Cooling System for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides a cooling system for an electric vehicle. The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present invention includes: a first radiator that is mounted on the vehicle and can cool a power unit driven by electricity; and a second radiator that is mounted on the vehicle and is disposed on the front side of the vehicle of the first radiator and can cool an autonomous driving control device that controls the autonomous driving of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling system for an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-18057, an invention regarding a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid vehicle includes a radiator for an engine and a radiator for a hybrid system. Thus, the engine can be cooled by the radiator for the engine, and the inverter device and the electric motor can be cooled by the radiator for the hybrid system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, when applying the above prior art to an electric vehicle, since an engine is not mounted on the electric vehicle, there is no need to provide a radiator for the engine. On the other hand, the radiator for the engine and the radiator for the hybrid system in the above prior art are the same devices in terms of cooling the power unit of the vehicle. Thus, when applying the above prior art to an autonomous driving vehicle, a radiator for cooling the autonomous driving control device needs to be provided separately.

[0004] However, since the cooling of the autonomous driving control device is not mentioned in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-18057, there is still room for improvement in the above prior art in an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving in terms of cooling the power unit and the autonomous driving control device at the same time.

[0005] In view of the above facts, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling system for an electric vehicle that can cool a power unit and an autonomous driving control device at the same time in an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving.

[0006] The vehicle cooling system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first radiator mounted on a vehicle and capable of cooling a power unit driven by electricity; and a second radiator mounted on the vehicle and disposed on the front side of the vehicle of the first radiator, and capable of cooling an autonomous driving control device that controls the autonomous driving of the vehicle.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, since the first radiator is mounted on the vehicle, even if the power unit of the vehicle is driven by electricity and generates heat, the power unit can be cooled by the first radiator.

[0008] However, when an autonomous driving control device for controlling the autonomous driving of a vehicle is mounted on the vehicle, it is preferable to be able to cool the autonomous driving control device. In this regard, although it is also considered to use the first radiator to cool the autonomous driving control device, when the temperature and the required heat dissipation amount during the operation of the autonomous driving control device are different from those during the operation of the power unit, it is preferable to mount another radiator on the vehicle.

[0009] Here, in the present disclosure, a second radiator is provided, so that the second radiator can be used to cool the autonomous driving control device that generates heat due to operation. In addition, the specifications of the second radiator can be appropriately set according to the temperature and the required heat dissipation amount during the operation of the autonomous driving control device.

[0010] Moreover, in the present disclosure, since the second radiator is disposed on the vehicle front side of the first radiator, one cooling fan can be used to cool the first radiator and the second radiator.

[0011] The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is that, in the first aspect, the first radiator and the second radiator are supported on the vehicle frame via a common support member.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the first radiator and the second radiator can be supported on the vehicle frame via a common support member. Therefore, even if the sizes of the first radiator and the second radiator are changed according to the specifications of the power unit and the autonomous driving control device, the parts that require design changes can be limited to the support member and its peripheral parts.

[0013] The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second radiator is inclinedly disposed such that the interval between the second radiator and the first radiator expands as it goes from the vehicle lower side to the vehicle upper side.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second radiator is inclinedly disposed such that the interval between the second radiator and the first radiator expands as it goes from the vehicle lower side to the vehicle upper side. Therefore, the second radiator can effectively function with respect to the air flow blowing in from the lower front side of the vehicle.

[0015] The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is such that, in any one of the first to third aspects, a first outflow pipe and a first inflow pipe are connected to the first radiator. The first outflow pipe allows the cooling water cooled by the first radiator to flow out toward the power unit side, and the first inflow pipe allows the cooling water flowing from the power unit side to flow into the first radiator. A second outflow pipe and a second inflow pipe are connected to the second radiator. The second outflow pipe allows the cooling water cooled by the second radiator to flow out toward the autonomous driving control device side, and the second inflow pipe allows the cooling water flowing from the autonomous driving control device side to flow into the second radiator. Moreover, the cooling system for an electric vehicle further includes: a first bypass pipe interposed between the first outflow pipe and the second outflow pipe; a second bypass pipe interposed between the first inflow pipe and the second inflow pipe; a flow path switching unit that restricts a first connection via the first bypass pipe between the first outflow pipe and the second outflow pipe and a second connection via the second bypass pipe between the first inflow pipe and the second inflow pipe in a state where a first heat exchange between the first radiator and the power unit and a second heat exchange between the second radiator and the autonomous driving control device side are permitted, and allows the first connection and the second connection in a state where either the first heat exchange or the second heat exchange is restricted.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a first outflow pipe and a first inflow pipe are connected to the first radiator. Moreover, it is possible to allow the cooling water cooled by the first radiator to flow out toward the power unit side via the first outflow pipe and to cool the power unit using the cooling water. In addition, the cooling water flowing from the power unit side via the first inflow pipe flows into the first radiator, so that the cooling water is cooled by the first radiator.

[0017] On the other hand, a second outflow pipe and a second inflow pipe are connected to the second radiator. Moreover, it is possible to allow the cooling water cooled by the second radiator to flow out toward the autonomous driving control device side via the second outflow pipe and to cool the autonomous driving control device using the cooling water. In addition, the cooling water flowing from the autonomous driving control device side via the second inflow pipe flows into the second radiator, so that the cooling water is cooled by the second radiator.

[0018] In addition, considering the following situation, that is, when a malfunction occurs in the first radiator or the second radiator during the running of the vehicle, a failure will occur during the running or autonomous driving of the vehicle. In such a case, preferably, during the period until the vehicle retreats to a safe place, the one of the first radiator and the second radiator that has not had a malfunction can replace the function of the other that has had a malfunction.

[0019] Here, in the present disclosure, a first bypass pipe, a second bypass pipe, and a flow path switching unit are provided, and when a malfunction occurs in the first radiator or the second radiator, the flow path of the cooling water can be changed from the normal state.

[0020] Specifically, the first bypass pipe is interposed between the first outflow pipe and the second outflow pipe, and the second bypass pipe is interposed between the first inflow pipe and the second inflow pipe. And, the flow path switching unit restricts the first connection via the first bypass pipe between the first outflow pipe and the second outflow pipe, and the second connection via the second bypass pipe between the first inflow pipe and the second inflow pipe in a state where the first heat exchange between the first radiator and the power unit and the second heat exchange between the second radiator and the autonomous driving control device side are permitted, that is, in the normal state where the first radiator and the second radiator are functioning.

[0021] That is to say, in the present disclosure, in the normal state, the first cooling circuit of the cooling water including the first radiator, the first outflow pipe, the first inflow pipe, and the power unit, and the second cooling circuit of the cooling water including the second radiator, the second outflow pipe, the second inflow pipe, and the autonomous driving control device are in an independent state.

[0022] On the other hand, in a state where either the first heat exchange or the second heat exchange is restricted, that is, in an abnormal state where the first radiator or the second radiator is not functioning, the flow path switching unit permits the first connection and the second connection.

[0023] That is to say, in the present disclosure, in the abnormal state, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are connected, so that a certain cooling performance for the power unit and the autonomous driving control device can be ensured by the one of the first radiator and the second radiator that is functioning.

[0024] As described above, the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure has the following excellent effects, that is, in an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving, the power unit can be cooled while the autonomous driving control device is cooled.

[0025] The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the second aspect of the present disclosure has the following excellent effects, that is, it can suppress an increase in the design change parts caused by specification changes of the power unit and the autonomous driving control device, etc.

[0026] The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the third aspect of the present disclosure has the following excellent effects, that is, it can ensure the cooling efficiency of the autonomous driving control device by using the opening part provided at the lower front side of the vehicle body of the vehicle.

[0027] The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure has the following excellent effects, that is, it can ensure a certain driving performance of the vehicle in an abnormal state where it is impossible to sufficiently ensure the cooling performance of the power unit and the autonomous driving control device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a circuit diagram schematically showing the normal state of the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the autonomous driving ECU and its periphery mounted on the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the autonomous driving ECU mounted on the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a circuit diagram schematically showing the abnormal state of the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the main ECU mounted on the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the main ECU and its periphery mounted on the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Figure 7 It is a front view observed from the vehicle front side showing the mounting state of the first radiator and the second radiator of the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment to the frame.

[0035] Figure 8 It is a side view observed from the vehicle width direction showing the mounting state of the first radiator and the second radiator of the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment to the frame.

[0036] Figure 9A side view schematically showing the structure of a vehicle equipped with the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0037] Hereinafter, Figures 1 to 9 an example of an embodiment of the cooling system for an electric vehicle according to the present invention and the present disclosure will be described. In addition, in each figure, an arrow mark FR appropriately shown indicates the front side of the vehicle 12 of the electric vehicle equipped with the "cooling system 10 for an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the cooling system 10)" according to the present embodiment, the arrow mark UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrow mark RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] As Figure 9 shown, the vehicle 12 includes a steel body 14 and a steel "frame 16" that supports the body 14, and is configured as a so-called frame structure.

[0039] Again, as Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the frame 16 includes a pair of side frames 18 arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction, a plurality of transverse portions 20 (refer to Figure 9 ) spanned between the side frames 18, a "radiator bracket 22" as a support member, and a power unit bracket 24. In addition, since the frame 16 is configured to be substantially symmetric in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, hereinafter, the description of the structure of the frame 16 will be appropriately omitted.

[0040] The side frame 18 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction as a whole, and is configured to include a front frame portion 18A, a main frame portion 18B, and a downward bent portion 18C, and is configured as a closed cross-section structure in which the cross-section observed from the vehicle front-rear direction is a closed cross-section.

[0041] More specifically, the front frame portion 18A constitutes a portion of the side frame 18 on the vehicle front side, and extends linearly in the vehicle front-rear direction. An installation plate portion 18D is provided at the end of the front frame portion 18A on the vehicle front side, and a front bumper reinforcement (not shown) is installed on the installation plate portion 18D.

[0042] In addition, on the front frame portion 18A, a pair of support portions 18E that support a portion of the vehicle body 14 on the vehicle front side are provided at intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a suspension tower 26 is provided between the support portions 18E.

[0043] The main frame portion 18B forms the portion on the vehicle front-rear direction center side of the side frame 18, and is disposed on the vehicle width direction outer side and vehicle lower side of the front frame portion 18A, and extends in a straight line in the vehicle front-rear direction. On this main frame portion 18B, a plurality of unillustrated bracket portions for supporting the portion on the vehicle front-rear direction center side of the vehicle body 14 are provided at intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0044] The downward bent portion 18C is interposed between the front frame portion 18A and the main frame portion 18B. When viewed from the vehicle up-down direction, this downward bent portion 18C extends from the front frame portion 18A toward the vehicle rear side and the vehicle width direction outer side, and when viewed from the vehicle width direction, it extends from the front frame portion 18A toward the vehicle rear side and the vehicle lower side.

[0045] The radiator bracket 22 is configured to include a fixing portion 28 and a radiator support portion 32, and the fixing portion 28 is provided for each of the pair of side frames 18. The fixing portion 28 includes a front side member 30 forming the portion on the vehicle front side and a rear side member (not illustrated) forming the portion on the vehicle rear side, and is formed into a box shape having a trapezoidal shape that widens as it goes from the vehicle upper side toward the vehicle lower side when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. And the fixing portion 28 is joined to the side frame 18 from the vehicle lower side by an unillustrated joining portion achieved by welding or the like.

[0046] On the other hand, the radiator support portion 32 is formed of a U-shaped channel steel that extends in the vehicle width direction and has an open cross section on the vehicle lower side when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and its end portion is joined to the fixing portion 28 from the vehicle lower side by an unillustrated joining portion achieved by welding or the like.

[0047] On this radiator support portion 32, a pair of unillustrated insertion portions that are penetrated along the vehicle up-down direction are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction, and a "first radiator 34" that forms a part of the cooling system 10 is installed via these insertion portions.

[0048] Specifically, the first radiator 34 is configured to include a pair of tank portions 34A and a core portion 34B. The pair of tank portions 34A are respectively disposed on one side and the other side in the vehicle width direction of the first radiator 34, and are configured to be able to store cooling water. The core portion 34B is disposed between the tank portions 34A and is used for cooling the cooling water.

[0049] In addition, a cylindrical protrusion 34C is provided at the end of the tank portion 34A on the vehicle lower side. The protrusion 34C protrudes toward the vehicle lower side from this end and is provided with an internal thread portion (not shown). And, in a state where a rubber bushing 42 is mounted on the protrusion 34C and a part of the rubber bushing 42 is inserted into the insertion portion of the radiator support portion 32, the first radiator 34 is fixed to the radiator support portion 32 by engaging a bolt 44 inserted into this insertion portion with the protrusion 34C.

[0050] In addition, similarly to the first radiator 34, a "second radiator 36" that forms part of the cooling system 10 is fixed via a connecting member 38 at a portion of each tank portion 34A on the vehicle front side. Specifically, although the second radiator 36 is basically configured to include a pair of tank portions 36A and a core portion 36B in the same manner as the first radiator 34, the length thereof in the vehicle up-down direction is set to be about one-third of the length of the first radiator 34 in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0051] On the other hand, the connecting member 38 is configured to include a front wall portion 38A that forms the portion on the vehicle front side, a rear wall portion 38B that forms the portion on the vehicle rear side, and a side wall portion 38C that forms the portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the front wall portion 38A is provided as a plate-shaped member whose plate thickness direction is the vehicle front-rear direction and that extends from the radiator support portion 32 side toward the upper side of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle width direction. In addition, the rear wall portion 38B is provided as a plate-shaped member whose plate thickness direction is the vehicle front-rear direction and that extends in the vehicle up-down direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction. And, the side wall portion 38C is provided as a triangular plate-shaped member whose plate thickness direction is the vehicle width direction and that widens as it tends toward the vehicle upper side when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0052] In the connecting member 38 configured in the above-described manner, the front wall portion 38A is mounted on the tank portion 36A of the second radiator 36 via a mounting member (not shown), and the rear wall portion 38B is mounted on the tank portion 34A of the first radiator 34 via a mounting member (not shown).

[0053] That is to say, in the present embodiment, the first radiator 34 and the second radiator 36 are in a state of being integrated via the connecting member 38, and the radiator bracket 22 can be regarded as supporting the first radiator 34 and the second radiator 36. In addition, the second radiator 36 is inclinedly arranged in such a manner that the interval between the second radiator 36 and the first radiator 34 expands as it tends from the vehicle lower side toward the vehicle upper side when viewed from the vehicle width direction by being mounted on the first radiator 34 via the connecting member 38.

[0054] On the other hand, at the rear side of the vehicle of each tank portion 34A, a cooling fan 40 which forms part of the cooling system 10 is installed via mounting members (not shown). Further, the core portion 34B of the first radiator 34 and the core portion 36B of the second radiator 36 are cooled by the cooling fan 40.

[0055] The power unit bracket 24 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the front frame portions 18A to each other in the vehicle width direction below the suspension tower 26. Further, a "power unit 46" which forms part of the travel control device 48 and is driven by electricity is installed on the power unit bracket 24.

[0056] In addition, a storage battery 86 (see Figure 6 ) is disposed between the main frame portions 18B of the frame 16, and the power unit 46 is supplied with power from the storage battery 86. Further, the power unit 46 and the storage battery 86 form part of the travel control device 48 that controls the travel of the vehicle 12.

[0057] Specifically, as Figure 6 shown, the travel control device 48 includes the above-described power unit 46, storage battery 86, and a main ECU 84 that controls them. Specifically, the main ECU 84 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 84B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 84C, a storage 84D, a communication I / F (Interface) 84E, and an input / output I / F 84F. Further, the CPU 84A, ROM 84B, RAM 84C, storage 84D, communication I / F 84E, and input / output I / F 84F are connected to each other via a bus 84G so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0058] The CPU 84A is set as a central arithmetic processing unit and can control various devices by executing various programs. Specifically, the CPU 84A is set to be able to read a program from the ROM 84B and execute the program using the RAM 84C as a work area. Further, the execution program stored in the ROM 84B is read and executed by using the CPU 84A, so that the main ECU 84 can perform various functions as described later.

[0059] More specifically, various programs and various data related to the control of the power unit 46 and the battery 86 are stored in the ROM 84B. On the other hand, the RAM 84C can temporarily store programs or data as a working area.

[0060] The storage 84D is configured to include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and is set to be able to store various programs including the operating system.

[0061] The communication I / F 84E is set as an interface used in the connection between the main ECU 84 and various networks, and is set to be able to communicate with the autonomous driving ECU 72 and the like described later. In this interface, communication standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are used. In addition, the communication I / F 84E may include a wireless device.

[0062] The input / output I / F 84F is set as an interface for the main ECU 84 to communicate with various devices mounted on the vehicle 12. And the main ECU 84 is connected to the power unit 46 and the battery 86 via the input / output I / F 84F so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0063] Next, Figure 6 the functional structure of the main ECU 84 will be described. The main ECU 84 reads out the execution program stored in the ROM 84B by the CPU 84A and executes the program, thereby functioning as an aggregate of the power unit control unit 88 and the battery control unit 90.

[0064] Specifically, the power unit control unit 88 controls the power unit 46 according to an operation signal formed based on the driver's operation input from an operation device (not shown) or a control signal input from the autonomous driving ECU 72 described later.

[0065] The battery control unit 90 controls the battery 86 so that the electric power required to drive the power unit 46 by the control of the power unit control unit 88 is supplied from the battery 86 to the power unit 46. In addition, when a signal indicating that the "autonomous driving control device 50" is in a poor state is input from the autonomous driving ECU 72 described later, the power unit control unit 88 and the battery control unit 90 limit the driving of the vehicle 12 above a predetermined speed by controlling the power unit 46 and the battery 86 to reduce the output of the power unit 46.

[0066] On the other hand, the vehicle body 14 has an outer shape that is set to a box shape that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and forms the main part of the passenger compartment that is the living space for the occupants. The vehicle body 14 is set to a structure that is substantially symmetric in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction.

[0067] Here, the cooling system 10 according to the present embodiment has features in the following points as Figure 1 shown, that is, it is configured to include a first cooling circuit 10A and a second cooling circuit 10B, and the first cooling circuit 10A and the second cooling circuit 10B can be connected through a "first bypass pipe 68" and a "second bypass pipe 70" under a predetermined condition. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the cooling system 10 will be described.

[0068] The first cooling circuit 10A is used for cooling the driving control device 48 during normal times, and includes a "first outflow pipe 52", a "first inflow pipe 54", a three-way valve 60, and a three-way valve 62.

[0069] The first outflow pipe 52 is configured to include a pipe 52A and a pipe 52B. And, one side of the pipe 52A is connected to the driving control device 48, and the other side of the pipe 52A is connected to the three-way valve 60. On the other hand, one side of the pipe 52B is connected to an unillustrated outflow port portion provided on the first radiator 34 and through which the cooling water cooled by the first radiator 34 flows out, and the other side of the pipe 52B is connected to the three-way valve 60.

[0070] The first inflow pipe 54 is configured to include a pipe 54A and a pipe 54B. And, one side of the pipe 54A is connected to the driving control device 48, and the other side of the pipe 54A is connected to the three-way valve 62. On the other hand, one side of the pipe 54B is connected to an unillustrated inflow port portion provided on the first radiator 34 and through which the cooling water used for cooling the driving control device 48 flows in, and the other side of the pipe 54B is connected to the three-way valve 62.

[0071] The three-way valve 60 includes a valve body 60A and a sphere portion 60B. Specifically, the valve body 60A includes a first port 60A1 connected to the pipe 52A, a second port 60A2 connected to the pipe 52B, and a third port 60A3 connected to the first bypass pipe 68.

[0072] On the other hand, the sphere portion 60B is built in the valve body 60A, and is configured to be able to switch the connection states of the first port 60A1, the second port 60A2, and the third port 60A3 by being driven by an unillustrated actuator.

[0073] The three-way valve 62 includes a valve body 62A and a sphere portion 62B, and is configured to have the same structure as the three-way valve 60. Further, a pipe 54A is connected to the first port 62A1 of the valve body 62A, a pipe 54B is connected to the second port 62A2, and a second bypass pipe 70 is connected to the third port 62A3.

[0074] On the other hand, the second cooling circuit 10B is used for cooling the autonomous driving control device 50 during normal times, and includes a "second outflow pipe 56", a "second inflow pipe 58", a three-way valve 64, and a three-way valve 66. A detailed description of the autonomous driving control device 50 will be given later.

[0075] The second outflow pipe 56 is configured to include a pipe 56A and a pipe 56B. One side of the pipe 56A is connected to the autonomous driving control device 50, and the other side of the pipe 56A is connected to the three-way valve 64. On the other hand, one side of the pipe 56B is connected to an unillustrated outflow port portion provided on the second radiator 36 and through which the cooled cooling water flows out after being cooled by the second radiator 36, and the other side of the pipe 56B is connected to the three-way valve 64.

[0076] The second inflow pipe 58 is configured to include a pipe 58A and a pipe 58B. One side of the pipe 58A is connected to the autonomous driving control device 50, and the other side of the pipe 58A is connected to the three-way valve 66. On the other hand, one side of the pipe 58B is connected to an unillustrated inflow port portion provided on the second radiator 36 and through which the cooling water used for cooling the autonomous driving control device 50 flows in, and the other side of the pipe 58B is connected to the three-way valve 66.

[0077] The three-way valve 64 includes a valve body 64A and a sphere portion 64B, and is configured to have the same structure as the three-way valve 60. Further, the pipe 56A is connected to the first port 64A1 of the valve body 64A, the pipe 56B is connected to the second port 64A2, and the first bypass pipe 68 is connected to the third port 64A3.

[0078] The three-way valve 66 includes a valve body 66A and a sphere portion 66B, and is configured to have the same structure as the three-way valve 60. Further, the pipe 58A is connected to the first port 66A1 of the valve body 66A, the pipe 58B is connected to the second port 66A2, and the second bypass pipe 70 is connected to the third port 66A3.

[0079] Next, Figure 2 the structure of the autonomous driving control device 50 will be described. The autonomous driving control device 50 is configured to include an autonomous driving ECU 72 and an autonomous driving actuator 76.

[0080] The autonomous driving ECU 72 is configured to have substantially the same structure as the above-described main ECU 84, and includes a CPU 72A, a ROM 72B, a RAM 72C, a storage 72D, a communication I / F 72E, an input / output I / F 72F, and a bus 72G. Additionally, in the ROM 72B, programs related to the autonomous driving of the vehicle 12 and programs related to the control of the three-way valves 60, 62, 64, and 66 are stored, and the storage 72D is configured to be able to store various data required for the autonomous driving of the vehicle 12.

[0081] Furthermore, the autonomous driving ECU 72 is communicably connected to the three-way valves 60, 62, 64, 66, the water temperature sensor 74, and the autonomous driving actuator 76 via the input / output I / F 72F. Specifically, the water temperature sensor 74 outputs a signal generated based on the temperature of the cooling water flowing in the second cooling circuit 10B to the autonomous driving ECU 72.

[0082] The autonomous driving actuator 76 is configured to include a throttle actuator, a brake actuator, and a steering actuator (not shown). And the autonomous driving actuator 76 is configured to be able to control a drive device (not shown) including an accelerator device, a brake device, and a steering device based on a control signal output from the autonomous driving ECU 72 during the autonomous driving of the vehicle 12.

[0083] Next, Figure 3 the functional structure of the autonomous driving ECU 72 will be described. The autonomous driving ECU 72 functions as an aggregate of a drive control unit 78, a water temperature detection unit 80, and a three-way valve control unit 82 by the CPU 72A reading and executing the execution program stored in the ROM 72B.

[0084] The drive control unit 78 controls the autonomous driving actuator 76 based on the program stored in the ROM 72B and various data stored in the storage 72D during the autonomous driving of the vehicle 12, thereby driving the drive device of the vehicle 12.

[0085] The water temperature detection unit 80 detects the temperature of the cooling water flowing in the second cooling circuit 10B based on the signal input from the water temperature sensor 74, and determines whether the temperature is above the upper limit temperature at which the autonomous driving ECU 72 can operate normally. And when the temperature of the cooling water flowing in the second cooling circuit 10B is above the upper limit temperature at which the autonomous driving ECU 72 can operate normally, the water temperature detection unit 80 outputs an abnormal signal to the drive control unit 78.

[0086] In addition, when an abnormal signal is input from the water temperature detection unit 80, the drive control unit 78 will control the autonomous driving actuator 76 to move the vehicle 12 to a safe area. In addition, when the temperature of the cooling water is equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature, the water temperature detection unit 80 outputs a signal indicating that the state of the autonomous driving control device 50 is poor to the main ECU 84.

[0087] The three-way valve control unit 82 is configured to change the flow path of the cooling water in the cooling system 10 by controlling the actuators that drive the spherical part 60B, the spherical part 62B, the spherical part 64B, and the spherical part 66B.

[0088] Specifically, in the present embodiment, in the normal state where the second radiator 36 functions properly, as Figure 1 shown, the three-way valve control unit 82 is configured to connect the first port 60A1 and the second port 60A2 of the three-way valve 60, and connect the first port 62A1 and the second port 62A2 of the three-way valve 62, so that the cooling water flowing in the driving control device 48 is cooled only by the first radiator 34.

[0089] In addition, in this state, the three-way valve control unit 82 connects the first port 64A1 and the second port 64A2 of the three-way valve 64, and connects the first port 66A1 and the second port 66A2 of the three-way valve 66, so that the cooling water flowing in the autonomous driving control device 50 is cooled only by the second radiator 36.

[0090] On the other hand, in an abnormal state where an abnormal signal is output from the water temperature detection unit 80 to the three-way valve control unit 82, the three-way valve control unit 82 connects the first port 60A1, the second port 60A2, and the third port 60A3 of the three-way valve 60, and connects the first port 62A1, the second port 62A2, and the third port 62A3 of the three-way valve 62 as Figure 4 shown. That is, in the abnormal state, the cooling water flowing out of the first radiator 34 not only flows through the driving control device 48 but also flows toward the three-way valve 64 side via the first bypass pipe 68, and the cooling water from the second cooling circuit 10B side flows into the first radiator 34 via the second bypass pipe 70 and the three-way valve 62.

[0091] In addition, in this state, the three-way valve control unit 82 connects the first port 64A1 of the three-way valve 64 to the third port 64A3, and connects the first port 66A1 of the three-way valve 66 to the third port 66A3. That is to say, in the abnormal state, the cooling water flowing from the first radiator 34 side via the first bypass pipe 68 flows toward the autonomous driving control device 50, and the cooling water flowing into the three-way valve 62 from the autonomous driving control device 50 via the second bypass pipe 70 flows into the first radiator 34.

[0092] That is, in the present embodiment, in the abnormal state, through the three-way valve 60, the three-way valve 62, the three-way valve 64, the three-way valve 66, and the autonomous driving ECU 72, the second radiator 36 is separated from the second cooling circuit 10B, and through the first radiator 34, the traveling control device 48 and the autonomous driving control device 50 are cooled. That is, the three-way valve 60, the three-way valve 62, the three-way valve 64, the three-way valve 66, and the autonomous driving ECU 72 perform the switching of the flow path of the cooling system 10. Hereinafter, their aggregate is referred to as the "flow path switching unit 92".

[0093] (Functions and effects of the present embodiment)

[0094] Next, the functions and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0095] In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the first radiator 34 is mounted on the vehicle 12, so that even if the power unit 46 of the vehicle 12 is driven by electricity and the power unit 46 generates heat, the power unit 46 can be cooled by the first radiator 34.

[0096] In addition, when the autonomous driving control device 50 that controls the autonomous driving of the vehicle 12 is mounted on the vehicle 12, it is preferably possible to cool the autonomous driving control device 50. In this regard, although it is also considered to use the first radiator 34 to cool the autonomous driving control device 50, when the temperature during the operation of the autonomous driving control device 50 and the required heat dissipation amount are different from those of the power unit 46 during operation, it is preferably to mount another radiator on the vehicle 12.

[0097] Here, in the present embodiment, the second radiator 36 is provided, so that the second radiator 36 can be used to cool the autonomous driving control device 50 that generates heat due to operation. In addition, the specifications of the second radiator 36 can be appropriately set according to the temperature during the operation of the autonomous driving control device 50 and the required heat dissipation amount.

[0098] Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the vehicle 12 which is an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving, it is possible to cool the autonomous driving control device 50 while cooling the power unit 46.

[0099] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the first radiator 34 and the second radiator 36 can be supported on the frame 16 of the vehicle 12 via a common support member, that is, the radiator bracket 22. Therefore, even if the sizes of the first radiator 34 and the second radiator 36 are changed according to the specifications of the power unit 46 and the autonomous driving control device 50, etc., the parts that need design changes can be limited to the radiator bracket 22 and its peripheral parts.

[0100] Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in the design change parts caused by changes in the specifications of the power unit 46 and the autonomous driving control device 50, etc.

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second radiator 36 is inclinedly arranged such that the interval between the second radiator 36 and the first radiator 34 expands as it goes from the vehicle lower side to the vehicle upper side. Therefore, the second radiator can effectively function with respect to the airflow blowing in from the lower front side of the vehicle.

[0102] Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the cooling efficiency of the autonomous driving control device 50 by using the opening part provided in the lower front side of the vehicle body 14 of the vehicle 12.

[0103] Moreover, in the present embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, a first outflow pipe 52 and a first inflow pipe 54 are connected to the first radiator 34. And, it is possible to make the cooling water cooled by the first radiator 34 flow out toward the power unit 46 side via the first outflow pipe 52, and use this cooling water to cool the power unit 46. In addition, the cooling water flowing from the power unit 46 side via the first inflow pipe 54 flows into the first radiator 34, so that this cooling water is cooled by the first radiator 34.

[0104] On the other hand, a second outflow pipe 56 and a second inflow pipe 58 are connected to the second radiator 36. And, it is possible to make the cooling water cooled by the second radiator 36 flow out toward the autonomous driving control device 50 side via the second outflow pipe 56, and use this cooling water to cool the autonomous driving control device 50. In addition, the cooling water flowing from the autonomous driving control device 50 side via the second inflow pipe 58 flows into the second radiator 36, so that this cooling water is cooled by the second radiator 36.

[0105] In addition, considering the following situation, that is, when an abnormal condition occurs in the second radiator 36 during the running of the vehicle 12, a failure will occur during the running or autonomous driving of the vehicle. In such a case, preferably, during the period until the vehicle 12 retreats to a safe place, the first radiator 34 can replace the function of the second radiator 36 in which the abnormal condition has occurred.

[0106] Here, in the present embodiment, a first bypass pipe 68, a second bypass pipe 70, and a flow path switching unit 92 are provided, and when an abnormal condition occurs in the second radiator 36, the flow path of the cooling water can be changed from the normal state.

[0107] Specifically, the first bypass pipe 68 is interposed between the first outflow pipe 52 and the second outflow pipe 56, and the second bypass pipe 70 is interposed between the first inflow pipe 54 and the second inflow pipe 58. And, the flow path switching unit 92 restricts the first connection via the first bypass pipe 68 between the first outflow pipe 52 and the second outflow pipe 56, and the second connection via the second bypass pipe 70 between the first inflow pipe 54 and the second inflow pipe 58 in a state where the first heat exchange between the first radiator 34 and the power unit 46 and the second heat exchange between the second radiator 36 and the autonomous driving control 50 device side are allowed, that is, in the normal state where the first radiator 34 and the second radiator 36 are functioning.

[0108] That is, in the present embodiment, in the normal state, the first cooling circuit 10A of the cooling water including the first radiator 34, the first outflow pipe 52, the first inflow pipe 54, and the power unit 46, and the second cooling circuit 10B of the cooling water including the second radiator 36, the second outflow pipe 56, the second inflow pipe 58, and the autonomous driving control device 50 are in an independent state.

[0109] On the other hand, in a state where the second heat exchange is restricted, that is, in an abnormal state where the second radiator 36 is not functioning, the flow path switching unit 92 allows the first connection and the second connection as shown. Figure 4 shown.

[0110] That is, in the present embodiment, in the abnormal state, the first cooling circuit 10A and the second cooling circuit 10B are connected, and a certain cooling performance for the power unit 46 and the autonomous driving control device 50 can be ensured through the first radiator 34. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a certain running performance of the vehicle 12 in an abnormal state where the cooling performance of the power unit 46 and the autonomous driving control device 50 cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0111] <Supplementary Explanation of the Above Embodiment>

[0112] (1) Although in the above-described embodiment, the power unit 46 and the autonomous driving control device 50 are cooled by the first radiator 34 in a state where the second radiator 36 does not function, this is not limiting. That is, it is also possible to adopt the following method, namely, according to the specifications of the second radiator 36 and the like, in a state where the first radiator 34 does not function, the second radiator 36 is used to cool the power unit 46 and the autonomous driving control device 50.

[0113] (2) In addition, although in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of three-way valves are used for switching the flow path of the cooling system 10, this is not limiting. For example, it is also possible to adopt the following structure, namely, the first outflow pipe 52, the first inflow pipe 54, the second outflow pipe 56, and the second inflow pipe 58 are connected to a solenoid valve having a plurality of ports, and the flow path of the cooling system 10 is switched by controlling the solenoid valve using the autonomous driving ECU 72.

[0114] Symbol Explanation

[0115] 10…Cooling system for electric vehicle;

[0116] 12…Vehicle;

[0117] 16…Frame;

[0118] 22…Radiator bracket (support member);

[0119] 34…First radiator;

[0120] 36…Second radiator;

[0121] 50…Autonomous driving control device;

[0122] 46…Power unit;

[0123] 52…First outflow pipe;

[0124] 54…First inflow pipe;

[0125] 56…Second outflow pipe;

[0126] 58…Second inflow pipe;

[0127] 68…First bypass pipe;

[0128] 70…Second bypass pipe;

[0129] 92…Flow path switching unit.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an electric vehicle, comprising: A first radiator mounted on the vehicle and capable of cooling a power unit driven by electricity; A second radiator mounted on the vehicle and disposed on the front side of the vehicle of the first radiator, and capable of cooling an autonomous driving control device that controls the autonomous driving of the vehicle, A first outflow pipe and a first inflow pipe are connected to the first radiator. The first outflow pipe allows the cooling water cooled by the first radiator to flow out toward the power unit side, and the first inflow pipe allows the cooling water flowing from the power unit side to flow into the first radiator, A second outflow pipe and a second inflow pipe are connected to the second radiator. The second outflow pipe allows the cooling water cooled by the second radiator to flow out toward the autonomous driving control device side, and the second inflow pipe allows the cooling water flowing from the autonomous driving control device side to flow into the second radiator, and The cooling system for the electric vehicle further comprises: A first bypass pipe interposed between the first outflow pipe and the second outflow pipe; A second bypass pipe interposed between the first inflow pipe and the second inflow pipe; A flow path switching unit that restricts a first connection via the first bypass pipe between the first outflow pipe and the second outflow pipe, and a second connection via the second bypass pipe between the first inflow pipe and the second inflow pipe in a state where a first heat exchange between the first radiator and the power unit and a second heat exchange between the second radiator and the autonomous driving control device side are allowed, and allows the first connection and the second connection in a state where either the first heat exchange or the second heat exchange is restricted, The first radiator and the second radiator are integrated via a connecting member, The connecting member is configured to include a front wall portion constituting a portion on the front side of the vehicle, a rear wall portion constituting a portion on the rear side of the vehicle, and a side wall portion constituting a portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, The front wall portion is mounted on the second radiator, and the rear wall portion is mounted on the first radiator, The side wall portion is formed as a triangular plate shape that widens as it approaches the upper side of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

2. The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The first radiator and the second radiator are supported on the vehicle frame via a common support member.

3. The cooling system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein When viewed from the vehicle width direction, the second radiator is inclinedly disposed such that the interval from the first radiator expands as it approaches the upper side of the vehicle from the lower side of the vehicle.

Images