Temperature control system for a vehicle and temperature control method

Abstract

A vehicle temperature control system and a vehicle temperature control method capable of suppressing energy consumption are provided. The vehicle temperature control system includes a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The heat medium circuit includes a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a low-pressure side heat exchanger, a pump, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a temperature controller.The temperature control system includes, as an operation mode, a compressor-off cooling mode in which a compressor is turned off and, in a state where the pump is running, the temperature controller is cooled by outside air via a heat medium circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature controller, and includes a controller configured to be capable of selecting the compressor-off cooling mode based on a determination result made with reference to outside temperature detected by an outside temperature sensor and a target temperature of the temperature controller.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a temperature control system mounted in a vehicle and a temperature control method using the same. State of the art

[0002] In a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a so-called hybrid vehicle that derives driving power for vehicle travel from an engine and an electric motor, in a case where a heat source tends to be insufficient, in addition to the air conditioning functions required for the vehicle, such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation, heat management of an in-vehicle device such as a battery or heat utilization is required. In response to such a demand, in the related art, in addition to a heat pump system, multiple systems are used, such as a system including a radiator that cools a battery and a heater that heats a battery, or a system in which water heated by thermal radiation from a radiator is transported to a temperature control destination by a pump.

[0003] As a refrigeration system capable of integrating air conditioning and heat management for one device, a system including a primary circuit in which a refrigerant circulates in accordance with a refrigeration cycle and a secondary circuit in which a heat medium (water or the like) exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the primary circuit is transported to a heater core of a cabin air conditioning unit by a pump is proposed (for example, PTL 1). Citation listPatent literature

[0004] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 6083304 Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0005] As the amount of heat generated by a vehicle-mounted device is likely to increase, there is a need for power saving of a temperature control system that requires thermal management of an in-vehicle device.

[0006] Energy saving is also required for cooling and heating a cabin, in addition to the thermal management of the on-board device.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle temperature control system and a vehicle temperature control method capable of suppressing energy consumption. Solution to the problem

[0008] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a temperature control system for a vehicle, comprising: a refrigerant circuit configured to include a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and circulates a refrigerant in accordance with a refrigeration cycle; and a heat medium circuit configured to circulate a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant.

[0009] The heat medium circuit includes the high-pressure side heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, the low-pressure side heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, a pump configured to convey the heat medium, an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outside air and the heat medium, and a temperature control device that corresponds to a temperature control target heated or cooled by the heat medium or that is used to heat or cool the temperature control target.

[0010] In the temperature control system, 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 where the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated is provided as an operation mode, and the temperature control system further includes: an outside air temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the outside air; and a control device configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode based on a determination result related to an outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor and a target temperature of the temperature control device.

[0011] The present disclosure can also be applied to a temperature control method for vehicle. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, in a case where a temperature control device can be cooled by outside air through a relationship between an outside air temperature and a target temperature of a temperature control target, a temperature control system can be economically operated by reducing energy consumption by a compressor in a compressor stop cooling mode. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a temperature control system for a vehicle according to a first embodiment (compressor stop cooling mode, flow channel pattern 1 of heat medium). Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a flow channel pattern 2 of a heat medium of the Fig. 1 system. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a flow channel pattern 3 of the heat medium of the Fig. 1 system. Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control device. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an operating state in a cooling mode of the Fig. 1 system. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an operating state in a heat pump mode of the Fig. 1 system. Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a temperature control system for a vehicle according to a second embodiment (compressor stop cooling mode, flow channel pattern 1 of heat medium). Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a flow channel pattern 2 of a heat medium of the Fig. 7 represents the system shown. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operating state in a heating mode of a temperature control method for a vehicle according to a modification example of the second embodiment. Description of embodiments

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment]

[0014] One in Fig. The vehicle temperature control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted, for example, in a vehicle (not shown), such as an electric vehicle that does not include an engine and receives driving power for vehicle travel from an electric motor, or a so-called hybrid vehicle that receives driving power for vehicle travel from an engine and an electric motor. The temperature control system 1 is responsible for heat management, heat collection, and the like of an in-vehicle device such as a battery device 6 (power supply device), a motor for travel, and an electronic heater mounted in a vehicle, in addition to air conditioning functions such as heating, cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation of a cabin 6 in which an occupant is on board.Air conditioning for a suitable temperature or humidity or management for a suitable temperature of the in-vehicle device is referred to as “thermal management”.

[0015] Energy stored in the in-vehicle battery device 6 is supplied to the temperature control system 1 and an electric motor or electronic device provided in the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle battery device 6 is charged by an external power supply when the vehicle is stopped. [Overall configuration]

[0016] The temperature control system 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 configured to circulate a refrigerant, a heat medium circuit 20 configured to circulate a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and a control device 5 that sets the temperature control system 1 to a predetermined operation mode and controls an operation state of the temperature control system 1 in accordance with the operation mode.

[0017] In addition, the temperature control system 1 includes, for example, an outside air temperature sensor 61 that detects an outside air temperature, a temperature sensor 62 that detects a temperature of conditioned air blown into the cabin 8, a heat medium temperature sensor 63 that detects a temperature of a heat medium, and a sensor that detects a refrigerant pressure.

[0018] The temperature control system 1 has a plurality of operating modes selected by an occupant or the control device 5. In the present embodiment, the operating modes of the temperature control system 1 are a compressor stop cooling mode CM ( Fig. 1 to 3), a cooling mode ( Fig. 5) and a heat pump mode ( Fig. 6) described. [Refrigerant circuit configuration]

[0019] As shown in a configuration example in Fig. 1, the refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 13, and an evaporator 14. A refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit 10 in accordance with a refrigeration cycle.

[0020] As the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant cycle 10, a known suitable single refrigerant or mixed refrigerant can be used. For example, as the refrigerant according to the present embodiment, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant such as R410A or R32, a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant such as R1234ze or R1234yf, or a hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerant such as propane or isobutane can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use R1234yf as the refrigerant of the present embodiment.

[0021] In a case where the fluorine-based refrigerant or the hydrocarbon-based refrigerant described above is used, a subcritical refrigeration cycle is configured in which a refrigerant pressure on a high-pressure side does not exceed a critical pressure of the refrigerant.

[0022] In a case where carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the refrigerant, a transcritical refrigeration cycle is configured in which the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side exceeds the critical pressure of the refrigerant. Even in this case, since an effect in which the refrigerant releases heat through a high-pressure side heat exchanger in the same manner as the condenser 12 according to the present embodiment and the refrigerant absorbs heat through a low-pressure side heat exchanger in the same manner as the evaporator 14 according to the present embodiment can be achieved, the refrigerant constituting the transcritical refrigeration cycle, such as carbon dioxide refrigerant, can be used in the refrigerant cycle 10.

[0023] The compressor 11 corresponds to an electric compressor equipped with a motor driven by power supplied from the battery device 6. The compressor 11 adiabatically compresses the refrigerant sucked into a housing (not shown) with a compression mechanism and discharges the refrigerant.

[0024] The condenser 12 performs heat exchange with a refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 11 as a heat medium.

[0025] The expansion valve 13 (pressure reducing unit) reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 12 to adiabatically expand the refrigerant. As the expansion valve 13, a temperature-type expansion valve can be used in addition to an electronic expansion valve capable of controlling an opening degree based on a command from the control device 5. Alternatively, a capillary tube can be used instead of the expansion valve 13.

[0026] The evaporator 14 performs heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve 13 as a heat medium. The refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator 14 is sucked in by the compressor 11.

[0027] An accumulator (gas-liquid separator) (not shown) may be provided between the evaporator 14 and the compressor 11.

[0028] The condenser 12 is provided with a relatively high refrigerant pressure (high pressure), and the evaporator 14 is provided with a relatively low refrigerant pressure (low pressure). The refrigerant is circulated through the refrigerant circuit 10 based on a pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure.

[0029] In Fig. In Figure 5, the flow of refrigerant on a low-pressure side is indicated by a thick solid line, and the flow of refrigerant on a high-pressure side is indicated by a thick dashed line. The same applies to other drawings. [Configuration of heat medium circuit]

[0030] The heat medium circuit 20 is configured to circulate a heat medium capable of exchanging heat with a refrigerant via the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14. The heat medium is used to cool or heat at least one or more temperature control targets. The temperature control target in the present embodiment corresponds to the air in the cabin 8 and the battery device 6.

[0031] The heat medium sealed in the heat medium circuit 20 is a liquid, such as water or brine, which is maintained in a liquid phase state and circulated in the heat medium circuit 20. Examples of the brine include a liquid mixture of water and propylene glycol or a liquid mixture of water and ethylene glycol.

[0032] As shown in a configuration example in Fig. 1, the heat medium circuit 20 includes the condenser 12, the evaporator 14, a first pump 21 and a second pump 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, a cabin heat exchanger 25, the battery device 6, and a first switching valve 31, a second switching valve 32, and a third switching valve 33 as a plurality of flow channel switching valves.

[0033] Each of the first to third switching valves 31 to 33 is an electric valve capable of performing opening and closing control based on a command from the control device 5, and is configured to switch a flow channel of the heat medium in accordance with each operation mode.

[0034] 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.

[0035] As the first to third switching valves 31 to 33, the appropriate number of electric valves having an appropriate structure can be interchangeably used to set a channel required to realize a required operation mode to the heat medium circuit 20.

[0036] It is preferable that the heat medium circuit 20 includes a condenser bypass passage 12A that bypasses the heat medium from the condenser 12, and an evaporator bypass passage 14A that bypasses the heat medium from the evaporator 14. Further, the heat medium circuit 20 may include a condenser flow control valve 12V and an evaporator flow control valve 14V, all of which are three-way valves.

[0037] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the total amount of heat medium flowing from the first switching valve 31 to the condenser 12 flows into the condenser 12 via flow rate control by the condenser flow control valve 12V without flowing into the condenser bypass channel 12A.

[0038] In addition, the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the total amount of heat medium flowing from the first switching valve 31 to the evaporator 14 flows into the evaporator 14 via flow rate control by an evaporator flow control valve 14V without flowing into the evaporator bypass passage 14A.

[0039] The condenser flow control valve 12V can be replaced by two opening / closing valves. For example, one intake port closing valve can be arranged in the condenser bypass channel 12A, and the other intake port closing valve can be arranged in a pipe between the condenser flow control valve 12V and the condenser 12.

[0040] In the same way, the evaporator flow control valve 14V can be replaced by two opening / closing valves.

[0041] Both the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are electric pumps driven by a motor (not shown). The first pump 21 sucks and discharges a heat medium that has flowed out of the evaporator 14 or the evaporator bypass passage 14A to pump the heat medium. The second pump 22 sucks and discharges a heat medium that has flowed out of the condenser 12 or the condenser bypass passage 12A to pump the heat medium.

[0042] It is preferable that the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are configured so that a rotational speed N of a mechanism for pumping the heat medium is variable by a drive circuit unit that applies a drive current to the motor.

[0043] A position of each of the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 is not limited to the Fig. 1 and can be appropriately determined within a range in which the heat medium can be pumped by at least one of the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 taking into account the passage of the heat medium in each operation mode.

[0044] The outdoor heat exchanger 23 performs heat exchange between outside air on an exterior side of the cabin 8 and the heat medium. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 corresponds, for example, to a radiator arranged near an air intake of the vehicle. The outside air supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 by vehicle travel and operation of an outdoor fan 23A releases or absorbs heat based on a temperature difference between the outside air and the heat medium.

[0045] The cabin heat exchanger 25 performs heat exchange between air supplied by a cabin blower 25A and the heat medium to supply conditioned air to the cabin 8. The cabin blower 25A is driven by a motor and blows air (inside air) in the cabin 8, outside air, or a mixed gas of the inside air and outside air toward the cabin heat exchanger 25. It is preferable that the cabin blower 25A be configured to have a variably controlled speed.

[0046] An HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning, HVAC) unit U includes the cabin heat exchanger 25, the cabin blower 25A and a duct (not shown) through which air conveyed by the cabin blower 25A flows.

[0047] It is preferred that the heat medium circuit 20 includes a cabin heat exchanger bypass channel 26 that guides the heat medium to bypass the cabin heat exchanger 25.

[0048] The battery device 6 is not specifically shown, but includes a battery main body, which is a storage battery, and a battery heat exchanger or a heat dissipation element provided in the battery main body as needed. The battery heat exchanger is, for example, a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a heat medium and air, and is provided together with a fan that directs air toward a battery main body.

[0049] The battery device 6 is preferably maintained in a predetermined temperature range to stabilize performance and charging efficiency of the battery main body and suppress deterioration.

[0050] For example, the temperature of the battery device 6 is appropriately regulated by supplying the air, the temperature of which is controlled by supplying the heat medium having an appropriate temperature to the battery heat exchanger, to the battery main body or by supplying the heat medium having an appropriate temperature to a pipe thermally bonded to the battery main body.

[0051] The heat medium circuit 20 includes heat exchange channels 414 and 415 through which the battery device 6 and the heat medium can exchange heat with each other directly or indirectly via the air or the like, and battery switching valves 34 and 35 as four-way valves corresponding to the heat exchange channels 414 and 415, respectively, and switching between open / closed circuits.

[0052] The first battery switching valve 34 is arranged, for example, between the first switching valve 31 and the evaporator flow control valve 14V. The first battery switching valve 34 can switch a flow channel of the heat medium between a state in which the heat medium flows from a pipe 401 into the first heat exchange channel 414 and is supplied to the battery device 6, and a state in which the heat medium does not flow into the first heat exchange channel 414 and flows through the pipe 401 toward the evaporator 14.

[0053] The second battery switching valve 35 is arranged, for example, between the first switching valve 31 and the condenser flow control valve 12V. The second battery switching valve 35 can switch a flow channel of the heat medium between a state in which the heat medium flows from a pipe 402 into the second heat exchange channel 415 and is supplied to the battery device 6, and a state in which the heat medium does not flow into the second heat exchange channel 415 and flows through the pipe 402 to the condenser 12.

[0054] A position of the battery device 6 is not limited to the present embodiment and may be determined at any position on the heat medium circuit 20. For example, the second battery switching valve 35 may be provided in a pipe 403 to which the cabin heat exchanger 25 is connected, and the second heat exchange channel 415 and the battery device 6 may be connected to the second battery switching valve 35. [Control device configuration]

[0055] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the control device 5 corresponds to a computer that includes a memory 501, a calculation unit 502, a storage unit 503, and an input and output unit 504. The "computer" also includes a programmable logic controller (PLC). The control device 5 operates in accordance with a computer program read from and executed by the storage unit 503.

[0056] In each operation mode in which the compressor 11 is operated, the control device 5 can increase or decrease a cooling capacity and a heating capacity, respectively, by performing drive control of the compressor 11 and increasing or decreasing a circulation flow rate of a refrigerant.

[0057] For example, the control device 5 can control an indoor temperature to a target temperature such as an outside air temperature, a blowing temperature of conditioned air, a temperature of a heat medium, or a temperature of the refrigerant by detecting a physical quantity correlated with the indoor temperature via the sensors 61 and 62 and performing feedback control of controlling, for example, a rotation speed of the compressor 11 so that a deviation between the detected value and the target value is resolved. [Compressor stop cooling mode]

[0058] The compressor stop cooling mode CM is described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0059] In the compressor stop cooling mode CM, in a state where the compressor 11 is stopped, that is, the refrigerant cycle 10 is not operating, the battery device 6 is cooled by outside air via a heat medium. In this case, by operating at least one of the pumps 21 and 22, the heat medium is circulated at least in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the battery device 6.

[0060] The control device 5 selects the compressor stop cooling mode CM based on a determination result related to an outside air temperature T detected by the outside air temperature sensor 61. OUT and a target temperature T T the battery device 6, which is a temperature control target.

[0061] The target temperature T Tcorresponds to a temperature of a battery main body that can be considered suitable when stability of performance or charging efficiency of the main body of the battery device 6 and prevention of wear are taken into account. The target temperature T T can be stored in the storage unit 503.

[0062] The target temperature T T is, for example, 15 °C to 20 °C. Cooling of the battery device 6 by the outside air can be carried out in a case where the outside air temperature is lower than the target temperature T T is.

[0063] In a case where it is determined whether the outside air temperature T detected by the outside air temperature sensor 61 OUT within a predetermined cooling-ready range ΔT C , which sets the target temperature T Tof the battery device 6 as an upper limit, and it is determined that the outside air temperature T OUT within the cooling-ready range ΔT C the control device 5 can select the compressor stop cooling mode CM.

[0064] The cooling-ready area ΔT C refers to a range of outside air temperature that can contribute to a temperature decrease of the battery device 6 from which heat is generated. A lower limit of the cooling-ready range ΔT C For example, corresponds to a temperature at which the maximum amount of heat generated by the battery device 6 and the minimum amount of heat exchanged by the external heat exchanger 23 are balanced. It is preferable that the lower limit of the cooling-ready range ΔT Cis set to more than 0 °C to prevent the cabin heat exchanger 25 from icing. The above-described minimum heat exchange amount refers to a heat exchange amount by the outdoor heat exchanger 23 in a case where a vehicle is stopped, an air volume level of the outdoor fan 23A is minimum, and a discharge flow rate of the pumps 21 and 22 is minimum.

[0065] In a case where the compressor stop cooling mode CM is selected, the control device 5 generates a control command for a drive circuit unit of the compressor 11 to stop the operation of the compressor 11, at least one of the pumps 21 and 22 in accordance with patterns 1 to 3 of a flow channel of a cooling system provided in each of the Fig. 1 to 3, and stop a pump corresponding to a flow channel that is not being used among the pumps 21 and 22. In the heat medium circuit 20, a channel corresponding to a pattern optionally selected from flow channel patterns 1 to 3 is set by opening and closing the switching valves 31 to 33.

[0066] Furthermore, in the compressor stop cooling mode CM, it is preferable that the control device 5 guides the heat medium to flow into the bypass channels 12A and 14A to avoid heat exchange between a refrigerant and the heat medium, so as to suppress heat loss of the heat medium cooled by the outside air. As a result, a pressure loss of the heat medium is reduced, so that energy consumption of the pump 21 can be reduced.

[0067] The Fig. The flow channel pattern 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the battery device 6, and the evaporator bypass channel 14A. In this case, the first pump 21 is operated. A channel indicated by a dashed line is a channel through which the heat medium is not pumped and is not used. The same meaning of the dashed line applies to other circuit diagrams.

[0068] In addition, a flow of the heat medium having a relatively low temperature is indicated by a solid line, and a flow of the heat medium having a relatively high temperature is indicated by a one-dotted line. The meanings of the solid line and the one-dotted line are the same as those in Fig. 1 to 3 and 7 to 9.

[0069] In a case where a heat medium cooled by the outside air via the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the heat medium flows through a forward path 414A of the first heat exchange channel 414 via the first switching valve 31 and the first battery switching valve 34 and is supplied to the battery device 6. While the battery device 6 is cooled by the heat medium, the heat medium absorbs heat from the battery device 6, and a temperature of the heat medium is increased. The heat medium having the increased temperature flows through a return path 414B of the first heat exchange channel 414 and flows into the evaporator bypass channel 14A via the first battery switching valve 34 and the evaporator flow control valve 14V. The heat medium flowing out of the evaporator bypass channel 14A returns to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via the second switching valve 32 and is cooled by releasing heat to the outside air.

[0070] In the compressor stop cooling mode CM, it is preferable that the control device 5 sets the temperature of the heat medium controlled by controlling the rotational speed N of a pump (the pump 21 in the flow channel pattern 1) being operated to a temperature lower than the target temperature T T and close to the target temperature T T is, controls.

[0071] For example, in a case where a temperature T detected by the heat medium temperature sensor 63 near an inlet of the battery device 6 M of the heat medium is equal to the outside air temperature T OUT and the target temperature T T deviates (T OUT < T T ), the temperature of the heat medium can be increased. As a result, a temperature of the battery device 6 can be appropriately controlled without excessively cooling the battery device 6.

[0072] In a case where the amount of heat generated by the battery device 6 is sufficiently large with respect to the amount of heat exchanged between an outside air and the heat medium, the battery device 6 does not necessarily have to be heated to the target temperature T T Even in such a case, since the temperature of the battery device 6 is reduced and approaches the target temperature T T approaches, the temperature of the battery device 6 can be suitably controlled.

[0073] In addition, even in a case where the outside air temperature T OUT lower than the target temperature T T and the temperature of the heat medium T M the same as the target temperature T Tis, heat emission of the heat medium can be suppressed by reducing an air volume of the outdoor fan 23A or reducing the rotational speeds of the pumps 21 and 22, and thus the temperature of the battery device 6, which generates heat, can be controlled by an outside air while the temperature T M of the heat medium at the same temperature as the target temperature T T is held.

[0074] Heat dissipated by the operating pump 21 can be used as a means for increasing the temperature of the heat medium. The pump 21 is operated at a predetermined efficiency η, and simply, most of a loss, which is a product of axial power P output from the motor to the pump 21 and (1 - efficiency η), is transferred to the heat medium as thermal energy. In a case where the rotational speed N of the pump 21 is increased by causing the control device 5 of a drive circuit unit of the pump 21 to generate a command corresponding to the rotational speed N, the amount of heat transferred from the pump 21 to the heat medium is increased. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the battery device 6 is increased.

[0075] Therefore, the control device 5 can, for example, perform feedback control of giving the operation amount (control command) indicating the rotational speeds N to the pumps 21 and 22 so that a deviation between the detection temperature and the target temperature T TM is resolved, while the temperature of the heat medium is detected with the heat medium temperature sensor 63.

[0076] In a case where the detected temperature of the heat medium exceeds the target temperature T T is reached, the control device 5 may, for example, reduce the rotational speeds N of the pumps 21 and 22 to reduce a circulation flow rate of the heat medium, or temporarily stop the operation of the pumps 21 and 22. Thereafter, in a case where a deviation between the temperature of the heat medium and the target temperature is increased, the rotational speed N may be increased, or the pumps 21 and 22 may be restarted.

[0077] The air volume can be controlled by regulating the speed of the cabin fan 25A to maintain the temperature of the heat medium to the target temperature T TM Meanwhile, compared with the air volume control according to the control of the rotational speeds N of the pumps 21 and 22, which are not affected by a driving state of a vehicle, the control of the temperature of the heat medium can be performed easily and reliably.

[0078] The Fig. The flow channel pattern 2 shown in Figure 2 includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the battery device 6, and the condenser bypass channel 12A. The second pump 22 is operated in this case.

[0079] In the flow channel pattern 2, a heat medium flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows into a forward path 415A of the second heat exchanger 415 via the first switching valve 31 and the second battery switching valve 35. After cooling the battery device 6, the heat medium flowing out to a return path 415B flows from the condenser bypass channel 12A via the condenser flow control valve 12V back to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 via the third switching valve 33 and releases heat to outside air.

[0080] The Fig. The flow channel pattern 3 shown in Fig. 3 includes the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the battery device 6, the evaporator bypass channel 14A, and the condenser bypass channel 12A. In this case, a heat medium flows in parallel through a flow channel on the evaporator 14 side and a flow channel on the condenser 12 side between the first switching valve 31 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23, so that the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are operated.

[0081] Since the battery device 6 can be cooled by outside air through one of the flow channel patterns 1 to 3, charging and discharging of the battery device 6 can be stabilized, and deterioration can be suppressed.

[0082] As understood from the flow channel patterns 1 and 2, in the heat medium circuit 20, only one of the first battery switching valve 34 and the first heat exchange channel 414 and only one of the second battery switching valve 35 and the second heat exchange channel 415 may be provided. [Cooling mode and heat pump mode]

[0083] In a case where it is determined that the ambient air temperature T OUT outside the cooling-ready range ΔT C , the control device 5 operates the compressor 11 by transmitting a control command to the drive circuit unit of the compressor 11 to select a cooling mode or a heat pump mode. Since a determination result is changed by a change in ambient air temperature, the operation mode can be switched from the compressor stop cooling mode CM to the cooling mode or the heat pump mode.

[0084] The Fig. The cooling mode shown in Figure 5 is selected in a case where the outside air temperature T OUT from the cooling-ready area ΔT C deviates to a high-temperature side.

[0085] In this case, the heat medium circuit 20 is formed by separating the low-pressure side circuit C1, which includes the evaporator 14, the cabin heat exchanger 25, the first heat exchange passage 414, and the battery device 6, and the high-pressure side circuit C2, which includes the condenser 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Fig. In Figure 5, a flow of a heat medium at a relatively low temperature is indicated by a solid line, and a flow of a heat medium at a relatively high temperature is indicated by a one-dotted line. The low-temperature heat medium and the high-temperature heat medium do not mix with each other. The meanings of the solid line and the one-dotted line are the same as those in Fig. 6.

[0086] In a case where only cooling of the battery device 6 is performed without performing cooling in the cabin 8, the operation of the cabin blower 25A is stopped. In a case where cooling in the cabin 8 is performed together with the cooling of the battery device 6, the cabin blower 25A can be operated.

[0087] In the cooling mode, the low-temperature heat medium that releases heat to a refrigerant through the evaporator 14 is supplied to the battery device 6, and thus the battery device 6 is cooled.

[0088] Even in a case where the battery device 6 is cooled together with the cooling of the cabin 8, the battery device 6 can be cooled by the heat medium that cools the air through the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

[0089] The Fig. The heat pump mode shown in Figure 6 is selected in a case where the outside air temperature T OUT from the cooling-ready area ΔT C to the low-temperature side. Fig. The example shown in Fig. 6 represents a case where the battery device 6 is heated without heating the interior of the cabin 8.

[0090] In this case, the heat medium circuit 20 is formed by separating a low-pressure side circuit C1 including the evaporator 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and a high-pressure side circuit C2 including the condenser 12, the cabin heat exchanger bypass passage 26, the second heat exchange passage 415, and the battery device 6 from each other.

[0091] In the heat pump mode, the high-temperature heat medium absorbing heat from the refrigerant by the condenser 12 is supplied to the battery device 6, and thus the battery device 6 is heated.

[0092] In a case where the heating of the battery device 6 and the heating of the interior of the cabin 8 are performed together, the heat medium flowing out of the condenser 12 may be guided to flow from the third switching valve 33 into the cabin heat exchanger 25.

[0093] In a case where only the heating of the battery device 6 is performed without heating the interior of the cabin 8, the operation of the cabin blower 25A is stopped. In a case where the heating of the interior of the cabin 8 is performed together with the heating of the battery device 6, the cabin blower 25A can be operated.

[0094] According to the above, in a case where the battery device 6 can be cooled by an outside air, from a relationship between the outside air temperature T OUT and the target temperature T T of the battery device 6, the energy consumption by the compressor 11 can be reduced by the compressor stop cooling mode CM, and thus the temperature control system 1 can be operated economically. [Second embodiment]

[0095] A difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.

[0096] One in Fig. The temperature control system for vehicle 1-2 shown in Fig. 7 provides a compressor stop cooling mode CM-2 in which cooling of an inside of the cabin 8 is performed via outside air. As shown in Fig. 7, the temperature control system 1-2 may not include the battery device 6.

[0097] The compressor stop cooling mode CM-2 is suitable for a case where, for example, a temperature in the cabin 8 is relatively high and an outside air temperature is lower than an inside temperature, the compressor 11 is stopped, and the inside temperature is to be indirectly lowered via a heat medium through the outside air without directly introducing the outside air into an inside space, that is, in a state of internal air circulation.

[0098] In a case where it is determined that the outside air temperature T OUT within a cooling-ready range ΔT C2which has a target temperature T T2 the temperature in the cabin 8, the control device 5 can stop the compressor 11 and select the compressor stop cooling mode CM-2.

[0099] In the compressor stop cooling mode CM-2, a flow of a low-temperature heat medium and a flow of a high-temperature heat medium are not separated from each other, unlike in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The heat medium circulates through a continuous flow channel including the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the condenser bypass channel 12A, the cabin heat exchanger 25, and the evaporator bypass channel 14A, while changing temperature by heat exchange with the outside air or heat exchange with a temperature control target. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the cabin heat exchanger 25 are connected in series with respect to the flow of the heat medium. Therefore, it is sufficient to operate at least one of the pumps 21 and 22.

[0100] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, the low-temperature heat medium (indicated by a solid line) cooled by the outside air is supplied to the cooling in the cabin 8 through the cabin heat exchanger 25 while maintaining the low temperature by passing through the condenser bypass passage 12A. The high-temperature heat medium (indicated by a one-dot chain line), whose temperature is increased by the cooling in the cabin 8, flows back to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 through the evaporator bypass passage 14A and then releases heat to the outside air.

[0101] The cooling in cabin 8 by the outside air is also carried out in the same way as in Fig. 8 illustrated flow channel pattern 2, in addition to the one in Fig. 7 illustrated flow channel pattern 1.

[0102] In the flow channel pattern 2, a region where the low-temperature heat medium flows and a region where the high-temperature heat medium flows are partially replaced with respect to the flow channel pattern 1 by switching the flow channel via the switching valves 31 to 33. That is, the low-temperature heat medium flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows through the evaporator bypass channel 14A via the first switching valve 31 and flows into the cabin heat exchanger 25 from the second switching valve 32. The high-temperature heat medium that absorbs heat from the air flows through the condenser bypass channel 12A via the first switching valve 31, returns to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 from the third switching valve 33, and releases heat to the outside air.

[0103] In a case where it is determined that the ambient air temperature T OUT from the cooling-ready area ΔT C2deviates, the control device 5 can operate the compressor 11 to execute the cooling mode or the heat pump mode. [Heating mode]

[0104] The temperature control system 1-2 can Fig. 9 shown heating mode HT. The heating mode HT is suitable for a case where an outside air temperature is lower than that in the heat pump mode ( Fig. 6). Since the outside air temperature is significantly lower than 0°C, it is difficult to perform an operation of absorbing heat from outside air by a heat medium. Meanwhile, the HT heating mode can ensure a required heating capacity by using power from the compressor 11 as a heat source.

[0105] It is preferred that the heat medium circuit 20 includes an outdoor heat exchanger bypass channel 24 that guides the heat medium around the outdoor heat exchanger 23 so as to avoid heat loss of the heat medium to the outside air in the heating mode HT.

[0106] In heat pump mode ( Fig. 6) the low-pressure side circuit C1 and the high-pressure side circuit C2, which are separated from each other, are formed, whereas in the heating mode HT, the heat medium circulates through a continuous flow channel in the same pattern as in the compressor stop cooling mode CM-2, while moving in the same manner as in the heat pump mode ( Fig. 6) changes in temperature.

[0107] The heat medium flowing out of the condenser 12 is supplied via the cabin heat exchanger 25 to heat the interior of the cabin 8 and then flows into at least the evaporator 14 under the evaporator 14 and the evaporator bypass passage 14A. Further, the heat medium flowing out of the evaporator 14 flows through at least the condenser 12 under the condenser 12 and the condenser bypass passage 12A and returns to the evaporator 14 via the outdoor heat exchanger bypass passage 24.

[0108] In the HT heating mode, the heat medium flowing out of the cabin heat exchanger 25 releases heat to a refrigerant via the evaporator 14, so that a low pressure of the refrigerant cycle 10 is increased. In this way, since a density of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 11 is increased and the circulation amount of the refrigerant is increased, a heat capacity can be ensured even in a case where the outside air temperature is extremely low.

[0109] In addition, a flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the evaporator 14 can be controlled by the evaporator flow control valve 14V, so that the heating capacity can be variably controlled.

[0110] In addition to the above, it is possible to select the configurations described in the above-described embodiment or to change the configurations to other configurations as needed. [Attachments]

[0111] From the above disclosure, the following configurations are understood.

[0112] [1] A temperature control system for vehicle (1, 1-2) comprising: a refrigerant circuit (10) configured to include a compressor (11), a high-pressure side heat exchanger (12), a pressure reducing unit (13), and a low-pressure side heat exchanger (14), and circulates a refrigerant in accordance with a refrigeration cycle; and a heat medium circuit (20) configured to circulate a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, wherein the heat medium circuit (20) contains: the high-pressure side heat exchanger (12), which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, the low-pressure side heat exchanger (14), which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, a pump (21, 22) configured to pump the heat medium, an outdoor heat exchanger (23) which performs heat exchange between outside air and the heat medium, and a temperature control device (6, 25) corresponding to a temperature control target heated or cooled by the heat medium or used to heat or cool the temperature control target, in the temperature control system (1, 1-2), a compressor stop cooling mode (CM) is provided in which the temperature control device (6, 25) is cooled by the outside air via the heat medium circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger (23), and the temperature control device (6, 25) is cooled by the outside air in a state in which the compressor (11) is stopped and the pump (21, 22) is operated, and the temperature control system (1, 1-2) further comprises: an outside air temperature sensor (61) that detects a temperature of the outside air; and a control device (5) configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode (CM) based on a determination result related to an outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (61) and a target temperature of the temperature control device (6, 25).

[0113] [2] A temperature control system for vehicle (1, 1-2) according to [1], further comprising: a high-pressure side bypass channel (12A) which guides the heat medium to bypass the high-pressure side heat exchanger (12); and a low-pressure side bypass channel (14A) which guides the heat medium so that it bypasses the low-pressure side heat exchanger (14), wherein in the compressor stop cooling mode (CM), a flow channel through which the heat medium is circulated through the outdoor heat exchanger (23), at least one of the high-pressure side bypass channel (12A) and the low-pressure side bypass channel (14A), and the temperature control device (6, 25) is formed.

[0114] [3] A temperature control system for vehicle (1-2) according to [1] or [2), further comprising: a cabin heat exchanger (25) as the temperature control device (6, 25) used for air conditioning in a cabin (8) and performing heat exchange between the heat medium and air, wherein in the compressor stop cooling mode (CM), the outdoor heat exchanger (23) and the cabin heat exchanger (25) are connected in series with respect to a flow of the heat medium.

[0115] [4] A temperature-dependent control system (1, 1-2) according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the control device (5) is configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode (CM) in a case where it is determined that the outside air temperature is within a predetermined cooling-ready range having the target temperature as an upper limit.

[0116] [5] The temperature control system for vehicle (1, 1-2) according to [4], wherein the control device (5) is configured to operate the compressor (11) to cool or heat the temperature control device (6, 25) in a case where it is determined that the outside air temperature is outside the cooling-ready range.

[0117] [6] A temperature-dependent control system (1, 1-2) according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the pump (21, 22) is configured to have a variable speed, and the control device (5) is configured to control a temperature of the heat medium by regulating the rotational speed of the pump (21, 22) in the compressor stop cooling mode (CM) to a temperature lower than the target temperature and close to the target temperature.

[0118] [7] A vehicle temperature control method using a vehicle temperature control system (1, 1-2), wherein the temperature control system (1, 1-2) includes: a refrigerant circuit (10) configured to include a compressor (11), a high-pressure side heat exchanger (12), a pressure reducing unit (13), and a low-pressure side heat exchanger (14) and circulates a refrigerant in accordance with a refrigeration cycle, and a heat medium circuit (20) configured to circulate a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and the heat medium circuit (20) contains: the low-pressure side heat exchanger (14), which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, a pump (21, 22) configured to pump the heat medium, an outdoor heat exchanger (23) which performs heat exchange between outside air and the heat medium, and a temperature control device (6, 25) corresponding to a temperature control target heated or cooled by the heat medium or used to heat or cool the temperature control target, the temperature control method comprising: Selecting a compressor stop cooling mode (CM) in which the temperature control device (6, 25) is cooled by the outside air via the heat medium circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger (23) and the temperature control device (6, 25) in a state in which the compressor (11) is stopped and the pump (21, 22) is operated, based on a determination result related to a temperature of the outside air and a target temperature of the temperature control device (6, 25). List of reference symbols 1, 1-2 Temperature control system 5 Control device 6 Battery device (temperature control device) 8 cabins 10 Refrigerant circuit 11 Compressor 12 Condenser (high-pressure side heat exchanger) 12A Condenser bypass channel (high-pressure side bypass channel) 12V capacitor flow control valve 13 Expansion valve (pressure reducing unit) 14 Evaporator (low-pressure side heat exchanger) 14A Evaporator bypass channel (low pressure side bypass channel) 14V evaporator flow control valve 20 Heat medium circuit 21 first pump 22 second pump 23 outdoor heat exchangers 23A outdoor fan 24 Outdoor heat exchanger bypass channel 25 cabin heat exchangers (temperature control device) 25A cabin fan 26 Cabin heat exchanger bypass channel 31 first changeover valve 32 second switching valve 33 third changeover 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 to 403 pipe 414 first heat exchange channel 414A Forward Path 414B Return 415 second heat exchange channel 415A Forward Path 415B Return 501 memory 502 Calculation unit 503 storage unit 504 Input and output unit C1 low-pressure circuit C2 high-pressure side circuit CM Compressor stop cooling mode HT heating mode U HVAC unit QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 6083304

[0004]

Claims

[1] Temperature control system for vehicle, comprising: a refrigerant circuit configured to include a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and to circulate a refrigerant in accordance with a refrigeration cycle; and a heat medium circuit configured to circulate a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, where the heat medium circuit contains: the high-pressure side heat exchanger, which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, the low-pressure side heat exchanger, which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, a pump configured to pump the heat medium, an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outside air and the heat medium, and a temperature control device corresponding to a temperature control target heated or cooled by the heat medium or used to heat or cool the temperature control target, in the temperature control system, 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 where the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated is provided as an operation mode, and the temperature control system further comprises: an outside air temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the outside air; and a control device configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode based on a determination result related to an outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor and a target temperature of the temperature control device. [2] A vehicle temperature control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a high-pressure side bypass channel that guides the heat medium to bypass the high-pressure side heat exchanger; and a low-pressure side bypass channel that guides the heat medium so that it bypasses the low-pressure side heat exchanger, wherein in the compressor stop cooling mode, a flow channel through which the heat medium is circulated through the outdoor heat exchanger, at least one of the high-pressure side bypass channel and the low-pressure side bypass channel, and the temperature control device is formed. [3] A temperature control system for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a cabin heat exchanger as the temperature control device used for air conditioning in a cabin and which performs heat exchange between the heat medium and air, wherein in the compressor stop cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger and the cabin heat exchanger are connected in series with respect to a flow of the heat medium. [4] The temperature control system for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device is configured to select the compressor stop cooling mode in a case where it is determined that the outside air temperature is within a predetermined cooling-ready range having the target temperature as an upper limit. [5] The temperature control system for vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to operate the compressor to cool or heat the temperature control device in a case where it is determined that the outside air temperature is outside the cooling-ready range. [6] Temperature control system for vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump is configured to have a variable speed, and the control device is configured to control a temperature of the heat medium to a temperature lower than the target temperature and close to the target temperature by regulating the speed of the pump in the compressor stop cooling mode. [7] A vehicle temperature control method using a vehicle temperature control system, the temperature control system including: a refrigerant circuit configured to include a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing unit, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and circulates a refrigerant in accordance with a refrigeration cycle, and a heat medium circuit configured to circulate a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and the heat medium circuit contains: the low-pressure side heat exchanger, which carries out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, a pump configured to pump the heat medium, an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outside air and the heat medium, and a temperature control device corresponding to a temperature control target heated or cooled by the heat medium or used to heat or cool the temperature control target, the temperature control method comprising: Selecting 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 where the compressor is stopped and the pump is operated, based on a determination result related to a temperature of the outside air and a target temperature of the temperature control device.

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