Refrigeration Cycle Equipment

Abstract

To provide a refrigeration cycle device that can be operated with high efficiency.SOLUTION: A first refrigeration cycle 10 includes a first compressor 101, a first radiator 102, an air-conditioning expansion valve 106, an air-conditioning evaporator 107, a first expansion valve 108 and a first evaporator 109. In the air-conditioning evaporator 107, for example, in a cooling mode, along with evaporation of a first refrigerant, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from blowing air. In the first evaporator 109, for example, in a cooperation heating mode, along with evaporation of the first refrigerant, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from outside air. A second refrigeration cycle 20 includes a second compressor 201, a second radiator 202, a second expansion valve 203 and a second evaporator 204. In the second radiator 202, for example, in the cooperation heating mode, heat is radiated from a second refrigerant in the second radiator 202 via a first heating medium to blowing air. A first heating medium circuit 30 switches a heat radiation destination from the first radiator 102 to outside air or the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle device having a plurality of refrigeration cycles. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of this type of refrigeration cycle device, a refrigeration and air conditioning device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The refrigeration and air conditioning device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of refrigeration cycles each having a compressor with a variable operating capacity, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a load side heat exchanger. In each of the plurality of refrigeration cycles, the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle releases or absorbs heat to the heat source side heat medium in the heat source side heat exchanger. The flow path of the heat source side heat medium is configured to flow in series through the heat source side heat exchangers of each refrigeration cycle.

[0003] In each of the plurality of refrigeration cycles, the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle cools or heats the load-side heat medium in the load-side heat exchanger, and the flow path of the load-side heat medium is configured to flow in series through the load-side heat exchangers of the respective refrigeration cycles.

[0004] The control device of the refrigeration and air conditioning system controls the total value of the compressor operating capacity of each refrigeration cycle based on the temperature of the load side heat medium, and also controls the operating capacity of each compressor so that the average value of the compressor efficiency of each refrigeration cycle is maximized. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-229916 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of the battery are performed using multiple heat exchangers. However, in recent years, there has been a tendency for vehicle heat sources to be insufficient, and the demand for increasing the capacity of batteries mounted in vehicles and extending the driving range of vehicles is increasing year by year. Therefore, it has become necessary to improve the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle used for air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of on-board equipment, for example.

[0007] For these reasons, in order to improve the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle, a technology related to a refrigeration cycle device other than the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is required. As a result of detailed studies by the inventors, the above findings were found.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of operating with high efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 comprises: A refrigeration cycle apparatus for conditioning an air-conditioned space (68), comprising: a first refrigeration cycle (10) including a first compressor (101), a first radiator (102), an air conditioning expansion valve (106), an air conditioning evaporator (107), a first expansion valve (108), and a first evaporator (109), in which a first refrigerant evaporates in at least one of the air conditioning evaporator and the first evaporator and circulates while radiating heat in the first radiator; a second refrigeration cycle (20) including a second compressor (201), a second radiator (202), a second expansion valve (203), and a second evaporator (204), in which a second refrigerant evaporates in the second evaporator and circulates while radiating heat in the second radiator; a heat transfer section (30) that switches the destination of heat dissipation from the first radiator to a second refrigerant in the second evaporator or to outside air; In the air conditioning evaporator, as the first refrigerant evaporates, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the air being blown into the space to be air-conditioned, In the first evaporator, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air as the first refrigerant evaporates, The second radiator radiates heat from the second refrigerant in the second radiator to the blown air.

[0010] In this way, the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle can be configured to share roles, for example, by configuring the first refrigeration cycle for cooling the space to be air-conditioned and the second refrigeration cycle for heating the space to be air-conditioned. When the space to be air-conditioned is heated, the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle can work together to improve the heating efficiency, compared to when the refrigeration cycle device has only a single refrigeration cycle. As a result, the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle device can be increased both when cooling and heating the space to be air-conditioned.

[0013] Note that the reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a circuit configuration of a refrigeration cycle device included in an air conditioner in a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor air conditioning unit included in an air conditioner in a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an input / output system of a control device provided in an air conditioner in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow in the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in a coordinated heating mode, which are indicated by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow in the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in a single heating mode, which are indicated by thick lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] The refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow when the refrigeration cycle device is operated in a cooling mode and an equipment cooling mode are shown by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. [Figure 7]2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow in the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in an equipment warm-up heating mode, which are indicated by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in an equipment warm-up mode, which are indicated by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow in the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in an equipment cooling / heating mode, which are indicated by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow in the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in a first dehumidification heating mode, which are indicated by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow and the heat medium flow in the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in a second dehumidification heating mode, which are indicated by bold lines in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing which of the first and second compressors is given priority in increasing its rotation speed when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors are increased while both the first and second compressors are operating in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a time chart showing a case in which the rotation speeds of the first and second compressors are increased in a first rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the first compressor is increased prior to the rotation speed of the second compressor in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a time chart showing a case in which the rotation speeds of the first and second compressors are increased using a second rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the second compressor is increased prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 4 is a Mollier diagram showing the states of a first refrigerant in a first refrigeration cycle and a second refrigerant in a second refrigeration cycle when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is operated in a coordinated heating mode. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to parts that are the same or equivalent to each other.

[0016] (First embodiment) 1 and 2, the refrigeration cycle device 9 of this embodiment constitutes a part of an air conditioner 8 that adjusts a vehicle interior space 68 to an appropriate temperature. That is, the refrigeration cycle device 9 is a device for conditioning the vehicle interior space 68, which is a space to be air-conditioned.

[0017] The air conditioner 8 includes a refrigeration cycle device 9 and an interior air conditioning unit 60. The air conditioner 8 is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle on which the air conditioner 8 is mounted includes a battery 69 that functions as a power source for the driving motor. This battery 69 is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and is constituted by, for example, a lithium-ion battery. In order for the battery 69 to exhibit appropriate charging and discharging performance, it is preferable that the temperature of the battery 69 be maintained within a predetermined temperature range, and the battery 69 generates heat as it is charged and discharged.

[0018] Therefore, the refrigeration cycle device 9 of this embodiment has a function of heating or cooling the air blown into the vehicle interior space 68, as well as a function of cooling and warming up the battery 69. That is, the battery 69 is an in-vehicle device whose temperature is regulated by the refrigeration cycle device 9.

[0019] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 includes a first refrigeration cycle 10, a second refrigeration cycle 20, a first heat medium circuit 30, a second heat medium circuit 50, and a circuit control unit 80a included in a control device 80 (see FIG. 3) that controls each device of the air conditioner 8. The circuit control unit 80a is a control unit that controls the controlled devices included in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 among the multiple devices that are controlled by the control device 80. In other words, the circuit control unit 80a controls the controlled devices included in each of the first refrigeration cycle 10, the second refrigeration cycle 20, the first heat medium circuit 30, and the second heat medium circuit 50. The circuit control unit 80a corresponds to the control unit in the present disclosure.

[0020] The first refrigeration cycle 10 and the second refrigeration cycle 20 are each configured as a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. In addition, the first refrigeration cycle 10 and the second refrigeration cycle 20 are each operated as a subcritical cycle in which the refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side of the cycle does not exceed the critical pressure of the refrigerant.

[0021] The first refrigeration cycle 10 is a refrigerant circuit in which a first refrigerant circulates, and the first refrigerant is sealed in the refrigerant circuit as the first refrigeration cycle 10. As the first refrigerant circulating in the first refrigeration cycle 10, various refrigerants can be used, but in this embodiment, for example, a fluorocarbon refrigerant such as HFO134a is used.

[0022] The first refrigeration cycle 10 includes a first compressor 101, a first radiator 102, an air conditioning expansion valve 106, an air conditioning evaporator 107, a first expansion valve 108, a first evaporator 109, and piping connecting these components.

[0023] In the first refrigeration cycle 10, the discharge port 101a of the first compressor 101 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 102a of the first radiator 102, and the refrigerant outlet 102b of the first radiator 102 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 106a of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the refrigerant inlet 108a of the first expansion valve 108. In addition, the refrigerant outlet 106b of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 107a of the air conditioning evaporator 107, and the refrigerant outlet 108b of the first expansion valve 108 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 109a of the first evaporator 109. In addition, the refrigerant outlet 107b of the air conditioning evaporator 107 and the refrigerant outlet 109b of the first evaporator 109 are both connected to the suction port 101b of the first compressor 101.

[0024] The first compressor 101 has a discharge port 101a and a suction port 101b, compresses the first refrigerant drawn from the suction port 101b, and discharges the compressed first refrigerant from the discharge port 101a. The first compressor 101 is specifically an electric compressor, and has a compression mechanism that compresses the first refrigerant introduced into a compression chamber, and an electric motor that rotates and drives the compression mechanism. The first compressor 101 of this embodiment may have a fixed compressor capacity, or may be a variable capacity type in which the compressor capacity can be increased or decreased.

[0025] 3, for example, the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 (specifically, the rotation speed of the electric motor of the first compressor 101) is controlled by the control signal output from the circuit control unit 80a. For example, the discharge flow rate of the first compressor 101 increases as the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 increases.

[0026] 1, the first radiator 102 has a refrigerant inlet 102a through which the first refrigerant flows in, a refrigerant outlet 102b through which the first refrigerant flows out, a heat medium inlet 102c through which the first heat medium of the first heat medium circuit 30 flows in, and a heat medium outlet 102d through which the first heat medium flows out. The high-temperature, high-pressure first refrigerant discharged from the first compressor 101 flows into the refrigerant inlet 102a of the first radiator 102.

[0027] The first radiator 102 is a heat exchanger (in other words, a water-cooled condenser) that exchanges heat between the first refrigerant and the first heat medium of the first heat medium circuit 30. The first radiator 102 radiates heat from the first refrigerant that has flowed into a refrigerant inlet 102a to the first heat medium, and causes the first refrigerant after the heat dissipation to flow out from a refrigerant outlet 102b, and also causes the first heat medium heated by the first refrigerant to flow out from a heat medium outlet 102d.

[0028] In detail, the first radiator 102 has a condensation section 103, a liquid receiving section (not shown), and a supercooling section 104. The condensation section 103 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 102a and a heat medium outlet 102d of the first radiator 102, and the supercooling section 104 is provided with a refrigerant outlet 102b and a heat medium inlet 102c of the first radiator 102.

[0029] The condenser 103 dissipates heat from the first refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant inlet 102a to the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, thereby heating the first heat medium and condensing the first refrigerant. The liquid receiving section of the first radiator 102 separates the first refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 103 into gas and liquid, and stores the separated liquid-phase first refrigerant as surplus refrigerant in the cycle.

[0030] The supercooling section 104 of the first radiator 102 further dissipates heat from the first refrigerant condensed in the condensing section 103 to the first heat medium, thereby supercooling the first refrigerant. In detail, the supercooling section 104 supercools the first refrigerant in the liquid phase stored in the liquid receiving section by dissipating heat to the first heat medium before it flows into the condensing section 103 (i.e., the first heat medium before it is heat exchanged in the condensing section 103). The first refrigerant supercooled in the supercooling section 104 flows out from the refrigerant outlet 102b of the first radiator 102 and flows to the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the first expansion valve 108.

[0031] The air conditioning expansion valve 106 has a refrigerant inlet 106a through which the first refrigerant flows in, and a refrigerant outlet 106b through which the first refrigerant flows out. The air conditioning expansion valve 106 is a pressure reducing device that reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant that flows into the refrigerant inlet 106a of the air conditioning expansion valve 106. The air conditioning expansion valve 106 is an electric expansion valve, and has a valve body and an electric actuator. The electric actuator of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 includes, for example, a stepping motor, and changes the throttle opening of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 by displacing the valve body. The electric actuator of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is controlled by a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3), so the throttle opening of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is increased or decreased according to the control signal from the circuit control unit 80a.

[0032] In addition, the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is configured so that its throttle opening can be set to zero, that is, so that the air conditioning expansion valve 106 can be fully closed. When the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is fully closed, the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the air conditioning evaporator 107 is blocked. When the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is open, the first refrigerant decompressed by the air conditioning expansion valve 106 flows out from the refrigerant outlet 106b of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and flows to the refrigerant inlet 107a of the air conditioning evaporator 107.

[0033] 1 and 2, the air-conditioning evaporator 107 has a refrigerant inlet 107a through which the first refrigerant flows in, and a refrigerant outlet 107b through which the first refrigerant flows out. The air-conditioning evaporator 107 is a heat exchanger for cooling the air to be blown into the vehicle interior space 68, and is disposed in the casing 61 of the interior air-conditioning unit 60.

[0034] In detail, the air conditioning evaporator 107 exchanges heat between the first refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant inlet 107a and the blown air passing through the air conditioning evaporator 107, evaporating the first refrigerant and cooling the blown air through the heat exchange. That is, in the air conditioning evaporator 107, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the blown air as the first refrigerant evaporates. The first refrigerant that has absorbed heat in the air conditioning evaporator 107 flows out from the refrigerant outlet 107b and flows to the suction port 101b of the first compressor 101.

[0035] 1, the first expansion valve 108 has a refrigerant inlet 108a through which the first refrigerant flows, and a refrigerant outlet 108b through which the first refrigerant flows out. The first expansion valve 108 reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant that flows into the refrigerant inlet 108a of the first expansion valve 108, and causes the reduced pressure first refrigerant to flow out from the refrigerant outlet 108b. The first refrigerant that flows out from the refrigerant outlet 108b of the first expansion valve 108 flows to the refrigerant inlet 109a of the first evaporator 109.

[0036] The first expansion valve 108 is disposed in a different location from the air conditioning expansion valve 106, but has a similar configuration to the air conditioning expansion valve 106. That is, the first expansion valve 108 has a valve body and an electric actuator, and the throttle opening of the first expansion valve 108 is increased or decreased according to a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3). The first expansion valve 108 is configured to be able to fully close the first expansion valve 108.

[0037] When the first expansion valve 108 is fully closed, the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the first evaporator 109 is blocked. When the first expansion valve 108 is open, the first refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve 108 flows out from a refrigerant outlet 108b of the first expansion valve 108 and flows to a refrigerant inlet 109a of the first evaporator 109.

[0038] In this way, the first expansion valve 108 and the air conditioning expansion valve 106 are each configured to be fully closable, and therefore include a function as a refrigerant flow path switching unit that selectively switches the flow path of the first refrigerant between, for example, a first flow state, a second flow state, and a third flow state. In the first flow state, the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the air conditioning evaporator 107 via the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is blocked, and the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the first evaporator 109 via the first expansion valve 108 is permitted. In the second flow state, the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the air conditioning evaporator 107 via the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is permitted, and the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the first evaporator 109 via the first expansion valve 108 is blocked. In addition, in the third flow state, both the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the air conditioning evaporator 107 via the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the flow of the first refrigerant from the first radiator 102 to the first evaporator 109 via the first expansion valve 108 are permitted.

[0039] The first evaporator 109 has a refrigerant inlet 109a through which the first refrigerant flows, a refrigerant outlet 109b through which the first refrigerant flows out, a heat medium inlet 109c through which the second heat medium of the second heat medium circuit 50 flows in, and a heat medium outlet 109d through which the second heat medium flows out. The first evaporator 109 is a heat exchanger (in other words, a chiller) that exchanges heat between the first refrigerant and the second heat medium, and causes the first refrigerant to absorb heat and evaporate the first refrigerant while cooling the second heat medium through the heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second heat medium. The first refrigerant that absorbs heat in the first evaporator 109 flows out from the refrigerant outlet 109b and flows to the suction port 101b of the first compressor 101. At the same time, the second heat medium cooled in the first evaporator 109 flows out from the heat medium outlet 109d.

[0040] In the first refrigeration cycle 10, when the first compressor 101 is operating, if the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is open and the first expansion valve 108 is fully closed, the first refrigerant flows to the air conditioning evaporator 107 but does not flow to the first evaporator 109. Conversely, if the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is fully closed and the first expansion valve 108 is open, the first refrigerant does not flow to the air conditioning evaporator 107 but flows to the first evaporator 109. Also, if both the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the first expansion valve 108 are open, the first refrigerant flows to both the air conditioning evaporator 107 and the first evaporator 109. In this way, in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the first refrigerant circulates while evaporating in one or both of the air conditioning evaporator 107 and the first evaporator 109 and dissipating heat in the first radiator 102.

[0041] The second refrigeration cycle 20 is a refrigerant circuit in which a second refrigerant circulates, and the second refrigerant is sealed in the refrigerant circuit as the second refrigeration cycle 20. The second refrigerant circulating in the second refrigeration cycle 20 may be the same as the first refrigerant in the first refrigeration cycle 10 or may be various refrigerants different from the first refrigerant, but in this embodiment, the same refrigerant as the first refrigerant in the first refrigeration cycle 10 is used as the second refrigerant.

[0042] The second refrigeration cycle 20 includes a second compressor 201, a second radiator 202, a second expansion valve 203, a second evaporator 204, and piping connecting these components.

[0043] In the second refrigeration cycle 20, a discharge port 201a of the second compressor 201 is connected to a refrigerant inlet 202a of a second radiator 202, and a refrigerant outlet 202b of the second radiator 202 is connected to a refrigerant inlet 203a of a second expansion valve 203. In addition, a refrigerant outlet 203b of the second expansion valve 203 is connected to a refrigerant inlet 204a of a second evaporator 204, and a refrigerant outlet 204b of the second evaporator 204 is connected to a suction port 201b of the second compressor 201.

[0044] The second compressor 201 has a discharge port 201a and a suction port 201b, compresses the second refrigerant drawn from the suction port 201b, and discharges the compressed second refrigerant from the discharge port 201a. The second compressor 201 is disposed at a different location from the first compressor 101, but is an electric compressor having a similar configuration to the first compressor 101. That is, the second compressor 201 has a compression mechanism and an electric motor, and is controlled by a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3). For example, the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 is controlled by a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a. For example, the discharge flow rate of the second compressor 201 increases as the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 increases.

[0045] In addition, the second compressor 201 of this embodiment may have a fixed compressor capacity, or may be a variable capacity type whose compressor capacity is increaseable or decreaseable, similar to the first compressor 101. For example, in this embodiment, if the compressor capacity is fixed, compressors with the same compressor capacity are used as the first and second compressors 101, 201, and if the compressor capacity is variable, compressors with the same maximum compressor capacity are used.

[0046] The second radiator 202 has a refrigerant inlet 202a through which the second refrigerant flows in, a refrigerant outlet 202b through which the second refrigerant flows out, a heat medium inlet 202c through which the first heat medium of the first heat medium circuit 30 flows in, and a heat medium outlet 202d through which the first heat medium flows out. The second radiator 202 is a heat exchanger (in other words, a water-cooled condenser) that exchanges heat between the second refrigerant and the first heat medium and dissipates heat from the second refrigerant to the first heat medium through the heat exchange. The second radiator 202 condenses the second refrigerant and heats the first heat medium through the heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the first heat medium. The second refrigerant that has dissipated heat in the second radiator 202 flows out from the refrigerant outlet 202b and flows to the refrigerant inlet 203a of the second expansion valve 203. At the same time, the first heat medium heated in the second radiator 202 flows out from the heat medium outlet 202d.

[0047] The second expansion valve 203 has a refrigerant inlet 203a through which the second refrigerant flows, and a refrigerant outlet 203b through which the second refrigerant flows out. The second expansion valve 203 reduces the pressure of the second refrigerant that flows into the refrigerant inlet 203a of the second expansion valve 203, and causes the reduced pressure second refrigerant to flow out from the refrigerant outlet 203b. The second refrigerant that flows out from the refrigerant outlet 203b of the second expansion valve 203 flows to the refrigerant inlet 204a of the second evaporator 204.

[0048] The second expansion valve 203 is disposed in a different location from the air conditioning expansion valve 106, but has a similar configuration to the air conditioning expansion valve 106. That is, the second expansion valve 203 has a valve body and an electric actuator, and the throttle opening of the second expansion valve 203 is increased or decreased according to a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3). Note that the second expansion valve 203 does not have to be fully closed.

[0049] The second evaporator 204 has a refrigerant inlet 204a through which the second refrigerant flows in, a refrigerant outlet 204b through which the second refrigerant flows out, a heat medium inlet 204c through which the first heat medium of the first heat medium circuit 30 flows in, and a heat medium outlet 204d through which the first heat medium flows out. The second evaporator 204 is disposed at a different location from the first evaporator 109, but has a similar configuration to the first evaporator 109.

[0050] That is, the second evaporator 204 is a heat exchanger (in other words, a chiller) that exchanges heat between the second refrigerant and the first heat medium. The second evaporator 204 absorbs heat from the first heat medium to the second refrigerant by heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the first heat medium, thereby evaporating the second refrigerant and cooling the first heat medium.

[0051] The second refrigerant that has absorbed heat in the second evaporator 204 flows out from a refrigerant outlet 204b and flows to the suction port 201b of the second compressor 201. At the same time, the first heat medium that has been cooled in the second evaporator 204 flows out from a heat medium outlet 204d.

[0052] In the second refrigeration cycle 20 having the above-described configuration, when the second compressor 201 is operating, the second refrigerant evaporates in the second evaporator 204 and circulates while dissipating heat in the second radiator 202.

[0053] The first heat medium circuit 30 is a heat medium circuit in which the first heat medium circulates. In this embodiment, the first heat medium circuit 30 corresponds to the heat transfer section of the present disclosure, and the first heat medium corresponds to the heat medium of the present disclosure. The first heat medium is, for example, a liquid. As the first heat medium, for example, an antifreeze solution containing ethylene glycol can be used.

[0054] The first heat medium circuit 30 includes a first pump 31, a second pump 32, a first outdoor air heat exchanger 33, an equipment heat exchanger 34, a heater core 35, a first switching valve 37, a second switching valve 38, a third switching valve 39, a bypass switching valve 40, a shutoff valve 42, an opening / closing passage 43, a bypass passage 44, and piping connecting these.

[0055] In the first heat medium circuit 30, the discharge port 31a of the first pump 31 is connected to a first port 37a of the first switching valve 37. In addition, the second port 37b of the first switching valve 37 is connected to a heat medium inlet 102c of the first radiator 102, and the third port 37c of the first switching valve 37 is connected to a first port 40a of the bypass switching valve 40.

[0056] The heat medium outlet 102d of the first radiator 102 is connected to the first port 39a of the third switching valve 39, and the second port 39b of the third switching valve 39 is connected to the first port 40a of the bypass switching valve 40. The third port 39c of the third switching valve 39 is connected to the suction port 32b of the second pump 32, and the second port 40b of the bypass switching valve 40 is connected to the heat medium inlet 34a of the equipment heat exchanger 34. The heat medium outlet 34b of the equipment heat exchanger 34 is connected to the heat medium inlet 204c of the second evaporator 204, and the third port 40c of the bypass switching valve 40 is connected to the heat medium outlet 34b of the equipment heat exchanger 34 via the bypass passage 44. The heat medium outlet 204d of the second evaporator 204 is connected to the suction port 31b of the first pump 31.

[0057] The discharge port 32a of the second pump 32 is connected to the heat medium inlet 202c of the second radiator 202, and the heat medium outlet 202d of the second radiator 202 is connected to the first port 38a of the second switching valve 38. The second port 38b of the second switching valve 38 is connected to the heat medium inlet 35a of the heater core 35, and the heat medium outlet 35b of the heater core 35 is connected to the suction port 32b of the second pump 32.

[0058] Further, the third port 38c of the second switching valve 38 is connected to the first connection port 33a of the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33, and the second connection port 33b of the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 is connected to the heat medium inlet 102c of the first radiator 102. Further, the first connection port 33a of the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 and the heat medium inlet 204c of the second evaporator 204 are connected to each other via an opening / closing passage 43.

[0059] The first pump 31 and the second pump 32 are electric pumps that pump the first heat medium, and the rotation speeds of the first pump 31 and the second pump 32 are controlled in response to control signals output from a circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3). As the rotation speed of the first pump 31 increases, the discharge flow rate of the first pump 31 increases, and as the rotation speed of the second pump 32 increases, the discharge flow rate of the second pump 32 increases.

[0060] The first pump 31 has a discharge port 31a and a suction port 31b, and discharges the first heat medium sucked through the suction port 31b from the discharge port 31a. The second pump 32 has a discharge port 32a and a suction port 32b, and discharges the first heat medium sucked through the suction port 32b from the discharge port 32a.

[0061] The first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 has a first connection port 33a and a second connection port 33b. In the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33, the first heat medium flows into the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 from one of the first connection port 33a and the second connection port 33b, and flows out of the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 from the other port.

[0062] The first outside air heat exchanger 33 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat medium and outside air. The outside air is air outside the vehicle interior space 68. The first outside air heat exchanger 33 corresponds to the outside air heat exchanger of the present disclosure. The first outside air heat exchanger 33 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle so that the first outside air heat exchanger 33 is exposed to outside air as a driving wind when the vehicle is running, for example. Outside air is supplied to the first outside air heat exchanger 33 by the vehicle running or by the operation of a blower (not shown).

[0063] The equipment heat exchanger 34 has a heat medium inlet 34a through which the first heat medium flows in, and a heat medium outlet 34b through which the first heat medium flows out. The equipment heat exchanger 34 exchanges heat between the first heat medium that flows into the equipment heat exchanger 34 from the heat medium inlet 34a and the battery 69, thereby cooling or heating the battery 69. The first heat medium that has exchanged heat with the battery 69 flows out from the heat medium outlet 34b. For example, the equipment heat exchanger 34 is integral with the battery 69, and is configured to be able to cool or heat the battery 69 while equalizing the temperatures of the multiple battery cells included in the battery 69.

[0064] 1 and 2, the heater core 35 has a heat medium inlet 35a through which the first heat medium flows in and a heat medium outlet 35b through which the first heat medium flows out. The heater core 35 is a heating heat exchanger that heats the blown air circulating in the casing 61 of the indoor air conditioning unit 60 by exchanging heat between the first heat medium and the blown air, and is disposed in the casing 61 of the indoor air conditioning unit 60. In the heater core 35, the first heat medium flows into the heater core 35 from the heat medium inlet 35a and exchanges heat with the blown air, and the first heat medium after the heat exchange flows out from the heat medium outlet 35b.

[0065] The first selector valve 37, the second selector valve 38, the third selector valve 39 and the bypass selector valve 40 are each an electrically operated three-way valve. The operation of each of these selector valves 37, 38, 39 and 40 is controlled by a control signal from a circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3).

[0066] The first switching valve 37 has a first port 37a, a second port 37b, and a third port 37c. The first switching valve 37 is switched between a first switching state in which the first port 37a and the second port 37b are communicated with each other while the third port 37c is fully closed, and a second switching state in which the first port 37a and the third port 37c are communicated with each other while the second port 37b is fully closed. Note that fully closing a port of the switching valve means that the port is blocked and the flow of a fluid (e.g., a first heat medium) through the port is prevented.

[0067] The second switching valve 38 has a first port 38a, a second port 38b, and a third port 38c. The second switching valve 38 is switched between a first switching state in which the first port 38a and the second port 38b are communicated with each other while the third port 38c is fully closed, and a second switching state in which the first port 38a and the third port 38c are communicated with each other while the second port 38b is fully closed.

[0068] The third switching valve 39 has a first port 39a, a second port 39b, and a third port 39c. The third switching valve 39 is switched between a first switching state in which the first port 39a and the second port 39b are communicated with each other while the third port 39c is fully closed, and a second switching state in which the first port 39a and the third port 39c are communicated with each other while the second port 39b is fully closed.

[0069] The bypass switching valve 40 has a first port 40a, a second port 40b, and a third port 40c. The bypass switching valve 40 is switched to a temperature adjustment switching state, a bypass switching state, and a first port closed state. When the bypass switching valve 40 is switched to the temperature adjustment switching state, the first port 40a and the second port 40b communicate with each other, while the third port 40c is fully closed. When the bypass switching valve 40 is switched to the bypass switching state, the first port 40a and the third port 40c communicate with each other, while the second port 40b is fully closed. When the bypass switching valve 40 is switched to the first port closed state, the second port 40b and the third port 40c communicate with each other, while the first port 40a is fully closed.

[0070] For example, when cooling or warming up the battery 69 is performed, the bypass switching valve 40 is switched to the temperature adjustment switching state by a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a. Conversely, when neither cooling nor warming up the battery 69 is performed and the first heat medium is caused to bypass the equipment heat exchanger 34, the bypass switching valve 40 is switched to the bypass switching state by a control signal from the circuit control unit 80a.

[0071] The shutoff valve 42 is an electrically operated on-off valve, and the operation of the shutoff valve 42 is controlled by a control signal from a circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3). The shutoff valve 42 is provided in an on-off passage 43, and opens and closes the on-off passage 43. When the shutoff valve 42 is in an open state, the on-off passage 43 is opened, and when the shutoff valve 42 is in a closed state, the on-off passage 43 is closed.

[0072] For example, when the shutoff valve 42 closes the opening / closing passage 43, communication is blocked between the first connection port 33a of the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 and the heat medium inlet 204c of the second evaporator 204. Conversely, when the shutoff valve 42 opens the opening / closing passage 43, the first heat medium can flow between the first connection port 33a of the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 and the heat medium inlet 204c of the second evaporator 204.

[0073] In the first heat medium circuit 30, the flow path of the first heat medium (in other words, the flow path through which the first heat medium flows) is switched in response to the operation of the shutoff valve 42 and the switching valves 37, 38, 39, 40. That is, the shutoff valve 42 and the switching valves 37, 38, 39, 40 function as a flow path switching unit that switches the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30.

[0074] The second heat medium circuit 50 is a heat medium circuit in which a second heat medium circulates. The second heat medium may be the same as the first heat medium of the first heat medium circuit 30 or may be a different heat medium from the first heat medium, but in this embodiment, the same heat medium as the first heat medium of the first heat medium circuit 30 is used as the second heat medium.

[0075] The second heat medium circuit 50 includes a third pump 51, a second outside air heat exchanger 52, and piping connecting these.

[0076] In the second heat medium circuit 50, the discharge port 51a of the third pump 51 is connected to the heat medium inlet 109c of the first evaporator 109, and the heat medium outlet 109d of the first evaporator 109 is connected to the heat medium inlet 52a of the second outdoor air heat exchanger 52. In addition, the heat medium outlet 52b of the second outdoor air heat exchanger 52 is connected to the suction port 51b of the third pump 51. Therefore, in the second heat medium circuit 50, when the third pump 51 is operated, the second heat medium discharged from the discharge port 51a of the third pump 51 flows through the first evaporator 109 and the second outdoor air heat exchanger 52 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 51b of the third pump 51.

[0077] The third pump 51 is an electric pump that pumps the second heat medium, and the rotation speed of the third pump 51 is controlled according to a control signal output from a circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3). The higher the rotation speed of the third pump 51, the larger the discharge flow rate of the third pump 51. The third pump 51 has a discharge port 51a and a suction port 51b, and discharges the second heat medium drawn in from the suction port 51b from the discharge port 51a.

[0078] The second outside air heat exchanger 52 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second heat medium and the outside air, and has a heat medium inlet 52a and a heat medium outlet 52b. The second outside air heat exchanger 52 exchanges heat between the second heat medium that flows from the first evaporator 109 into the heat medium inlet 52a and the outside air, and flows the second heat medium that has absorbed heat from the outside air through the heat exchange from the heat medium outlet 52b to the suction port 51b of the third pump 51.

[0079] The second outside air heat exchanger 52 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle together with the first outside air heat exchanger 33 so that the second outside air heat exchanger 52 is exposed to outside air as a driving wind while the vehicle is running. Outside air is supplied to the second outside air heat exchanger 52 by the vehicle running or by the operation of a blower (not shown).

[0080] 2 is a device for adjusting the temperature of air to be blown into a vehicle interior space 68. For example, the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 60 is disposed inside the instrument panel at the front end of the vehicle interior space 68. The vehicle interior air conditioning unit 60 has a casing 61, an air conditioning evaporator 107, a heater core 35, a blower 62, and an air mix door 65.

[0081] The casing 61 is a passage forming portion that forms an air flow path for the blown air to be blown into the vehicle interior space 68, and constitutes the outer shell of the interior air-conditioning unit 60. An air-conditioning evaporator 107, a heater core 35, and the like are housed inside the casing 61. Although not shown, an inside / outside air box that adjusts the ratio of inside air and outside air introduced into the inside of the casing 61 is disposed on the air flow upstream side of the casing 61.

[0082] The blower 62 is an electric blower. The blower 62 has a centrifugal fan 621 and an electric motor 622 that rotates and drives the centrifugal fan 621. The centrifugal fan 621 is disposed inside the casing 61. The centrifugal fan 621 rotates to draw in air from the inside / outside air box and blow the drawn-in air toward the vehicle interior space 68. The rotation speed of the blower 62, specifically, the rotation speed of the electric motor 622 of the blower 62, is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 80 (see FIG. 3).

[0083] Inside the casing 61, the air conditioning evaporator 107 is disposed downstream of the air flow relative to the centrifugal fan 621 of the blower 62. A hot air flow path 63 and a cold air flow path 64 are formed in parallel downstream of the air flow relative to the air conditioning evaporator 107. The heater core 35 is disposed in the hot air flow path 63. The cold air flow path 64 is a flow path for causing the air that has passed through the air conditioning evaporator 107 to bypass the heater core 35.

[0084] Moreover, inside the casing 61, an air mix door 65 is disposed between the air conditioning evaporator 107 and the heater core 35. The air mix door 65 is a door device that opens and closes the hot air flow path 63 and the cold air flow path 64, and adjusts the ratio of the air volumes of the air passing through the hot air flow path 63 and the air passing through the cold air flow path 64. The operation of the air mix door 65 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 80 (see FIG. 3).

[0085] Further, inside the casing 61, an air mix space 66 is formed on the air flow downstream side of the hot air flow path 63 and the cold air flow path 64, for mixing the hot air that has passed through the hot air flow path 63 and the cold air that has passed through the cold air flow path 64. Although not shown, at the most downstream part of the air flow inside the casing 61, a plurality of openings are formed for blowing out the blown air adjusted to a desired temperature in the air mix space 66 into the vehicle interior space 68.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 80 is an electronic control device configured with a semiconductor memory as a non-transient tangible recording medium, a computer including a processor, and its peripheral circuits. The control device 80 executes a computer program stored in the semiconductor memory. By executing this computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is performed. That is, the control device 80 executes various control processes according to the computer program. The same applies to the circuit control unit 80a included in the control device 80.

[0087] For example, the control device 80 performs air conditioning such as heating, cooling, and dehumidifying heating of the vehicle interior space 68, and temperature control of the battery 69. The dehumidifying and heating of the vehicle interior space 68 is air conditioning in which the blown air flowing inside the casing 61 of the interior air conditioning unit 60 is dehumidified and then heated. In detail, the dehumidifying and heating of the vehicle interior space 68 is air conditioning in which the blown air is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point temperature by the air conditioning evaporator 107, heated to a desired temperature by the heater core 35, and blown into the vehicle interior space 68.

[0088] Various devices including the components of the refrigeration cycle device 9 are connected to the output side of the control device 80. Each device connected to the output side of the control device 80 is a control target device controlled by the control device 80. Specifically, the output side of the control device 80 is connected to the first compressor 101, the air conditioning expansion valve 106, the first expansion valve 108, the second compressor 201, the second expansion valve 203, the first to third pumps 31, 32, 51, the switching valves 37, 38, 39, 40, the shutoff valve 42, the blower 62, the air mix door 65, and the like.

[0089] A plurality of sensors and the like included in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 are connected to the input side of the control device 80. Specifically, an inside air temperature sensor, an outside air temperature sensor, a solar radiation sensor, a first temperature and pressure sensor 81d, a second temperature and pressure sensor 81e, a third temperature and pressure sensor 81f, a first temperature sensor 81g, a second temperature sensor 81h, a third temperature sensor 81i, and a fourth temperature sensor 81j are connected to the input side of the control device 80.

[0090] The first temperature and pressure sensor 81d detects the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant at the refrigerant outlet 107b of the air conditioning evaporator 107. Then, based on the detected temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant, the circuit control unit 80a adjusts, for example, the throttle opening of the air conditioning expansion valve 106.

[0091] In addition, the second temperature and pressure sensor 81e detects the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant at the refrigerant outlet 109b of the first evaporator 109. Then, based on the detected temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant, the circuit control unit 80a adjusts, for example, the throttle opening of the first expansion valve 108.

[0092] The third temperature and pressure sensor 81f detects the temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant at the refrigerant outlet 204b of the second evaporator 204. Then, based on the detected temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant, the circuit control unit 80a adjusts, for example, the throttle opening of the second expansion valve 203.

[0093] Further, the first temperature sensor 81g detects the temperature of the second refrigerant at the discharge port 201a of the second compressor 201, and the second temperature sensor 81h detects the temperature of the first heat medium at the heat medium inlet 35a of the heater core 35. Further, the third temperature sensor 81i detects the temperature of the second heat medium at the heat medium outlet 109d of the first evaporator 109, and the fourth temperature sensor 81j detects the temperature of the second heat medium at the heat medium outlet 52b of the second outside air heat exchanger 52.

[0094] In this way, various detection signals are input to the control device 80. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 9 and the interior air conditioning unit 60 can adjust the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle interior space 68 in response to the detection signals, thereby achieving comfortable air conditioning.

[0095] An operation panel 82 serving as an operating device used for various input operations by the occupant is connected to the input side of the control device 80. The operation panel 82 is disposed near the instrument panel, and has various operation switches operated by the occupant. Operation signals from the various operation switches included in the operation panel 82 are input to the control device 80.

[0096] The various operation switches on the operation panel 82 include an auto switch, an operation mode changeover switch, an air volume setting switch, a temperature setting switch, and a blowing mode changeover switch.

[0097] When cooling, heating, or dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68, the control device 80 operates the blower 62 to send air toward the vehicle interior space 68. When cooling the vehicle interior space 68, the control device 80 controls the air mix door 65 to a door position where the hot air flow path 63 in Fig. 2 is fully closed and the cold air flow path 64 is fully opened, for example. As a result, when cooling the vehicle interior space 68, the blown air flowing out from the air conditioning evaporator 107 flows into the vehicle interior space 68, bypassing the heater core 35.

[0098] On the other hand, when heating or dehumidifying heating of the vehicle interior space 68 is performed, the control device 80 controls the air mix door 65 to a door position where the hot air flow path 63 is fully opened and the cold air flow path 64 is fully closed, for example. As a result, when heating or dehumidifying heating of the vehicle interior space 68 is performed, the blown air flowing out from the air conditioning evaporator 107 passes through the heater core 35 and then flows into the vehicle interior space 68. In other words, in this case, the heater core 35 is disposed so as to heat the blown air flowing out from the air conditioning evaporator 107.

[0099] The refrigeration cycle device 9 is configured to be able to appropriately switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9. Specifically, the refrigeration cycle device 9 is configured to be able to execute, as its operation modes, a coordinated heating mode, a single heating mode, a cooling mode, an equipment cooling mode, an equipment warming-up heating mode, an equipment warming-up mode, an equipment cooling and heating mode, a first dehumidification heating mode, and a second dehumidification heating mode.

[0100] Although these multiple operation modes are basically implemented alternatively, the cooling mode and the equipment cooling mode can be implemented simultaneously. In the description of this embodiment, an operation mode in which both the cooling mode and the equipment cooling mode are implemented may be referred to as an equipment cooling / cooling mode.

[0101] For example, the operation modes of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 are switched by a circuit control unit 80a based on detection signals obtained from a plurality of sensors connected to the control device 80 and operation signals from an operation panel 82. Each operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 will be described below.

[0102] <Cooperative heating mode> 1 and 4, the cooperative heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is implemented when the vehicle interior space 68 is heated, and is an operation mode in which the blown air is heated by the operation of both the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201. In short, the cooperative heating mode is an operation mode in which the blown air is heated by using both the first and second refrigeration cycles 10 and 20.

[0103] The cooperative heating mode and a single heating mode described later are operation modes that are alternatively executed when heating is performed for the vehicle interior space 68. Switching between the cooperative heating mode and the single heating mode may be performed according to physical quantities detected by a plurality of sensors, or according to a manual operation of the operation panel 82 by an occupant.

[0104] In the cooperative heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled device so that the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium flow, respectively, as indicated by arrows A1a, A1b, A2, A3a, A3b, A4, A5 and thick solid lines in FIG. 4.

[0105] In addition, the multiple thick solid lines and thick dashed lines in Fig. 4 represent the flow paths of the circulating first refrigerant, second refrigerant, first heat medium, or second heat medium, respectively. This also applies to subsequent figures that correspond to Fig. 4.

[0106] Specifically, in the cooperative heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a sets the first switching valve 37 to the first switching state, the second switching valve 38 to the first switching state, the third switching valve 39 to the first switching state, the bypass switching valve 40 to the bypass switching state, and the shutoff valve 42 to the closed state. As a result, the circuit control unit 80a establishes, in the first heat medium circuit 30, a first circulation path 71 through which the first heat medium circulates between the first radiator 102 and the second evaporator 204, and a second circulation path 72 through which the first heat medium circulates between the second radiator 202 and the heater core 35. The first circulation path 71 and the second circulation path 72 are formed so that the flow of the first heat medium between them is prevented.

[0107] 4, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first pump 31, thereby circulating the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71. In detail, in the first circulation path 71, the first heat medium discharged from the discharge port 31a of the first pump 31 flows through the first switching valve 37, the subcooling section 104 of the first radiator 102, the condensing section 103 of the first radiator 102, the third switching valve 39, the bypass switching valve 40, and the second evaporator 204 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 31b of the first pump 31.

[0108] Therefore, in the coordinated heating mode, the heat released from the first refrigerant in the first radiator 102 is transferred to the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204 by the first heat medium circuit 30. That is, the destination of the heat released from the first radiator 102 via the first heat medium is the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204.

[0109] In the cooperative heating mode, as described above, the circuit control unit 80a basically sets the bypass switching valve 40 to the bypass switching state, but may also set the bypass switching valve 40 to the temperature control switching state. Therefore, in the cooperative heating mode, the first circulation path 71 may be a flow path that does not circulate the first heat medium to the equipment heat exchanger 34, or may be a flow path that circulates the first heat medium to the equipment heat exchanger 34. For example, when the battery 69 is hotter than the first heat medium flowing into the first port 40a of the bypass switching valve 40, the circuit control unit 80a sets the bypass switching valve 40 to the temperature control switching state. This allows the battery 69 to be cooled in the cooperative heating mode.

[0110] In addition, the circuit control unit 80a operates the second pump 32, thereby circulating the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72 as shown by the arrow A4 in Fig. 4. In detail, in the second circulation path 72, the first heat medium discharged from the discharge port 32a of the second pump 32 flows through the second radiator 202, the second switching valve 38, and the heater core 35 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 32b of the second pump 32.

[0111] 4. Furthermore, the circuit control section 80a actuates the third pump 51, thereby circulating the second heat medium through the second heat medium circuit 50 as indicated by the arrow A5 in FIG.

[0112] Further, the circuit control unit 80a fully closes the air conditioning expansion valve 106, while adjusting the throttle opening of the first expansion valve 108 so that the first expansion valve 108 exerts a pressure reducing effect. Then, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first compressor 101. As a result, the first refrigerant circulates in the first refrigeration cycle 10 as shown by the arrows A1a and A1b in FIG. 4. That is, the first refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 101a of the first compressor 101 flows through the condenser section 103 of the first radiator 102, the subcooling section 104 of the first radiator 102, the first expansion valve 108, and the first evaporator 109 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 101b of the first compressor 101.

[0113] At this time, since the second heat medium is circulating in the second heat medium circuit 50, in the first evaporator 109, as the first refrigerant evaporates, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air passing through the second outside air heat exchanger 52, via the second heat medium. Also, since the air conditioning expansion valve 106 is fully closed, the air conditioning evaporator 107 does not exchange heat between the first refrigerant and the blown air circulating inside the casing 61 of the indoor air conditioning unit 60 (see FIG. 2), and the air conditioning evaporator 107 does not cool the blown air.

[0114] In addition, the circuit control unit 80a adjusts the throttle opening of the second expansion valve 203 so that the second expansion valve 203 exerts a decompression effect, and operates the second compressor 201. As a result, in the second refrigeration cycle 20, the second refrigerant circulates as shown by the arrow A2 in Fig. 4. That is, the second refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 201a of the second compressor 201 flows through the second radiator 202, the second expansion valve 203, and the second evaporator 204 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 201b of the second compressor 201.

[0115] At this time, since the first heat medium is circulating in the second circulation path 72, the second radiator 202 radiates heat from the second refrigerant circulating within the second radiator 202, via the first heat medium, to the blown air passing through the heater core 35.

[0116] As described above, in the cooperative heating mode, the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium circulate, so that heat is absorbed from the outside air passing through the second outside air heat exchanger 52 to the second heat medium in the second heat medium circuit 50. The heat absorbed from the outside air to the second heat medium is transferred from the second heat medium to the first refrigerant in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71, the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20, and the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, in that order, and is released from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. This allows the air conditioner 8 to heat the blown air blown to the vehicle interior space 68, thereby heating the vehicle interior space 68.

[0117] <Single heating mode> Next, the independent heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5, the independent heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is implemented when the vehicle interior space 68 is heated, and is an operation mode in which the first compressor 101 is not operated and the blown air is heated by the operation of the second compressor 201. In short, the independent heating mode is an operation mode in which the blown air is heated by using the second refrigeration cycle 20 without using the first refrigeration cycle 10.

[0118] In the single heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled device so that the second refrigerant and the first heat medium flow as indicated by arrows A2, A4, A6a, A6b and thick solid lines in FIG. 5.

[0119] Specifically, in the single heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a sets the first switching valve 37 to the first switching state, the second switching valve 38 to the first switching state, the third switching valve 39 to the first switching state, the bypass switching valve 40 to the first port closed state, and the shutoff valve 42 to the open state. As a result, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the second circulation path 72 and the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 in which the first heat medium circulates between the second evaporator 204 and the first outside air heat exchanger 33 in the first heat medium circuit 30. The second circulation path 72 and the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 are formed so that the flow of the first heat medium between them is prevented.

[0120] 4 and 5, a part of the flow path of the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 in Fig. 5 overlaps with the first circulation path 71 in Fig. 4, so the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 is not established simultaneously with the first circulation path 71. That is, the first heat medium circuit 30 is configured so that the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 can be established in place of the first circulation path 71. Therefore, when the heating of the vehicle interior space 68 is performed, the first circulation path 71 and the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 are alternatively established in the first heat medium circuit 30.

[0121] 5, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first pump 31, thereby circulating the first heat medium in the outside air heat intake circulation path 75. In detail, in the outside air heat intake circulation path 75, the first heat medium discharged from the discharge port 31a of the first pump 31 flows through the first switching valve 37, the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the shutoff valve 42, and the second evaporator 204 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 31b of the first pump 31.

[0122] 5. Furthermore, the circuit control unit 80a actuates the second pump 32, thereby circulating the first heat medium through the second circulation path 72 as indicated by the arrow A4 in FIG.

[0123] In the single heating mode, as in the coordinated heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a operates the second expansion valve 203 and the second compressor 201. As a result, in the second refrigeration cycle 20, the second refrigerant circulates as shown by the arrow A2 in Fig. 5, and in the casing 61 of the indoor air conditioning unit 60 (see Fig. 2), the blown air passing through the heater core 35 is heated.

[0124] In the single heating mode, the first refrigeration cycle 10 is not used, and the first compressor 101 and the third pump 51 are stopped. Therefore, in the single heating mode, as in the coordinated heating mode, the air conditioning evaporator 107 does not exchange heat between the first refrigerant and the blown air circulating in the casing 61 of the indoor air conditioning unit 60, and the air conditioning evaporator 107 does not cool the blown air.

[0125] As described above, in the single heating mode, the second refrigerant and the first heat medium circulate, and heat is absorbed from the outside air passing through the first outside air heat exchanger 33 to the first heat medium in the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75. The heat absorbed from the outside air to the first heat medium is transferred in this order from the first heat medium to the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 and the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, and is released from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. In this way, the air conditioner 8 can heat the blown air blown into the vehicle interior space 68, thereby heating the vehicle interior space 68.

[0126] <Cooling mode> Next, a cooling mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, the cooling mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is implemented when cooling the vehicle interior space 68, and is an operation mode in which the blown air is cooled by operating the first compressor 101. This cooling mode and an equipment cooling mode, which will be described later, are operation modes that can be executed alternatively or both can be executed simultaneously.

[0127] In the cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled device so that the first refrigerant and the first heat medium flow as indicated by the arrows A7a, A7b, and A8 and the thick solid lines in FIG 6. Note that the arrows A2, A7a, A7b, A8, and A9 in FIG 6 indicate the flows of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and the first heat medium when the cooling mode and the equipment cooling mode are executed simultaneously (i.e., when the equipment cooling / cooling mode is executed).

[0128] Specifically, in the cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a sets the first switching valve 37 to the second switching state, the second switching valve 38 to the second switching state, the third switching valve 39 to the second switching state, the bypass switching valve 40 to the temperature adjustment switching state, and closes the shutoff valve 42. As a result, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the third circulation path 73 in the first heat medium circuit 30, in which the first heat medium flows through the first radiator 102, the second radiator 202, and the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33 in order.

[0129] The third circulation path 73 is formed so as to prevent the flow of the first heat medium between the heater core 35 and the third circulation path 73. Therefore, heat is not dissipated from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. Note that, at the same time as the establishment of the third circulation path 73, a fourth circulation path 74 (described later) is also established in the first heat medium circuit 30. However, in the cooling mode, it is not necessary to circulate the first heat medium through the fourth circulation path 74.

[0130] 4, 5, and 6, the third circulation path 73 and the fourth circulation path 74 in Fig. 6 cannot be established simultaneously with the first and second circulation paths 71 and 72 in Fig. 4 and the outdoor air heat absorption circulation path 75 in Fig. 5. In other words, the first heat medium circuit 30 is configured such that the third circulation path 73 and the fourth circulation path 74 can be established in place of the first and second circulation paths 71 and 72 and the outdoor air heat absorption circulation path 75.

[0131] In addition, the circuit control unit 80a operates the second pump 32, thereby circulating the first heat medium in the third circulation path 73 as shown by the arrow A8 in Fig. 6. In detail, in the third circulation path 73, the first heat medium discharged from the discharge port 32a of the second pump 32 flows in this order through the second radiator 202, the second switching valve 38, the first outdoor air heat exchanger 33, the subcooling section 104 of the first radiator 102, the condensing section 103 of the first radiator 102, and the third switching valve 39, and is then sucked into the suction port 32b of the second pump 32.

[0132] Therefore, in the cooling mode, the destination of heat dissipated from the first radiator 102 via the first heat medium is the outside air passing through the first outside air heat exchanger 33. That is, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 6, the first heat medium circuit 30 switches the destination of heat dissipated from the first radiator 102 to either the outside air passing through the first outside air heat exchanger 33 or the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204.

[0133] In the cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a fully closes the first expansion valve 108, while adjusting the throttle opening of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 so that the air conditioning expansion valve 106 exerts a pressure reducing effect. Then, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first compressor 101. As a result, the first refrigerant circulates in the first refrigeration cycle 10 as shown by the arrows A7a and A7b in FIG. 6. That is, the first refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 101a of the first compressor 101 flows through the condenser section 103 of the first radiator 102, the subcooling section 104 of the first radiator 102, the air conditioning expansion valve 106, and the air conditioning evaporator 107 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 101b of the first compressor 101.

[0134] At this time, the air conditioning evaporator 107 cools the blown air passing through the air conditioning evaporator 107 in the casing 61 of the indoor air conditioning unit 60 (see FIG. 2) as the first refrigerant evaporates. In addition, since the first expansion valve 108 is fully closed, no heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second heat medium occurs in the first evaporator 109. In addition, in the cooling mode, it is not necessary to operate the first pump 31, the third pump 51, and the second compressor 201.

[0135] As described above, in the cooling mode, the first refrigerant and the first heat medium circulate, and heat is absorbed from the blown air passing through the air-conditioning evaporator 107 to the first refrigerant of the first refrigeration cycle 10. Then, the heat absorbed from the blown air to the first refrigerant is transferred from the first refrigerant to the first heat medium in the third circulation path 73, and is released from the first heat medium to the outside air in the first outside-air heat exchanger 33. In this way, the air conditioner 8 can cool the blown air blown into the vehicle interior space 68, thereby cooling the vehicle interior space 68.

[0136] <Equipment cooling mode> Next, a description will be given of the equipment cooling mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, the equipment cooling mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is an operation mode in which the battery 69 is cooled by operating the second compressor 201. The circuit control unit 80a selects this equipment cooling mode when cooling the battery 69, for example, when the vehicle interior space 68 is not being heated.

[0137] In the equipment cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled equipment so that the second refrigerant and the first heat medium flow as indicated by arrows A2, A8, A9 and thick solid lines in FIG.

[0138] Specifically, in the equipment cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a sets the switching valves 37, 38, 39, 40 and the shutoff valve 42 to the same switching state as in the cooling mode. As a result, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the third circulation path 73 and the fourth circulation path 74, through which the first heat medium circulates between the second evaporator 204 and the equipment heat exchanger 34, in the first heat medium circuit 30. The fourth circulation path 74 is formed so that the flow of the first heat medium between the heater core 35 and the third circulation path 73 is blocked.

[0139] 5, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first pump 31 to circulate the first heat medium through the fourth circulation path 74. In detail, in the fourth circulation path 74, the first heat medium discharged from the discharge port 31a of the first pump 31 flows through the first switching valve 37, the bypass switching valve 40, the equipment heat exchanger 34, and the second evaporator 204 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 31b of the first pump 31.

[0140] 6. Furthermore, the circuit control unit 80a actuates the second pump 32, thereby circulating the first heat medium through the third circulation path 73 as indicated by the arrow A8 in FIG.

[0141] In the equipment cooling mode, similarly to the coordinated heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a operates the second expansion valve 203 and the second compressor 201. As a result, the second refrigerant circulates in the second refrigeration cycle 20 as shown by the arrow A2 in Fig. 6. In the equipment cooling mode, it is not necessary to operate the third pump 51 and the first compressor 101.

[0142] As described above, in the equipment cooling mode, the second refrigerant and the first heat medium circulate, and heat is absorbed from the battery 69 to the first heat medium in the fourth circulation path 74 in the equipment heat exchanger 34. The heat absorbed from the battery 69 to the first heat medium is then transferred from the first heat medium to the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 and the first heat medium in the third circulation path 73, in that order, and is released from the first heat medium to the outside air in the first outside air heat exchanger 33. This allows the refrigeration cycle device 9 to cool the battery 69.

[0143] When the equipment cooling mode and the air-conditioning mode are performed simultaneously (i.e., when the equipment cooling air-conditioning mode is performed), the first heat medium in the third circulation path 73 absorbs heat from the first refrigerant in the first radiator 102, and absorbs heat from the second refrigerant in the second radiator 202. Then, the heat from the first refrigerant and the heat from the second refrigerant are released from the first heat medium to the outside air in the first outside-air heat exchanger 33.

[0144] <Equipment warm-up heating mode> Next, a description will be given of the equipment warm-up heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 7, the equipment warm-up heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is an operation mode in which the battery 69 is warmed up while the vehicle interior space 68 is being heated. That is, the circuit control unit 80a selects this equipment warm-up heating mode when warming up the battery 69 while the vehicle interior space 68 is being heated.

[0145] In the equipment warm-up heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled equipment so that the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium flow, respectively, as indicated by arrows A1a, A1b, A2, A3c, A3d, A4, A5 and thick solid lines in FIG. 7.

[0146] Specifically, in the equipment warm-up heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a sets the switching states of the first to third switching valves 37, 38, 39 and the shutoff valve 42 to the same as in the coordinated heating mode. Then, the circuit control unit 80a sets the bypass switching valve 40 to the above-mentioned temperature adjustment switching state. As a result, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the first circulation path 71a and the second circulation path 72 in the first heat medium circuit 30.

[0147] However, in the equipment warm-up heating mode, the bypass switching valve 40 is always in the temperature adjustment switching state, so the first circulation path 71a in the equipment warm-up heating mode is a flow path that always allows the first heat medium to flow to the equipment heat exchanger 34, unlike the first circulation path 71 (see FIG. 4) in the cooperative heating mode. Except for this point, the first circulation path 71a in the equipment warm-up heating mode is similar to the first circulation path 71 in the cooperative heating mode. Therefore, in the equipment warm-up heating mode, the first circulation path 71a becomes a circulation path through which the first heat medium flows in order from the first radiator 102 to the equipment heat exchanger 34 and the second evaporator 204.

[0148] In addition, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first pump 31, thereby circulating the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71a as shown by arrows A3c and A3d in Fig. 7. In detail, in the first circulation path 71a, the first heat medium discharged from the discharge port 31a of the first pump 31 flows through the first switching valve 37, the subcooling section 104 of the first radiator 102, the condensing section 103 of the first radiator 102, the third switching valve 39, the bypass switching valve 40, the equipment heat exchanger 34, and the second evaporator 204 in this order, and is then sucked into the suction port 31b of the first pump 31.

[0149] Furthermore, the circuit control unit 80a operates the second pump 32, the third pump 51, the air conditioning expansion valve 106, the first expansion valve 108, the first compressor 101, the second expansion valve 203, and the second compressor 201 in the same manner as in the cooperative heating mode. As a result, the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, the second heat medium in the second heat medium circuit 50, the first refrigerant in the first refrigeration cycle 10, and the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 circulate in the same manner as in the cooperative heating mode.

[0150] At this time, for example, the circuit control unit 80a adjusts the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 so that the temperature of the first heat medium flowing into the heat medium inlet 34a of the equipment heat exchanger 34 becomes a temperature suitable for warming up the battery 69. At the same time, the circuit control unit 80a adjusts the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 so that the temperature of the first heat medium flowing into the heat medium inlet 35a of the heater core 35 becomes a temperature suitable for heating.

[0151] As described above, in the equipment warm-up heating mode, the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium circulate, and heat is absorbed from the outside air passing through the second outside air heat exchanger 52 to the second heat medium of the second heat medium circuit 50. The heat absorbed from the outside air to the second heat medium is transferred from the second heat medium to the first refrigerant of the first refrigeration cycle 10 and the first heat medium of the first circulation path 71a in this order, and is released from the first heat medium to the battery 69 in the equipment heat exchanger 34. At the same time, the heat transferred to the first heat medium of the first circulation path 71a is transferred from the second evaporator 204 to the second refrigerant of the second refrigeration cycle 20 and the first heat medium of the second circulation path 72 in this order, and is released from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. This allows the air conditioner 8 to heat the air blown into the vehicle interior space 68, thereby heating the vehicle interior space 68, and to warm up the battery 69 at the same time.

[0152] <Device warm-up mode> Next, a description will be given of the equipment warm-up mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, the equipment warm-up mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is an operation mode in which the battery 69 is warmed up when the vehicle interior space 68 is not being heated.

[0153] In the equipment warm-up mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled equipment so that the first refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium flow, respectively, as indicated by arrows A1a, A1b, A3c, A3d, A5 and thick solid lines in FIG. 8.

[0154] Specifically, in the equipment warm-up mode, the circuit control unit 80a stops the second pump 32 and the second compressor 201. Furthermore, the circuit control unit 80a does not control the throttle opening of the second expansion valve 203. Except for this, the operation of each controlled device in the equipment warm-up mode is the same as that in the equipment warm-up heating mode.

[0155] Therefore, in the equipment warm-up mode, the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71a, the second heat medium in the second heat medium circuit 50, and the first refrigerant in the first refrigeration cycle 10 circulate in the same manner as in the equipment warm-up heating mode. Unlike in the equipment warm-up heating mode, the second refrigerant does not circulate in the second refrigeration cycle 20, and the first heat medium does not flow through the heater core 35.

[0156] As described above, in the equipment warm-up mode, the first refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium circulate, and as in the equipment warm-up heating mode, heat is absorbed from the outside air passing through the second outside air heat exchanger 52 to the second heat medium in the second heat medium circuit 50. Then, the heat absorbed from the outside air to the second heat medium is released to the battery 69, as in the equipment warm-up heating mode. This allows the air conditioner 8 to warm up the battery 69.

[0157] <Equipment cooling and heating mode> Next, a description will be given of the equipment cooling / heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 9, the equipment cooling / heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is an operation mode in which the battery 69 is cooled while the vehicle interior space 68 is heated.

[0158] In the equipment cooling / heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a (see FIG. 3) controls each controlled equipment so that the second refrigerant and the first heat medium flow as indicated by arrows A2, A4, A9 and thick solid lines in FIG.

[0159] Specifically, in the equipment cooling / heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a sets the first switching valve 37 to the second switching state, the second switching valve 38 to the first switching state, the third switching valve 39 to the first switching state, the bypass switching valve 40 to the temperature adjustment switching state, and closes the shutoff valve 42. As a result, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the second circulation path 72 and the fourth circulation path 74 in the first heat medium circuit 30.

[0160] Then, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first pump 31, whereby the first heat medium is circulated in the fourth circulation path 74 in the same manner as in the equipment cooling mode, as shown by the arrow A9 in Fig. 9. The circuit control unit 80a also operates the second pump 32, whereby the first heat medium is circulated in the second circulation path 72 in the same manner as in the coordinated heating mode, as shown by the arrow A4 in Fig. 9. The circuit control unit 80a also operates the second compressor 201 and the second expansion valve 203, whereby the second refrigerant is circulated in the second refrigeration cycle 20 in the same manner as in the coordinated heating mode, as shown by the arrow A2 in Fig. 9.

[0161] As described above, in the equipment cooling / heating mode, the second refrigerant and the first heat medium circulate, and heat is absorbed from the battery 69 to the first heat medium in the equipment heat exchanger 34. The heat absorbed from the battery 69 to the first heat medium is transferred in this order from the first heat medium to the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 and the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, and is released from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. In this way, the air conditioner 8 can heat the blown air blown into the vehicle interior space 68, thereby heating the vehicle interior space 68, and cool the battery 69.

[0162] <First dehumidification heating mode> Next, a first dehumidification and heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 10, the first dehumidification and heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is an operation mode that is performed when dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68 with heat absorption from the outside air. That is, the refrigeration cycle device 9 operated in the first dehumidification and heating mode absorbs heat from the outside air in the second outside air heat exchanger 52, cools the blown air in the air conditioning evaporator 107 to condense water vapor in the blown air, and simultaneously heats the cooled blown air in the heater core 35.

[0163] In the first dehumidification heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a controls each controlled device so that the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium flow, respectively, as indicated by arrows A2, A3a, A3b, A4, A5, A7a, A7b, A7c and thick solid lines in Figure 10.

[0164] Specifically, in the first dehumidification heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a does not fully close the air conditioning expansion valve 106, but adjusts the throttle opening of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 so that the air conditioning expansion valve 106 exerts a pressure reducing effect. Except for this, the operation of each controlled device in the first dehumidification heating mode is the same as in the cooperative heating mode.

[0165] Therefore, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the first circulation path 71 and the second circulation path 72 in the first heat medium circuit 30. The first heat medium in the first circulation path 71, the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, the second heat medium in the second heat medium circuit 50, and the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 each circulate in the same manner as in the coordinated heating mode.

[0166] However, in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the first refrigerant flowing out from the first radiator 102 flows through the air conditioning expansion valve 106 to the air conditioning evaporator 107 as shown by an arrow A7b, and also flows through the first expansion valve 108 to the first evaporator 109 as shown by an arrow A7c. Then, the first refrigerant flowing out from the air conditioning evaporator 107 and the first evaporator 109 are both sucked into the suction port 101b of the first compressor 101.

[0167] As described above, in the first dehumidification heating mode, the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, the first heat medium, and the second heat medium circulate, so that the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air through the second heat medium in the first evaporator 109, and the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the blown air in the air-conditioning evaporator 107. The heat absorbed from the outside air and the blown air to the first refrigerant is transferred from the first radiator 102 to the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71, the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20, and the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, in that order, and is released from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 9 can absorb heat from the outside air in the second outside air heat exchanger 52, cool the blown air in the air-conditioning evaporator 107, and heat the cooled blown air in the heater core 35.

[0168] In the first dehumidification heating mode, similarly to the coordinated heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a basically sets the bypass switching valve 40 to the bypass switching state, but there are also cases where the bypass switching valve 40 is set to the temperature adjustment switching state. <Second dehumidification heating mode> Next, the second dehumidification and heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 11, the second dehumidification and heating mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 is an operation mode that is performed when dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68 without absorbing heat from the outside air. Therefore, in the second dehumidification and heating mode, as in the first dehumidification and heating mode, the refrigeration cycle device 9 condenses water vapor in the blown air by cooling the blown air with the air conditioning evaporator 107, and at the same time, heats the cooled blown air with the heater core 35. However, in the second dehumidification and heating mode, the refrigeration cycle device 9 does not exchange heat between the outside air and the second heat medium with the second outside air heat exchanger 52.

[0169] In the second dehumidification heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a controls each controlled device so that the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and the first heat medium flow, respectively, as indicated by arrows A2, A3a, A3b, A4, A7a, A7b and thick solid lines in Figure 11.

[0170] Specifically, in the second dehumidification heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a fully closes the first expansion valve 108, while adjusting the throttle opening of the air conditioning expansion valve 106 so that the air conditioning expansion valve 106 exerts a pressure reducing effect. Then, the circuit control unit 80a stops the third pump 51. Except for this, the operation of each controlled device in the second dehumidification heating mode is the same as in the first dehumidification heating mode.

[0171] Therefore, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the first circulation path 71 and the second circulation path 72 in the first heat medium circuit 30. The first heat medium in the first circulation path 71, the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, and the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 each circulate in the same manner as in the first dehumidification heating mode.

[0172] However, in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the first refrigerant flowing out from the first radiator 102 passes through the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and flows to the air conditioning evaporator 107 as shown by the arrow A7b, but does not flow to the first evaporator 109. Therefore, heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second heat medium does not occur in the first evaporator 109. Furthermore, the second heat medium does not circulate in the second heat medium circuit 50.

[0173] As described above, in the second dehumidifying and heating mode, the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and the first heat medium circulate, and thus heat is absorbed from the blown air to the first refrigerant in the air-conditioning evaporator 107. The heat absorbed from the blown air to the first refrigerant is transferred from the first radiator 102 to the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71, the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20, and the first heat medium in the second circulation path 72, in that order, and is released from the first heat medium to the blown air in the heater core 35. In this way, the refrigeration cycle device 9 can cool the blown air in the air-conditioning evaporator 107 and heat the cooled blown air in the heater core 35.

[0174] In the second dehumidification and heating mode, similarly to the first dehumidification and heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a basically sets the bypass switching valve 40 to the bypass switching state, but there are also cases where the bypass switching valve 40 is set to the temperature control switching state.

[0175] The operation modes of the refrigeration cycle device 9 have been described above.

[0176] Depending on the operation mode selected from the above-mentioned plurality of operation modes, both the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 may be in operation. When the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 while both are in operation, the circuit control unit 80a increases one of the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 before the other. In short, when the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201, the circuit control unit 80a shifts the timing of increasing the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 from the timing of increasing the rotation speed of the second compressor 201.

[0177] For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the circuit control unit 80a determines which of the first and second compressors 101 and 201 should have its rotation speed increased first, depending on the situation when increasing the rotation speed of the first and second compressors 101 and 201. The word "priority" in Fig. 12 indicates which of the first and second compressors 101 and 201 should have its rotation speed increased first.

[0178] Specifically, in the cooperative heating mode shown in FIG. 4, both the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 are in operation as described above. In the cooperative heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a selects the first rotation speed increase pattern when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101 and 201 are increased to improve the heating efficiency. The first rotation speed increase pattern is a rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 is increased before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201. The circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 in the selected first rotation speed increase pattern. For example, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 13.

[0179] This improves the heating efficiency compared to the case where the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 are increased in a second rotation speed increase pattern described later. When the heating efficiency is expressed as Rh, the heating efficiency Rh can be calculated, for example, based on the amount of heat per unit time Wh supplied to the blown air by the heater core 35 and the total power consumption Wc of the first and second compressors 101, 201, using the formula "Rh=Wh / Wc".

[0180] On the other hand, in the cooperative heating mode, when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101 and 201 are increased to improve the heating performance, the circuit control unit 80a selects the second rotation speed increase pattern. The second rotation speed increase pattern is a rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 is increased before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101. Then, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 using the selected second rotation speed increase pattern. For example, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 14.

[0181] This improves the heating performance compared to the case where the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 are increased in the first rotation speed increase pattern. The heating performance can be expressed, for example, by the amount of heat (Wh) per unit time supplied to the blown air by the heater core 35.

[0182] For example, suppose that a predetermined switch is provided on the operation panel 82, which is turned ON by an occupant when the occupant requests an early increase in the temperature of the vehicle interior space 68 during heating. In this case, when the predetermined switch is turned ON during heating, it is considered that there is a high need to improve the heating performance. On the other hand, when the predetermined switch is turned OFF during heating, it is better to operate the refrigeration cycle device 9 so as to improve the heating efficiency rather than the heating performance.

[0183] Therefore, in the cooperative heating mode, when the predetermined switch provided on the operation panel 82 is OFF, the circuit control unit 80a determines that it is the above-mentioned "case of improving heating efficiency". Therefore, in the cooperative heating mode, if the predetermined switch is OFF when increasing the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201, the circuit control unit 80a selects the first rotation speed increase pattern.

[0184] On the other hand, in the cooperative heating mode, when the predetermined switch provided on the operation panel 82 is ON, the circuit control unit 80a determines that it is the above-mentioned "case of improving heating performance". Therefore, in the cooperative heating mode, if the predetermined switch is ON when increasing the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201, the circuit control unit 80a selects the second rotation speed increase pattern. In this way, when increasing the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 in the cooperative heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a switches between the first and second compressors 101, 201, the compressor whose rotation speed is to be increased first, in response to the operation of the occupant.

[0185] In addition, during the equipment cooling air-conditioning mode shown in FIG. 6, as described above, both the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 are in operation, and the vehicle interior space 68 and the battery 69 are cooled simultaneously.

[0186] In the equipment cooling / air-cooling mode, when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are to be increased and improvement of air-cooling performance is to be prioritized over battery cooling performance, the circuit control unit 80a selects the first rotation speed increase pattern. Then, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 using the selected first rotation speed increase pattern. For example, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201, as shown in the time chart of FIG.

[0187] On the other hand, in the equipment cooling air-conditioning mode, when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are to be increased and improvement of battery cooling performance is to be prioritized over air-conditioning performance, the circuit control unit 80a selects the second rotation speed increase pattern. Then, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 using the selected second rotation speed increase pattern. For example, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101, as shown in the time chart of FIG.

[0188] The cooling performance can be represented, for example, by the amount of heat per unit time that the first refrigerant absorbs from the blown air in the air-conditioning evaporator 107. The battery cooling performance can be represented, for example, by the amount of heat per unit time that the first heat medium absorbs from the battery 69 in the equipment heat exchanger 34.

[0189] Here, in the equipment cooling air-conditioning mode, since the first compressor 101 operates solely for air-conditioning as shown in Fig. 6, it is considered that the greater the load on the first compressor 101, the greater the need to improve the air-conditioning performance. Also, since the second compressor 201 operates solely for cooling the battery 69, it is considered that the greater the load on the second compressor 201, the greater the need to improve the battery cooling performance.

[0190] Therefore, in the equipment cooling / air-cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a determines that this is the above-mentioned "case where improvement of air-cooling performance is prioritized over battery cooling performance" when, for example, the load on the first compressor 101 is larger than the load on the second compressor 201. Therefore, in the equipment cooling / air-cooling mode, when increasing the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201, if the load on the first compressor 101 is larger than the load on the second compressor 201, the circuit control unit 80a selects the first rotation speed increase pattern.

[0191] In contrast, in the equipment cooling / air-cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a determines that this is the above-mentioned "case where improvement of battery cooling performance is prioritized over air-cooling performance" when, for example, the load on the second compressor 201 is larger than the load on the first compressor 101. Therefore, in the equipment cooling / air-cooling mode, when increasing the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201, if the load on the second compressor 201 is larger than the load on the first compressor 101, the circuit control unit 80a selects the second rotation speed increase pattern.

[0192] It should be noted that the greater the load on the first compressor 101, the greater the power consumption of the first compressor 101, and the same holds true for the relationship between the load and power consumption of the second compressor 201. For this reason, the circuit control unit 80a adopts the power consumption of the first compressor 101 as an index value indicating the load on the first compressor 101, and adopts the power consumption of the second compressor 201 as an index value indicating the load on the second compressor 201. The circuit control unit 80a then compares the power consumption of the first compressor 101 with the power consumption of the second compressor 201 to determine which is larger, the load on the first compressor 101 or the load on the second compressor 201.

[0193] Also, in the first dehumidification heating mode shown in FIG. 10 or the second dehumidification heating mode shown in FIG. 11, both the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 are in operation as described above.

[0194] When increasing the rotation speed of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 in the first dehumidification heating mode or the second dehumidification heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor 101, for example, as shown in Fig. 14. That is, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a selects the second rotation speed increase pattern, and increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 according to the selected second rotation speed increase pattern.

[0195] As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the first refrigeration cycle 10 in which the first refrigerant circulates includes the first compressor 101, the first radiator 102, the air conditioning expansion valve 106, the air conditioning evaporator 107, the first expansion valve 108, and the first evaporator 109. In the air conditioning evaporator 107, for example, in a cooling mode, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blown into the vehicle interior space 68 as the first refrigerant evaporates. In the first evaporator 109, for example, in a coordinated heating mode, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air as the first refrigerant evaporates. In addition, the second refrigeration cycle 20 in which the second refrigerant circulates includes the second compressor 201, the second radiator 202, the second expansion valve 203, and the second evaporator 204. For example, in the cooperative heating mode, the second radiator 202 radiates heat from the second refrigerant in the second radiator 202 to the blown air via the first heat medium. Furthermore, the first heat medium circuit 30 switches the destination of the heat radiated from the first radiator 102 to the outside air passing through the first outside air heat exchanger 33 or the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204. For example, the destination of the heat radiated from the first radiator 102 is switched to the outside air passing through the first outside air heat exchanger 33 in the cooling mode, and is switched to the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204 in the cooperative heating mode.

[0196] Therefore, the first refrigeration cycle 10 and the second refrigeration cycle 20 can be configured to share roles, for example, so that the first refrigeration cycle 10 is configured for the purpose of cooling the vehicle interior space 68 and the second refrigeration cycle 20 is configured for the purpose of heating the vehicle interior space 68.

[0197] In the cooperative heating mode, as shown in the Mollier diagram of Fig. 15, the temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant on the low temperature side of the second refrigeration cycle 20 are raised by the first refrigeration cycle 10. Therefore, by cooperating the first and second refrigeration cycles 10, 20, it is possible to obtain a sufficient amount of heat radiation from the second refrigerant in the second radiator 202 and to improve the heating efficiency compared to, for example, a case in which the refrigeration cycle device 9 has only a single refrigeration cycle. As a result, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle device 9 both when cooling and heating the vehicle interior space 68.

[0198] 15 indicates heat exchange via the first heat medium between the first refrigerant in the condenser section 103 of the first radiator 102 and the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204. Also, arrow B2 indicates heat exchange via the first heat medium between the first refrigerant in the subcooling section 104 of the first radiator 102 and the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204.

[0199] According to the present embodiment, the first refrigeration cycle 10 in which the first refrigerant circulates includes a first compressor 101, a first radiator 102, a first expansion valve 108, and a first evaporator 109. In the first evaporator 109, for example, in a coordinated heating mode, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air as the first refrigerant evaporates. The second refrigeration cycle 20 in which the second refrigerant circulates includes a second compressor 201, a second radiator 202, a second expansion valve 203, and a second evaporator 204. The first heat medium circuit 30 transfers heat released from the first refrigerant in the first radiator 102 to the second refrigerant in the second evaporator 204 in a coordinated heating mode, for example.

[0200] Therefore, for example, in the coordinated heating mode, as described above, the temperature and pressure of the second refrigerant on the low-temperature side of the second refrigeration cycle 20 are raised by the first refrigeration cycle 10. Therefore, by cooperating the first and second refrigeration cycles 10, 20, it is possible to obtain a sufficient amount of heat radiation from the second refrigerant in the second radiator 202 and to achieve a higher efficiency of the refrigeration cycle device 9 compared to, for example, a case in which the refrigeration cycle device 9 has only a single refrigeration cycle.

[0201] (1) According to the present embodiment, when the vehicle interior space 68 is heated, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, a cooperative heating mode. In the cooperative heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes, in the first heat medium circuit 30, a first circulation path 71 through which the first heat medium circulates between the first radiator 102 and the second evaporator 204, and a second circulation path 72 through which the first heat medium circulates between the second radiator 202 and the heater core 35. In the first refrigeration cycle 10, the circuit control unit 80a causes the first refrigerant to flow from the first radiator 102 to the first expansion valve 108 and the first evaporator 109.

[0202] On the other hand, when cooling of the vehicle interior space 68 is performed, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to a cooling mode, for example. In the cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the third circulation path 73 in the first heat medium circuit 30, through which the first heat medium circulates between the first radiator 102 and the first outside air heat exchanger 33. Then, in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the circuit control unit 80a causes the first refrigerant to flow from the first radiator 102 to the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the air conditioning evaporator 107.

[0203] Therefore, by switching the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, it is possible to switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 between a coordinated heating mode for heating the vehicle interior space 68 and a cooling mode for cooling the vehicle interior space 68. Also, the first refrigeration cycle 10 can be used in either the coordinated heating mode or the cooling mode. Furthermore, when the vehicle interior space 68 is heated, the first refrigeration cycle 10 can be used to improve the heating efficiency, as described above using the Mollier diagram in Fig. 15.

[0204] (2) According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the battery 69 is cooled when the vehicle interior space 68 is not heated, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, an equipment cooling mode. In the equipment cooling mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the third circulation path 73 and the fourth circulation path 74 in the first heat medium circuit 30, in which the flow of the first heat medium is blocked through the third circulation path 73 and the first heat medium is circulated between the second evaporator 204 and the equipment heat exchanger 34. In detail, the third circulation path 73 is a circulation path in which the first heat medium flows in order through the first radiator 102, the second radiator 202, and the first outside air heat exchanger 33. The circuit control unit 80a circulates the first heat medium through each of the third circulation path 73 and the fourth circulation path 74 and operates the second compressor 201.

[0205] Therefore, by switching off the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, it is possible to switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 to an equipment cooling mode for cooling the battery 69. The circuit control unit 80a can also simultaneously carry out the equipment cooling mode and the air conditioning mode.

[0206] (3) According to the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, when warming up the battery 69, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, an equipment warm-up heating mode or an equipment warm-up mode. In the equipment warm-up heating mode or the equipment warm-up mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the first circulation path 71a in the first heat medium circuit 30. In detail, the first circulation path 71a is a circulation path in which the first heat medium flows in order from the first radiator 102 to the equipment heat exchanger 34 and the second evaporator 204. The circuit control unit 80a circulates the first heat medium in the first circulation path 71a and operates the first compressor 101, and in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the first refrigerant flows from the first radiator 102 to the first expansion valve 108 and the first evaporator 109.

[0207] Therefore, by switching off the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, it is possible to switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to an equipment warm-up heating mode for warming up the battery 69 or an equipment warm-up mode. The circuit control unit 80a can warm up the battery 69 while the vehicle interior space 68 is being heated, and can also warm up the battery 69 when the vehicle interior space 68 is not being heated.

[0208] (4) According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, when the battery 69 is warmed up during heating of the vehicle interior space 68, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, an equipment warm-up heating mode. In the equipment warm-up heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the first circulation path 71a and the second circulation path 72 in the first heat medium circuit 30, and circulates the first heat medium through each of the first circulation path 71a and the second circulation path 72. Then, the circuit control unit 80a operates the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201, and in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the first refrigerant is circulated from the first radiator 102 to the first expansion valve 108 and the first evaporator 109.

[0209] Therefore, by switching off the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, it is possible to switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to an equipment warm-up heating mode in which the battery 69 is warmed up while the vehicle interior space 68 is heated.

[0210] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, when cooling the battery 69 during heating of the vehicle interior space 68, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, an equipment cooling / heating mode. In the equipment cooling / heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the second circulation path 72 and the fourth circulation path 74 in the first heat medium circuit 30. Then, the circuit control unit 80a circulates the first heat medium through each of the second circulation path 72 and the fourth circulation path 74, and operates the second compressor 201.

[0211] Therefore, by switching off the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, it is possible to switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to an equipment cooling / heating mode in which the battery 69 is cooled while the vehicle interior space 68 is heated.

[0212] (6) According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first heat medium circuit 30 is configured such that the flow of the first heat medium through the second circulation path 72 is prevented and an outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 is established between the second evaporator 204 and the first outside air heat exchanger 33, through which the first heat medium circulates. When the vehicle interior space 68 is heated, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, a coordinated heating mode or a single heating mode. In the single heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the second circulation path 72 and the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75 in the first heat medium circuit 30. The circuit control unit 80a circulates the first heat medium through each of the second circulation path 72 and the outside air heat absorption circulation path 75, and operates the second compressor 201.

[0213] Therefore, when the heating of the vehicle interior space 68 is performed, the circuit control unit 80a can select not only the cooperative heating mode but also the independent heating mode instead of the cooperative heating mode as the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9. In the independent heating mode, the blown air can be heated by operating the second compressor 201 without operating the first compressor 101.

[0214] (7) According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68, the heater core 35 is disposed in the casing 61 of the interior air conditioning unit 60 so as to heat the blown air flowing out from the air conditioning evaporator 107. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68, the circuit control unit 80a sets the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to, for example, the first dehumidifying and heating mode or the second dehumidifying and heating mode. In the first dehumidifying and heating mode or the second dehumidifying and heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a establishes the first circulation path 71 and the second circulation path 72 as the first heat medium circuit 30. Then, the circuit control unit 80a circulates the first heat medium through each of the first circulation path 71 and the second circulation path 72, and operates the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201. At the same time, in the first refrigeration cycle 10, the circuit control unit 80a causes the first refrigerant to flow from the first radiator 102 to the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the air conditioning evaporator 107.

[0215] Therefore, by switching the flow path of the first heat medium in the first heat medium circuit 30, it is possible to switch the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle device 9 to a first dehumidification heating mode or a second dehumidification heating mode for dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68. Moreover, by switching between the first dehumidification heating mode and the second dehumidification heating mode during dehumidification and heating, it is possible to switch between the presence and absence of heat absorption from the outside air.

[0216] (8) According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 14, when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are to be increased while both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are in operation, the circuit control unit 80a controls the first and second compressors 101, 201 as follows. That is, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a increases one of the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 and the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 before the other.

[0217] By controlling the rotation speed in this manner, it is possible to suppress deterioration of noise or vibration that may occur due to the operation of the first and second compressors 101, 201, for example, deterioration of noise or vibration that may occur due to the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 and the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 being close to each other.

[0218] Here, as shown in Fig. 15, the enthalpy difference between the saturated liquid line SL and the saturated vapor line SG of the first and second refrigerants increases toward the lower pressure side. When both the first and second refrigeration cycles 10 and 20 are operated, such as in a coordinated heating mode, the first refrigeration cycle 10, which absorbs heat from the outside air, is operated at a lower pressure side than the second refrigeration cycle 20. Therefore, in both cases of comparing the heat dissipation sides of the first and second refrigeration cycles 10 and 20 and comparing the heat absorption sides of the first and second refrigeration cycles 10 and 20, the enthalpy difference of the first refrigeration cycle 10 is larger than the enthalpy difference of the second refrigeration cycle 20. For this reason, when comparing the efficiency of the refrigerant transporting heat from the heat absorption side to the heat dissipation side of the refrigeration cycle between the first refrigeration cycle 10 and the second refrigeration cycle 20, the efficiency of the first refrigeration cycle 10 is better than that of the second refrigeration cycle 20.

[0219] Therefore, for example, in the cooperative heating mode, if the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 is increased before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201, the heating efficiency can be improved compared to the case where the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 is increased before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101.

[0220] On the other hand, in the cooperative heating mode, a temperature rise of the second refrigerant in the second radiator 202 is more quickly reflected in the temperature of the first heat medium flowing through the heater core 35 than a temperature rise of the first refrigerant in the first radiator 102. Therefore, in the cooperative heating mode, if the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 is increased before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101, the heating performance can be improved compared to the case where the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 is increased before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201.

[0221] (9) According to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 12 to 14, when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101 and 201 are increased while both the first and second compressors 101 and 201 are in operation, the circuit control unit 80a controls the first and second compressors 101 and 201 as follows. That is, in this case, the circuit control unit 80a selects either a first rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 is increased before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201, or a second rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 is increased before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101. Then, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201 in the selected rotation speed increase pattern.

[0222] Therefore, it is possible to appropriately improve the efficiency of the first and second refrigeration cycles 10, 20 depending on the situation while suppressing deterioration of noise or vibration that may be caused by the operation of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201.

[0223] (10) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in the equipment cooling air-conditioning mode, when the circuit control unit 80a increases both the rotation speeds of the first and second compressors 101, 201, if the load on the first compressor 101 is greater than the load on the second compressor 201, the circuit control unit 80a selects the first rotation speed increase pattern. On the other hand, if the load on the second compressor 201 is greater than the load on the first compressor 101, the circuit control unit 80a selects the second rotation speed increase pattern.

[0224] When the first rotation speed increase pattern is selected, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 prior to the rotation speed of the second compressor 201. Conversely, when the second rotation speed increase pattern is selected, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor 101.

[0225] Therefore, it is possible to quickly respond to the improvement of either air conditioning performance or battery cooling performance, whichever is given priority, while suppressing the deterioration of noise or vibration that may result from the operation of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201.

[0226] (11) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 while dehumidifying and heating the vehicle interior space 68, the circuit control unit 80a increases the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor 101.

[0227] Therefore, it is possible to increase the temperature of the blown air more quickly compared to, for example, the case where the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 is increased before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201. This makes it possible to improve the comfort of the passengers. Also, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of noise or vibration that may be caused by the operation of the first compressor 101 and the second compressor 201.

[0228] (12) According to this embodiment, in the coordinated heating mode and the single heating mode, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the second radiator 202 radiates heat from the second refrigerant in the second radiator 202 to the ventilation air sent to the vehicle interior space 68 via the first heat medium of the second circulation path 72. Therefore, the second refrigeration cycle 20 having the second radiator 202 can be used to heat the vehicle interior space 68.

[0229] (13) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, first radiator 102 has condensation section 103 and subcooling section 104. Condensation section 103 condenses the first refrigerant discharged from first compressor 101 by dissipating heat from the first refrigerant, and subcooling section 104 subcools the first refrigerant by further dissipating heat from the first refrigerant condensed in condensation section 103.

[0230] Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the first radiator 102 does not have the subcooling unit 104, the amount of heat dissipated from the first refrigeration cycle 10 is increased, and this can raise the low pressure side of the second refrigeration cycle 20 in, for example, the coordinated heating mode. As a result, it is possible to improve the heating efficiency and heating performance.

[0231] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Also, parts that are the same as or equivalent to the above-mentioned embodiment will be omitted or simplified. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0232] In this embodiment, the compressor capacity of the first compressor 101 is larger than the compressor capacity of the second compressor 201. Therefore, when both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are operating, for example, in a coordinated heating mode or an equipment cooling / cooling mode, the discharge flow rate of the first compressor 101 is larger than the discharge flow rate of the second compressor 201.

[0233] Therefore, for example, the refrigeration cycle device 9 can be configured to prioritize heating efficiency over maximum heating performance in the coordinated heating mode. This is for the same reason as described above with reference to Fig. 15, in which increasing the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 before the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 leads to improved heating efficiency.

[0234] Here, as shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the heat absorption or radiation capacity of the first refrigeration cycle 10 is more likely to affect cooling performance than the heat absorption or radiation capacity of the second refrigeration cycle 20. On the other hand, the heat absorption or radiation capacity of the second refrigeration cycle 20 is more likely to affect heating performance than the heat absorption or radiation capacity of the first refrigeration cycle 10. Therefore, by setting the compressor capacities and discharge flow rates of the first and second compressors 101, 201 of this embodiment as described above, the refrigeration cycle device 9 can be made to prioritize maximum cooling performance over maximum heating performance.

[0235] In addition, when a variable displacement type is adopted as the first and second compressors 101 and 201 of this embodiment, the maximum compressor capacity of the first compressor 101 is larger than the maximum compressor capacity of the second compressor 201.

[0236] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0237] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0238] In this embodiment, the compressor capacity of the second compressor 201 is larger than the compressor capacity of the first compressor 101. Therefore, when both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are operating, for example, in a coordinated heating mode or an equipment cooling / cooling mode, the discharge flow rate of the second compressor 201 is larger than the discharge flow rate of the first compressor 101.

[0239] Therefore, for example, it is possible to configure the refrigeration cycle device 9 that prioritizes maximum heating performance over heating efficiency in the coordinated heating mode. This is for the same reason as described above with reference to Fig. 15, in which increasing the rotation speed of the second compressor 201 before the rotation speed of the first compressor 101 leads to improved heating performance.

[0240] In addition, when a variable displacement type is adopted as the first and second compressors 101 and 201 of this embodiment, the maximum compressor capacity of the second compressor 201 is larger than the maximum compressor capacity of the first compressor 101.

[0241] Moreover, from this embodiment and the above-described second embodiment, it can be said that by making a difference between the compressor capacity of the first compressor 101 and the compressor capacity of the second compressor 201, it is possible to meet a wide range of needs.

[0242] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0243] (Other embodiments) (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the air conditioning expansion valve 106 and the first expansion valve 108 shown in Fig. 1 are each fully closable, but this is just one example. For example, the air conditioning expansion valve 106 may not be fully closable, and an on-off valve may be provided at the refrigerant inlet 106a of the air conditioning expansion valve 106. Similarly, the first expansion valve 108 may not be fully closable, and an on-off valve may be provided at the refrigerant inlet 108a of the first expansion valve 108. In this case, the two on-off valves function as a refrigerant flow path switching unit that switches the flow path of the first refrigerant.

[0244] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the refrigeration cycle device 9 is configured to be able to execute the following operation modes: a coordinated heating mode, a single heating mode, a cooling mode, an equipment cooling mode, an equipment warming-up heating mode, an equipment warming-up mode, an equipment cooling and heating mode, a first dehumidification heating mode, and a second dehumidification heating mode. However, this is only an example, and not all of these operation modes are required. In addition, the refrigeration cycle device 9 may be configured to be able to execute an operation mode other than these operation modes.

[0245] (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the first and second compressors 101 and 201 may be, for example, compressors driven by an internal combustion engine, instead of electric compressors. The first radiator 102 may be configured to include only the condenser 103, omitting the subcooling unit 104. The expansion valves 106, 108, and 203 may be, for example, mechanical expansion valves or fixed throttles, instead of electric expansion valves. The second heat medium circuit 50 may not be provided, and the first evaporator 109 may be a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first refrigerant in the first evaporator 109 and the outside air without passing through the second heat medium of the second heat medium circuit 50.

[0246] (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the second refrigerant in the second refrigeration cycle 20 is the same as the first refrigerant in the first refrigeration cycle 10. However, a refrigerant different from the first refrigerant may be used.

[0247] (5) In each of the above-described embodiments, the first and second heat media are, for example, liquids, but this is just one example. For example, one or both of the first and second heat media may be gas. Furthermore, the first and second heat medium circuits 30 and 50 transfer heat using the first and second heat media, which are fluids, but may be configured to transfer heat using a solid with high thermal conductivity, such as a metal, instead of a fluid.

[0248] (6) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in Fig. 1, the on-board target device cooled or warmed by the refrigeration cycle device 9 is the battery 69, but the on-board target device is not limited to the battery 69. Other than the battery 69, examples of the on-board target device may include an electric motor, an inverter that converts the frequency of power supplied to the electric motor, or a charger for charging the battery 69.

[0249] (7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the air conditioner 8 is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, but this is merely an example. For example, the air conditioner 8 may be used in a stationary device or system, rather than in a moving body such as a vehicle.

[0250] (8) In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the circuit control unit 80a is included in the control device 80 that controls each device of the air conditioner 8, but this is just one example. For example, the control units of the control device 80 other than the circuit control unit 80a and the circuit control unit 80a may be configured as separate control devices.

[0251] (9) In the above embodiment, when the rotation speeds of both the first and second compressors 101, 201 are increased in the cooperative heating mode, the circuit control unit 80a switches between the first and second compressors 101, 201, which compressor has its rotation speed increased first, in response to an operation by the occupant. However, this is only an example. For example, the circuit control unit 80a may automatically switch between the first and second compressors 101, 201, which compressor has its rotation speed increased first, regardless of an operation by the occupant, based on detection signals input from multiple sensors to the control device 80, etc.

[0252] (10) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be practiced in various modified forms. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0253] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when the numbers, values, amounts, ranges, and other numerical values ​​of the components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers, except when it is particularly clearly stated that they are essential or when they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle, etc. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when the materials, shapes, positional relationships, and the like of the components are mentioned, they are not limited to the materials, shapes, positional relationships, and the like, except when it is particularly clearly stated or when they are clearly limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, and the like in principle.

[0254] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, when it is described that external environment information (e.g., outside air temperature, etc.) of the vehicle is acquired from a sensor, it is also possible to eliminate the sensor and receive the external environment information from a server or cloud outside the vehicle. Alternatively, it is also possible to eliminate the sensor and acquire related information related to the external environment information from a server or cloud outside the vehicle, and estimate the external environment information from the acquired related information.

[0255] The control device 80 and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control device 80 and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control device 80 and the method described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by a computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0256] 10 First refrigeration cycle 101 First compressor 102 1st heat sink 107 Air conditioning evaporator 109 First evaporator 20 Second refrigeration cycle 201 Second compressor 202 2nd radiator 204 Second evaporator 30 First heat medium circuit (heat transfer section)

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle device for conditioning an air-conditioned space (68), comprising: a first refrigeration cycle (10) having a first compressor (101), a first radiator (102), an air conditioning expansion valve (106), an air conditioning evaporator (107), a first expansion valve (108) and a first evaporator (109), in which a first refrigerant evaporates in at least one of the air conditioning evaporator and the first evaporator and circulates while radiating heat in the first radiator; a second refrigeration cycle (20) having a second compressor (201), a second radiator (202), a second expansion valve (203) and a second evaporator (204), in which a second refrigerant evaporates in the second evaporator and circulates while radiating heat in the second radiator; a heat transfer unit (30) that switches a destination of heat dissipation from the first radiator to the second refrigerant in the second evaporator or to outside air, In the air-conditioning evaporator, as the first refrigerant evaporates, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from the blown air blown to the space to be air-conditioned, In the first evaporator, the first refrigerant absorbs heat from outside air as the first refrigerant evaporates, The second radiator radiates heat from the second refrigerant in the second radiator to the blown air.

2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (80a) that controls the first refrigeration cycle, the second refrigeration cycle, and the heat transfer unit.

3. The heat transfer unit is configured with a heat medium circuit through which a heat medium circulates, The heat medium circuit includes an outside air heat exchanger (33) for exchanging heat between the heat medium and outside air, and a heating heat exchanger (35) for heating the blown air by exchanging heat between the heat medium and the blown air, The first radiator radiates heat from the first refrigerant to the heat medium, The second evaporator causes the second refrigerant to absorb heat from the heat medium, thereby evaporating the second refrigerant; The second radiator is a heat exchanger that radiates heat from the second refrigerant to the heat medium, and when radiating heat from the second refrigerant to the blown air, the second radiator radiates heat from the second refrigerant to the blown air via the heat medium, When heating of the air-conditioned space is performed, the control unit establishes in the heat medium circuit a first circulation path (71, 71a) through which the heat medium circulates between the first radiator and the second evaporator, and a second circulation path (72) through which the heat medium circulates between the second radiator and the heating heat exchanger while preventing the heat medium from circulating through the first circulation path, circulates the heat medium through each of the first circulation path and the second circulation path, and operates the first compressor and the second compressor, and circulates the first refrigerant from the first radiator to the first expansion valve and the first evaporator in the first refrigeration cycle, 3. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when cooling of the air-conditioned space is performed, the control unit establishes, in the heat medium circuit, a third circulation path (73) in which the heat medium is circulated between the first radiator and the outside-air heat exchanger while preventing the heat medium from flowing through the heating heat exchanger, circulates the heat medium through the third circulation path, and operates the first compressor, and in the first refrigeration cycle, circulates the first refrigerant from the first radiator to the air-conditioning expansion valve and the air-conditioning evaporator.

4. The heat medium circuit has an equipment heat exchanger (34) that exchanges heat between an on-vehicle target device (69) and the heat medium, the third circulation path is a circulation path through which the heat medium flows through the first radiator, the second radiator, and the outside air heat exchanger, 4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when cooling of the target equipment is performed when the air-conditioned space is not being heated, the control unit establishes, in the heat medium circuit, the third circulation path and a fourth circulation path (74) in which the flow of the heat medium through the third circulation path is blocked and the heat medium circulates between the second evaporator and the equipment heat exchanger, and circulates the heat medium through each of the third circulation path and the fourth circulation path and operates the second compressor.

5. The first circulation path (71a) is a circulation path through which the heat medium flows between the first radiator, the equipment heat exchanger, and the second evaporator, 5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when warming up the target equipment, the control unit establishes the first circulation path as the heat medium circuit, circulates the heat medium through the first circulation path and operates the first compressor, and in the first refrigeration cycle, circulates the first refrigerant from the first radiator to the first expansion valve and the first evaporator.

6. The first circulation path (71a) is a circulation path through which the heat medium flows between the first radiator, the equipment heat exchanger, and the second evaporator, 5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when warming up the target equipment during heating of the air-conditioned space, the control unit establishes the first circulation path and the second circulation path in the heat medium circuit, circulates the heat medium through each of the first circulation path and the second circulation path, and operates the first compressor and the second compressor, and in the first refrigeration cycle, circulates the first refrigerant from the first radiator to the first expansion valve and the first evaporator.

7. 7. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when cooling of the target equipment is performed during heating of the air-conditioned space, the control unit establishes the second circulation path and the fourth circulation path in the heat medium circuit, circulates the heat medium through each of the second circulation path and the fourth circulation path, and operates the second compressor.

8. The heat medium circuit is configured such that the flow of the heat medium through the second circulation path is prevented and an outside air heat intake circulation path (75) through which the heat medium circulates between the second evaporator and the outside air heat exchanger can be established. The control unit is When the heating of the air-conditioned space is performed, one of the first circulation path and the outside air heat absorption circulation path is established in the heat medium circuit, and the second circulation path is also established in the heat medium circuit, When the first circulation path is established in a case where heating of the air-conditioned space is performed, the heat medium is circulated through each of the first circulation path and the second circulation path, and the first compressor and the second compressor are operated, and in the first refrigeration cycle, the first refrigerant is circulated from the first radiator to the first expansion valve and the first evaporator, 8. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3, wherein when the outdoor air heat absorption circulation path is established while the space to be air-conditioned is being heated, the heat medium is circulated through each of the outdoor air heat absorption circulation path and the second circulation path, and the second compressor is operated.

9. The heating heat exchanger is disposed so as to heat the blown air flowing out from the air-conditioning evaporator, 9. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when a dehumidification heating process is performed in which the blown air is dehumidified and then heated, the control unit establishes the first circulation path and the second circulation path in the heat medium circuit, circulates the heat medium through each of the first circulation path and the second circulation path, and operates the first compressor and the second compressor, and in the first refrigeration cycle, circulates the first refrigerant from the first radiator to the air conditioning expansion valve and the air conditioning evaporator.

10. 10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when increasing both the rotation speed of the first compressor and the rotation speed of the second compressor while both the first compressor and the second compressor are in operation, the control unit increases one of the rotation speed of the first compressor and the rotation speed of the second compressor prior to the other.

11. 10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when both the rotation speed of the first compressor and the rotation speed of the second compressor are increased while both the first compressor and the second compressor are in operation, the control unit selects either a first rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the first compressor is increased prior to the rotation speed of the second compressor, or a second rotation speed increase pattern in which the rotation speed of the second compressor is increased prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor, and increases the rotation speeds of the first compressor and the second compressor in the selected rotation speed increase pattern.

12. 8. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in a case where the control unit establishes the third circulation path and the fourth circulation path, operates the first compressor and the second compressor, and causes the first refrigerant to flow from the first radiator to the air-conditioning expansion valve and the air-conditioning evaporator in the first refrigeration cycle, when increasing both the rotation speed of the first compressor and the rotation speed of the second compressor, if a load on the first compressor is larger than a load on the second compressor, the control unit increases the rotation speed of the first compressor prior to the rotation speed of the second compressor, and if the load on the second compressor is larger than the load on the first compressor, the control unit increases the rotation speed of the second compressor prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor.

13. 10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when both the rotation speed of the first compressor and the rotation speed of the second compressor are increased during the dehumidifying heating, the control unit increases the rotation speed of the second compressor prior to the rotation speed of the first compressor.

14. 14. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first radiator has a condensation section (103) that condenses the first refrigerant by radiating heat from the first refrigerant discharged from the first compressor, and a supercooling section (104) that supercools the first refrigerant by further radiating heat from the first refrigerant condensed in the condensation section.

15. 15. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the capacity of the first compressor and the capacity of the second compressor is larger than the capacity of the other.

16. 15. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the discharge flow rate of the first compressor and the discharge flow rate of the second compressor is larger than the other.

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