Vehicle heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a vehicle heat exchange system that can adequately meet the temperature requirements of multiple coolers. [Solution] A heat exchange device 2 for a vehicle 1 comprises a compressor 3 for compressing a refrigerant, an external condenser 6 for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 3, and a first cooler 7 and a second cooler 8 for absorbing heat by expanding the refrigerant condensed by the external condenser 6, wherein the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are provided in series in the refrigerant flow path.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchange device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology related to a refrigerant circuit system that shares a compressor and a water-cooled condenser in two refrigerant circuits has been proposed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] <所 However, in the conventional technology as described above, since two refrigerant circuits (hereinafter referred to as "coolers") are provided in parallel, it is not possible to generate a pressure difference of the refrigerant for each cooler, and there is a problem that the temperature requirements of the two coolers may not be sufficiently satisfied.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchange device for a vehicle that can sufficiently satisfy the temperature requirements of a plurality of coolers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The heat exchange device for a vehicle according to the present invention is a heat exchange device for a vehicle including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and a plurality of coolers that absorb heat by expanding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, wherein the plurality of coolers are configured to be provided in series in a refrigerant flow path.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The present invention can provide a vehicle heat exchange system that can sufficiently satisfy the temperature requirements of multiple coolers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the flow path of the refrigerant in the first cooling mode of a vehicle heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the flow path of the refrigerant in the second cooling mode of a vehicle heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the flow path of the refrigerant in the third cooling mode of a vehicle heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the flow path of the refrigerant in the heating mode of a vehicle heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a modified example of a vehicle heat exchanger according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A vehicle heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and a plurality of coolers that absorb heat by expanding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, wherein the plurality of coolers are arranged in series in the refrigerant flow path. As a result, the vehicle heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention can sufficiently satisfy the temperature requirements of the plurality of coolers. [Examples]

[0010] Hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with a heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a heat exchanger 2. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 2 operates in either a cooling mode or a heating mode. In cooling mode, the heat exchanger 2 causes, for example, the air conditioning system to operate in cooling mode. In heating mode, the heat exchanger 2 causes, for example, the air conditioning system to operate in heating mode.

[0012] The heat exchanger 2 is composed of a compressor 3, an internal condenser 4, a pressure regulating valve 5, an external condenser 6, a first cooler 7, a second cooler 8, an accumulator 9, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10.

[0013] The compressor 3, internal condenser 4, pressure regulating valve 5, external condenser 6, first cooler 7, second cooler 8, and accumulator 9 form a flow path for the circulating refrigerant. Thus, the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are installed in series in the refrigerant flow path.

[0014] The compressor 3 compresses the refrigerant. The internal condenser 4 is equipped with a blower fan 11. In cooling mode, the ECU 10 does not operate the blower fan 11. Therefore, in cooling mode, the internal condenser 4 does not function.

[0015] In heating mode, the ECU 10 operates the blower fan 11. Therefore, in heating mode, the internal condenser 4 is cooled by the blower fan 11. Consequently, in heating mode, the internal condenser 4 condenses the refrigerant flowing inside it to dissipate heat, heating, for example, the air released into the vehicle 1 from the air conditioning outlet. The internal condenser 4 corresponds to the warm air condenser in this invention.

[0016] The pressure regulating valve 5 is adjusted to the fully open state by the ECU 10 in the cooling mode. Therefore, the pressure regulating valve 5 does not function in the cooling mode. The pressure regulating valve 5 is adjusted to the operating opening degree by the ECU 10 in the heating mode. Therefore, in the heating mode, the pressure regulating valve 5 expands the refrigerant and lowers the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0017] The external condenser 6 is provided with a blower fan 12. In the cooling mode, the external condenser 6 is cooled by the blower fan 12, thereby condensing the refrigerant flowing in the external condenser 6 and releasing heat, and discharging the heat of the refrigerant to the outside of the vehicle 1. The external condenser 6 corresponds to the condenser in the present invention.

[0018] In the heating mode, the external condenser 6 absorbs heat from the refrigerant flowing in the external condenser 6 by the air discharged to the outside of the vehicle 1 by the blower fan 12.

[0019] The first cooler 7 has a first pressure regulating valve 21 and a first heat exchanger 22. The first pressure regulating valve 21 expands the refrigerant and lowers the temperature of the refrigerant. The first heat exchanger 22 absorbs heat from the refrigerant flowing in the first heat exchanger 22.

[0020] The second cooler 8 has a second pressure regulating valve 31 and a second heat exchanger 32. The second pressure regulating valve 31 expands the refrigerant and lowers the temperature of the refrigerant. The second heat exchanger 32 absorbs heat from the refrigerant flowing in the second heat exchanger 32.

[0021] The first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are provided such that the target temperature of the first cooler 7 provided on the upstream side of the refrigerant flow path is higher than that of the second cooler 8 provided on the downstream side of the refrigerant flow path.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the first cooler 7 is provided in the vehicle 1 so as to function as a cooler for the battery, and the second cooler 8 is provided in the vehicle 1 so as to function as an evaporator for air conditioning.

[0023] The heat exchanger 2 has a first bypass circuit 41 that redirects the first cooler 7 to the refrigerant, and a second bypass circuit 42 that redirects the second cooler 8 to the refrigerant. The first bypass circuit 41 is provided with a first valve 43 that switches whether or not the first bypass circuit 41 is routed through the refrigerant. The second bypass circuit 42 is provided with a second valve 44 that switches whether or not the second bypass circuit 42 is routed through the refrigerant.

[0024] The accumulator 9 suppresses rapid fluctuations in the amount of refrigerant flowing into the compressor 3 by temporarily storing the refrigerant, thereby preventing a sudden influx of refrigerant into the compressor 3.

[0025] The ECU10 consists of a computer unit equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory for storing backup data, input ports, and output ports.

[0026] The ROM of this computer unit stores various constants and maps, along with a program that allows the computer unit to function as an ECU10. In other words, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM using RAM as a working area, thereby allowing this computer unit to function as an ECU10 in this embodiment.

[0027] Various sensors are connected to the input ports of the ECU10 to detect the status of various switches for the air conditioning system. Various control devices, including the compressor 3, pressure regulating valve 5, blower fan 11, blower fan 12, first pressure regulating valve 21, second pressure regulating valve 31, first valve 43, and second valve 44, are connected to the output ports of the ECU10. The ECU10 controls the various control devices connected to the output ports based on the information obtained from the various sensors connected to the input ports.

[0028] The various states of the heat exchanger 2 described above will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0029] [Cooling Mode] In this embodiment, the cooling modes include a first cooling mode in which the first cooler 7 is activated and the second cooler 8 is not activated, a second cooling mode in which the first cooler 7 is not activated and the second cooler 8 is activated, and a third cooling mode in which both the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are activated.

[0030] As mentioned above, in cooling mode, the blower fan 11 is not operated by the ECU 10, and the pressure regulating valve 5 is adjusted to the fully open state by the ECU 10, so the internal capacitor 4 and the pressure regulating valve 5 do not function.

[0031] (First cooling mode) As shown in Figure 2, in the first cooling mode, the ECU 10 adjusts the first pressure regulating valve 21 to its operating opening, the second pressure regulating valve 31 to its fully closed state, the first valve 43 to its closed state, and the second valve 44 to its open state. Therefore, in the first cooling mode, as indicated by the white arrows in the figure, the refrigerant passes through the first cooler 7 and bypasses the second cooler 8.

[0032] (Second cooling mode) As shown in Figure 3, in the second cooling mode, the ECU 10 adjusts the first pressure regulating valve 21 to a fully closed state, the second pressure regulating valve 31 to an operating open state, the first valve 43 to an open state, and the second valve 44 to a closed state. Therefore, in the second cooling mode, as indicated by the white arrows in the figure, the refrigerant bypasses the first cooler 7 and passes through the second cooler 8.

[0033] (Third cooling mode) As shown in Figure 4, in the third cooling mode, the ECU 10 adjusts the first pressure regulating valve 21 and the second pressure regulating valve 31 to their operating openings, and adjusts the first valve 43 and the second valve 44 to their closed state. Therefore, in the third cooling mode, as indicated by the white arrows in the figure, the refrigerant passes through the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8.

[0034] [Heating mode] As mentioned above, in heating mode, the ECU 10 operates the blower fan 11 and adjusts the pressure regulating valve 5 to its operating opening, so the internal capacitor 4 and the pressure regulating valve 5 function.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, in heating mode, the ECU 10 adjusts the first pressure regulating valve 21 and the second pressure regulating valve 31 to a fully closed state, and adjusts the first valve 43 and the second valve 44 to an open state. Therefore, in heating mode, as indicated by the white arrows in the figure, the refrigerant bypasses the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8.

[0036] As described above, in the heat exchange system of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are arranged in series in the refrigerant flow path, which allows for individual adjustment of the target temperatures of the objects to be cooled by the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8, thereby ensuring that the respective temperature requirements of the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are fully met.

[0037] Furthermore, in the heat exchange system of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the first cooler 7, which is located upstream of the refrigerant flow path, is configured to have a higher target temperature than the second cooler 8, which is located downstream of the refrigerant flow path. Therefore, the refrigerant that has absorbed heat in the first cooler 7 can be absorbed by the second cooler 8 without being compressed.

[0038] Furthermore, the heat exchange device of the vehicle according to this embodiment has a first bypass circuit 41 that bypasses the first cooler 7 to the refrigerant and a second bypass circuit 42 that bypasses the second cooler 8 to the refrigerant. The first bypass circuit 41 is provided with a first valve 43 that switches whether or not to allow the first bypass circuit 41 to pass through the refrigerant, and the second bypass circuit 42 is provided with a second valve 44 that switches whether or not to allow the second bypass circuit 42 to pass through the refrigerant.

[0039] Therefore, in the heat exchange device of the vehicle according to this embodiment, when one of the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 is activated, the cooler being activated is routed through the refrigerant, and the cooler that is not activated is routed through the refrigerant. This prevents a decrease in the refrigerant pressure due to the non-activated cooler, thus preventing a deterioration in the operating efficiency of the heat exchange device 2.

[0040] Furthermore, in the vehicle heat exchange system according to this embodiment, in the heating mode, the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 are bypassed by the refrigerant, thereby preventing a decrease in the pressure of the refrigerant and thus preventing a deterioration in the operating efficiency of the heat exchange system 2.

[0041] Furthermore, in the vehicle heat exchange system according to this embodiment, the first cooler 7 is provided in the vehicle 1 to function as a cooler for the battery, and the second cooler 8 is provided in the vehicle 1 to function as an evaporator for air conditioning.

[0042] Thus, the heat exchange system for the vehicle according to this embodiment can reliably achieve the target temperatures for both the battery and the air conditioner, even when both battery cooling and air conditioning cooling are required.

[0043] In this embodiment, the heat exchange device 2 is described as having two coolers, a first cooler 7 and a second cooler 8, with the first cooler 7 and the second cooler 8 arranged in series in the refrigerant flow path. However, the heat exchange device 2 may also be configured to have three or more coolers, with these three or more coolers arranged in series in the refrigerant flow path.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was described in which a first valve 43 and a second valve 44 are provided as valves to switch whether or not each bypass circuit 41 and 42 is routed through the refrigerant. However, as shown in Figure 6, a three-way valve 50 may be provided instead of the first valve 43 and the second valve 44 as a valve to switch whether or not each bypass circuit 41 and 42 is routed through the refrigerant.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, it is clear that modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention are disclosed on the premise that equivalents with such modifications are included in the invention described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1 vehicle 2 Heat exchange device 3 Compressors 4. Internal capacitor (warm-up capacitor) 5. Pressure Regulating Valve 6. External capacitor (capacitor) 7 1st cooler (cooler) 8 Second cooler (cooler) 41 1st Detour (Detour) 42 2nd Detour (Detour) 43. First valve (valve) 44. Second valve (valve) 50 3-way valve (valve)

Claims

1. A compressor that compresses the refrigerant, A condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, A heat exchange device for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of coolers that absorb heat by expanding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, The aforementioned plurality of coolers are a heat exchange device for a vehicle, installed in series in the flow path of a refrigerant.

2. The heat exchange device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of coolers are arranged such that the coolers located upstream of the refrigerant flow path have a higher target temperature than the coolers located downstream of the refrigerant flow path.

3. Multiple bypass circuits are formed that redirect each of the coolers included in the aforementioned plurality of coolers to the refrigerant. A vehicle heat exchanger according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a valve that switches whether or not to allow each of the plurality of bypasses to pass through the refrigerant.

4. A warm air condenser and a pressure regulating valve are provided between the compressor and the condenser. When any of the above-mentioned coolers are to be activated, the valve is switched so that the refrigerant passes through any of the above-mentioned coolers, without activating the warm condenser and the pressure regulating valve. The vehicle heat exchange device according to claim 3, wherein, when heating operation is performed without any of the above-mentioned coolers functioning, the warm air condenser and the pressure regulating valve are activated, the condenser is activated so that the refrigerant expanded by the pressure regulating valve absorbs heat, and the valve is switched so that the refrigerant does not pass through any of the above-mentioned coolers.

5. The aforementioned plurality of coolers are, A cooler for the battery, A heat exchange device for a vehicle according to claim 1, comprising an evaporator for air conditioning.

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