Vehicle battery cooling system and electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle battery cooling system, etc. with which it is possible to improve efficiency of cooling batteries while improving conveniences, etc.SOLUTION: A vehicle battery cooling system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a water storage tank that is disposed near a battery in an electric vehicle, and that stores cooling water with which to cool the battery; a circulation mechanism that circulates the cooling water supplied from an external facility via the battery and the water storage tank, when electric power is supplied from the external facility to the battery; a nozzle that sprays the cooling water supplied from this circulation mechanism to prescribed points of a vehicle body in the electric vehicle; a folding type radiation fin that controls a movement of heat between the battery and the water storage tank; and a control unit that controls operations of each of the circulation mechanism and the nozzle and open / closed states of the radiation fin, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle battery cooling system and an electric vehicle equipped with such a vehicle battery cooling system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Various techniques have been disclosed as systems for cooling batteries built into electric vehicles (vehicle battery cooling systems) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-99024 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, in a vehicle battery cooling system, for example, there is a demand for improving convenience and improving the cooling efficiency of the battery. It is desirable to provide a vehicle battery cooling system that can improve the cooling efficiency of the battery while improving convenience, etc., and an electric vehicle equipped with such a vehicle battery cooling system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle battery cooling system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a system for cooling a battery built into an electric vehicle, and is arranged near the battery inside the electric vehicle and includes a water tank for storing cooling water for cooling the battery, a circulation mechanism for circulating cooling water supplied from external equipment through the battery and the water tank when power is supplied from the external equipment to the battery, a nozzle for spraying the cooling water supplied from the circulation mechanism toward a predetermined location on the body of the electric vehicle, a retractable heat dissipation fin for controlling the transfer of heat between the battery and the water tank, and a control unit for controlling each operation of the circulation mechanism and the nozzle and the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fin.

[0006] An electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the vehicle battery cooling system according to the above-described one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the vehicle battery cooling system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a flow chart showing an example of the operation following FIG. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in the following order. 1. Embodiment (Example of a system for charging and cooling a battery in an electric vehicle) 2. Variations

[0009] <1. Preferred embodiment> [composition] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an electric vehicle (electric vehicle 1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HEV).

[0010] The electric vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 10, a battery 11, a connection unit 12, a water tank 13, a circulation mechanism 14, branch flow paths 14a-14c, heat dissipation fins 15, nozzles 16a-16c, temperature sensors 171, 172, and a control unit 18. As shown in Fig. 1, a charging and water supply device 9 is provided as an external facility installed on the ground G near the electric vehicle 1. The electric vehicle 1 is configured to charge (supply electric power P) and supply cooling water W to the battery 11 via a connection cable 90 and a plug 91, as will be described in detail later, between the charging and water supply device 9 and the battery 11.

[0011] The water storage tank 13, the circulation mechanism 14, the heat dissipation fins 15, the nozzles 16a to 16c, and the control unit 18 correspond to a specific example of a "vehicle battery cooling system (a system for cooling a battery built into an electric vehicle)" in the present disclosure. The charging water supply device 9 corresponds to a specific example of an "external facility" in the present disclosure.

[0012] The battery 11 stores the electric power used in the electric vehicle 1, and is configured using various types of secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries.

[0013] 1, the connection part 12 is a part to which a plug 91 is connected. Electric power P is supplied from the charging and water supply device 9 through the connection cable 90 to the electric vehicle 1 via the plug 91 and the connection part 12, and cooling water W is supplied from the charging and water supply device 9 through a flow path in the connection cable 90 to the electric vehicle 1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the water tank 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the battery 11 inside the electric vehicle 1, and is a portion for storing cooling water W for cooling the battery 11.

[0015] The circulation mechanism 4 is a mechanism (circulation flow path) that circulates the cooling water W via the battery 11 and the water tank 13 when power is being supplied from the charging water supply device 9 to the battery 11 (when the battery 11 is being charged) (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 1). Specifically, the circulation mechanism 4 circulates the cooling water W from the connection part 12 (plug 91) to the connection part 12 via the battery 11, heat dissipation fins 15 described below, and the water tank 13.

[0016] The reason why the circulation of the cooling water W is limited to the period during which the battery 11 is charged is to prevent the cooling water W from freezing between the water storage tank 13 and each of the nozzles 16a to 16c (such as the branch flow paths 14a to 14c described below) described later. In other words, the cooling water W is collected in the water storage tank 13 except during the period during which the battery 11 is charged.

[0017] Each of the branch flow paths 14a to 14c is a portion branched off from the circulation mechanism 14 (circulation flow path), and is a flow path that supplies the cooling water W to each of the nozzles 16a to 16c. That is, as shown in Fig. 1, the branch flow path 14a is a flow path that supplies the cooling water W from the circulation mechanism 14 to the nozzle 16a. Similarly, the branch flow path 14b is a flow path that supplies the cooling water W from the circulation mechanism 14 to the nozzle 16b, and the branch flow path 14c is a flow path that supplies the cooling water W from the circulation mechanism 14 to the nozzle 16c.

[0018] The nozzles 16a to 16c are portions that spray the cooling water W supplied from the circulation mechanism 14 through the branch flow paths 14a to 14c to a predetermined location of the vehicle body 10 of the electric vehicle 1. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 16a sprays the cooling water W to an upper portion of the vehicle body 10 (for example, a front window portion or a roof portion). The nozzle 16b sprays the cooling water W to a front portion of the vehicle body 10, and the nozzle 16c sprays the cooling water W to a lower portion of the vehicle body 10. As will be described in detail later, such cooling water W (cooling water W heated as described later) is sprayed to a predetermined location of the vehicle body 10, thereby performing ice melting, snow removal, washing, and the like of the vehicle body 10.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the heat dissipation fin 15 is disposed between the battery 11 and the water tank 13. The heat dissipation fin 15 is a collapsible heat dissipation fin, and is a member that controls the transfer (transfer speed, etc.) of heat (heat Q1, Q2 shown in Fig. 1) between the battery 11 and the water tank 13. Although details will be described later, the setting of the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fin 15 (switching between an open state and a closed state) is controlled by the control unit 18.

[0020] 1, the temperature sensor 171 is a sensor that detects the temperature T1 of the battery 11. The temperature sensor 172 is a sensor that detects the temperature T2 of the cooling water W. Information on the temperatures T1 and T2 detected by the temperature sensors 171 and 172 in this manner is supplied to the control unit 18.

[0021] The control unit 18 is a part that controls various operations in the electric vehicle 1 (such as running operation, charging operation for the battery 11, supplying and circulating operation of the coolant W, and operation of various components) and performs various calculation processes. Specifically, the control unit 18 controls, for example, each operation of the circulation mechanism 14 and the nozzles 16a to 16c, and the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fins 15. More specifically, as will be described in detail later, the control unit 18 controls the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fins 15 in accordance with the magnitude relationship between the temperature T1 of the battery 11 and the temperature T2 of the coolant W.

[0022] In addition, the control unit 18, as will be described in detail later, is configured to control the operation of each of the nozzles 16a to 16c depending on whether information indicating the residence of the user (driver, etc.) of the electric vehicle 1 or information indicating the current location while the electric vehicle 1 is being charged indicates a cold region or a coastal area.

[0023] Such a control unit 18 includes, for example, one or more processors (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that execute programs, and one or more memories communicably connected to these processors. In addition, such memories include, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores processing data, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs.

[0024] [Operation and Effects] Next, with reference to FIG. 1 as well as FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the operation, functions, and effects of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0025] First, in general, when a battery mounted on an electric vehicle is being charged, the temperature of the battery rises due to heat generated during charging. When the battery becomes too hot, there is a risk that deterioration of the battery will progress significantly.

[0026] In this embodiment, as described above, when the battery 11 is being charged from the charging water supply 9, the battery 11 is cooled using cooling water W, thereby suppressing the above-mentioned deterioration of the battery.

[0027] In addition, electric vehicles generally have many parts and harnesses required to drive the electric vehicle under the vehicle body. In particular, the terminals of the harnesses and the mounting parts on the vehicle body are places where dirt easily accumulates. For example, in cold regions and coastal areas, there have been many reported cases where dirt containing chlorides accumulates near the terminals, causing corrosion and resulting in the parts falling off.

[0028] Furthermore, especially in cold regions, electric vehicles require tasks such as defrosting windows and removing snow from the roof, which may prevent the vehicle from starting immediately. In addition, if normal water (fresh water) is used to remove snow, it is likely that the water will freeze. On the other hand, if antifreeze is used in such tasks, it may lead to environmental pollution (soil pollution) if it is simply discharged as it is, since the antifreeze contains chemical substances. Also, especially in the case of HEVs, if snow accumulates on the front grille of the vehicle and blocks the radiator, it may lead to engine overheating. Furthermore, in cold regions, the amount of heating used also increases, which increases the energy used by the battery and leads to a decrease in the driving range.

[0029] (Example of operation) Therefore, in the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, various operations are performed, which will be described in detail below.

[0030] 2A and 2B are each a flow chart showing an example of operation (examples of various control processes by the control unit 18, etc.) in the electrically powered vehicle 1 (vehicle battery cooling system) of the present embodiment.

[0031] In the series of operation examples shown in Figures 2A and 2B, first, the control unit 18 determines whether or not plug charging is in progress (the charging period for the battery 11 is being charged from the charging water supply device 9 via the connection cable 90 and the plug 91) (step S11 in Figure 2A). If it is determined that plug charging is not in progress (step S11: N), the series of operation examples shown in Figures 2A and 2B ends.

[0032] On the other hand, if it is determined that plug charging is in progress (step S11: Y), the control unit 18 then determines whether or not the circulation mechanism 4 is operating normally (step S12). If it is determined that the circulation mechanism 4 is not operating normally (step S12: N), charging of the battery 11 continues without using the cooling water W, and the control unit 18 notifies the user of the electric vehicle 1 of a malfunction of the circulation mechanism 4 (step S13). After that, the series of operational examples shown in Figures 2A and 2B ends.

[0033] On the other hand, when it is determined that the circulation mechanism 4 is operating normally (step S12: Y), the control unit 18 circulates the cooling water W supplied from the charging water supply device 9 via the connection cable 90 and the plug 91 in the electric vehicle 1 using the circulation mechanism 4 (step S14). Next, the control unit 18 determines whether the residence of the user of the electric vehicle 1 is in a cold region or a coastal area (step S15). Note that such information indicating the user's residence may be, for example, information input in advance by the user, or information based on location information using a global positioning system (GPS).

[0034] If it is determined that the user's residence is not in a cold region or a coastal area (step S15: N), the control unit 18 then determines whether the current location when the electric vehicle 1 is being charged is in a cold region or a coastal area (step S16). Note that such information indicating the current location is also based on position information using GPS, for example.

[0035] Here, when it is determined that the current location is not a cold region or a coastal area (step S16: N), the control unit 18 uses the nozzle 16c to inject the cooling water W onto the lower part of the vehicle body 10, thereby performing a cleaning process on the lower part of the vehicle body 10 (step S17 in FIG. 2B). Further, the cooling water W remaining during this cleaning process is drained to the charging water supply device 9 side via the plug 91 and the connection cable 90. Thereafter, the series of operation examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current location is a cold region or a coastal area (step S16: Y), the process proceeds to step S22, which will be described later.

[0036] Also, when it is determined that the user's place of residence is a cold region or a coastal area (step S15: Y), next, the control unit 18 determines whether the temperature T2 of the cooling water W acquired from the temperature sensor 172 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold temperature Tth (T2 ≧ Tth) (step S18).

[0037] Here, when it is determined that the temperature T2 of the cooling water W is lower than the threshold temperature Tth (T2 < Tth) (step S18: N), next, the control unit 18 determines whether the temperature T2 of this cooling water W is equal to or lower than 0°C (T2 ≦ 0°C) (step S19). When it is determined that the temperature T2 of the cooling water W is equal to or lower than 0°C (step S19: Y), the process proceeds to step S22, which will be described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the temperature T2 of the cooling water W exceeds 0°C (T2 > 0°C) (step S19: N), the process proceeds to step S23, which will be described later.

[0038] Also, when it is determined that the temperature T2 of the cooling water W is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature Tth (step S18: Y), next, the control unit 18 determines whether there is a request from the user of the electric vehicle 1 to use warm water (cooling water W heated by the heat of the battery 11) (step S20). Here, when there is no request from the user to use warm water (step S20: N), the process proceeds to step S22, which will be described later.

[0039] On the other hand, if there is a request for hot water from the user (step S20: Y), the control unit 18 uses at least one of the nozzles 16a-16c to supply hot water to the location where such a request is made (the location on the body 10 of the electric vehicle 1 where the request for hot water is made) (step S21). Next, the control unit 18 stores the cooling water W in the water tank 13 (step S22), and then determines whether or not the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance or more in a cold region or a coastal area (step S23 in FIG. 2B).

[0040] Here, if it is determined that the vehicle has not traveled a predetermined distance or more in a cold region or a coastal area (step S23: N), the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance or more in a cold region or a coastal area (step S23: Y), the control unit 18 next determines whether the temperature T1 of the battery 11 acquired from the temperature sensor 171 is higher than the temperature T2 of the cooling water W (T1>T2) (step S24). For convenience, the determination in step S24 excludes cases where the temperatures T1 and T2 are equal to each other (T1=T2).

[0041] Here, if it is determined that the temperature T1 of the battery 11 is higher than the temperature T2 of the cooling water W (T1>T2) (step S24: Y), the control unit 18 controls the open / close state of the collapsible heat dissipation fins 15 as follows. That is, in this case, the control unit 18 controls the heat dissipation fins 15 to open (sets them to the open state and makes the heat dissipation fins 15 stand up), thereby promoting the transfer of heat Q1 from the battery 11 to the cooling water W (step S25). After that, the process proceeds to step S27, which will be described later.

[0042] On the other hand, when it is determined that the temperature T1 of the battery 11 is lower than the temperature T2 of the cooling water W (T1 < T2) (step S24: N), the control unit 18 controls the opening / closing state of the collapsible heat dissipation fins 15 as follows. That is, in this case, the control unit 18 controls the heat dissipation fins 15 to close (set to the closed state and lay down the heat dissipation fins 15) to suppress the transfer of heat Q2 from the cooling water W to the battery 11 (step S26). After that, the process proceeds to step S29 described later.

[0043] Here, in step S27 described above, the control unit 18 determines whether there is a possibility of snow accumulation on a part of the vehicle body 10 of the electric vehicle 1. When it is determined that there is a possibility of snow accumulation on a part of the vehicle body 10 (step S27: Y), the control unit 18 performs the following process using the nozzles 16a, 16b, etc. That is, in this case, the control unit 18 sprays the cooling water W to a predetermined location (a location where there is a possibility of snow accumulation) of the vehicle body 10 to perform ice melting treatment and snow removal treatment at the predetermined location of the vehicle body 10 (step S28). In this case, the series of operation examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are completed as described above.

[0044] On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no possibility of snow accumulation on a part of the vehicle body 10 (step S27: N), the control unit 18 performs the following process using the nozzle 16c. That is, in this case, the control unit 18 sprays the cooling water W to the lower part of the vehicle body 10 to perform a cleaning process on the lower part of the vehicle body 10 (step S29). Also in this case, the series of operation examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are completed as described above.

[0045] (Function and Effect) In this manner, in the electric vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, when power is being supplied from the charging water supply device 9 to the battery 11, the cooling water W supplied from the charging water supply device 9 circulates through the battery 11 and the water storage tank 13 arranged near the battery 11 and storing the cooling water W. As a result, the battery 11 is cooled by the circulation of the cooling water W, and deterioration of the battery 11 is suppressed. In addition, when cooling the battery 11, heat from the battery 11 is transferred to the cooling water W, so there is no need to use antifreeze as the cooling water W, and fresh water can be used. This reduces the cost of the cooling water W, and also avoids environmental pollution (soil pollution) caused by chemical substances contained in the antifreeze, as described above.

[0046] In this embodiment, the cooling water W supplied from the circulation mechanism 4 is sprayed by the nozzles 16a to 16c to the predetermined locations of the vehicle body 10. As a result, when cooling the battery 11, the cooling water W (hot water) warmed by the heat of the battery 11 is sprayed to the predetermined locations of the vehicle body 10, making it possible to perform ice melting, snow removal, cleaning, and the like for the vehicle body 10. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent parts from falling off due to corrosion in the lower part of the vehicle body 10 as described above, and it is possible to defrost the windows as described above and remove snow that has fallen on the roof.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a collapsible heat dissipation fin 15 is provided to control the transfer of heat (heat Q1, Q2) between the battery 11 and the water tank 13. This makes it possible to effectively control the transfer of heat Q1, Q2 between the battery 11 and the water tank 13 depending on the open / closed state of the collapsible heat dissipation fin 15.

[0048] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery 11 while improving convenience and the like.

[0049] Also, in this embodiment, when the temperature T1 of the battery 11 is higher than the temperature T2 of the cooling water W, the heat dissipation fins 15 are controlled to open, and when the temperature T1 of the battery 11 is lower than the temperature T2 of the cooling water W, the heat dissipation fins 15 are controlled to close. Thus, the following results. That is, in the former case (T1 > T2), by opening the heat dissipation fins 15, the transfer of heat Q1 from the battery 11 to the cooling water W can be promoted. On the other hand, in the latter case (T1 < T2), by closing the heat dissipation fins 15, the transfer of heat Q2 from the cooling water W to the battery 11 can be suppressed. Therefore, the transfer of heat Q1 and Q2 between the battery 11 and the water storage tank 13 can be controlled more effectively, and as a result, the cooling efficiency of the battery 11 can be further improved.

[0050] <2. Modification Example> As described above, the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0051] For example, the configurations (type, shape, arrangement, number, etc.) of the respective members in the electric vehicle 1 or the like are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. That is, the configurations of these respective members may be other types, shapes, arrangements, numbers, etc. Specifically, for example, the number of nozzles may not be a plurality (three) as described in the above embodiment, but may be only one, or may be two or four or more. Also, the arrangement position of each nozzle is not limited to the arrangement position described in the above embodiment, and may be arranged at other locations on the vehicle body 10.

[0052] Also, the values, ranges, magnitude relationships, etc. of the various parameters described in the above embodiment are not limited to those described in the above embodiment, and may be other values, ranges, magnitude relationships, etc.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation example (various control processing examples by the control unit, etc.) of the vehicle battery cooling system has been specifically described, but the operation example (control processing example, etc.) is not limited to this. That is, for example, the control processing example, etc. may be performed using another method.

[0054] In addition, the series of processes described in the above embodiments may be performed by hardware (circuits) or software (programs). When performed by software, the software is composed of a group of programs for causing a computer to execute each function. Each program may be, for example, pre-installed in the computer and used, or may be installed in the computer from a network or a recording medium and used.

[0055] Furthermore, the various examples described above may be applied in any combination.

[0056] It should be noted that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...electric vehicle, 10...vehicle body, 11...battery, 12...connection part, 13...water tank, 14...circulation mechanism (circulation flow path), 14a to 14c...branch flow path, 15...heat dissipation fin, 16a to 16c...nozzle, 171, 172...temperature sensor, 18...control part, 9...charging water supply device, 90...connection cable, 91...plug, P...power, W...cooling water, T1, T2...temperature, Tth...threshold temperature, Q1, Q2...heat, G...ground.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a battery built into an electric vehicle, comprising: a water storage tank disposed in the electric vehicle near the battery and storing cooling water for cooling the battery; a circulation mechanism that circulates the cooling water supplied from an external device through the battery and the water storage tank when the external device supplies power to the battery; a nozzle that injects the cooling water supplied from the circulation mechanism to a predetermined location on the vehicle body of the electric vehicle; a collapsible heat dissipation fin that controls heat transfer between the battery and the water storage tank; a control unit that controls each operation of the circulation mechanism and the nozzle and the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fin A vehicle battery cooling system comprising the above components.

2. The control unit: controls the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fin according to the magnitude relationship between the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the cooling water. The vehicle battery cooling system according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit: when the temperature of the battery is higher than the temperature of the cooling water, controls the heat dissipation fin to open; when the temperature of the battery is lower than the temperature of the cooling water, controls the heat dissipation fin to close. The vehicle battery cooling system according to Claim 2.

4. The control unit: controls the operation of the nozzle according to whether information indicating the place of residence of the user of the electric vehicle or information indicating the current location when the electric vehicle is being charged is a cold region or a coastal area. The vehicle battery cooling system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. An electric vehicle is provided with a vehicle battery cooling system for cooling a battery built into the electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle battery cooling system comprises: a water storage tank disposed in the electric vehicle near the battery and storing cooling water for cooling the battery; a circulation mechanism that circulates the cooling water supplied from an external device through the battery and the water storage tank when the external device supplies power to the battery; a nozzle that injects the cooling water supplied from the circulation mechanism to a predetermined location on the vehicle body of the electric vehicle; a collapsible heat dissipation fin that controls heat transfer between the battery and the water storage tank; a control unit that controls each operation of the circulation mechanism and the nozzle and the open / closed state of the heat dissipation fin ​ ​ An electric vehicle having

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