Electric vehicle heating system

Abstract

To provide a heating system for an electric vehicle capable of enhancing the thermal storage energy density of thermal storage means.SOLUTION: A heating system for an electric vehicle comprises: a storage battery B that supplies power to a motor M and can be charged; heat storage means 1 having heat storage bodies H that are heated by an operation of a heater 4 and can store heat as latent heat and sensible heat; temperature adjustment means 2 that has a heating function of heating an interior of a vehicle using the heat stored in the heat storage means 1; and control means 9 for controlling the operation of the heater 4. A heat transfer medium that transfers the heat stored in the heat storage means 1 to the temperature adjustment means 2 is air, and an air pump P1 is provided which causes the air as the heat transfer medium to flow through the heat storage means 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating system for an electric vehicle, which is provided with a storage battery, a heat storage means, and the like, and which heats the interior of the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Although electric vehicles equipped with storage batteries are considered to have a lower environmental impact than vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines such as internal combustion engines and have been gaining popularity in recent years, when used in cold regions or other places with low temperatures, the performance of the storage batteries deteriorates significantly, resulting in reduced driving distance and reduced output. To avoid such deterioration in the performance of the storage batteries, a heating system for electric vehicles has been proposed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, in which heat from an electric heater is stored in a heat storage tank (heat storage means) and used to warm the storage battery and the interior of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-124443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the heat transfer medium that transfers the heat of the heat storage means to the storage battery or air conditioner with heating function mounted on the vehicle is a liquid refrigerant, which makes it difficult to heat the heat stored in the heat storage means to an extremely high temperature, for example, of 300° C. or higher. In other words, because a liquid refrigerant as a heat transfer medium is not suitable for heat transfer at high temperatures, the heat storage temperature cannot be raised to a high temperature, which results in a problem of a decrease in the heat storage energy density of the heat storage means.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a heating system for an electric vehicle that can improve the thermal storage energy density of the heat storage means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a heating system for an electric vehicle for heating the interior of an electric vehicle, comprising: a storage battery that supplies power to a motor and is rechargeable; heat storage means having a heat storage body that is heated by operation of a heater and can store latent heat and sensible heat; temperature adjustment means having a heating function that heats the interior of the vehicle using the heat stored in the heat storage means; and control means that controls the operation of the heater, wherein the heat transfer medium that transfers the heat stored in the heat storage means to the temperature adjustment means is air, and the system is characterized in that it comprises an air pump that circulates the air as the heat transfer medium through the heat storage means.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 1, the heat storage means has a heat storage container that houses the heat storage body, and by driving the air pump, air is circulated inside the heat storage container as the heat transfer medium, thereby transferring the stored heat to the temperature adjustment means.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 1, the control means energizes the heater to heat the heat storage body, and estimates the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means based on the resistance value when the heater is energized.

[0009] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 3, the control means stops power supply to the heater when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means estimated based on a resistance value when power is supplied to the heater is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0010] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 3, the control means stops driving the air pump when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means estimated based on a resistance value when electricity is applied to the heater is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0011] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 1, the control means operates the heater to store heat in the heat storage means, on condition that the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0012] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 1, it comprises a first circulation flow path that can circulate air as the heat transfer medium between the heat storage means and the heat exchanger, and a second circulation flow path that can circulate another heat transfer medium between the heat exchanger and the temperature adjustment means, wherein heat from the heat storage means is transferred to the temperature adjustment means via the heat exchanger, and the air pump is disposed in a flow path in the first circulation flow path that extends from the heat exchanger to the heat storage means.

[0013] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 7, it further comprises temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the air pump or the temperature of the air passing through the air pump, and switching means arranged between the air pump and the heat exchanger in the first circulation flow path, for switching the air flowing to the air pump depending on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means.

[0014] The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 8, the switching means is switchable among an outside air introduction mode in which outside air is introduced while blocking air from the heat storage means, an inside air circulation mode in which air from the heat storage means is introduced while blocking the introduction of outside air, and an inside / outside air mixing mode in which air from the heat storage means is mixed with outside air and introduced.

[0015] The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 7, a first on-off valve and a second on-off valve controlled to open and close by the control means are respectively attached to an inlet position in the first circulation flow path where air is introduced into the heat storage means and an outlet position where air is discharged from the heat storage means, and these first on-off valve and second on-off valve are normally closed solenoid valves.

[0016] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the heating system for an electric vehicle according to the tenth aspect, wherein the control means opens the second opening / closing valve when the heater is operating to store heat in the heat storage means.

[0017] The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 1, the control means does not allow the heat storage means to store and release heat when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

[0018] The invention of claim 13 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 1, the heat storage body of the heat storage means has a core particle made of a latent heat storage material of Al or an Al-Si alloy, and an oxide coating of the constituent elements of the core particle provided on the outer surface of the core particle.

[0019] The invention of claim 14 is characterized in that, in the heating system for an electric vehicle of claim 13, the oxide coating has a dense first oxide coating of the constituent elements of the core particle and a second oxide coating of the constituent elements of the core particle formed on the outer surface of the first oxide coating, and the first oxide coating and the second oxide coating are α-Al2O3. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, the heat transfer medium that transfers the heat stored in the heat storage means to the temperature adjustment means is air, and an air pump is provided to circulate the air as a heat transfer medium through the heat storage means, so that the heat storage energy density of the heat storage means can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a heating system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] Table showing modes of the heating system for the electric vehicle [Figure 3] A time chart showing the control details of the heating system for electric vehicles. [Figure 4a] A flowchart showing the control of the heating system for an electric vehicle. [Figure 4b] A flowchart showing the control of the heating system for an electric vehicle. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the state of the electric vehicle heating system in charging mode. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing the state of the electric vehicle heating system in heat storage mode or off mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the heating system for an electric vehicle in an internal air circulation mode. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing the state of the electric vehicle heating system in the indoor / outdoor mixed mode. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the outside air introduction mode in the heating system for an electric vehicle; [Figure 10] Graph showing the relationship between the resistance value of the heater of the heat storage means and the heat storage capacity in the heating system for the electric vehicle. [Figure 11] Schematic diagram showing the heat storage body ((a) solid phase and (b) liquid phase) of the heat storage means in the electric vehicle heating system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to this embodiment is applied to an electric vehicle (BEV) equipped with a storage battery capable of supplying power to a drive motor, and as shown in FIG. 1, the system mainly comprises a storage battery B that supplies power to the motor M, a heat storage means 1 having a heat storage body H, a temperature adjustment means 2, a heat exchanger 3, a control means 9, an air pump P1 and a water pump P2 attached to the first circulation flow path L1 and the second circulation flow path L2, respectively, and a switching means 7 formed in the first circulation flow path L1.

[0023] The electric vehicle V to which this invention is applied is capable of running using a motor M as a drive source, and does not have a drive source consisting of an internal combustion engine such as an internal combustion engine. The motor M is electrically connected to a storage battery B and is an electromagnetic motor that can obtain drive force from the electric power supplied from the storage battery B. The motor M according to this embodiment constitutes a main part of the vehicle's power unit, which includes an inverter, a power converter, etc.

[0024] The storage battery B is a secondary battery that supplies power to the motor M and can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and can be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, or lead-acid battery attached to the vehicle body. The storage battery B is electrically connected to the on-board charger 10, and can be charged by connecting the charging plug of a commercial power source D located in a parking space or the like to the on-board charger 10.

[0025] The heat storage means 1 has a heat storage body H that is heated by the operation of a heater 4 and can store heat using latent heat and sensible heat, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 9, is made up of a heat storage container 1a that houses the heat storage body H. The heat storage container 1a can be, for example, a vacuum insulated container, and is equipped with a heater 4 that generates heat when electricity is applied. The heater 4 is operated under the control of a control means 9 and can heat and charge the heat storage body H when electricity is applied, and is made up of, for example, nichrome wire.

[0026] As shown in Figure 11, the heat storage body H has core particles Ha made of a latent heat storage material of Al or Al-Si alloy, and oxide films Hb of the constituent elements of the core particles Ha formed on the outer surfaces of the core particles Ha. In this embodiment, the oxide films Hb have a dense first oxide film of the constituent elements of the core particles Ha and a second oxide film of the constituent elements of the core particles Ha formed on the outer surface of the first oxide film, and the first oxide film and the second oxide film are α-Al2O3.

[0027] The Al-Si alloy constituting the core particles Ha of the heat storage material H can be controlled to have a low volumetric expansion coefficient during melting by adjusting the content ratio of Si, which has a negative volumetric expansion coefficient during melting. Furthermore, when heat is absorbed from the outside, the material undergoes a phase transformation from a solid phase (see FIG. 11(a)) to a liquid phase (see FIG. 11(b)), storing the absorbed heat as latent heat. Conversely, when the latent heat is released to the outside, the material undergoes a phase transformation from a liquid phase to a solid phase. This makes the heat storage material H stable during the heat storage cycle and usable even at relatively high temperatures, such as 150°C or higher, and allows the use of a heat storage material H with excellent heat storage energy density and thermal conductivity.

[0028] Furthermore, the core particles Ha of the heat storage body H according to this embodiment are configured to have a void N acting as a buffer between the core particles Ha and the oxide film Hb when the core particles Ha are in a solid phase (see FIG. 1(a)). As a result, the volume expansion of the core particles Ha when they are transformed from a solid phase to a liquid phase fills the void N (space buffer) that existed in the solid phase, and the components of the dissolved latent heat storage material (Al or Al-Si alloy) remain inside the space covered by the oxide film Hb.

[0029] The oxide coating Hb can be an oxide of a metal that is a component of the latent heat storage material of the core particles Ha, or an oxide containing a component of a chemical solution used in the chemical coating treatment described below. For example, if the latent heat storage material that becomes the core particles Ha is an Al-Si alloy, the oxide coating Hb can be an oxide of Al, which is a component of the alloy. In this case, α-Al2O3 is chemically stable and is suitable for the oxide coating Hb.

[0030] The temperature adjustment means 2 is composed of an air conditioner mounted on the electric vehicle V, and in this embodiment is configured to have a heating function for heating the interior of the vehicle using heat stored in the heat storage means 1. The temperature adjustment means 2 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to use the heat stored in the heat storage means 1 to heat the storage battery B and to blow warm air into the vehicle interior to heat it.

[0031] The control means 9 is made up of a microcomputer or the like disposed in the electric vehicle V, and is capable of controlling, for example, the operation of the heater 4. Furthermore, in addition to controlling the operation of the heater 4, the control means 9 according to this embodiment is also capable of controlling the drive of the air pump P1 and the water pump P2, and controlling the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 5, the second on-off valve 6, and the switching means 7. Furthermore, the control means 9 is powered by the storage battery B and the on-board charger 10, and is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 8 and the outside air temperature sensor 11, so that values detected by these temperature sensor 8 and outside air temperature sensor 11 can be input thereto.

[0032] Here, the heating system for an electric vehicle according to this embodiment uses air as a heat transfer medium for transferring heat stored in the heat storage means 1 to the temperature adjustment means 2, and is equipped with a first circulation flow path L1 capable of circulating air as a heat transfer medium between the heat storage means 1 and the heat exchanger 3, a second circulation flow path capable of circulating coolant (LLC: Long Life Coolant) as another heat transfer medium between the heat exchanger 3 and the temperature adjustment means 2, an air pump P1 disposed in the first circulation flow path L1 for circulating air as a heat transfer medium through the heat storage means 1, and a water pump P2 disposed in the second circulation flow path L2 for circulating coolant as another heat transfer medium through the heat exchanger 3.

[0033] The first circulation flow path L1 is made of, for example, a vacuum insulated pipe or the like, and is formed in a ring shape between the inside of the heat storage container 1a of the heat storage means 1 and the heat exchanger 3. Then, by driving an air pump P1 disposed in the first circulation flow path L1 and flowing air as a heat transfer medium between the heat storage means 1 and the heat exchanger 3, the heat stored in the heat storage means 1 can be transferred to the heat exchanger 3.

[0034] The air pump P1 can be driven under the control of the control means 9 to circulate air as a heat transfer medium, and is disposed in the flow path of the first circulation flow path L1 that runs from the heat exchanger 3 toward the heat storage means 1. In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 8 (temperature detection means) is attached to detect the temperature of the air pump P1 or the temperature of the air passing through the air pump P1, and the air temperature detected by this temperature sensor 8 is transmitted to the control means 9 so that it can be monitored.

[0035] In addition, a first opening / closing valve 5 and a second opening / closing valve 6, which are controlled to open and close by a control means 9, are installed at an introduction position (inlet position) in the first circulation flow path L1 where air is introduced into the heat storage means 1 and at an outlet position (outlet position) where air is discharged from the heat storage means 1, respectively, and these first opening / closing valve 5 and second opening / closing valve 6 are made up of normally closed type solenoid valves (solenoid valves that constantly block the flow path using a built-in spring or the like when not energized).

[0036] Furthermore, the heating system for an electric vehicle according to this embodiment includes a switching means 7 that is disposed between the air pump P1 and the heat exchanger 3 in the first circulation flow path L1 and that switches the air flowing to the air pump P1 in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the switching means 7 is configured to have an intake port 7a that can introduce outside air, an exhaust port 7b that can discharge inside air, and a switching valve 7c that can switch between introducing air from the intake port 7a and discharging air from the exhaust port 7b by rotating it.

[0037] Specifically, the switching means 7 of this embodiment is capable of switching among an outside air introduction mode (see Figure 9) in which outside air is introduced while blocking air from the heat storage means 1, an inside air circulation mode (see Figure 7) in which air from the heat storage means 1 is introduced while blocking the introduction of outside air, and an inside / outside air mixing mode (see Figure 8) in which air from the heat storage means 1 is mixed with outside air and introduced, by operating the switching valve 7c in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8.

[0038] For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is low, the system is set to the inside air circulation mode, and the switching valve 7c is set to the 60° position, as shown in Fig. 7, to cause the air in the heat storage means 1 to flow to the air pump P1 and circulate the air through the first circulation flow path L1. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is medium, the system is set to the inside / outside air mixing mode, and the switching valve 7c is set to the 30° position, as shown in Fig. 8, to cause a portion of the air in the heat storage means 1 and outside air to flow to the air pump P1 while discharging a portion of the air in the heat storage means 1 to the outside. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is high, the system is set to the outside air introduction mode, and the switching valve 7c is set to the 0° position, as shown in Fig. 9, to cause the air in the heat storage means 1 to be discharged to the outside while causing outside air to flow to the air pump P1.

[0039] However, when the heater 4 of the heat storage means 1 is operated to store heat in the heat storage body H, the heat charging mode is set, and as shown in Fig. 5, the first on-off valve 5 is closed, the second on-off valve 6 is open, and the switching valve 7c is set to the 0° position, so that the internal pressure that has increased due to the temperature rise in the heat storage container 1a can be released to the outside. Also, when the operation of the heater 4 of the heat storage means 1 is stopped and the heat stored in the heat storage body H is maintained, the heat storage mode is set, and as shown in Fig. 6, the first on-off valve 5 and the second on-off valve 6 are closed, and the switching valve 7c is set to the 0° position.

[0040] The second circulation flow path L2 is made of, for example, a vacuum insulated pipe or the like, and is formed in a ring shape between the temperature adjustment means 2 and the heat exchanger 3. Then, by driving a water pump P2 disposed in the second circulation flow path L2 and causing a coolant (LCC) as a heat transfer medium to flow between the temperature adjustment means 2 and the heat exchanger 3, the heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 3 can be transferred to the temperature adjustment means 2.

[0041] The water pump P2 can be driven under the control of the control means 9 to circulate the coolant as a heat transfer medium, and is disposed in the flow path in the second circulation flow path L2 that runs from the temperature adjustment means 2 to the heat exchanger 3. By driving the air pump P1 and the water pump P2, the heat stored in the heat storage means 1 can be transferred to the temperature adjustment means 2 via the heat exchanger 3, thereby heating the interior of the vehicle. Note that the coolant as a heat transfer medium is preferably a liquid (refrigerant) such as antifreeze, but other heat transfer media may also be used.

[0042] On the other hand, the control means 9 according to this embodiment is configured to energize the heater 4 to heat the heat storage body H, and to estimate the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 based on the resistance value when the heater 4 is energized. That is, when the heater 4 is energized to charge the heat storage means 1, it is known that the relationship shown in Fig. 10 holds between the resistance value (Ω) of the heater 4 and the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 (SOCH (%)). Therefore, if the resistance value when the heater 4 is energized is detected, the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 can be estimated based on the detected resistance value. Note that α in the graph of Fig. 10 indicates the change in resistance value during the process of phase transformation of the core particles Ha in the heat storage body H.

[0043] The control means 9 according to this embodiment is configured to stop power supply to the heater 4 when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 estimated based on the resistance value when power is supplied to the heater 4 is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value (predetermined value 1 near the upper limit in the graph of FIG. 10). The control means 9 according to this embodiment is configured to stop driving the air pump P1 when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 estimated based on the resistance value when power is supplied to the heater 4 is equal to or less than a second predetermined value (predetermined value 2 near the lower limit in the graph of FIG. 10).

[0044] In addition, the control means 9 according to this embodiment is configured to operate the heater 4 to store heat in the heat storage means 1 on condition that the amount of stored electricity in the storage battery B (SOCB) is greater than a predetermined value. Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment is configured to not allow the heat storage means 1 to store and release heat (to operate the heater 4) when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0045] 3 shows a time chart illustrating the parameters of the electric vehicle V according to the above embodiment, such as the vehicle speed, the amount of stored electricity, the amount of stored heat, and the interior temperature, as well as the drive or operation states of the heater 4, the air pump P1, the switching valve 7c, the first on-off valve 5, and the second on-off valve 6. Note that "FCCNO" (function circuit control number) in the table in the figure corresponds to "FCCNO" in the tables showing the control modes in FIGS. 2 and 4b.

[0046] Next, the control of the control means 9 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4a and 4b. After obtaining the amount of stored power (SOCB) of storage battery B in S1 and the amount of stored heat (SOCH) in S2, it is determined in S3 whether the outside air temperature detected by outside air temperature sensor 11 is lower than a predetermined value. If it is determined in S3 that the outside air temperature is lower than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S4, where it is determined whether the charging plug of commercial power source D is attached to on-board charger 10 of electric vehicle V. If it is determined in S3 that the outside air temperature is not lower than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S20, where FCCNO=6 is set.

[0047] If it is determined in S4 that the charging plug is not attached to the on-board charger 10, it is determined in S5 whether the air conditioning heating setting of the temperature adjustment means 2 is on, and if it is determined that the air conditioning heating setting of the temperature adjustment means 2 is on, it is determined in S6 whether the amount of stored heat (SOCH) is greater than a predetermined value 2.

[0048] If it is determined in S6 that the heat storage amount (SOCH) is greater than the predetermined value 2, it is determined in S9 whether the temperature of the air pump P1 is lower than a predetermined value, and if it is determined that the temperature of the air pump P1 is lower than the predetermined value, it is determined in S10 whether the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than a predetermined value. If it is further determined in S10 that the temperature inside the vehicle is lower than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S11, where FCCNO=3 is set.

[0049] If it is determined in S5 that the air conditioning heating setting of the temperature adjusting means 2 is not on, or if it is determined in S6 that the amount of stored heat (SOCH) is not greater than the predetermined value 2, the process proceeds to S17, where FCCNO is set to 2, and if it is determined in S9 that the temperature of the air pump P1 is not lower than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S19, where FCCNO is set to 5. If it is determined in S10 that the temperature inside the vehicle is not lower than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S18, where FCCNO is set to 4.

[0050] On the other hand, if it is determined in S4 that the charging plug is attached to the on-board charger 10, the process proceeds to S7, where it is determined whether the stored power amount (SOCB) of storage battery B is greater than a predetermined value, and if it is determined that the stored power amount (SOCB) of storage battery B is greater than the predetermined value, it is determined in S8 whether the stored heat amount (SOCH) is less than a predetermined value 1. If it is determined in S8 that the stored heat amount (SOCH) is less than the predetermined value 1, the process proceeds to S16, where FCCNO is set to 1. If it is determined in S7 that the stored power amount (SOCB) of storage battery B is not greater than the predetermined value or if it is determined in S8 that the stored heat amount (SOCH) is not less than the predetermined value 1, the process proceeds to S17, where FCCNO is set to 2.

[0051] Once the FCCNO is set through the above steps, based on that FCCNO, heater control of the heater 4 is performed in S12, air pump control of the air pump P1 in S13, switching valve control of the switching valve 7c in S14, and switching valve control of the first opening / closing valve 5 and the second opening / closing valve 6 in S15, and the series of controls is completed.

[0052] Next, the control based on the set FCCNO will be specifically described with reference to the control table of FIG. When FCCNO=1, the charging mode (see FIG. 5) is set, the heater 4 is activated (ON), the air pump P1 is stopped (OFF), the angle of the switching valve 7c is 0° (OFF), the first opening / closing valve 5 is closed (OFF), and the second opening / closing valve 6 is open (ON). When FCCNO=2, the heat storage mode (see FIG. 6) is set, the heater 4 is stopped (off), the air pump P1 is stopped (off), the angle of the switching valve 7c is 0° (off), the first opening / closing valve 5 is closed (off), and the second opening / closing valve 6 is closed (off).

[0053] When FCCNO=3, the internal air circulation mode (see FIG. 7) is set, the heater 4 is stopped (OFF), the air pump P1 is driven at high speed (ON), the angle of the switching valve 7c is 60° (ON), the first opening / closing valve 5 is open (ON), and the second opening / closing valve 6 is open (ON). When FCCNO=4, the internal / external air mixing mode (see FIG. 8) is set, the heater 4 is stopped (OFF), the air pump P1 is driven at low speed (ON), the angle of the switching valve 7c is set to 30° (ON), the first opening / closing valve 5 is open (ON), and the second opening / closing valve 6 is open (ON).

[0054] When FCCNO=5, the outside air introduction mode (see FIG. 9) is set, the heater 4 is stopped (off), the air pump P1 is driven (on), the angle of the switching valve 7c is 0° (off), the first opening / closing valve 5 is open (on), and the second opening / closing valve 6 is open (on). When FCCNO=6, the off mode (see FIG. 2) is set, the heater 4 is stopped (off), the air pump P1 is stopped (off), the angle of the switching valve 7c is 0° (off), the first opening / closing valve 5 is closed (off), and the second opening / closing valve 6 is closed (off).

[0055] According to the heating system for an electric vehicle according to the above embodiment, the heat transfer medium that transfers the heat stored in the heat storage means 1 to the temperature adjustment means 2 is air, and the system is equipped with an air pump P1 that circulates the air as a heat transfer medium through the heat storage means 1, so it is possible to improve the heat storage energy density of the heat storage means 1 compared to systems that use a liquid heat transfer medium. In other words, by using air as the heat transfer medium, it is possible to store heat at a high temperature using the latent heat and sensible heat of the heat storage means 1, and therefore it is possible to improve the heat storage energy density.

[0056] In particular, the heat storage means 1 of this embodiment has a heat storage container 1a that contains a heat storage body H, and by driving the air pump P1, air is circulated inside the heat storage container 1a as a heat transfer medium, and the stored heat is transferred to the temperature adjustment means 2 (in this embodiment, transferred to the temperature adjustment means 2 via the heat exchanger 3), so that the stored heat can be efficiently transferred to the temperature adjustment means.

[0057] Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment energizes the heater 4 to heat the heat storage body H, and estimates the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 based on the resistance value when the heater 4 is energized, so that it is possible to easily grasp the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 without requiring a separate sensor or the like for detecting the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1. Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment stops energizing the heater 4 when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 estimated based on the resistance value when the heater 4 is energized is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, so that it is possible to prevent the heat storage means 1 from overheating.

[0058] Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment stops the operation of the air pump P1 when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 estimated based on the resistance value when current is applied to the heater 4 is equal to or less than a second predetermined value, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the air pump P1 when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means 1 is low and the air cannot be warmed up. Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment operates the heater 4 to store heat in the heat storage means on the condition that the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery B is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, so that charging of the storage battery B can be prioritized over heat storage by the heat storage means 1 depending on the electricity storage state of the storage battery B.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, there is provided a first circulation flow path L1 that can circulate air as a heat transfer medium between the heat storage means 1 and the heat exchanger 3, and a second circulation flow path L2 that can circulate another heat transfer medium between the heat exchanger 3 and the temperature adjustment means 2, and the heat of the heat storage means 1 is transferred to the temperature adjustment means 2 via the heat exchanger 3. In addition, the air pump P1 is disposed in the flow path in the first circulation flow path L1 that runs from the heat exchanger 3 to the heat storage means 1. This makes it possible to prevent high-temperature air from flowing into the air pump P1, and prevents the air pump P1 from being exposed to high-temperature air and being damaged.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a temperature sensor 8 (temperature detection means) is provided that detects the temperature of the air pump P1 or the temperature of the air passing through the air pump P1, and a switching means 7 is provided between the air pump P1 and the heat exchanger 3 in the first circulation flow path L1, and switches the air flowing to the air pump P1 depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8, thereby preventing the air pump P1 from overheating.

[0061] In particular, the switching means 7 in this embodiment can be switched between an outside air introduction mode in which outside air is introduced while blocking air from the heat storage means 1, an inside air circulation mode in which air from the heat storage means 1 is introduced while blocking the introduction of outside air, and an inside / outside air mixing mode in which air from the heat storage means 1 is mixed with outside air and introduced, making it easy to prevent overheating of the air pump P1.

[0062] In addition, a first opening / closing valve 5 and a second opening / closing valve 6, which are controlled to open and close by a control means 9, are installed at an inlet position in the first circulation flow path L1 where air is introduced into the heat storage means 1 and at an outlet position where air is discharged from the heat storage means 1, respectively, and since these first opening / closing valve 5 and second opening / closing valve 6 consist of normally closed type solenoid valves, it is not necessary to supply power to the first opening / closing valve 5 and the second opening / closing valve 6 when storing heat in the heat storage means 1.

[0063] Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment opens the second on-off valve 6 when the heater 4 is operating to store heat in the heat storage means 1, so that when the internal pressure of the heat storage means 1 increases due to heat storage, the internal pressure can be released. Furthermore, the control means 9 according to this embodiment does not allow the heat storage means 1 to store or release heat when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary heat storage and release in an environment where heating is not required.

[0064] In addition, the heat storage body H of the heat storage means 1 of this embodiment has core particles Ha made of a latent heat storage material of Al or an Al-Si alloy, and an oxide coating Hb of the constituent elements of the core particles Ha formed on the outer surface of the core particles Ha, so that heat can be efficiently stored by utilizing the latent heat and sensible heat of the core particles Ha.

[0065] Furthermore, the oxide film Hb has a dense first oxide film of the constituent elements of the core particle Ha and a second oxide film of the constituent elements of the core particle Ha formed on the outer surface of the first oxide film, and since the first oxide film and the second oxide film are α-Al2O3, a chemically stable oxide film Hb can be utilized.

[0066] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the electric vehicle V may be applied to industrial vehicles such as motorcycles, buggies, automobiles, trucks, trailers, campers, forklifts, or tractors, or may be an electric vehicle equipped with other types of storage batteries such as fuel cells. Furthermore, the heat storage body of the heat storage means is not limited to that of the present embodiment, and other types of heat storage bodies that utilize latent heat and sensible heat may be used. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The present invention can be applied to heating systems for electric vehicles having the same purpose as the present invention, such as systems with different external shapes or systems with additional functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Heat storage means 1a Heat storage container 2 Temperature adjustment means 3 Heat exchanger 4 heater 5 First shut-off valve 6 Second shut-off valve 7 Switching Method 7a Inlet 7b Outlet 7c Switching valve 8 Temperature sensor (temperature detection means) 9. Control Measures 10 On-board charger 11 Outside air temperature sensor V Electric Vehicle B. Storage battery L1 First circulation channel L2 Second circulation channel P1 Air Pump P2 water pump D Commercial power H Heat storage body Ha core particle Hb oxide film N void

Claims

1. a rechargeable battery that supplies power to the motor; a heat storage means having a heat storage body that is heated by the operation of a heater and can store latent heat and sensible heat; a temperature adjusting means having a heating function for heating the interior of the vehicle using the heat stored in the heat storage means; a control means for controlling the operation of the heater; A heating system for an electric vehicle for heating the interior of an electric vehicle, comprising: a heat transfer medium that transfers the heat stored in the heat storage means to the temperature adjustment means, the heat transfer medium being air; and an air pump that circulates the air as the heat transfer medium through the heat storage means.

2. 2. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage means has a heat storage container that houses the heat storage material, and by driving the air pump, air is circulated inside the heat storage container as the heat transfer medium, thereby transferring the stored heat to the temperature adjustment means.

3. 2. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means energizes the heater to heat the heat storage body, and estimates the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means based on a resistance value when the heater is energized.

4. 4. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the control means stops the supply of electricity to the heater when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means estimated based on a resistance value when the heater is energized is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

5. 4. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the control means stops driving the air pump when the amount of heat stored in the heat storage means estimated based on a resistance value when the heater is energized is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

6. 2. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means operates the heater to store heat in the heat storage means on condition that the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

7. a first circulation flow path that allows air as the heat transfer medium to circulate between the heat storage means and the heat exchanger; a second circulation flow path capable of circulating another heat transfer medium between the heat exchanger and the temperature adjustment means; 2. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein heat from the heat storage means is transferred to the temperature adjustment means via the heat exchanger, and the air pump is disposed in a flow path in the first circulation flow path that extends from the heat exchanger to the heat storage means.

8. a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the air pump or the temperature of the air passing through the air pump; a switching means disposed between the air pump and the heat exchanger in the first circulation flow path, the switching means switching the air flowing to the air pump in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means; 8. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising:

9. 9. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the switching means is capable of switching among an outside air introduction mode in which outside air is introduced while blocking air from the heat storage means, an inside air circulation mode in which air from the heat storage means is introduced while blocking the introduction of outside air, and an inside / outside air mixing mode in which air from the heat storage means and outside air are mixed and introduced.

10. 8. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a first on-off valve and a second on-off valve controlled to be opened and closed by the control means are respectively attached to an inlet position in the first circulation flow path where air is introduced into the heat storage means and a discharge position where air is discharged from the heat storage means, and the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are normally closed solenoid valves.

11. 11. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the control means opens the second opening / closing valve when the heat storage means stores heat due to the operation of the heater.

12. 2. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means prevents the heat storage means from storing and releasing heat when the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

13. 2. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage body of the heat storage means has a core particle made of a latent heat storage material of Al or an Al-Si alloy, and an oxide coating of the constituent elements of the core particle provided on the outer surface of the core particle.

14. The oxide film has a dense first oxide film of the constituent elements of the core particle and a second oxide film of the constituent elements of the core particle provided on the outer surface of the first oxide film, and the first oxide film and the second oxide film are made of α-Al ２ O ３ 14. The heating system for an electric vehicle according to claim 13, wherein:

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