Temperature control system

Abstract

To provide a temperature control system capable of efficiently suppressing power consumption of a storage battery during vehicle traveling.SOLUTION: A control system A10 includes a charging device 10, a storage battery 31 and a cooling system to which power is supplied from the charging device 10, and a control device 60 for controlling the cooling system. The cooling mechanism cools the storage battery 31. In the control device 60, a first reference temperature and a second reference temperature are set. The second reference temperature is lower than the first reference temperature. When the value of the charging current I to the storage battery 31 is smaller than the value of the suppliable current I of the charger 10, the control device 60 operates the cooling mechanism. When the battery temperature Tb becomes lower than the second reference temperature with the operation of the cooler, the control device 60 stops the cooler.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control system for a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a temperature control system for a storage battery of an industrial vehicle. The control system includes a battery mounted on the vehicle body and a battery temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of the battery. In the control system, a target temperature and a pre-charge target temperature that is lower than the target temperature are set for the battery. The control system controls the battery temperature regulator so that the battery temperature becomes the pre-charge target temperature from the pre-charge timing to the charge timing. This configuration suppresses excessive temperature rise of the battery during rapid charging, thereby improving the battery charging rate.

[0003] However, the temperature control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 controls the battery temperature regulator while the vehicle is running, which poses a problem in that the battery's power consumption increases while the vehicle is running between the pre-charge timing and the charge timing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-48737 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature control system that can efficiently reduce power consumption of a storage battery while a vehicle is running. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A temperature control system provided by a first aspect of the present invention includes a charger, a storage battery to which power is supplied from the charger, a cooling mechanism to which power is supplied from the charger and which cools the storage battery, and a control device to control the cooling mechanism. The control device is configured to set a first reference temperature as a criterion for starting cooling of the storage battery, and a second reference temperature lower than the first reference temperature. When the value of the charging current to the storage battery is smaller than the value of the current that the charger can supply, the control device activates the cooling mechanism. When the battery temperature of the storage battery drops below the second reference temperature as a result of operation of the cooling mechanism, the control device stops the cooling mechanism.

[0007] In carrying out the present invention, preferably, when the battery temperature is lower than the first reference temperature, the control device activates the cooling mechanism.

[0008] A temperature control system provided by a second aspect of the present invention includes a charger, a storage battery to which power is supplied from the charger, a heating mechanism to which power is supplied from the charger and which heats the storage battery, and a control device to control the heating mechanism. The control device is configured to set a third reference temperature as a criterion for starting to heat the storage battery, and a fourth reference temperature higher than the third reference temperature. When the value of the charging current to the storage battery is smaller than the value of the current that the charger can supply, the control device activates the heating mechanism. When the battery temperature of the storage battery becomes higher than the fourth reference temperature as a result of activation of the heating mechanism, the control device stops the heating mechanism.

[0009] In carrying out the present invention, preferably, when the battery temperature is higher than the third reference temperature, the control device activates the heating mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The temperature control system according to the present invention can efficiently reduce the power consumption of the storage battery during vehicle travel.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a temperature control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is an example of a flowchart for explaining a first embodiment of a processing procedure of the temperature control system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment of the processing procedure of the temperature control system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a temperature control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 5 is an example of a flowchart for explaining a first embodiment of a processing procedure of the temperature control system shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is an example of a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment of the processing procedure of the temperature control system shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [First embodiment] A temperature control system (hereinafter referred to as "control system A10") according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the control system A10 includes a charger 10, an inlet 21, an air conditioner 22, a storage battery 31, a temperature sensor 32, a compressor 41, a condenser 42, a heater 43, a heat exchanger 44, a first pipe 51, a second pipe 52, a third pipe 53, a first valve 54, and a control device 60. Of these elements, all elements except the charger 10 are mounted on a vehicle 80.

[0015] First, the configuration of the control system A10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0016] The charger 10 is, for example, a charging station installed outdoors. The charger 10 has a connector 11 to be connected to the vehicle 80.

[0017] The inlet 21 is provided on the body of the vehicle 80. A connector 11 of the charger 10 is connected to the inlet 21. The inlet 21 is electrically connected to the storage battery 31. This allows the charger 10 to charge the storage battery 31. The inlet 21 is also electrically connected to the compressor 41 and the heater 43. The inlet 21 is also electrically connected to a first pump 521 (described in detail below) in the second conduit 52, a second pump 531 (described in detail below) in the third conduit 53, and electrical equipment of the vehicle 80, including the control device 60, via an ESU (Electricity Supply Unit) and an auxiliary battery (not shown). In the control system A10, a current corresponding to the power that the charger 10 can supply to the vehicle 80 is referred to as a suppliable current I [A]. The suppliable current I is the current that can be flowed from the charger 10 to the vehicle 80 minus a current due to an error or the like.

[0018] The air conditioner 22 conditions the air inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 80. The air conditioner 22 has an evaporator 221 and a heater core 222. The evaporator 221 cools the air that has flowed into the air conditioner 22 by a blower (not shown). The heater core 222 is located downstream of the evaporator 221 in the air flow path of the air conditioner 22. The heater core 222 heats at least a portion of the air that has passed through the evaporator 221.

[0019] The storage battery 31 stores the power supplied from the charger 10. When the vehicle is running, the power stored in the storage battery 31 is supplied to the power unit (motor) and the electrical equipment described above. The storage battery 31 is, for example, a lithium ion battery.

[0020] The temperature sensor 32 is disposed adjacent to a cell of the storage battery 31. The temperature sensor 32 generates an electric signal related to the battery temperature Tb [°C] of the storage battery 31. The electric signal is transmitted to the control device 60.

[0021] The compressor 41, the condenser 42, and the first pipe 51 constitute a heat pump in the control system A10. A fluid flows through the first pipe 51 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 . The fluid is, for example, a hydrofluorocarbon. The compressor 41 and the condenser 42 are connected to the first pipe 51. As a result, the fluid flowing through the first pipe 51 flows into and out of the compressor 41 and the condenser 42, respectively. In the control system A10, the compressor 41 compresses the fluid using power corresponding to a portion of the current I that the charger 10 can supply. As the fluid is compressed, the temperature of the fluid increases. The condenser 42 condenses and liquefies the fluid compressed by the compressor 41. The condensed and liquefied fluid is decompressed and expanded by an expansion valve (not shown) and then flows into the evaporator 221 of the air conditioner 22. The evaporator 221 evaporates the decompressed and expanded fluid. Therefore, the evaporator 221 cools the air flowing down through the air conditioner 22 through heat exchange caused by the evaporation of the fluid. The fluid flowing out of the evaporator 221 flows back into the compressor 41. This allows the air conditioner 22 to cool the air.

[0022] The heater core 222, heater 43, and second pipe 52 of the air conditioner 22 constitute a heating cycle in the control system A10. A fluid flows through the second pipe 52 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4 . The fluid is, for example, LLC (ethylene glycol). The heater core 222 and the heater 43 are connected to the second pipe 52. As a result, the fluid flowing through the second pipe 52 flows into and out of the heater core 222 and the heater 43, respectively. In the control system A10, the heater 43 heats the fluid flowing through the second pipe 52 using power corresponding to a portion of the current I that can be supplied by the charger 10. The heater core 222 heats the air flowing down the air conditioner 22 by heat exchange with the fluid heated by the heater 43. In this way, heating is performed by the air conditioner 22. A first pump 521 is provided in the second pipe 52. The first pump 521 is located in the second conduit 52 between the outlet side of the heater core 222 and the inlet side of the heater 43. In the control system A10, the first pump 521 uses, out of the supplyable current I of the charger 10, electric power corresponding to the current flowing through the ESU and the auxiliary battery described above, to cause the fluid flowing through the second conduit 52 to flow downward.

[0023] The third conduit 53 branches off and merges with the second conduit 52 between the outlet side of the heater core 222 of the air conditioner 22 and the inlet side of the heater 43. The third conduit 53 branched from the second conduit 52 passes through the storage battery 31 and merges with the second conduit 52. The fluid flowing through the second conduit 52 flows into the third conduit 53. The inflowing fluid flows down the third conduit 53 and flows out to the second conduit 52. A second pump 531 is provided in the third conduit 53. The second pump 531 is located on the inflow side of the storage battery 31 in the third conduit 53. In the control system A10, the second pump 531 causes the fluid flowing through the third conduit 53 to flow down using power that corresponds to the current flowing through the ESU and the auxiliary battery, among the supplyable current I of the charger 10.

[0024] The first valve 54 is disposed at the branching / merging portion of the second pipeline 52 with the third pipeline 53. When the first valve 54 is opened, the fluid flowing through the second pipeline 52 is branched to the third pipeline 53, and the fluid that has passed through the storage battery 31 in the third pipeline 53 merges with the second pipeline 52. When the first valve 54 is closed, the fluid flowing through the second pipeline 52 circulates through the second pipeline 52 without branching or merging with the third pipeline 53.

[0025] The heat exchanger 44 is located in the first pipe 51 between the outlet side of the condenser 42 and the inlet side of the compressor 41. In addition, the heat exchanger 44 is located in the third pipe 53 between the outlet side of the storage battery 31 and the junction of the third pipe 53 with the second pipe 52. The heat exchanger 44 exchanges heat between the fluids flowing in the first pipe 51 and the third pipe 53. Here, in the heat exchanger 44, the temperature of the fluid flowing in the first pipe 51 is lower than the temperature of the fluid flowing in the third pipe 53. Therefore, in the control system A10, the heat of the fluid flowing in the third pipe 53 is conducted by the heat exchanger 44 to the fluid flowing in the first pipe 51. This reduces the temperature of the fluid flowing in the third pipe 53.

[0026] The control system A10 further includes a second valve 55 and a third valve 56. The second valve 55 is located in the first pipe 51 between the outlet side of the condenser 42 and the inlet side of the heat exchanger 44. When the second valve 55 is open, the fluid flowing through the first pipe 51 flows downward to the compressor 41 and the heat exchanger 44. When the second valve 55 is closed, the fluid flowing through the first pipe 51 does not flow downward to the compressor 41 or the heat exchanger 44. The third valve 56 is located in the first pipe 51 near the inlet side of the evaporator 221 of the air conditioner 22. When the third valve 56 is open, the fluid flowing through the first pipe 51 flows downward to the evaporator 221. When the third valve 56 is closed, the fluid flowing through the first pipe 51 does not flow downward to the evaporator 221.

[0027] The control device 60 is an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls either the compressor 41 or the heater 43, and at least either the first pump 521 of the second pipe 52 or the second pump 531 of the third pipe 53. The ECU is a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. In the control system A10, the control device 60 operates using power that corresponds to the current flowing through the ESU and the auxiliary battery, among the current I that the charger 10 can supply. The control device 60 includes a detection unit 61 and a control unit 62.

[0028] The detection unit 61 detects the battery temperature Tb based on the electrical signal transmitted from the temperature sensor 32. Furthermore, the detection unit 61 detects the charging current i [A] to the storage battery 31 and the charging rate r [%] of the storage battery 31. The charging current i is the current required to charge the storage battery 31 out of the current I that can be supplied by the charger 10. Information on the battery temperature Tb, the charging current i, and the charging rate r detected by the detection unit 61 is transmitted to the control unit 62.

[0029] The control unit 62 controls either the compressor 41 or the heater 43 based on information on the battery temperature Tb, the charging current i to the storage battery 31, and the charging rate r of the storage battery 31 transmitted from the detection unit 61. In addition, the control unit 62 controls at least either the first pump 521 of the second pipe 52 or the second pump 531 of the third pipe 53. In the control system A10, the control unit 62 controls the compressor 41 and the second pump 531.

[0030] The control unit 62 is set with a reference charging rate R [%], a first reference temperature T1 [°C], and a second reference temperature T2 [°C]. The reference charging rate R is a threshold that limits the magnitude of the charging current i to the storage battery 31 relative to the supplyable current I of the charger 10 when the charging rate r of the storage battery 31 reaches a predetermined value as power is supplied from the charger 10 to the vehicle 80. The first reference temperature T1 is a criterion for determining when to start cooling the storage battery 31 to prevent damage to the storage battery 31. The second reference temperature T2 is a threshold for preventing an excessive drop in the battery temperature Tb. The second reference temperature T2 is lower than the first reference temperature T1.

[0031] Next, a first example of processing in the control system A10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. This processing is executed by the control device 60. This processing starts when the detection unit 61 of the control device 60 detects the charging current i, i.e., when charging of the storage battery 31 starts.

[0032] First, in step S11, the magnitude relationship between the charging rate r and the reference charging rate R is determined. If the charging rate r is equal to or higher than the reference charging rate R, the process proceeds to the next step S12. If the charging rate r is lower than the reference charging rate R, the process in the control system A10 ends.

[0033] Next, in step S12, the magnitude relationship between the charging current i to the storage battery 31 and the supplyable current I of the charger 10 is determined. If the value of the charging current i is smaller than the value of the supplyable current I, it means that the magnitude of the charging current i relative to the supplyable current I has been limited, and the process proceeds to the next step S13. Here, the limitation of the magnitude of the charging current i relative to the supplyable current I is performed by the control device 60. If the value of the charging current i is equal to or greater than the value of the supplyable current I, the processing in the control system A10 ends.

[0034] Next, in step S13, the cooling mechanism C is activated to start cooling the storage battery 31. The cooling mechanism C is composed of a heat pump in the control system A10, which is composed of elements including the compressor 41, the condenser 42, and the first pipe 51, the third pipe 53, and the heat exchanger 44. In the control system A10, the control device 60 controls the cooling mechanism C. The cooling mechanism C is activated when the control unit 62 of the control device 60 issues instructions to each of the compressor 41 and the second pump 531 of the third pipe 53. The power used to operate the control device 60 and the cooling mechanism C is the surplus power from the charger 10 corresponding to the differential current Δi. Here, the differential current Δi is the supplyable current I of the charger 10 minus the charging current i. When the cooling mechanism C is activated, the first valve 54 and the third valve 56 are closed, and the second valve 55 is open. As a result, the fluid flowing through first pipe 51 circulates through first pipe 51 without flowing down through evaporator 221 of air conditioner 22. At the same time, the fluid flowing through third pipe 53 circulates through third pipe 53 without flowing in or out of second pipe 52. In this state, heat exchanger 44 transfers heat from the fluid flowing through third pipe 53 to the fluid flowing through first pipe 51, thereby cooling storage battery 31 with the fluid flowing through third pipe 53. Therefore, in the first embodiment, cooling mechanism C is operated in step S13 regardless of whether battery temperature Tb is higher or lower than first reference temperature T1.

[0035] Next, in step S14, the high / low relationship between battery temperature Tb and second reference temperature T2 is determined. If battery temperature Tb is lower than second reference temperature T2, the process proceeds to next step S15. If battery temperature Tb is equal to or higher than second reference temperature T2, the process returns to the aforementioned step S13.

[0036] Next, in step S15, the cooling mechanism C is stopped to terminate the cooling of the storage battery 31. The control unit 62 of the control device 60 issues an instruction to each of the compressor 41 and the second pump 531 of the third pipe line 53, thereby stopping the cooling mechanism C. This completes the processing in the control system A10.

[0037] Next, a second embodiment of the processing in the control system A10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In this second embodiment, step S12-1 is further provided between step S12 and step S13. In step S12, if the value of the charging current i is smaller than the value of the current I that can be supplied by the charger 10, the process proceeds to step S12-1.

[0038] In step S12-1, the high / low relationship between battery temperature Tb and first reference temperature T1 is determined. If battery temperature Tb is lower than first reference temperature T1, the process proceeds to next step S13. If battery temperature Tb is equal to or higher than first reference temperature T1, processing in control system A10 is terminated. Therefore, in this second embodiment, the cooling mechanism C is operated in step S13 only when battery temperature Tb is lower than first reference temperature T1. That is, in this second embodiment, focusing on cases where cooling of storage battery 31 is not generally necessary, the intention is to cool storage battery 31 by cooling mechanism C until battery temperature Tb becomes lower than second reference temperature T2.

[0039] Next, the effects of the control system A10 will be described.

[0040] The control system A10 includes a charger 10, a storage battery 31, a cooling mechanism C, and a control device 60. The control device 60 is set to a first reference temperature T1 and a second reference temperature T2. The second reference temperature T2 is lower than the first reference temperature T1. When the value of the charging current i to the storage battery 31 is smaller than the value of the current I that can be supplied by the charger 10, the control device 60 activates the cooling mechanism C. When the battery temperature Tb drops below the second reference temperature T2 due to the activation of the cooling mechanism C, the control device 60 stops the cooling mechanism C. By performing this control, surplus power from the charger 10 corresponding to the differential current Δi can be utilized to operate the cooling mechanism C. Furthermore, by pre-cooling the storage battery 31 until the battery temperature Tb drops below the second reference temperature T2, the time required for the battery temperature Tb to rise to the first reference temperature T1 during vehicle operation can be extended. This allows for efficient reduction in power consumption for cooling the storage battery 31. This control is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is traveling in a high-temperature environment. Therefore, this control makes it possible to efficiently suppress the power consumption of the storage battery 31 while the vehicle is traveling.

[0041] Second Embodiment A temperature control system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "control system A20") will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In these figures, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the control system A10 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0042] First, the configuration of the control system A20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the control system A20, the configuration of the control device 60 is different from that of the control system A10.

[0043] In the control system A20, the control unit 62 of the control device 60 controls the heater 43, the first pump 521 of the second pipe 52, and the second pump 531 of the third pipe 53.

[0044] The control unit 62 is set with a third reference temperature T3 [°C] and a fourth reference temperature T4 [°C]. The third reference temperature T3 is a criterion for determining when to start raising the temperature of the storage battery 31 in order to ensure the output of the storage battery 31 even at low temperatures. The fourth reference temperature T4 is a threshold for preventing an excessive rise in the battery temperature Tb. The fourth reference temperature T4 is higher than the third reference temperature T3.

[0045] Next, a first embodiment of the processing in the control system A20 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. This processing is executed in the control device 60. The start point of this processing is the same as the start point of the control system A10.

[0046] First, in step S21, the magnitude relationship between the charging rate r and the reference charging rate R is determined. If the charging rate r is equal to or higher than the reference charging rate R, the process proceeds to the next step S22. If the charging rate r is lower than the reference charging rate R, the process in the control system A20 ends.

[0047] Next, in step S22, the magnitude relationship between the charging current i to the storage battery 31 and the supplyable current I of the charger 10 is determined. If the value of the charging current i is smaller than the value of the supplyable current I, it means that the magnitude of the charging current i relative to the supplyable current I has been limited, and the process proceeds to the next step, S23. In the control system A20, the limitation of the magnitude of the charging current i relative to the supplyable current I is also performed by the control device 60. If the value of the charging current i is equal to or greater than the value of the supplyable current I, the processing in the control system A20 ends.

[0048] Next, in step S23, the heating mechanism H is activated to start raising the temperature of the storage battery 31. The heating mechanism H is composed of a heating cycle in the control system A10, which is composed of elements including the heater 43 and the second pipe 52, and the third pipe 53. In the control system A20, the control device 60 controls the heating mechanism H. The control unit 62 of the control device 60 issues instructions to each of the heater 43, the first pump 521 of the second pipe 52, and the second pump 531 of the third pipe 53, thereby activating the heating mechanism H. The power used to operate the control device 60 and the heating mechanism H is surplus power from the charger 10 corresponding to the differential current Δi. When the heating mechanism H is activated, the first valve 54 is opened, and the second valve 55 and the third valve 56 are closed. As a result, the fluid flowing through the first pipe 51 does not flow down through the compressor 41, the heat exchanger 44, or the evaporator 221 of the air conditioner 22. At the same time, the fluid flowing through the second pipe 52 flows in and out of the third pipe 53. Therefore, the fluid heated by the heater 43 in the second pipe 52 flows into the third pipe 53, thereby raising the temperature of the storage battery 31. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the heating mechanism H is operated in step S23 regardless of whether the battery temperature Tb is higher or lower than the third reference temperature T3.

[0049] Next, in step S24, the high / low relationship between battery temperature Tb and fourth reference temperature T4 is determined. If battery temperature Tb is higher than fourth reference temperature T4, the process proceeds to next step S25. If battery temperature Tb is equal to or lower than fourth reference temperature T4, the process returns to the aforementioned step S23.

[0050] Next, in step S25, the heating mechanism H is stopped to terminate the temperature increase of the storage battery 31. The control unit 62 of the control device 60 issues instructions to the heater 43, the first pump 521 of the second pipe 52, and the second pump 531 of the third pipe 53, thereby stopping the heating mechanism H. This completes the processing in the control system A20.

[0051] Next, a second embodiment of the processing in the control system A20 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In this second embodiment, step S22-1 is further provided between step S22 and step S23. In step S22, if the value of the charging current i is smaller than the value of the current I that can be supplied by the charger 10, the process proceeds to step S22-1.

[0052] In step S22-1, the high / low relationship between battery temperature Tb and the third reference temperature T3 is determined. If battery temperature Tb is higher than the third reference temperature T3, the process proceeds to step S23. If battery temperature Tb is equal to or higher than the third reference temperature T3, the processing in control system A20 is terminated. Therefore, in this second embodiment, heating mechanism H is activated in step S23 only when battery temperature Tb is higher than the third reference temperature T3. That is, in this second embodiment, focusing on cases where it is generally not necessary to heat the storage battery 31, the heating mechanism H is intended to heat the storage battery 31 until battery temperature Tb becomes higher than the fourth reference temperature T4.

[0053] Next, the effects of the control system A20 will be described.

[0054] The control system A20 includes a charger 10, a storage battery 31, a heating mechanism H, and a control device 60. The control device 60 is configured with a third reference temperature T3 and a fourth reference temperature T4. The fourth reference temperature T4 is higher than the third reference temperature T3. When the value of the charging current i to the storage battery 31 is smaller than the value of the current I that the charger 10 can supply, the control device 60 activates the heating mechanism H. When the battery temperature Tb becomes higher than the fourth reference temperature T4 due to the activation of the heating mechanism H, the control device 60 stops the heating mechanism H. This configuration allows surplus power from the charger 10 corresponding to the differential current Δi to be utilized for the activation of the heating mechanism H. Furthermore, by preheating the storage battery 31 until the battery temperature Tb becomes higher than the fourth reference temperature T4, the time it takes for the battery temperature Tb to decrease to the third reference temperature T3 during vehicle operation can be extended. This allows for efficient reduction in power consumption for heating the storage battery 31. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is traveling in a low-temperature environment. Therefore, this configuration also makes it possible to efficiently reduce the power consumption of the storage battery 31 when the vehicle is traveling in the control system A20.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the present invention can be freely designed and modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] A10, A20: Control system 10: Charger 11: Connector 21: Inlet 22:Air conditioner 221: Evaporator 222: Heater core 31: Storage battery 32: Temperature sensor 41: Compressor 42: Capacitor 43: Heater 44:Heat exchanger 51: 1st conduit 52:Second conduit 521: First pump 53:Third pipeline 531: Second pump 54, 55, 56: 1st valve, 2nd valve, 3rd valve 60: Control device 61: Detection unit 62: Control unit 80: Vehicle C: Cooling mechanism H:Heating mechanism i: Charging current I: Supplyable current Δi: differential current Tb:Battery temperature T1~T4: 1st reference temperature~4th reference temperature

Claims

1. A charger and a storage battery supplied with power from the charger; a cooling mechanism that receives power from the charger and cools the storage battery; a control device that controls the cooling mechanism, a first reference temperature serving as a criterion for determining whether to start cooling the storage battery, and a second reference temperature lower than the first reference temperature, are set in the control device; When a value of a charging current to the storage battery is smaller than a value of a current that can be supplied by the charger, the control device activates the cooling mechanism; When the battery temperature of the storage battery becomes lower than the second reference temperature due to operation of the cooling mechanism, the control device stops the cooling mechanism.

2. The temperature control system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device activates the cooling mechanism when the battery temperature is lower than the first reference temperature.

3. A charger and a storage battery supplied with power from the charger; a heating mechanism that receives power from the charger and heats the storage battery; a control device that controls the heating mechanism, a third reference temperature serving as a determination criterion for starting to increase the temperature of the storage battery, and a fourth reference temperature higher than the third reference temperature, are set in the control device; When a value of a charging current to the storage battery is smaller than a value of a current that can be supplied by the charger, the control device activates the heating mechanism; When the battery temperature of the storage battery becomes higher than the fourth reference temperature due to the operation of the heating mechanism, the control device stops the heating mechanism.

4. The temperature control system according to claim 3 , wherein the control device activates the heating mechanism when the battery temperature is higher than the third reference temperature.

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