Temperature control device

Abstract

To provide a temperature control device that can efficiently regulate the temperature of a battery.SOLUTION: A temperature control device A that regulates the temperature of a battery B installed in a vehicle includes a heater unit 1 that has a heater portion 15 that heats the battery B when power is supplied, and a cooling portion 16 that is arranged opposite the heater portion 15 and includes a cooling fluid circulating inside to cool the battery B, and the heater unit 1 is in contact with the battery B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control device that controls the temperature of a battery mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, automobiles equipped with motors as a driving source (hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), etc.) have become widespread. These automobiles are equipped with battery modules to drive the motors. The battery modules equipped in automobiles are made up of multiple battery cells arranged in parallel, and the battery modules are housed in a container to form a battery.

[0003] The temperature control device described in Patent Document 1 includes a planar heating element that heats at least one surface of the battery, and a thermal conductor made of metal that is in contact with the planar heating element, and the thermal conductor is in contact with the battery, thereby reducing uneven heating of the battery and promoting warming up of the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-14436 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Since the battery module is housed in a container to form a battery, heat generated by the battery module accumulates inside the container, causing it to reach high temperatures. Since high temperatures accelerate deterioration of the battery module, it is necessary to cool the battery module using a heat sink through which cooling water flows. The temperature control device described in Patent Document 1 is a technology for heating and warming up the battery, but does not disclose how to cool the battery.

[0006] Therefore, there is a demand for a temperature control device that can efficiently control the temperature of the battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A characteristic configuration of the temperature control device of the present invention is that it is a temperature control device for regulating the temperature of a battery installed in a vehicle, and is equipped with a heater unit having a heater section that heats the battery when power is supplied thereto, and a cooling section that is arranged opposite the heater section and has a cooling fluid circulating therethrough that cools the battery, and the heater unit is in contact with the battery.

[0008] In this configuration, the heater unit in contact with the battery has a heater section and a cooling section. This allows for operation such that the heater section is operated by supplying power when warming up the battery, and the heater section is stopped by not supplying power when cooling the battery. When the heater section is stopped, the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling section allows the heater unit to function as a heat sink, and the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling section can efficiently cool the battery.

[0009] In this way, the temperature control device can efficiently control the temperature of the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a temperature control device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cooling fluid circuit of a temperature adjustment device. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control state when the temperature of the battery exceeds a predetermined value. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control state when the temperature of the battery is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a cooling unit and a heater unit in another embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a cooling unit and a heater unit in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a temperature control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0012] [First embodiment] [Basic configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature control device A includes a heater unit 1 and a heat sink 2. The heater unit 1 includes a cylindrical inlet 11 into which a cooling fluid flows, a main body 12 to which the cooling fluid is supplied from the inlet 11, and a cylindrical outlet 13 from which the cooling fluid supplied to the main body 12 is discharged. The main body 12 includes a partition plate 14 that divides the internal space into two flow paths. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 12 includes a heater 15 that heats the battery B when power is supplied thereto, and a cooling section 16 that is disposed opposite the heater 15 and through which the cooling fluid flows to cool the battery B. The heater 15 is configured, for example, by a heater element having various types of exposed or built-in electric heating elements.

[0013] The heat sink 2 has a cylindrical inlet portion 21 into which the cooling fluid flows, a cooling main body portion 22 to which the cooling fluid is supplied from the inlet portion 21, and a cylindrical outlet portion 23 that discharges the cooling fluid supplied to the cooling main body portion 22. As shown in Fig. 2, the temperature control device A has a cooling fluid pump 31 that supplies the cooling fluid to the inlet portion 21, and a heat dissipation portion 32 composed of a radiator that dissipates heat from the cooling fluid discharged from the outlet portion 23.

[0014] The temperature adjustment device A adjusts the temperature of the batteries B by driving a cooling fluid pump 31 to circulate a cooling fluid along the arrangement direction of the batteries B (four in FIG. 1 ) to heat or cool the batteries B. The cooling main body 22 has a heat exchange wall 25 that is placed close to a predetermined surface of the battery B with a heat transfer sheet S sandwiched between them. The heat transfer sheet S is made of a resin material that is capable of good thermal conductivity and is flexibly deformable, and achieves good thermal conduction by being in close contact with the predetermined surface of the battery B and the outer surface of the heat exchange wall 25. The number of the batteries B is not particularly limited and is set appropriately depending on the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment device A.

[0015] In the temperature control device A, cooling fluids used include cooling water such as long-life coolant (LLC) containing ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, insulating oil such as paraffin, or refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).

[0016] In an EV vehicle that runs on power supplied from battery B, temperature control device A heats or cools battery B to control the temperature of battery B. Battery B is expected to be a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery.

[0017] [Cooling main body] 1, the cooling main body 22 has a rectangular cross section. The cooling main body 22 includes a heat exchange wall 25 adjacent to the outer surface of the battery B, a bottom wall 26 facing the heat exchange wall 25, and a pair of side walls 27 integrally formed with the bottom wall 26. The cooling main body 22 is internally provided with a plurality of partition plates 28 that divide the internal space into a plurality of cooling flow paths. The heat exchange wall 25, the bottom wall 26, the side walls 27, and the partition plates 28 are made of aluminum.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the internal space of the cooling main body 22 is divided by a plurality of partition plates 28, thereby forming a plurality of cooling flow paths in the longitudinal direction of the cooling main body 22.

[0019] [Cooling fluid circuit] As shown in FIG. 2 , the cooling fluid circuit C has a first flow path 41, a second flow path 42, a third flow path 43, a fourth flow path 44, and a fifth flow path 45, which are arranged downstream from the cooling fluid pump 31. The first flow path 41 is a flow path from the cooling fluid pump 31 to the inlet 11 of the heater unit 1. The second flow path 42 is a flow path from the outlet 13 of the heater unit 1 to the inlet 21 of the heat sink 2. The third flow path 43 is a flow path from the outlet 23 of the heat sink 2 to the switching valve 33. The fourth flow path 44 is a flow path from the switching valve 33 to the cooling fluid pump 31 via the heat dissipation portion 32. The fifth flow path 45 is a flow path from the switching valve 33 to the cooling fluid pump 31 without passing through the heat dissipation portion 32.

[0020] The heater unit 1 has a metal case 17 that houses a heater section 15 and a cooling section 16. The case 17 is made of, for example, aluminum. The heater unit 1 is in contact with the battery B. Specifically, the bottom surface 18 of the case 17 of the heater unit 1 is in contact with the top of the battery B via a heat transfer sheet S. The side surface 19 of the case 17 is provided with an inlet section 11 and an outlet section 13 on the same side as the inlet section 21 of the heat sink 2. Cooling fluid that has passed through the cooling section 16 of the heater unit 1 circulates inside the heat sink 2. The heat sink 2 is in contact with the battery B at a location different from that of the heater unit 1.

[0021] The temperature adjustment device A has a control unit 40. The control unit 40 controls the operation of at least the heater unit 1 based on the temperature of the battery B. Specifically, the control unit 40 activates the heater unit 15 when the temperature of the battery B falls below a predetermined value (e.g., a value selected between 0°C and 20°C), and deactivates the heater unit 15 when the temperature of the battery B exceeds the predetermined value (e.g., a value selected between 0°C and 20°C). The temperature of the battery B is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) separately attached to the battery B. The temperature data of the battery B detected by the temperature sensor can be input to the control unit 40. A temperature sensor may be provided for each of the multiple battery modules constituting the battery B. In this case, the control unit 40 may control the operation of the heater unit 1 based on the highest temperature among the multiple battery modules, or may control the operation of the heater unit 1 based on the average temperature.

[0022] The cooling fluid circuit C has a switching valve 33 at a position where the third flow path 43 branches into a fourth flow path 44 and a fifth flow path 45. The switching valve 33 is switchable between a first state (FIG. 3) in which the cooling fluid is circulated to a heat dissipation unit 32 (an example of a radiator) mounted on the vehicle, and a second state (FIG. 4) in which the cooling fluid is not circulated to the heat dissipation unit 32. The control unit 40 switches the switching valve 33 to the second state when the temperature of battery B is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and switches the switching valve 33 to the first state when the temperature of battery B exceeds the predetermined value.

[0023] [First state] 3, in the first state, the switching valve 33 blocks flow from the third flow path 43 to the fifth flow path 45 and allows flow from the third flow path 43 to the fourth flow path 44. As a result, the cooling fluid in the third flow path 43 is cooled by the heat dissipation section 32 (radiator) arranged in the fourth flow path 44, and then supplied to the cooling section 16 of the heater unit 1 and the heat sink 2. Here, in the first state, the temperature of the battery B exceeds a predetermined value, and therefore the heater section 15 is stopped by control by the control section 40. As a result, the temperature adjustment device A can efficiently cool the battery B, whose temperature has exceeded the predetermined value, using the cooling fluid.

[0024] [Second state] 4, in the second state, the switching valve 33 blocks flow from the third flow path 43 to the fourth flow path 44 and allows flow from the third flow path 43 to the fifth flow path 45. As a result, the cooling fluid in the third flow path 43 is supplied to the cooling section 16 of the heater unit 1 and the heat sink 2 without passing through the heat dissipation section 32 (radiator) arranged in the fourth flow path 44. Furthermore, because the temperature of the battery B is below a predetermined value, the heater section 15 is operating under the control of the control section 40. As a result, the temperature adjustment device A can efficiently heat the battery B, whose temperature has been lowered below a predetermined value by the cooling fluid.

[0025] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the heater unit 1 has the heater section 15 in contact with the battery B and the cooling section 16 disposed on the opposite side of the battery B. The heater section 15 is in contact with the battery B via a heat transfer sheet S. This allows the battery B to be efficiently heated by the heater section 15. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0026] Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the heater unit 1 has the cooling unit 16 in contact with the battery B, the heater unit 15 disposed on the opposite side of the battery B, and a metal case 17 (an example of a metal case) housing the heater unit 15 in contact with the battery B. The cooling unit 16 is in contact with the battery B via a heat transfer sheet S. The metal case 17 extends along the end faces of the cooling unit 16 and the battery B and is in contact with the battery B. This allows the battery B to be efficiently cooled by the cooling unit 16. Furthermore, the metal case 17 housing the heater unit 15 allows the heat generated by the heater unit 15 to be transferred to the battery B. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Note that the case 17 does not have to be in contact with the battery B. Even in this case, the heat generated by the heater unit 15 can be transferred to the battery B via the case 17 (metal case) housing the heater unit 15 and / or the cooling unit 16.

[0027] [Another embodiment] The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the above-described embodiments (common numbers and symbols are used to designate components having the same functions as those in the embodiments).

[0028] (a) The heat sink 2 has multiple configurations each having an inlet portion 21, a cooling main body portion 22, and an outlet portion 23, and the multiple cooling main body portions 22 can be distributed and arranged on the bottom surface and side surfaces of the battery B, or the multiple cooling main body portions 22 can be arranged in three locations: on the bottom surface of the battery B and a pair of side surfaces.

[0029] (b) When a fluid such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) is used as the cooling fluid, the property of changing from a liquid phase to a gas phase by removing heat from Battery B is utilized, enabling efficient cooling by latent heat.

[0030] In the above-described embodiment, the following configurations are envisioned. (1) The temperature control device (A) is a temperature control device (A) that controls the temperature of a battery (B) mounted on a vehicle, and is equipped with a heater unit (1) having a heater section (15) that heats the battery (B) when power is supplied thereto, and a cooling section (16) that is arranged opposite the heater section (15) and through which a cooling fluid that cools the battery (B) flows, and the heater unit (1) is in contact with the battery (B).

[0031] In this embodiment, the heater unit (1) in contact with the battery (B) has a heater section (15) and a cooling section (16). This allows for operation such that when warming up the battery (B), power is supplied to operate the heater section (15), and when cooling the battery (B), power is not supplied and the heater section (15) is stopped. When the heater section (15) is stopped, the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling section (16) causes the heater unit (1) to function as a heat sink, and the battery (B) can be efficiently cooled via the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling section (16).

[0032] (2) In the temperature control device (A) of (1), it is preferable that the heater unit (1) has the heater section (15) in contact with the battery (B) and the cooling section (16) disposed on the opposite side of the battery (B).

[0033] In this embodiment, when it is necessary to warm up the battery (B), the heater section (15) is in contact with the battery (B), so that the temperature of the battery (B) can be quickly raised to an appropriate temperature at which the battery (B) can operate.

[0034] (3) In the temperature control device (A) of (1), it is preferable that the heater unit (1) has the cooling section (16) in contact with the battery (B), the heater section (15) is disposed on the opposite side of the battery (B), and the metal case (17) housing the heater section (15) is in contact with the battery (B).

[0035] In this embodiment, when it is necessary to cool the battery B, the cooling unit 16 is in contact with the battery B, so that the temperature of the battery B can be quickly reduced and deterioration of the battery B can be prevented. In addition, the metal case 17 that houses the heater unit 15 is in contact with the battery, so that the heat generated by operating the heater unit 15 can be collected by the battery B without waste.

[0036] (4) It is preferable that the temperature control device (A) of any one of (1) to (3) further comprises a heat sink (2) through which a cooling fluid that has passed through the cooling section (16) flows, and that the heat sink (2) is in contact with the battery (B) at a location different from the heater unit (1).

[0037] In this embodiment, in addition to the heater unit (1), a heat sink (2) through which a cooling fluid that has passed through the cooling section (16) flows is brought into contact with the battery (B). Therefore, the temperature of the battery (B) can be quickly lowered by the heat sink (2) in addition to the cooling section (16), thereby more reliably preventing deterioration of the battery (B).

[0038] (Additional note 1) It is preferable that the temperature control device (A) of any one of (1) to (4) further includes a control unit (40) that controls the operation of at least the heater unit (1), and the control unit (40) activates the heater unit (15) when the temperature of the battery (B) is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and deactivates the heater unit (15) when the temperature of the battery (B) exceeds the predetermined value.

[0039] In this embodiment, the operation of the heater portion (15) is controlled based on the temperature of the battery (B), so that the battery (B) can be easily maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0040] (Additional note 2) Preferably, the temperature control device (A) of supplementary paragraph 1 further includes a switching valve (33) switchable between a first state in which a cooling fluid is circulated through a radiator (32) mounted on a vehicle and a second state in which the cooling fluid is not circulated through the radiator (32), and the control unit (40) switches the switching valve (33) to the second state when the temperature of the cooling fluid is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and switches the switching valve (33) to the first state when the temperature of the cooling fluid exceeds the predetermined value.

[0041] In this configuration, when warming up the battery (B), power is supplied to operate the heater section (15) and the cooling fluid that has bypassed the radiator (32) is circulated through the cooling section (16), so the temperature of the battery (B) can be quickly increased without the cooling fluid being cooled. On the other hand, when cooling the battery (B), power is not supplied to stop the heater section (15) and the cooling fluid is circulated through the radiator (32), so the cooling fluid circulating through the cooling section (16) is cooled, and the temperature of the battery (B) can be quickly decreased. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The present invention is widely applicable to battery temperature control devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: heater unit, 2: heat sink, 15: heater section, 16: cooling section, 17: case (metal case), 32: heat dissipation section (radiator), 33: switching valve, 40: control section, A: temperature control device, B: battery

Claims

1. A temperature control device that controls the temperature of a battery mounted on a vehicle, a heater unit including a heater section that heats the battery when power is supplied thereto, and a cooling section that is disposed opposite the heater section and through which a cooling fluid that cools the battery flows; The heater unit is a temperature control device in contact with the battery.

2. 2. The temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the heater unit has the heater portion in contact with the battery and the cooling portion disposed on the opposite side of the battery.

3. 2. The temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the heater unit has the cooling section in contact with the battery, the heater section disposed on the opposite side of the battery, and a metal case housing the heater section in contact with the battery.

4. a heat sink through which the cooling fluid that has passed through the cooling portion flows; The temperature control device according to claim 1 , wherein the heat sink is in contact with the battery at a location different from the heater unit.

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