges the flow of the refrigerant flowing out from the cooler 25 and the flow of the refrigerant flowing out from the air-conditioning evaporator 26. Further, the suction inlet side of the compressor 21 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant merging portion 23b.

[0124] Next, the heating unit 30 of the battery temperature control device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The heating unit 30 is configured to use the high-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 20 as a heat source to heat the supply air W supplied to the air-conditioning target space.

[0125] The heating unit 30 of the second embodiment includes a high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31, and includes a heat medium passage 22b of the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, a heater core 32, a high-temperature side pump 33, and the like. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31 is a heat medium circuit through which the high-temperature side heat medium circulates, and as the high-temperature side heat medium, a solution containing ethylene glycol, antifreeze, or the like can be used.

[0126] The high-temperature side pump 33 is a heat medium pump that pumps the high-temperature side heat medium in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31 to circulate the high-temperature side heat medium. The high-temperature side pump 33 is an electric pump whose rotation speed (i.e., pumping capacity) is controlled by a control voltage output from the control device 50. An inlet in the heat medium passage 22b of the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22 is connected to the discharge port of the high-temperature side pump 33.

[0127] As described above, in the heat medium passage 22b of the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the high-temperature side heat medium is heated by heat exchange with the high-pressure refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage 22a. That is, the high-temperature side heat medium is heated by using the heat absorbed in the refrigeration cycle 20.

[0128] An inlet of the heat medium in the heater core 32 is connected to the outlet in the heat medium passage 22b of the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22. The heater core 32 is a heat exchanger that heats the supply air W by heat-exchanging the high-temperature side heat medium heated by the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22 with the supply air W that has passed through the air conditioner evaporator 26. As Figure 6 shown, the heater core 32 is disposed within the housing 41 of the room air conditioner unit 40. And, an inlet of the high-temperature side pump 33 is connected to the outlet of the heat medium of the heater core 32.

[0129] Therefore, according to the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment, the heat of the high-pressure refrigerant absorbed in the refrigeration cycle 20 can be used as a heat source, and the supply air W can be heated via the high-temperature side heat medium. Therefore, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22 and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31 are an example of a heating unit.

[0130] Moreover, the heat medium circuit 10 of the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment is configured to be the same as the heat medium circuit 10 of the first embodiment except that the chiller 25 in the refrigeration cycle 20 is disposed. As Figure 1 shown, the heat medium circuit 10 of the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, has a battery heat exchanger 11, an outside air heat exchanger 12, a heat medium pump 13, a flow rate adjustment valve 14, and in addition, has a chiller heat medium passage 25b of the chiller 25.

[0131] In the second embodiment, the chiller heat medium passage 25b of the chiller 25 is disposed in the common flow path 15c of the heat medium circuit 10. An inlet of the heat medium in the chiller heat medium passage 25b of the chiller 25 is connected to the discharge port of the heat medium pump 13. And, an outlet of the heat medium in the chiller heat medium passage 25b of the chiller 25 is connected to the inlet of the flow rate adjustment valve 14.

[0132] Therefore, in the heat medium circuit 10 of the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the temperature of the heat medium can be adjusted by heat exchange with the outside air OA in the outside air heat exchanger 12. Moreover, according to the heat medium circuit 10 of the second embodiment, in the chiller 25 of the refrigeration cycle 20, the heat medium can be cooled by absorbing heat from the low-pressure refrigerant.

[0133] Next, with reference to Figure 6 , the in-vehicle air conditioner unit 40 of the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment will be described. The in-vehicle air conditioner unit 40 is a unit in the battery temperature control device 1 for blowing the supply air W whose temperature has been adjusted by the refrigeration cycle 20 to an appropriate part in the vehicle interior. The in-vehicle air conditioner unit 40 is disposed inside the instrument panel (i.e., the dashboard) at the foremost part of the vehicle interior.

[0134] The in-vehicle air conditioner unit 40 houses a blower 42, an air conditioner evaporator 26, a heater core 32, etc. in an air passage formed inside a housing 41 that forms the housing of the in-vehicle air conditioner unit 40. The housing 41 forms an air passage for the supply air W blown into the vehicle interior. The housing 41 is formed of a resin (specifically, polypropylene) having a certain degree of elasticity and excellent strength.

[0135] As Figure 2 shown, an inside / outside air switching device 43 is disposed on the most upstream side of the supply air flow of the housing 41. The inside / outside air switching device 43 switches between introducing inside air (vehicle interior air) and outside air (outside vehicle air) into the housing 41.

[0136] The inside / outside air switching device 43 continuously adjusts the opening areas of the inside air inlet for introducing inside air and the outside air inlet for introducing outside air into the housing 41 through an inside / outside air switching door, thereby changing the introduction ratio of the inside air introduction air volume and the outside air introduction air volume. The inside / outside air switching door is driven by an electric actuator for the inside / outside air switching door. The operation of this electric actuator is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0137] A blower 42 is disposed on the downstream side of the supply air flow of the inside / outside air switching device 43. The blower 42 is composed of an electric blower mechanism that drives a centrifugal multi-blade fan by an electric motor. The blower 42 blows the air inhaled through the inside / outside air switching device 43 toward the vehicle interior. The rotational speed (i.e., the air supply capacity) of the blower 42 is controlled by a control voltage output from the control device 50.

[0138] On the downstream side of the supply air flow of the blower 42, the air conditioner evaporator 26 and the heater core 32 are arranged in sequence with respect to the flow of the supply air. That is, the air conditioner evaporator 26 is arranged on the upstream side of the supply air flow compared to the heater core 32.

[0139] And a cold air bypass passage 45 is formed inside the housing 41. The cold air bypass passage 45 is an air passage that allows the supply air W that has passed through the air conditioner evaporator 26 to bypass the heater core 32 and flow downstream.

[0140] An air mixing door 44 is disposed on the downstream side of the supply air flow of the air conditioner evaporator 26 and on the upstream side of the supply air flow of the heater core 32. The air mixing door 44 adjusts the air volume ratio between the supply air W that has passed through the heater core 32 and the supply air W that has passed through the cold air bypass passage 45 among the supply air W that has passed through the air conditioner evaporator 26.

[0141] The air mixing door 44 is driven by an electric actuator for driving the air mixing door. The operation of this electric actuator is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0142] A mixing space is provided on the downstream side of the supply air flow of the heater core 32. In the mixing space, the supply air W heated by the heater core 32 is mixed with the supply air W that has passed through the cold air bypass passage 45 and has not been heated by the heater core 32.

[0143] Moreover, an opening hole for blowing the supply air (air conditioner air) mixed in the mixing space into the vehicle interior is disposed at the most downstream part of the supply air flow of the housing 41. As this opening hole, a face opening hole, a foot opening hole, and a defrosting opening hole (all not shown) are provided.

[0144] The face opening hole is an opening hole for blowing the air conditioner air toward the upper body of the occupants in the vehicle interior. The foot opening hole is an opening hole for blowing the air conditioner air toward the feet of the occupants. The defrosting opening hole is an opening hole for blowing the air conditioner air toward the inner side surface of the windshield in the front of the vehicle.

[0145] These face opening hole, foot opening hole, and defrosting opening hole are respectively connected to a face blowout port, a foot blowout port, and a defrosting blowout port (all not shown) provided in the vehicle interior via pipes forming air passages.

[0146] Therefore, the air mixing door 44 adjusts the temperature of the air conditioner air mixed in the mixing space by adjusting the air volume ratio between the supply air passing through the heater core 32 and the supply air passing through the cold air bypass passage 45. Thereby, the temperature of the supply air (air conditioner air) blown into the vehicle interior from each blowout port is also adjusted.

[0147] And a face door, a foot door, and a defrosting door (all not shown) are respectively disposed on the upstream side of the supply air flow of the face opening hole, the foot opening hole, and the defrosting opening hole. The face door adjusts the opening area of the face opening hole. The foot door adjusts the opening area of the foot opening hole. The defrosting door adjusts the opening area of the defrosting opening hole.

[0148] These face section, foot section, and defrost door constitute a blowing mode switching device that switches the blowing outlet from which air from the air conditioner blows out. The face section, foot section, and defrost door are connected to an electric actuator for driving the blowing outlet mode door via a link mechanism or the like, and thus are rotationally operated in conjunction. The operation of this electric actuator is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0149] Next, with reference to Figure 7 , the control system of the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment will be described. The control device 50 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and is composed of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and its peripheral circuits.

[0150] Moreover, the control device 50 of the second embodiment performs various operations and processes based on a control program stored in its ROM, thereby controlling the operations of various controlled devices connected to its output side. The controlled devices of the second embodiment include, in addition to the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14, a compressor 21, a first expansion valve 24a, a second expansion valve 24b, a high-temperature side pump 33, a blower 42, and the like.

[0151] As Figure 7 shown, a control sensor group is connected to the input side of the control device 50. The control sensor group is the same as that of the first embodiment and includes an outside air temperature sensor 52a, a battery temperature sensor 53a, and a first heat medium temperature sensor 54a. The outside air temperature sensor 52a and the battery temperature sensor 53a have the same structure as those of the first embodiment. The first heat medium temperature sensor 54a in the second embodiment is disposed between the heat medium outlet in the heat medium passage 25b of the cooler 25 and the inlet of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 in the common flow path 15.

[0152] Moreover, the control sensor group in the second embodiment further includes an interior air temperature sensor 52b, a solar radiation amount sensor 52c, a high-pressure sensor 52d, an evaporator temperature sensor 52e, and a supply air temperature sensor 53b. And the control sensor group includes second to fifth heat medium temperature sensors 54b to 54e for detecting the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 and the high-temperature side heat medium in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31. The detection signals of these control sensor groups are input to the control device 50 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0153] The interior air temperature sensor 52b is an interior air temperature detection unit that detects the temperature (interior air temperature) Tr in the vehicle interior. The solar radiation amount sensor 52c is a solar radiation amount detection unit that detects the solar radiation amount As irradiated into the vehicle interior. The high-pressure sensor 52d is a refrigerant pressure detection unit that detects the high-pressure refrigerant pressure Pd in the refrigerant flow path from the discharge port side of the compressor 21 to the inlet side of the first expansion valve 24a or the second expansion valve 24b.

[0154] The evaporator temperature sensor 52e is an evaporator temperature detection unit that detects the refrigerant evaporation temperature (evaporator temperature) Tefin in the evaporator 26 for the air conditioner. The supply air temperature sensor 53b is a supply air temperature detection unit that detects the supply air temperature TAV blown into the vehicle interior. The supply air temperature sensor 53b corresponds to an example of a supply air temperature acquisition unit.

[0155] The second heat medium temperature sensor 54b is disposed at the outlet portion of the heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11 in the battery heat exchanger 11, and detects the temperature of the heat medium after passing through the battery heat exchanger 11. The third heat medium temperature sensor 54c is disposed at the heat medium outlet portion of the outside air heat exchanger 12, and detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the outside air heat exchanger 12.

[0156] The fourth heat medium temperature sensor 54d is disposed at the outlet portion in the heat medium passage 22b of the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, and detects the temperature of the high-temperature side heat medium flowing out from the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22. The fifth heat medium temperature sensor 54e is disposed at the heat medium outlet portion in the heater core 32, and detects the temperature of the high-temperature side heat medium flowing out from the heater core 32.

[0157] Moreover, the battery temperature control device 1 switches the flow of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 and the flow of the high-temperature side heat medium in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31 with reference to the detection results of the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a to the fifth heat medium temperature sensor 54e. Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 can manage the heat in the vehicle using the heat medium circuit 10 and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31.

[0158] Furthermore, an operation panel 51 disposed near the instrument panel in the front part of the vehicle interior is connected to the input side of the control device 50. A plurality of operation switches are arranged on the operation panel 51. Therefore, operation signals from the plurality of operation switches are input to the control device 50. As various operation switches on the operation panel 51, there are an automatic switch, a refrigeration switch, a wind volume setting switch, a temperature setting switch, and the like.

[0159] The automatic switch is operated when setting or canceling the automatic control operation of the battery temperature control device 1. The refrigeration switch is operated when refrigeration in the vehicle interior is required. The wind volume setting switch is operated when manually setting the wind volume of the blower 42. And the temperature setting switch is operated when setting the target temperature Tset in the vehicle interior.

[0160] In addition, in the control device 50, a control unit for controlling various controlled devices connected to its output side is integrally formed, but the structure (hardware and software) for controlling the operations of the respective controlled devices constitutes a control unit for controlling the operations of the respective controlled devices.

[0161] For example, the structure that controls the operation of the flow control valve 14 in the heat medium circuit 10 in the control device 50 to adjust the flow rate ratio of the heat medium flowing on the battery heat exchanger 11 side and the heat medium flowing on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side constitutes the flow rate ratio adjustment unit 50a. Also, the structure that controls the pumping volume of the flow control valve 14 in the heat medium circuit 10 in the control device 50 constitutes the pumping capacity control unit 50b.

[0162] Also, the structure that controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21 in the refrigeration cycle 20 in the control device 50 constitutes the compressor control unit 50c. Also, the structure that controls the decompression amounts of the first expansion valve 24a and the second expansion valve 24b in the refrigeration cycle 20 in the control device 50 respectively constitutes the decompression control unit 50d. The structure that controls the pumping capacity of the high-temperature side pump 33 in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31 in the control device 50 constitutes the high-temperature side control unit 50e.

[0163] According to the battery temperature control device 1 configured in this way, by controlling the operations of the heat medium pump 13 and the flow control valve 14 of the heat medium circuit 10 in a state where the refrigeration cycle 20 is stopped, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0164] That is, even in an environment where the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment can suppress the temperature variation of the heat medium flowing through the battery heat exchanger 11, thereby suppressing the output reduction and deterioration of the battery B caused by the influence of the low-temperature outside air OA.

[0165] Next, the operation of the battery temperature control device 1 in the second embodiment will be described. As described above, in the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment, the operation mode can be appropriately switched from multiple operation modes. The switching of these operation modes is performed by executing a control program stored in advance in the control device 50.

[0166] As described above, the operation modes of the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment include a refrigeration mode, a heating mode, a dehumidifying heating mode, a separate cooling mode, a cooling refrigeration mode, a cooling heating mode, and a cooling dehumidifying heating mode. Hereinafter, each operation mode will be described.

[0167] (a) Refrigeration mode

[0168] The refrigeration mode is an operation mode in which the battery B is not cooled using the refrigeration cycle 20, but the supply air W is cooled by the air conditioner evaporator 26 and blown into the vehicle interior. In this refrigeration mode, the control device 50 fully closes the first expansion valve 24a and opens the second expansion valve 24b with a preset throttle opening.

[0169] Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the refrigeration mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the second expansion valve 24b, the air conditioner evaporator 26, and the compressor 21.

[0170] Moreover, in this cycle structure, the control device 50 controls the operations of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the refrigeration mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttle opening of the second expansion valve 24b, the air supply capacity of the blower 42, the opening of the air mix door 44, and the like.

[0171] In addition, in the heat medium circuit 10 of the refrigeration mode, since the low-pressure refrigerant does not flow into the chiller 25, the heat medium circuit 10 in the first embodiment can operate. Also, in the refrigeration mode, it is possible to set the state in which the circulation of the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 stops.

[0172] Therefore, in the battery temperature control device 1 in the refrigeration mode, by blowing the supply air W cooled by the air conditioner evaporator 26 into the vehicle interior, the vehicle interior can be cooled. And the battery temperature control device 1 can adjust the temperature of the battery B by performing heat exchange between the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 10 and the outside air OA in the outside air heat exchanger 12.

[0173] (b) Heating mode

[0174] The heating mode is an operation mode in which, instead of cooling the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20, the supply air W is heated by the heater core 32 and blown into the vehicle interior. In the heating mode, the control device 50 opens the first expansion valve 24a with a specified throttle opening and sets the second expansion valve 24b to the fully closed state. Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the heating mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the first expansion valve 24a, the chiller 25, and the compressor 21.

[0175] In this cycle structure, the control device 50 controls the operations of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the heating mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttle opening of the first expansion valve 24a, the air supply capacity of the blower 42, the pumping capacity of the high-temperature side pump 33, the opening of the air mix door 44, and the like.

[0176] Further, for the heat medium circuit 10 in the heating mode, the control device 50 controls the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium circulates in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the chiller 25, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the outside air heat exchanger 12, and the heat medium pump 13.

[0177] That is, the battery temperature control device 1 in the heating mode can perform heating as follows: extracting the heat absorbed from the outside air OA by the outside air heat exchanger 12 in the heat medium circuit 10 by the refrigeration cycle 20 and using it for heating the supply air W via the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31.

[0178] (c) Dehumidifying heating mode

[0179] The dehumidifying heating mode is an operation mode in which the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20 is not performed, but the supply air W cooled in the air conditioner evaporator 26 is heated in the heater core 32 and blown into the vehicle interior. In the dehumidifying heating mode, the control device 50 opens the second expansion valve 24b and the first expansion valve 24a at a prescribed throttle opening degree, respectively.

[0180] Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the dehumidifying heating mode, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the second expansion valve 24b, the air conditioner evaporator 26, and the compressor 21. At the same time, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the first expansion valve 24a, the chiller 25, and the compressor 21. That is, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the dehumidifying heating mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the chiller 25 and the air conditioner evaporator 26 are connected in parallel with respect to the flow of the refrigerant flowing out from the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22.

[0181] In this cycle structure, the control device 50 controls the operation of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the dehumidifying heating mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group and the like. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttle opening degrees of the first expansion valve 24a and the second expansion valve 24b, the blowing capacity of the blower 42, the pumping capacity of the high-temperature side pump 33, the opening degree of the air mixing door 44, and the like.

[0182] Further, for the heat medium circuit 10 in the dehumidifying heating mode, the control device 50 controls the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium circulates in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the chiller 25, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the outside air heat exchanger 12, and the heat medium pump 13.

[0183] Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 in the dehumidifying heating mode can achieve dehumidifying heating as follows: extracting the heat absorbed from the outside air OA in the heat medium circuit 10 by the refrigeration cycle 20 and heating the cooled supply air W via the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31.

[0184] (d) Separate cooling mode

[0185] The separate cooling mode is an operating mode in which the air conditioner in the vehicle interior is not operated, but the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20 is cooled. In this separate cooling mode, the control device 50 opens the first expansion valve 24a with a specified throttle opening degree and sets the second expansion valve 24b to the fully closed state. Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the separate cooling mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the first expansion valve 24a, the chiller 25, and the compressor 21.

[0186] In this cycle structure, the control device 50 controls the operation of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the separate cooling mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group, etc. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttle opening degree of the first expansion valve 24a, the opening degree of the air mix door 44, etc.

[0187] Moreover, for the heat medium circuit 10 of the separate cooling mode, the control device 50 controls the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium circulates in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the chiller 25, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the battery heat exchanger 11, and the heat medium pump 13.

[0188] Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 in the separate cooling mode can make the heat medium cooled by the heat exchange with the low-pressure refrigerant in the chiller 25 flow through the battery heat exchanger heat medium passage 11a of the battery heat exchanger 11, so that the battery B can be cooled by using the refrigeration cycle 20.

[0189] (e) Cooling refrigeration mode

[0190] The cooling refrigeration mode is an operating mode in which the supply air W is cooled by the air conditioner evaporator 26 in parallel with the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle and is blown into the vehicle interior. In this cooling refrigeration mode, the control device 50 opens the first expansion valve 24a and the second expansion valve 24b with specified throttle opening degrees respectively.

[0191] Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the cooling refrigeration mode, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the first expansion valve 24a, the chiller 25, and the compressor 21. At the same time, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the second expansion valve 24b, the air conditioner evaporator 26, and the compressor 21. That is, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the cooling refrigeration mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the air conditioner evaporator 26 and the chiller 25 are connected in parallel with respect to the flow of the refrigerant flowing out from the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22.

[0192] In this loop structure, the control device 50 controls the operation of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the cooling and refrigeration mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group, etc. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttling opening degrees of the first expansion valve 24a and the second expansion valve 24b, the air supply capacity of the blower 42, the opening degree of the air mixing door 44, etc.

[0193] Moreover, for the heat medium circuit 10 in the cooling and refrigeration mode, the control device 50 controls the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium circulates in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the chiller 25, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the battery heat exchanger 11, and the heat medium pump 13.

[0194] Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 in the cooling and refrigeration mode can cause the heat medium cooled by the heat exchange with the low-pressure refrigerant in the chiller 25 to flow through the battery heat exchanger 11, and thus can cool the battery B.

[0195] Moreover, in the cooling and refrigeration mode, through the heat exchange with the supply air W in the air conditioner evaporator 26, the low-pressure refrigerant can be evaporated to cool the supply air W, thereby achieving the refrigeration in the vehicle interior. Therefore, the battery temperature control device 1 in the cooling and refrigeration mode can improve the comfort by the refrigeration in the vehicle interior together with the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20.

[0196] (f) Cooling and heating mode

[0197] The cooling and heating mode is an operation mode in which the supply air W is heated by the heater core 32 and blown into the vehicle interior in parallel with the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20. In this cooling and heating mode, the control device 50 opens the first expansion valve 24a with a prescribed throttling opening degree and sets the second expansion valve 24b to the fully closed state. Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 in the cooling and heating mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the first expansion valve 24a, the chiller 25, and the compressor 21.

[0198] In this loop structure, the control device 50 controls the operation of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the cooling and heating mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group, etc. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttling opening degree of the first expansion valve 24a, the air supply capacity of the blower 42, the pumping capacity of the high-temperature side pump 33, the opening degree of the air mixing door 44, etc.

[0199] Further, for the heat medium circuit 10 in the cooling and heating mode, the control device 50 controls the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium circulates in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the chiller 25, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the battery heat exchanger 11, and the heat medium pump 13.

[0200] Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 in the cooling and heating mode can cause the heat medium cooled by heat exchange with the low-pressure refrigerant in the chiller 25 to flow through the battery heat exchanger 11, and thus can cool the battery B.

[0201] Further, in the cooling and heating mode, the waste heat of the battery B is extracted by the refrigeration cycle 20 and dissipated to the supply air W in the heater core 32, thereby enabling heating in the vehicle interior. Therefore, the battery temperature control device 1 in the cooling and heating mode can improve comfort by heating the vehicle interior using the waste heat of the battery B as a heat source together with the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20.

[0202] (g) Cooling, dehumidifying, and heating mode

[0203] The cooling, dehumidifying, and heating mode is an operation mode in which the supply air W cooled by the air conditioner evaporator 26 is heated in the heater core 32 and blown into the vehicle interior in parallel with the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20. In this cooling, dehumidifying, and heating mode, the control device 50 opens the first expansion valve 24a and the second expansion valve 24b with a predetermined throttle opening degree, respectively.

[0204] Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the cooling, dehumidifying, and heating mode, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the first expansion valve 24a, the chiller 25, and the compressor 21. At the same time, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 21, the heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger 22, the second expansion valve 24b, the air conditioner evaporator 26, and the compressor 21.

[0205] That is, in the refrigeration cycle 20 of the cooling, dehumidifying, and heating mode, a refrigerant circulation circuit is formed in which the chiller 25 and the air conditioner evaporator 26 are connected in parallel with respect to the flow of the refrigerant flowing out from the heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger 22.

[0206] In this cycle structure, the control device 50 controls the operation of various controlled devices connected to the output side in a manner suitable for the cooling, dehumidifying, and heating mode based on the detection results of the control sensor group, etc. Specifically, the control device 50 controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 21, the throttle opening degrees of the first expansion valve 24a and the second expansion valve 24b, the air supply capacity of the air blower 42, the pumping capacity of the high-temperature side pump 33, the opening degree of the air mixing door 44, etc.

[0207] Moreover, for the heat medium circuit 10 in the cooling dehumidifying heating mode, the control device 50 controls the heat medium pump 13 and the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium circulates in the order of the heat medium pump 13, the chiller 25, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the battery heat exchanger 11, and the heat medium pump 13.

[0208] Thereby, the battery temperature control device 1 in the cooling dehumidifying heating mode can cause the heat medium cooled by the heat exchange with the low-pressure refrigerant in the chiller 25 to flow through the battery heat exchanger 11, and thus can cool the battery B.

[0209] Moreover, in the cooling dehumidifying heating mode, the waste heat of the battery B is extracted by the refrigeration cycle 20 and dissipated to the supply air W cooled by the left air conditioner evaporator 26, thereby enabling dehumidification and heating in the vehicle interior. Therefore, the battery temperature control device 1 in the cooling dehumidifying heating mode can improve comfort by performing dehumidification and heating in the vehicle interior using the waste heat of the battery B as a heat source together with the cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20.

[0210] Here, when the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment adjusts the temperature of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20 and conditions the air in the vehicle interior in an environment where the outside air OA is at a low temperature, the battery temperature control device 1 executes various control programs.

[0211] When conditioning the air in the vehicle interior and cooling the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20 in an environment where the outside air OA is at a low temperature, for example, the control program shown in Figure 8 is executed. First, in step S10, it is determined whether the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature in the same manner as in step S1 above.

[0212] Then, when it is determined that the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that the outside air temperature is not lower than the reference outside air temperature, the control program shown in Figure 8 ends and is executed again.

[0213] In step S11, it is determined whether the operation mode of the battery temperature control device 1 is an operation mode in which the temperature of the battery B is adjusted while heating the supply air. That is, in step S11, it is determined whether either the cooling heating mode or the cooling dehumidifying heating mode is selected as the operation mode. When it is determined that the operation mode is an operation mode in which the temperature of the battery B is adjusted and the supply air is heated, the process proceeds to step S12. When it is determined that this is not the case, the control program shown in Figure 8 ends and is executed again.

[0214] In step S12, it is determined whether the temperature of the heat medium detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is above the outside air temperature. If it is determined that the heat medium temperature is above the outside air temperature, the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined otherwise, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0215] In step S13, the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is controlled so that the flow rate of the heat medium to the outside air heat exchanger 12 on the first flow path 15a side increases, and the flow rate of the heat medium to the battery heat exchanger 11 on the second flow path 15b side decreases. At this time, the greater the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature and the outside air temperature, the greater the opening degree of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is determined. After that, the Figure 8 shown control program is ended and executed again.

[0216] Here, the situation of transferring to step S13 means that the heat medium temperature is above the outside air temperature, which is the case of low outside air temperature. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 in step S13 to increase the flow rate on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side, the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a can be reduced.

[0217] In step S14, it is determined whether the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a and the outside air temperature is greater than a preset specified value (for example, 5°C). When transferring to step S14, the heat medium temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, so in step S14, it is determined whether the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c is supercooled with respect to the outside air.

[0218] In the battery temperature control device 1, when the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c is supercooled with respect to the outside air, it can be considered that the waste heat of the battery B dissipates more to the outside air than the heat medium. Therefore, when the heat medium is supercooled with respect to the outside air, the heat medium cannot sufficiently absorb the waste heat of the battery B, so it can be considered a situation where the waste heat of the battery B cannot be utilized by using the supply air as a heat source for heating. That is, in step S14, it is determined whether the situation of not being able to utilize the waste heat of the battery B is present based on the relationship between the heat medium temperature and the outside air temperature.

[0219] If it is determined that the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature and the outside air temperature is greater than the specified value, the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined otherwise, since it is in a state where the waste heat of the outside air OA and the battery B cannot be effectively utilized as a heat source for heating the supply air via the heat medium circuit 10, the Figure 8 shown control program is ended once and executed again.

[0220] In step S15, the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is controlled so that the flow rate of the heat medium relative to the outside air heat exchanger 12 on the first flow path 15a side decreases, and the flow rate of the heat medium relative to the battery heat exchanger 11 on the second flow path 15b side increases. At this time, the larger the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature and the outside air temperature, the smaller the opening degree of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is determined. After that, the control program shown in Figure 8 is ended and executed again. Figure 8 The shown control program is ended and executed again.

[0221] By controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 in step S15, in the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit 10, the flow rate of the heat medium cooled by heat exchange with the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 12 decreases. Therefore, the decrease in the temperature of the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c is suppressed, and the state in which the waste heat of the battery B can be effectively used as a heat source for heating the supply air can be approximated.

[0222] According to the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment, in the cooling and heating mode and the cooling and dehumidifying heating mode, by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the waste heat of the outside air OA and the battery B can be effectively used as a heat source for heating the supply air.

[0223] And when performing in-vehicle air conditioning and cooling of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20 in an environment where the outside air OA is at a low temperature, the control program shown in Figure 9 is executed. First, in step S20, it is determined whether the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature in the same manner as in step S1 and the like above. Figure 9 The shown control program is executed. First, in step S20, it is determined whether the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature in the same manner as in step S1 and the like above.

[0224] And when it is determined that the outside air temperature is lower than the reference outside air temperature, step S21 is entered. On the other hand, when it is determined that the outside air temperature is not lower than the reference outside air temperature, the control program shown in Figure 9 is ended once and executed again. Figure 9 The shown control program is ended once and executed again.

[0225] In step S21, it is determined whether the operation mode of the battery temperature control device 1 is an operation mode in which the temperature of the battery B is adjusted while cooling the supply air. That is, in step S21, it is determined whether either the cooling and refrigeration mode or the cooling and dehumidifying heating mode is selected as the operation mode. When it is determined that the operation mode is an operation mode in which the temperature of the battery B is adjusted and the supply air is cooled, step S22 is entered. When it is determined that this is not the case, the control program shown in Figure 9 is ended once and executed again. Figure 9 The shown control program is ended once and executed again.

[0226] In step S22, it is determined whether the temperature of the heat medium detected by the first heat medium temperature sensor 54a is higher than the temperature of the supply air detected by the supply air temperature sensor 53b. When the temperature of the heat medium is higher than the temperature of the supply air, it can be predicted that the refrigerant pressure inside the air conditioner evaporator 26 in the refrigeration cycle 20 rises, and the cooling capacity and dehumidifying capacity of the air conditioner evaporator 26 decrease. When it is determined that the temperature of the heat medium is higher than the temperature of the supply air, the process proceeds to step S23. When it is determined otherwise, the control program shown in Figure 9 is directly ended and executed again. Figure 9 The control program shown above is ended and executed again.

[0227] In step S23, the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is controlled so that the flow rate of the heat medium with respect to the outside air heat exchanger 12 on the first flow path 15a side increases, and the flow rate of the heat medium with respect to the battery heat exchanger 11 on the second flow path 15b side decreases. At this time, the larger the temperature difference between the heat medium temperature and the supply air temperature, the larger the opening degree of the outlet on the outside air heat exchanger 12 side in the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is determined. After that, the control program shown in Figure 9 is ended and executed again. Figure 9 The control program shown above is ended and executed again.

[0228] When controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 in step S23, in the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit 10, the flow rate ratio of the heat medium passing through the outside air heat exchanger 12 increases, so that the temperature of the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c can be reduced. As a result, the rise of the refrigerant pressure inside the air conditioner evaporator 26 in the refrigeration cycle 20 is suppressed, and thus the reduction of the cooling capacity and dehumidifying capacity of the air conditioner evaporator 26 can be suppressed.

[0229] As described above, according to the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment, in addition to the heat medium circuit 10, it also has a refrigeration cycle 20, a heating unit 30, etc. Therefore, in addition to adjusting the temperature of the battery B based on the heat exchange with the outside air OA, it is also possible to perform air conditioning in the vehicle interior which is the air conditioning target space.

[0230] Moreover, according to the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment, the waste heat of the battery B and the outside air exchanged in the heat medium circuit 10 can be effectively utilized for the air conditioning in the vehicle interior using the refrigeration cycle 20.

[0231] Moreover, as Figure 8 shown, when heating the supply air in a low temperature environment where the outside air is low temperature, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium temperature of the heat medium flowing in the common flow path 15c becomes lower than the outside air temperature.

[0232] Accordingly, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment can absorb heat from both the outside air OA and the waste heat of the battery B for the heat medium of the heat medium circuit 10, and thus can utilize the outside air OA and the waste heat of the battery B as heat sources for heating the supply air.

[0233] When heating the supply air in a low-temperature environment where the outside air is at a low temperature, as Figure 8 shown, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the heat medium temperature becomes less than a specified value.

[0234] Accordingly, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment suppresses the dissipation of the waste heat generated by the battery B to the outside air by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14, and can create a situation where the heat medium absorbs heat. Therefore, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment can more reliably utilize the outside air OA and the waste heat of the battery B as heat sources for heating the supply air.

[0235] Moreover, when cooling the supply air in a low-temperature environment where the outside air is at a low temperature, as Figure 9 shown, the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment valve 14 so that the heat medium temperature of the heat medium flowing through the common flow path 15c becomes lower than the supply air temperature.

[0236] Accordingly, according to the battery temperature control device 1 of the second embodiment, an increase in the refrigerant pressure inside the air-conditioning evaporator 26 in the refrigeration cycle 20 can be suppressed, and thus a decrease in the cooling capacity and dehumidifying capacity of the air-conditioning evaporator 26 can be suppressed. As a result, when cooling the supply air in a low-temperature environment where the outside air is at a low temperature, the battery temperature control device 1 can maintain the comfort in the vehicle interior, which is the air-conditioning target space, in a good state.

[0237] (Third Embodiment)

[0238] Next, with reference to Figure 10 , a third embodiment different from the above-described first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the structure of the refrigeration cycle 20 is different from that of the second embodiment. Since the basic structure and the like of the battery temperature control device 1 are the same as those of the second embodiment, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0239] As Figure 10 shown, the refrigeration cycle 20 in the battery temperature control device 1 of the third embodiment does not include the second expansion valve 24b and the air-conditioning evaporator 26 in the second embodiment. In other words, the refrigeration cycle 20 of the third embodiment is a refrigerant circulation circuit formed by connecting a compressor 21, a heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger 22, a first expansion valve 24a, and a chiller 25.

[0240] Therefore, according to the battery temperature control device 1 of the third embodiment, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the battery B using the refrigeration cycle 20, adjust the temperature of the battery B based on heat exchange with the outside air OA, and heat the interior of the vehicle using the waste heat of the outside air OA or the battery B as a heat source.

[0241] As described above, according to the battery temperature control device 1 of the third embodiment, even when the structure of the low-pressure side of the refrigeration cycle 20 in the second embodiment is changed, the same effects as those of the structure and operation shared with the above-described second embodiment can be obtained.

[0242] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as follows within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0243] The arrangement of the battery heat exchanger 11 in the heat medium circuit 10 is not limited to the positional relationship shown in the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the battery heat exchanger 11 is arranged in the second flow path 15b, but it is not limited to this arrangement. For example, as Figure 11 shown, the battery heat exchanger 11 may also be arranged in the common flow path 15c.

[0244] Furthermore, regarding the arrangement of the heat medium pump 13 in the heat medium circuit 10, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In the above-described embodiments, on the common flow path 15c on one side of the confluence of the first flow path 15a and the second flow path 15b, the suction side of the heat medium pump 13 is connected with respect to the confluence, but it is not limited to this arrangement. For example, as Figure 11 shown, the discharge side of the heat medium pump 13 may also be connected to the inlet based on the flow rate adjustment valve 14 on the flow rate adjustment valve 14 side in the common flow path 15c.

[0245] Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the flow rate adjustment valve 14 is used as the flow rate adjustment unit, but various methods can be adopted as long as the structure can separately adjust the flow rates of the heat medium on the first flow path 15a side and the second flow path 15b side.

[0246] For example, as Figure 12 shown, the flow rate adjustment unit may also be constituted by a first on-off valve 14a arranged on the first flow path 15a side and a second on-off valve 14b arranged on the second flow path 15b side. The first on-off valve 14a and the second on-off valve 14b are on-off valves capable of adjusting the opening degree of the heat medium flow path such as the first flow path 15a. Moreover, an on-off valve identical to the first on-off valve may also be arranged in either the first flow path 15a or the second flow path 15b as the flow rate adjustment unit.

[0247] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, the heating unit 30 for heating the supply air is constituted by the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22 and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, as Figure 13 shown, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 31 may be eliminated, and the indoor condenser 27 may be disposed in place of the heat medium refrigerant heat exchanger 22. The indoor condenser 27 is disposed at the position of the heater core 32 in the indoor air conditioner unit 40.

[0248] In addition, in the second embodiment, the air-conditioning evaporator 26 is disposed as one of the evaporators in the refrigeration cycle 20, but an evaporator for other uses may also be disposed. For example, as Figure 13 shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 28 that exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant and the outside air may be disposed in place of the air-conditioning evaporator 26.

[0249] Furthermore, the compressor 25 and the outdoor heat exchanger 28 in the refrigeration cycle 20 may be configured such that Figure 13 the outdoor heat exchanger 28 and the compressor 25 are connected in parallel as shown, or may be configured such that Figure 14 the outdoor heat exchanger 28 and the compressor 25 are connected in series as shown.

[0250] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, the compressor heat medium passage 25b of the compressor 25 is disposed in the common flow path 15c of the heat medium circuit 10, and the battery heat exchanger 11 is disposed in the second flow path 15b, but it is not limited to this configuration.

[0251] For example, as Figure 15 shown, it is also possible to configure such that the battery heat exchanger 11 is disposed in the common flow path 15c of the heat medium circuit 10, and the compressor heat medium passage 25b of the compressor 25 is disposed in the second flow path 15b. Also, as Figure 16 shown, in the common flow path 15c of the heat medium circuit 10, it is also possible to configure such that the battery heat exchanger 11 and the compressor heat medium passage 25b of the compressor 25 are connected in series.

[0252] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the air-conditioning evaporator 26 is configured to cool the supply air using the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 20 as a cold heat source, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may also be a configuration in which a second compressor is disposed in parallel with the compressor 25 in the refrigeration cycle 20 to cool the heat medium, and a cooler core for exchanging heat between the supply air and the heat medium is provided in the heat medium circuit passing through the second compressor. According to this configuration, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 20 can be used as a cold heat source, and the supply air can be cooled at the cooler core via the heat medium.

[0253] The present invention has been described based on embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and structures. The present invention also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent scope. In addition, various combinations and methods, and further including only one element therein, other combinations and methods above or below it are also included in the scope and concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery temperature regulation device, characterized in that, comprising: a heat medium circuit that connects a battery heat exchanger, an outside air heat exchanger, a heat medium pump, and a flow rate adjustment unit to circulate the heat medium, the battery heat exchanger exchanging heat between the battery and the heat medium, the outside air heat exchanger being connected in parallel to the battery heat exchanger and exchanging heat between the heat medium and the outside air, the heat medium pump pumping the heat medium to circulate the heat medium, and the flow rate adjustment unit adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium in a first path through which the heat medium flows at least via the outside air heat exchanger and the flow rate of the heat medium in a second path through which the heat medium bypasses the outside air heat exchanger; a control unit that controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit; a battery temperature acquisition unit that acquires a battery temperature as the temperature of the battery; and a common flow path temperature acquisition unit that acquires a common flow path temperature, which is the temperature of the heat medium flowing in a common flow path that is common to either the first path or the second path, in a case where the outside air temperature is lower than a preset reference outside air temperature and the device is in a low-temperature environment, the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit to adjust the flow rate ratio of the heat medium in the first path to the flow rate of the heat medium in the second path so that the battery temperature becomes a preset reference temperature, where the outside air temperature is the temperature of the outside air, the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit so that as the common flow path temperature acquired by the common flow path temperature acquisition unit rises, the flow rate of the heat medium in the first path increases.

2. The battery temperature adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein: the heat medium pump is disposed in the common flow path.

3. The battery temperature adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: a chiller is disposed in the common flow path of the heat medium circuit, and the chiller exchanges heat between a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle and the heat medium, the refrigeration cycle having: a compressor that compresses and discharges the refrigerant; a heating unit that includes a condenser that condenses the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor and heats supply air blown into an air-conditioning target space using the high-pressure refrigerant as a heat source; a pressure reduction unit that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser; and the chiller through which the refrigerant flowing out of the pressure reduction unit flows.

4. The battery temperature adjustment device according to claim 3, wherein: when heating the supply air by the heating unit, the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit so that the common flow path temperature acquired by the common flow path temperature acquisition unit is equal to or lower than the outside air temperature.

5. The battery temperature adjustment device according to claim 4, wherein: when heating the supply air by the heating unit, the control unit further controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit so that the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the common flow path temperature becomes smaller than a preset specified value.

6. The battery temperature control device according to claim 3, wherein in the low temperature environment, heating of the supply air by the heating unit is performed together with adjustment of the battery temperature based on the flow rate adjustment unit. In such a situation, when the common flow path temperature acquired by the common flow path temperature acquisition unit is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature, the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit to increase the flow rate of the heat medium in the first path. when the common flow path temperature is lower than the outside air temperature and the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the common flow path temperature is greater than a preset specified value, the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit to decrease the flow rate of the heat medium in the first path.

7. The battery temperature control device according to claim 3, wherein the pressure reducing unit includes: a first pressure reducing unit that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser toward the chiller; and a second pressure reducing unit that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser and bypassing the first pressure reducing unit. the battery temperature control device includes an air-conditioning heat exchange unit that uses the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle as a heat source / sink and cools the supply air through heat exchange. the battery temperature control device includes a supply air temperature acquisition unit that acquires the supply air temperature, which is the temperature of the supply air that has passed through the air-conditioning heat exchange unit. the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit to make the common flow path temperature lower than the supply air temperature acquired by the supply air temperature acquisition unit.

8. The battery temperature control device according to claim 7, wherein the air-conditioning heat exchange unit is an air-conditioning evaporator that exchanges heat between the refrigerant decompressed by the second pressure reducing unit in the refrigeration cycle and the supply air to cool the supply air.

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