Temperature control system and temperature control method for vehicle

By using the compressor stop cooling mode in the vehicle temperature control system and using external air to cool the temperature control equipment, the problems of increasing heat generation of vehicle equipment and saving electricity from cooling and cooling air conditioners are solved, and the low-power consumption operation of the temperature control system is achieved.

CN120019528AInactive Publication Date: 2025-05-16MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202380064714.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-09-16
Filing Date
2023-09-11
Publication Date
2025-05-16
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The heating capacity of the equipment on the vehicle increases, and the heating and cooling of the vehicle equipment and the machine room needs to be further saved.

Method used

A temperature control system for vehicles is designed, using a refrigerant circuit and a heat carrier circuit. The cooling mode is stopped by the compressor. When the external air temperature is suitable, the temperature control equipment is cooled by external air to reduce the power consumption of the compressor.

Benefits of technology

By stopping the cooling mode of the compressor, the power consumption caused by the compressor can be effectively suppressed when the external air temperature is suitable, so that the temperature control system can be operated economically.

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Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle temperature control system and a vehicle temperature control method capable of suppressing power consumption. The vehicle temperature control system includes a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The heat carrier loop comprises a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a low-pressure side heat exchanger, a pump, an outdoor heat exchanger and temperature control equipment. The temperature control system is provided with, as an operation mode, a compressor stop cooling mode in which the temperature control device is cooled by the outside air via the heat medium circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature control device in a state in which the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated, and is provided with a control device in which the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated. The control device is configured so as to be able to select a compressor cooling stop mode on the basis of a determination result obtained by referring to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor and a target temperature of the temperature control device.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a temperature control system assembled on a vehicle and a temperature control method using the temperature control system. Background Art

[0002] In electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that obtain driving force from engines and motors, when the heat source is easily insufficient, in addition to the air conditioning functions required by the vehicle, such as heating and cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation, thermal management and waste heat utilization of on-board equipment such as batteries are required. In response to such requirements, in addition to heat pump systems, multiple systems have been used, such as systems that include a cooler for cooling the battery and a heater for heating the battery, or systems that use a pump to transport water heated by waste heat from a radiator to a temperature control target.

[0003] As a vehicle thermal management system that can integrate the thermal management of air conditioning and equipment, a system has been proposed, which includes: a primary circuit in which the refrigerant circulates according to a refrigeration cycle; and a secondary circuit in which a heat carrier (water, etc.) that performs heat exchange with the refrigerant in the primary circuit is transported to a heater core of an indoor air conditioning unit by a pump (for example, Patent Document 1). Previous technical literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6083304 Summary of the invention Technical issues to be solved by the invention

[0005] The amount of heat generated by devices mounted on vehicles tends to increase, and power saving of temperature control systems for thermal management of the in-vehicle devices is required. Furthermore, it is not limited to thermal management of in-vehicle equipment, but also the air conditioning and heating of the machine room are required to be more energy-efficient.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle temperature control system and a vehicle temperature control method capable of suppressing power consumption. Means for solving technical problems

[0007] The present invention is a temperature control system for a vehicle, which comprises: a refrigerant circuit, including a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, configured so that the refrigerant can circulate according to a refrigeration cycle; and a heat carrier circuit, configured so that a heat carrier that performs heat exchange with the refrigerant can circulate. The heat carrier circuit includes: a high-pressure side heat exchanger, which allows the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; a low-pressure side heat exchanger, which allows the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; a pump, which is configured to pressurize the heat carrier; an outdoor heat exchanger, which allows the external air to exchange heat with the heat carrier; and a temperature control device, which is equivalent to a temperature control object heated or cooled by the heat carrier, or is used to heat or cool the temperature control object. The temperature control system has a compressor stop cooling mode as an operating mode. In the compressor stop cooling mode, the temperature control device is cooled by external air via a heat carrier circulating in an outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature control device while the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated. The system also has: an external air temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the external air; and a control device configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode based on a determination result obtained by referring to the external air temperature detected by the external air temperature sensor and a target temperature of the temperature control device.

[0008] The present invention can also be applied to a temperature control method for a vehicle. Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when the temperature control device can be cooled by external air based on the relationship between the external air temperature and the target temperature of the temperature control object, the cooling mode can be stopped by the compressor to suppress the power consumption caused by the compressor and make the temperature control system run economically. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 1 is a circuit diagram showing the vehicle temperature control system according to the first embodiment (compressor stop cooling mode, flow path pattern 1 of the heat medium). Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 The circuit diagram of the heat medium flow pattern 2 of the system shown. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The circuit diagram of the heat medium flow pattern 3 of the system shown. Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the control device. Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 The diagram shows the operating status of the system in cooling mode. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 The diagram shows the operating status of the system in heat pump mode. Figure 7 1 is a circuit diagram showing a vehicle temperature control system according to a second embodiment (compressor stop cooling mode, flow path pattern 1 of a heat medium). Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 The circuit diagram of the heat medium flow pattern 2 of the system shown. Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing an operation state of a vehicle temperature control system according to a modification of the second embodiment in a heater mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] Figure 1 The vehicle temperature control system 1 shown is installed in, for example, a vehicle not shown in the figure, such as an electric vehicle that does not have an engine but obtains the driving force for the vehicle from an electric motor for driving, or a so-called hybrid vehicle that obtains the driving force for the vehicle from an engine and an electric motor. In addition to the air conditioning functions such as heating and cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation of the cabin 8 where passengers sit, the temperature control system 1 is also responsible for thermal management and waste heat recovery of vehicle-mounted devices such as the battery device 6 (power supply device), the driving motor, and heat-generating electronic devices installed in the vehicle. The act of adjusting to an appropriate temperature or humidity, or managing the vehicle-mounted devices to an appropriate temperature is generally referred to as "thermal management." The electric power stored in the vehicle-mounted battery device 6 is supplied to the vehicle-mounted temperature control system 1 and other electric devices or electronic devices included in the vehicle-mounted devices. The vehicle-mounted battery device 6 is charged from an external power supply when the vehicle is stopped.

[0012] 〔Overall structure〕 The temperature control system 1 comprises: a refrigerant circuit 10, which is configured to allow the refrigerant to circulate; a heat medium circuit 20, which is configured to allow the heat medium that performs heat exchange with the refrigerant to circulate; and a control device 5, which sets the temperature control system 1 to a specified operating mode and controls the operating state of the temperature control system 1 according to the operating mode. In addition, the temperature control system 1 includes, for example, an external air temperature sensor 61 for detecting the external air temperature, a temperature sensor 62 for detecting the temperature of the air-conditioned air blown to the machine room 8, a heating medium temperature sensor 63 for detecting the temperature of the heating medium, and a sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure.

[0013] The temperature control system 1 has a plurality of operation modes selected by the occupant or the control device 5. In this embodiment, the compressor stop cooling mode CM ( Figures 1 to 3 ), cooling mode( Figure 5 ) and heat pump mode ( Figure 6 ).

[0014] 〔Refrigerant circuit structure〕 like Figure 1As shown in an example of the configuration in FIG. 1 , the refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 13, and an evaporator 14. In the refrigerant circuit 10, the refrigerant circulates according to a refrigeration cycle. As the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10, a known appropriate single refrigerant or mixed refrigerant can be used. For example, as the refrigerant of this embodiment, HFC (Hydro Fluoro Carbon: hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants such as R410A and R32, HFO (Hydro Fluoro Olefin: hydrofluoroolefin) refrigerants such as R1234ze and R1234yf, or hydrocarbon (HC: Hydrocarbon: hydrocarbon) refrigerants such as propane and isobutane can be used. In particular, as the refrigerant of this embodiment, R1234yf is preferably used.

[0015] When the above-mentioned fluorine-based or hydrocarbon-based refrigerants are used, a subcritical refrigeration cycle is constructed in which the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side does not exceed the critical pressure of the refrigerant. When using carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a transition critical refrigeration cycle is formed in which the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side exceeds the critical pressure of the refrigerant. Even in this case, the following effect can be obtained, that is, the refrigerant dissipates heat through the high-pressure side heat exchanger as in the condenser 12 of the present embodiment, and the refrigerant absorbs heat through the low-pressure side heat exchanger as in the evaporator 14 of the present embodiment, so a refrigerant constituting a transition critical refrigeration cycle such as a carbon dioxide refrigerant can also be adopted in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0016] The compressor 11 corresponds to an electric compressor including a motor, and the motor is driven by electric power supplied from the battery device 6. The compressor 11 adiabatically compresses the refrigerant sucked into a casing (not shown) by a compression mechanism, and discharges the refrigerant.

[0017] The condenser 12 exchanges heat between the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 11 and a heating medium. The expansion valve 13 (decompression unit) adiabatically expands the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 12 by decompressing the refrigerant. As the expansion valve 13, a temperature-type expansion valve can be used in addition to an electronic expansion valve whose opening can be controlled based on a command from the control device 5. Alternatively, a capillary tube can be used instead of the expansion valve 13.

[0018] The evaporator 14 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve 13 and a heating medium. The refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator 14 is sucked into the compressor 11. An accumulator (gas-liquid separator) (not shown) may be provided between the evaporator 14 and the compressor 11 .

[0019] A relatively high refrigerant pressure (high pressure) is applied to the condenser 12, and a relatively low refrigerant pressure (low pressure) is applied to the evaporator 14. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 10 based on the pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure. exist Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the flow of the refrigerant on the low-pressure side is indicated by a thick solid line, and the flow of the refrigerant on the high-pressure side is indicated by a thick dotted line. The same applies to the other figures.

[0020] 〔Structure of the heat carrier circuit〕 The heating medium circuit 20 is configured to circulate a heating medium capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant through the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14. The heating medium is used to cool or heat at least one temperature control object. The temperature control object in this embodiment corresponds to the air in the machine room 8 and the battery device 6. The heating medium sealed in the heating medium circuit 20 is a liquid such as water or salt water that is maintained in a liquid phase and circulated in the heating medium circuit 20. Examples of the salt water include a mixed liquid of water and propylene glycol or a mixed liquid of water and ethylene glycol.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown in an example of the structure, the heat medium circuit 20 includes a condenser 12, an evaporator 14, a first pump 21 and a second pump 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an indoor heat exchanger 25, a battery device 6, and a first switching valve 31, a second switching valve 32 and a third switching valve 33 as multiple flow path switching valves.

[0022] The first to third switching valves 31 to 33 are all electric valves that can be opened and closed based on a command from the control device 5 , and are configured to be able to switch the flow path of the heating medium according to each operation mode. In the present embodiment, the first switching valve 31 and the second switching valve 32 are four-way valves, and the third switching valve 33 corresponds to a three-way valve. In order to set a desired path in the heating medium circuit 20 to realize a desired operation mode, the first to third switching valves 31 to 33 can be replaced by electric valves having an appropriate structure and an appropriate number.

[0023] The heating medium circuit 20 preferably includes a condenser bypass path 12A for bypassing the heating medium from the condenser 12 and an evaporator bypass path 14A for bypassing the heating medium from the evaporator 14. Furthermore, the heating medium circuit 20 may include a condenser flow control valve 12V and an evaporator flow control valve 14V, both of which are three-way valves.

[0024] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3In the example shown, due to the flow rate adjustment by the condenser flow rate adjustment valve 12V, the entire amount of the heating medium flowing from the first switching valve 31 toward the condenser 12 does not flow into the condenser 12 but flows into the condenser bypass path 12A. And, in Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the example shown, due to the flow rate adjustment by the evaporator flow rate adjustment valve 14V, the entire amount of the heating medium flowing from the first switching valve 31 toward the evaporator 14 does not flow into the evaporator 14 but flows into the evaporator bypass path 14A.

[0025] The condenser flow rate regulating valve 12V can be replaced with two on-off valves. For example, one on-off valve can be arranged in the condenser bypass path 12A, and the other on-off valve can be arranged in the piping between the condenser flow rate regulating valve 12V and the condenser 12 . Similarly, the evaporator flow rate regulating valve 14V can be replaced with two opening and closing valves.

[0026] The first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are both equivalent to electric pumps driven by a motor not shown. The first pump 21 presses the heat medium by sucking and discharging the heat medium flowing out of the evaporator 14 or the evaporator bypass path 14A. The second pump 22 presses the heat medium by sucking and discharging the heat medium flowing out of the condenser 12 or the condenser bypass path 12A.

[0027] The first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are preferably configured so that the number of revolutions N of the mechanism for pressure-feeding the heat medium can be varied by a drive circuit portion for applying a drive current to the motor.

[0028] The positions of the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are not limited to the illustrated examples, and may be appropriately determined within a range where the heating medium can be pressure-fed by at least one of the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 in consideration of the heating medium path in each operation mode.

[0029] The outdoor heat exchanger 23 exchanges heat between the outside air outside the machine room 8 and the heat medium. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is equivalent to a radiator arranged near the air inlet of the vehicle, for example. The outside air supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 by the running of the vehicle and the operation of the outdoor blower 23A dissipates or absorbs heat based on the temperature difference between the outside air and the heat medium.

[0030] The indoor heat exchanger 25 exchanges heat between the air sent by the indoor blower 25A and the heat medium, thereby providing conditioned air to the machine room 8. The indoor blower 25A is driven by a motor to blow the air in the machine room 8 (inside air) or outside air, or a mixed gas of the inside air and outside air toward the indoor heat exchanger 25. The indoor blower 25A is preferably configured to be variable in speed. The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit U includes an indoor heat exchanger 25, an indoor blower 25A, and a duct (not shown) through which the air sent by the indoor blower 25A flows.

[0031] The heating medium circuit 20 preferably includes an indoor heat exchanger bypass path 26 for allowing the heating medium to bypass the indoor heat exchanger 25 .

[0032] Although not specifically shown, the battery device 6 includes a battery body as a battery, and a battery heat exchanger or heat dissipation member provided in the battery body as required. The battery heat exchanger is, for example, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a heating medium and air, and is provided together with a blower that blows air toward the battery body. The battery device 6 is preferably maintained within a predetermined temperature range in order to stabilize the output and charging efficiency of the battery body and suppress degradation. For example, the temperature of the battery device 6 is adjusted to an appropriate temperature by supplying a heating medium of an appropriate temperature to a battery heat exchanger, blowing temperature-controlled air to the battery body, or supplying a heating medium of an appropriate temperature to a pipe thermally coupled to the battery body.

[0033] The heating medium circuit 20 includes heat exchange paths 414 and 415 configured to enable the battery device 6 and the heating medium to exchange heat directly or indirectly via air or the like, and battery switching valves 34 and 35 as four-way valves that switch between opening and closing corresponding to the heat exchange paths 414 and 415, respectively. The first battery switching valve 34 is, for example, disposed between the first switching valve 31 and the evaporator flow regulating valve 14V. The first battery switching valve 34 can switch the flow path of the heating medium between a state in which the heating medium flows from the pipe 401 into the first heat exchange path 414 and is supplied to the battery device 6, and a state in which the heating medium does not flow into the first heat exchange path 414 but flows in the pipe 401 toward the evaporator 14.

[0034] The second battery switching valve 35 is, for example, disposed between the first switching valve 31 and the condenser flow regulating valve 12V. The second battery switching valve 35 can switch the flow path of the heating medium between a state in which the heating medium flows from the pipe 402 into the second heat exchange path 415 and is supplied to the battery device 6, and a state in which the heating medium does not flow into the second heat exchange path 415 but flows in the pipe 402 toward the condenser 12.

[0035] The position of the battery device 6 is not limited to the present embodiment, and can be set at any position on the heating medium circuit 20. For example, the second battery switching valve 35 can be provided on the pipe 403 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 25, and the second heat exchange path 415 and the battery device 6 can also be connected to the second battery switching valve 35.

[0036] 〔Control device structure〕 like Figure 4 As shown, the control device 5 corresponds to a computer including a memory 501, a calculation unit 502, a storage unit 503, and an input / output unit 504. "Computer" also includes a programmable logic controller (PLC). The control device 5 operates according to a computer program read from the storage unit 503 and executed.

[0037] In each operation mode in which the compressor 11 is operated, the control device 5 performs drive control of the compressor 11 and can increase or decrease the cooling capacity or the heating capacity by increasing or decreasing the circulation flow rate of the refrigerant. The control device 5 detects physical quantities related to the room temperature, such as the outside air temperature, the blown temperature of the air-conditioned air, or the temperature of the heating medium or the temperature of the refrigerant, through sensors 61, 62, etc., and can adjust the room temperature to the target temperature by performing feedback control such as controlling the rotation speed of the compressor 11 to eliminate the deviation between the detected value and the target value.

[0038] 〔Compressor stop cooling mode〕 refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the compressor stop cooling mode CM is described. In the compressor stop cooling mode CM, the battery device 6 is cooled by the outside air via the heat medium while the compressor 11 is stopped, i.e., the refrigerant circuit 10 is not operated. At this time, the heat medium is circulated between at least the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the battery device 6 by operating at least one of the pumps 21 and 22.

[0039] The control device 5 refers to the outside air temperature T detected by the outside air temperature sensor 61. OUT and the target temperature T of the battery device 6 to be temperature controlled. T Based on the obtained determination result, the compressor stop cooling mode CM is selected. Target temperature T T This corresponds to a temperature of the battery body which is considered appropriate when considering the stability of the output and charging efficiency of the battery device 6 and preventing degradation. T It can be stored in the storage unit 503. As an example, the target temperature T T15℃~20℃. When the outside air temperature is lower than the target temperature T T In this case, the battery device 6 can be cooled by the outside air.

[0040] The control device 5 determines the outside air temperature T detected by the outside air temperature sensor 61. OUT Is the target temperature T of the battery device 6 T The upper limit of the predetermined cooling range ΔT C If it is judged to be within the cooling range ΔT C In the case of the compressor stopping cooling mode CM can be selected. Cooling range ΔT C It refers to the range of the temperature of the outside air that can contribute to the temperature reduction of the heat-generating storage battery device 6. Coolable range ΔT C The lower limit of ΔT corresponds to, for example, the temperature at which the maximum calorific value of the battery device 6 and the minimum heat exchange amount of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are balanced. C The lower limit of is preferably set to be greater than 0°C to avoid frost on the indoor heat exchanger 25. The minimum heat exchange amount refers to the heat exchange amount performed by the outdoor heat exchanger 23 when the vehicle is stopped and the air volume level of the outdoor blower 23A is minimum and the discharge flow rate of the pumps 21 and 22 is minimum.

[0041] When the compressor stop cooling mode CM is selected, the control device 5 generates a control command to the drive circuit portion of the compressor 11 to stop the operation of the compressor 11 and to control at least one of the pumps 21 and 22 according to the control command. Figures 1 to 3 The heat medium flow path modes 1 to 3 shown in the figure are operated, and the pumps corresponding to the unused flow paths are stopped in the pumps 21 and 22. In the heat medium circuit 20, the path corresponding to the mode arbitrarily selected from the flow path modes 1 to 3 is set by opening and closing the switching valves 31 to 33.

[0042] Furthermore, in the compressor stop cooling mode CM, in order to suppress the heat loss of the heat medium cooled by the outside air, the control device 5 preferably avoids heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium by causing the heat medium to flow into the bypass paths 12A and 14A. As a result, the pressure loss of the heat medium is reduced, and thus the power consumption of the pump 21 can be suppressed.

[0043] Figure 1 The flow path pattern 1 shown includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the battery device 6 and the evaporator bypass path 14A. In this case, the first pump 21 is operated. The path indicated by the dotted line does not pressurize the heat medium and is not used. The meaning of the dotted line is the same in other circuit diagrams. Furthermore, the flow of a relatively low temperature heat medium is represented by a solid line, and the flow of a relatively high temperature heat medium is represented by a dashed line. Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 7 to 9 The same as in.

[0044] The heat medium cooled by the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 23, passes through the first switching valve 31 and the first battery switching valve 34, flows through the outgoing path 414A of the first heat exchange path 414, and is supplied to the battery device 6. The battery device 6 is cooled by the heat medium, while the heat medium absorbs heat from the battery device 6 and the temperature rises. The heat medium with the increased temperature flows in the return path 414B of the first heat exchange path 414, and flows into the evaporator bypass path 14A through the first battery switching valve 34 and the evaporator flow control valve 14V. The heat medium flowing out of the evaporator bypass path 14A returns to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 through the second switching valve 32, and is cooled by dissipating heat to the outside air.

[0045] The control device 5 preferably controls the temperature of the heat medium to be lower than the target temperature T by adjusting the rotation speed N of the operating pump (the pump 21 in the case of the flow path mode 1) in the compressor stop cooling mode CM. T And at the target temperature T T The temperature nearby. For example, the temperature T of the heating medium detected by the heating medium temperature sensor 63 near the inlet of the battery device 6 is M and the outside air temperature T OUT Similarly, when the target temperature T T (T OUT <T T ), the temperature of the heating medium may be raised. Thus, the battery device 6 can be temperature-controlled to an appropriate temperature without being overcooled. In addition, when the heat generated by the battery device 6 is sufficiently large relative to the heat exchange amount between the outside air and the heat medium, the battery device 6 does not necessarily need to be cooled to the target temperature T T Even in this case, the temperature of the battery device 6 decreases and approaches the target temperature T T , so the battery device 6 can be temperature-controlled to an appropriate temperature. And, at the outside air temperature T OUT Below target temperature T T Even at the heating medium temperature T M With the target temperature T T In the same case, the heat dissipation of the heat medium can be suppressed by reducing the air volume of the outdoor blower 23A or reducing the rotation speed of the pumps 21 and 22, thereby lowering the temperature TM Maintain the target temperature T T At the same temperature, the temperature of the battery device 6 which is generating heat can be controlled by the outside air.

[0046] As a mechanism for raising the temperature of the heat medium, the waste heat of the operating pump 21 can be used. The pump 21 operates at a predetermined efficiency η. In simple terms, most of the loss, which is the product of the axial force P output from the motor to the pump 21 and (1-efficiency η), is transferred to the heat medium as heat energy. The control device 5 generates an instruction corresponding to the rotation speed N with respect to the drive circuit portion of the pump 21. As a result, if the rotation speed N of the pump 21 increases, the amount of heat transferred from the pump 21 to the heat medium increases. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the battery device 6 rises.

[0047] Therefore, the control device 5 can detect the temperature of the heating medium through the heating medium temperature sensor 63, and at the same time provide the pumps 21 and 22 with an operation amount (control command) indicating the rotation speed N to eliminate the difference between the detected temperature and the target temperature T. TM The deviation between . If the detected temperature of the heating medium reaches the target temperature T T , the control device 5 can, for example, reduce the rotation speed N of the pumps 21 and 22 to reduce the circulation flow rate of the heat medium, or temporarily stop the operation of the pumps 21 and 22. Then, when the deviation between the heat medium temperature and the target temperature increases, the rotation speed N can be increased, or the pumps 21 and 22 can be restarted. In order to control the temperature of the heating medium to the target temperature T TM However, the temperature of the heating medium can be controlled more easily and reliably by adjusting the rotation speed N of the pumps 21 and 22 which is not affected by the running state of the vehicle than by adjusting the air volume.

[0048] Figure 2 The flow path pattern 2 shown includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the battery device 6, and the condenser bypass path 12A. In this case, the second pump 22 is operated. In the case of flow path mode 2, the heating medium flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows from the first switching valve 31 to the outgoing path 415A of the second heat exchange path 415 via the second battery switching valve 35. After cooling the battery device 6, the heating medium flowing out to the return path 415B flows from the condenser flow control valve 12V into the condenser bypass path 12A, returns to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via the third switching valve 33, and dissipates heat to the outside air.

[0049] Figure 3The flow pattern 3 shown includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the battery device 6, the evaporator bypass path 14A and the condenser bypass path 12A. In this case, between the first switching valve 31 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the heat medium flows in parallel in the flow path on the evaporator 14 side and the flow path on the condenser 12 side, so that the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are operated.

[0050] According to any of the flow path patterns 1 to 3 , the storage battery device 6 can be cooled by the outside air, so that the charging and discharging of the storage battery device 6 can be stabilized and degradation can be suppressed. As understood from the flow path patterns 1 and 2 , the heating medium circuit 20 may include only one of the first battery switching valve 34 / first heat exchange path 414 or the second battery switching valve 35 / second heat exchange path 415 .

[0051] [Cooling mode, heat pump mode] When the outside air temperature is determined to be T OUT In the cooling range ΔT C When the temperature is outside the compressor 11, the control device 5 operates the compressor 11 by a control instruction to the drive circuit of the compressor 11, thereby selecting the cooling mode or the heat pump mode. The judgment result varies according to the change of the external temperature, so sometimes the compressor stop cooling mode CM is transferred to the cooling mode or the heat pump mode.

[0052] At the outside air temperature T OUT Out of the cooling range ΔT C In the case of high temperature side, select Figure 5 Cooling mode shown. In this case, in the heating medium circuit 20, the low-pressure side circuit C1 including the evaporator 14, the indoor heat exchanger 25, the first heat exchange path 414 and the battery device 6 and the high-pressure side circuit C2 including the condenser 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are formed separately from each other. Figure 5 In the diagram, the flow of a relatively low temperature heat carrier is represented by a solid line, and the flow of a relatively high temperature heat carrier is represented by a dashed line. The low temperature heat carrier and the high temperature heat carrier do not mix. The solid line and the dashed line are Figure 6 The same is true in Chinese. When cooling the storage battery device 6 without cooling the machine room 8, the indoor fan 25A is stopped. When cooling the storage battery device 6 and cooling the machine room 8, the indoor fan 25A may be operated.

[0053] In the cooling mode, the battery device 6 is cooled by supplying the low-temperature heat medium that transfers heat to the refrigerant through the evaporator 14 to the battery device 6 . Even when cooling of the interior of the machine room 8 is performed simultaneously with cooling of the storage battery device 6 , the storage battery device 6 can be cooled by the heating medium obtained by cooling the air by the outdoor heat exchanger 23 .

[0054] At the outside air temperature T OUT Out of the cooling range ΔT C In the case of the low temperature side, select Figure 6 Heat pump mode shown. Figure 6 The example shown shows a case where heating of the interior of machine room 8 is not performed and only heating of storage battery device 6 is performed. In this case, in the heating medium circuit 20, the low-pressure side circuit C1 including the evaporator 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the high-pressure side circuit C2 including the condenser 12, the indoor heat exchanger bypass path 26, the second heat exchange path 415 and the battery device 6 are formed separately from each other.

[0055] In the heat pump mode, the battery device 6 is heated by supplying the high-temperature heat medium that absorbs heat from the refrigerant through the condenser 12 to the battery device 6 . When heating the interior of the machine room 8 simultaneously with heating the battery device 6 , the heating medium flowing out of the condenser 12 may be caused to flow into the indoor heat exchanger 25 through the third switching valve 33 . When heating the storage battery device 6 without heating the machine room 8, the indoor fan 25A is stopped. When heating the storage battery device 6 while heating the machine room 8, the indoor fan 25A may be operated.

[0056] Above, according to the outside air temperature T OUT and the target temperature T of the battery device 6 T In the case where the battery device 6 can be cooled by the outside air, the power consumption of the compressor 11 can be suppressed by the compressor stop cooling mode CM, so that the temperature control system 1 can be operated economically.

[0057] [Second embodiment] The following description will focus on matters that are different from the first embodiment. Figure 7 The vehicle temperature control system 1-2 shown in the figure has a compressor stop cooling mode CM-2 for cooling the interior of the engine room 8 with outside air. Figure 7 As shown, the temperature control system 1 - 2 may not include the battery device 6 .

[0058] The compressor stop cooling mode CM-2 is applicable, for example, to the following situations: when the temperature in the machine room 8 is relatively high and the outside air temperature is lower than the room temperature; when the compressor 11 is stopped and the outside air is not directly introduced into the room, that is, when the internal air is circulated, it is hoped to indirectly lower the room temperature by means of the outside air via the heat carrier. When the outside air temperature is determined to be T OUT The target temperature T including the temperature in the machine room 8 T2 Cooling range ΔT C2 When the temperature is within the range of 0.040°, the control device 5 can stop the compressor 11 and select the compressor stop cooling mode CM-2.

[0059] In compressor stop cooling mode CM-2, Figure 5 and Figure 6 Unlike the operation mode shown, the flow of the low-temperature heat medium is not separated from the flow of the high-temperature heat medium. The heat medium changes its temperature through heat exchange with the outside air or heat exchange with the temperature control object while circulating in a continuous flow path including the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the condenser bypass path 12A, the indoor heat exchanger 25 and the evaporator bypass path 14A. At this time, with respect to the flow of the heat medium, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor heat exchanger 25 are connected in series. Therefore, it is sufficient to operate at least one of the pumps 21 and 22.

[0060] like Figure 7 As shown, the low-temperature heat medium (indicated by a solid line) cooled by the outside air maintains a low temperature through the condenser bypass path 12A, while providing cooling in the machine room 8 through the indoor heat exchanger 25. The high-temperature heat medium (indicated by a single-dot chain line) whose temperature rises with the cooling in the machine room 8 flows through the evaporator bypass path 14A and returns to the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and dissipates heat to the outside air.

[0061] The cooling of the machine room 8 by the outside air is Figure 7 Except for the flow pattern 1 shown, even if Figure 8 The same holds true for the flow path pattern 2 shown. Flow pattern 2 partially swaps the area where the low-temperature heat medium flows and the area where the high-temperature heat medium flows with respect to flow pattern 1 by switching the flow paths based on the switching valves 31 to 33. That is, the low-temperature heat medium flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows into the evaporator bypass path 14A through the first switching valve 31, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 25 from the second switching valve 32. Moreover, the high-temperature heat medium that absorbs heat from the air flows into the condenser bypass path 12A through the first switching valve 31, returns to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 from the third switching valve 33, and dissipates heat to the outside air.

[0062] When the outside air temperature is determined to be TOUT Out of the cooling range ΔT C2 In this case, the control device 5 can operate the compressor 11 to implement the cooling mode or the heat pump mode.

[0063] [Heater Mode] Temperature control system 1-2 can also be equipped Fig. 9 Heater mode HT is shown. Heater mode HT is suitable for outside air temperatures higher than heat pump mode ( Figure 6 Even if the outside air temperature is much lower than 0°C, making it difficult to perform heat absorption from the outside air to the heating medium, the heater mode HT can ensure the required heating capacity by using the power of the compressor 11 as a heat source.

[0064] In order to prevent the heat transfer of the heating medium to the outside air in the heater mode HT, the heating medium circuit 20 preferably includes an outdoor heat exchanger bypass path 24 for bypassing the heating medium from the outdoor heat exchanger 23 .

[0065] In heat pump mode ( Figure 6 ) forms a separated low-pressure side circuit C1 and a high-pressure side circuit C2. In contrast, in the heater mode HT, similar to the compressor stop cooling mode CM-2, the heat medium circulates while undergoing temperature changes in a continuous flow path. That is, the heat medium flowing out of the condenser 12 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 25 to heat the machine room 8, and then flows into at least the evaporator 14 and the evaporator 14 in the evaporator bypass path 14A. Furthermore, the heat medium flowing out of the evaporator 14 flows through at least the condenser 12 and the condenser 12 in the condenser bypass path 12A, and returns to the evaporator 14 through the outdoor heat exchanger bypass path 24.

[0066] According to the heater mode HT, the heat medium flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 25 dissipates heat to the refrigerant through the evaporator 14, thereby increasing the low pressure of the refrigerant circuit 10. As a result, the density of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 11 increases, and the circulation amount of the refrigerant increases, so that the heating capacity can be ensured even if the outside air temperature is very low. Furthermore, the heating capacity can be variably adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the heating medium flowing into the evaporator 14 by the evaporator flow rate adjustment valve 14V.

[0067] In addition to the above, the structures listed in the above embodiments may be selected or replaced, or may be appropriately changed to other structures.

[0068] [Note] Through the above disclosure, the structure described below will be understood. [1] A vehicle temperature control system 1, 1-2, comprising: The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11, a high-pressure side heat exchanger 12, a pressure reducing unit 13, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger 14, and is configured so that the refrigerant can circulate according to a refrigeration cycle; and The heating medium circuit (20) is configured to circulate a heating medium for exchanging heat with the refrigerant. The heat carrier circuit 20 comprises: The high-pressure side heat exchanger 12 enables the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; The low-pressure side heat exchanger 14 enables the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; Pumps 21 and 22 are configured to pressurize the heat medium; An outdoor heat exchanger 23 allows external air to exchange heat with the heat carrier; and The temperature control device 6, 25 is equivalent to the temperature control object heated or cooled by the heat carrier, or is used to heat or cool the temperature control object. The temperature control systems 1 and 1-2 have a compressor stop cooling mode CM as an operation mode. In the compressor stop cooling mode CM, the temperature control devices 6 and 25 are cooled by the outside air through the heat medium circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the temperature control devices 6 and 25 while the compressor 11 is stopped and the pumps 21 and 22 are operated. And have: An external air temperature sensor 61 detects the temperature of the external air; The control device 5 is configured to be able to select the compressor stop cooling mode CM based on a determination result obtained by referring to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 61 and the target temperature of the temperature control device 6 , 25 .

[0069] [2] The vehicle temperature control system 1 or 1-2 according to [1], comprising: A high-pressure side bypass path 12A allows the heat medium to bypass the high-pressure side heat exchanger 12; and The low-pressure side bypass path 14A allows the heat medium to bypass the low-pressure side heat exchanger 14 In the compressor stop cooling mode, a flow path is formed for the circulation of the heat medium, and the flow path includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23 , at least one of the high-pressure side bypass path 12A and the low-pressure side bypass path 14A, and the temperature control devices 6 , 25 .

[0070] [3] The vehicle temperature control system 1-2 according to [1] or [2], comprising an indoor heat exchanger 25, The indoor heat exchanger 25 is used for air conditioning in the machine room 8 and serves as the temperature control device for exchanging heat between the heat carrier and the air. In the compressor stop cooling mode CM, regarding the flow of the heating medium, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor heat exchanger 25 are connected in series.

[0071] [4] The vehicle temperature control system 1 or 1-2 according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein: The control device 5 is configured as follows: When it is determined that the outside air temperature is within a predetermined coolable range with the target temperature as an upper limit, the compressor stop cooling mode CM is selected.

[0072] [5] The vehicle temperature control system 1, 1-2 according to [4], wherein: The control device 5 is configured as follows: When it is determined that the outside air temperature is outside the coolable range, the compressor 11 is operated to cool or heat the temperature-controlled devices 6 and 25 .

[0073] [6] The vehicle temperature control system 1 or 1-2 according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein: The pumps 21 and 22 are configured to have variable rotation speeds. The control device 5 is configured so that, in the compressor stop cooling mode CM, By adjusting the rotation speed of the pumps 21 and 22 , the temperature of the heating medium can be controlled to be lower than the target temperature and close to the target temperature.

[0074] [7] A vehicle temperature control method, which is a vehicle temperature control method using the vehicle temperature control system 1, 1-2, wherein: The temperature control systems 1 and 1-2 include: The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11, a high-pressure side heat exchanger 12, a pressure reducing unit 13, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger 14, and is configured so that the refrigerant can circulate according to a refrigeration cycle; and The heating medium circuit (20) is configured to circulate a heating medium for exchanging heat with the refrigerant. The heat carrier circuit 20 comprises: The low-pressure side heat exchanger 14 enables the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; Pumps 21 and 22 are configured to be able to pressurize the heat medium; An outdoor heat exchanger 23 allows external air to exchange heat with the heat carrier; and The temperature control device 6, 25 is equivalent to the temperature control object heated or cooled by the heat carrier, or is used to heat or cool the temperature control object. The temperature control method, Based on the determination result obtained by referring to the temperature of the outside air and the target temperature of the temperature control device, A compressor stop cooling mode CM is selected. In the compressor stop cooling mode CM, with the compressor 11 stopped and the pumps 21 and 22 operating, the temperature control devices 6 and 25 are cooled by the external air via the heat carrier circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the temperature control devices 6 and 25. Explanation of symbols

[0075] 1, 1-2-temperature control system, 5-control device, 6-battery device (temperature control device), 8-machine room, 10-refrigerant circuit, 11-compressor, 12-condenser (high-pressure side heat exchanger), 12A-condenser bypass path (high-pressure side bypass path), 12V-condenser flow control valve, 13-expansion valve (pressure reducing part), 14-evaporator (low-pressure side heat exchanger), 14A-evaporator bypass path (low-pressure side bypass path), 14V-evaporator flow control valve, 20-heat medium circuit, 21-first pump, 22-second pump, 23-outdoor heat exchanger, 23A-outdoor fan, 24-outdoor heat exchanger bypass path, 25-indoor heat exchanger (temperature control device), 25A-indoor fan, 2 6-indoor heat exchanger bypass path, 31-first switching valve, 32-second switching valve, 33-third switching valve, 34-first battery switching valve, 35-second battery switching valve, 61-outside air temperature sensor, 62-temperature sensor, 63-heat medium temperature sensor, 401~403-piping, 414-first heat exchange path, 414A-outward, 414B-return, 415-second heat exchange path, 415A-outward, 415B-return, 501-memory, 502-calculation unit, 503-storage unit, 504-input and output unit, C1-low-pressure side circuit, C2-high-pressure side circuit, CM-compressor stop cooling mode, HT-heater mode, U-HVAC unit.

Claims

1. A temperature control system for a vehicle, comprising: A refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and is configured so that the refrigerant can circulate according to a refrigeration cycle; The heat medium circuit is configured to circulate a heat medium for exchanging heat with the refrigerant. The heat carrier circuit comprises: The high-pressure side heat exchanger enables the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; The low-pressure side heat exchanger enables the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; a pump configured to pressurize the heat carrier; An outdoor heat exchanger is used to exchange heat between the external air and the heat carrier; and The temperature control device is equivalent to the temperature control object heated or cooled by the heat carrier, or is used to heat or cool the temperature control object. The temperature control system has a compressor stop cooling mode as an operating mode, In the compressor stop cooling mode, the temperature control device is cooled by the outside air through the heat medium circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature control device while the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated. And have: an external air temperature sensor, for detecting the temperature of the external air; and The control device is configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode based on a determination result obtained by referring to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor and the target temperature of the temperature control device.

2. The vehicle temperature control system according to claim 1, comprising: A high-pressure side bypass path allows the heat medium to bypass the high-pressure side heat exchanger; and A low-pressure side bypass path allows the heat medium to bypass the low-pressure side heat exchanger. In the compressor stop cooling mode, a flow path for the heat medium to circulate is formed, and the flow path includes the outdoor heat exchanger, at least one of the high-pressure side bypass path and the low-pressure side bypass path, and the temperature control device.

3. The vehicle temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an indoor heat exchanger, The indoor heat exchanger is used for air conditioning in the machine room and serves as the temperature control device for exchanging heat between the heat carrier and the air. In the compressor stop cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are connected in series with respect to the flow of the heating medium.

4. The vehicle temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control device is configured as follows: When it is determined that the outside air temperature is within a predetermined coolable range with the target temperature as an upper limit, the compressor stop cooling mode is selected.

5. The vehicle temperature control system according to claim 4, wherein: The control device is configured as follows: When it is determined that the outside air temperature is outside the coolable range, the compressor is operated to cool or heat the temperature-controlled device.

6. The vehicle temperature control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pump is configured to have a variable speed. The control device is configured such that, in the compressor stop cooling mode, By adjusting the rotation speed of the pump, the temperature of the heating medium can be controlled to be lower than the target temperature and close to the target temperature.

7. A vehicle temperature control method, which is a temperature control method using a vehicle temperature control system, wherein: The temperature control system has: A refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and is configured so that the refrigerant can circulate according to a refrigeration cycle; The heat medium circuit is configured to circulate a heat medium for exchanging heat with the refrigerant. The heat carrier circuit comprises: The low-pressure side heat exchanger enables the refrigerant to exchange heat with the heat carrier; a pump configured to pressurize the heat carrier; An outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the external air and the heat carrier; and The temperature control device is equivalent to the temperature control object heated or cooled by the heat carrier, or is used to heat or cool the temperature control object. The temperature control method, Based on the determination result obtained by referring to the temperature of the outside air and the target temperature of the temperature control device, A compressor stop cooling mode is selected. In the compressor stop cooling mode, the temperature control device is cooled by the external air through the heat medium circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature control device while the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Conductive and magnetic resin grain

    JP1985083304A