Thermal management system

Abstract

To provide a thermal management system with two radiators which can efficiently cool a heat source.SOLUTION: A thermal management system 10 comprises: an HT radiator 340 (first radiator); an LT radiator 410 (second radiator); a nine-way switching valve 100 (switching unit) and a five-way switching valve 200 (switching unit) which switch a distribution channel of heat medium; and an ECU 2 (controller). The ECU 2 controls the nine-way switching valve 100 and the five-way switching valve 200 to switch between a first heat medium circuit 1a where the HT radiator 340 is separated from the LT radiator 410 to be independent from each other and a second medium circuit 1b with a series circuit 31 where the HT radiator 340 is connected with the LT radiator 410 in series.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to thermal management systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-185829 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electric vehicle equipped with an on-board temperature control device including a high-temperature radiator and a low-temperature radiator. The high-temperature radiator is provided in a high-temperature circuit. The low-temperature radiator is provided in a low-temperature circuit. The high-temperature circuit and the low-temperature circuit are independent of each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-185829 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, as described above, the high-temperature circuit and the low-temperature circuit are independent of each other. That is, the high-temperature radiator and the low-temperature radiator are provided to cool different heat sources. Therefore, when the heat source has a large amount of heat, the cooling power of only one radiator may be insufficient.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermal management system that can efficiently cool a heat source using two radiators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A thermal management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a thermal management system in which a heat medium circulates, and includes a first radiator, a second radiator different from the first radiator, a switching device that switches a flow path of the heat medium, and a control device that controls the switching device. The control device controls the switching device to switch between a first heat medium circuit in which the first radiator and the second radiator are separated and independent of each other, and a second heat medium circuit that includes a series circuit in which the first radiator and the second radiator are connected in series.

[0007] In a thermal management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, a second heat medium circuit is formed that includes a series circuit in which a first radiator and a second radiator are connected in series. This allows a common heat source to be cooled by both the first radiator and the second radiator. As a result, when the heat source generates a relatively large amount of heat, the second heat medium circuit can be formed to efficiently cool the heat source. Furthermore, when the heat source generates a relatively small amount of heat, the first heat medium circuit can be formed to separately cool the heat source using the first radiator and the second radiator. As a result, when the heat source generates a relatively small amount of heat, the heat source can be efficiently cooled.

[0008] The thermal management system may include a power storage device and a drive device capable of generating drive force. In the first heat medium circuit, the first radiator may release heat supplied from the power storage device to the outside air, and the heat medium circulating through the second radiator may exchange heat with the drive device. In the second heat medium circuit, each of the first radiator and the second radiator may release heat supplied from the power storage device to the outside air. With this configuration, the first radiator provided for the power storage device in the first heat medium circuit and the second radiator provided for the drive device can be used together in the second heat medium circuit to cool the power storage device. This allows the power storage device to be efficiently cooled by the first radiator and the second radiator in the second heat medium circuit.

[0009] The control device may control the switching device to form the second heat medium circuit during external charging of the power storage device. With this configuration, the power storage device can be efficiently cooled using both the first radiator and the second radiator during external charging, when the temperature of the power storage device is relatively likely to rise.

[0010] The control device may control the switching device to form the second heat medium circuit during external charging by rapid charging. With this configuration, the power storage device can be efficiently cooled using both the first radiator and the second radiator during external charging, when the temperature of the power storage device is more likely to rise than during normal charging.

[0011] The switching device may include a 9-way valve and a 5-way valve. The control device may control each of the 9-way valve and the 5-way valve to switch between the first heat medium circuit and the second heat medium circuit. With this configuration, the first heat medium circuit and the second heat medium circuit can be easily switched by switching the heat medium flow path using two different multi-way valves (the 9-way valve and the 5-way valve). [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the heat source can be efficiently cooled using two different radiators. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a thermal management system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a thermal management circuit of a thermal management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first heat medium circuit of a thermal management circuit according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second heat medium circuit of a thermal management circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third heat medium circuit of a thermal management circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control flow of an ECU according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0015] The following description will be given taking as an example a configuration in which a thermal management system 10 according to the present disclosure is mounted on an electric vehicle 20, as shown in Fig. 1. The electric vehicle 20 is preferably a vehicle equipped with a battery 510 for driving (described later in Fig. 2). The electric vehicle 20 is, for example, an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). However, the use of the thermal management system according to the present disclosure is not limited to vehicles.

[0016] The thermal management system 10 includes a thermal management circuit 1 and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 2. The ECU 2 is an example of the "control device" of the present disclosure.

[0017] The ECU 2 includes a processor 2a, a memory 2b, a storage 2c, and an interface 2d.

[0018] The processor 2a is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-processing unit (MPU). The memory 2b is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The storage 2c is a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory. The storage 2c stores system programs including an operating system (OS) and control programs including computer-readable code required for control calculations. The processor 2a performs various processes by reading the system programs and control programs, expanding them into the memory 2b, and executing them. The interface 2d controls communication between the ECU 2 and the components of the thermal management circuit 1.

[0019] The ECU 2 generates control commands based on sensor values ​​acquired from various sensors included in the thermal management circuit 1, user operations received by an HMI (Human Machine Interface) (not shown) provided in the electric vehicle 20, and the like, and outputs the generated control commands to the thermal management circuit 1. The ECU 2 may be divided into multiple ECUs for each function. Also, while FIG. 1 shows an example in which the ECU 2 includes one processor 2a, the ECU 2 may include multiple processors. The same applies to the memory 2b and the storage 2c.

[0020] <Thermal management circuit configuration> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the thermal management circuit 1 in this embodiment. The thermal management circuit 1 includes a nine-way valve 100, a five-way valve 200, a high-temperature circuit 300, a unit circuit 400, a battery circuit 500, a refrigeration cycle 600, a flow path 700, and a flow path 800. The thermal management circuit 1 also includes a flow path 30, a flow path 40, a flow path 50, and a flow path 60. Each of the nine-way valve 100 and the five-way valve 200 is an example of a "switching device" of the present disclosure.

[0021] The nine-way valve 100 includes a valve element 110 and outer sections 120 to 129. The valve element 110 has a cylindrical shape extending in the Z direction and is configured to be rotatable around a central axis of the valve element 110 (not shown). When viewed from the Z1 side, the valve element 110 is surrounded by the outer sections 120 to 129. The valve element 110 rotates in accordance with a control command from the ECU 2 (FIG. 1).

[0022] The valve body 110 is provided with an internal flow path 111, an internal flow path 112, an internal flow path 113, and an internal flow path 114. The valve body 110 rotates in accordance with a control command from the ECU 2, thereby changing the positions of the internal flow paths 111-114. This changes the connections (combinations of connections) between the outer sections 120-129 and the internal flow paths 111-114. This will be described in detail later.

[0023] The internal flow path 111 is disposed on the Z1 side of the internal flow path 112. The internal flow path 113 is disposed on the Z1 side of the internal flow path 114. The internal flow path 111 and the internal flow path 113 are disposed at the same position in the Z direction. The internal flow path 112 and the internal flow path 114 are disposed at the same position in the Z direction.

[0024] The outer sections 120 to 129 are arranged side by side around the circumference of the valve body 110. The outer sections 120 to 129 are isolated from one another. Although the outer sections 128 and 129 are shown in FIG. 2 as being arranged side by side for ease of understanding, they are actually stacked in the Z direction. The outer section 129 is arranged on the Z2 side of the outer section 128.

[0025] The outer sections 120-126 have approximately the same width in the circumferential direction of the valve body 110. The outer sections 127-129 each have a smaller width in the circumferential direction than the outer sections 120-126.

[0026] The five-way valve 200 has a cylindrical shape extending in the Z direction. The five-way valve 200 has ports P1 to P5. The ports P1 to P4 are inlet ports through which the heat medium flows into the five-way valve 200. The port P5 is an outlet port through which the heat medium flows out of the five-way valve 200. The ports P1 to P4 are in communication with lower compartments (not shown) that are isolated from one another. That is, the five-way valve 200 is provided with four lower compartments that are isolated from one another. Although not shown in the figure, the four compartments have the same shape (a sector shape with a central angle of 90 degrees when viewed from the Z1 side). The port P5 is in communication with an upper compartment (not shown) that is provided on the Z1 side of the four lower compartments.

[0027] The flow state of the heat medium in ports P1 to P5 is controlled by a control command from ECU 2 (FIG. 1). Specifically, ECU 2 changes the position of opening 210. A partition plate (not shown) that separates the four lower compartments from an upper compartment is provided inside five-way valve 200, and opening 210 is formed in this partition plate. This partition plate rotates around the central axis of five-way valve 200, which has a cylindrical shape, in response to a control command from ECU 2. This changes the lower compartment that overlaps with opening 210 in the Z direction. Port P5 is connected only to a port that communicates with a lower compartment that overlaps with opening 210 in the Z direction.

[0028] Opening 210 has a sector shape with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees when viewed from the Z1 side. Therefore, one or two of the four lower sections can overlap opening 210 in the Z direction at the same time. This allows one or two of ports P1 to P4 to communicate with port P5.

[0029] High temperature circuit 300 includes a water pump 310, a high voltage heater (HVH) 320, a heater core 330, and a high temperature (HT) radiator 340. Water pump 310 circulates a heat medium within high temperature circuit 300 in accordance with a control command from ECU 2 (FIG. 1). Note that HT radiator 340 is an example of a "first radiator" in the present disclosure.

[0030] The high-temperature circuit 300 includes a flow path 350, a flow path 360, and a flow path 370. The flow path 350 connects the port P5 and a branch point 380. The water pump 310 and the HVH 320 are provided in the flow path 350. The part of the flow path 350 between the water pump 310 and the HVH 320 is also connected to a water-cooled condenser 640 (described later) of the refrigeration cycle 600. That is, in the water-cooled condenser 640, heat exchange occurs between the heat medium circulating through the refrigeration cycle 600 and the heat medium flowing through the flow path 350.

[0031] The flow path 360 connects the branch point 380 and the port P2. The flow path 360 is provided with a heater core 330.

[0032] The flow path 370 connects the branch point 380 and the port P1. The flow path 370 is provided with an HT radiator 340.

[0033] Unit circuit 400 includes LT (Low Temperature) radiator 410, reserve tank 420, water pump 430, SPU (Smart Power Unit) 440, PCU (Power Control Unit) 450, oil cooler (O / C) 460, and transaxle (T / A) 470. Water pump 430 circulates a heat medium in accordance with a control command from ECU 2 (FIG. 1). Water pump 430 delivers the heat medium to SPU 413. Transaxle 470 is capable of generating driving force for electric vehicle 20 (FIG. 1). LT radiator 410 is an example of a "second radiator" in the present disclosure. Each of PCU 450 and transaxle 470 is an example of a "drive device" in the present disclosure.

[0034] The unit circuit 400 includes a flow path 480 and a flow path 490. The flow path 480 connects the outer section 127 and the outer section 120 of the nine-way valve 100. The flow path 480 is provided with an LT radiator 410, a reserve tank 420, a water pump 430, an SPU 440, a PCU 450, and an oil cooler 460. The SPU 440 and the PCU 450 each include a heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat with the heat medium in the flow path 480. The oil cooler 460 exchanges heat with the heat medium in the flow path 480 and the transaxle 470. Note that the transaxle 470 may be provided in the flow path 480 instead of the oil cooler 460.

[0035] A flow path 490 connects the outer section 129 of the nine-way valve 100 to the reserve tank 420 .

[0036] Battery circuit 500 includes a battery 510, a water pump 520, a flow path 530, and a temperature sensor 540. Water pump 520 delivers a heat medium to battery 510. Water pump 520 circulates the heat medium in accordance with a control command from ECU 2 (FIG. 1). Battery 510 is an example of the "power storage device" of the present disclosure.

[0037] The flow path 530 connects the outer compartment 123 and the outer compartment 124 of the nine-way valve 100. The flow path 530 is provided with a battery 510 and a water pump 520. The battery 510 includes a heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat with the heat medium of the flow path 530.

[0038] Temperature sensor 540 detects the temperature of battery 510. Data detected by temperature sensor 540 is transmitted to ECU 2 (FIG. 1).

[0039] The refrigeration cycle 600 includes a chiller 610, an evaporator 620, a compressor 630, a water-cooled condenser 640, an expansion valve 650, an expansion valve 660, and an EPR (Evaporative Pressure Regulator) 670. The heat medium (gas-phase refrigerant or liquid-phase refrigerant) circulating through the refrigeration cycle 600 flows through one or both of a first path of the compressor 630-water-cooled condenser 640-expansion valve 660-evaporator 620-EPR 670-compressor 630 and a second path of the compressor 630-water-cooled condenser 640-expansion valve 650-chiller 610-compressor 630.

[0040] The flow path 700 connects the outer compartment 125 and the outer compartment 126 of the nine-way valve 100. The flow path 700 is also connected to the chiller 610 of the refrigeration cycle 600. That is, the heat medium flowing through the flow path 700 and the heat medium of the refrigeration cycle 600 exchange heat in the chiller 610.

[0041] The flow path 800 connects the outer compartment 121 and the outer compartment 122 of the nine-way valve 100. No equipment or the like is provided in the flow path 800.

[0042] Flow path 30 connects a branch point 371 provided in flow path 370 of high-temperature circuit 300 between HT radiator 340 and five-way valve 200, and a junction 481 provided in flow path 480 of unit circuit 400 between LT radiator 410 and nine-way valve 100. That is, the heat medium of flow path 370 branched to flow path 30 at branch point 371 is merged with the heat medium of flow path 480 at junction 481.

[0043] The flow path 40 connects the port P3 of the nine-way valve 100 to a branch point 531 of the flow path 530 of the battery circuit 500, the branch point 531 being provided between the battery 510 and the outer section 124. That is, the heat medium of the flow path 530 that branches into the flow path 40 at the branch point 531 flows into the five-way valve 200 from the port P3.

[0044] The flow path 50 connects the branch point 380 of the high-temperature circuit 300 and the branch point 531 of the battery circuit 500. That is, the heat medium of the high-temperature circuit 300 (flow path 350) branched into the flow path 50 at the branch point 380 merges with the flow path 530 at the branch point 531.

[0045] The flow path 60 connects the port P4 of the five-way valve 200 to a branch point 482 of the flow path 480 of the unit circuit 400 between the oil cooler 460 and the outer section 120 of the nine-way valve 100. That is, the heat medium of the flow path 480 that branches into the flow path 60 at the branch point 482 flows into the five-way valve 200 from the port P4.

[0046] In conventional thermal management systems, the HT radiator and the LT radiator cool different heat sources. Therefore, when the heat source has a large amount of heat, the cooling power of only one radiator may be insufficient.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, the ECU 2 controls the 9-way valve 100 and the 5-way valve 200 to switch between a first heat medium circuit 1a (FIG. 3) in which the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 are separated and independent of each other, and a second heat medium circuit 1b (FIG. 4) including a series circuit 31 in which the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 are connected in series. Each of the first heat medium circuit 1a and the second heat medium circuit 1b is a circuit for cooling the battery 510.

[0048] <First heat medium circuit> 3 is a diagram showing the first heat medium circuit 1a of the thermal management circuit 1. In the first heat medium circuit 1a, an HT radiator 340 and an LT radiator 410 are provided in different circulation circuits, as will be described in detail below.

[0049] Internal flow path 111 of 9-way valve 100 connects outer compartment 121 with outer compartment 127. Internal flow path 112 connects outer compartment 120 with outer compartment 122. Internal flow path 113 connects outer compartment 124 with outer compartment 126. Internal flow path 114 connects outer compartment 123 with outer compartment 125.

[0050] In the five-way valve 200, the opening 210 overlaps only the lower section that communicates with the port P1. Therefore, the port P5 communicates only with the port P1 among the ports P1 to P4.

[0051] As a result, the heat medium circulates through the circuit (circulation circuit within the high-temperature circuit 300) of the five-way valve 200 (port P5)-water pump 310-water-cooled condenser 640-HVH 320-HT radiator 340-5-way valve 200 (port P1).

[0052] The heat medium circulates through the circuit of reserve tank 420-water pump 430-SPU 440-PCU 450-oil cooler 460-outer section 120-internal flow path 112-outer section 122-flow path 800-outer section 121-internal flow path 111-outer section 127-LT radiator 410-reserve tank 420. In the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium flowing through the LT radiator 410 exchanges heat with the SPU 440, PCU 450, and transaxle 470 (oil cooler 460).

[0053] The heat medium also circulates through a circuit of water pump 520 - battery 510 - outer compartment 124 - internal flow path 113 - outer compartment 126 - chiller 610 - outer compartment 125 - internal flow path 114 - outer compartment 123 - water pump 520.

[0054] In the refrigeration cycle 600, the heat medium circulates through a circuit of the chiller 610, the compressor 630, the water-cooled condenser 640, the expansion valve 650, and the chiller 610.

[0055] In the first heat medium circuit 1a, the HT radiator 340 releases heat supplied from the battery 510 (heat generated in the battery 510) into the outside air. The heat of the battery 510 is transferred to the high-temperature circuit 300 through the chiller 610 (refrigeration cycle 600) and the water-cooled condenser 640, and is released from the HT radiator 340 into the outside air.

[0056] In the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium does not flow through any of the flow paths 30, 40, 50, and 60. In the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium does not flow through the flow path 490.

[0057] <Second heat carrier circuit> 4 is a diagram showing the second heat medium circuit 1b of the thermal management circuit 1. In the second heat medium circuit 1b, the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 are provided in a common circulation circuit.

[0058] Internal flow path 111 of 9-way valve 100 connects outer compartment 121 with outer compartment 128. Internal flow path 112 connects outer compartment 120 with outer compartment 122. Internal flow path 113 connects outer compartment 124 with outer compartment 126. Internal flow path 114 connects outer compartment 123 with outer compartment 125.

[0059] In the five-way valve 200, the opening 210 overlaps only the lower section that communicates with the port P4. Therefore, the port P5 communicates only with the port P4 among the ports P1 to P4.

[0060] As a result, the heat medium circulates through the circuit of five-way valve 200 (port P5), water pump 310, water-cooled condenser 640, HVH 320, HT radiator 340, branch point 371, flow path 30, junction 481, LT radiator 410, reserve tank 420, water pump 430, SPU 440, PCU 450, oil cooler 460, branch point 482, flow path 60, and five-way valve 200 (port P4). This circulation circuit includes a series circuit 31 in which the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 are connected in series.

[0061] The heat medium also circulates through a circuit of water pump 520 - battery 510 - outer compartment 124 - internal flow path 113 - outer compartment 126 - chiller 610 - outer compartment 125 - internal flow path 114 - outer compartment 123 - water pump 520.

[0062] In the refrigeration cycle 600, the heat medium circulates through a circuit of the chiller 610, the compressor 630, the water-cooled condenser 640, the expansion valve 650, and the chiller 610.

[0063] The heat of the battery 510 is transferred to the high-temperature circuit 300 through the chiller 610 (refrigeration cycle 600) and the water-cooled condenser 640, and is also transferred to the unit circuit 400 through the flow path 30. As a result, in the second heat medium circuit 1b, each of the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 releases the heat supplied from the battery 510 (heat generated in the battery 510) into the outside air.

[0064] In the second heat medium circuit 1b, the heat medium does not flow through either the flow path 50 or the flow path 60. In addition, in the second heat medium circuit 1b, the heat medium does not flow through the flow path 490.

[0065] <Third heat medium circuit> 5 is a diagram showing the third heat medium circuit 1c of the heat management circuit 1. The third heat medium circuit 1c is a circuit for passing water through each device of the heat management circuit 1. This makes it possible to eliminate liquid accumulation and the like.

[0066] Internal flow path 111 of 9-way valve 100 connects outer compartment 122 with outer compartment 124. Internal flow path 112 connects outer compartment 123 with outer compartment 125. Internal flow path 113 connects outer compartment 121 with outer compartment 127. Internal flow path 114 connects outer compartment 120 with outer compartment 126.

[0067] In the five-way valve 200, the opening 210 overlaps with the lower sections that communicate with each of the ports P1 and P2. Therefore, the port P5 communicates with the ports P1 and P2 out of the ports P1 to P4.

[0068] As a result, the heat medium circulates through the first circuit of the five-way valve 200 (port P5), the water pump 310, the water-cooled condenser 640, the HVH 320, the heater core 330, and the five-way valve 200 (port P2).

[0069] Also, the heat medium circulates in the second circuit of the five-way valve 200 (port P5) - water pump 310 - water-cooled condenser 640 - HVH320 - HT radiator 340 - five-way valve 200 (port P1).

[0070] The heat medium in the second circuit branches into the flow path 30 at the branch point 371. The heat medium branched into the flow path 30 circulates in the third circuit of the LT radiator 410 - reserve tank 420 - water pump 430 - SPU440 - PCU450 - oil cooler 460 - outer compartment 120 - internal flow path 114 - outer compartment 126 - chiller 610 - outer compartment 125 - internal flow path 112 - outer compartment 123 - water pump 520 - battery 510 - outer compartment 124 - internal flow path 111 - outer compartment 122 - flow path 800 - outer compartment 121 - internal flow path 113 - outer compartment 127 - LT radiator 410.

[0071] The heat medium in the third circuit branches into the flow path 50 at the branch point 531 and flows into the high-temperature circuit 300 from the branch point 380.

[0072] Note that in the third heat medium circuit 1c as well, a series circuit 31 is formed in the same manner as in the second heat medium circuit 1b. Also, in the third heat medium circuit 1c, the heat medium does not flow through each of the flow paths 40 and 60. Further, in the third heat medium circuit 1c, the heat medium does not flow through the flow path 490.

[0073] <ECU Control Flow> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a control flow executed by the ECU 2 (FIG. 1). The control flow shown in FIG. 6 may be executed (started) at a predetermined cycle (for example, every minute).

[0074] In step S1, ECU 2 determines whether a battery cooling flag is ON. The battery cooling flag is ON when a value detected by temperature sensor 540 that detects the temperature of battery 510 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, 40° C.). If the battery cooling flag is ON (Yes in S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If the battery cooling flag is OFF (No in S1), the process ends.

[0075] In step S2, ECU 2 determines whether the charging method for battery 510 is rapid charging (whether rapid charging mode is ON). ECU 2 determines the charging method based on information about the connector of electric vehicle 20 to which the charging plug is connected, information about the charging current, information transmitted from the charging station, and the like. If the charging method is rapid charging (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the charging method is not rapid charging (normal charging) (No in S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0076] In step S3, the ECU 2 controls the five-way valve 200 and the nine-way valve 100 to switch the thermal management circuit 1 to the second heat medium circuit 1b (FIG. 4). In this case, the battery 510 is cooled by both the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410. If the thermal management circuit 1 has already been switched to the second heat medium circuit 1b, this state is maintained.

[0077] In step S4, the ECU 2 controls the five-way valve 200 and the nine-way valve 100 to switch the thermal management circuit 1 to the first heat medium circuit 1a (FIG. 3). In this case, the battery 510 is cooled only by the HT radiator 340 out of the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410. If the thermal management circuit 1 has already been switched to the first heat medium circuit 1a, this state is maintained.

[0078] Furthermore, while the battery cooling flag is OFF, the ECU 2 may control the five-way valve 200 and the nine-way valve 100 to switch the thermal management circuit 1 to the third heat medium circuit 1c (FIG. 5).

[0079] As described above, in this embodiment, the ECU 2 controls the five-way valve 200 and the nine-way valve 100 to switch between the first heat medium circuit 1a, in which the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 are separated and independent of each other, and the second heat medium circuit 1b, which includes the series circuit 31 in which the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 are connected in series. This makes it possible to easily switch between a mode in which the battery 510 is cooled using two radiators (the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410) and a mode in which the battery 510 is cooled using only one radiator (the HT radiator 340). This makes it possible to cool the battery 510 efficiently with an appropriate cooling power by switching between the two modes according to the temperature of the battery 510.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the radiator that cools battery 510 is switchable, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. A radiator that cools a heat source other than battery 510 (for example, PCU 450, etc.) may be switchable.

[0081] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the thermal management circuit 1 is switched during external charging, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The thermal management circuit 1 may also be switched at times other than external charging. For example, the thermal management circuit 1 may be switched when the unit circuit 400 is driven under high load. In this case, the switching control for connecting the HT radiator 340 and the LT radiator 410 in series may be performed only when the temperature of the heat medium in the unit circuit 400 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (for example, 50°C). This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the unit circuit 400 from becoming excessively high (for example, 65°C or higher).

[0082] In the above embodiment, the second heat medium circuit 1b is formed during external charging by rapid charging, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the second heat medium circuit 1b may be formed during external charging by normal charging.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the state of the thermal management circuit 1 is switched by controlling the 9-way valve 100 and the 5-way valve 200, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The switching valve may have other configurations (for example, a multi-way valve other than a 5-way valve and a 9-way valve).

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the PCU 450 and the oil cooler 460 (transaxle 470) are connected in series, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The PCU 450 and the oil cooler 460 (transaxle 470) may also be connected in parallel.

[0085] The configurations (processing) of the above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications may be combined with each other.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Thermal management circuit, 1a First heat medium circuit, 1b Second heat medium circuit, 2 ECU (controller), 10 Thermal management system, 20 Electric vehicle, 100 9-way valve (switching device), 200 5-way valve (switching device), 300 High temperature circuit, 340 HT radiator (first radiator), 400 Unit circuit, 410 LT radiator (second radiator), 450 PCU (drive device), 470 Transaxle (drive device), 500 Battery circuit, 510 Battery (storage device), 600 Refrigeration cycle.

Claims

1. A thermal management system in which a heat medium circulates, A first radiator; a second radiator different from the first radiator; a switching device for switching the heat transfer medium flow path; a control device that controls the switching device, The control device controls the switching device, a first heat medium circuit in which the first radiator and the second radiator are separated and independent from each other; a second heat medium circuit including a series circuit in which the first radiator and the second radiator are connected in series;

2. a power storage device; a driving device capable of generating a driving force, In the first heat medium circuit, the first radiator dissipates heat supplied from the power storage device into the outside air; The heat medium flowing through the second radiator exchanges heat with the drive device, The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein in the second heat medium circuit, each of the first radiator and the second radiator releases the heat supplied from the power storage device to the outside air.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 2 , wherein the control device controls the switching device to form the second heat medium circuit when the power storage device is externally charged.

4. The thermal management system according to claim 3 , wherein the control device controls the switching device to form the second heat medium circuit during the external charging by rapid charging.

5. The switching device includes a 9-way valve and a 5-way valve, The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device controls each of the nine-way valve and the five-way valve to switch between the first heat medium circuit and the second heat medium circuit.

Images