Heat utilization circuit

Abstract

To efficiently utilize heat exchanged by a cooling medium that cools a plurality of cooling targets.SOLUTION: When a temperature of a cooling medium that has cooled a transaxle 26 is a temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled an inverter 21 or more, a heat utilization circuit 2 exchanges heat between the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26. When a temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 is lower than a temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, it suppresses heat exchange between the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to heat utilization circuits. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that in a vehicle, the heat of a cooling medium that has cooled an object to be cooled is used to raise the temperature of an object to be heated. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses using an inverter as a heat absorption source for a chiller for heating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-165604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses only an inverter as a cooling target, and does not disclose how to utilize the heat of a cooling medium when multiple cooling targets are installed. If the multiple cooling targets have different temperature rise rates, using the heat of the cooling medium that has cooled the multiple cooling targets may not be able to efficiently heat the heating target. For example, if a cooling medium that has been used to cool a cooling target with a relatively fast temperature rise rate is used to cool a cooling target with a relatively slow temperature rise rate, heat may be dissipated, which may reduce the efficiency of heating the heating target.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to efficiently utilize heat exchanged by a cooling medium that cools a plurality of cooling targets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a heat utilization circuit including a first cooling flow path through which a cooling medium that cools an inverter flows and a second cooling flow path through which a cooling medium that cools a transaxle flows. The heat utilization circuit performs heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter and the transaxle when the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter, and suppresses heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter and the transaxle when the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently utilize the heat exchanged by the cooling medium that cools a plurality of cooling targets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a heat utilization circuit according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the heat utilization circuit shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a heat utilization circuit according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a heat utilization circuit according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a heat utilization circuit according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a heat utilization circuit according to a modified example of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] A heat utilization circuit 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The heat utilization circuit 2 is a heat exchange system mounted on a vehicle. The heat utilization circuit 2 includes a first cooling flow path 201 and a second cooling flow path 202.

[0011] The first cooling flow path 201 is a flow path through which a cooling medium flows to cool the inverter 21. In this embodiment, the cooling medium is water to cool the inverter 21. The first cooling flow path 201 has a heat recovery flow path 201a, a heat exchange flow path 201b, and a bypass flow path 201c.

[0012] Both ends of the heat recovery flow path 201a are connected to both ends of the heat exchange flow path 201b, forming a flow path for circulating the cooling medium through the heat recovery flow path 201a and the heat exchange flow path 201b. A switching valve 24, which is a three-way valve, is provided at the connection point between one end of the heat recovery flow path 201a and one end of the heat exchange flow path 201b. The other end of the heat recovery flow path 201a and the other end of the heat exchange flow path 201b are connected at a connecting point P1. A bypass flow path 201c is provided to connect the switching valve 24 and the connecting point P1.

[0013] A pump 23 is provided to circulate the cooling medium in the first cooling flow path 201. In this embodiment, the pump 23 is provided in the heat recovery flow path 201a. A temperature sensor 28 is provided in the first cooling flow path 201 to measure the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 28 is provided downstream of the inverter 21 in the heat recovery flow path 201a.

[0014] The heat recovery flow path 201a is provided with an inverter 21 and a battery 22. The inverter 21 is cooled by a cooling medium flowing through the heat recovery flow path 201a. The cooling medium, which has cooled the inverter 21 and increased its temperature, exchanges heat with the battery 22, thereby increasing the temperature of the battery 22.

[0015] The heat exchange passage 201b is provided with an oil cooler 25. The oil cooler 25 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the cooling medium flowing through the second cooling passage 202.

[0016] The second cooling flow path 202 is a flow path through which a cooling medium flows to cool the transaxle 26. In the present embodiment, the cooling medium that cools the transaxle 26 is oil.

[0017] Transaxle 26, pump 27, temperature sensor 29, and oil cooler 25 are arranged in second cooling flow path 202. Pump 27 is provided so that the cooling medium can circulate in second cooling flow path 202. Temperature sensor 29 is provided downstream of transaxle 26 and upstream of oil cooler 25 so that the temperature sensor 29 can measure the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled transaxle 26. Oil cooler 25 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the cooling medium flowing in first cooling flow path 201.

[0018] The control unit 3 has, as electrical components, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "MCU"), a data transfer circuit, a power supply circuit, and a power supply detection circuit. The MCU has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a flash memory.

[0019] Temperature sensor 28 inputs temperature data indicating the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled inverter 21 to control unit 3. Temperature sensor 29 inputs temperature data indicating the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled transaxle 26 to control unit 3. Control unit 3 outputs drive signals to pump 23, switching valve 24, and pump 27.

[0020] Next, the operation of the control unit 3 will be described with reference to Figure 2. In step S01, the control unit 3 acquires the transaxle side temperature and the inverter side temperature. The transaxle side temperature is the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26, and is temperature data output by the temperature sensor 29. The inverter side temperature is the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter, and is temperature data output by the temperature sensor 28.

[0021] In step S02 following step S01, the control unit 3 determines whether the transaxle side temperature is equal to or lower than the inverter side temperature. If the transaxle side temperature is equal to or lower than the inverter side temperature (step S02: YES), the process proceeds to step S03. If the transaxle side temperature is not equal to or lower than the inverter side temperature (step S02: NO), the process proceeds to step S05.

[0022] In step S03, the control unit 3 determines to suppress heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26. In the heat utilization circuit 2 shown in FIG. 1, heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26 occurs between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26. Therefore, the control unit 3 determines to suppress heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26. In the explanation given with reference to FIG. 2, the control unit 3 determines to stop heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26.

[0023] In step S04 following step S03, the control unit 3 adjusts the switching valve 24 so that the temperature of the batteries 22 arranged in the heat recovery flow path 201a is predominantly increased by the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21. The temperature of the batteries 22 arranged in the heat recovery flow path 201a is predominantly increased by the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, which means that more of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 and does not pass through the oil cooler 25 flows to the batteries 22 than the cooling medium that has passed through the oil cooler 25. In the explanation given with reference to Figure 2, the control unit 3 switches the switching valve 24 so that all of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 flows into the bypass flow path 201c.

[0024] In step S05, the control unit 3 determines whether to perform heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26. In the heat utilization circuit 2 shown in FIG. 1, heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26 is performed between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26. Therefore, the control unit 3 determines whether to perform heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26.

[0025] In step S06 following step S05, the control unit 3 adjusts the switching valve 24 so that the temperature rise by the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the temperature rise by the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 are simultaneously performed on the battery 22 arranged in the heat recovery flow path 201a. In the explanation given with reference to Figure 2, the control unit 3 switches the switching valve 24 so that all of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 flows to the heat exchange flow path 201b. Note that the control unit 3 may also switch the switching valve 24 so that the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 flows separately to the heat exchange flow path 201b and the bypass flow path 201c.

[0026] In the heat utilization circuit 2 described with reference to Fig. 1, the bypass flow path 201c is provided in the first cooling flow path 201, but the bypass flow path may also be provided in the second cooling flow path. With reference to Fig. 3, a heat utilization circuit 2A will be described as a modified example in which the bypass flow path is provided in the second cooling flow path. In describing the heat utilization circuit 2A, explanations of parts in common with the heat utilization circuit 2 will be omitted as appropriate, and the following will mainly focus on the differences from the heat utilization circuit 2. The heat utilization circuit 2A comprises a first cooling flow path 201A and a second cooling flow path 202A.

[0027] The first cooling flow path 201A is a flow path through which a cooling medium flows to cool the inverter 21. The inverter 21, the pump 23, the temperature sensor 28, the battery 22, and the oil cooler 25 are arranged in the first cooling flow path 201A.

[0028] The cooling medium flowing through the first cooling flow path 201A cools the inverter 21. After cooling the inverter 21 and raising its temperature, the cooling medium is further heated by heat exchange in the oil cooler 25, and exchanges heat with the battery 22, raising the temperature of the battery 22.

[0029] The second cooling flow path 202A is a flow path through which a cooling medium flows to cool the transaxle 26. The second cooling flow path 202A has a heat recovery flow path 202Aa, a heat exchange flow path 202Ab, and a bypass flow path 202Ac.

[0030] Both ends of the heat recovery flow path 202Aa are connected to both ends of the heat exchange flow path 202Ab, forming a flow path for circulating the cooling medium through the heat recovery flow path 202Aa and the heat exchange flow path 202Ab. A switching valve 24 is provided at the connection point between one end of the heat recovery flow path 202Aa and one end of the heat exchange flow path 202Ab. The other end of the heat recovery flow path 202Aa and the other end of the heat exchange flow path 202Ab are connected at a connecting point P2. A bypass flow path 202Ac is provided to connect the switching valve 24 and the connecting point P2.

[0031] A pump 27 is provided to circulate the cooling medium in the second cooling flow path 202A. In this modification, the pump 27 is provided in the heat recovery flow path 202Aa. A temperature sensor 29 is provided in the second cooling flow path 202 so that the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 can be measured. In this modification, the temperature sensor 29 is provided downstream of the transaxle 26 in the heat recovery flow path 202Aa.

[0032] The heat exchange passage 202Ab is provided with an oil cooler 25. The oil cooler 25 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling passage 201A.

[0033] The operation of the control unit 3 in the heat utilization circuit 2A is the same as that in the heat utilization circuit 2 in the processes of steps S01, S02, S03, and S05 described with reference to FIG.

[0034] In step S04, the control unit 3 adjusts the switching valve 24 so that the temperature of the battery 22 arranged in the first cooling flow path 201A is predominantly increased by the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21. The temperature of the battery 22 arranged in the first cooling flow path 201A is predominantly increased by the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21, which means that the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 suppresses heat exchange with the cooling medium flowing in the second cooling flow path 202A in the oil cooler 25 and flows to the battery 22. For example, the control unit 3 switches the switching valve 24 so that all of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 flows into the bypass flow path 202Ac.

[0035] In step S06, the control unit 3 adjusts the switching valve 24 so that the temperature rise by the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the temperature rise by the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 are simultaneously performed on the battery 22 arranged in the first cooling flow path 201A. For example, the control unit 3 switches the switching valve 24 so that all of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 flows through the heat exchange flow path 202Ab. Note that the control unit 3 may also switch the switching valve 24 so that the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 is divided and flows between the heat exchange flow path 202Ab and the bypass flow path 202Ac.

[0036] In the heat utilization circuit 2 described with reference to FIG. 1 and the heat utilization circuit 2A described with reference to FIG. 3, examples have been described in which oil is used as the coolant for cooling the transaxle 26. Water can also be used as the coolant for cooling the transaxle 26, in which case it can be shared with the coolant for cooling the inverter 21. A heat utilization circuit 2B that uses water as the coolant for cooling the transaxle 26 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In describing the heat utilization circuit 2B, explanations of parts common to the heat utilization circuit 2 will be omitted as appropriate, and differences from the heat utilization circuit 2 will be mainly described.

[0037] 4, the heat utilization circuit 2B includes a first cooling flow path 201B and a second cooling flow path 202B. Both ends of the first cooling flow path 201B and both ends of the second cooling flow path 202B are connected, and a flow path is formed in the first cooling flow path 201B and the second cooling flow path 202B to circulate water as a cooling medium.

[0038] A switching valve 24 is provided at a portion where one end of the first cooling channel 201B and one end of the second cooling channel 202B are connected. The other end of the first cooling channel 201B and the other end of the second cooling channel 202B are connected at a connecting portion P3. A bypass channel 203B is provided to connect the switching valve 24 and the connecting portion P2.

[0039] The inverter 21, pump 23, temperature sensor 28, and battery 22 are arranged in the first cooling flow path 201B. The inverter 21 is cooled by the cooling medium flowing through the first cooling flow path 201B. The cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 and increased its temperature exchanges heat with the battery 22, increasing the temperature of the battery 22. When the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 and increased its temperature flows into the second cooling flow path 202B, it cools the transaxle 26, further increasing its temperature. When the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 and increased its temperature flows into the bypass flow path 203B, it continues to increase the temperature of the battery 22.

[0040] The second cooling flow path 202B is provided with the transaxle 26 and a temperature sensor 29. The temperature sensor 29 is provided in the second cooling flow path 202B so as to measure the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26. In this modification, the temperature sensor 29 is provided downstream of the transaxle 26.

[0041] The operation of the control unit 3 in the heat utilization circuit 2B is the same as that in the heat utilization circuit 2 in the processes of steps S01, S02, S03, and S05 described with reference to FIG.

[0042] In step S04, the control unit 3 adjusts the switching valve 24 so that the temperature of the battery 22 arranged in the first cooling flow path 201B is predominantly increased by the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21. The temperature of the battery 22 arranged in the first cooling flow path 201B is predominantly increased by the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, which means that the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 is prevented from exchanging heat with the transaxle 26 and flows to the battery 22. For example, the control unit 3 switches the switching valve 24 so that all of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 flows to the bypass flow path 203B.

[0043] In step S06, the control unit 3 adjusts the switching valve 24 so that the temperature rise by the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the temperature rise by the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 are simultaneously performed on the battery 22. For example, the control unit 3 switches the switching valve 24 so that all of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 flows through the second cooling flow path 202B. Note that the control unit 3 may also switch the switching valve 24 so that the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 is divided and flows between the second cooling flow path 202B and the bypass flow path 203B.

[0044] The explanation given with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 has been about a heat utilization circuit in which the heat recovered from cooling the inverter and transaxle is applied to the battery, but the manner in which heat is applied is not limited to being applied directly to the battery, and heat may also be applied to elements other than the battery.

[0045] The heat utilization circuit 2C shown in Fig. 5 has a chiller 41 instead of the battery 22 of the heat utilization circuit 2 described with reference to Fig. 1, and is provided with a refrigerant circuit 401 and a coolant circuit 501. The refrigerant circuit 401 functions as a heat pump. The refrigerant circuit 401 includes the chiller 41, a compressor 42, and a water-cooled condenser 43.

[0046] The refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit 401 receives heat from the chiller 41, is pressurized by the compressor 42, and its temperature further increases, and then the refrigerant flows into the water-cooled condenser 43. In the water-cooled condenser 43, heat is exchanged with the cooling water flowing through the cooling water circuit 501.

[0047] The coolant circuit 501 is provided with a water-cooled condenser 43, a pump 51, and a battery 22. The coolant circulating through the coolant circuit 501 is heat exchanged in the water-cooled condenser 43, thereby raising the temperature of the battery 22.

[0048] The control unit 3 outputs control signals to the pump 23 , the switching valve 24 , the pump 27 , the compressor 42 , and the pump 51 .

[0049] The heat utilization circuit 2C recovers heat from the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26, and heats the battery 22 via a refrigerant circuit 401 which is a heat pump.

[0050] The heat utilization circuit 2D shown in Fig. 6 is the heat utilization circuit 2C described with reference to Fig. 5, in which the battery 22 is replaced with a heater core 52. As in the heat utilization circuit 2D, heat may be applied to another target to be heated, such as the heater core 52, instead of the battery 22.

[0051] The present embodiment has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Design modifications to these specific examples made by a person skilled in the art as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they comprise the features of the present disclosure. The elements of the above-described specific examples, as well as their arrangement, conditions, shape, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of the above-described specific examples can be combined in various ways as appropriate, as long as no technical contradictions arise.

[0052] [Note] Notes 1 to 4 below can be combined in any way as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0053] [Appendix 1] The heat utilization circuits 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are: first cooling flow paths 201, 201A, 201B through which a cooling medium for cooling the inverter 21 flows; and second cooling passages 202, 202A, 202B through which a cooling medium for cooling the transaxle 26 flows. The heat utilization circuits 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are: When the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21, heat is exchanged between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26, When the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle (26) is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter (21), heat exchange between the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter (21) and the transaxle (26) is suppressed.

[0054] Compared to the inverter 21, etc., the heat capacity of the heat transfer path from the heat-generating portion to the cooling medium in the transaxle 26 is large, so even if the temperature of the transaxle 26 itself rises, it may take a relatively long time for the cooling medium to rise in temperature. According to Supplementary Note 1, when the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21, heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 and the transaxle 26 is suppressed, so that the temperature of the cooling medium that was heated by cooling the inverter 21 is prevented from dropping due to heat exchange with the transaxle 26, and the heat of the cooling medium that was heated by heat exchange with the inverter 21 can be effectively utilized.

[0055] [Appendix 2] The heat utilization circuit 2, 2A, 2C, 2D according to Appendix 1, A first cooling medium for cooling the inverter flows through the first cooling flow paths 201 and 201A. A second cooling medium for cooling the transaxle flows through the second cooling flow paths 202, 202A, Furthermore, an oil cooler 25 is provided as a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium. When the temperature of the second cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21, heat exchange is performed in the heat exchanger, When the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 is lower than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, heat exchange in the heat exchanger is suppressed.

[0056] According to Appendix 2, since the oil cooler 25 is provided as a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium, the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium can be different, and a cooling medium suitable for the object to be cooled can be used.

[0057] [Appendix 3] The heat utilization circuit 2, 2A, 2C, 2D according to Appendix 2, The first cooling flow path 201, 201A and / or the second cooling flow path 202, 202A includes heat exchange flow paths 201b, 202Ab that pass through an oil cooler 25 as a heat exchanger, bypass flow paths 201c, 202Ac that do not pass through the oil cooler 25 as a heat exchanger, and a switching valve 24 that switches whether the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium flows through the heat exchange flow paths 201b, 202Ab or the bypass flow paths 201c, 202Ac, The switching valve 24 is When the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium is caused to flow through the heat exchange flow paths 201b, 202Ab, When the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 is lower than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, the amount of the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium flowing through the bypass flow paths 201c, 202Ac is increased.

[0058] According to Appendix 3, when the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 is lower than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, the amount of the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium flowing through the bypass flow paths 201c, 202Ac is increased, thereby reliably preventing the temperature of the cooling medium that has been heated by cooling the inverter 21 from decreasing due to heat exchange with the transaxle 26, and making it possible to effectively utilize the heat of the cooling medium that has been heated by heat exchange with the inverter 21.

[0059] [Appendix 4] A heat utilization circuit 2B according to appended claim 1, The same cooling medium flows through the first cooling flow path 201B and the second cooling flow path 202B. Further, the cooling system includes a bypass flow path 203B through which the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 does not pass through the transaxle 26, and a switching valve 24 that switches whether the cooling medium flows through the second cooling flow path 202B or the bypass flow path 203B, The switching valve 24 is When the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle 26 is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21, the cooling medium that cooled the inverter 21 is caused to flow through the second cooling flow path 202B, When the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle 26 is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21, the amount of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter 21 flowing through the bypass flow path 203B is increased.

[0060] According to Supplementary Note 4, even in a configuration in which the same cooling medium flows through the first cooling flow path 201B and the second cooling flow path 202B, a simple configuration in which the bypass flow path 203B and the switching valve 24 are provided can prevent the temperature of the cooling medium that has been heated by cooling the inverter 21 from decreasing due to heat exchange with the transaxle 26, and the heat of the cooling medium that has been heated by heat exchange with the inverter 21 can be effectively utilized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 2: Heat utilization circuit 21: Inverter 24: Switching valve 25: Oil cooler 26:Transaxle 201, 201A, 201B: First cooling channel 202, 202A, 202B: Second cooling channel 201a, 202Aa: Heat utilization flow path 201b, 202Ab: heat exchange channel 201c, 202Ac, 203B: Bypass flow path 401: Refrigerant circuit 501: Cooling water circuit

Claims

1. a first cooling flow path through which a cooling medium for cooling the inverter flows; a second cooling flow path through which a cooling medium for cooling the transaxle flows, When the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter, heat is exchanged between the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter and the transaxle, A heat utilization circuit that suppresses heat exchange between the cooling medium that cooled the inverter and the transaxle when the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the transaxle is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium that cooled the inverter.

2. The heat utilization circuit according to claim 1, a first cooling medium for cooling an inverter flows through the first cooling flow path; a second cooling medium for cooling a transaxle flows through the second cooling flow path; The cooling system further includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium, When the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter, heat exchange is performed in the heat exchanger, a heat utilization circuit that suppresses heat exchange in the heat exchanger when the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is lower than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter.

3. The heat utilization circuit according to claim 2, the first cooling flow path and / or the second cooling flow path includes a heat exchange flow path that passes through the heat exchanger, a bypass flow path that does not pass through the heat exchanger, and a switching valve that switches whether the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium flows through the heat exchange flow path or the bypass flow path, The switching valve is When the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter, the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium is caused to flow through the heat exchange flow path; a heat utilization circuit that increases the amount of the first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium flowing through the bypass flow path when the temperature of the second cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is lower than the temperature of the first cooling medium that has cooled the inverter.

4. The heat utilization circuit according to claim 1, the same cooling medium flows through the first cooling flow passage and the second cooling flow passage, The cooling system further includes a bypass flow path through which the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter does not pass through the transaxle, and a switching valve that switches whether the cooling medium flows through the second cooling flow path or the bypass flow path, The switching valve is When the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is equal to or higher than the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter, the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter is caused to flow through the second cooling flow path, a heat utilization circuit that increases the amount of cooling medium that has cooled the inverter flowing through the bypass flow path when the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the transaxle is lower than the temperature of the cooling medium that has cooled the inverter.

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