Switching device and heat management system

Abstract

To provide a switching device capable of securing the number of modes switchable with a single drive part.SOLUTION: A switching device 200 comprises a first five-way switching part 210, a second five-way switching part 220, and a driving unit 230. The first five-way switching part 210 includes a first switching plate 216, and the second five-way switching part 220 includes a second switching plate 226. The driving unit 230 has: a first gear part 232 capable of driving the first switching plate; a second gear part 234 capable of driving the second switching plate; and a drive part 236 for driving the first gear part and the second gear part. A gear ratio of the first gear part 232 relative to the second gear part 234 is 2 or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to switching devices and thermal management systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-154767 discloses a thermal management system including a first thermal circuit including a battery, a PCU, etc., a second thermal circuit having a function of mainly cooling the air in the vehicle cabin, and a third thermal circuit having a function of mainly heating the air in the vehicle cabin. Each circuit is provided with a switching valve for switching the flow path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-154767 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the thermal management circuit described in JP 2021-154767 A, by providing multiple flow path switching units (switching valves, etc.), it becomes possible to drive the thermal management circuit in multiple modes. In order to increase the number of switchable modes, it is possible to drive multiple flow path switching units independently, but doing so would require the same number of drive units (motors, etc.) as the number of flow path switching units.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a switching device and a thermal management system that can ensure a number of switchable modes with a single drive unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A switching device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a switching device that can be provided in a thermal management circuit, and includes a first five-way switching section, a second five-way switching section, and a drive unit that drives the first five-way switching section and the second five-way switching section, wherein the first five-way switching section includes a first switching plate and the second five-way switching section includes a second switching plate, the drive unit has a first gear section capable of driving the first switching plate, a second gear section capable of driving the second switching plate, and a drive section that drives the first gear section and the second gear section, and a gear ratio of the first gear section to the second gear section is 2 or greater.

[0007] A thermal management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a thermal management system provided in an electrical device, and includes the switching device, a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path through which a heat medium can flow, a power storage device that performs heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the first flow path, a drive device that performs heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the second flow path and supplies driving force to the electrical device, a radiator provided in the third flow path, and a chiller provided in the fourth flow path, and the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit in the switching device are capable of switching the connection states of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a switching device and a thermal management system that can ensure a sufficient number of switchable modes with a single drive unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a thermal management circuit including a switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a switching device. [Diagram 3]Fig. 3(A) is a schematic diagram showing a first mode of the thermal management circuit, Fig. 3(B) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first five-way switch in the first mode, and Fig. 3(C) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second five-way switch in the first mode. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(A) is a schematic diagram showing a second mode of the thermal management circuit, Fig. 4(B) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first five-way switch in the second mode, and Fig. 4(C) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second five-way switch in the second mode. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5(A) is a schematic diagram showing a third mode of the thermal management circuit, Fig. 5(B) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first five-way switch in the third mode, and Fig. 5(C) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second five-way switch in the third mode. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(A) is a schematic diagram showing a fourth mode of the thermal management circuit, Fig. 6(B) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first five-way switch in the fourth mode, and Fig. 6(C) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second five-way switch in the fourth mode. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(A) is a schematic diagram showing a fifth mode of the thermal management circuit, Fig. 7(B) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first five-way switching unit in the fifth mode, and Fig. 7(C) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second five-way switching unit in the fifth mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a thermal management circuit including a switching device in an embodiment of the present disclosure. This thermal management circuit 1 is preferably applied to an electric device. An example of the electric device is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery 173 for driving. The electric vehicle is, for example, an electric automobile (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle). The electric vehicle may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). However, the use of the thermal management circuit 1 in the present disclosure is not limited to vehicles.

[0012] <Overall composition>

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a thermal management circuit. The thermal management circuit 1 is configured so that a medium (such as water) for transferring heat flows through it. The thermal management circuit 1 includes, for example, a high-temperature circuit 110, a radiator 120, a low-temperature circuit 130, a condenser 140, a refrigeration cycle 150, a chiller 160, a battery circuit 170, and a switching device 200.

[0014] The high-temperature circuit 110 includes a water pump (W / P) 111, an electric heater 112, a three-way valve 113, a heater core 114, a reservoir tank (R / T) 115, a flow path 110a connecting the water pump 111, the electric heater 112, the three-way valve 113, the reservoir tank 115, and the water pump 111 in this order, a flow path 110b connecting the three-way valve 113, the heater core 114, and the reservoir tank 115 in this order, and a heat medium (water, etc.) not shown.

[0015] The water pump 111 sends the heat medium flowing out from the reservoir tank 115 toward the electric heater 112. The electric heater 112 heats the heat medium. The heater core 114 heats the air to be supplied to a vehicle interior (not shown) of the electric vehicle by the heat medium. The reservoir tank 115 maintains the pressure and amount of the heat medium in the high-temperature circuit 110 by storing a portion of the heat medium in the high-temperature circuit 110.

[0016] 1, the high-temperature circuit 110 is provided with a high-temperature radiator 121 and a condenser 140. The high-temperature radiator 121 is provided in a portion of the flow path 110a downstream of the three-way valve 113 and upstream of the reservoir tank 115. The high-temperature radiator 121 exchanges heat between the heat medium and outside air. The condenser 140 is provided in a portion of the flow path 110a downstream of the water pump 111 and upstream of the electric heater 112. The condenser 140 exchanges heat between the heat medium and a working medium in the refrigeration cycle 150 (such as water or a medium with a boiling point lower than that of water).

[0017] The three-way valve 113 switches the flow path of the heat medium so that the heat medium flows through at least one of the first path and the second path. The first path is a path through which the heat medium circulates through the water pump 111, the condenser 140, the electric heater 112, the three-way valve 113, the high-temperature radiator 121, the reservoir tank 115, and the water pump 111 in this order. The second path is a path through which the heat medium circulates through the water pump 111, the condenser 140, the electric heater 112, the three-way valve 113, the heater core 114, the reservoir tank 115, and the water pump 111 in this order.

[0018] The low temperature circuit 130 includes, for example, a water pump 131, an electricity supply unit (ESU: Electricity Supply Unit) 132, a power control unit (PCU: Power Control Unit) 133, an oil cooler (O / C) 134, a transaxle 135, a reservoir tank 136, circulation paths 130a, 130b connecting the water pump 131, the ESU 132, the PCU 133, the oil cooler 134, and the reservoir tank 136 in this order, and a heat medium (water, etc.) not shown.

[0019] The water pump 131 sends the heat medium flowing out from the reservoir tank 136 to the ESU 132. The ESU 132 controls charging and discharging of the battery 173. The PCU 133 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 173 into AC power and supplies the AC power to a motor (not shown) built into the transaxle 135. The oil cooler 134 circulates the lubricating oil of the motor using an electric oil pump (not shown). The oil cooler 134 cools the lubricating oil by exchanging heat between the heat medium flowing through the circulation flow path and the lubricating oil. This cools the transaxle 135. The ESU 132, the PCU 133, and the oil cooler 134 are cooled by the heat medium flowing through the circulation flow path. The reservoir tank 136 maintains the pressure and amount of the heat medium in the low-temperature circuit 130 by storing a part of the heat medium in the low-temperature circuit 130.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the low-temperature circuit 130 is provided with a low-temperature radiator 122. The low-temperature radiator 122 is provided in a portion of the circulation paths 130a, 130b downstream of the oil cooler 134 and upstream of the reservoir tank 136. The low-temperature radiator 122 is disposed in the vicinity of the high-temperature radiator 121. The heat medium flowing in the low-temperature radiator 122 exchanges heat with the heat medium flowing in the high-temperature radiator 121. As shown in Fig. 1, the high-temperature radiator 121 and the low-temperature radiator 122 configure a single radiator 120. In other words, the radiator 120 is connected to (i.e., shared by) both the high-temperature circuit 110 and the low-temperature circuit 130.

[0021] The refrigeration cycle 150 is connected to the condenser 140 and the chiller 160. The refrigeration cycle 150 includes a compressor 151, an expansion valve 152, an evaporator 153, an evaporative pressure regulator (EPR) 154, an expansion valve 155, and a working medium (not shown) (such as water or a medium having a boiling point lower than that of water).

[0022] The compressor 151 compresses the working medium. The condenser 140 condenses the working medium by exchanging heat between the gas-phase working medium discharged from the compressor 151 and the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature circuit 110. The expansion valves 152 and 155 expand the working medium flowing out of the condenser 140. The evaporator 153 evaporates the working medium by exchanging heat between the working medium flowing out of the expansion valve 152 and air supplied to the vehicle interior of the electric vehicle. The evaporation pressure regulating valve 154 regulates the pressure of the working medium flowing out of the evaporator 153. The chiller 160 evaporates the working medium by exchanging heat between the working medium flowing out of the expansion valve 155 and the heat medium flowing through the battery circuit 170. The gas-phase working medium flowing out of the evaporation pressure regulating valve 154 and the chiller 160 flows into the compressor 151.

[0023] The battery circuit 170 includes, for example, a water pump 171, an electric heater 172, a battery 173, and circulation paths 170a and 170b that connect the water pump 171, the electric heater 172, and the battery 173 in this order. The battery 173 is an example of a "power storage device" in this disclosure.

[0024] The water pump 171 circulates the heat medium in the battery circuit 170. The electric heater 172 heats the heat medium circulating in the circulation flow path. The battery 173 supplies electric power for traveling to a motor built into the transaxle. The battery 173 can be heated by the electric heater 172 or cooled by the chiller 160.

[0025] 1, a chiller 160 is connected to the battery circuit 170. The chiller 160 is connected to a portion of the circulation paths 170a, 170b that is downstream of the water pump 171 and upstream of the electric heater 172. The chiller 160 cools the heat medium circulating through the battery circuit 170 by exchanging heat between the working medium circulating through the refrigeration cycle 150 and the heat medium circulating through the battery circuit 170.

[0026] The switching device 200 is connected to the low temperature circuit 130 and the battery circuit 170. The switching device 200 includes a first five-way switching unit 210, a second five-way switching unit 220, a connecting flow path 200a, and a drive unit 230.

[0027] The first five-way switching unit 210 has five ports P1 to P5. The second five-way switching unit 220 has five ports P6 to P10. In this embodiment, the first five-way switching unit 210 and the second five-way switching unit 220 are each configured with a five-way valve.

[0028] 1, the first five-way switching unit 210 is connected to a portion of the circulation flow path in the low-temperature circuit 130 that is downstream of the oil cooler 134 and upstream of the low-temperature radiator 122, and to a portion of the circulation flow path in the battery circuit 170 that is downstream of the chiller 160 and upstream of the electric heater 172. The second five-way switching unit 220 is connected to a portion of the circulation flow path in the low-temperature circuit 130 that is downstream of the low-temperature radiator 122 and upstream of the reservoir tank 136, and to a portion of the circulation flow path in the battery circuit 170 that is downstream of the battery 173 and upstream of the water pump 171.

[0029] By connecting each of the five-way switching units 210, 220 to the low-temperature circuit 130 and the battery circuit 170, the circulation flow path in the low-temperature circuit 130 is divided into a flow path 130a that connects the first five-way switching unit 210, the low-temperature radiator 122, and the second five-way switching unit 220 in this order, and a flow path 130b that connects the second five-way switching unit 220, the reservoir tank 136, the water pump 131, the ESU 132, the PCU 133, the oil cooler 134, and the first five-way switching unit 210 in this order. The flow path 130b is in thermal contact with the ESU 132, the PCU 133, and the oil cooler 134. The flow path 130a is an example of a "third flow path" in the present disclosure, and the flow path 130b is an example of a "second flow path" in the present disclosure.

[0030] By connecting each of the five-way switching units 210, 220 to the low-temperature circuit 130 and the battery circuit 170, the circulation flow path in the battery circuit 170 is divided into a flow path 170a that connects the second five-way switching unit 220, the water pump 171, the chiller 160, and the first five-way switching unit 210 in this order, and a flow path 170b that connects the first five-way switching unit 210, the electric heater 172, the battery 173, and the second five-way switching unit 220 in this order. The flow path 170b is in thermal contact with the battery 173. Note that the flow path 170a is an example of a "fourth flow path" in the present disclosure, and the flow path 170b is an example of a "first flow path" in the present disclosure.

[0031] The switching device 200 is capable of switching the connection state of the flow path 170b (first flow path), the flow path 130b (second flow path), the flow path 130a (third flow path), and the flow path 170a (fourth flow path).

[0032] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the switching device. As shown in FIG. 2, the first five-way switching unit 210 has a bottom body 212, a top body 214, and a first switching plate 216.

[0033] The bottom body 212 has three spaces S2, S3, and S5, and has a shape that opens these three spaces S2, S3, and S5 upward. Specifically, the bottom body 212 has a bottom wall 212a, an outer peripheral wall 212b, an inner peripheral wall 212c, and a partition wall 212d.

[0034] The bottom wall 212a is formed in a disk shape. An insertion hole for inserting a first shaft (not shown) is formed in the center of the bottom wall 212a.

[0035] The outer peripheral wall 212b stands upright from the periphery of the bottom wall 212a. The outer peripheral wall 212b is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second port P2, the third port P3, and the fifth port P5 are connected to the outer peripheral wall 212b.

[0036] The inner peripheral wall 212c stands up from a portion of the bottom wall 212a surrounding the insertion hole. The inner peripheral wall 212c is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first shaft is inserted into the inner peripheral wall 212c.

[0037] The partition wall 212d partitions the space between the outer peripheral wall 212b and the inner peripheral wall 212c into three spaces, namely, a second space S2, a third space S3, and a fifth space S5. The second space S2 is a space connected to the second port P2. The third space S3 is a space connected to the third port P3. The fifth space S5 is a space connected to the fifth port P5. The second space S2, the third space S3, and the fifth space S5 are arranged to be aligned in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall 212b.

[0038] The top body 214 has two spaces S1 and S4 and has a shape that opens these two spaces S1 and S4 downward. Specifically, the top body 214 has a top wall 214a, an outer peripheral wall 214b, an inner peripheral wall 214c, and a partition wall 214d.

[0039] The top wall 214a is formed in a disk shape. An insertion hole h14 for inserting the first shaft is formed in the center of the top wall 214a.

[0040] The outer peripheral wall 214b extends downward from the peripheral edge of the top wall 214a. The outer peripheral wall 214b is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first port P1 and the fourth port P4 are connected to the outer peripheral wall 214b.

[0041] The inner peripheral wall 214c extends downward from a portion of the top wall 214a surrounding the insertion hole h14. The inner peripheral wall 214c is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first shaft is inserted into the inner peripheral wall 214c.

[0042] The partition wall 214d partitions the space between the outer peripheral wall 214b and the inner peripheral wall 214c into two spaces, that is, a first space S1 and a fourth space S4. The first space S1 is a space connected to the first port P1. The fourth space S4 is a space connected to the fourth port P4. The fourth space S4 is disposed inside the first space S1 in the radial direction of the outer peripheral wall 214b.

[0043] The first switching plate 216 switches the connection state of the first port P1 to the fifth port P5. The first switching plate 216 is disposed between the bottom body 212 and the top body 214. The first switching plate 216 is formed in a disk shape. A shaft connection part 216a is provided in the center of the first switching plate 216 and is connected to the first shaft so as to rotate together with the first shaft with the first shaft inserted therethrough. The first switching plate 216 is driven by the drive unit 230 via the first shaft. A recessed groove 216b for releasing pressure is formed in the lower surface of the first switching plate 216.

[0044] A first communication port h1 and a fourth communication port h4 are formed in the first switching plate 216. The first communication port h1 is formed at a position of the first switching plate 216 that connects to the first space S1. The fourth communication port h4 is formed at a position of the first switching plate 216 that connects to the fourth space S4. The phase difference between the first communication port h1 and the fourth communication port h4 is set to 210 degrees.

[0045] The second five-way switching portion 220 has a bottom body 222 , a top body 224 , and a second switching plate 226 .

[0046] The bottom body 222 has six spaces S6, S6a, S8, S8a, S10, and S10a, and has a shape that opens these six spaces S6, S6a, S8, S8a, S10, and S10a upward. The structure of the bottom body 222 is similar to that of the bottom body 212. Specifically, the shape of the partition wall 222d of the bottom body 222 is different from the shape of the partition wall 212d of the bottom body 212. The partition wall 222d partitions the space between the outer peripheral wall 222b and the inner peripheral wall 222c into six spaces, that is, the sixth space S6, the tenth opposing space S10a, the eighth space S8, the sixth opposing space S6a, the tenth opposing space S10, and the eighth opposing space S8a. More specifically, the partition wall 222d partitions the space between the outer peripheral wall 222b and the inner peripheral wall 222c so that the sixth space S6, the tenth opposing space S10a, the eighth space S8, the sixth opposing space S6a, the tenth space S10, and the eighth opposing space S8a are arranged in this order in the circumferential direction. The sixth opposing space S6a faces the sixth space S6 across the second shaft (not shown). The eighth opposing space S8a faces the eighth space S8 across the second shaft. The tenth opposing space S10a faces the tenth space S10 across the second shaft. The central angle of the sixth space S6 is set to three times the central angle of the sixth opposing space S6a. This also applies to the eighth space S8 and the tenth space S10.

[0047] A sixth port P6 connected to the sixth space S6, an eighth port P8 connected to the eighth space S8, and a tenth port P10 connected to the tenth space S10 are connected to the outer peripheral wall 222b.

[0048] The top body 224 has two spaces S7 and S9, and has a shape that opens these two spaces S7 and S9 downward. The structure of the top body 224 is the same as the structure of the top body 214. A seventh port P7 connected to the seventh space S7 and a ninth port P9 connected to the ninth space S9 are connected to the outer peripheral wall 224b.

[0049] The second switching plate 226 switches the connection states of the sixth port P6 to the tenth port P10. The structure of the second switching plate 226 is similar to that of the first switching plate 216. The second switching plate 226 is formed with a shaft connection portion 226a, a recessed groove 226b for releasing pressure, a pair of seventh communication ports h7, and a ninth communication port h9.

[0050] Each of the seventh communication ports h7 is formed at a position on the second switching plate 226 that is connected to the seventh space S7. The phase difference between the pair of seventh communication ports h7 is set to 180 degrees. In the example shown in FIG. 2, one of the seventh communication ports h7 communicates the seventh space S7 with the eighth space S8, and the other of the seventh communication ports h7 communicates the seventh space S7 with the eighth opposing space S8a. In this case, the eighth space S8 and the eighth opposing space S8a are connected to each other via the seventh space S7, so that the seventh space S7, the eighth space S8, and the eighth opposing space S8a form a single space. Therefore, the heat medium that flows in from the eighth port P8 flows out from the seventh port P7. The ninth communication port h9 is formed at a position on the second switching plate 226 that is connected to the ninth space S9. The phase difference between each of the seventh communication ports h7 and the ninth communication port h9 is set to 90 degrees.

[0051] The connecting passage 200a connects the second port P2 and the sixth port P6. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the heat medium flows from the second port P2 to the sixth port P6.

[0052] The drive unit 230 drives the first five-way switcher 210 and the second five-way switcher 220. The drive unit 230 has a first gear portion 232, a second gear portion 234, and a single drive portion 236.

[0053] The first gear portion 232 is capable of driving the first switching plate 216. The first gear portion 232 is in mesh with the first shaft. That is, the first gear portion 232 is capable of driving the first switching plate 216 via the first shaft.

[0054] The second gear portion 234 is capable of driving the second switching plate 226. The second gear portion 234 is engaged with the second shaft. That is, the second gear portion 234 is capable of driving the second switching plate 226 via the second shaft. A gear ratio of the first gear portion 232 to the second gear portion 234 is 2 or more. In this embodiment, the gear ratio is set to 2.

[0055] The driving unit 236 drives the first gear portion 232 and the second gear portion 234. An example of the driving unit 236 is a motor. When the driving unit 236 is driven, the first gear portion 232 and the second gear portion 234 are driven integrally and synchronously. In this embodiment, the gear ratio is set to 2, so that when the first shaft and the first switching plate 216 are rotated by a predetermined angle by the driving of the driving unit 236, the second shaft and the second switching plate 226 rotate by twice that angle.

[0056] <Mode> Next, a description will be given of a plurality of modes in the thermal management circuit 1 that are established by switching the switching device 200. The switching of the switching device 200 (driving of the drive unit 236) is performed by a control unit (ECU or the like) not shown.

[0057] [First mode] Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a first mode of the thermal management circuit 1 including the switching device 200. Note that the driving unit 230 is omitted from Fig. 3. This also applies to Fig. 4 and subsequent figures.

[0058] 3(A) to 3(C), in the first mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates the first space S1 with the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates the fourth space S4 with the fifth space S5. Also, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates the seventh space S7 with the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates the ninth space S9 with the sixth space S6.

[0059] In this state, the heat medium flowing from the first port P1 into the first space S1 flows out from the second port P2 via the first communication port h1 and the second space S2. The heat medium flowing out from the second port P2 flows into the sixth space S6 from the sixth port P6 through the connecting flow path 200a, and flows out from the ninth port P9 via the ninth communication port h9 and the ninth space S9. When the refrigeration cycle 150 is in operation, the heat medium flowing out from the ninth port P9 exchanges heat with the working medium flowing through the chiller 160, and then flows toward the fourth port P4. The heat medium flowing into the fourth space S4 from the fourth port P4 flows out from the fifth port P5 via the fourth communication port h4 and the fifth space S5. The heat medium flowing out from the fifth port P5 flows toward the eighth port P8 via the low-temperature radiator 122. The heat medium that flows from the eighth port P8 into the eighth space S8 passes through the seventh communication port h7 and the seventh space S7, and flows out from the seventh port P7.

[0060] That is, in the first mode, as shown in FIG. 3(A), a circuit is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 130b, connecting flow path 200a, flow path 170a, and flow path 130a in this order, and flow path 170b (battery 173) is separated from the circuit.

[0061] [First mode functions] In the first mode, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like, and heat (generated heat) generated by the PCU 133 and the like by reducing the operating efficiency of the PCU 133 and the like can be used to heat the vehicle interior in the electric vehicle. Furthermore, since the battery 173 is separated from the circuit, the battery 173 is prevented from being cooled by the heat medium flowing through the circuit, for example, during the temperature rise of the battery 173, including the self-heating of the battery 173. Excess heat generated by the PCU 133 and the like is released to the outside air by the low-temperature radiator 122. Furthermore, it is also possible to supply the heat collected by the low-temperature radiator 122 to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump).

[0062] [Second mode] 4A to 4C, in the second mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates the first space S1 with the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates the fourth space S4 with the fifth space S5. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates the seventh space S7 with the sixth space S6, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates the ninth space S9 with the eighth space S8.

[0063] In the second mode, as shown in FIG. 4(A), a first circuit 21 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 130b and connecting flow path 200a in this order, and a second circuit 22 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 170a and flow path 130a in this order, and flow path 170b (battery 173) is separated from the first circuit 21 and the second circuit 22.

[0064] The first circuit 21 and the second circuit 22 communicate with each other through the recessed groove 216b. Due to this communication, the pressure in the first circuit 21 and the pressure in the second circuit 22 are equalized without the heat medium passing through the recessed groove 216b.

[0065] [Second mode functions] In the second mode, in the first circuit 21, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like is stored in the heat medium, while in the second circuit 22, heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122 can be supplied to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump). Also, for example, during the temperature rise of the battery 173, including the self-heating of the battery 173, cooling of the battery 173 by the heat medium is suppressed.

[0066] [Third mode] 5A to 5C, in the third mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates the first space S1 with the fifth space S5, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates the fourth space S4 with the second space S2. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates the seventh space S7 with the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates the ninth space S9 with the sixth space S6.

[0067] In the third mode, as shown in FIG. 5(A), a first circuit 31 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 130a and flow path 130b in this order, and a second circuit 32 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 170a and connecting flow path 200a in this order, and flow path 170b (battery 173) is separated from the first circuit 31 and the second circuit 32.

[0068] [Third mode functions] In the third mode, in the first circuit 31, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like is released by the low-temperature radiator 122, and cooling of the battery 173 by the heat medium is suppressed during heating of the battery 173, including self-heating of the battery 173. Note that in the third mode, the water pump 171 may be stopped.

[0069] [Fourth mode] Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the fourth mode of the thermal management circuit 1 including the switching device 200. As shown in Figs. 5(A) to (C), in the third mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates the first space S1 with the third space S3, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates the fourth space S4 with the second space S2. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates the seventh space S7 with the tenth space S10, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates the ninth space S9 with the sixth space S6.

[0070] In the fourth mode, as shown in FIG. 6(A), a first circuit 41 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 130b and flow path 170b in this order, and a second circuit 42 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 170a and connecting flow path 200a in this order, and flow path 130a (low-temperature radiator 122) is separated from the first circuit 41 and the second circuit 42.

[0071] [Fourth mode function] In the fourth mode, in the first circuit 41, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like is utilized to increase the temperature of the battery 173, and the waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like is suppressed from being released to the low-temperature radiator 122. In the fourth mode, the water pump 171 may be stopped.

[0072] [5th ​​mode] 7A to 7C, in the fifth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates the first space S1 with the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates the fourth space S4 with the third space S3. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates the seventh space S7 with the sixth space S6, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates the ninth space S9 with the tenth space S10.

[0073] In the fifth mode, as shown in FIG. 7(A), a first circuit 51 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 130b and connecting flow path 200a in this order, and a second circuit 52 is formed in which the heat medium circulates through flow path 170a and flow path 170b in this order, and flow path 130a (low-temperature radiator 122) is separated from the first circuit 51 and the second circuit 52.

[0074] [5th ​​mode function] In the fifth mode, in the first circuit 51, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like is stored in the heat medium, while in the second circuit 52, heat generated in the battery 173 is released by the chiller 160. Also, heat dissipation in the low-temperature radiator 122 is suppressed.

[0075] [Other Modes] Although not shown in the drawings, the switching device 200 can also switch the thermal management circuit 1 to a mode different from the above modes. Examples of such modes include the following modes.

[0076] [6th mode] In the sixth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates between the first space S1 and the fifth space S5, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates between the fourth space S4 and the third space S3. Also, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates between the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates between the ninth space S9 and the tenth space S10.

[0077] [6th mode function] In the sixth mode, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like is released by the low-temperature radiator 122, and heat generated by the battery 173 is released by the chiller 160.

[0078] [7th mode] In the seventh mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates between the first space S1 and the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates between the fourth space S4 and the third space S3. Also, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates between the seventh space S7 and the tenth space S10, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates between the ninth space S9 and the sixth space S6.

[0079] [7th mode function] In the seventh mode, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like and heat generated by the battery 173 are released by the chiller 160. In addition, when the refrigeration cycle 150 is not operating, the waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like can be used to increase the temperature of the battery 173.

[0080] [8th mode] In the eighth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates between the first space S1 and the third space S3, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates between the fourth space S4 and the fifth space S5. Also, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates between the seventh space S7 and the tenth space S10, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates between the ninth space S9 and the eighth space S8.

[0081] [8th mode function] In the eighth mode, for example, it is possible to utilize waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like to increase the temperature of the battery 173. Also, it is possible to supply heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122 to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump).

[0082] [9th mode] In the ninth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 communicates between the first space S1 and the third space S3, and the fourth communication port h4 communicates between the fourth space S4 and the fifth space S5. Also, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 communicates between the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 communicates between the ninth space S9 and the tenth space S10.

[0083] [9th mode function] In the ninth mode, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like and heat generated by the battery 173 are released by the chiller 160 and the low-temperature radiator 122. It is also possible to supply the heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122, the waste heat from the PCU 133 and the like, and the heat generated by the battery 173 to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump).

[0084] As described above, in the switching device 200 of the present embodiment, the gear ratio of the first gear portion 232 to the second gear portion 234 is 2, and therefore the number of phase combinations of the switching plates 216, 226 is increased. Therefore, the number of modes that can be switched by the single drive portion 236 is ensured.

[0085] The switching device 200 may include the first five-way switching unit 210 and the second five-way switching unit 220 in a single housing. In this case, the connecting flow path 200a may be formed by a groove or a flow path provided in the housing.

[0086] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0087] [Aspect 1] A switching device that can be provided in a thermal management circuit, comprising: A first five-way switch section; A second five-way switch; A drive unit that drives the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit, The first five-way switching portion includes a first switching plate, The second five-way switching portion includes a second switching plate, The drive unit includes: A first gear portion capable of driving the first switching plate; A second gear portion capable of driving the second switching plate; a drive unit that drives the first gear unit and the second gear unit, A switching device, wherein a gear ratio of the first gear portion to the second gear portion is 2 or greater.

[0088] In this switching device, the gear ratio of the first gear portion to the second gear portion is greater than 2, so the number of phase combinations of each switching plate increases. This ensures the number of modes that can be switched by a single drive portion (motor, etc.).

[0089] [Aspect 2] A thermal management system provided in an electrical device, comprising: A switching device according to aspect 1; a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path and a fourth flow path through which a heat transfer medium can flow; an electricity storage device that exchanges heat with the heat medium flowing through the first flow path; a drive device that exchanges heat with the heat medium flowing through the second flow path and supplies a drive force to the electric device; a radiator provided in the third flow path; A chiller provided in the fourth flow path, A thermal management system, wherein the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit in the switching device are capable of switching connection states of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.

[0090] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 thermal management circuit, 110 high temperature circuit, 120 radiator, 121 high temperature radiator, 122 low temperature radiator, 130 low temperature circuit, 132 SPU, 133 PCU, 134 oil cooler, 140 condenser, 150 refrigeration cycle, 160 chiller, 170 battery circuit, 173 battery, 200 switching device, 210 first five-way switching section, 212 bottom body, 214 top body, 216 first switching plate, 220 second five-way switching section, 222 bottom body, 224 top body, 226 second switching plate, 230 drive unit, 232 first gear section, 234 second gear section, 236 drive section, P1~P10 ports, S1~S10 spaces.

Claims

1. A switching device that can be provided in a thermal management circuit, comprising: A first five-way switching section; A second five-way switching section; a drive unit that drives the first five-direction switching unit and the second five-direction switching unit, The first five-way switching portion includes a first switching plate, The second five-way switching portion includes a second switching plate, The drive unit includes: A first gear portion capable of driving the first switching plate; A second gear portion capable of driving the second switching plate; a drive unit that drives the first gear unit and the second gear unit, A switching device, wherein a gear ratio of the first gear portion to the second gear portion is 2 or greater.

2. A thermal management system provided in an electrical device, comprising: A switching device according to claim 1 ; a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path through which a heat transfer medium can flow; an electricity storage device that exchanges heat with the heat medium flowing through the first flow path; a drive unit that performs heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the second flow path and supplies a drive force to the electric device; a radiator provided in the third flow path; A chiller provided in the fourth flow path, A thermal management system, wherein the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit in the switching device are capable of switching connection states of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.

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