Temperature control system and method for controlling the temperature control system

Abstract

When the heater mode is executed, the first and second temperature control devices exchange heat with the temperature-controlled object at different temperature ranges, thereby reducing heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature control device. [Solution] The heat transfer circuit 20 includes an indoor air conditioning unit 25A and a battery temperature control unit 25B, and the control unit 30 provides a temperature control system 100 that executes a heater mode in which it supplies a first heat transfer medium HM1 or a third heat transfer medium HM3 (a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and a second heat transfer medium HM2) to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, and supplies the second heat transfer medium HM2 or the third heat transfer medium HM3 to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a temperature control system suitable for use in a vehicle and a method for controlling the temperature control system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle thermal management system having an operation mode for heating a device to be heated at an early stage at a low outside air temperature is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle thermal management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 arranges a low-pressure side cooling water cooler included in a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates in a first cooling water circuit and circulates the cooling water by a first pump, and arranges a high-pressure side cooling water heater included in the refrigeration cycle in a second cooling water circuit and circulates the cooling water by a second pump, thereby executing a heat pump operation.

[0003] When the vehicle thermal management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 executes an operation mode for heating a device to be heated at an early stage at a low outside air temperature, both the first pump and the second pump are operated, and the cooling water cooled by the cooling water cooler and the cooling water heated by the cooling water heater are mixed by a first switching valve and led to a heater core.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses that, in addition to a heater core, a heat exchanger for a battery may be provided as a heating target device heated by cooling water, but it does not describe how the heat exchanger for the battery should be arranged in the vehicle's thermal management system. For example, if the heat exchanger for the battery is placed in the same flow path as the heater core, the temperature of the cooling water flowing through the heater core and the heat exchanger for the battery will be the same.

[0006] Therefore, it is not possible to supply cooling water at different temperature ranges to the heater core and the battery heat exchanger, and for the heater core and battery heat exchanger to exchange heat with the heat exchange target at different temperature ranges. For example, even if the temperature range required by the battery heat exchanger is sufficiently lower than the temperature range required by the heater core, a heat transfer medium at a higher temperature than the required temperature range will be supplied to the battery heat exchanger, resulting in heat loss due to heat dissipation in the battery heat exchanger.

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of these circumstances and aims to provide a temperature control system and a control method for a temperature control system that, when executing a heater mode in which a first heat transfer medium heated by the power of a compressor is supplied to the first temperature control device at low ambient temperatures, can reduce heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature control device by performing heat exchange with the temperature-controlled object at different temperature ranges in the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A temperature control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a depressurization section, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger; a heat transfer medium circuit through which a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the low-pressure side heat exchanger circulates; and a control unit that controls the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer medium circuit, wherein the heat transfer medium circuit includes a first temperature control device that exchanges heat between a first heat transfer medium heated by the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and a first temperature control target; and a second heat transfer medium that exchanges heat between a second heat transfer medium cooled by the refrigerant in the low-pressure side heat exchanger and a second temperature control target. The system comprises a temperature control device, a first pump located in the first heat transfer medium flow path and pumping the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, and a second pump located in the second heat transfer medium flow path and pumping the second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger. The control unit controls the system to execute a heater mode in which it supplies the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with the second heat transfer medium, to the first temperature control device, and supplies the second heat transfer medium or the third heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger to the second temperature control device.

[0009] In a control method for a temperature control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the temperature control system comprises a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a depressurization section, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and a heat transfer medium circuit through which a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the low-pressure side heat exchanger circulates, wherein the heat transfer medium circuit comprises a first temperature control device that exchanges heat between a first heat transfer medium heated by the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and a first temperature control target, a second temperature control device that exchanges heat between a second heat transfer medium cooled by the refrigerant in the low-pressure side heat exchanger and a second temperature control target, and a first heat transfer medium flow path. The system includes a first pump positioned in the high-pressure heat exchanger for pumping the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, and a second pump positioned in the second heat transfer medium flow path for pumping the second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger. The system also includes a control step that controls the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer medium circuit to execute a heater mode in which the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with the second heat transfer medium, is supplied to the first temperature control device, and the second heat transfer medium or the third heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger is supplied to the second temperature control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, when executing a heater mode in which a first heat transfer medium heated by the power of a compressor is supplied to a first temperature control device at low ambient temperatures, it is possible to reduce heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature control device by performing heat exchange with the temperature-controlled object at different temperature ranges between the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a temperature control system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, illustrating a state in which a heater mode is executed, supplying only the first heat transfer medium to the indoor air conditioning unit. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a temperature control system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and it shows a state in which a heater mode is executed, in which only the first heat transfer medium is supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing a temperature control system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state in which a heater mode is executed, supplying only a second heat transfer medium to the battery temperature control device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing a temperature control system according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and it shows a state in which a heater mode is executed, supplying only the second heat transfer medium to the battery temperature control device. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing a temperature control system according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, illustrating a state in which a heater mode is executed, where only the second heat transfer medium is supplied to the external heat exchanger. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a temperature control system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle temperature control system 100 shown in Figure 1 is installed in, for example, an electric vehicle that does not have an engine and obtains driving force for vehicle operation from an electric motor, or a so-called hybrid vehicle that obtains driving force for vehicle operation from both an engine and an electric motor, etc. (not shown).

[0013] The temperature control system 100 is responsible for air conditioning, including heating, cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation of the passenger compartment, as well as thermal management and heat recovery of on-board equipment such as the battery system, electric motor, and heat-generating electronic devices installed in the vehicle. The process of maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels and managing on-board equipment to an optimal temperature is collectively referred to as "thermal management."

[0014] The temperature control system 100 and the electric and electronic equipment in the vehicle are supplied with power stored in the vehicle's battery system. The vehicle's battery system is charged from an external power source when the vehicle is stopped.

[0015] The temperature control system 100 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 configured to allow the circulation of a refrigerant RF, a heat transfer medium circuit 20 configured to allow the circulation of a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant RF, and a control unit 30 that controls the refrigerant circuit 10 and the heat transfer medium circuit 20. The control unit 30 sets the temperature control system 100 to a predetermined operating mode and controls the operating state of the temperature control system 100 according to the operating mode. The temperature control system 100 includes sensors (not shown), such as a sensor for detecting the outside temperature and a sensor for detecting the temperature of the conditioned air blown into the vehicle compartment.

[0016] The temperature control system 100 can perform any of a plurality of operating modes selected by the occupants or by the control unit 30. In this embodiment, the heater mode (Figure 1) is exemplified as an operating mode of the temperature control system 100, in which a first heat transfer medium HM1 heated by the power of the compressor 11 is supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A when the outside temperature is low.

[0017] <Configuration of refrigerant circuit 10> The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a compressor 11 for compressing the refrigerant RF, a condenser (high-pressure side heat exchanger) 12, an expansion valve (pressure reduction section) 13, and an evaporator (low-pressure side heat exchanger) 14. In the refrigerant circuit 10, the refrigerant RF circulates according to the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant RF sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10 can be a single refrigerant or a mixture of refrigerants. For example, HFC (Hydro Fluoro Carbon) refrigerants such as R410A and R32, HFO (Hydro Fluoro Olefin) refrigerants such as R1234ze and R1234yf, or hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants such as propane and isobutane can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use R290 as the refrigerant in this embodiment.

[0018] When using the fluorocarbon-based or hydrocarbon-based refrigerant listed above, a subcritical refrigeration cycle is formed in which the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side does not exceed the critical pressure of the refrigerant. When using carbon dioxide (CO2) as the refrigerant, a transcritical refrigeration cycle is formed in which the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side exceeds the critical pressure of the refrigerant. Even in that case, since the refrigerant radiates heat by the high-pressure side heat exchanger in the same manner as the condenser 12 of the present embodiment, and the refrigerant absorbs heat by the low-pressure side heat exchanger in the same manner as the evaporator 14 of the present embodiment, a refrigerant that forms a transcritical refrigeration cycle, such as a carbon dioxide refrigerant, can also be adopted in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0019] The compressor 11 is, for example, an electric compressor provided with an electric motor not shown. The rotational speed of the compressor 11 is controlled by the control unit 30. As the compressor 11, for example, a scroll compressor or a rotary compressor is used.

[0020] The condenser 12 is a device that exchanges heat between the refrigerant RF discharged from the compressor 11 and the first heat medium HM1 flowing through the heat medium circuit 20.

[0021] The expansion valve 13 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant RF flowing out from the condenser 12. As the expansion valve 13, in addition to an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree can be controlled based on a command from the control unit 30, a thermal expansion valve can be adopted. Note that a capillary tube may be adopted instead of the expansion valve 13. Further, a receiver (gas-liquid separator) not shown may be provided between the condenser 12 and the expansion valve 13.

[0022] The evaporator 14 is a device that exchanges heat between the refrigerant RF flowing out from the expansion valve 13 and the second heat medium HM2 flowing through the heat medium circuit 20. The refrigerant RF evaporated by the evaporator 14 is led to the suction side of the compressor 11. An accumulator (gas-liquid separator) not shown may be provided between the evaporator 14 and the compressor 11.

[0023] The compressor 11, the condenser 12, the expansion valve 13, the evaporator 14, and the refrigerant pipes connecting these elements are installed, for example, outside the passenger compartment.

[0024] <Configuration of the heat transfer circuit 20> The heat transfer medium circuit 20 is configured to allow circulation of a heat transfer medium HM capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant RF in the condenser 12 and evaporator 14. The heat transfer medium HM is used to cool or heat at least one temperature-controlled object. In this embodiment, the temperature-controlled object is the air supplied to the vehicle interior for air conditioning. Alternatively, the temperature-controlled object may be an on-board battery device B for storing electricity used in the vehicle.

[0025] Hereinafter, the heat transfer medium HM heated in the condenser 12 will be referred to as the first heat transfer medium HM1, the heat transfer medium HM cooled in the evaporator 14 will be referred to as the second heat transfer medium HM2, and the mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2 will be referred to as the third heat transfer medium HM3. The first heat transfer medium HM1, the second heat transfer medium HM2, and the third heat transfer medium HM3 will all be collectively referred to as the heat transfer medium HM.

[0026] The heat transfer medium HM sealed in the heat transfer circuit 20 is a liquid such as water or brine that circulates through the heat transfer circuit 20 while maintaining a liquid phase state. Examples of brine include a mixture of water and propylene glycol, or a mixture of water and ethylene glycol.

[0027] The heat transfer medium circuit 20 includes a first pump 21, a second pump 22, an outdoor heat exchanger (second temperature control equipment) 23, a reserve tank 24, an indoor air conditioning unit (first temperature control equipment) 25A, a battery temperature control unit (second temperature control equipment) 25B, a heat transfer medium supply unit 26, and an on / off valve 27. The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 has three-way valves 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, and 26f.

[0028] The heat transfer medium circuit 20 includes, as a flow path for the heat transfer medium HM, a first heat transfer medium flow path L1 connecting the condenser 12 and the heat transfer medium supply unit 26, a second heat transfer medium flow path L2 connecting the evaporator 14 and the heat transfer medium supply unit 26, a third heat transfer medium flow path L3 connecting the three-way valves 26a and 26b via the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, a fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4 connecting the three-way valves 26c and 26d via the battery temperature control unit 25B, a fifth heat transfer medium flow path L5 connecting the three-way valves 26e and 26f via the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and a connecting flow path L6 that connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 and the second heat transfer medium flow path L2. The connecting channel L6 connects the first position P1 between the condenser 12 and the first pump 21 of the first heat transfer medium channel L1 and the second position P2 between the evaporator 14 and the second pump 22 of the second heat transfer medium channel L2.

[0029] The first pump 21 and the second pump 22 are controlled by the control unit 30, which controls their starting, stopping, and rotation speed.

[0030] The first pump 21 is located in the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 and is a device that pumps the first heat transfer medium HM1, which has passed through the condenser 12, to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26 along the flow direction. The second pump 22 is located in the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 and is a device that pumps the second heat transfer medium HM2, which has passed through the evaporator 14, to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26 along the flow direction.

[0031] The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is located in the fifth heat transfer medium flow path L5 and is a device that exchanges heat between the outside air (second temperature control target) outside the vehicle compartment and the heat transfer medium HM. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is located, for example, near the air intake of the vehicle. The outside air supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 by the movement of the vehicle and the operation of the outdoor heat exchanger fan (not shown) dissipates or absorbs heat based on the temperature difference between the outside air and the heat transfer medium.

[0032] The reserve tank 24 is located in the communication channel L6 and is a device for storing the heat transfer medium HM. When the heat transfer medium HM sealed in the heat transfer medium circuit 20 expands due to the rise in temperature, the reserve tank 24 accepts the excess heat transfer medium HM into the tank, exceeding the volume of the piping in the heat transfer medium circuit 20.

[0033] Furthermore, when the volume of the heat transfer medium HM decreases due to a drop in temperature, the heat transfer medium HM is replenished from the reserve tank 24 to the communication channel L6, so that the communication channel L6 is kept filled with the heat transfer medium HM. In other words, the reserve tank 24 prevents the internal pressure of the communication channel L6 from becoming excessive or negative. The inside of the reserve tank 24 is open to the atmosphere. Alternatively, the reserve tank 24 may be sealed and adjusted to a desired constant pressure.

[0034] The indoor air conditioning unit 25A is a device that exchanges heat between the first heat transfer medium HM1, which is heated by the refrigerant RF in the condenser 12, and the air (first temperature-controlled air) supplied to the vehicle interior. The indoor air conditioning unit 25A exchanges heat between the air supplied to the vehicle interior by an indoor air conditioning fan (not shown) and the first heat transfer medium HM1. The indoor air conditioning unit 25A supplies temperature-controlled air to the vehicle interior by the indoor air conditioning fan.

[0035] The battery temperature control unit 25B is a device that exchanges heat between the second heat transfer medium HM2, which is cooled by the refrigerant RF in the evaporator 14, and the battery device B (the second temperature control target). The battery temperature control unit 25B exchanges heat between the air supplied to the battery device B by a blower fan (not shown) and the second heat transfer medium HM2. Alternatively, the battery temperature control unit 25B may directly contact the battery device B with the piping through which the second heat transfer medium HM2 flows to exchange heat between the battery device B and the second heat transfer medium HM2.

[0036] The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 is connected to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, the battery temperature control unit 25B, the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, and the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and supplies the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2 to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, the battery temperature control unit 25B, and the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

[0037] The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 includes three-way valves 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, and 26f. In Figure 1, the white color of the valve body indicates that it is in the open state, and the black color indicates that it is in the closed state.

[0038] The three-way valve 26a is positioned upstream of the indoor air conditioning unit 25A in the flow direction of the heat transfer medium HM, and connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and the third heat transfer medium flow path L3. The three-way valve 26b is positioned downstream of the indoor air conditioning unit 25A in the flow direction of the heat transfer medium HM, and connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and the third heat transfer medium flow path L3.

[0039] The three-way valve 26c is positioned upstream of the battery temperature control unit 25B in the flow direction of the heat transfer medium HM, and connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and the fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4. The three-way valve 26d is positioned downstream of the battery temperature control unit 25B in the flow direction of the heat transfer medium HM, and connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and the fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4.

[0040] The three-way valve 26e is positioned upstream of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 in the flow direction of the heat transfer medium HM, and connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and the fifth heat transfer medium flow path L5. The three-way valve 26f is positioned downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 in the flow direction of the heat transfer medium HM, and connects the first heat transfer medium flow path L1, the second heat transfer medium flow path L2, and the fifth heat transfer medium flow path L5.

[0041] <Configuration of the control unit 30> The control unit 30 is a device that controls the refrigerant circuit 10 and the heat transfer medium circuit 20. The control unit 30 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and a computer-readable storage medium. A series of processes for realizing various functions are stored in the storage medium in the form of a program, for example. The CPU reads this program into the RAM and performs information processing and calculations to realize the various functions.

[0042] The program may be provided in various forms, such as being pre-installed on ROM or other storage media, being stored on a computer-readable storage medium, or being distributed via wired or wireless communication. Computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memory.

[0043] The control unit 30 includes a temperature setting unit 31 for setting a target temperature for the battery device B, and a capacity setting unit 32 for setting the required heating capacity for the indoor air conditioning unit 25A and the battery temperature control unit 25B. The control unit 30 controls the refrigerant circuit 10 and the heat transfer medium circuit 20 to execute the heater mode described later when the target temperature set by the temperature setting unit 31 is above a predetermined temperature. The control unit 30 also controls the refrigerant circuit 10 and the heat transfer medium circuit 20 to execute the heater mode described later when the required heating capacity set by the capacity setting unit 32 is below a predetermined value.

[0044] Next, the control of the temperature control system 100 with the above configuration will be described. <Heater mode: Figure 1> The heater mode is suitable for heating when the outside temperature is too low for the heat transfer medium HM to absorb heat from the outside air. In heater mode, the heat transfer medium HM is used to transport a heat amount to the vehicle compartment that is equivalent to the power of the compressor 11, which acts as a heat source, while avoiding heat loss from the heat transfer medium HM to the outside air. This ensures heating capacity even when the outside temperature is significantly below 0°C. In the heat transfer medium circuit 20 shown in Figure 1, the areas where the heat transfer medium HM flows are indicated by thick dashed lines, and the areas where the heat transfer medium HM does not flow are indicated by thin dotted lines.

[0045] The refrigerant circuit 10 is activated by a command from the control unit 30. As a result, the refrigerant RF is compressed by the compressor 11 and supplied to the condenser 12 as high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant RF. In the condenser 12, the refrigerant RF dissipates heat by exchanging heat with the heat transfer medium HM, and the refrigerant RF condenses and liquefies. The liquefied high-pressure refrigerant RF is then depressurized by the expansion valve 13 and supplied to the evaporator 14.

[0046] In the evaporator 14, the refrigerant RF exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium HM, gaining latent heat of vaporization and evaporating, becoming a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant RF. The refrigerant RF that leaves the evaporator 14 is led to the compressor 11, where the refrigeration cycle described above is repeated.

[0047] When the heater mode is activated, the control unit 30 operates the first pump 21 to guide the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. Also, when the heater mode is activated, the control unit 30 operates the second pump 22 to guide the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14 to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. The control unit 30 controls the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 so that the rotational speed of the first pump 21 is higher than the rotational speed of the second pump 22.

[0048] The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 guides the first heat transfer medium HM1 from the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 to the third heat transfer medium flow path L3 via a three-way valve 26a and supplies it to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A. The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 also guides the second heat transfer medium HM2 from the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 to the fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4 via a three-way valve 26c, and guides the first heat transfer medium HM1 from the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 to the fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4 via a three-way valve 26c. The third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, is supplied to the battery temperature control unit 25B via the fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4.

[0049] The first heat transfer medium HM1, heated by the refrigerant RF in the condenser 12, is used by the interior air conditioning unit 25A to heat the air (or outside air) inside the vehicle cabin. The second heat transfer medium HM2, cooled by the refrigerant RF in the evaporator 14, is mixed with the first heat transfer medium HM1 to form the third heat transfer medium HM3, which is then used by the battery temperature control unit 25B to regulate the temperature of the battery unit B.

[0050] The three-way valve 26b branches the first heat transfer medium HM1 supplied from the indoor air conditioning unit 25A into a first heat transfer medium flow path L1 and a second heat transfer medium flow path L2. The first heat transfer medium HM1 guided to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 is supplied to the condenser 12. The first heat transfer medium HM1 guided to the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 is mixed with the third heat transfer medium HM3 supplied from the three-way valve 26d and supplied to the evaporator 14.

[0051] When the control unit 30 executes the heater mode shown in Figure 1, it closes the on-off valve 27 located in the communication channel L6, preventing the heat transfer medium HM from flowing through the communication channel L6. Since the second heat transfer medium HM2 does not flow from the second heat transfer medium channel L2 to the first heat transfer medium channel L1 via the communication channel L6, mixing of the second heat transfer medium HM2 with the first heat transfer medium HM1 is prevented.

[0052] As described above, when the control unit 30 executes the heater mode, it operates the first pump 21 and supplies the first heat transfer medium HM1, which has passed through the condenser 12, to the interior air conditioning unit 25A to heat the air inside the vehicle. Also, when the control unit 30 executes the heater mode, it operates the second pump 22 and supplies the second heat transfer medium HM2, which has passed through the evaporator 14, to the battery temperature control unit 25B to adjust the temperature of the battery device B.

[0053] <Modified version of heater mode: Figure 2> The heater mode shown in Figure 1 directly merges the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium channel L1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2 flowing through the second heat transfer medium channel L2 at the three-way valve 26c of the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. However, the modified temperature control system 100A shown in Figure 2 may also be used. The heater mode performed by the temperature control system 100A shown in Figure 2 guides the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium channel L1 from the three-way valve 26a to the second heat transfer medium channel L2 and merges it with the second heat transfer medium HM2 in the second heat transfer medium channel L2.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium channel L1 is guided from the three-way valve 26a to the second heat transfer medium channel L2. Meanwhile, the second heat transfer medium HM2 flowing through the second heat transfer medium channel L2 merges with the first heat transfer medium HM1 near the three-way valve 26c to become the third heat transfer medium HM3 before being guided to the three-way valve 26c.

[0055] The third heat transfer medium HM3, guided to the three-way valve 26c, passes through the battery temperature control unit 25B and is then guided to the three-way valve 26d. The three-way valve 26d branches the third heat transfer medium HM3 into the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 and the second heat transfer medium flow path L2. The third heat transfer medium HM3 guided to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 merges with the first heat transfer medium HM1 and is then guided to the condenser 12. The third heat transfer medium HM3 guided to the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 is then guided to the evaporator 14.

[0056] When the control unit 30 executes the heater mode shown in Figure 2, it opens the on-off valve 27 located in the communication channel L6, allowing the heat transfer medium HM to flow through the communication channel L6. The first heat transfer medium HM1 flows from the first heat transfer medium channel L1 to the second heat transfer medium channel L2 via the communication channel L6, and the third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, is guided to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26.

[0057] The temperature control system 100 of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following functions and effects. According to the temperature control system 100 of this embodiment, by executing the heater mode, the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 is supplied to the interior air conditioning unit 25A to heat the air supplied to the vehicle interior. Also, by executing the heater mode, a third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 and the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14, is supplied to the battery temperature control unit 25B to exchange heat with the air blown to the battery device B or with the battery device B. As a result, when executing the heater mode to supply the first heat transfer medium HM1 heated by the power of the compressor 11 to the interior air conditioning unit 25A at low ambient temperatures, the interior air conditioning unit 25A and the battery temperature control unit 25B exchange heat with the temperature-controlled object at different temperature ranges, thereby reducing heat loss due to heat dissipation in the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0058] According to the temperature control system 100 of this embodiment, by supplying the first heat transfer medium HM1, which is not mixed with the second heat transfer medium HM2 cooled by the evaporator 14, to the interior air conditioning unit 25A, the air supplied to the vehicle interior can be sufficiently heated. Furthermore, by supplying the third heat transfer medium HM3, which is mixed with the second heat transfer medium HM2 cooled by the evaporator 14, to the battery temperature control unit 25B, heat loss due to heat dissipation in the battery temperature control unit 25B can be reduced compared to the case where the first heat transfer medium HM1 is supplied to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0059] According to the temperature control system 100 of this embodiment, by setting the rotation speed of the first pump 21 higher than that of the second pump 22, the second heat transfer medium HM2 is prevented from flowing from the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 into the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 in the heat transfer medium supply unit 26, and the first heat transfer medium HM1 can be reliably supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A.

[0060] [Second Embodiment] Next, a temperature control system 100B according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The temperature control system 100B of this embodiment is a modified version of the temperature control system 100 of the first embodiment, and is the same as the first embodiment except for the points that will be specifically described below, so the following description will be omitted.

[0061] In the temperature control system 100 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the control unit 30 executes a heater mode to supply a first heat transfer medium HM1 to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A and to supply a third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0062] In contrast, in the temperature control system 100B according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, the control unit 30 executes a heater mode to supply a third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, and to supply the second heat transfer medium HM2 to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0063] The control unit 30 controls the refrigerant circuit 10 and the heat transfer medium circuit 20 to execute the heater mode described later when the target temperature set by the temperature setting unit 31 is below a predetermined temperature. The control unit 30 also controls the refrigerant circuit 10 and the heat transfer medium circuit 20 to execute the heater mode described later when the required heating capacity set by the capacity setting unit 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0064] <Heater mode: Figure 3> The heater mode is suitable for heating when the outside temperature is too low for the heat transfer medium HM to absorb heat from the outside air. In heater mode, the heat transfer medium HM is used to transport a heat amount to the vehicle compartment that is equivalent to the power of the compressor 11, which acts as a heat source, while avoiding heat loss from the heat transfer medium HM to the outside air. This ensures heating capacity even when the outside temperature is significantly below 0°C. In the heat transfer medium circuit 20 shown in Figure 3, the areas where the heat transfer medium HM flows are indicated by thick dashed lines, and the areas where the heat transfer medium HM does not flow are indicated by thin dotted lines.

[0065] When the heater mode is activated, the control unit 30 operates the first pump 21 to guide the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. Also, when the heater mode is activated, the control unit 30 operates the second pump 22 to guide the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14 to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. The control unit 30 controls the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 so that the rotation speed of the second pump 22 is higher than the rotation speed of the first pump 21.

[0066] The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 guides the second heat transfer medium HM2 from the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 to the fourth heat transfer medium flow path L4 via the three-way valve 26c and supplies it to the battery temperature control unit 25B. The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 also guides the second heat transfer medium HM2 from the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 via the three-way valve 26c and mixes it with the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium flow path L1. The third heat transfer medium HM3, which is the first heat transfer medium HM1 mixed with the second heat transfer medium HM2, is guided to the third heat transfer medium flow path L3 via the three-way valve 26a and supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A.

[0067] The three-way valve 26b supplies the third heat transfer medium HM3, supplied from the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1. A portion of the third heat transfer medium HM3 guided to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 is supplied to the condenser 12. The remaining portion of the third heat transfer medium HM3 guided to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 is mixed with the second heat transfer medium HM2 by the three-way valve 26d and supplied to the evaporator 14 via the second heat transfer medium flow path L2.

[0068] When the control unit 30 executes the heater mode shown in Figure 3, it closes the on-off valve 27 located in the communication channel L6, so that the heat transfer medium HM does not flow through the communication channel L6. Since the first heat transfer medium HM1 does not flow from the first heat transfer medium channel L1 to the second heat transfer medium channel L2 via the communication channel L6, mixing of the first heat transfer medium HM1 with the second heat transfer medium HM2 is prevented.

[0069] As described above, when the control unit 30 executes the heater mode, it operates the first pump 21 and supplies the first heat transfer medium HM1, which has passed through the condenser 12, to the interior air conditioning unit 25A to heat the air inside the vehicle. Also, when the control unit 30 executes the heater mode, it operates the second pump 22 and supplies the second heat transfer medium HM2, which has passed through the evaporator 14, to the battery temperature control unit 25B to adjust the temperature of the battery device B.

[0070] <Modified version of heater mode: Figure 4> The heater mode shown in Figure 3 involves directly merging the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium channel L1 with the second heat transfer medium HM2 flowing through the second heat transfer medium channel L2 in the first heat transfer medium channel L1. However, the modified temperature control system 100C shown in Figure 4 may also be used. The heater mode performed by the temperature control system 100C shown in Figure 4 involves merging the second heat transfer medium HM2 flowing through the second heat transfer medium channel L2 with the first heat transfer medium HM1 using a three-way valve 26a.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4, the second heat transfer medium HM2 flowing through the second heat transfer medium channel L2 is led to the three-way valve 26a. Meanwhile, the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium channel L1 is also led to the three-way valve 26a. The first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2 merge at the three-way valve 26a to become the third heat transfer medium HM3, which is supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A via the third heat transfer medium channel L3.

[0072] When the control unit 30 executes the heater mode shown in Figure 4, it opens the on-off valve 27 located in the communication channel L6, allowing the heat transfer medium HM to flow through the communication channel L6. The second heat transfer medium HM2 flows from the second heat transfer medium channel L2 into the first heat transfer medium channel L1 via the communication channel L6, and the third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, is guided to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26.

[0073] The temperature control system 100B of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following functions and effects. According to the temperature control system 100B of this embodiment, by executing the heater mode, a third heat transfer medium HM3 is supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 and the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14, thereby heating the air supplied to the vehicle interior.

[0074] Furthermore, by executing the heater mode, the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14 is supplied to the battery temperature control unit 25B to exchange heat with the air blown to the battery device B or with the battery device B. This allows the indoor air conditioning unit 25A and the battery temperature control unit 25B to exchange heat with the temperature-controlled object at different temperature ranges when the heater mode is executed at low ambient temperatures, thereby reducing heat loss due to heat dissipation in the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0075] According to the temperature control system 100B of this embodiment, by supplying a third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the second heat transfer medium HM2 cooled by the evaporator 14, to the interior air conditioning unit 25A, the air supplied to the vehicle interior can be set to an appropriate temperature that is higher than the second heat transfer medium HM2 and lower than the first heat transfer medium HM1. Furthermore, by supplying the second heat transfer medium HM2, which is not mixed with the first heat transfer medium HM1 heated by the condenser 12, to the battery temperature control unit 25B, heat loss due to heat dissipation in the battery temperature control unit 25B can be reduced compared to the case where the third heat transfer medium HM3 is supplied to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0076] According to the temperature control system 100B of this embodiment, by setting the rotation speed of the second pump 22 higher than that of the first pump 21, the first heat transfer medium HM1 is prevented from flowing from the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 to the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 in the heat transfer medium supply unit 26, and the second heat transfer medium HM2 can be reliably supplied to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0077] [Third Embodiment] Next, a temperature control system 100D according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The temperature control system 100D of this embodiment is a modified version of the temperature control system 100B of the second embodiment, and is the same as the second embodiment except for the points that will be specifically described below, so the following description will be omitted.

[0078] In the temperature control system 100B according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, the control unit 30 executes a heater mode to supply a third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, and to supply the second heat transfer medium HM2 to the battery temperature control unit 25B.

[0079] In contrast, in the temperature control system 100D according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, the control unit 30 executes a heater mode in which a third heat transfer medium HM3, obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, is supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, and the second heat transfer medium HM2 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 23. In this embodiment, the temperature control system 100D can remove frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 by heating it with the second heat transfer medium HM2 when executing the heater mode, by supplying the second heat transfer medium HM2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

[0080] <Heater mode: Figure 5> The heater mode is suitable for heating when the outside temperature is too low for the heat transfer medium HM to absorb heat from the outside air. In heater mode, the heat transfer medium HM is used to transport a heat amount to the vehicle compartment that is commensurate with the power of the compressor 11, which acts as a heat source, while avoiding heat loss from the heat transfer medium HM to the outside air. This ensures heating capacity even when the outside temperature is significantly below 0°C. In the heat transfer medium circuit 20 shown in Figure 5, the areas where the heat transfer medium HM flows are indicated by thick dashed lines, and the areas where the heat transfer medium HM does not flow are indicated by thin dotted lines.

[0081] When the heater mode is activated, the control unit 30 operates the first pump 21 to guide the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. Also, when the heater mode is activated, the control unit 30 operates the second pump 22 to guide the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14 to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26. The control unit 30 controls the first pump 21 and the second pump 22 so that the rotation speed of the second pump 22 is higher than the rotation speed of the first pump 21.

[0082] The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 guides the second heat transfer medium HM2 from the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 to the fifth heat transfer medium flow path L5 via the three-way valve 26e and supplies it to the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The heat transfer medium supply unit 26 also guides the second heat transfer medium HM2 from the second heat transfer medium flow path L2 to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 via the three-way valve 26e and mixes it with the first heat transfer medium HM1 flowing through the first heat transfer medium flow path L1. The third heat transfer medium HM3, which is the mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, is guided to the third heat transfer medium flow path L3 via the three-way valve 26a and supplied to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A.

[0083] The three-way valve 26b supplies the third heat transfer medium HM3, supplied from the indoor air conditioning unit 25A, to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1. A portion of the third heat transfer medium HM3 guided to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 is supplied to the condenser 12. The remaining portion of the third heat transfer medium HM3 guided to the first heat transfer medium flow path L1 is mixed with the second heat transfer medium HM2 in the three-way valve 26f and supplied to the evaporator 14 via the second heat transfer medium flow path L2.

[0084] When the control unit 30 executes the heater mode shown in Figure 5, it opens the on-off valve 27 located in the communication channel L6, allowing the heat transfer medium HM to flow through the communication channel L6. The second heat transfer medium HM2 flows from the second heat transfer medium channel L2 into the first heat transfer medium channel L1 via the communication channel L6, and the third heat transfer medium HM3, which is a mixture of the first heat transfer medium HM1 and the second heat transfer medium HM2, is guided to the heat transfer medium supply unit 26.

[0085] As described above, when the control unit 30 executes the heater mode, it operates the first pump 21 and supplies the first heat transfer medium HM1 that has passed through the condenser 12 to the indoor air conditioning unit 25A to heat the air inside the vehicle. Also, when the control unit 30 executes the heater mode, it operates the second pump 22 and supplies the second heat transfer medium HM2 that has passed through the evaporator 14 to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to remove frost that has accumulated on the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

[0086] The temperature control system and control method for the temperature control system described in each embodiment above can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0087] A temperature control system according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises a refrigerant circuit (10) through which a refrigerant circulates a compressor (11), a high-pressure side heat exchanger (12), a depressurization section (13), and a low-pressure side heat exchanger (14); a heat transfer medium circuit (20) through which a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the low-pressure side heat exchanger circulates; and a control unit (30) that controls the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer medium circuit, wherein the heat transfer medium circuit comprises a first temperature control device (25A) that exchanges heat between a first heat transfer medium heated by the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and a first temperature control target, and a second heat transfer medium cooled by the refrigerant in the low-pressure side heat exchanger and a second temperature control target. The system includes a second temperature control device (25B) for replacement, a first pump (21) located in the first heat transfer medium flow path (L1) for pumping the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure side heat exchanger, and a second pump (22) located in the second heat transfer medium flow path (L2) for pumping the second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure side heat exchanger. The control unit controls the system to execute a heater mode in which it supplies the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure side heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with the second heat transfer medium, to the first temperature control device, and supplies the second heat transfer medium or the third heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure side heat exchanger to the second temperature control device.

[0088] According to the temperature control system of the first aspect of this disclosure, by executing the heater mode, a first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with a second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger, is supplied to the first temperature control device to heat the first temperature control target. Also by executing the heater mode, a second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the second heat transfer medium with the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, is supplied to the second temperature control device to perform heat exchange with the second temperature control target. As a result, when executing the heater mode to supply the first heat transfer medium heated by the compressor's power to the first temperature control device at low ambient temperatures, the first and second temperature control devices can perform heat exchange with the temperature control target at different temperature ranges, thereby reducing heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature control device.

[0089] A temperature control system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in the first aspect: The heat transfer medium circuit has a heat transfer medium supply unit (26) connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, which supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device, and the control unit operates the first pump and the second pump to supply the first heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device, and executes the heater mode to supply the third heat transfer medium to the low-pressure side heat exchanger via the second temperature control device to make it the second heat transfer medium.

[0090] According to the temperature control system of the second aspect of this disclosure, the first temperature-controlled object can be sufficiently heated by supplying the first temperature-controlled device with a first heat transfer medium that is not mixed with the second heat transfer medium cooled by the low-pressure heat exchanger. Furthermore, by supplying the second temperature-controlled device with a third heat transfer medium that is mixed with the second heat transfer medium cooled by the low-pressure heat exchanger, heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature-controlled device can be reduced compared to the case where only the first heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature-controlled device.

[0091] A temperature control system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in a second aspect: The control unit has a temperature setting unit (31) for setting a target temperature for the second temperature-controlled device, and the control unit executes the heater mode to supply the first heat transfer medium to the first temperature-controlled device and the third heat transfer medium to the second temperature-controlled device when the target temperature set by the temperature setting unit is above a predetermined temperature.

[0092] According to the temperature control system of the third aspect of this disclosure, if the target temperature set by the setting unit is above a predetermined temperature, a third heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature control device. Therefore, the second temperature control target can be heated to a higher temperature compared to when the second heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature control device.

[0093] A temperature control system according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure further comprises the following configuration in the second or third aspect: the control unit controls the rotational speed of the first pump to be higher than the rotational speed of the second pump.

[0094] According to the temperature control system of the fourth aspect of this disclosure, by setting the rotation speed of the first pump higher than the rotation speed of the second pump, the second heat transfer medium can be prevented from flowing from the second heat transfer medium flow path into the first heat transfer medium flow path in the heat transfer medium supply unit, thereby ensuring that the first heat transfer medium is reliably supplied to the first temperature control equipment.

[0095] A temperature control system according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in the first aspect: The heat transfer medium circuit has a heat transfer medium supply unit (26) connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, which supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device, and the control unit operates the first pump and the second pump, and executes the heater mode to supply the third heat transfer medium to the high-pressure side heat exchanger via the first temperature control device to make it the first heat transfer medium, and to supply the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

[0096] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, by supplying a third heat transfer medium, which is a mixture of a second heat transfer medium cooled by a low-pressure heat exchanger, to the first temperature-controlled device, the first temperature-controlled object can be brought to an optimal temperature that is higher than the second heat transfer medium and lower than the first heat transfer medium. Furthermore, by supplying a second heat transfer medium, which is not mixed with the first heat transfer medium heated by a high-pressure heat exchanger, to the second temperature-controlled device, heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature-controlled device can be reduced compared to the case where the third heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature-controlled device.

[0097] A temperature control system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in a fifth aspect: The control unit has a temperature setting unit (31) for setting a target temperature for the second temperature-controlled device, and the control unit executes the heater mode to supply the third heat transfer medium to the first temperature-controlled device and the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature-controlled device when the target temperature set by the temperature setting unit is below a predetermined temperature.

[0098] According to the temperature control system of the sixth aspect of this disclosure, if the target temperature set by the setting unit is below a predetermined temperature, a second heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature control device. Therefore, heat loss due to heat dissipation can be reduced compared to the case where a third heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature control device.

[0099] A temperature control system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in a fifth aspect: The control unit has a capacity setting unit (32) for setting the required heating capacity of the first and second temperature control devices, and when the required heating capacity set by the capacity setting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the heater mode is executed to supply the third heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

[0100] According to the temperature control system of the seventh aspect of this disclosure, when the required heating capacity set by the capacity setting unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the temperature of the third heat transfer medium supplied to the first temperature control device becomes lower than the temperature of the first heat transfer medium. Therefore, the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the high-pressure side heat exchanger can be increased to raise the temperature of the first heat transfer medium. By increasing the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the high-pressure side heat exchanger, the power of the compressor can be increased, and the heating capacity can be increased.

[0101] The temperature control system according to the eighth aspect of this disclosure further comprises the following configuration in any of the fifth to seventh aspects: the control unit controls the rotational speed of the second pump to be higher than the rotational speed of the first pump.

[0102] According to the temperature control system of the eighth aspect of this disclosure, by setting the rotation speed of the second pump higher than that of the first pump, the first heat transfer medium can be prevented from flowing from the first heat transfer medium flow path into the second heat transfer medium flow path in the heat transfer medium supply unit, and the second heat transfer medium can be reliably supplied to the second temperature control equipment.

[0103] The temperature control system according to the ninth aspect of this disclosure further comprises the following configuration in any of the first to third aspects or the fifth to seventh aspects: the first temperature control target is air supplied into the vehicle cabin, and the second temperature control target is a battery that stores the power used in the vehicle.

[0104] According to the temperature control system of the ninth aspect of this disclosure, the first temperature control device can heat the air blown into the vehicle cabin, and the second temperature control device can heat the battery.

[0105] The temperature control system according to the tenth aspect of this disclosure further comprises the following configuration in any of the first to third aspects or the fifth to seventh aspects: the first temperature control target is the air blown into the vehicle interior, and the second temperature control target is the outside air outside the vehicle interior.

[0106] According to the temperature control system of the tenth aspect of this disclosure, the first temperature control device heats the air blown into the vehicle cabin, and the frost adhering to the second temperature control device is heated and removed by the second heat transfer medium.

[0107] In a control method for a temperature control system according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the temperature control system comprises a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a depressurization section, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, and a heat transfer medium circuit through which a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the low-pressure side heat exchanger circulates, wherein the heat transfer medium circuit comprises a first temperature control device that exchanges heat between a first heat transfer medium heated by the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and a first temperature control target, a second temperature control device that exchanges heat between a second heat transfer medium cooled by the refrigerant in the low-pressure side heat exchanger and a second temperature control target, and the first heat transfer medium flow The system includes a first pump located in the path for pumping the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, and a second pump located in the second heat transfer medium path for pumping the second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger. The system also includes a control step that controls the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer medium circuit to execute a heater mode in which the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with the second heat transfer medium, is supplied to the first temperature control device, and the second heat transfer medium or the third heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger is supplied to the second temperature control device.

[0108] According to the control method for a temperature control system in the eleventh aspect of this disclosure, by executing the heater mode, a first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with a second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger, is supplied to the first temperature control device to heat the first temperature control target. Also, by executing the heater mode, a second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the second heat transfer medium with the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, is supplied to the second temperature control device to perform heat exchange with the second temperature control target. As a result, when executing the heater mode to supply the first heat transfer medium heated by the power of the compressor to the first temperature control device at low ambient temperatures, the first and second temperature control devices can perform heat exchange with the temperature control target at different temperature ranges, thereby reducing heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature control device.

[0109] A control method for a temperature control system according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in the eleventh aspect: The heat transfer medium circuit is connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, and has a heat transfer medium supply unit that supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device, and the control step executes the heater mode by operating the first pump and the second pump, supplying the first heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device, and supplying the third heat transfer medium to the low-pressure side heat exchanger via the second temperature control device to make it the second heat transfer medium.

[0110] According to the control method for a temperature control system in the twelfth aspect of this disclosure, the first temperature-controlled object can be sufficiently heated by supplying the first temperature-controlled device with a first heat transfer medium that is not mixed with the second heat transfer medium cooled by the low-pressure heat exchanger. Furthermore, by supplying the second temperature-controlled device with a third heat transfer medium that is mixed with the second heat transfer medium cooled by the low-pressure heat exchanger, heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature-controlled device can be reduced compared to the case where only the first heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature-controlled device.

[0111] A control method for a temperature control system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure further comprises the following configuration in the eleventh aspect: The heat transfer medium circuit is connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, and has a heat transfer medium supply unit that supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device, and the control step executes the heater mode to operate the first pump and the second pump, supply the third heat transfer medium to the high-pressure side heat exchanger via the first temperature control device to make it the first heat transfer medium, and supply the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

[0112] According to the control method for a temperature control system in the 13th aspect of this disclosure, by supplying a third heat transfer medium, which is a mixture of a second heat transfer medium cooled by a low-pressure heat exchanger, to the first temperature control device, the first temperature control target can be set to an appropriate temperature that is higher than the second heat transfer medium and lower than the first heat transfer medium. Furthermore, by supplying a second heat transfer medium, which is not mixed with the first heat transfer medium heated by a high-pressure heat exchanger, to the second temperature control device, heat loss due to heat dissipation in the second temperature control device can be reduced compared to the case where the third heat transfer medium is supplied to the second temperature control device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10 Refrigerant Circuit 11 Compressor 12. Condenser (High-pressure side heat exchanger) 13. Expansion valve (pressure reducing section) 14. Evaporator (low-pressure heat exchanger) 20 Heat carrier circuit 21 Pump No. 1 22 Pump No. 2 23 Outdoor heat exchanger (second temperature control device) 24 Reserve Tank 25A Indoor air conditioning unit (first temperature control equipment) 25B Battery Temperature Control Unit (Second Temperature Control Device) 26 Heat medium supply section 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f Three-way valve 30 Control Unit 31 Temperature setting section 32 Capability Setting Section 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Temperature Control System B Battery device HM heat medium HM1 First heat transfer medium HM2 Second heat transfer medium HM3 Third Heat Transfer Medium L1 First heat transfer medium channel L2 Second heat medium flow path L3 Third heat transfer medium channel L4 Fourth heat transfer medium channel L5 Fifth heat transfer medium channel L6 Connecting Flow Path P1, Position 1 P2, Position 2 RF refrigerant

Claims

1. A refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a depressurizing section, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, A heat transfer medium circuit through which the heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the low-pressure side heat exchanger circulates, The system comprises a control unit that controls the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer medium circuit, The aforementioned heat transfer circuit is A first temperature control device that performs heat exchange between the first heat transfer medium heated by the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the first temperature control target, A second temperature control device that performs heat exchange between the second heat transfer medium, cooled by the refrigerant in the low-pressure heat exchanger, and the second temperature control target, A first pump is positioned in the first heat transfer medium flow path and pumps the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure side heat exchanger, A second pump is positioned in the second heat transfer medium flow path and pumps the second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger. It has, A temperature control system that controls the control unit to execute a heater mode in which it supplies the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer medium obtained by mixing the first heat transfer medium with the second heat transfer medium, to the first temperature control device, and supplies the second heat transfer medium or the third heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger to the second temperature control device.

2. The heat transfer medium circuit is connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, and has a heat transfer medium supply unit that supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device. The temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the first pump and the second pump, supplies the first heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device, and executes the heater mode to supply the third heat transfer medium to the low-pressure side heat exchanger via the second temperature control device to make it the second heat transfer medium.

3. The control unit has a temperature setting unit for setting the target temperature of the second temperature-controlled object, The temperature control system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes the heater mode to supply the first heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the third heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device when the target temperature set by the temperature setting unit is above a predetermined temperature.

4. The temperature control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit controls the rotation speed of the first pump to be higher than the rotation speed of the second pump.

5. The heat transfer medium circuit is connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, and has a heat transfer medium supply unit that supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device. The temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the first pump and the second pump, supplies the third heat transfer medium to the high-pressure side heat exchanger via the first temperature control device to serve as the first heat transfer medium, and executes the heater mode to supply the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

6. The temperature control system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit has a temperature setting unit for setting a target temperature for the second temperature control target, and when the target temperature set by the temperature setting unit is less than a predetermined temperature, the heater mode is executed to supply the third heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

7. The temperature control system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit has a capacity setting unit for setting the required heating capacity of the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device, and when the required heating capacity set by the capacity setting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the heater mode is executed to supply the third heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

8. The temperature control system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control unit controls the rotation speed of the second pump to be higher than the rotation speed of the first pump.

9. The first temperature control target is the air blown into the vehicle cabin, The temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 7, wherein the second temperature control target is a battery device that stores electricity used in the vehicle.

10. The first temperature control target is the air blown into the vehicle cabin, The temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 7, wherein the second temperature control target is the outside air outside the vehicle cabin.

11. A method for controlling a temperature control system, The aforementioned temperature control system is A refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a high-pressure side heat exchanger, a depressurizing section, and a low-pressure side heat exchanger, The high-pressure side heat exchanger and the low-pressure side heat exchanger include a heat transfer medium circuit through which a heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant circulates, The aforementioned heat transfer circuit is A first temperature control device that performs heat exchange between the first heat transfer medium heated by the refrigerant in the high-pressure side heat exchanger and the first temperature control target, A second temperature control device that performs heat exchange between the second heat transfer medium, cooled by the refrigerant in the low-pressure heat exchanger, and the second temperature control target, A first pump is positioned in the first heat transfer medium flow path and pumps the first heat transfer medium that has passed through the high-pressure side heat exchanger, A second pump is positioned in the second heat transfer medium flow path and pumps the second heat transfer medium that has passed through the low-pressure heat exchanger. It has, A control method for a temperature control system, comprising a control step of controlling the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer fluid circuit to execute a heater mode in which the first heat transfer fluid that has passed through the high-pressure side heat exchanger, or a third heat transfer fluid obtained by mixing the first heat transfer fluid with the second heat transfer fluid, is supplied to the first temperature control device, and the second heat transfer fluid that has passed through the low-pressure side heat exchanger, or the third heat transfer fluid, is supplied to the second temperature control device.

12. The heat transfer medium circuit is connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, and has a heat transfer medium supply unit that supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device. The control method for a temperature control system according to claim 11, wherein the control step involves operating the first pump and the second pump, supplying the first heat transfer medium to the first temperature control equipment, and executing the heater mode to supply the third heat transfer medium to the low-pressure side heat exchanger via the second temperature control equipment to make it the second heat transfer medium.

13. The heat transfer medium circuit is connected to the first temperature control device, the second temperature control device, the first heat transfer medium flow path, and the second heat transfer medium flow path, and has a heat transfer medium supply unit that supplies the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium to the first temperature control device and the second temperature control device. The control method for a temperature control system according to claim 11, wherein the control step involves operating the first pump and the second pump, supplying the third heat transfer medium to the high-pressure side heat exchanger via the first temperature control device to make it the first heat transfer medium, and executing the heater mode to supply the second heat transfer medium to the second temperature control device.

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