Temperature adjustment circuit

Abstract

The present invention provides a temperature control circuit that enables the rapid raising of the temperature of the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle. [Solution] The temperature control circuit 10 includes a refrigeration cycle 11 which includes a first compressor 21 that compresses and discharges a first refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 22 which is capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 21, a first expansion valve 23 which is capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 22, and a second heat exchanger 24 which is capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve 23, and a heat exchange circuit 12 which connects the first heat exchanger 22, the second heat exchanger 24, and the battery 1 which is the object of temperature control so that heat exchange can be performed with the second refrigerant. In the heat exchange circuit 12, the first heat exchanger 22, the second heat exchanger 24, and the battery 1 are arranged in this order in the flow direction B of the second refrigerant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature adjustment circuit.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts to achieve a low-carbon society or a decarbonized society have been activated, and reduction of CO2 emissions and improvement of energy efficiency have been demanded even in moving bodies such as automobiles.

[0003] In Patent Document 1 below, in a hot water supply system including a heat pump and a hot water storage tank, a heat exchanger and a sub-heat exchanger are provided in the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump, and the sub-heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger in a flow path for circulating water between the heat pump and the hot water storage tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, since the sub-heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the hot water storage tank, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit cannot receive sufficient heat through the sub-heat exchanger, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of quickly raising the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0006] The present invention provides a temperature adjustment circuit capable of quickly raising the temperature of a first refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a first compressor that compresses and discharges a first refrigerant, A first heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor, A first expansion valve capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger, A second heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve, A refrigeration cycle including, A heat exchange circuit that connects the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the temperature control target so as to be able to exchange heat with a second refrigerant, Includes, In the heat exchange circuit, in the flow direction of the second refrigerant, The first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the temperature control target are arranged in this order. This is a temperature control circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a temperature control circuit can be provided that can rapidly raise the temperature of the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle. This, in turn, contributes to improving the energy efficiency of the mobile unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of vehicle V. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a temperature control circuit 10 installed in vehicle V. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings should be viewed in the direction of the reference numerals. Not all of the elements described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the present invention. Furthermore, in the following, identical or similar elements will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] [vehicle] As shown in Figure 1, vehicle V, an example of a mobile device, is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery 1, a drive unit (DU) 2 that is powered by electricity supplied from the battery 1 to move vehicle V, an HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) 3 that controls the air conditioning inside the vehicle V's cabin, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 4.

[0012] The drive unit 2 includes, for example, a motor M that drives the drive wheels of the vehicle V (a so-called traction motor). The motor M is, for example, a three-phase AC motor and may generate heat when operating. In other words, the drive unit 2 may include a heat source.

[0013] Furthermore, the drive unit 2 may include an inverter or DC-DC converter (DC: Direct Current) as a power conversion device that converts the power exchanged between the battery 1 and the motor M, and a charger that charges the battery 1 using power received from an external power source. As another example, these inverters, DC-DC converters, or chargers may be provided in the vehicle V in combination with the battery 1 as a single unit. In this case, "battery 1" in the following description may be read as a unit combining the battery 1 with at least one of the inverters, DC-DC converters, and chargers.

[0014] HVAC3 is a system capable of cooling and heating the interior of the vehicle V, and includes, for example, a refrigeration cycle 11, which will be described later. In addition, a third heat exchanger 25 (e.g., a condenser) of the refrigeration cycle 11 and a fifth heat exchanger 29 (e.g., a radiator) of the heat exchange circuit 12, which will be described later, are provided in front of the vehicle V (for example, in the engine compartment located in the front part of the vehicle V), and an electric fan 31 is also provided to promote heat dissipation and / or heat absorption of these components.

[0015] The control device 4 is a computer that comprehensively controls the entire vehicle V, and is constituted by, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) having a processor that performs various calculations, a memory that stores various information, an I / F (Interface) that controls the input and output of data between the inside and outside of the control device 4, and the like. As an example, the control device 4 controls the temperature adjustment circuit 10 described later to realize the temperature adjustment of the battery 1 and / or the drive device 2, or to realize the cooling and heating of the vehicle interior.

[0016] [Temperature adjustment circuit] The vehicle V is equipped with the temperature adjustment circuit 10 shown in FIG. 2. The temperature adjustment circuit 10 is a temperature adjustment circuit capable of adjusting the temperature of the battery 1 as the temperature adjustment target. In the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment circuit 10 includes a refrigeration cycle 11 and a heat exchange circuit 12.

[0017] The refrigeration cycle 11 is a refrigeration cycle in which a first refrigerant circulates, and realizes, for example, the cooling and heating of the vehicle interior according to the control by the control device 4. The refrigeration cycle 11 includes, for example, a first compressor 21, a first heat exchanger 22, a first expansion valve 23, a second heat exchanger 24, a third heat exchanger 25, a second expansion valve 26, a third expansion valve 27, and a fourth heat exchanger 28. The first refrigerant is, for example, a refrigerant for air conditioning such as HFC-134a or HFO-1234yf. In FIG. 2, the flow direction A of the first refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 11 is indicated by a dashed-dotted arrow.

[0018] The first compressor 21 is constituted by, for example, an electric compressor, and compresses and discharges the first refrigerant. The first heat exchanger 22 is constituted by, for example, an LLC (Liquid Cooled Condenser), and performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 21 and a second refrigerant (described later) flowing through the heat exchange circuit 12. That is, the first heat exchanger 22 is capable of heat exchange with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 21. As an example, according to the first heat exchanger 22, the heat of the first refrigerant can be transferred to the second refrigerant.

[0019] The first expansion valve 23 is constituted by, for example, EXV (Electronic expansion Valves), and decompresses the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 22. The second heat exchanger 24 is constituted by, for example, a chiller, and performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve 23 (that is, the first refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve 23) and the second refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange circuit 12. That is, the second heat exchanger 24 can perform heat exchange with the first refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve 23. As an example, according to the second heat exchanger 24, the heat of the second refrigerant can be transferred to the first refrigerant.

[0020] The third heat exchanger 25 is constituted by, for example, a cabin condenser, and warms the interior of the vehicle by performing heat exchange with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 21 (that is, the first refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle 11). That is, the third heat exchanger 25 can perform heat exchange with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 21.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the third heat exchanger 25 is disposed upstream of the first heat exchanger 22 in the flow direction A of the first refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 11. In other words, the third heat exchanger 25 is disposed upstream of the first heat exchanger 22 when viewed from the discharge portion of the first compressor 21 that discharges the compressed first refrigerant.

[0022] More specifically, in the refrigeration cycle 11, a branch point P1 for branching the flow of the first refrigerant from the first compressor 21 to the first heat exchanger 22 side and the third heat exchanger 25 side is provided between the first compressor 21 and the third heat exchanger 25. A flow rate adjustment valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third heat exchanger 25 side is provided at this branch point P1. The flow rate adjustment valve provided at the branch point P1 adjusts the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third heat exchanger 25 side according to the control by, for example, the control device 4. And when the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third heat exchanger 25 side is greater than 0 (zero), the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 21 is supplied to the third heat exchanger 25. Note that the flow rate adjustment valve provided at the branch point P1 can also set the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third heat exchanger 25 side to 0.

[0023] In addition, in the refrigeration cycle 11, a circuit is not required that goes from the branching point P1 in Figure 2 to the first heat exchanger 22 without passing through the third heat exchanger 25 and the second expansion valve 26. In this case, all of the first refrigerant discharged by the first compressor 21 will be supplied to the first heat exchanger 22 after passing through the third heat exchanger 25 and the second expansion valve 26.

[0024] The second expansion valve 26 is configured, for example, as an EXV valve and is positioned between the first heat exchanger 22 and the third heat exchanger 25, reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the third heat exchanger 25. The first refrigerant that has passed through the second expansion valve 26 (in other words, the first refrigerant that has been reduced in pressure by the second expansion valve 26) flows to the first heat exchanger 22.

[0025] The third expansion valve 27 is configured, for example, as an EXV, and reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 22. More specifically, in the refrigeration cycle 11, a branching point P2 is provided between the first heat exchanger 22 and the third expansion valve 27, which branches the flow of the first refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 22 to the first expansion valve 23 and second heat exchanger 24 side, and to the third expansion valve 27 and fourth heat exchanger 28 side. A flow rate adjustment valve is provided at this branching point P2, which can adjust the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third expansion valve 27 and fourth heat exchanger 28 side. The flow rate adjustment valve provided at the branching point P2 adjusts the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third expansion valve 27 and fourth heat exchanger 28 side, for example, according to control by a control device 4. Furthermore, when the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third expansion valve 27 and the fourth heat exchanger 28 is greater than 0, the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 22 is depressurized by the third expansion valve 27 before flowing to the fourth heat exchanger 28. The flow rate adjustment valve provided at the branching point P2 can also be used to set the flow rate of the first refrigerant to the third expansion valve 27 and the fourth heat exchanger 28 to 0.

[0026] The fourth heat exchanger 28 is composed of, for example, an evaporator, and cools the vehicle interior by exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the third expansion valve 27. In other words, the fourth heat exchanger 28 is capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the third expansion valve 27.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the third expansion valve 27 and the fourth heat exchanger 28 are positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger 22 in the flow direction A of the first refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 11. In other words, the third expansion valve 27 and the fourth heat exchanger 28 are positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger 22 when viewed from the discharge section of the first compressor 21 that discharges the compressed first refrigerant.

[0028] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle 11, a confluence point P3 is provided between the fourth heat exchanger 28 and the first compressor 21 where the flow of the first refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 24 and the flow of the first refrigerant from the fourth heat exchanger 28 merge, and the first refrigerant returns to the first compressor 21 through this confluence point P3.

[0029] The heat exchange circuit 12 connects the first heat exchanger 22, the second heat exchanger 24, and the battery 1 (i.e., the device whose temperature is to be controlled) so that heat exchange can be performed with the second refrigerant. As mentioned above, the first heat exchanger 22 and the second heat exchanger 24 are capable of performing heat exchange between the first refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle 11 and the second refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange circuit 12, respectively. The second refrigerant is, for example, LLC (Long Life Coolant).

[0030] In Figure 2, the flow direction B of the second refrigerant in the heat exchange circuit 12 is indicated by a dashed-dotted arrow. The second refrigerant in the heat exchange circuit 12 is pumped by a pump 30 installed in the heat exchange circuit 12 and flows in the flow direction B indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the first heat exchanger 22, the second heat exchanger 24, and the battery 1 are arranged in this order in the flow direction B of the second refrigerant.

[0031] Furthermore, the heat exchange circuit 12 connects a drive unit (DU) 2, which is another temperature-controlled object separate from the battery 1, to the second refrigerant so that it can exchange heat with the second refrigerant. As shown in Figure 2, the drive unit 2 is positioned downstream of the battery 1, which is the temperature-controlled object, and upstream of the second heat exchanger 24, in the flow direction B of the second refrigerant. The first heat exchanger 22 and the drive unit 2 are arranged in parallel between the battery 1 and the second heat exchanger 24.

[0032] More specifically, in the heat exchange circuit 12, a branching point P4 is provided between the battery 1 and the drive unit 2, where the flow of the second refrigerant from the battery 1 is split into two paths: one to the first heat exchanger 22 and the other to the drive unit 2. A flow rate adjustment valve is provided at this branching point P4, which can adjust the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the drive unit 2. The flow rate adjustment valve at branching point P4 adjusts the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the drive unit 2, for example, according to control by the control device 4. When the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the drive unit 2 is greater than 0, the second refrigerant flows to the drive unit 2, and the temperature of the drive unit 2 is adjusted (for example, cooled). The flow rate adjustment valve at branching point P4 can also set the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the drive unit 2 to 0.

[0033] Furthermore, in the heat exchange circuit 12, a confluence point P5 is provided downstream of the first heat exchanger 22 where the flow of the second refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 22 and the flow of the second refrigerant from the drive unit 2 merge, and the second refrigerant flows through this confluence point P5 to the second heat exchanger 24.

[0034] Generally, the battery management target temperature, which is the target value when the battery 1 is temperature-controlled by the temperature control circuit 10, is lower than the drive unit management target temperature, which is the target value when the drive unit 2 is temperature-controlled by the temperature control circuit 10.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat exchange circuit 12 is further provided with a fifth heat exchanger 29. The fifth heat exchanger 29 is composed of, for example, a radiator and is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the outside air of the vehicle V. As shown in Figure 2, the fifth heat exchanger 29 is located downstream of the first heat exchanger 22 and the drive unit 2, and upstream of the second heat exchanger 24, in the flow direction B of the second refrigerant.

[0036] More specifically, in the heat exchange circuit 12, a branching point P6 is provided between the aforementioned confluence point P5 and the fifth heat exchanger 29, which branches the flow of the second refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 22 and the drive unit 2 to the second heat exchanger 24 side and the fifth heat exchanger 29 side. A flow rate adjustment valve is provided at this branching point P6, which can adjust the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the fifth heat exchanger 29 side. The flow rate adjustment valve at branching point P6 adjusts the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the fifth heat exchanger 29 side, for example, according to control by the control device 4. When the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the fifth heat exchanger 29 side is greater than 0, the second refrigerant is supplied to the fifth heat exchanger 29. The flow rate adjustment valve at branching point P6 can also set the flow rate of the second refrigerant to the fifth heat exchanger 29 side to 0.

[0037] Furthermore, in the heat exchange circuit 12, a confluence point P7 is provided between the fifth heat exchanger 29 and the second heat exchanger 24 where the flow of the second refrigerant from confluence point P5 and the flow of the second refrigerant from the fifth heat exchanger 29 merge, and the second refrigerant flows through this confluence point P7 to the second heat exchanger 24.

[0038] [Effects of this embodiment] In the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above, the heat exchange circuit 12 has the first heat exchanger 22 and the second heat exchanger 24 constituting the refrigeration cycle 11, and the battery 1, which is the object of temperature control, arranged in this order. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle 11 is operated while the second refrigerant is circulating in the heat exchange circuit 12, the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle 11 can recover heat from the first heat exchanger 22 to the second refrigerant in the heat exchange circuit 12 via the second heat exchanger 24 before the heat transferred to the second refrigerant in the heat exchange circuit 12 is used to control the temperature of the battery 1. Thus, the heating of the first refrigerant can be accelerated compared to the case where the second heat exchanger 24 is not provided, or where the second heat exchanger 24 is provided downstream of the battery 1 in the flow direction B of the second refrigerant. In particular, in low-temperature environments, accelerating the heating of the first refrigerant in this way makes it possible to improve the operating efficiency of the refrigeration cycle 11. Furthermore, by heating the first refrigerant early, it is also possible to accelerate the heating of the battery 1.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, the third heat exchanger 25 is positioned upstream of the first heat exchanger 22 in the refrigeration cycle 11. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle 11 is in operation, heat exchange by the third heat exchanger 25 can be performed before heat exchange by the first heat exchanger 22. This allows for efficient heating of the vehicle interior.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, a second expansion valve 26 is positioned between the first heat exchanger 22 and the third heat exchanger 25 in the refrigeration cycle 11. Therefore, by adjusting the opening degree of the second expansion valve 26 during operation of the refrigeration cycle 11, it is possible to adjust the amount of heat exchanged by the first heat exchanger 22.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, the third expansion valve 27 and the fourth heat exchanger 28 are arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger 22 in the refrigeration cycle 11. Therefore, by reducing the pressure in the third expansion valve 27 during operation of the refrigeration cycle 11, the heat exchange equivalent to heat absorption can be performed by the fourth heat exchanger 28. This enables efficient cooling of the vehicle interior.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, the drive unit 2, which is another temperature control target, is arranged in parallel with the first heat exchanger 22 in the heat exchange circuit 12. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle 11 is operated while the second refrigerant is circulating in the heat exchange circuit 12, the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle 11 can recover the heat obtained by the second refrigerant circulating in the heat exchange circuit 12 from the drive unit 2 via the second heat exchanger 24.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, the fifth heat exchanger 29 is positioned in the heat exchange circuit 12 downstream of the first heat exchanger 22 and the other drive unit 2 which is subject to temperature control, and upstream of the second heat exchanger 24. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle 11 is in operation, it is possible to have the heat exchange by the fifth heat exchanger 29 take place before the heat exchange by the second heat exchanger 24.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, by operating the heat exchange circuit 12 and the refrigeration cycle 11, it becomes possible to selectively cool and heat the battery 1 and the drive unit 2, which serve as the power source for the vehicle V. This, in turn, can contribute to improving the energy efficiency of the vehicle V.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the temperature control circuit 10 of this embodiment, for example, when the amount of charge stored in the battery 1 is above a predetermined value (in other words, when it is necessary to reduce the amount of charge stored in the battery 1), it is possible to dissipate the heat collected by the first compressor 21 or the heat generated by the drive unit 2 from the fifth heat exchanger 29. At that time, it is also possible to cool the passenger compartment with the fourth heat exchanger 28. It is also possible to heat the passenger compartment by dissipating heat from the third heat exchanger 25 without dissipating heat from the fifth heat exchanger 29. Moreover, it is possible to cool the passenger compartment with the fourth heat exchanger 28 or heat the passenger compartment with the third heat exchanger 25 while dissipating the heat collected by the first compressor 21 or the heat generated by the drive unit 2 from the fifth heat exchanger 29.

[0046] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these are also understood to naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiment may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047] For example, in the embodiments described above, the mobile body in the present invention was described as a vehicle V which is an electric vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to gasoline automobiles, diesel automobiles, or hybrid electric automobiles that are equipped with an internal combustion engine as a drive source, either in place of or in addition to the motor M described above. Furthermore, the mobile body in the present invention may be an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), etc.

[0048] This specification contains at least the following information. Note that the components etc. in parentheses indicate those corresponding to the embodiments described above, but are not limited thereto.

[0049] (1) A first compressor (first compressor 21) that compresses and discharges the first refrigerant, A first heat exchanger (first heat exchanger 22) capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor, A first expansion valve (first expansion valve 23) capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger, A second heat exchanger (second heat exchanger 24) capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve, A refrigeration cycle including (refrigeration cycle 11), A heat exchange circuit (heat exchange circuit 12) connects the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the temperature control target (battery 1) so that heat exchange can be performed with a second refrigerant, Includes, In the heat exchange circuit, in the flow direction of the second refrigerant (flow direction B of the second refrigerant), The first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the temperature control target are arranged in this order. Temperature adjustment circuit (temperature adjustment circuit 10).

[0050] According to (1), the heat exchange circuit is arranged in this order: the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that constitute the refrigeration cycle, and the temperature to be controlled. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is operated while the second refrigerant is circulating in the heat exchange circuit, the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle can be recovered via the second heat exchanger before the heat transferred to the second refrigerant in the heat exchange circuit via the first heat exchanger is used to control the temperature of the temperature to be controlled. Thus, the heating of the first refrigerant can be accelerated compared to the case where the second heat exchanger is not provided, or where the second heat exchanger is provided downstream in the flow direction of the second refrigerant. In particular, in low-temperature environments, accelerating the heating of the first refrigerant in this way makes it possible to improve the operating efficiency of the refrigeration cycle. Furthermore, by heating the first refrigerant early, it is also possible to accelerate the heating of the temperature to be controlled.

[0051] (2) The temperature control circuit described in (1), The refrigeration cycle further includes a third heat exchanger (third heat exchanger 25) capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor, The third heat exchanger is positioned upstream of the first heat exchanger in the flow direction of the first refrigerant (flow direction A of the first refrigerant). Temperature adjustment circuit.

[0052] According to (2), the third heat exchanger is positioned upstream of the first heat exchanger in the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is in operation, it is possible to have the heat exchange by the third heat exchanger take place before the heat exchange by the first heat exchanger.

[0053] (3) The temperature control circuit described in (2), The refrigeration cycle further includes a second expansion valve (second expansion valve 26) capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the third heat exchanger. The second expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. Temperature adjustment circuit.

[0054] According to (3), a second expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger in the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, by adjusting the opening degree of the second expansion valve during operation of the refrigeration cycle, it is possible to adjust the amount of heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger.

[0055] (4) The temperature control circuit described in (1), The aforementioned refrigeration cycle is A third expansion valve (third expansion valve 27) capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger, A fourth heat exchanger (fourth heat exchanger 28) capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the third expansion valve, Further including, Temperature adjustment circuit.

[0056] According to (4), the refrigeration cycle has a third expansion valve and a fourth heat exchanger located downstream of the first heat exchanger. Therefore, by reducing the pressure in the third expansion valve during operation of the refrigeration cycle, it becomes possible for the fourth heat exchanger to perform heat exchange equivalent to heat absorption.

[0057] (5) The temperature control circuit described in (1), The heat exchange circuit further connects another temperature control object (drive device 2), separate from the temperature control object, to the second refrigerant so that it can exchange heat with it. The other temperature control target is located downstream of the temperature control target and upstream of the second heat exchanger in the flow direction of the second refrigerant. The first heat exchanger and the other temperature control target are arranged in parallel between the temperature control target and the second heat exchanger. Temperature adjustment circuit.

[0058] According to (5), other temperature-controlled elements are arranged in parallel with the first heat exchanger in the heat exchange circuit. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is operated while the second refrigerant is circulating in the heat exchange circuit, the first refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle can recover the heat obtained by the second refrigerant circulating in the heat exchange circuit from the other temperature-controlled elements via the second heat exchanger.

[0059] (6) The temperature control circuit described in (5), The heat exchange circuit further includes a fifth heat exchanger (fifth heat exchanger 29), The fifth heat exchanger is configured such that, in the flow direction of the second refrigerant, Located downstream of the first heat exchanger and the other temperature control devices, and upstream of the second heat exchanger, Temperature adjustment circuit.

[0060] According to (6), the fifth heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger and other temperature-controlled components, and upstream of the second heat exchanger, in the heat exchange circuit. Therefore, when the refrigeration cycle is in operation, heat exchange by the fifth heat exchanger can be performed before heat exchange by the second heat exchanger.

[0061] (7) The temperature control circuit described in (5), The heat exchange circuit and refrigeration cycle are mounted on a mobile unit (vehicle V). The temperature-controlled object and the other temperature-controlled object are the drive source (battery 1, drive device 2) of the mobile body. Temperature adjustment circuit.

[0062] According to (7), the operation of the heat exchange circuit and the refrigeration cycle makes it possible to selectively cool and heat the drive source of the mobile body. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1. Battery (temperature controlled, power source) 2. Drive unit (other temperature control target, drive source) 10 Temperature adjustment circuit 11 Refrigeration Cycle 12 Heat exchange circuit 21. First Compressor 22 1st heat exchanger 23. First expansion valve 24 Second heat exchanger 25 Third heat exchanger 26. Second expansion valve 27. Third expansion valve 28 4th heat exchanger 29 5th heat exchanger A. Flow direction of the first refrigerant B. Flow direction of the second refrigerant V Vehicle (mobile object)

Claims

1. A first compressor that compresses and discharges the first refrigerant, A first heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor, A first expansion valve capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger, A second heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the first expansion valve, A refrigeration cycle including, A heat exchange circuit that connects the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the temperature control target so as to be able to exchange heat with a second refrigerant, Includes, In the heat exchange circuit, in the flow direction of the second refrigerant, The first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the temperature control target are arranged in this order. Temperature adjustment circuit.

2. A temperature control circuit according to claim 1, The refrigeration cycle further includes a third heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor, The third heat exchanger is positioned upstream of the first heat exchanger in the flow direction of the first refrigerant. Temperature adjustment circuit.

3. A temperature control circuit according to claim 2, The refrigeration cycle further includes a second expansion valve capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the third heat exchanger. The second expansion valve is positioned between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. Temperature adjustment circuit.

4. A temperature control circuit according to claim 1, The aforementioned refrigeration cycle is A third expansion valve capable of reducing the pressure of the first refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger, A fourth heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with the first refrigerant that has passed through the third expansion valve, Further including, Temperature adjustment circuit.

5. A temperature control circuit according to claim 1, The heat exchange circuit is further connected to another temperature-controlled object, separate from the temperature-controlled object, so that it can exchange heat with the second refrigerant. The other temperature control target is located downstream of the temperature control target and upstream of the second heat exchanger in the flow direction of the second refrigerant. The first heat exchanger and the other temperature control target are arranged in parallel between the temperature control target and the second heat exchanger. Temperature adjustment circuit.

6. A temperature control circuit according to claim 5, The heat exchange circuit further includes a fifth heat exchanger, The fifth heat exchanger is configured such that, in the flow direction of the second refrigerant, Located downstream of the first heat exchanger and the other temperature control devices, and upstream of the second heat exchanger, Temperature adjustment circuit.

7. A temperature control circuit according to claim 5, The heat exchange circuit and refrigeration cycle are mounted on a mobile body. The temperature-controlled object and the other temperature-controlled object are the driving source of the moving body. Temperature adjustment circuit.

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