Vehicle heat management system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle heat management system including a heat source unit which can inhibit loss of heat capable of heating air in a passenger compartment.SOLUTION: A vehicle heat management system (10, 10A, 10B) may be arranged in a vehicle front chamber (BR) of a vehicle (11) and includes a hot water pump (31), a refrigerant condenser (22), and a hot water heater (32), and a long structure (18) supporting these devices and having a long shape, and a compressor (21) which supplies a refrigerant. The compressor (21) is arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps with a projection area (R) formed by projecting the refrigerant condenser (22) with reference to a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the long structure (18).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal management system for a vehicle capable of conditioning the air in the vehicle compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] Prior art related to a thermal management system for a vehicle is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This thermal management system for a vehicle is capable of cooling the air in the vehicle compartment by heat exchange with a refrigerant, and is also capable of heating the air in the vehicle compartment by heat exchange with hot water.

[0003] The hot water circuit through which hot water flows is provided with a hot water pump that pumps out the hot water, a refrigerant condenser that exchanges heat between the hot water and a refrigerant, and a hot water heater that can further heat the hot water heated by the refrigerant condenser. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-184446 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When mounting the hot water pump, the refrigerant condenser, and the hot water heater on a vehicle, it is conceivable to unitize them as a heat source unit that serves as a heat source for hot water, for example. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for disposing and fixing the heat source unit on the vehicle, and a specific mounting method on the vehicle is required.

[0006] The refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant condenser is compressed to a high temperature and high pressure by a compressor before flowing into the refrigerant condenser. It is desirable to supply the refrigerant from the compressor to the refrigerant condenser without losing heat of the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant to the outside as much as possible.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal management system for a vehicle including a heat source unit capable of suppressing loss of heat capable of heating air in a vehicle compartment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] First, a vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) that can be arranged inside a vehicle front compartment (BR) of a vehicle (11) that is forward of a vehicle compartment (CR) in which passengers board, a hot water device (30a) including a hot water pump (31) that delivers hot water capable of heating the air to be blown into the vehicle compartment (CR), a refrigerant condenser (22) that performs heat exchange between the hot water and a refrigerant capable of cooling the air to be blown into the vehicle compartment (CR), and a hot water heater (32) that can further heat the hot water heated by the refrigerant condenser (22); a longitudinal structural body (18, 120, 210) supporting the water heating device (30a); a compressor (21) that supplies the refrigerant to the water heating device (30a), the refrigerant condenser (22) and the hot water heater (32) are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210); The vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) is provided, in which the compressor (21) is positioned so as to at least partially overlap with a projection area (R) of the refrigerant condenser (22) based on a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

[0009] Secondly, preferably, the vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to the first aspect, The compressor (21) includes a refrigerant suction port (21b) through which the refrigerant is sucked, and a refrigerant discharge port (21a) through which the refrigerant is discharged. The refrigerant discharge port (21a) is disposed so as to overlap with the projected area (R).

[0010] Thirdly, preferably, the vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to the first or second aspect, a hot water liquid tank (34) for storing a portion of the hot water and separating air bubbles from the hot water; a refrigerant liquid tank (27) that stores a portion of the refrigerant and separates the gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant, the hot water liquid tank (34) and the refrigerant liquid tank (27) are supported by the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210); The hot water liquid tank (34), the hot water pump (31), the refrigerant condenser (22), and the hot water heater (32), are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

[0011] Fourthly, preferably, the vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to any one of the first to third aspects, a battery (49) for storing electric power for running the vehicle (11) can be cooled by cold water cooled by a refrigerant, A cold water pump (41) for pumping the cold water; a cold water cooling expansion device (24) capable of expanding the refrigerant; a cold water cooling heat exchanger (26) for exchanging heat between the refrigerant expanded by the cold water cooling expansion device (24) and the cold water, The chilled water pump (41), the chilled water cooling expansion device (24), and the chilled water cooling heat exchanger (26) are supported by the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

[0012] Fifthly, preferably, the vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, If the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210) supporting the hot water device (30a) is a vehicle heat source unit (17, 17A, 17B), The compressor (21) is connected to the vehicle heat source unit (17, 17A, 17B) via connecting pipes (21c, 21d).

[0013] Sixthly, preferably, the vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, The compressor (21) is supported by the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210). Effect of the Invention

[0014] The present invention can provide a vehicle thermal management system including a heat source unit capable of suppressing loss of heat capable of heating the air in the vehicle compartment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle thermal management system including a vehicle thermal management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle in which the vehicle thermal management system of FIG. 1 can be installed. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of a support portion of the longitudinal structure of the vehicle thermal management system of FIG. 1 and a device supported by the support portion. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a support portion of the elongated structure and a cover member that can be hung from the support portion. FIG. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5A is a plan view of a vehicle heat source unit fixed to a vehicle, and Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a compressor relative to the vehicle heat source unit. [Figure 6] Fig. 6A is a diagram of the heat source unit for a vehicle as seen from the rear, and Fig. 6B is a diagram of the heat source unit for a vehicle as seen from the left side. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a heat source unit for a vehicle according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view of a heat source unit for a vehicle according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of a heat source unit for a vehicle according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] <Example> The embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that left and right refer to the left and right (vehicle width direction) based on the vehicle occupant, and front and rear refer to the front and rear based on the vehicle's traveling direction. In the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left as seen by the occupant, Ri indicates right as seen by the occupant, Up indicates up, and Dn indicates down.

[0017] <Example 1> (Vehicle Thermal Management Systems) Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. A vehicle 11 can be equipped with a vehicle thermal management system 10 capable of conditioning the air in a vehicle compartment CR in which a passenger can ride, and cooling a battery 49 that stores power for running the vehicle 11. For ease of explanation, only a vehicle body 11a, which is the framework of the vehicle 11, is depicted in Figure 2.

[0018] The vehicle thermal management system 10 includes a refrigerant circuit 20 through which a refrigerant capable of cooling the air in the vehicle compartment CR flows, a hot water circuit 30 through which hot water capable of heating the air in the vehicle compartment CR flows, and a cold water circuit 40 through which cold water capable of cooling the battery 49 flows.

[0019] (Refrigerant circuit) The refrigerant circuit 20 includes a compressor 21 that compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure, and a refrigerant condenser 22 that exchanges heat between the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant and hot water. The refrigerant condenser 22 is sometimes called a water condenser. The refrigerant that passes through the refrigerant condenser 22 branches into two.

[0020] One of the branched refrigerants flows into an air refrigerant expansion device 23 capable of expanding the refrigerant. The refrigerant expanded by the air refrigerant expansion device 23 flows into an air-cooling heat exchanger 25 and cools the air passing therethrough. The air cooled by the air-cooling heat exchanger 25 is supplied to the vehicle interior CR as cool air for cooling. The air-cooling heat exchanger 25 is sometimes called an evaporator.

[0021] The other of the branched refrigerants flows into a chilled water cooling expansion device 24 capable of expanding the refrigerant. The refrigerant expanded by the chilled water cooling expansion device 24 flows into a chilled water cooling heat exchanger 26 capable of cooling the chilled water by exchanging heat between the chilled water and the refrigerant. The chilled water cooling heat exchanger 26 is sometimes called a chiller.

[0022] The refrigerant that has passed through the air-cooling heat exchanger 25 and the refrigerant that has passed through the cold water-cooling heat exchanger 26 join together and are then sucked into the compressor 21.

[0023] The refrigerant circuit 20 is provided with a refrigerant liquid tank 27 that stores a portion of the refrigerant and separates the liquid refrigerant from the gaseous refrigerant. In this embodiment, the refrigerant flows out of the refrigerant condenser 22 once, passes through the refrigerant liquid tank 27, and only the liquid refrigerant flows back into the refrigerant condenser 22. By providing the refrigerant condenser 22 and the refrigerant liquid tank 27 in this manner, the liquid refrigerant can be cooled in the refrigerant condenser 22 to increase the degree of supercooling, and the cooling capacity of the air cooling heat exchanger 25 (evaporator) and the cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 (chiller) can be increased. Although not shown, the refrigerant liquid tank 27 may be disposed between the refrigerant condenser 22 and the air refrigerant expansion device 23.

[0024] (hot water circuit) The hot water circuit 30 includes a hot water pump 31 for delivering hot water, the above-mentioned refrigerant condenser 22 for exchanging heat between the hot water and the refrigerant, a hot water heater 32 for further heating the hot water heated by the refrigerant condenser 22, an air heating heat exchanger 33 for heating the air flowing through which the hot water heated by the hot water heater 32 flows, and a hot water liquid tank 34 for storing a part of the hot water that has passed through the air heating heat exchanger 33 and separating air bubbles from the hot water. The air heated by the air heating heat exchanger 33 is supplied to the vehicle interior CR as hot air for heating. The air heating heat exchanger 33 is sometimes called a hot water heater core. The hot water that has passed through the hot water liquid tank 34 flows back into the hot water pump 31. Although not shown, the hot water circuit 30 may be provided with a radiator capable of cooling the hot water by the outside air of the vehicle 11 as necessary.

[0025] (chilled water circuit) The cold water circuit 40 includes a cold water pump 41 that pumps out cold water, the above-mentioned cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 that cools the cold water with a refrigerant, and a battery cooling device 42 that can cool a battery 49 by the cold water cooled by the cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 flowing therethrough. The battery cooling device 42 includes at least a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the battery 49.

[0026] (vehicle) Referring to Fig. 2, the vehicle 11 (vehicle body 11a) includes a dash panel 12 (partition wall) that separates the vehicle interior CR from a vehicle front room BR in front of the vehicle interior CR, a right front side member 13 that is a structural member of the vehicle 11 and is provided at the lower part of the right side of the vehicle front room BR, and a left front side member 14 that is a structural member of the vehicle 11 and is provided at the lower part of the left side of the vehicle front room BR.

[0027] (Rigid parts on the left and right) The vehicle 11 further has a right rigid portion 50 having a predetermined rigidity and provided on the right side of the vehicle front room BR, and a left rigid portion 60 having a predetermined rigidity and provided on the left side of the vehicle front room BR. The left rigid portion 60, the right rigid portion 50, and the left rigid portion 60 are part of the vehicle body 11a, and together with the dash panel 12, form the space of the vehicle front room BR.

[0028] (Right front side panel) The right rigid portion 50 includes a right upper member 51 extending forward from the upper right corner of the dash panel 12, and a right front side panel 52 provided across from the right upper member 51 to the right front side member 13. The right upper member 51 and the right front side panel 52 may be joined to each other, or may be a single member formed integrally.

[0029] (Right suspension tower) The right front side panel 52 has a right suspension tower 53 provided so as to surround a part of the right front suspension (not shown). The right suspension tower 53 has a right tower part 54 extending upward from the right front side member 13, and a right top part 55 provided at the upper end of the right tower part 54 and capable of supporting the upper part of the right front suspension. The right top part 55 has a hole 55a having the same center as the axis of the right front suspension.

[0030] (Left front side panel) The left rigid portion 60 includes a left upper member 61 extending forward from the upper left corner of the dash panel 12, and a left front side panel 62 provided across from the left upper member 61 to the left front side member 14. The left upper member 61 and the left front side panel 62 may be joined to each other, or may be a single member formed integrally.

[0031] (Left suspension tower) The left front side panel 62 has a left suspension tower 63 provided so as to surround a part of the left front suspension (not shown). The left suspension tower 63 has a left tower portion 64 extending upward from the left front side member 14, and a left top portion 65 provided at the upper end of the left tower portion 64 and capable of supporting an upper portion of the left front suspension. The left top portion 65 has a hole 65a having the same center as the axis of the left front suspension.

[0032] (Air conditioning units, heat source units) Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Some of the devices constituting the vehicle thermal management system 10 can be mounted in a unitized state on the vehicle 11. Specifically, the vehicle thermal management system 10 includes an air conditioning unit 16 that can be disposed immediately behind the dash panel 12 in the vehicle compartment CR and can condition the air in the vehicle compartment CR, and a vehicle heat source unit 17 that can be disposed in the vehicle front room BR.

[0033] (Air conditioning unit) The air conditioning unit 16 includes a case 16a that houses an air-cooling heat exchanger 25 (evaporator), an air-heating heat exchanger 33 (hot water heater core), and an air refrigerant expansion device 23.

[0034] (Heat source units for vehicles, hot water equipment) 2 and 3, the vehicle heat source unit 17 includes a hot water pump 31, a refrigerant condenser 22, a hot water heater 32, a hot water liquid tank 34, a refrigerant liquid tank 27, a cold water cooling expansion device 24, a cold water pump 41, a cold water cooling heat exchanger 26, and a longitudinal structure 18 having a longitudinal shape in which these devices are provided.

[0035] Hereinafter, the devices provided on the longitudinal structure 18 will be referred to as supported devices 26-31. The longitudinal structure 18 includes a support 70 that supports the supported devices 26-31, and a cover member 80 that covers the supported devices 26-31.

[0036] (hot water equipment) Referring to Fig. 1, the hot water pump 31, the refrigerant condenser 22, the hot water heater 32, and the hot water liquid tank 34 constitute a hot water device 30a.

[0037] (hot water heater) The hot water heater 32 is a device for further heating the hot water heated by the refrigerant condenser 22, and has at least a tank through which the hot water flows, an electric heater disposed inside the tank capable of heating the hot water, a tank hot water inlet for introducing hot water into the tank, and a tank hot water outlet for discharging hot water from the tank. The hot water heater 32 is sometimes called an electric hot water generating device or a liquid heating device.

[0038] (Support) 3, the support body 70 has a main body portion 70a (support portion) that supports the supported devices 26-31, a first fixing member 56 (first fixing portion) that is provided at an end portion on one side of the main body portion 70a and can be fixed to a right rigid portion 50 of the vehicle 11 with respect to the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the longitudinal structure 18, and a second fixing member 66 (second fixing portion) that is provided at an end portion on the opposite side of the main body portion 70a and can be fixed to a left rigid portion 60 of the vehicle 11 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure 18.

[0039] (Framework) The main body 70a includes two longitudinal skeletal members 71, 71 arranged approximately parallel to each other. Each skeletal member 71 is, for example, a cylindrical metal member, and each has the same length. The interval between the skeletal members 71 is not particularly strictly defined, but it is natural to set the interval slightly wider for the supported devices 26-31 that has the longest dimension in the front-to-rear direction. On the other hand, the interval between the skeletal members 71 may be set so that the supported devices 26-31 protrude forward or backward from the skeletal member 71.

[0040] (Bridge member) A plurality of bridge members 72 are bridged between the two skeletal members 71. Each bridge member 72 is, for example, a metal strip-shaped plate material. Both ends of each bridge member 72 are fixed to the skeletal member 71. The fixing method is, for example, welding or screw fastening. The skeletal member 71 and the bridge member 72 are ladder-shaped as a whole. The skeletal member 71 and the bridge member 72 may be made of any material as long as they have a predetermined strength. As an example, the bridge member 72 is preferably made of the same material as the skeletal member 71. This improves the corrosion resistance of the area where the skeletal member 71 and the bridge member 72 contact each other. Alternatively, the bridge member 72 is preferably made of a material with high insulation properties such as resin. It is possible to suppress a local battery reaction at the area where the skeletal member 71 and the bridge member 72 contact each other, thereby improving the corrosion resistance.

[0041] (Support of supported device by bridge member) Each bridging member 72 is formed with a screw through hole 74 through which a male screw 73 can pass. An upper surface 31b of a case 31a of the hot water pump 31 is formed with a female screw 79 that can be fastened to the male screw 73. The hot water pump 31 can be fixed to the bridging member 72 by overlapping the upper surface 31b of the case 31a of the hot water pump 31 with the lower surface of the bridging member 72 and fastening the female screw 73 that passes through the screw through hole 74 to the male screw 79.

[0042] Similarly, female threads 79 are formed on upper surface 34b of case 34a of hot water liquid tank 34, upper surface 32b of case 32a of hot water heater 32, upper surface 27b of case 27a of refrigerant liquid tank 27, upper surface 24b of case 24a of cold water cooling expansion device 24, upper surface 22b of case 22a of refrigerant condenser 22, upper surface 26b of case 26a of cold water cooling heat exchanger 26, and upper surface 41b of case 41a of cold water pump 41. Each device is fixed to bridge member 72 by male threads 73.

[0043] A plurality of supported devices 26 to 31 may be fixed to a single bridging member 72. The shape of the cases of the supported devices 26 to 31 is not limited to a block shape or a cylindrical shape.

[0044] (First fixing member) The first fixing member 56 includes a rigid first plate material 57. The first plate material 57 includes a plate-like first overlapping portion 57a ​​that can be overlapped with the right top portion 55 of the right suspension tower 53, a first base portion 57c that extends from an edge of the first overlapping portion 57a ​​toward the framework member 71, and two first arms 57b, 57b that extend from both ends of the first base portion 57c in the front-rear direction toward the framework member 71.

[0045] A first semi-cylindrical member 58 is joined to each of the first arm portions 57b. The first arm portions 57b and the first semi-cylindrical members 58 define a first insertion hole 59 into which one end of each of the framework members 71 can be inserted.

[0046] (Second fixing member) The second fixing member 66 includes a rigid second plate member 67. The second plate member 67 includes a plate-like second overlapping portion 67a that can be overlapped with the left top portion 65 of the left suspension tower 63, a second base portion 67c that extends from an edge of the second overlapping portion 67a toward the framework member 71, and two second arms 67b that extend from both ends of the second base portion 67c in the front-rear direction toward the framework member 71.

[0047] A second half-cylinder member 68 is joined to each of the second arm portions 67b. The second arm portions 67b and the second half-cylinder members 68 define second insertion holes 69 into which one end of each of the framework members 71 can be inserted.

[0048] (Bending at base) 3 and 6, the first base portion 57c is bent relative to the first overlapping portion 57a. The second base portion 67c is bent relative to the second overlapping portion 67a. It is to be noted that the first base portion 57c and the second base portion 67c do not have to be bent.

[0049] (Dash panel fixing part) Furthermore, support body 70 has dash panel fixing member 76 (dash panel fixing portion) that can be fixed to intermediate fixing portion 15 provided at the upper end of the front surface of dash panel 12 of vehicle 11, between first fixing member 56 and second fixing member 66 and at the rear. The fixing method is, for example, screw fastening using a male screw and a female screw.

[0050] (Cover material) Please refer to Fig. 4. The cover member 80 is, for example, a box with an entire top surface that is open. In detail, the cover member 80 has a plate-shaped bottom portion 81 that can cover the lower side of the supported devices 26-31, and a peripheral wall portion 82 that extends upward from the entire edge of the bottom portion 81 and can surround the supported devices 26-31 from the sides.

[0051] The peripheral wall portion 82 has a front wall portion 83 extending upward from the front edge of the bottom portion 81 and capable of covering the front of the supported devices 26-31, a rear wall portion 84 extending upward from the rear edge of the bottom portion 81 and capable of covering the rear of the supported devices 26-31, a left wall portion 86 extending upward from the left edge of the bottom portion 81 and capable of covering the left side of the supported devices 26-31, and a right wall portion 85 extending upward from the right edge of the bottom portion 81 and capable of covering the right side of the supported devices 26-31. Note that the cover member 80 is a single member made of resin, but a plurality of plate materials may be prepared and joined together to form a box shape.

[0052] (Hanging the cover using an S-hook) A plurality of hook holes 88 are formed in the upper ends of the front wall portion 83 and the rear wall portion 84 of the cover member 80, aligned along the longitudinal direction. The lower ends of the S-shaped hooks 75 are hooked into the respective hook holes 88, and the upper ends of the S-shaped hooks 75 are hooked onto the framework member 71. With the above configuration, the cover member 80 can be suspended from the framework member 71, and the vehicle heat source unit 17 shown in FIG. 1 is completed. Note that the longitudinal structure 18 may not include the cover member 80, and may be only the support body 70.

[0053] (Method of fixing a vehicle heat source unit to a vehicle body) 2 and 3, a plurality of screw through holes 56b through which male screws 78 can pass are formed in the first overlapping portion 57a ​​of the first fixing member 56. The first fixing member 56 can be fixed by overlapping the first overlapping portion 57a ​​with the right top portion 55 of the right suspension tower 53 of the vehicle 11 and fastening the male screws 78 with the female screws 56b.

[0054] Similarly, a plurality of screw through holes 66b are formed in the second overlapping portion 67a of the second fixing member 66, through which the male screws 78 can pass. The second fixing member 66 can be fixed by overlapping the second overlapping portion 67a with the right top portion 65 of the left suspension tower 63 of the vehicle 11 and fastening the male screws 78 with the female screws 65b.

[0055] (Location of vehicle heat source unit) With the above configuration, the vehicle heat source unit 17 fixed to the vehicle body 11a is disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure 18 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction") is the vehicle width direction.

[0056] (Arrangement of supported devices 26 to 31) 5A, the arrangement of supported devices 26-31 in a plan view looking down on vehicle heat source unit 17 from above will be described. Refrigerant condenser 22, hot water heater 32, and hot water liquid tank 34 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of elongated structure 18.

[0057] In addition, the hot water pump 31 is arranged in line along the longitudinal direction together with the refrigerant condenser 22, the hot water heater 32, and the hot water liquid tank 34. The hot water liquid tank 34 is arranged between the hot water heater 32 and the hot water pump 31.

[0058] The refrigerant condenser 22 may be disposed between the hot water pump 31 and the hot water heater 32. Although the supported devices 26-31 are illustrated as being separated from (not in contact with) the peripheral wall portion 82 of the cover member 80, they may be in contact with the cover member 80.

[0059] (Compressor location) Refer to Fig. 5B. The area where the refrigerant condenser 22 is projected with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in this embodiment) of the longitudinal structure 18 is defined as a projection area R. In other words, the projection area R is an area (space) between a first plane P1 including one end of the refrigerant condenser 22 and a second plane P2 including the opposite end of the refrigerant condenser 22 with respect to the longitudinal direction. The compressor 21 overlaps the projection area R (is located inside the projection area R) and is disposed in front of the vehicle heat source unit 17.

[0060] At least a part of the compressor 21 may overlap the projection region R. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in the embodiment) of the longitudinal structure 18 is not limited to the front-rear direction. The compressor 21 may be disposed above, below, or behind the vehicle heat source unit 17.

[0061] The compressor 21 is preferably disposed in front of the vehicle heat source unit 17. When the vehicle heat source unit 17 is disposed close to the dash panel 12, it is difficult to secure a space for disposing the compressor 21 behind the vehicle heat source unit 17, and it is natural that the compressor 21 is disposed in front.

[0062] Alternatively, the compressor 21 is preferably disposed below the vehicle heat source unit 17. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 may contain lubricating oil, and by disposing the compressor 21 below the vehicle heat source unit 17, it becomes easy to recover the lubricating oil circulating inside the vehicle heat source unit 17 to the compressor 21.

[0063] (Position of compressor suction port and discharge port) The compressor 21 includes a refrigerant suction port 21b that draws in a refrigerant and a refrigerant discharge port 21a that discharges the refrigerant. The refrigerant suction port 21b and the refrigerant discharge port 21a are arranged so as to overlap with the projection area R. The refrigerant suction port 21b and the refrigerant discharge port 21a face rearward and are aligned in the left-right direction, but the orientation and positions of the ports can be changed.

[0064] (Refrigerant condenser orientation) The refrigerant condenser 22 is formed by stacking a plurality of refrigerant condensation plates 28. Although detailed structural description is omitted, at least two types of refrigerant condensation plates 28 are prepared, and by stacking them alternately, a passage through which only the refrigerant passes and a passage through which only hot water passes are formed. The stacking direction of the refrigerant condensation plates 28 is along the width direction (front-rear direction) of the longitudinal structure 18.

[0065] (Direction of heat exchanger for cooling water) The cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 is formed by stacking a plurality of cold water cooling plates 29. Although detailed structural description is omitted, at least two types of cold water cooling plates 29 are prepared, and by stacking them alternately, a passage through which only the refrigerant passes and a passage through which only cold water passes are formed. The stacking direction of the cold water cooling plates 29 is along the width direction (front-rear direction) of the longitudinal structure 18.

[0066] (Height direction arrangement of supported equipment) Refer to Fig. 6A. A plane including the uppermost part 18a located at the top of the longitudinal structure 18 and having a normal direction in the vertical direction is defined as an upper reference plane P3. The supported devices 26-31 are located below the upper reference plane P3. In other words, the supported devices 26-31 do not protrude upward from the longitudinal structure 18. Note that the supported devices 26-31 are illustrated as being separated from (not in contact with) the bottom part 81 of the cover member 80, but may be in contact with the cover member 80.

[0067] (Arrangement of the bottom of the cover member) The bottom portion 81 of the cover member 80 is located lower than the first fixing member 56 and the second fixing member 66 .

[0068] (Plumbing) Referring to Fig. 1, the vehicle heat source unit 17 includes internal connection pipes that connect the supported devices 26-31 to each other, and external connection pipes 91-98 that can connect the supported devices 26-31 to external devices (devices other than the supported devices 26-31). The supported devices 26-31 are separated from each other (the cases of the supported devices 26-31 are not in contact with each other).

[0069] (Hot water pipe location) The external connection pipes 91-98 include a first hot water pipe 91 through which hot water flows toward the air-heating heat exchanger 33 of the vehicle interior CR, and a second hot water pipe 92 through which hot water that has passed through the air-heating heat exchanger 33 of the vehicle interior CR flows. The first hot water pipe 91 is connected to, for example, the hot water heater 32. The second hot water pipe 92 is connected to, for example, the hot water liquid tank 34.

[0070] 6A and 6B. The first hot water pipe 91 and the second hot water pipe 92 pass through a piping hole 89 formed in the rear wall portion 84 and are bent in a crank shape. The outlet 91a of the first hot water pipe 91 and the inlet 92a of the second hot water pipe 92 both face rearward and are located below the bottom portion 81 and behind the rear wall portion 84.

[0071] (Position of refrigerant pipe) Referring to Fig. 1, the external connection pipes 91-98 include a first refrigerant pipe 93 through which the refrigerant that has passed through the refrigerant liquid tank 27 flows toward the air-cooling heat exchanger 25, and a second refrigerant pipe 94 through which the refrigerant that has passed through the air-cooling heat exchanger 25 flows.

[0072] 6A and 6B, the first refrigerant pipe 93 and the second refrigerant pipe 94 pass through a piping hole 89 formed in the rear wall portion 84 and are bent in a crank shape. An outlet 93a of the first refrigerant pipe 93 and an inlet 94a of the second refrigerant pipe 94 face rearward and are located lower than the bottom portion 81 and rearward than the rear wall portion 84.

[0073] (Position of cold water pipe) Referring to Fig. 1, the external connection pipes 91-98 include a first cold water pipe 95 through which cold water that has passed through the cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 flows toward the battery 49, and a second cold water pipe 96 through which cold water that has passed through the battery cooling device 42 flows.

[0074] The first cold water pipe 95 and the second cold water pipe 96 pass through a piping hole 89 formed in the bottom 81. See Figures 6A and 6B. An outlet 95a of the first cold water pipe 95 and an inlet 96a of the second cold water pipe 96 face downward and are located below the bottom 81.

[0075] (Connection pipe position) 5B, the external connecting pipes 91-98 include a suction side connecting pipe 97 having an outlet 97a connectable to the refrigerant suction port 21b, and a discharge side connecting pipe 98 having an inlet 98a connectable to the refrigerant discharge port 21a. The outlet 97a of the suction side connecting pipe 97 and the inlet 98a of the discharge side connecting pipe 98 both face forward.

[0076] (First effect) Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. A vehicle thermal management system 10 has a vehicle heat source unit 17 that can be arranged inside a vehicle front room BR of a vehicle 11, which is forward of a vehicle compartment CR in which passengers board.

[0077] The vehicle heat source unit 17 is equipped with a hot water device 30a including a hot water pump 31 that delivers hot water capable of heating the air to be blown into the vehicle compartment CR, a refrigerant condenser 22 that performs heat exchange between the hot water and a refrigerant capable of cooling the air to be blown into the vehicle compartment CR, and a hot water heater 32 that can further heat the hot water heated by the refrigerant condenser 22.

[0078] Furthermore, the vehicle heat source unit 17 includes a longitudinal structure 18 that supports the hot water device 30a. The hot water pump 31, the refrigerant condenser 22, and the hot water heater 32 are arranged in line in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure 18. That is, the longitudinal structure 18 is used as a member that supports the hot water pump 31, the refrigerant condenser 22, and the hot water heater 32. These devices 31, 22, and 32 are unitized as the vehicle heat source unit 17, and can be easily installed in the vehicle 11.

[0079] Please refer to Fig. 5B. The vehicle thermal management system 10 (see Fig. 1) includes a compressor 21 that supplies refrigerant to the hot water device 30a. The compressor 21 is arranged so as to overlap with a projection area R onto which the refrigerant condenser 22 is projected, based on a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure 18 (the front-rear direction in this embodiment). In other words, the compressor 21 is arranged near the refrigerant condenser 22. The refrigerant can be supplied to the refrigerant condenser 22 without losing heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, and loss of heat from the refrigerant can be suppressed.

[0080] With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle thermal management system 10 including a vehicle heat source unit 18 that can suppress the loss of heat that can heat the air in the vehicle compartment CR. Note that the entire compressor 21 may overlap the projection area R, or a part of the compressor 21 may overlap the projection area R.

[0081] (Second effect) The compressor 21 includes a refrigerant suction port 21b that draws in a refrigerant and a refrigerant discharge port 21a that discharges the refrigerant. The refrigerant discharge port 21a is arranged to overlap with the projection area R. Since the refrigerant discharge port 21a is also arranged near the refrigerant condenser 22, heat loss can be suppressed.

[0082] (Third Effect) Please refer to Fig. 5A. The vehicle thermal management system 10 (see Fig. 1) includes a hot water liquid tank 34 that stores a portion of the hot water and separates air bubbles from the hot water, and a refrigerant liquid tank 27 that stores a portion of the refrigerant and separates gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant. The hot water liquid tank 34 and the refrigerant liquid tank 27 are supported by a longitudinal structure 18. That is, the hot water liquid tank 34 and the refrigerant liquid tank 27 are also unitized as a vehicle heat source unit 17, and the hot water liquid tank 34 and the refrigerant liquid tank 27 are also unitized as part of the vehicle heat source unit 17, which allows for good installation in the vehicle 11.

[0083] Furthermore, the hot water liquid tank 34 is arranged in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the longitudinal structure 18 together with the hot water pump 31, the refrigerant condenser 22, and the hot water heater 32. This makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the vehicle heat source unit 17 in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0084] (Fourth Effect) Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The vehicle thermal management system 10 can cool a battery 49 that stores power for driving the vehicle 11 with cold water cooled by a refrigerant, and includes a cold water pump 41 that pumps out cold water, a cold water cooling expansion device 24 that can expand the refrigerant, and a cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant expanded by the cold water cooling expansion device 24 and the cold water. The cold water pump 41, the cold water cooling expansion device 24, and the cold water cooling heat exchanger 26 are supported by a longitudinal structure 18. The devices 41, 24, and 26 for cooling the battery 49 are also unitized as part of the vehicle heat source unit 17, and can be easily installed in the vehicle 11.

[0085] (Fifth Effect) Refer to FIG. 5B. The compressor 21 is connected to the vehicle heat source unit 17 via the connection pipes 21c and 21d. In detail, the connection pipe 21c connects the refrigerant discharge port 21a and the inlet 98a of the discharge side connection pipe 98. The connection pipe 21d connects the refrigerant suction port 21b and the outlet 97a of the suction side connection pipe 97. That is, the compressor 21 is not unitized, but is provided in the vehicle front room BR separately from the vehicle heat source unit 17. Even if the compressor 21 generates minute vibrations, the vibrations are prevented from being transmitted to the vehicle heat source unit 17, and the quietness of the vehicle thermal management system 10 can be improved.

[0086] <Example 2> 7 and 8 are referenced. A description will be given of a vehicle heat source unit 17A of a vehicle thermal management system 10A of the embodiment 2. The same reference numerals as in the embodiment 1 are used for the components common to the vehicle thermal management system 10 of the embodiment 1, and the description will be omitted.

[0087] (Longitudinal structure) The vehicle heat source unit 17A includes a longitudinal structural body 120 on which the supported devices 26-31 are provided. The longitudinal structural body 120 is in the shape of a longitudinal box whose entire upper surface is open, and includes a support portion 120a that supports the supported devices 26-31, and a first fixing portion 130 and a second fixing portion 140 provided on both ends of the support portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0088] (Support part) The support portion 120a has a plate-shaped bottom portion 121 extending in the longitudinal direction and capable of covering the lower portion of the supported devices 26-31, and a peripheral wall portion 122 extending upward from the entire edge of the bottom portion 121 and surrounding the supported devices 26-31.

[0089] The peripheral wall portion 122 has a front wall portion 123 extending upward from the front edge of the bottom portion 121 and capable of covering the front of the supported devices 26-31, a rear wall portion 124 extending upward from the rear edge of the bottom portion 121 and capable of covering the rear of the supported devices 26-31, a left wall portion 126 extending upward from the left edge of the bottom portion 121 and capable of covering the left side of the supported devices 26-31, and a right wall portion 125 extending upward from the right edge of the bottom portion 121 and capable of covering the right side of the supported devices 26-31.

[0090] (1st fixed part) The first fixing portion 130 is a plate-like portion having a first overlapping portion 131 that can be overlapped with the right top portion 55 (see FIG. 2), and a first base portion 132 that connects the edge of the first overlapping portion 131 and the upper edge of the right wall portion 125. The first base portion 132 is bent with respect to the first overlapping portion 131.

[0091] (Second fixed part) The second fixing portion 140 is a plate-like portion having a second overlapping portion 141 that can be overlapped with the left apex portion 65 (see FIG. 2) and a second base portion 142 that connects the edge of the second overlapping portion 141 and the upper edge of the left wall portion 126. The second base portion 142 is bent with respect to the second overlapping portion 141.

[0092] All the above-mentioned parts 121-126, 130-132, 140-142 are continuously formed of the same material (for example, resin). The longitudinal structure 120 is a single member. This allows the longitudinal structure 120 to be manufactured by injection molding, facilitating production. Alternatively, if it is possible to manufacture the longitudinal structure 120 by injection molding, it may be formed in layers of multiple members. By injection molding the longitudinal structure 120 in layers together with a material that can improve strength, it is possible to reinforce the entire longitudinal structure 120. Alternatively, it may be formed by connecting multiple different members using a well-known two-color molding technique. By two-color molding the first base portion 132 and the second base portion 142 using a material that is more flexible than the support portion 120a, the influence on the rigidity of the vehicle 11 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0093] (Method of supporting supported device) Please refer to Figures 7 and 8. The supported devices 26 to 31 are supported on the longitudinal structure by screw fastening, as in the first embodiment. A screw through hole is formed in the bottom 121, through which the male screw 101 can pass. A female screw is formed in the lower surface 31c of the hot water pump 31, through which the male screw 101 can be fastened. The hot water pump 31 can be fixed to the bottom 121 by placing the lower surface 31c of the hot water pump 31 on the upper surface 121a of the bottom 121 and fastening the male screw 101 that has passed through the screw through hole.

[0094] Similarly, the underside 34c of the hot water liquid tank 34, the underside 32c of the hot water heater 32, the underside 27c of the refrigerant liquid tank 27, the underside 22c of the refrigerant condenser 22, the underside 26c of the cold water cooling heat exchanger 26, and the underside 41c of the cold water pump 41 are each formed with a female thread (not shown) and fixed by a male thread 101.

[0095] (Arrangement of supported equipment) The supported devices 26-31 are all housed in the elongated structure 120. In other words, the supported devices 26-31 do not protrude upward from the edge of the opening of the box. Note that the supported devices 26-31 may protrude from the opening of the box.

[0096] The elongated structure 120 is preferably provided with a drain hole (not shown) at any position of the plate-like bottom 121. When water or other liquid components are unintentionally accumulated inside the elongated structure 120, they can be effectively drained.

[0097] <Example 3> 9, a description will be given of a vehicle heat source unit 17B of a vehicle thermal management system 10B according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] The longitudinal structure 210 of the heat source unit 17B has a bottom extension 212 extending forward from a part of a front edge 211a of the bottom 211 of the main body 210. The bottom extension 212 supports the compressor 21 by a male screw 101 that fastens to a female screw formed on the lower surface of the compressor 21. The bottom extension 212 has an extension side wall 213 that extends upward from the edge of the bottom extension 212. The extension side wall 213 surrounds the compressor 21 except for the rear, and is connected to the front wall 123. Note that the portion that supports the compressor 21 is not limited to the bottom extension 212.

[0099] (Sixth Effect) As described above, the compressor 21 is supported by the longitudinal structure 210. That is, the compressor 21 is unitized as a part of the heat source unit 17B for a vehicle, and the heat source unit 17B for a vehicle can be favorably mounted on the vehicle 11.

[0100] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the examples.

[0101] For example, the refrigerant circuit 20 has been described as one in which the refrigerant that has passed through the refrigerant condenser 22 branches into two, but it may also be one in which the refrigerant does not branch and flows into the air-cooling heat exchanger 25. In this case, the vehicle heat source unit 17 does not include the cold water cooling expansion device 24, the cold water cooling heat exchanger 26, or the cold water pump 41. This vehicle heat source unit 17 does not include a function of cooling the battery 49, but still has a function of supplying refrigerant to the air-cooling heat exchanger 25 and a function of supplying hot water to the air-heating heat exchanger 33. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10, 10A, 10B... Thermal management system for vehicle 11…vehicle, 11a…car body 17, 17A, 17B...Heat source unit for vehicle 18,120,210…Longitudinal structure 21...Compressor 21a…Refrigerant discharge port 21b...Refrigerant suction port 21c, 21d...Connecting pipe 22...Refrigerant condenser 24...Expansion device for cooling water 26...Heat exchanger for chilled water cooling 27... Refrigerant liquid tank 30a…Hot water device 31…Hot water pump 32…Hot water heater 34…Hot water liquid tank 41…Cold water pump 49…Battery CR…Car interior BR: Vehicle front room R…Projection area

Claims

1. A vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) that can be arranged inside a vehicle front room (BR) of a vehicle (11) that is forward of a passenger compartment (CR) in which passengers board, a hot water device (30a) including a hot water pump (31) that delivers hot water capable of heating the air to be blown into the vehicle compartment (CR), a refrigerant condenser (22) that performs heat exchange between the hot water and a refrigerant capable of cooling the air to be blown into the vehicle compartment (CR), and a hot water heater (32) that can further heat the hot water heated by the refrigerant condenser (22); A longitudinal structural body (18, 120, 210) supporting the hot water device (30a); a compressor (21) that supplies the refrigerant to the hot water device (30a), The refrigerant condenser (22) and the hot water heater (32) are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210), The compressor (21) is positioned so as to at least partially overlap with a projection area (R) of the refrigerant condenser (22) based on a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

2. The compressor (21) includes a refrigerant suction port (21b) that draws in the refrigerant and a refrigerant discharge port (21a) that discharges the refrigerant, The vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant discharge port (21a) is arranged so as to overlap with the projection area (R).

3. a hot water liquid tank (34) for storing a portion of the hot water and separating air bubbles from the hot water; a refrigerant liquid tank (27) that stores a portion of the refrigerant and separates the gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant, The hot water liquid tank (34) and the refrigerant liquid tank (27) are supported by the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210), The vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to claim 1, wherein the hot water liquid tank (34) is arranged in line with the hot water pump (31), the refrigerant condenser (22), and the hot water heater (32) in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

4. A battery (49) that stores electric power for driving the vehicle (11) can be cooled by cold water cooled by a refrigerant, A cold water pump (41) for pumping the cold water; A cold water cooling expansion device (24) capable of expanding the refrigerant; a cold water cooling heat exchanger (26) for exchanging heat between the refrigerant expanded by the cold water cooling expansion device (24) and the cold water, 4. The vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) of claim 3, wherein the cold water pump (41), the cold water cooling expansion device (24), and the cold water cooling heat exchanger (26) are supported on the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

5. If the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210) supporting the hot water device (30a) is a vehicle heat source unit (17, 17A, 17B), The vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the compressor (21) is connected to the vehicle heat source unit (17, 17A, 17B) via a connecting pipe (21c, 21d).

6. The vehicle thermal management system (10, 10A, 10B) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the compressor (21) is supported by the longitudinal structure (18, 120, 210).

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