Energy storage device temperature control system

Abstract

To provide a temperature control system for an energy storage device that can maintain the energy storage device at an appropriate temperature. [Solution] The present invention provides a temperature control system for an energy storage device having a cooling circuit in which a heat exchanger, a liquid transfer device, an energy storage device, and a heat generating device are connected in a ring shape by a flow path through which a refrigerant flows, wherein the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the cooling circuit is reversed depending on whether the refrigerant temperature is high or low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature adjustment system for a power storage device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling system for cooling a power storage device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cooling system disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the temperature of the refrigerant becomes too low and the power storage device is over-cooled.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a temperature adjustment system for a power storage device that can maintain the power storage device at an appropriate temperature.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a temperature adjustment system for a power storage device according to the present invention is a temperature adjustment system for a power storage device having a cooling circuit in which a heat exchanger, a liquid feeding device, a power storage device, and a heat generating device are annularly connected by a flow path through which a refrigerant flows, and the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the cooling circuit is reversed depending on whether the temperature of the refrigerant is high or low.

[0007] Thereby, in the temperature adjustment system for a power storage device according to the present invention, the power storage device can be maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0008] Furthermore, the above may also include a first flow path opening / closing member provided between the heat exchanger and the liquid supply device, a second flow path opening / closing member provided between the liquid supply device and the energy storage device, a first bypass flow path connecting the heat exchanger and the first flow path opening / closing member and the liquid supply device and the second flow path opening / closing member, and a second bypass flow path connecting the first flow path opening / closing member and the liquid supply device and the second flow path opening / closing member and the energy storage device.

[0009] This allows the first and second switching members to switch the flow path through which the refrigerant flows to include the first and second bypass flow paths, thereby changing the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling circuit.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above, the first flow path opening / closing member and the second flow path opening / closing member may be thermostats, and the thermostat may be configured to be open when the temperature of the refrigerant is high and closed when the temperature of the refrigerant is low.

[0011] This allows the thermostat to switch between open and closed states depending on the refrigerant temperature, thereby changing the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The temperature control system for energy storage devices according to the present invention has the effect of being able to maintain the energy storage device at an appropriate temperature. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 1 at high temperatures. Figure 1(b) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 1 at low temperatures. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) shows the configuration of a temperature control system equipped with a cooling circuit in which two batteries are connected in parallel. Figure 2(b) shows the configuration of a temperature control system equipped with a cooling circuit in which two batteries are connected in series. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 2 in the normal state. Figure 3(b) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 2 in the reverse flow state. Figure 3(c) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 2 in the battery bypass state. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 3 in the normal state. Figure 4(b) shows the configuration of the temperature control system according to Embodiment 3 in the flow path replacement state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] (Embodiment 1) The following describes Embodiment 1 of the temperature control system for a power storage device according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The temperature control system for a power storage device according to Embodiment 1 can be applied, for example, to electric vehicles such as electric automobiles equipped with a motor as a power source for driving the drive wheels.

[0015] Figure 1(a) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 at high temperatures. Figure 1(b) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 at low temperatures.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a cooling circuit 1 through which a liquid insulating refrigerant circulates to cool the battery 4, which is an energy storage device whose temperature is to be controlled. For example, LLC (Long Life Coolant) can be used as the refrigerant.

[0017] The temperature adjustment system 100 includes a radiator 2 which is a heat exchanger, an electric pump 3 which is a liquid delivery device, a first heat generating device 5A, a second heat generating device 5B, a first thermostat 61, and a second thermostat 62, etc. In the temperature adjustment system 100, the radiator 2, the electric pump 3, the battery 4, the first heat generating device 5A, the second heat generating device 5B, the first thermostat 61, and the second thermostat 62 are respectively connected by pipes to form a cooling circuit 1. And, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a vehicle controls the electric pump 3, and by operating the electric pump 3, the refrigerant circulates in the cooling circuit 1.

[0018] In addition, when a fuel cell for supplying power to a motor which is a drive source, for example, is mounted on a vehicle equipped with the temperature adjustment system 100 according to Embodiment 1, the fuel cell is included in either the first heat generating device 5A or the second heat generating device 5B.

[0019] The arrow shown by the solid line in the pipe in FIG. 1 indicates the flow path through which the refrigerant flows in the cooling circuit 1. In the cooling circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1, a first flow path 11 connecting the radiator 2 and the electric pump 3, a second flow path 12 connecting the electric pump 3 and the battery 4, a third flow path 13 connecting the battery 4 and the first heat generating device 5A, a fourth flow path 14 connecting the first heat generating device 5A and the second heat generating device 5B, and a fifth flow path 15 connecting the second heat generating device 5B and the radiator 2 are formed.

[0020] In the middle of the first flow path 11, a first thermostat 61 which can switch between an open state and a closed state according to the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 11 (outside air temperature) is provided. When the first thermostat 61 is in the open state, the refrigerant can flow through the first flow path 11 between the radiator 2 and the electric pump 3. Also, when the first thermostat 61 is in the closed state, the refrigerant cannot flow through the first flow path 11 between the radiator 2 and the electric pump 3.

[0021] In the middle of the second flow path 12, a second thermostat 62 is provided which can switch between an open state and a closed state according to the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 12 (the outside air temperature). When the second thermostat 62 is in the open state, the refrigerant can flow through the second flow path 12 between the electric pump 3 and the battery 4. Also, when the second thermostat 62 is in the closed state, the refrigerant cannot flow through the second flow path 12 between the electric pump 3 and the battery 4.

[0022] In the cooling circuit 1 included in the temperature adjustment system 100, a first flow path 11 connecting the radiator 2 and the electric pump 3 branches into a first bypass flow path 121 between the first thermostat 61 and the radiator 2, and branches into a second bypass flow path 122 between the first thermostat 61 and the electric pump 3. And the first bypass flow path 121 is connected between the second thermostat 62 of the second flow path 12 and the electric pump 3, and the second bypass flow path 122 is connected between the second thermostat 62 of the second flow path 12 and the battery 4.

[0023] In the temperature adjustment system 100 according to Embodiment 1, the first thermostat 61 and the second thermostat 62 switch the flow path through which the refrigerant flows so as to include the first bypass flow path 121 and the second bypass flow path 122, and reverse the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the cooling circuit 1 depending on whether the temperature of the refrigerant (outside air temperature) is high or low.

[0024] In the temperature adjustment system 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the temperature of the refrigerant (outside air temperature) is high (at normal temperature), as shown in Fig. 1(a), the first thermostat 61 and the second thermostat 62 are in the open state. And by operating the electric pump 3 in this state, in the cooling circuit 1 included in the temperature adjustment system 100, the refrigerant can flow in the positive direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1(a) through the first flow path 11 and the second flow path 12. Thereby, in the temperature adjustment system 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the temperature of the refrigerant (outside air temperature) is high (at normal temperature), the cooled refrigerant immediately after the radiator 2 can be made to flow to the battery 4 to cool the battery 4.

[0025] On the other hand, when the refrigerant temperature (ambient temperature) is low (extremely low), the first thermostat 61 and the second thermostat 62 are closed, as shown in Figure 1(b). In this state, by operating the electric pump 3, the cooling circuit 1 of the temperature control system 100 can flow the refrigerant in the reverse direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 1(b) via the first bypass flow path 121 and the second bypass flow path 122. As a result, in the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1, the refrigerant heated from the radiator 2 via the first heat-generating equipment 5A and the second heat-generating equipment 5B is flowed to the battery 4, raising the temperature of the battery 4, suppressing overcooling, and maintaining the temperature.

[0026] As described above, the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 can maintain the battery 4 at an appropriate temperature whether the refrigerant temperature (ambient temperature) is high or low.

[0027] Furthermore, if the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling circuit 1 is reversed, the temperature gradient of the battery in the direction of refrigerant flow in the battery 4 will be reversed compared to when the direction of refrigerant flowing through the cooling circuit 1 is forward. Therefore, degradation due to high battery temperature can be uniformly distributed in the direction of refrigerant flow within the battery 4. Accordingly, it is preferable that the cooling circuit 1 of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 be configured such that the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the battery 4 is approximately the same for both the forward and reverse flow directions.

[0028] In Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the cooling circuit 1 of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 is provided with one battery 4, but the cooling circuit 1 can be provided with one or more batteries 4. For example, as shown in Figure 2(a), the cooling circuit 1 of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 may be provided with two batteries 4A and 4B in parallel at the positions of the batteries 4 shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Also, as shown in Figure 2(b), the cooling circuit 1 of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 may be provided with two batteries 4A and 4B in series at the positions of the batteries 4 shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b).

[0029] Furthermore, in the cooling circuit 1 of the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1, the method for switching the direction in which the refrigerant flows to the battery 4 is not limited to opening and closing the first thermostat 61 and the second thermostat 62 provided in the flow path. For example, a solenoid valve that can be opened and closed depending on whether or not power is supplied may be provided in the middle of the flow path, and the direction in which the refrigerant flows to the battery 4 may be switched by changing the flow path through which the refrigerant flows by opening and closing the solenoid valve. The opening and closing of the solenoid valve may be performed, for example, by setting criteria for the refrigerant and based on the detection result of a temperature sensor provided in the flow path. Alternatively, for example, the direction in which the refrigerant flows to the battery 4 may be switched by opening the solenoid valve when electricity generated by a solar panel attached to a vehicle equipped with the temperature control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 is supplied to the solenoid valve, and closing the solenoid valve when electricity is not generated by the solar panel and the solenoid valve is not supplied with power. This makes it possible to cool the battery 4 during the daytime when the outside temperature is relatively high, and to maintain the temperature of the battery 4 at night when the outside temperature is relatively low.

[0030] (Embodiment 2) The following describes a second embodiment of the temperature control system for a power storage device according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3(a) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 in the normal state. Figure 3(b) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 in the reverse flow state. Figure 3(c) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 in the battery bypass state.

[0032] The temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 includes a cooling circuit 201 dedicated to the battery, which is an energy storage device. The temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 includes a radiator 202, an electric pump 203, a first battery 204A, a second battery 204B, a first thermostat 261, a second thermostat 262, and a third thermostat 263. In the temperature control system 200, the radiator 202, electric pump 203, first battery 204A, second battery 204B, first thermostat 261, second thermostat 262, and third thermostat 263 are connected by piping to constitute the cooling circuit 201.

[0033] For example, the electric pump 203 is controlled by an ECU installed in the vehicle, and by operating the electric pump 203, the refrigerant circulates within the cooling circuit 201. The arrows shown as solid lines within the piping in Figure 3 indicate the flow paths of the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 201. In the cooling circuit 201 shown in Figure 3, a first flow path 211 is formed connecting the radiator 202 and the electric pump 203, a second flow path 212 is formed connecting the electric pump 203 and the first battery 204A, a third flow path 213 is formed connecting the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B, and a fourth flow path 214 is formed connecting the second battery 204B and the radiator 202.

[0034] A first thermostat 261 is provided in the middle of the second flow path 212, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path 212. When the first thermostat 261 is in the open state, the refrigerant can flow through the second flow path 212 between the electric pump 203 and the first battery 204A. When the first thermostat 261 is in the closed state, the refrigerant cannot flow through the second flow path 212 between the electric pump 3 and the first battery 204A.

[0035] A second thermostat 262 is provided in the third channel 213, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the third channel 213. When the second thermostat 262 is in the open state, the refrigerant can flow through the third channel 213 between the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B. When the second thermostat 262 is in the closed state, the refrigerant cannot flow through the third channel 213 between the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B.

[0036] A third thermostat 263 is provided in the middle of the fourth flow path 214, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the fourth flow path 214. When the third thermostat 263 is in the open state, the refrigerant can flow through the fourth flow path 214 between the second battery 204B and the radiator 202. When the third thermostat 263 is in the closed state, the refrigerant cannot flow through the fourth flow path 214 between the second battery 204B and the radiator 202.

[0037] In the cooling circuit 201 of the temperature control system 200, the second flow path 212 branches into the first bypass flow path 221 between the electric pump 203 and the first thermostat 61, and branches into the second bypass flow path 222 and the third bypass flow path 223 between the first thermostat 61 and the first battery 204A. In addition, in the cooling circuit 201 of the temperature control system 200, the third flow path 213 branches into the fourth bypass flow path 224 between the first battery 204A and the second thermostat 262.

[0038] The first bypass channel 221 is connected between the third thermostat 263 and the radiator 202 of the fourth channel 214. The second bypass channel 222 is connected between the second thermostat 262 and the second battery 204B of the third channel 213. The third bypass channel 223 is connected between the first battery 204A and the second thermostat 262 of the third channel 213. The fourth bypass channel 224 is connected between the third thermostat 263 and the radiator 202 of the fourth channel 214.

[0039] In the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2, the first thermostat 261, the second thermostat 262, and the third thermostat 263 are open when in the normal state shown in Figure 3(a). In the cooling circuit 201 of the temperature control system 200, the refrigerant flows through the main flow paths, the second flow path 212, the third flow path 213, and the fourth flow path 214, in the forward direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 3(a), in the order of the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B.

[0040] Here, the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B are more prone to deterioration as the battery temperature increases. In the normal state cooling circuit 201 shown in Figure 3(a), the second battery 204B, which is located downstream in the refrigerant flow direction (forward direction), is cooled by the refrigerant whose temperature has risen after cooling the first battery 204A. As a result, the cooling temperature of the second battery 204B by the refrigerant becomes higher, and the deterioration of the second battery 204B (decrease in full charge capacity) of the second battery 204B progresses more easily. Therefore, in the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2, in the normal state cooling circuit 201 shown in Figure 3(a), if there is a difference in full charge capacity (for example, 5%) between the first battery 204A on the upstream side and the second battery 204B on the downstream side in the refrigerant flow direction (forward direction), the flow of refrigerant in the cooling circuit 201 is reversed.

[0041] In the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2, when the system is set to the reverse flow state shown in Figure 3(b), the first thermostat 261, the second thermostat 262, and the third thermostat 263 are closed. As a result, in the cooling circuit 201 of the temperature control system 200, the refrigerant cooled by the radiator 202 circulates sequentially through the first flow path 211, the second flow path 212, the first bypass flow path 221, the fourth flow path 214, the second bypass flow path 222, the third flow path 213 and the third bypass flow path 223, the third flow path 213, the fourth bypass flow path 224, and the fourth flow path 214. As a result, in the cooling circuit 201, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3(b), the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction to the forward direction shown in Figure 3(a), in the order of the second battery 204B and the first battery 204A.

[0042] As a result, in the reverse flow state of the cooling circuit 201, the temperature distribution between the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B is reversed, reducing the difference in full charge capacity between the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B. Then, in the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2, when the difference in full charge capacity between the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B becomes small (for example, less than 5%), the cooling circuit 201 is returned to the normal state shown in Figure 3(a).

[0043] Furthermore, in the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2, when the temperature of the refrigerant falls below the recommended operating temperature range of the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B (for example, 10°C to 30°C), a battery bypass state is established in which the refrigerant is not supplied to the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B.

[0044] In the temperature control system 200 according to Embodiment 2, when the system is set to the battery bypass state shown in Figure 3(c), the first thermostat 261 and the second thermostat 262 are closed, and the third thermostat 263 is opened. As a result, in the cooling circuit 201 of the temperature control system 200, the refrigerant cooled by the radiator 202 circulates sequentially through the first flow path 211, the second flow path 212, the first bypass flow path 221, and the fourth flow path 214. Consequently, in the cooling circuit 201 in the battery bypass state, the refrigerant does not flow to the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3(c).

[0045] In the battery bypass state of the cooling circuit 201, the refrigerant not flowing through the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B is warmed by the heat released from the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B. When the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the cooling circuit 201 (the entire refrigerant) reaches the upper limit of the recommended operating temperature range for the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B, the cooling circuit 201 is returned to the normal state shown in Figure 3(a). By repeatedly switching the state of the cooling circuit 201 between the normal state and the battery bypass state according to the refrigerant temperature, the recommended operating temperatures for the first battery 204A and the second battery 204B can be maintained.

[0046] (Embodiment 3) The following describes three embodiments of the temperature control system for a power storage device according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0047] Figure 4(a) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3 in the normal state. Figure 4(b) shows the configuration of the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3 in the flow path replacement state.

[0048] The temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3 includes a cooling circuit 301 in which two battery groups with different uses (use A and use B) are arranged in parallel. The temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3 includes a radiator 302, an electric pump 303, two first batteries 304A, two second batteries 304B, a first thermostat 361, a second thermostat 362, a third thermostat 363, and a fourth thermostat 364. In the temperature control system 300, the radiator 302, electric pump 303, two first batteries 304A, two second batteries 304B, a first thermostat 361, a second thermostat 362, a third thermostat 363, and a fourth thermostat 364 are each connected by piping to constitute the cooling circuit 301.

[0049] Then, for example, by controlling and operating the electric pump 303 using an ECU installed in the vehicle, the refrigerant circulates within the cooling circuit 301. The arrows shown as solid lines within the piping in Figure 4 indicate the flow paths of the refrigerant in the cooling circuit 301. The cooling circuit 301 shown in Figure 4 has a first flow path 311, a second flow path 312, branched third flow paths 313A, 313B, branched fourth flow paths 314A, 314B, branched fifth flow paths 315A, 315B, branched sixth flow paths 316A, 316B, branched seventh flow paths 317A, 317B, eighth flow path 318, a first bypass flow path 321, and a second bypass flow path 322.

[0050] In the cooling circuit 301 of the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3, a first battery group consisting of two first batteries 304A arranged in series and a second battery group consisting of two second batteries 304B arranged in series are arranged in parallel.

[0051] A first thermostat 361 is provided in the middle of the fourth branch channel 314A, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the fourth branch channel 314A. When the first thermostat 361 is in the open state, refrigerant can flow from the third branch channel 313A to the fourth branch channel 314A. When the first thermostat 361 is in the closed state, it is not possible for refrigerant to flow from the third branch channel 313A to the fourth branch channel 314A.

[0052] A second thermostat 362 is provided in the middle of the fourth branch channel 314B, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the fourth branch channel 314B. When the second thermostat 362 is in the open state, refrigerant can flow from the third branch channel 313B to the fourth branch channel 314B. Conversely, when the second thermostat 362 is in the closed state, it is not possible for refrigerant to flow from the third branch channel 313B to the fourth branch channel 314B.

[0053] The first bypass channel 321 branches off from the third branch channel 313A and is connected between the second thermostat 362 and the second battery 304B of the fourth channel 314B. A third thermostat 363 is provided in the middle of the first bypass channel 321, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the first bypass channel 321. When the third thermostat 363 is in the open state, refrigerant can flow from the third branch channel 313A to the first bypass channel 321. When the third thermostat 363 is in the closed state, it is not possible for refrigerant to flow from the third branch channel 313A to the first bypass channel 321.

[0054] Furthermore, the second bypass channel 322 branches off from the third branch channel 313B and is connected between the first thermostat 361 and the first battery 304A of the third branch channel 313A. A fourth thermostat 364 is provided in the middle of the second bypass channel 322, which can be switched between an open state and a closed state depending on the temperature (ambient temperature) of the refrigerant flowing through the second bypass channel 322. When the fourth thermostat 364 is in the open state, refrigerant can flow from the third branch channel 313B to the second bypass channel 322. Conversely, when the fourth thermostat 364 is in the closed state, it is not possible for refrigerant to flow from the third branch channel 313B to the second bypass channel 322.

[0055] In the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3, in the normal state shown in Figure 4(a), the first thermostat 361 and the second thermostat 362 are set to the open state, and the third thermostat 363 and the fourth thermostat 364 are set to the closed state. As a result, in the cooling circuit 301 of the temperature control system 300, refrigerant flows from the second flow path 312 to the first battery 304A through the branched third flow path 313A and the branched fourth flow path 314A, and refrigerant flows from the second flow path 312 to the second battery 304B through the branched third flow path 313B and the branched fourth flow path 314B.

[0056] In the cooling circuit 301 of the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3, the first battery group and the second battery group are arranged in parallel, so the temperature of the incoming refrigerant is the same. On the other hand, the two first batteries 304A constituting the first battery group and the two second batteries 304B constituting the second battery group have different uses and therefore generate different amounts of heat. For this reason, the cooling circuit 301 makes the proportion (flow rate) of refrigerant flowing from the second flow path 312 into the branched third flow path 313A and the branched third flow path 313B different. For example, the proportion (flow rate) of refrigerant branched from the second flow path 312 into the branched third flow path 313A is greater than that into the branched third flow path 313B.

[0057] Since the refrigerant temperature at the inlets of branch third channel 313A and branch third channel 313B is the same, the battery temperature of the one with the greater heat generation (load) between the first battery 304A and the second battery 304B may rise and deteriorate more easily.

[0058] Therefore, in the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3, if there is a difference (for example, 5%) in the full charge capacity of the first battery 304A and the second battery 304B, the flow of refrigerant in the parallel circuit is changed (the flow rates of refrigerant are swapped between the first battery group and the second battery group), and the respective uses of the first battery 304A and the second battery 304B are also swapped.

[0059] In the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3, when the flow path is switched to the state shown in Figure 4(b), the first thermostat 361 and the second thermostat 362 are closed, and the third thermostat 363 and the fourth thermostat 364 are opened. As a result, in the cooling circuit 301 of the temperature control system 300, refrigerant flows from the second flow path 312 to the second battery 304B through the branched third flow path 313A and the first bypass flow path 321, and refrigerant also flows from the second flow path 312 to the first battery 304A through the branched third flow path 313B and the second bypass flow path 322.

[0060] In the temperature control system 300 according to Embodiment 3, when the difference in full charge capacity between the first battery 304A and the second battery 304B, which have different uses, becomes small (for example, less than 5%), the state of the cooling circuit 301 is returned to the normal state shown in Figure 4(a).

[0061] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments 1 to 3 described above. For example, the flow path may be branched before and after the radiator, and the refrigerant temperature may be adjusted by changing the ratio of refrigerant flowing to the radiator. Alternatively, the refrigerant temperature may be adjusted by changing the flow rate of refrigerant flowing to the radiator and battery per unit time, for example, by changing the properties of the refrigerant, such as viscosity, with temperature. Furthermore, "high" and "low" refrigerant temperatures may refer to refrigerant temperatures outside the recommended operating temperature range of the battery. For example, if a lithium-ion battery is used as the battery and the recommended operating temperature range is 10°C to 30°C, the refrigerant temperature may be considered "high" when it exceeds 30°C and "low" when it falls below 10°C. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 100, 200, 300 Temperature Control System 1,201,301 Cooling circuit 2,202,302 radiators 3,203,303 Electric pumps 4, 4A, 4B Battery 5A First Heating Equipment 5B Second heating device 11,211,311 First channel 12,212,312 Second flow path 13,213,313A,313B Third flow path 14,214,314A,314B Fourth flow path 15,315A,315B Fifth flow path 61,261,361 First Thermostat 62,262,362 Second thermostat 121,221,321 First Bypass Channel 122,222,322 Second Bypass Channel 204A, 304A First Battery 204B, 304B Second Battery 223 Third Bypass Channel 224 Fourth Bypass Channel 263,363 Third thermostat 316A, 316B Sixth flow path 317A, 317B Seventh channel 318 Eighth flow path 364 Fourth Thermostat

Claims

1. A temperature control system for an energy storage device having a cooling circuit in which a heat exchanger, a liquid transfer device, an energy storage device, and a heat generating device are connected in a ring shape by a flow path through which a refrigerant flows, The cooling circuit is configured such that the direction in which the refrigerant flows is reversed depending on whether the refrigerant temperature is high or low. Temperature control system for energy storage devices.

2. A first flow path opening / closing member is provided between the heat exchanger and the liquid supply device, A second flow path opening / closing member is provided between the liquid supply device and the energy storage device, A first bypass channel connects the heat exchanger and the first channel opening / closing member and the liquid supply device and the second channel opening / closing member, A second bypass channel connects the first channel opening / closing member and the liquid supply device and the second channel opening / closing member and the energy storage device, Equipped with, A temperature control system for an energy storage device according to claim 1.

3. The first flow path opening / closing member and the second flow path opening / closing member are thermostats. The thermostat is in an open state when the temperature of the refrigerant is high, and in a closed state when the temperature of the refrigerant is low. A temperature control system for an energy storage device according to claim 2.

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