Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle which can suppress an undesirable change of a temperature in a cabin while performing the thermal management of a mounted thermal management objective part.SOLUTION: An engine 10 being an object of thermal management is mounted on a vehicle 1. A roof 1 for partitioning the inside and the outside of a cabin 1b is arranged above the cabin 1b. Outer plate side piping 17 and cabin side piping 18 are arranged in an interval between an outer plate of the roof 1c and an interior material. Forward path piping 15 and return path piping 16 in which cooling liquids for cooling the engine 10 flow are connected to the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18. An opening / closing valve 19 is provided between the forward path piping 15 and the outer plate side piping 17, and an opening / closing valve 20 is provided between the forward path piping 15 and the cabin side piping 18. The cabin side piping 18 is arranged closer to a side of the interior material than the outer plate side piping 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicles, and more particularly to configurations relating to thermal management in vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with various components that require heat management. For example, an engine is one example of a thermally managed part in a vehicle. The engine needs to be operated within a predetermined temperature range. The engine is configured to be able to operate within the predetermined temperature range by circulating coolant through a water jacket provided in a cylinder block or a cylinder head, and cooling the warmed coolant in a radiator and returning it.

[0003] Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle with a solar panel disposed on the roof, in which piping (roof piping) is installed below the solar panel on the roof, and the vehicle is configured so that engine coolant can circulate through the roof piping. When the engine is running, the coolant accumulated in the roof piping is returned to the engine, so that the engine can be warmed up quickly by the coolant warmed by the roof. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-3603 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is considered difficult to use the roof piping to cool the coolant after the engine is warmed up. That is, in the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the coolant is sent to the roof piping after the engine is warmed up to release the heat of the coolant with the outside air through the roof outer plate, the coolant in the roof piping will exchange heat with the air in the cabin. In this case, the cabin temperature may rise undesirably, and it is considered difficult to use the roof piping to cool the coolant after the engine is warmed up in the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle that can suppress undesired changes in temperature inside the cabin while performing thermal management of the installed thermally managed parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle equipped with a thermal management target part that is the subject of thermal management, and comprises a partition panel part that separates a cabin from the outside, and has an outer plate facing the outside, and an interior material that is spaced away from the outer plate towards the cabin and faces the cabin, a heat exchanger arranged in a gap between the outer plate and the interior material in the partition panel part, and a heat medium flow path that is thermally coupled to the thermal management target part and is connected to the heat exchanger to form a loop-shaped heat medium circulation path, wherein the heat exchanger includes an outer plate side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the outer plate, and a cabin side heat exchanger that is positioned biased towards the interior material side relative to the outer plate side heat exchanger, and the heat medium flow path includes a flow path switching part that switches whether or not to introduce the heat medium derived from the thermal management target part into the outer plate side heat exchanger, and whether or not to introduce the heat medium derived from the thermal management target part into the cabin side heat exchanger.

[0008] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the partition panel includes an outer plate-side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the outer plate and a cabin-side heat exchanger disposed closer to the cabin than the outer plate-side heat exchanger, and the flow path switching unit can be controlled to select whether or not to pass the heat medium through each of the outer plate-side heat exchanger and the cabin-side heat exchanger. Thus, in the vehicle according to the above aspect, the flow path switching unit is controlled to be switched based on the temperature of the heat medium, the temperature in the cabin, the setting conditions of the air conditioning device, etc., thereby making it possible to suppress undesired changes in the temperature in the cabin while performing thermal management of the mounted thermally managed components.

[0009] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the heat medium flow path may further include an outward piping which is a path through which the heat medium is extracted from the heat managed component, a return piping which is a path through which the heat medium is introduced into the heat managed component, and a bypass piping which connects the outward piping and the return piping so as not to pass through the heat exchanger, and the flow path switching unit may switch whether or not the heat medium passes through the bypass piping.

[0010] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, a bypass piping is provided, and the flow path switching unit can switch whether the heat medium passes through the bypass piping or not, so that it is possible to select not to circulate the heat medium through either the outer panel side heat exchanger or the cabin side heat exchanger based on the temperature of the heat medium, the temperature inside the cabin, the setting conditions of the air conditioning device, etc., and it is possible to respond in a detailed manner to the conditions of the components to be thermally managed and the cabin. In other words, it is also possible to circulate the heat medium via the bypass piping without passing through either the outer panel side heat exchanger or the cabin side heat exchanger.

[0011] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the heat medium flow path may further include a pump that circulates the heat medium, and the vehicle may further include a first temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heat medium in the heat managed portion, a second temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium in the outer panel side heat exchanger, a third temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium in the cabin side heat exchanger, and a controller that acquires detection information from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor, information related to the vehicle speed, information related to the air conditioning of the cabin, and temperature information of the cabin, and controls the flow path switching unit and the pump.

[0012] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, a controller is provided that controls the first flow path switching unit, the second flow path switching unit, the third flow path switching unit, and the pump, so that the controller can control the flow path of the heat medium based on the temperature of the heat medium in each unit, the temperature in the cabin, the settings of the air conditioning device, etc.

[0013] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when the controller determines that the first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a first threshold value and that the first temperature is higher than a third temperature detected by the third temperature sensor, the controller may drive the pump by switching control of the flow path switching unit so that the heat medium passes through the outer plate side heat exchanger and does not pass through the bypass piping, and when the controller determines that the first temperature is higher than a second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value and the vehicle speed is higher than a threshold vehicle speed, the controller may drive the pump by switching control of the flow path switching unit so that the heat medium passes through the outer plate side heat exchanger and does not pass through the bypass piping.

[0014] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when the vehicle is cold and the first temperature is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the flow path switching unit is controlled to switch so that the heat medium flows through the outer panel side heat exchanger, and the pump is driven, so that the heat medium warmed by heat from the outside can increase the temperature of the thermally managed part.

[0015] On the other hand, when the first temperature is higher than the second threshold value and the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold vehicle speed, the flow path switching unit is controlled to switch so that the heat medium flows through the outer panel side heat exchanger and the pump is driven, so that heat exchange takes place between the heat medium and the outside air via the outer panel, thereby lowering the temperature of the heat medium.

[0016] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when the controller determines that the first temperature is higher than the second threshold value and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the threshold vehicle speed, the controller may drive the pump by controlling the flow path switching unit to switch so that the heat medium does not pass through the cabin side heat exchanger and the exterior panel side heat exchanger, and passes through the bypass piping.

[0017] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when the first temperature is higher than the second threshold and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the threshold vehicle speed, it is difficult to expect the temperature of the heat medium to be reduced by the running wind as described above, so the heat medium can be made to pass through the bypass piping without passing through either the outer panel side heat exchanger or the cabin side heat exchanger, thereby making it possible to suppress an undesired rise in the cabin temperature due to the heat medium warmed by the thermal management unit.

[0018] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when cooling is selected as the air conditioning mode and the controller determines that the cabin temperature is higher than any of a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, a second temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, and a third temperature detected by the third temperature sensor, the controller may switch and control the flow path switching unit to cause the heat medium to pass through the cabin side heat exchanger, and drive the pump, when heating is selected as the air conditioning mode and the controller determines that the cabin temperature is lower than or equal to all of the first temperature, the second temperature, and the third temperature, the controller may switch and control the flow path switching unit to cause the heat medium to pass through the cabin side heat exchanger, and drive the pump, when heating is selected as the air conditioning mode and the controller determines that the cabin temperature is higher than the third temperature and lower than or equal to the second temperature, the controller may switch and control the flow path switching unit to cause the heat medium to pass through both the outer panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger, and drive the pump.

[0019] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when the cooling mode is selected as the air conditioning mode and the cabin temperature is determined to be higher than any of the first temperature, the second temperature, and the third temperature, the flow path switching unit is controlled to switch so that the heat medium passes through the cabin-side heat exchanger, and the pump is driven, so that the heat medium absorbs heat from the air in the cabin in the cabin-side heat exchanger. This can promote cooling in the cabin.

[0020] On the other hand, in the vehicle according to the above aspect, when the heating air conditioning mode is selected and it is determined that the cabin temperature is equal to or lower than all of the first temperature, the second temperature, and the third temperature, the flow path switching unit is controlled to switch so that the heat medium passes through the cabin-side heat exchanger and the pump is driven, so that the heat medium dissipates heat to the air in the cabin in the cabin-side heat exchanger, thereby accelerating the temperature rise in the cabin.

[0021] Furthermore, in the vehicle of the above-mentioned aspect, when heating is selected as the air conditioning mode and it is determined that the cabin temperature is higher than the third temperature and lower than the second temperature, the flow path switching unit is controlled to switch so that the heat medium circulates through both the exterior panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger, thereby promoting a rise in the temperature inside the cabin by the heat medium in the exterior panel side heat exchanger, which has a higher temperature than that inside the cabin.

[0022] The vehicle according to the above aspect may further include a thermal insulator interposed between the outer panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger.

[0023] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the insulating material is interposed between the exterior plate-side heat exchanger and the cabin-side heat exchanger, when a heat medium is circulated only through one of the exterior plate-side heat exchanger and the cabin-side heat exchanger, undesired heat exchange between the exterior plate-side heat exchanger and the heat medium of the other heat exchanger is suppressed, which is effective for performing highly accurate heat management in the vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, by providing a heat insulating material inside the partition panel, the temperature inside the cabin can be made less susceptible to the effects of the outside air temperature.

[0025] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the heat medium may be liquid, and the vehicle may further include a moisture absorbent disposed in a portion of the heat exchanger that is on the cabin side.

[0026] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the moisture absorbent is disposed on the cabin side of the heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the liquid heat medium from leaking into the cabin even in the event of a collision, piping damage, etc. Therefore, even when the heat medium is at a high temperature, it is effective in ensuring the safety of the passengers in the cabin.

[0027] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the heat medium may be liquid, the outer plate side heat exchanger may be constituted by an outer plate side piping which is a tube through which the heat medium flows, and the cabin side heat exchanger may be constituted by a cabin side piping which is a tube through which the heat medium flows, and the outer plate side piping and the cabin side piping may be arranged so as to have adjacent portions such that the flow directions of the heat medium within the tube are opposite to each other.

[0028] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the exterior plate-side heat exchanger is configured with the exterior plate-side piping and the cabin-side heat exchanger is configured with the cabin-side piping, it is possible to house the exterior plate-side heat exchanger and the cabin-side heat exchanger in the partition panel while saving space with a simple configuration, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0029] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the partition panel portion may be a roof.

[0030] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the roof is selected as the partition panel, the outer panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger can be disposed in a large area of ​​the panel part that partitions the cabin from the outside, which is effective in realizing excellent heat exchange in the outer panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger.

[0031] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the heat medium flow path may be arranged to pass through a rear pillar.

[0032] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the heat medium passage is arranged to pass through the rear pillar, even when a curtain airbag is accommodated in the front pillar, it is possible to avoid mutual interference between the curtain airbag and the heat medium passage, and therefore it is not necessary to reduce the diameter of the pipe constituting the heat medium passage, and the flow of the heat medium is not easily obstructed.

[0033] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the cabin side heat exchanger includes a front cabin side heat exchanger arranged above the front seats in the cabin and a rear cabin side heat exchanger arranged above the rear seats in the cabin, and the heat medium flow path further includes a cabin side bypass piping that connects the outward piping and the front cabin side heat exchanger without passing through the rear cabin side heat exchanger, and the flow path switching unit may be configured to switch whether or not the heat medium passes through the cabin side bypass piping.

[0034] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the cabin-side heat exchanger includes a front cabin-side heat exchanger and a rear cabin-side heat exchanger, and the cabin-side bypass piping allows the heat medium to be sent to the front cabin-side heat exchanger without passing through the rear cabin-side heat exchanger. Therefore, when the cabin-side heat exchanger is used to manage the temperature in the cabin, and passengers are seated only in the front seats, heat exchange between the heat medium and the air in the cabin is possible using the front cabin-side heat exchanger arranged above the front seats. Therefore, the heat management in the cabin can be performed with high efficiency.

[0035] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the component to be thermally managed may be at least one of an engine and a battery.

[0036] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, at least one of the engine and the battery is a part to be thermally managed, which is effective in managing the heat of the engine and the battery, whose temperatures tend to rise as the vehicle travels. Effect of the Invention

[0037] In the vehicle according to each of the above aspects, undesired changes in temperature inside the cabin can be suppressed while performing thermal management of the mounted thermally managed components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a thermal management device mounted on a vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement of piping on an outer panel side and piping on a cabin side in a roof of a vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller in the thermal management device. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for engine thermal management implemented by a controller. [Figure 6] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for cabin thermal management implemented by a controller. [Figure 7] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a first flow mode of the coolant, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a second flow mode of the coolant. [Figure 8] FIG. 13(a) is a block diagram showing a third flow mode of the coolant, and FIG. 13(b) is a block diagram showing a fourth flow mode of the coolant. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a heat management device mounted on a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of a thermal management device installed in a vehicle relating to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13(b) is a graph showing the temperature change of the coolant flowing through the outer panel side piping and the cabin side piping. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of a heat management device mounted on a vehicle according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of a heat management device mounted on a vehicle according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below except for the essential configuration.

[0040] [First embodiment] 1. Overview of Vehicle 1 The schematic configuration of a vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] 1, vehicle 1 is equipped with an engine (part subject to thermal management) 10 for driving vehicle 1 and a radiator 11 for cooling engine 10 in an engine room 1a in front of cabin 1b. Connected between engine 10 and radiator 11 are an outlet pipe 12, which is a path for leading coolant (heat medium) from engine 10 to radiator 11, and an inlet pipe 13, which is a path for returning coolant from radiator 11 to engine 10. A pump 14 for circulating coolant is provided in inlet pipe 13.

[0042] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 includes an outward pipe 15 connected to the inlet pipe 13 at an end on the engine 10 side, and a return pipe 16 connected to the outlet pipe 12 at an end on the engine 10 side. The outward pipe 15 and the return pipe 16, together with the radiator 11, the outlet pipe 12, and the inlet pipe 13, form a coolant flow path (heat medium flow path).

[0043] The outward piping 15 and the return piping 16 are disposed inside the front pillar 1d and extend to the roof (partition panel portion) 1c above the cabin 1b. They are connected to an outer plate side piping (outer plate side heat exchanger) 17 and a cabin side piping (cabin side heat exchanger) 18 disposed in the gap between the roof panel (outer plate) of the roof 1c and the roof trim (interior material).

[0044] In the vehicle 1, a coolant flow path including an outward pipe 15 and a return pipe 16, an outer panel side pipe 17 and a cabin side pipe 18 form a looped coolant circulation path.

[0045] The vehicle 1 is provided with a bypass pipe 21 that prevents the coolant from passing through the outer panel side pipe 17 and the cabin side pipe 18. The bypass pipe 21 has one end connected to the outward pipe 15 and the other end connected to the return pipe 16.

[0046] An opening / closing valve 19 capable of switching whether or not the cooling liquid flowing through the outward piping 15 is introduced into the outer plate side piping 17 is provided at or near the connection portion of the outward piping 15 with the outer plate side piping 17. In addition, an opening / closing valve 20 capable of switching whether or not the cooling liquid flowing through the outward piping 15 is introduced into the cabin side piping 18 is provided at or near the connection portion of the outward piping 15 with the cabin side piping 18.

[0047] Furthermore, the bypass pipe 21 is provided with an opening / closing valve 22 that can switch whether or not the cooling liquid flowing through the outward pipe 15 is caused to flow to the return pipe 16 via the bypass pipe 21 .

[0048] In this embodiment, the opening and closing valves 19, 20, and 22 are each configured as separate valves, but they may also be configured as one valve. That is, it is also possible to switch, with one flow path switching unit, whether or not the cooling liquid in the outward piping 15 is introduced into each of the outer panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, and whether or not the cooling liquid passes through the bypass piping 21.

[0049] 2. Thermal management device 23 in vehicle 1 The vehicle 1 is provided with a thermal management device 23 capable of performing thermal management of the engine 10 and the cabin 1b through a coolant flow path including the exterior panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18. The thermal management device 23 in the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] 2, the thermal management device 23 in the vehicle 1 includes temperature sensors 24-26 and a controller 27 in addition to the above configuration. The temperature sensor 24 is attached to the engine 10, and detects the temperature (first temperature) Tm of the coolant in the engine 10. The temperature sensor 25 is attached to the outer plate side piping 17, and detects the temperature (second temperature) Tr of the coolant in the outer plate side piping 17. The temperature sensor 26 is attached to the cabin side piping 18, and detects the temperature (third temperature) of the coolant in the cabin side piping 18.

[0051] The controller 27 is configured to have a microprocessor including an MPU / CPU, an ASIC, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and a memory. The controller 27 executes firmware previously stored in the memory, and controls the drive of the pump 14 and the opening and closing of each of the opening and closing valves 19, 20, 22 while referring to each piece of temperature information from the temperature sensors 24 to 26. In the following, the temperature sensor 24 may be referred to as the "engine temperature sensor", the temperature sensor 25 as the "skin plate side temperature sensor", and the temperature sensor 26 as the "cabin side temperature sensor". In addition, the opening and closing valve 19 may be referred to as the "skin plate side valve", the opening and closing valve 20 as the "cabin side valve", and the opening and closing valve 22 as the "bypass valve".

[0052] 3. Arrangement of the outer panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 in the roof 1c The layout of the outer panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 in the roof 1c will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 3, the roof 1c has a roof panel (outer plate) 28 disposed on the outer side and a roof trim (interior material) 29 disposed on the inner side. The roof panel 28 and the roof trim 29 are disposed with a gap therebetween. A heat insulating material 30 is inserted in the gap between the roof panel 28 and the roof trim 29.

[0054] The insulation material 30 has a linear recess 30a (extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 3) formed on the roof panel 28 side, and a linear recess 30b (extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 3) formed on the roof trim 29 side.

[0055] The exterior plate side piping 17 is fitted into the recessed portion 30a of the thermal insulation material 30. As shown in the enlarged portion of Fig. 3, the exterior plate side piping 17 is arranged such that, when inserted into the recessed portion 30a, a part of the outer circumferential surface 17a abuts against the inner surface 28a of the roof panel 28 (portion A1).

[0056] The cabin side piping 18 is inserted into the recessed portion 30b of the insulation material 30. The cabin side piping 18 is disposed biased toward the cabin 1b side with respect to the outer plate side piping 17. In addition, the insulation material 30 is interposed between the cabin side piping 18 and the outer plate side piping 17. By interposing the insulation material 30, heat transfer between the coolant in the cabin side piping 18 and the outer plate side piping 17 is suppressed.

[0057] As shown in another enlarged portion of Figure 3, the cabin side piping 18 is arranged so that, when inserted into the recessed portion 30b, a portion of the outer peripheral surface 18a abuts or is close to the inner surface 29a of the roof trim 29 (portion A2).

[0058] 4. Detailed configuration of controller 27 The detailed configuration of the controller 27 in the heat management device 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] In addition to the above components, the vehicle 1 includes an air conditioner 31, a cabin temperature sensor 32, and a vehicle speed sensor 33. The air conditioner 31 is capable of at least a cooling mode and a heating mode, and performs air conditioning of the cabin 1b.

[0060] The cabin temperature sensor 32 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the cabin 1b, and inputs the detected temperature information to the controller 27. The vehicle speed sensor 33 is a sensor that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle 1, and inputs the detected vehicle speed information to the controller 27.

[0061] The controller 27 has a determination unit 271, a pump operation command unit 272, a cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273, an outer plate side valve opening / closing command unit 274, and a bypass valve opening / closing command unit 275. The determination unit 271 is a processing unit that performs calculations based on input information from the temperature sensors 24 to 26, 32, the air conditioning device 31, and the vehicle speed sensor 33, and makes various determinations.

[0062] The pump operation command unit 272 is a processing unit that commands the operation / stop of the pump 14 based on the determination result of the determination unit 271. The cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 is a processing unit that commands the switching between open / close of the cabin side valve 20 based on the determination result of the determination unit 271. The shell side valve opening / closing command unit 274 is a processing unit that commands the switching between open / close of the shell side valve 19 based on the determination result of the determination unit 271. The bypass valve opening / closing command unit 275 is a processing unit that commands the switching between open / close of the bypass valve 22 based on the determination result of the determination unit 271.

[0063] 5. Thermal management method by controller 27 A thermal management method for the vehicle 1 executed by the controller 27 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Note that the following description will be divided into a case where the subject of thermal management is the engine 10 and a case where the subject is the cabin 1B.

[0064] (1) Heat management method for engine 10 As shown in Fig. 5, the controller 27 starts acquiring various pieces of information during heat management of the engine 10 (step ST1). As described with reference to Fig. 4, the information acquired by the controller 27 is information from the temperature sensors 24-25 and the vehicle speed sensor 33. In the IG on state, the controller 27 successively acquires various pieces of information.

[0065] The determination unit 271 of the controller 27 determines whether or not the temperature Tm of the coolant in the engine 10 is higher than a predetermined threshold value Tth1 (step ST2), thereby determining whether or not the engine 10 needs to be warmed up.

[0066] When the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Tm is equal to or lower than the threshold value Tth1 (step ST2: YES), it then determines whether or not the temperature Tm is lower than the temperature Tr of the coolant in the outer plate side piping 17 (step ST3).

[0067] When the judgment unit 271 judges that the temperature Tm is lower than the temperature Tr (step ST3: YES), the shell plate side valve opening / closing command unit 274 issues an open command to the shell plate side valve 19 (step ST4), and the bypass valve opening / closing command unit 275 issues a close command to the bypass valve 22 (step ST5). Then, the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST6). By flowing the high-temperature coolant in the shell plate side piping 17 to the engine 10 in this manner, it is possible to promote the warming up of the engine 10 in a cold state. That is, as shown by arrows C1 to C4 in FIG. 7(b), the valves 19, 20, and 22 are opened and closed so that the coolant passes through the shell plate side piping 17.

[0068] On the other hand, when the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Tm is equal to or higher than the temperature Tr (step ST3: NO), the determination unit 271 determines whether or not the cabin side valve 20 is open (step ST12). When the cabin side valve 20 is open (step ST12: YES), the controller 27 returns control.

[0069] When it is determined in step ST12 that the cabin side valve 20 is in a closed state (step ST12: NO), the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation stop command to the pump 14 (step ST13), and the controller 27 returns control. By stopping the circulation of the coolant, the engine 10 can be warmed up early.

[0070] Next, when the determination unit 271 determines in step ST2 that the temperature Tm is higher than the threshold value Tth1 (step ST2: YES), the determination unit 271 then determines whether the temperature Tm is higher than another threshold value Tth2 (step ST7). Here, the threshold value Tth2 is set to a value higher than the threshold value Tth1, and is a threshold value used to determine whether cooling of the engine 10 is necessary.

[0071] When the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Tm is higher than the threshold value Tth2 (step ST7: YES), it then determines whether or not the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is higher than a threshold value Vth (step ST8). Note that the threshold value Vth is a value that is set so that heat can be dissipated from the coolant in the outer panel side piping 17 to the outside of the roof 1c.

[0072] When the determination unit 271 determines in step ST8 that the vehicle speed V is higher than the threshold value Vth (step ST8: YES), the outer plate side valve opening / closing command unit 274 issues an open valve command to the outer plate side valve 19 (step ST4), the bypass valve opening / closing command unit 275 issues a close valve command to the bypass valve 22 (step ST5), and the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST6). As a result, as shown by arrows C1 to C4 in Fig. 7(b), the valves 19, 20, and 22 are opened and closed so that the coolant passes through the outer plate side piping 17, thereby promoting cooling of the coolant by the running wind flowing along the roof panel 28, and promoting cooling of the engine 10.

[0073] On the other hand, when the determination unit 271 determines in step ST8 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or lower than the threshold value Vth (step ST8: NO), the determination unit 271 determines whether or not the cabin side valve 20 is in an open state (step ST9). When the determination unit 271 determines that the cabin side valve 20 is in an open state (step ST12: YES), the controller 27 returns control.

[0074] When it is determined in step ST9 that the cabin side valve 20 is in a closed state (step ST12: NO), the bypass valve opening / closing command unit 275 issues an open valve command to the bypass valve 22 (step ST10), and the shell plate valve opening / closing command unit 274 issues a close valve command to the shell plate side valve 19 (step ST11). Then, the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST6). As a result, as shown by arrows E1 to E4 in FIG. 8(b), the coolant passes through the bypass piping 21, not through the shell plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, and is cooled in the radiator 11.

[0075] (2) Cabin heat management methods As shown in Fig. 6, the controller 27 starts acquiring various pieces of information during thermal management of the cabin 1b (step ST21). As described with reference to Fig. 4, the information acquired by the controller 27 is information from the temperature sensors 24-25, 32 and the air conditioner 31. In the IG on state, the controller 27 successively acquires various pieces of information.

[0076] The determination unit 271 of the controller 27 determines whether or not cooling is selected as the air conditioning mode based on information from the air conditioner 31 (step ST22). If the determination unit 271 determines in step ST22 that cooling is selected (step ST22: YES), the determination unit 271 then determines whether or not the temperature Ta in the cabin 1b is higher than any of the temperature Tc of the coolant in the cabin side piping 18, the temperature Tr of the coolant in the outer panel side piping 17, and the temperature Tm of the coolant in the engine 10 (steps ST23, ST24, and ST25).

[0077] When the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Ta is higher than any of the temperatures Tc, Tr, and Tm (step ST23: YES, step ST24: YES, step ST25; YES), the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues an open command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST26), and the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST27). As a result, as shown by arrows D1 to D4 in Fig. 8(a), the coolant can absorb heat from the cabin 1b to the coolant by passing through the cabin side pipe 18, and the cooling of the cabin 1b can be promoted.

[0078] If the determination unit 271 determines in step ST23 that the temperature Ta is equal to or lower than the temperature Tc (step ST23: NO), the determination unit 271 subsequently determines whether the temperature Ta is higher than the temperature Tr (step ST28). Then, if the determination unit 271 determines in step ST28 that the temperature Ta is equal to or lower than the temperature Tr (step ST28: NO), the determination unit 271 returns to the determination in step ST25.

[0079] On the other hand, when the determination unit 271 determines in step ST28 that the temperature Ta is higher than the temperature Tr (step ST28: YES), the outer plate side valve opening / closing command unit 274 issues an open command to the outer plate side valve 19 (step ST29), the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues an open command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST26), and the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST27). As a result, as shown by arrows B1 to B5 in Fig. 7(a), the cooling liquid passes through both the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, and the cooling of the cabin 1b can be promoted by the absorption of heat from the cabin 1b into the cooling liquid.

[0080] If at least one of the determinations in step ST24 and step ST25 is "NO", the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues a valve closing command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST36), and the controller 27 returns control.

[0081] If the determination unit 271 determines in step ST22 that cooling is not selected as the air conditioning mode (step ST22: NO), the determination unit 271 subsequently determines whether or not heating is selected as the air conditioning mode (step ST30). If the determination unit 271 determines in step ST30 that heating is not selected as the air conditioning mode (step ST30: NO), the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues a close command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST36), and the controller 27 returns control.

[0082] On the other hand, if the judgment unit 271 judges in step ST30 that heating has been selected as the air conditioning mode (step ST30: YES), the judgment unit 271 then judges whether the temperature Ta inside the cabin 1b is higher than any of the temperature Tc of the coolant in the cabin side piping 18, the temperature Tr of the coolant in the outer panel side piping 17, and the temperature Tm of the coolant in the engine 10 (step ST31, step ST32, step ST33).

[0083] When the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Ta is equal to or lower than the temperature Tc, equal to or lower than the temperature Tr, or equal to or lower than the temperature Tm (step ST31: NO, step ST32: NO, step ST33; NO), the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues an open valve command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST26), and the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST27). As a result, as shown by arrows D1 to D4 in Fig. 8(a), the coolant passes through the cabin side pipe 18, and the heat of the coolant is transferred to the air in the cabin 1b, thereby facilitating the heating of the cabin 1b.

[0084] If the determination unit 271 determines in step ST31 that the temperature Ta is higher than the temperature Tc (step ST31: YES), the determination unit 271 subsequently determines whether the temperature Ta is higher than the temperature Tr (step ST34). Then, if the determination unit 271 determines in step ST34 that the temperature Ta is higher than the temperature Tr (step ST31: YES), the determination unit 271 returns to the determination in step ST33.

[0085] On the other hand, when the determination unit 271 determines in step ST34 that the temperature Ta is equal to or lower than the temperature Tr (step ST34: NO), the outer plate side valve opening / closing command unit 274 issues an open command to the outer plate side valve 19 (step ST35), the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues an open command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST26), and the pump operation command unit 272 issues an operation command to the pump 14 (step ST27). As a result, as shown by arrows B1 to B5 in Fig. 7(a), the coolant passes through both the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, and the heat of the coolant is transferred to the air in the cabin 1b, thereby facilitating the heating of the cabin 1b.

[0086] If at least one of the determinations in step ST32 and step ST33 is "YES", the cabin side valve opening / closing command unit 273 issues a valve closing command to the cabin side valve 20 (step ST36), and the controller 27 returns control.

[0087] 6.Effects In the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the roof 1c is provided with an outer plate side pipe 17 thermally coupled to a roof panel (outer plate) 28, and a cabin side pipe 18 disposed between the roof panel 28 and the roof trim 29 of the roof 1c and biased toward the cabin 1b relative to the outer plate side pipe 17, and it is possible to select whether or not to pass the coolant (heat medium) through each of the outer plate side pipe 17 and the cabin side pipe 18 by switching control of the opening and closing valves 19 and 20. Thus, in the vehicle 1, by switching control of the opening and closing valves 19 and 20 based on the temperatures Tm, Tr, and Tc of the coolant at each location, the temperature Ta in the cabin 1b, the setting conditions of the air conditioner 31 (whether the mode is cooling or heating), etc., it is possible to suppress undesired changes in the temperature Ta in the cabin 1b while performing thermal management of the mounted engine (part to be subject to thermal management) 10.

[0088] In addition, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the bypass piping 21 is provided, and the on-off valve 22 can switch whether the coolant passes through the bypass piping 21, so that it is possible to select not to circulate the coolant through either the outer panel side piping 17 or the cabin side piping 18 based on the temperatures Tm, Tr, and Tc of the coolant at each location, the temperature Ta inside the cabin 1b, the setting conditions of the air conditioning device 31 (whether the mode is cooling or heating), etc., and it is possible to respond in detail to the conditions of the engine 10 and the cabin 1b. In other words, it is also possible to circulate the coolant through the bypass piping 21 without passing through either the outer panel side piping 17 or the cabin side piping 18.

[0089] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a controller 27 which controls the opening and closing of the opening and closing valves 19, 20, 22 and also controls the operation of the pump 14, so that the controller 27 can control the flow path of the coolant based on the temperatures Tm, Tr, Tc of the coolant at each location, the temperature Ta inside the cabin 1b, the setting conditions of the air conditioning unit 31 (whether the mode is cooling or heating), etc.

[0090] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, when the engine 10 is in a cold state and the temperature (first temperature) Tm of the coolant in the engine 10 is equal to or lower than a threshold value (first threshold value) Tth1, the pump 14 is driven by controlling and switching the opening and closing valves 19, 20, and 22 so that the coolant passes through the outer panel side piping 17, thereby facilitating the warming-up of the engine 10 with the coolant warmed by heat from outside the vehicle.

[0091] On the other hand, when the temperature Tm of the coolant in the engine 10 is higher than the threshold value (second threshold value) Tth2 and the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is higher than the threshold value (threshold vehicle speed) Vth, the pump 14 is driven by switching and controlling the opening and closing valves 19, 20, and 22 so that the coolant flows through the exterior panel side piping 17, and heat exchange takes place between the coolant and the air outside the vehicle via the roof panel 28, thereby lowering the temperature of the engine 10 via the coolant.

[0092] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, when the temperature Tm of the coolant in the engine 10 is higher than the threshold value Tth2 and the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is equal to or lower than the threshold value Vth, it is difficult to expect a decrease in the temperature of the coolant due to the running wind as described above, so the coolant can be made to pass through the bypass pipe 21 without passing through either the outer panel side pipe 17 or the cabin side pipe 18. This makes it possible to suppress an undesired rise in the temperature Ta inside the cabin 1b due to the coolant warmed by the engine 10.

[0093] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, when cooling is selected as the air conditioning mode and the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Ta of the cabin 1b is higher than any of the temperatures Tm, Tr, and Tc, the opening and closing valves 19, 20, and 22 are switched and controlled to drive the pump 14 so that the coolant passes through the cabin side piping 17, and the coolant absorbs heat from the air inside the cabin 1b in the cabin side piping 17. This can promote cooling inside the cabin 1b.

[0094] On the other hand, in the vehicle 1, when heating is selected as the air conditioning mode and the determination unit 271 determines that the temperature Ta inside the cabin 1b is equal to or lower than all of the temperatures Tm, Tr, and Tc, the opening and closing valves 19, 20, and 22 are switched and controlled to drive the pump 14 so that the coolant passes through the cabin side piping 18, and the coolant dissipates heat to the air inside the cabin 1b through the cabin side piping 18. This can promote a rise in the temperature inside the cabin 1b.

[0095] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1, when heating is selected as the air conditioning mode and the judgment unit 271 judges that the temperature Ta of the cabin 1b is higher than the temperature Tc and lower than the temperature Tr, the opening and closing valves 19, 20, 22 are switched and controlled so that the coolant passes through both the exterior panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, thereby promoting the rise in temperature inside the cabin 1b by the coolant in the exterior panel side piping 17, which has a higher temperature than the temperature Ta inside the cabin 1b.

[0096] In addition, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, since the heat insulating material 30 is interposed between the exterior plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, when the coolant is caused to flow only through one of the exterior plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, undesired heat exchange with the coolant in the other piping is suppressed. This is therefore effective in performing highly accurate thermal management in the vehicle 1.

[0097] Furthermore, by disposing a heat insulating material 30 between the roof panel 28 and the roof trim 29 in the roof 1c, the temperature inside the cabin 1b can be made less susceptible to the effect of the outside air temperature.

[0098] In the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the exterior panel side piping 17 is configured as an exterior panel side heat exchanger, and the cabin side piping 18 is configured as a cabin side heat exchanger, so that the exterior panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger can be housed in the roof 1c while saving space with a simple configuration. Also, an increase in manufacturing costs can be suppressed.

[0099] In addition, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 are arranged inside the roof 1c, so that the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 can be arranged in a portion having a large area within the panel portion that separates the cabin 1b from the outside. This is effective in realizing highly efficient heat exchange in the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18.

[0100] In addition, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the engine 10 is included as a part to be thermally managed by the thermal management device 23, which is effective in performing thermal management of the engine 10, whose temperature tends to rise as the vehicle warms up when cold or as the vehicle is driven.

[0101] As described above, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress undesired changes in temperature inside the cabin 1b while performing thermal management of the engine 10.

[0102] [Second embodiment] The configuration of a vehicle 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, descriptions of parts that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0103] 9, in the vehicle 2 according to this embodiment, the outward piping 35 and the return piping 36 are arranged from the engine room 2a to below the rear pillar 2e via the lower part of the vehicle body (for example, inside the side sill). The outward piping 35 and the return piping 36 pass through the rear pillar 2e and extend to the roof 2c.

[0104] In the vehicle 2 according to this embodiment, the arrangement of the outward piping 35 and the return piping 36 is different from that of the first embodiment, but the other arrangements are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the vehicle 2 according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress undesired changes in the temperature inside the cabin 2b while performing thermal management of the engine 10.

[0105] In addition, in the vehicle 2 according to this embodiment, the outward piping 35 and the return piping 36 pass through the rear pillar 2e, so that even in a case where a curtain airbag is accommodated inside the front pillar, it is possible to avoid mutual interference between the curtain airbag and the outward piping 35 and the return piping 36. Therefore, it is not necessary to reduce the diameter of the pipes constituting the outward piping 35 and the return piping 36, and the flow of the coolant is less likely to be obstructed.

[0106] [Third embodiment] The configuration of a vehicle 4 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, the description of the components overlapping with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0107] 10, the vehicle 3 includes a battery 40 as a thermally managed component used to drive the vehicle 3. The battery 40 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery, and is thermally coupled to an outward pipe 45 and a return pipe 46 through which a coolant for thermal management flows.

[0108] The outward piping 45 and the return piping 46 are arranged to pass through the rear pillar 3e in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and are connected to the outer panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 arranged in the roof 3c.

[0109] As an example, the battery 40 is mounted below a luggage room 3f in the rear of the vehicle 3. However, the battery 40 may be mounted below a floor panel.

[0110] The vehicle 3 includes a bypass pipe 41 that connects the outward pipe 45 and the return pipe 46 without passing through the outer panel side pipe 17 and the cabin side pipe 18. The bypass pipe 41 is provided with an opening / closing valve 42 that switches whether the coolant passes through the bypass pipe 41 or not. As with the first embodiment, the controller 27 controls the opening and closing of the opening / closing valve 42.

[0111] The vehicle 3 also includes a pump 44 provided in the outward piping 45. The controller 27 also controls the operation of the pump 44.

[0112] The vehicle 3 according to this embodiment employs a battery 40 as a thermally managed component, and is otherwise configured the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the vehicle 3 according to this embodiment can also suppress undesired changes in temperature in the cabin 3b while performing thermal management of the battery 40.

[0113] 10, the outward piping 45 and the return piping 46 are also connected to a radiator provided separately from the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18. The outward piping 45 and the return piping 46 may be connected to the radiator in series with the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18, as in the first embodiment, or in parallel with the outer plate side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18.

[0114] [Fourth embodiment] The configuration of a heat management device 53 provided in a vehicle according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In Fig. 11, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, descriptions of parts that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 11, in the thermal management device 53 mounted on the vehicle according to this embodiment, the cabin side piping 58 has a front cabin side piping 581, a rear cabin side piping 582, a relay piping 583, and a bypass piping 584. The front cabin side piping 581 is disposed above the front seats on the roof. The rear cabin side piping 582 is disposed above the rear seats on the roof. The relay piping 583 is a piping that connects the front cabin side piping 581 and the rear cabin side piping 582 in the flow path of the coolant. The bypass piping 584 is a piping that connects the outward piping 15 and the front cabin side piping 581 without passing through the rear cabin side piping 583.

[0116] An opening / closing valve 60 is provided between the outward piping 15 and the rear cabin side piping 582. In addition, an opening / closing valve 61 is provided in the bypass piping 584. The opening / closing valves 60 and 61 are switchably controlled by a controller.

[0117] The thermal management device 53 of the vehicle according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes cabin side piping 58 having a front cabin side piping 581 and a rear cabin side piping 582, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the vehicle according to this embodiment can also suppress undesired changes in the cabin temperature while performing thermal management of the engine 10.

[0118] Furthermore, in the vehicle according to this embodiment, the cabin side piping 58 includes a front cabin side piping 581 and a rear cabin side piping 582, and the coolant can be sent to the front cabin side piping 581 by a bypass piping (cabin side bypass piping) 584 without passing through the rear cabin side piping 582. For this reason, when temperature management in the cabin is performed using the cabin side piping 58, if passengers are seated only in the front seats, heat exchange between the coolant and the air in the cabin is possible using only the front cabin side piping 581 arranged above the front seats. Therefore, heat management in the cabin can be performed with high efficiency.

[0119] [Fifth embodiment] The configuration of a heat management device 63 provided in a vehicle according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Note that Fig. 12(a) illustrates only an outer panel side pipe 67 and a cabin side pipe 68 in the heat management device 63. The parts not illustrated have the same configuration as those in the first embodiment.

[0120] 12(a), in the thermal management device 63 mounted on the vehicle according to this embodiment, an outer panel side piping 67 and a cabin side piping 68 are also arranged on the roof. Each of the outer panel side piping 67 and the cabin side piping 68 has a ladder shape in a plan view, and has a plurality of vehicle width direction extension portions 671, 681 extending from one side in the vehicle width direction (either the driver's seat side or the passenger seat side) to the other side (the other of the driver's seat side or the passenger seat side).

[0121] The vehicle width direction extending portion 671 of the outer plate side piping 67 and the vehicle width direction extending portion 681 of the cabin side piping 68 are arranged in close proximity to each other in a pair in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The vehicle width direction extending portion 671 of the outer plate side piping 67 and the vehicle width direction extending portion 681 of the cabin side piping 68, which are arranged in close proximity, are arranged such that the flow directions of the coolant flowing therethrough are opposite to each other (arrows F1, F2). That is, the vehicle width direction extending portion 671 of the outer plate side piping 67 and the vehicle width direction extending portion 681 of the cabin side piping 68, which are arranged in close proximity, are configured such that the coolant flows in a countercurrent relationship.

[0122] 12(b), the line LN1 indicates the temperature change of the coolant flowing in the vehicle width direction extending portion 671 of the exterior panel side piping 67, and the line LN2 indicates the temperature change of the coolant flowing in the vehicle width direction extending portion 681 of the cabin side piping 68. In this case, as shown by the line LN1, in the vehicle width direction extending portion 671, the temperature of the coolant changes from T1 to T2 as it flows from the driver's seat side to the passenger seat side (arrow F3). In the vehicle width direction extending portion 681, as shown by the line LN2, the temperature of the coolant changes from T3 to T4 as it flows from the passenger seat side to the driver's seat side (arrow F4).

[0123] Here, in the event of a vehicle collision, it is considered that the exterior panel side piping 67 and the cabin side piping 68 provided on the roof may be damaged. In such a case, in the vehicle heat management device 63 according to this embodiment, the vehicle width direction extension portion 671 of the exterior panel side piping 67 and the vehicle width direction extension portion 681 of the cabin side piping 68 are arranged in the form shown in Fig. 12(a), so that even if the coolant leaks from the damaged vehicle width direction extension portions 671, 681, it is possible to prevent high-temperature coolant from leaking to passengers in the cabin.

[0124] 12(b), since the lines LN1 and LN2 have opposite slopes, the coolant leaking from the vehicle width direction extending portion 671 and the coolant leaking from the vehicle width direction extending portion 681 mix together (arrows F5, F6), and the high-temperature coolant is cooled over the entire vehicle width direction as shown by the line LN3. Therefore, even if the outer panel side piping 67 and the cabin side piping 68 are damaged, only coolant at a relatively low temperature leaks into the cabin.

[0125] The vehicle according to this embodiment employs the same configuration as the first embodiment, except that the coolant flows in a countercurrent relationship between the vehicle width direction extension portion 671 of the outer panel side piping 67 and the vehicle width direction extension portion 681 of the cabin side piping 68, which are arranged adjacent to each other. Therefore, the vehicle according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0126] [Sixth embodiment] The configuration of a vehicle 4 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In Fig. 13, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, descriptions of the components that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 13, in the vehicle 4 according to this embodiment, the outward piping 15 passes from the engine compartment 4a through the left front pillar 4d and is connected to the exterior panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 provided on the roof 4c, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0128] On the other hand, the return pipe 56 is disposed from the roof 4c through the right front pillar 4g to the engine room 4a. That is, while in the first embodiment, the outward pipe 15 and the return pipe 16 are passed through the left front pillar 1d, in this embodiment, the outward pipe 15 and the return pipe 56 are distributed and passed through the left and right front pillars 4d, 4g.

[0129] In the vehicle 4 according to this embodiment, as described above, the outward piping 15 and the return piping 56 are distributed and passed through the left and right front pillars 4d, 4g, so that it is possible to prevent the piping 15, 56 from interfering with the curtain airbag or the like in the front pillars 4d, 4g. In addition, it is not necessary to reduce the diameter of the piping 15, 56 in order to avoid interference with the curtain airbag or the like in the front pillars 4d, 4g, and it is also not necessary to bulge the front pillars 4d, 4g toward the cabin 4b or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cabin 4b from being compressed.

[0130] In this embodiment, the outward piping 15 is passed through the left front pillar 4d and the return piping 56 is passed through the right front pillar 4g, but conversely, the bag piping 56 may be passed through the left front pillar 4d and the outward piping 15 may be passed through the right front pillar 4g.

[0131] Also, the outward piping 15 may be passed through the inside of one of the left and right rear pillars, and the return piping 56 may be passed through the inside of the other of the left and right rear pillars.

[0132] [Seventh embodiment] The configuration of a vehicle 5 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In Fig. 14, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following, the description of the components overlapping with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0133] 14, in the vehicle 5 according to this embodiment, the return pipe 66 passes through the rear pillar 5h and is arranged from the inside of the side sill under the door to the engine room 5a. The outward pipe 15 is arranged from the engine room 5a through the inside of the front pillar 5d to the roof 5c, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0134] In the vehicle 5 according to this embodiment, the exterior plate side piping 77 and the cabin side piping 78 each have a ladder shape in a plan view. However, the exterior plate side piping 77 has a plurality of longitudinal extension portions 772 arranged so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the cabin side piping 78 has a plurality of longitudinal extension portions 781 arranged so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0135] The outward piping 15 is connected to the outer plate side piping 77 and the cabin side piping 78 at the front of the roof 5c, and the return piping 66 is connected to the outer plate side piping 77 and the cabin side piping 78 at the rear of the roof 5c.

[0136] The vehicle 5 according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the arrangement of the return piping 66 and the extension directions of the front-rear extension portions 771, 781 of the outer panel side piping 77 and the cabin side piping 78, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the vehicle according to this embodiment can also suppress undesired changes in the temperature inside the cabin 5b while performing thermal management of the engine 10.

[0137] Furthermore, in the vehicle 5 according to this embodiment, the arrangement of the return piping 66 and the outer panel side piping 77 and the cabin side piping 78 each include the longitudinal extension portions 771, 781 arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that an inertial force acts on the internal coolant when accelerating and decelerating the vehicle 5. This makes it possible to suppress the adhesion of solidified matter caused by components of the coolant, dust, and the like to the inner walls of the pipes in the longitudinal extension portions 771, 781 due to long-term use, etc.

[0138] [Eighth embodiment] The configuration of a heat management device 73 provided in a vehicle according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Note that Fig. 15 illustrates only a portion of the configuration of an outer panel side piping 87 and a cabin side piping 88 in the heat management device 73. Portions that are not illustrated have the same configuration as those in the first embodiment.

[0139] 15, in a vehicle heat management device 73 according to this embodiment, an exterior plate-side piping 87 is formed of an exterior plate portion 871 and an inner plate portion 872 arranged with a gap SP1 between them. Similarly, a cabin-side piping 88 is formed of an exterior plate portion 881 and an inner plate portion 882 arranged with a gap SP2 between them.

[0140] An outer plate portion 871 of the outer plate side piping 87 is disposed so as to abut against the roof panel 28. As a result, the outer plate side piping 87 is thermally coupled to the roof panel 28. An outer plate portion 881 of the cabin side piping 88 is disposed so as to abut against the roof trim 29. As a result, the cabin side piping 88 is thermally coupled to the roof trim 29.

[0141] A heat insulating material 30 is interposed between the inner plate portion 872 of the outer plate side piping 87 and the inner plate portion 882 of the cabin side piping 88.

[0142] The outer plate portion 871 of the outer plate side piping 87 protrudes downward from the surface facing the gap SP1 and has a plurality of fins 871a extending parallel to each other. The inner plate portion 872 of the outer plate side piping 87 protrudes upward from the surface facing the gap SP1 and has a plurality of fins 872a extending parallel to each other. This allows the coolant in the outer plate side piping 87 to flow smoothly and straight.

[0143] Similarly, the outer plate portion 881 of the cabin-side piping 88 protrudes upward from a surface facing the gap SP2 and has a plurality of fins 881a extending parallel to each other. The inner plate portion 882 of the outer plate-side piping 87 protrudes downward from a surface facing the gap SP2 and has a plurality of fins 882a extending parallel to each other. This allows the coolant in the outer plate-side piping 88 to flow smoothly and straight.

[0144] The heat management device 73 of the vehicle according to this embodiment employs the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that a gap SP1 formed by two plate portions 871, 872 serves as a flow path for the coolant, and a gap SP2 formed by two plate portions 881, 882 serves as a flow path for the coolant. Therefore, the vehicle according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0145] [Ninth embodiment] The configuration of a heat management device 83 provided in a vehicle according to the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 illustrates only the outer panel side piping 17 and the cabin side piping 18 in the heat management device 83 and some of the configuration of their surroundings. The parts not illustrated have the same configuration as those in the first embodiment.

[0146] 16, in a vehicle heat management device 83 according to this embodiment, a moisture absorbent 84 is interposed between the heat insulating material 30 and the cabin side piping 18 and the roof trim 29. As a material constituting the moisture absorbent 84, for example, a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) sponge, a urethane sponge, a polyolefin sponge, or the like is used.

[0147] The heat management device 83 of the vehicle according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that a moisture absorbent 84 is provided on the inside of the roof trim 29 of the roof. Therefore, the vehicle according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0148] In addition, in this embodiment, since the moisture absorbent 84 is provided on the inside of the roof trim 29 in the roof, even if the pipes 17, 18 are damaged due to a vehicle collision or if a hole occurs in the pipes 17, 18 after long-term use, the coolant leaking from the pipes 17, 18 is absorbed by the moisture absorbent 84. Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the coolant leaks from the pipes 17, 18, it is possible to prevent the coolant from leaking into the cabin.

[0149] Here, the moisture absorbent 84 absorbs moisture present in the space between the roof panel 28 and the roof trim 29 in the roof, moisture that seeps in from the cabin, etc. Therefore, the moisture absorbent gradually absorbs moisture even if the coolant does not leak from the pipes 17, 18. Therefore, the moisture absorbent 84 may be dehumidified by flowing high-temperature coolant through the outer panel side pipe 17 and the cabin side pipe 18 at regular intervals. The timing for dehumidifying the moisture absorbent 84 may be every time a predetermined period has elapsed, or the next time the vehicle is driven if the vehicle has been stopped for a period exceeding the predetermined period.

[0150] [Variations] In the first to ninth embodiments, the opening and closing valve 19 is provided between the outward piping 15, 45 and the shell side piping 17, 67, 77, 87, the opening and closing valves 20, 60, 61 are provided between the outward piping 15, 45 and the cabin side piping 18, 58, 68, 78, 88, and the opening and closing valve 22 is provided in the bypass piping 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single switching valve may be used to switch between opening and closing the outward piping and the shell side piping and the cabin side piping, and to switch between opening and closing the bypass piping.

[0151] In the first to ninth embodiments, the outer plate side piping 17, 67, 77, 87 and the cabin side piping 18, 58, 68, 78, 88 are arranged on the roofs 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c, but the present invention is not limited to this in terms of the locations where the outer plate side piping (outer plate side heat exchanger) and the cabin side piping (cabin side heat exchanger) are arranged. For example, the side door, the rear hatch, and even the floor panel can be used as the partition panel portion where the heat exchanger is arranged.

[0152] In the first to ninth embodiments, a coolant is used as an example of a heat medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a vehicle equipped with an engine, a heat medium other than the coolant for cooling the engine may be circulated through the outer plate heat exchanger and the cabin heat exchanger. Note that a substance having a lower boiling point than the coolant may be used as the heat medium other than the coolant, and low-temperature heat may be exchanged with the outside or the air inside the cabin.

[0153] Furthermore, in the first to ninth embodiments described above, a configuration such as a check valve was not adopted for the connection parts between the return piping 16, 46 and the outer plate side piping 17, 67, 77, 87 and the cabin side piping 18, 58, 68, 78, 88. However, in the present invention, a check valve may be provided at each connection part or at one of the connection parts in order to prevent backflow of the heat medium.

[0154] In the first to ninth embodiments, the exterior plate side piping 17, 67, 77, 87 is configured to abut against the roof panel (exterior plate) 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a heat transfer sheet may be interposed between the exterior plate of the roof and the exterior plate side heat exchanger. In this case as well, thermal coupling between the exterior plate and the heat medium flowing through the exterior plate side heat exchanger can be achieved.

[0155] Similarly, there is no need for the interior material of the roof to be in contact with the heat medium circulating through the cabin-side heat exchanger, as long as there is thermal coupling between the interior material and the cabin-side heat exchanger. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] Cars 1-5 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c Roof (compartment panel section) 10 Engine (heat-controlled part) 14,44 Pump 15,45 Outward piping 16,46 Return piping 17,67,77,87 Outer plate side piping (outer plate side heat exchanger) 18,58,68,78,88 Cabin side piping (cabin side heat exchanger) 19, 20, 22, 60, 61 Opening and closing valves 23,63,73,83 Thermal management device 24~26 Temperature sensor 27 Controller 28 Roof panel (outer panel) 29 Roof trim (interior material) 30 Insulation 40 Battery (thermal management part) 84 Moisture absorbent 581 Front cabin side piping 582 Rear cabin side piping

Claims

1. A vehicle equipped with a thermal management target part that is a target of thermal management, A partition panel portion that separates a cabin from the outside and has an outer plate facing the outside and an interior material facing the cabin and spaced apart from the outer plate toward the cabin; A heat exchanger disposed in a gap between the outer panel and the interior material in the partition panel portion; a heat medium flow path that is thermally coupled to the heat management component and is connected to the heat exchanger to form a loop-shaped heat medium flow path; Equipped with The heat exchanger includes an exterior plate-side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the exterior plate, and a cabin-side heat exchanger disposed closer to the interior material than the exterior plate-side heat exchanger, the heat medium flow path includes a flow path switching unit that switches whether or not the heat medium guided from the heat management target component is introduced into the shell-side heat exchanger, and whether or not the heat medium guided from the heat management target component is introduced into the cabin-side heat exchanger, vehicle.

2. the heat medium flow path further includes an outward pipe which is a path through which the heat medium is discharged from the heat managed component, a return pipe which is a path through which the heat medium is introduced into the heat managed component, and a bypass pipe which connects the outward pipe and the return pipe so as not to pass through the heat exchanger, The flow path switching unit also switches whether the heat medium passes through the bypass piping.

2. The vehicle of claim 1.

3. The heat medium flow path further includes a pump that circulates the heat medium, The vehicle is a first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the heat medium in the heat management component; A second temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the heat medium in the outer plate side heat exchanger; a third temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the heat medium in the cabin-side heat exchanger; a controller that acquires detection information from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor, information related to a vehicle speed of the vehicle, information related to an air conditioning of the cabin, and temperature information of the cabin, and controls the flow path switching unit and the pump; 3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2.

4. The controller: when it is determined that the first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a first threshold value and is higher than a third temperature detected by the third temperature sensor, the flow path switching unit is switched and controlled so that the heat medium passes through the shell plate side heat exchanger and does not pass through the bypass piping, thereby driving the pump; when it is determined that the first temperature is higher than a second threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value and the vehicle speed is higher than a threshold vehicle speed, the flow path switching unit is switched and controlled so that the heat medium passes through the outer plate side heat exchanger and does not pass through the bypass piping, thereby driving the pump.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The controller: when it is determined that the first temperature is higher than the second threshold value and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the threshold vehicle speed, the flow path switching unit is switched and controlled so that the heat medium does not pass through the cabin side heat exchanger and the outer panel side heat exchanger and passes through the bypass piping, thereby driving the pump.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4.

6. The controller: when cooling is selected as the air conditioning mode and when it is determined that the cabin temperature is higher than any of a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, a second temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, and a third temperature detected by the third temperature sensor, the flow path switching unit is switched and controlled so that the heat medium passes through the cabin side heat exchanger, thereby driving the pump; when it is determined that a heating mode is selected as the air conditioning mode and that the cabin temperature is equal to or lower than all of the first temperature, the second temperature, and the third temperature, the flow path switching unit is switched and controlled so that the heat medium passes through the cabin side heat exchanger, and the pump is driven; when it is determined that a heating mode is selected as the air conditioning mode and that the cabin temperature is higher than the third temperature and equal to or lower than the second temperature, the flow path switching unit is switched and controlled so that the heat medium passes through both the outer panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger, thereby driving the pump.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3.

7. The heat exchanger further includes a heat insulating material interposed between the outer panel side heat exchanger and the cabin side heat exchanger. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The heat transfer medium is a liquid, The vehicle further includes a moisture absorbing material disposed on a portion of the heat exchanger that faces the cabin. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The heat transfer medium is a liquid, The outer plate side heat exchanger is constituted by an outer plate side piping which is a pipe through which the heat medium flows, The cabin side heat exchanger is configured with a cabin side piping which is a pipe through which the heat medium flows, The outer plate side piping and the cabin side piping are arranged to have adjacent portions such that the flow directions of the heat medium in the pipe body are opposite to each other. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The partition panel portion is a roof. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. The heat medium flow path is arranged to pass through a rear pillar.

11. The vehicle of claim 10.

12. the cabin-side heat exchanger includes a front cabin-side heat exchanger disposed above a front seat in the cabin and a rear cabin-side heat exchanger disposed above a rear seat in the cabin, The heat medium flow path further includes a cabin side bypass pipe connecting the outward pipe and the front cabin side heat exchanger without passing through the rear cabin side heat exchanger, The flow path switching unit also switches whether the heat medium passes through the cabin side bypass piping.

11. The vehicle of claim 10.

13. The thermally managed component is at least one of an engine and a battery. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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