Vehicle

Abstract

The vehicle can cool and heat in a vehicle cabin without being influenced by a storage battery cooling circuit, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. A vehicle (V) is provided with: a battery (2); a battery cooling circuit (20) through which a first refrigerant flows and which adjusts the temperature of the battery (2); a refrigeration cycle (30) for air conditioning, which has an electric compressor (32), a condenser (33), an outdoor heat exchanger (38), and an evaporator (36), and through which a second refrigerant flows; and a heating circuit (40) having a heating core (41) and through which a third refrigerant flows. The first refrigerant of the battery cooling circuit (20), the second refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle (30), and the third refrigerant of the heating circuit (40) are each independently circulated, and the condenser (33) is configured so as to be able to exchange heat between the second refrigerant circulated in the refrigeration cycle (30) and the third refrigerant circulated in the heating circuit (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a battery. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts to realize a low-carbon society or a decarbonized society have been actively carried out. 2 We have conducted research and development related to electrification technology to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.

[0003] Electric vehicles with batteries cannot use engine waste heat to heat the cabin like conventional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, so an electric heater is installed in the air conditioning circuit with a heater core.

[0004] As a thermal management system for such an electric vehicle, Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit in which a battery cooling circuit is connected to an air conditioning circuit provided with a heater core.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent No. 11390135 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] In the circuit of Patent Document 1, the battery cooling circuit is connected to the air conditioning circuit provided with a heater core, so the operating condition of the battery may affect the commercial performance of cooling and heating in the vehicle cabin. In addition, a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) as an air conditioning circuit is usually provided on the dashboard of the vehicle, but if the battery cooling circuit is connected to the air conditioning circuit provided with a heater core, the change from the HVAC of the ICE vehicle becomes complicated and the cost may increase.

[0010] The present invention provides a vehicle capable of cooling and heating a vehicle compartment without being affected by a battery cooling circuit and capable of reducing manufacturing costs.

[0011] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0012] The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising:

[0013] Batteries;

[0014] A battery cooling circuit, through which a first refrigerant flows, for adjusting the temperature of the battery;

[0015] a refrigeration cycle for air conditioning, which has an electric compressor, a condenser, an outdoor heat exchanger and an evaporator, through which the second refrigerant flows; and

[0016] A heating circuit having a heating core through which a third refrigerant flows,

[0017] The first refrigerant of the battery cooling circuit, the second refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle, and the third refrigerant of the heating circuit are circulated independently.

[0018] The condenser is configured to enable heat exchange between the second refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle and the third refrigerant flowing through the heating circuit.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle that can cool and heat the interior of a vehicle cabin without being affected by a battery cooling circuit and that can reduce manufacturing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 1 is a circuit diagram showing the structure of a refrigerant circulation circuit 1 included in a vehicle V.

[0022] Figure 2 It means in Figure 1 1 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 according to the switching states of the first switching valve 52 (blocking state) and the second switching valve 54 (non-bypass state).

[0023] Figure 3 It means in Figure 1 FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 according to the switching state of the first switching valve 52 (communication state) and the second switching valve 54 (bypass state).

[0024] Figure 4 It means in Figure 1 1 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 during the first cabin heating mode.

[0025] Figure 5 It means in Figure 1 1 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 during the second cabin heating mode.

[0026] Figure 6 It means in Figure 1 1 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 during the third vehicle cabin heating mode.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle V.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] Vehicles

[0030] 2. Battery

[0031] 3. Drive device

[0032] 20 Battery cooling circuit

[0033] 30 Refrigeration Cycle

[0034] 32 Electric compressor

[0035] 33 Condenser

[0036] 36 Evaporator

[0037] 38 Outdoor heat exchanger

[0038] 40 Heating circuit

[0039] 41 Heating core

[0040] 50 Drive unit cooling circuit

[0041] 51 Radiator

[0042] 52 first switching valve

[0043] 53 bypass flow path

[0044] 54 Second switching valve

[0045] 60 Cooling Machine

[0046] H2 Second electric heater (electric heater). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 7 One embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0048] like Figure 7 As shown, the vehicle V is an electric vehicle including a battery 2, a drive device 3 that drives the vehicle V by using the power supplied from the battery 2, an HVAC 4 that controls the air conditioning in the vehicle cabin, and a control device 5. The drive device 3 includes a heat source such as a motor M, an inverter, a DC-DC converter, and a charger. The HVAC 4 includes an evaporator 36 of a refrigeration cycle 30 described later, a heater core 41 of a heating circuit 40, and the like. In addition, a radiator 51 of a drive device cooling circuit 50 described later and an outdoor heat exchanger 38 of the refrigeration cycle 30 are provided in front of the vehicle V, as well as an electric fan 6 that promotes heat dissipation and / or heat absorption therefrom.

[0049] Vehicle V is equipped with Figure 1 The refrigerant circulation circuit 1 shown in FIG. The refrigerant circulation circuit 1 includes a battery cooling circuit 20 , a refrigeration cycle 30 , a heating circuit 40 , a drive device cooling circuit 50 , and a refrigerator 60 .

[0050] The battery cooling circuit 20 allows the first refrigerant to flow and adjusts the temperature of the battery (BAT) 2. The battery cooling circuit 20 includes: the battery 2; a first pump P1 that circulates the first refrigerant in the battery cooling circuit 20; and a first electric heater (ECH) H1 that can heat the first refrigerant. The first refrigerant is, for example, LLC (Long Life Coolant).

[0051] The refrigeration cycle 30 is used to circulate the second refrigerant for air conditioning the vehicle compartment. The refrigeration cycle 30 includes: a common flow path 30a, which is shared during cooling and heating; a cooling flow path 30b, which is used during cooling; a heating flow path 30c, which is used during heating; and a connecting flow path 30e, which connects the cooling flow path 30b and the heating flow path 30c. The second refrigerant is, for example, an air conditioning refrigerant.

[0052] The common flow path 30a includes: a liquid accumulator 31 that separates the vaporized second refrigerant from the liquid second refrigerant; an electric compressor 32 that compresses the vaporized second refrigerant; and a condenser 33 (water-cooled C) that absorbs heat from the compressed high-pressure and high-temperature second refrigerant to liquefy the second refrigerant. Since the condenser 33 is disposed downstream of the electric compressor 32 in the flow direction of the second refrigerant, the hot gas of the compressed high-pressure and high-temperature second refrigerant can be supplied to the heating circuit 40 via the condenser 33.

[0053] The cooling flow path 30b includes: a high-pressure solenoid valve 34 that switches the cooling flow path 30b and the heating flow path 30c downstream of the condenser 33; a cooling expansion valve 35 that vaporizes the second refrigerant; and an evaporator 36 that absorbs heat from the air in the vehicle cabin by converting the second refrigerant into a low-pressure and low-temperature second refrigerant.

[0054] The heating flow path 30c includes: a heating expansion valve 37, which can vaporize the second refrigerant downstream of the condenser 33; an outdoor heat exchanger 38, which absorbs heat from the outside air by becoming a low-pressure and low-temperature second refrigerant or dissipates heat to the outside air by using a high-temperature and high-pressure second refrigerant; and a low-pressure solenoid valve 39, which switches the cooling flow path 30b and the heating flow path 30c.

[0055] The connecting flow path 30e is arranged to connect between the outdoor heat exchanger 38 and the low-pressure electromagnetic valve 39 of the heating flow path 30c and between the high-pressure electromagnetic valve 34 and the cooling expansion valve 35 of the cooling flow path 30b, and a check valve 62 is provided in the middle.

[0056] The heating circuit 40 allows the third refrigerant to circulate and heats the vehicle cabin. The heating circuit 40 includes: a second pump P2 that circulates the third refrigerant in the heating circuit 40; a second electric heater (ECH) H2 that can heat the third refrigerant; and a heater core 41 that heats the vehicle cabin by exchanging heat with the third refrigerant. The third refrigerant is, for example, LLC.

[0057] The third refrigerant and the first refrigerant can use the same type of refrigerant, but the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and the third refrigerant flow independently and are not mixed. Therefore, the battery cooling circuit 20 can be made independent of the refrigeration cycle 30 and the heating circuit 40, so that the HVAC of the engine vehicle can be used at a low cost.

[0058] The heating circuit 40 passes through the interior of the condenser 33 on the downstream side of the second pump P2. The condenser 33 is configured to enable the second refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle 30 to exchange heat with the third refrigerant flowing through the heating circuit 40.

[0059] The drive unit cooling circuit 50 allows the first refrigerant to flow through to cool the drive unit (DU) 3. The drive unit cooling circuit 50 includes a third pump P3 that circulates the first refrigerant in the drive unit cooling circuit 50, the drive unit 3, and a radiator 51 that cools the first refrigerant.

[0060] The drive device cooling circuit 50 is connected to the battery cooling circuit 20 via the first switching valve 52. The first switching valve 52 is, for example, a four-way valve. In the communication state (see Figure 3 ) and the disconnected state in which the drive device cooling circuit 50 and the battery cooling circuit 20 are disconnected (refer to Figure 2 )

[0061] In addition, the drive device cooling circuit 50 includes: a bypass flow path 53 that bypasses the radiator 51; and a second switching valve 54 that is arranged at a branch point of the bypass flow path 53. The second switching valve 54 is, for example, a three-way valve, which is in a bypass state (see Figure 3 ) and the non-bypass state where the first refrigerant passes through the radiator 51 (refer to Figure 2 )

[0062] The chiller 60 is configured to exchange heat between the first refrigerant flowing in the battery cooling circuit 20 and the second refrigerant flowing in the refrigeration cycle 30. The first refrigerant in the battery cooling circuit 20 passes through the chiller 60 on the downstream side of the first switching valve 52 and the upstream side of the battery 2. The second refrigerant flowing in the refrigeration cycle 30 passes through the chiller 60 via the chiller connection flow path 30d connected to the refrigeration flow path 30b. The chiller expansion valve 61 for allowing the second refrigerant to absorb heat from the chiller 60 is provided on the chiller connection flow path 30d.

[0063] In the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 configured in this manner, the first switching valve 52 can be switched to connect or disconnect the drive device cooling circuit 50 and the battery cooling circuit 20 , thereby cooling the battery 2 via the radiator 51 and / or the refrigerator 60 .

[0064] However, electric vehicles cannot use engine waste heat for cabin heating like ICE vehicles, so power consumption during heating tends to increase, resulting in a shorter cruising range. However, as described below, the refrigerant circulation circuit 1 can reduce power consumption during heating.

[0065] Below, refer to Figures 4 to 6 The following describes three vehicle interior heating modes performed by the refrigerant circulation circuit 1. Figures 4 to 6 In the circuit, only the flow of the refrigerant in the portion related to heating of the vehicle cabin is shown by a solid line, and the other portions are shown by a dotted line.

[0066] Figure 4 The first cabin heating mode (heating by absorbing heat from outside air) shown is a mode in which the refrigeration cycle 30 and the heating circuit 40 cooperate to absorb heat from outside air, thereby heating the cabin. The first cabin heating mode (heating by absorbing heat from outside air) is selected when the temperature of the battery 2 and the drive device 3 is low. In this mode, the high-pressure solenoid valve 34 is closed and the low-pressure solenoid valve 39 is opened, so that the refrigeration cycle 30 is in the heating operation state.

[0067] In this state, the second refrigerant having become low-pressure and low-temperature by the heating expansion valve 37 absorbs heat from the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 38, and is compressed into high-pressure and high-temperature by the electric compressor 32 and sent to the condenser 33. In the condenser 33, the second refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle 30 exchanges heat with the third refrigerant circulating in the heating circuit 40, and the third refrigerant absorbing heat from the second refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 30 circulates in the heating circuit 40. In addition, the heat of the third refrigerant is dissipated from the heater core 41 of the heating circuit 40 to the vehicle cabin, thereby heating the vehicle cabin.

[0068] Thus, in the first cabin heating mode (heating by absorbing heat from outside air), the heat pump of the refrigeration cycle 30 can absorb heat from outside air, thereby suppressing power consumption of the second electric heater H2 during heating. Thus, the cruising distance of the vehicle V during heating can be extended.

[0069] Figure 5 The second cabin heating mode (heating by absorbing heat from outside air + heating by recovering waste heat) shown is a mode in which the battery cooling circuit 20, the refrigeration cycle 30, the heating circuit 40, the drive device cooling circuit 50 and the chiller 60 cooperate to absorb heat from outside air and recover waste heat, thereby heating the cabin. The second cabin heating mode (heating by absorbing heat from outside air + heating by recovering waste heat) is selected when the temperature of the battery 2 and the drive device 3 is high. In this mode, the high-pressure solenoid valve 34 and the low-pressure solenoid valve 39 are opened to put the refrigeration cycle 30 into the heating operation state, and at the same time, the refrigeration cycle 30 is connected to the chiller 60 via the chiller connection flow path 30d. In addition, the first switching valve 52 is set to a connected state in which the drive device cooling circuit 50 is connected to the battery cooling circuit 20, and the second switching valve 54 is set to a bypass state in which the first refrigerant passes through the bypass flow path 53.

[0070] In this state, the first refrigerant heated by the heat of the battery 2 and the drive device 3 circulates in the battery cooling circuit 20 and the drive device cooling circuit 50 without being cooled by the radiator 51, and passes through the refrigerator 60. On the other hand, the second refrigerant that has become low pressure and low temperature by the refrigerator expansion valve 61 absorbs heat from the first refrigerant through heat exchange in the refrigerator 60. In addition, the second refrigerant that has become low pressure and low temperature by the heating expansion valve 37 absorbs heat from the outside air by the outdoor heat exchanger 38. Thereafter, these second refrigerants are compressed into high pressure and high temperature by the electric compressor 32 and sent to the condenser 33. In the condenser 33, the second refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle 30 exchanges heat with the third refrigerant circulating in the heating circuit 40, and the third refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the second refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 30 circulates in the heating circuit 40. In addition, the heat of the third refrigerant is radiated from the heater core 41 of the heating circuit 40 to the vehicle cabin, thereby heating the vehicle cabin.

[0071] Thus, in the second cabin heating mode (heating by absorbing heat from outside air + heating by recovering waste heat), in addition to absorbing heat from outside air by the heat pump of the refrigeration cycle 30, waste heat from the battery 2 and the drive device 3 can also be absorbed by the cold machine 60, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the second electric heater H2 during heating. As a result, the cruising range of the vehicle V during heating can be further extended.

[0072] Furthermore, the first refrigerant circulating in the battery cooling circuit 20 and the drive device cooling circuit 50 radiates heat and cools the battery 2 and the drive device 3 in the refrigerator 60 , thereby being able to cool the battery 2 and the drive device 3 .

[0073] It should be noted that in the first cabin heating mode (external air heat absorption heating) and the second cabin heating mode (external air heat absorption heating + waste heat recovery heating), when the temperature of the third refrigerant is lower than the heating requirement, the heating requirement can be met by heating with the second electric heater H2.

[0074] Figure 6 The third cabin heating mode (ECH heating) shown is a mode in which the heating circuit 40 heats the cabin alone. The third cabin heating mode (ECH heating) is selected when the outside air temperature is low. In this mode, since the outside air temperature is low and heat absorption by the outside air is not possible, the electric compressor 32 is stopped and the second electric heater H2 is turned on. In this state, the third refrigerant circulating in the heating circuit 40 is heated by the second electric heater H2. In addition, the heat of the third refrigerant is dissipated from the heating core 41 of the heating circuit 40 to the cabin, thereby heating the cabin.

[0075] In this way, in the third vehicle interior heating mode (ECH heating), even when the outside air temperature is low and the expected outside air heat absorption effect cannot be obtained, the vehicle interior can be heated by the second electric heater H2.

[0076] Above, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is certainly not limited to this example. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various variations or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical solution, and these variations or modifications certainly also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the various constituent elements in the above-mentioned embodiments may also be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0077] In this specification, at least the following matters are described. In addition, although the corresponding components and the like in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown in brackets, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0078] (1) A vehicle (vehicle V) comprising:

[0079] Battery (Battery2);

[0080] a battery cooling circuit (battery cooling circuit 20 ), through which a first refrigerant flows to adjust the temperature of the battery;

[0081] a refrigeration cycle for air conditioning (refrigeration cycle 30 ) having an electric compressor (electric compressor 32 ), a condenser (condenser 33 ), an outdoor heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger 38 ), and an evaporator (evaporator 36 ) through which the second refrigerant flows; and

[0082] A heating circuit (heating circuit 40) has a heating core (heating core 41) through which the third refrigerant flows.

[0083] The first refrigerant of the battery cooling circuit, the second refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle, and the third refrigerant of the heating circuit are circulated independently.

[0084] The condenser is configured to enable heat exchange between the second refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle and the third refrigerant flowing through the heating circuit.

[0085] According to (1), the refrigerants flowing through the battery cooling circuit for the battery, the refrigeration cycle for cooling, and the heating circuit for heating are independent of each other, so that the interior of the vehicle can be cooled and heated without being affected by the battery cooling circuit, thereby improving the comfort of the vehicle. In addition, HVAC is installed in conventional engine vehicles, but by making the battery cooling circuit independent of the refrigeration cycle and the heating circuit, the HVAC of the engine vehicle can be used at a low cost.

[0086] (2) The vehicle according to (1), wherein:

[0087] In the refrigeration cycle, the condenser is provided downstream of the electric compressor.

[0088] According to (2), the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure second refrigerant compressed by the electric compressor can be supplied to the heating circuit via the condenser.

[0089] (3) The vehicle according to (2), wherein:

[0090] The heating circuit includes an electric heater (a second electric heater H2 ).

[0091] According to (3), when the heat of the second refrigerant provided by the refrigeration cycle cannot sufficiently perform heating, heating can be performed using the heat of the electric heater provided in the heating circuit.

[0092] (4) The vehicle according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising:

[0093] A cold machine (cold machine 60 ) is configured to enable heat exchange between the first refrigerant flowing through the battery cooling circuit and the second refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle.

[0094] According to (4), the battery can be cooled by transferring the heat of the first refrigerant flowing through the battery cooling circuit to the second refrigerant using the refrigerator.

[0095] (5) The vehicle according to (4), further comprising:

[0096] A drive device (drive device 3);

[0097] a drive device cooling circuit (drive device cooling circuit 50 ), through which the first refrigerant flows for cooling the drive device;

[0098] The first switching valve (first switching valve 52 ) switches between a communication state in which the drive device cooling circuit and the battery cooling circuit are communicated with each other and a disconnection state in which the communication between the drive device cooling circuit and the battery cooling circuit is disconnected.

[0099] According to (5), by placing the first switching valve in the communication state, the waste heat of the drive device can be used to heat the battery or to heat the vehicle interior.

[0100] (6) The vehicle according to (5), wherein:

[0101] The drive device cooling circuit comprises:

[0102] Radiator (Radiator 51);

[0103] a bypass flow path (bypass flow path 53 ) that bypasses the radiator; and

[0104] The second switching valve (second switching valve 54 ) switches between a bypass state in which the first refrigerant passes through the bypass flow path and a non-bypass state in which the first refrigerant passes through the radiator.

[0105] According to (6), by setting the second switching valve to the bypass state, it is possible to utilize the waste heat of the drive device without dissipating it to the outside of the vehicle.

[0106] (7) The vehicle according to (6), wherein:

[0107] The first switching valve is set to the communication state, and the second switching valve is set to the bypass state.

[0108] The third refrigerant absorbs heat from the first refrigerant via the refrigerator and absorbs heat from the second refrigerant via the condenser, thereby heating the third refrigerant and using it for heating the vehicle cabin.

[0109] According to (7), by utilizing the waste heat of the drive device for heating the vehicle cabin, the power consumption of the electric compressor can be suppressed.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: Batteries; A battery cooling circuit, through which a first refrigerant flows, for adjusting the temperature of the battery; a refrigeration cycle for air conditioning, which has an electric compressor, a condenser, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an evaporator, and in which a second refrigerant flows; and A heating circuit having a heating core and allowing a third refrigerant to flow through, in, The first refrigerant of the battery cooling circuit, the second refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle, and the third refrigerant of the heating circuit are circulated independently. The condenser is configured to enable heat exchange between the second refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle and the third refrigerant flowing through the heating circuit.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: In the refrigeration cycle, the condenser is provided downstream of the electric compressor.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The heating circuit includes an electric heater.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The vehicle further includes a refrigeration machine configured to be able to perform heat exchange between the first refrigerant flowing through the battery cooling circuit and the second refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The vehicle also has: Drive device; a drive device cooling circuit, through which the first refrigerant flows for cooling the drive device; and The first switching valve switches between a connection state in which the drive device cooling circuit is connected to the battery cooling circuit and a disconnection state in which the connection between the drive device cooling circuit and the battery cooling circuit is disconnected.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein: The drive device cooling circuit comprises: heat sink; a bypass flow path that bypasses the radiator; and The second switching valve switches between a bypass state in which the first refrigerant passes through the bypass flow path and a non-bypass state in which the first refrigerant passes through the radiator.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein: The first switching valve is set to the communication state, and the second switching valve is set to the bypass state. The third refrigerant absorbs heat from the first refrigerant via the refrigerator and absorbs heat from the second refrigerant via the condenser, thereby heating the third refrigerant and using it for heating the vehicle cabin.

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