Thermal management system

Abstract

To provide a thermal management system capable of suppressing a deterioration in heating efficiency due to a level of an ambient temperature.SOLUTION: A thermal management system 10 includes an LT radiator 410, an oil cooler 461, a chiller 610, a nine-way valve 100 and a five-way valve 200, and an ECU 2. When heating is requested, if a temperature of a heating medium flowing through the LT radiator 410 is lower than an ambient temperature, the ECU 2 controls the nine-way valve 100 and the five-way valve 200 to form a first heating medium circuit 1a in which the oil cooler 461, the LT radiator 410, and the chiller 610 are connected. If the temperature of the heating medium flowing through the LT radiator 410 is equal to or higher than the ambient temperature, the ECU 2 controls the nine-way valve 100 and the five-way valve 200 to form a second heating medium circuit 1b in which the LT radiator 410 is disconnected from the first heating medium circuit 1a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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 low-temperature radiator and a PCU (Power Control Unit) heat exchanger. The low-temperature radiator and PCU heat exchanger are connected in series with a chiller when heating is required in the electric vehicle. In this case, heat supplied from the PCU to the coolant through the PCU heat exchanger and heat supplied from the outside air to the coolant in the low-temperature radiator (heat absorption by the low-temperature radiator) are used for heating. [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] However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the coolant flowing through the low-temperature radiator is higher than the outside air temperature, the coolant in the low-temperature radiator dissipates heat to the outside air, which may reduce heating efficiency.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a thermal management system that can suppress a decrease in heating efficiency due to high outside air temperatures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a thermal management system in which a heat medium circulates, the thermal management system including a radiator, a drive device including a heat exchanger and capable of generating drive force, a chiller device, a switching device that switches a heat medium flow path, and a control device that controls the switching device. When heating is requested, if the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the radiator is lower than the outside air temperature, the control device controls the switching device to form a first heat medium circuit that connects the heat exchanger, the radiator, and the chiller device, and if the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the radiator is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature, the control device controls the switching device to form a second heat medium circuit that disconnects the radiator from the first heat medium circuit.

[0007] In a thermal management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, when heating is requested, a first heat medium circuit is formed when the temperature of the heat medium circulating through the radiator is lower than the outside air temperature, and a second heat medium circuit is formed when the temperature of the heat medium circulating through the radiator is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature. As a result, when the temperature of the heat medium circulating through the radiator is lower than the outside air temperature and heat is supplied from the outside air to the heat medium through the radiator, the heat supplied to the heat medium in both the radiator and the heat exchanger can be used for heating. Furthermore, when the temperature of the heat medium circulating through the radiator is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature and heat is released from the heat medium to the outside air through the radiator, only the heat supplied to the heat medium in the heat exchanger can be used for heating. In this case, since the radiator does not contribute to heating, a decrease in heating efficiency due to heat dissipation from the radiator can be suppressed. In this way, a decrease in heating efficiency due to high outside air temperatures can be suppressed.

[0008] The first heat medium circuit may include a first series circuit in which a heat exchanger, a radiator, and a chiller unit are connected in series. The second heat medium circuit may include a second series circuit in which a heat exchanger and a chiller unit are connected in series, with the radiator separated from the first series circuit. With this configuration, it is possible to easily switch whether the radiator contributes to heating by switching between the first series circuit and the second series circuit.

[0009] The thermal management system may include a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the radiator. When heating is requested, the control device may control the switching device to form the first heat medium circuit when the detected value of the first temperature sensor is less than the outside air temperature, and control the switching device to form the second heat medium circuit when the detected value of the first temperature sensor is equal to or greater than the outside air temperature. With this configuration, the switching device is controlled based on the relationship between the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the radiator and the outside air temperature, so that the switching device can be controlled based on the relationship between the heat medium before heat exchange in the radiator and the outside air temperature. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the first heat medium circuit from being formed under temperature conditions where heat is radiated to the outside air in the radiator (i.e., the temperature of the heat medium is greater than the outside air temperature).

[0010] 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).

[0011] The heat exchanger may further include a second temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat exchanger. The control device may control the switching device to form the first heat medium circuit when the value detected by the second temperature sensor becomes lower than the outside air temperature while the second heat medium circuit is formed. With this configuration, even when no heat medium is flowing through the radiator, it is possible to appropriately switch from the second heat medium circuit to the first heat medium circuit based on the value detected by the second temperature sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in heating efficiency caused by high outside air temperatures. [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 electric vehicle 20 includes the thermal management system 10, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 21, and an outside air temperature sensor 22. The HMI 21 includes, for example, a car navigation device, etc. The outside air temperature sensor 22 detects the outside air temperature.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The ECU 2 includes a processor 2a, a memory 2b, a storage 2c, and an interface 2d.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The ECU 2 generates control commands based on sensor values ​​(e.g., values ​​detected by the outside air temperature sensor 22) acquired from various sensors included in the thermal management circuit 1, user operations (e.g., an operation requesting heating) accepted by the HMI 21, 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.

[0021] <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.

[0022] 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).

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] High temperature circuit 300 includes a water pump 310, an HVH (High Voltage Heater) 320, a heater core 330, and an HT (High Temperature) 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).

[0031] 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.

[0032] The flow path 360 connects the branch point 380 and the port P2. The flow path 360 is provided with a heater core 330.

[0033] The flow path 370 connects the branch point 380 and the port P1. The flow path 370 is provided with an HT radiator 340.

[0034] Unit circuit 400 includes an LT (Low Temperature) radiator 410, a reserve tank 420, a water pump 430, an SPU (Smart Power Unit) 440, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 450, and a drive unit 460. Drive unit 460 is a device capable of generating drive power for electric vehicle 20 ( FIG. 1 ). Drive unit 460 includes an oil cooler (O / C) 461 and a transaxle (T / A) 462. Note that LT radiator 410 and oil cooler 461 are examples of a "radiator" and a "heat exchanger," respectively, in the present disclosure. Furthermore, PCU 450 and drive unit 460 are each examples of a "drive device" in the present disclosure.

[0035] Water pump 430 circulates the heat medium in accordance with a control command from ECU 2 (FIG. 1). Water pump 430 delivers the heat medium to SPU 413.

[0036] The unit circuit 400 includes a temperature sensor 411 and a temperature sensor 451. The temperature sensor 411 detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the LT radiator 410. Specifically, the temperature sensor 411 detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the LT radiator 410. For example, the temperature sensor 411 detects the temperature of the heat medium passing through a heat medium inlet of the LT radiator 410.

[0037] Temperature sensor 451 detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through PCU 450 (heat exchanger of PCU 450). Temperature sensor 451 may detect the temperature of the heat medium immediately before flowing through PCU 450 (heat exchanger of PCU 450) (for example, at a heat medium inlet of the heat exchanger of PCU 450). Temperature sensor 451 may also detect the temperature of the heat medium flowing through oil cooler 461 or the temperature of the heat medium immediately before flowing through oil cooler 461 (for example, at a heat medium inlet of oil cooler 461). The heat exchanger of PCU 450 is an example of the "heat exchanger" of the present disclosure.

[0038] 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 461. Like the PCU 450, the SPU 440 includes a heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat with the heat medium in the flow path 480. The oil cooler 461 exchanges heat between the transaxle 462 and the heat medium in the flow path 480. Note that the transaxle 462 may be provided in the flow path 480 instead of the oil cooler 461.

[0039] A flow path 490 connects the outer section 129 of the nine-way valve 100 to the reserve tank 420 .

[0040] Battery circuit 500 includes a battery 510, a water pump 520, and a flow path 530. Water pump 520 delivers a heat medium to the battery 510 side. 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Refrigeration cycle 600 includes chiller 610, evaporator 620, compressor 630, water-cooled condenser 640, expansion valve 650, expansion valve 660, and EPR (Evaporative Pressure Regulator) 670. A heat medium (gas-phase refrigerant or liquid-phase refrigerant) circulating through refrigeration cycle 600 flows through one or both of a first path of compressor 630-water-cooled condenser 640-expansion valve 660-evaporator 620-EPR 670-compressor 630 and a second path of compressor 630-water-cooled condenser 640-expansion valve 650-chiller 610-compressor 630. Chiller 610 is an example of a "chiller device" in this disclosure.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The flow path 800 connects the outer compartment 121 and the outer compartment 122 of the nine-way valve 100. No devices or the like are provided in the flow path 800.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 drive unit 460 (oil cooler 461) 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.

[0049] In conventional thermal management systems, if the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the LT radiator is higher than the outside air temperature, the heat transfer medium in the LT radiator will dissipate heat into the outside air, which can reduce heating efficiency.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, when heating is requested and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the LT radiator 410 is lower than the outside air temperature, the ECU 2 controls the 9-way valve 100 and the 5-way valve 200 to form a first heat medium circuit 1a (FIG. 3) that connects the oil cooler 461 and the LT radiator 410 to the chiller 610. Furthermore, when heating is requested and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the LT radiator is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature, the ECU 2 controls the 9-way valve 100 and the 5-way valve 200 to form a second heat medium circuit 1b (FIG. 4) that separates the LT radiator 410 from the first heat medium circuit 1a.

[0051] <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 LT radiator 410, an oil cooler 461 (drive unit 460 (FIG. 2)), and a chiller 610 are provided in a common circulation circuit. These will be described in detail below.

[0052] Internal flow path 111 of 9-way valve 100 connects outer compartment 121 with outer compartment 123. Internal flow path 112 connects outer compartment 122 with outer compartment 124. Internal flow path 113 connects outer compartment 120 with outer compartment 126. Internal flow path 114 connects outer compartment 125 with outer compartment 127.

[0053] In the five-way valve 200, the opening 210 overlaps only the lower section that communicates with the port P2. Therefore, the port P5 communicates only with the port P2 among the ports P1 to P4.

[0054] 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-heater core 330-5-way valve 200 (port P2).

[0055] The heat medium also circulates through the circuit of reserve tank 420-water pump 430-SPU 440-PCU 450-oil cooler 461-outer compartment 120-internal flow path 113-outer compartment 126-chiller 610-outer compartment 125-internal flow path 114-outer compartment 127-LT radiator 410-reserve tank 420.

[0056] That is, in the first heat medium circuit 1a, a series circuit 900 is formed in which the LT radiator 410, the oil cooler 461 (and the heat exchanger of the PCU 450), and the chiller 610 are connected in series. The series circuit 900 includes a part of the flow path 480, the internal flow path 113, and a part of the flow path 700. The series circuit 900 is an example of the "first series circuit" of the present disclosure.

[0057] The heat medium also circulates through the circuit of water pump 520 - battery 510 - outer section 124 - internal flow path 112 - outer section 122 - flow path 800 - outer section 121 - internal flow path 111 - outer section 123 - water pump 520.

[0058] 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.

[0059] In the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium undergoes heat exchange with the outside air in the LT radiator 410 and also undergoes heat exchange in the oil cooler 461 (and the heat exchanger of the PCU 450), and then flows through the chiller 610. The heat supplied to the refrigeration cycle 600 through the chiller 610 is used for heating by the heater core 330 in the high-temperature circuit 300.

[0060] 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.

[0061] <Second heat carrier circuit> 4 is a diagram showing the second heat medium circuit 1b of the thermal management circuit 1. The second heat medium circuit 1b is a circuit in which the LT radiator 410 is separated from the first heat medium circuit 1a.

[0062] The internal flow path 111 of the 9-way valve 100 connects the outer section 121 with the outer section 123. The internal flow path 112 connects the outer section 122 with the outer section 124. The internal flow path 113 connects the outer section 120 with the outer section 126. The internal flow path 114 connects the outer section 125 with the outer section 129. In other words, only the combination of the outer sections connected by the internal flow path 114 is different from that of the first heat medium circuit 1a.

[0063] Similar to the first heat medium circuit 1a, in the five-way valve 200, the opening 210 overlaps only the lower section that communicates with the port P2. Therefore, similar to the first heat medium circuit 1a, the port P5 communicates only with the port P2 of the ports P1 to P4.

[0064] As a result, similarly to the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium circulates through the circuit of the five-way valve 200 (port P5)-water pump 310-water-cooled condenser 640-HVH 320-heater core 330-5-way valve 200 (port P2).

[0065] The heat medium circulates through the circuit of the reserve tank 420-water pump 430-SPU 440-PCU 450-oil cooler 461-outer compartment 120-internal flow path 113-outer compartment 126-chiller 610-outer compartment 125-internal flow path 114-outer compartment 129-reserve tank 420. In other words, the LT radiator 410 is bypassed from the circulation circuit in the first heat medium circuit 1a (FIG. 3).

[0066] Specifically, in the second heat medium circuit 1b, a series circuit 910 is formed in which the LT radiator 410 is separated from the series circuit 900 (FIG. 3). In the series circuit 910, the oil cooler 461 (and the heat exchanger of the PCU 450) and the chiller 610 are connected in series. The series circuit 910 includes a portion of the flow path 480 downstream of the LT radiator 410, the internal flow path 113, and a portion of the flow path 700. The series circuit 910 is an example of a "second series circuit" in the present disclosure.

[0067] In the second heat medium circuit 1b, similar to the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium circulates through the water pump 520-battery 510-outer compartment 124-internal flow path 112-outer compartment 122-flow path 800-outer compartment 121-internal flow path 111-outer compartment 123-water pump 520.

[0068] In the second heat medium circuit 1b, the heat medium circulates through the chiller 610-compressor 630-water-cooled condenser 640-expansion valve 650-chiller 610 in the refrigeration cycle 600, similar to the first heat medium circuit 1a.

[0069] In the second heat medium circuit 1b, the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the oil cooler 461 (and the heat exchanger of the PCU 450) flows through the chiller 610. The heat supplied to the refrigeration cycle 600 through the chiller 610 is used for heating by the heater core 330 in the high-temperature circuit 300. Note that, since no heat medium flows through the LT radiator 410, heat exchange between the heat medium and the outside air in the LT radiator 410 does not occur.

[0070] In the second heat medium circuit 1b, similar to the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium does not flow through the flow paths 30, 40, 50, and 60. In the second heat medium circuit 1b, similar to the first heat medium circuit 1a, the heat medium does not flow through the flow path 490.

[0071] <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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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).

[0075] The heat medium also circulates through a second circuit of the five-way valve 200 (port P5), the water pump 310, the water-cooled condenser 640, the HVH 320, the HT radiator 340, and the five-way valve 200 (port P1).

[0076] The heat medium in the second circuit branches off to flow path 30 at branch point 371. The heat medium branched off to flow path 30 circulates through a third circuit including LT radiator 410, reserve tank 420, water pump 430, SPU 440, PCU 450, oil cooler 461, 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, and LT radiator 410.

[0077] The heat medium of the third circuit branches into flow path 50 at branch point 531 and flows into the high-temperature circuit 300 from branch point 380.

[0078] In the third heat medium circuit 1c, the heat medium does not flow through each of flow path 40 and flow path 60. Also, in the third heat medium circuit 1c, the heat medium does not flow through flow path 490.

[0079] <ECU Control Flow> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a control flow executed by ECU 2 (FIG. 1). The control flow shown in FIG. 6 may be executed (started) at a predetermined cycle (for example, every minute).

[0080] In step S1, ECU 2 determines whether the heating flag is ON. The heating flag becomes ON when the user performs a predetermined operation to request heating on HMI 21 (FIG. 1). If the heating flag is ON (Yes in S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If the heating flag is OFF (No in S1), the process ends.

[0081] In step S2, ECU 2 determines whether the second heat medium circuit 1b (FIG. 4) is formed. For example, ECU 2 may make the above determination based on the states of the nine-way valve 100 and the five-way valve 200. If the second heat medium circuit 1b is formed (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the second heat medium circuit 1b is not formed (No in S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0082] In step S3, ECU 2 determines whether the detection value of temperature sensor 451 (FIG. 2) is less than the outside air temperature. Specifically, ECU 2 determines whether the detection value of temperature sensor 451 is less than the detection value of outside air temperature sensor 22 (FIG. 1). If the detection value of temperature sensor 451 is less than the outside air temperature (Yes in S3), the process proceeds to step S5. If the detection value of temperature sensor 451 is equal to or greater than the outside air temperature (No in S3), the process proceeds to step S6. Note that the threshold value in step S3 may not be the outside air temperature, but may be, for example, the outside air temperature + α (for example, α = 3°C).

[0083] In step S4, ECU 2 determines whether the detection value of temperature sensor 411 (FIG. 2) is less than the outside air temperature. Specifically, ECU 2 determines whether the detection value of temperature sensor 411 is less than the detection value of outside air temperature sensor 22 (FIG. 1). If the detection value of temperature sensor 411 is less than the outside air temperature (Yes in S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the detection value of temperature sensor 411 is equal to or greater than the outside air temperature (No in S4), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0084] In step S5, 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). If the thermal management circuit 1 has already been switched to the first heat medium circuit 1a, this state is maintained.

[0085] This forms a series circuit 900 (FIG. 3) in which the LT radiator 410, oil cooler 461, and chiller 610 are connected in series, and the heat medium that has absorbed heat in each of the LT radiator 410 and oil cooler 461 flows through the chiller 610. As a result, the amount of heat transferred to the refrigeration cycle 600 via the chiller 610 becomes relatively large, making it possible to reduce the power consumption of the compressor 630. This improves the efficiency of heating by the heater core 330.

[0086] In step S6, 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. 3). If the thermal management circuit 1 has already been switched to the second heat medium circuit 1b, this state is maintained.

[0087] As a result, a series circuit 910 (FIG. 4) is formed in which the oil cooler 461 and chiller 610 are connected in series, and the heat medium that absorbs heat in the oil cooler 461 flows through the chiller 610. Furthermore, the heat medium that flows through the chiller 610 does not pass through the LT radiator 410, and therefore the heat is not dissipated to the outside air in the LT radiator 410. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of heat transferred to the refrigeration cycle 600 in the chiller 610 due to heat dissipation in the LT radiator 410. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the power consumption of the compressor 630. As a result, a decrease in the heating efficiency of the heater core 330 is suppressed.

[0088] Furthermore, while the heating 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).

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, when heating is requested, if the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the LT radiator 410 is lower than the outside air temperature, the ECU 2 controls the 9-way valve 100 and 5-way valve 200 to form the first heat medium circuit 1a connecting the oil cooler 461, the LT radiator 410, and the chiller 610. If the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the LT radiator 410 is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature, the ECU 2 controls the 9-way valve 100 and 5-way valve 200 to form the second heat medium circuit 1b separating the LT radiator 410 from the first heat medium circuit 1a. In this way, by forming the first heat medium circuit 1a, heat absorption from the outside air in the LT radiator 410 can be used for heating. Furthermore, by forming the second heat medium circuit 1b, heat dissipation from the heat medium in the LT radiator 410 to the outside air can be prevented from reducing heating efficiency.

[0090] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the LT radiator 410, oil cooler 461, and chiller 610 are connected in series, and thereby both the LT radiator 410 and the oil cooler 461 contribute to heating, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The circuit connecting the LT radiator 410 and chiller 610 and the circuit connecting the oil cooler 461 and chiller 610 may be separated and independent of each other.

[0091] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the heat medium circuit (1a, 1b) is switched based on the magnitude relationship between the temperature of the heat medium immediately before flowing into the LT radiator 410 (flowing through the heat medium inlet of the LT radiator 410) and the outside air temperature, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the heat medium circuit may be switched based on the magnitude relationship between the temperature of the heat medium immediately after it leaves the LT radiator 410 (flowing through the heat medium outlet of the LT radiator 410) and the outside air temperature. In this case, the first heat medium circuit 1a may be formed when the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium outlet is less than the outside air temperature (or the outside air temperature + α), and the second heat medium circuit 1b may be formed when the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium outlet is equal to or greater than the outside air temperature (or the outside air temperature + α).

[0092] In the above embodiment, when the second heat medium circuit 1b is formed, the heat medium circuit (1a, 1b) is switched based on the magnitude relationship between the detection value of the temperature sensor 451 and the outside air temperature, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Even when the second heat medium circuit 1b is formed, the heat medium circuit may be switched based on the magnitude relationship between the detection value of the temperature sensor 411 and the outside air temperature.

[0093] 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).

[0094] Although an example has been shown in which the temperature sensor (411, 451) to be referenced is switched based on whether or not the second heat medium circuit 1b is formed, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, it may be possible to detect whether or not the heat medium is flowing through the LT radiator 410, and switch the temperature sensor to be referenced based on this detection result. For example, the above determination may be made based on a circuit pattern corresponding to the states of the 9-way valve 100 and the 5-way valve 200. Furthermore, the above determination may be made based on a detection value of a sensor (for example, a pressure sensor or a flow rate sensor) provided at the heat medium inlet or the like of the LT radiator 410.

[0095] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the PCU 450 and the drive unit 460 (oil cooler 461, transaxle 462) are connected in series, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The PCU 450 and the drive unit 460 may also be connected in parallel.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the detection value of the outside air temperature sensor 22 is used as the outside air temperature information, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, outside air temperature information acquired via communication via the Internet or the like may be used.

[0097] The configurations (processing) of the above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications may be combined with each other.

[0098] 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]

[0099] 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, 400 Unit circuit, 410 LT radiator (radiator), 411 Temperature sensor, 450 PCU (drive unit), 451 Temperature sensor, 460 Drive unit (drive unit), 461 Oil cooler (heat exchanger), 470 Transaxle, 500 Battery circuit, 600 Refrigeration cycle, 610 Chiller (chiller unit), 900 Series circuit (first series circuit), 910 Series circuit (second series circuit).

Claims

1. A thermal management system in which a heat medium circulates, A radiator and a drive device including a heat exchanger and capable of generating a drive force; A chiller device; A switching device for switching the heat transfer medium flow path; a control device that controls the switching device, The control device, when heating is requested, When the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the radiator is lower than an outside air temperature, the switching device is controlled to form a first heat medium circuit in which the heat exchanger and the radiator are connected to the chiller device; a heat transfer system that controls the switching device to form a second heat transfer medium circuit in which the radiator is separated from the first heat transfer medium circuit when the temperature of the heat transfer medium flowing through the radiator is equal to or higher than an outside air temperature;

2. the first heat medium circuit includes a first series circuit in which the heat exchanger, the radiator, and the chiller device are connected in series; The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein the second heat medium circuit includes a second series circuit in which the heat exchanger and the chiller unit are connected in series, with the radiator separated from the first series circuit.

3. a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the radiator; The control device, when heating is requested, When the detected value of the temperature sensor is lower than the outside air temperature, the switching device is controlled to form the first heat medium circuit; The thermal management system according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device is controlled to form the second heat medium circuit when the detected value of the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than an outside air temperature.

4. 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.

5. a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat exchanger; 3. The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the switching device to form the first heat medium circuit when a detected value of the temperature sensor becomes lower than an outside air temperature while the second heat medium circuit is formed.

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