Heat medium temperature control system

Abstract

To adjust temperature of a plurality of temperature adjusting targets by a heat medium even when system abnormality occurs.SOLUTION: A heat medium temperature adjusting system includes a heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium of which temperature is controlled by heat exchange with a heat source, and the heat medium circuit includes a pump for pressure-feeding the heat medium, and a plurality of temperature adjusting target heat exchangers for exchanging heat between temperature adjusting targets and them. The heat medium circuit forms a series flow passage connecting the pump and the plurality of temperature adjusting target heat exchangers when system abnormality occurs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat medium temperature control system including a heat medium circuit.

Background Art

[0002] A temperature control system including a heat medium circuit (for example, a water circuit) forms an independent heat medium circuit according to the control temperature of the object to be temperature-controlled, and circulates a heat medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange with a heat source such as a heat pump. At this time, a switching valve is provided in the heat medium circuit, and by connecting independent heat medium circuits in series, temperature adjustment of the circulating heat medium is performed (see Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a system abnormality such as a failure of the switching valve or the heat pump serving as the heat source occurs in the temperature control system including the heat medium circuit described above, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circuit circulates through an independent flow path in a state where temperature control cannot be performed. When there are a plurality of objects to be temperature-controlled, there is a problem that temperature control by the heat medium cannot be achieved for some of them.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to address such problems in a heat medium temperature control system, and to enable temperature control by circulating a temperature-controlled heat medium for many objects to be temperature-controlled even when a system abnormality occurs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve such problems, the heat medium temperature control system of the present invention has the following configuration. A heat medium temperature control system comprising a heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium whose temperature is controlled by heat exchange with a heat source, the heat medium circuit including a pump for pumping the heat medium and a plurality of heat exchange devices for heat exchange with the object to be temperature-controlled, The heat medium circuit is provided with a flow path switching device, and the heat medium circuit forms a plurality of independent circuits by means of the flow path switching device. For each of the independent circuits, the pump and the heat exchanger to be temperature-controlled are provided. The heat medium temperature control system is provided with a refrigerant circuit having a plurality of refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers. At least one of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers is provided in each of the independent circuits. wherein the heat medium circuit forms a series flow path connecting the pump and the plurality of heat exchange devices for temperature control objects in the event of a system abnormality The series flow path allows the heat medium to flow in the order of an external heat exchanger where the heat medium exchanges heat with the outside air, an evaporator which is one of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers, a cooler core of an indoor air conditioner which is one of the heat exchangers to be temperature-controlled, and a heat exchanger for the object to be temperature-controlled which is another heat exchanger to be temperature-controlled. A heat medium temperature control system characterized by the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] Even when a system abnormality occurs, the heat medium temperature control system having such characteristics can perform temperature control on many objects to be temperature-controlled connected to the series flow path by forming a series flow path connecting the pump and a plurality of heat exchange devices for temperature control objects with a temperature-controlled heat medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate descriptions in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] In FIG. 1, a heat medium temperature control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heat medium circuit 100. This heat medium temperature control system 1 constructs a vehicle heat management system such as an EV (Electric Vehicle) as an example.

[0011] The heat medium circuit 100 circulates a heat medium whose temperature is controlled by heat exchange with a refrigerant circuit 1U serving as a heat source, and includes pumps P1, P2, P3 for pumping the heat medium and a plurality of heat exchange devices to be temperature-controlled. According to the illustrated example, the plurality of heat exchange devices to be temperature-controlled include a heater core 51 and a cooler core 52 of the indoor air conditioner 50, and heat exchange devices 60, 61, 62, 63 for temperature control objects such as a battery, an inverter, a motor, and a power control unit which are temperature control objects.

[0012] Further, the heat medium circuit 100 includes switching valves V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6. These switching valves V1 to V6, together with a control device 200 that controls the switching of the switching valves V1 to V6, constitute a flow path switching device 100A as shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] When switching the switching valves V1 to V6, the flow path switching device 100A switches between the default state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a) and the non-default state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(b). Here, the default state is a state that can be switched (returned to the initial state) in the event of a system abnormality. For example, the non-energized state of the flow path switching device 100A becomes the default state.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows, in the heat medium circuit 100 in which the flow path switching device 100A is in the default state, the flow path through which the heat medium flows is indicated by a thick line, and the direction of the flow is indicated by an arrow.

[0015] Here, the switching valve V1 in the default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 110 to flow out to the flow path 112 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 102 to flow out to the flow path 111 side. Further, the switching valve V1 in the non-default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 110 to flow to the flow path 111 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 102 side to flow to the flow path 112 side.

[0016] The switching valve V2 in the default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 120 to flow out to the flow path 122 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 123 to flow out to the flow path 121 side. Further, the switching valve V2 in the non-default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 120 to flow out to the flow path 121 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 123 to flow out to the flow path 122 side.

[0017] The switching valve V3 in the default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 130 to flow out to the flow path 131 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 133 to flow out to the flow path 132 side. Further, the switching valve V3 in the non-default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 130 to flow out to the flow path 132 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 133 to flow out to the flow path 131 side.

[0018] The switching valve V4 in the default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 132 to flow out to the flow path 142 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 140 to flow out to the flow path 141 side. Also, the switching valve V4 in the non-default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 132 to flow out to the flow path 141 side, and allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 140 to flow out to the flow path 142 side.

[0019] The switching valve V5 in the default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 131 to flow out to the flow path 150 side, and the switching valve V5 in the non-default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 131 to flow through the flow path 151 and into the confluence part 150A without passing through the flow path 150. Also, the switching valve V6 in the default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 103 to flow out to the flow path 160 side, and the switching valve V6 in the non-default state allows the heat medium flowing in from the flow path 103 to flow through the flow path 161 and into the confluence part 161A without flowing through the flow path 160.

[0020] In the default state of such a flow path switching device 100A, the heat medium circuit 100 forms a series flow path 100T connecting the pumps P1, P2, P3 and a plurality of heat exchange devices to be temperature-controlled (heater core 51, cooler core 52, heat exchange devices 60, 61, 62, 63 for objects to be temperature-controlled). That is, the heat medium circulating in the series flow path 100T in the heat medium circuit 100 circulates through all of the plurality of pumps P1, P2, P3 and the plurality of heat exchange devices to be temperature-controlled (heater core 51, cooler core 52, heat exchange devices 60, 61, 62, 63 for objects to be temperature-controlled).

[0021] In the series flow path 100T shown in FIG. 1, the heat medium exiting from the pump P1 enters the heater core 51 via the flow path 101 passing through the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchanger 11 in the refrigerant circuit 1U. The heat medium exiting from the heater core 51 enters the switching valve V1 via the flow path 110. The heat medium exiting from the switching valve V1 enters the tank 6 via the flow path 112, and the heat medium exiting from the tank 6 enters the switching valve V2 via the flow path 120.

[0022] The heat medium that exits the switching valve V2 enters the external heat exchanger 5 that exchanges heat with the outside air via the flow path 122. The heat medium that exits the external heat exchanger 5 enters the switching valve V3 via the flow path 133. The heat medium that exits the switching valve V3 enters the switching valve V4 via the flow path 132. The heat medium that exits the switching valve V4 enters the pump P3 via the flow path 142.

[0023] The heat medium that exits the pump P3 enters the switching valve V6 via the flow path 103 that passes through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 in the refrigerant circuit 1U. The heat medium that exits the switching valve V6 enters the cooler core 52 via the flow path 160. The heat medium that exits the cooler core 52 enters the switching valve V4 via the flow path 140.

[0024] The heat medium that exits the switching valve V4 enters the switching valve V2 via the flow paths 141, the confluence section 161A, and 123. The heat medium that exits the switching valve V2 enters the switching valve V3 via the flow paths 121, the temperature control object heat exchanger 60 for battery temperature control, and 130. The heat medium that exits the switching valve V3 enters the switching valve V5 via the flow path 131. The heat medium that exits the switching valve V5 enters the pump P2 via the flow path 150 that passes through the heat exchangers 63, 61, and 62 for the temperature control object and the confluence section 150A.

[0025] The heat medium that exits the pump P2 enters the switching valve V1 via the flow path 102 that passes through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 in the refrigerant circuit 1U. Then, the heat medium that exits the switching valve V1 returns to the pump P1 via the flow path 111. An auxiliary heat source 7 for heating the heat medium is provided in the flow path 102 as needed.

[0026] On the other hand, when the switching valves V1 to V4 of the flow path switching device 100A are switched to non-default states, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat medium circuit 100 forms a plurality of independent circuits for each of the pumps P1, P2, and P3. Any one of the pumps P1, P2, and P3 is provided for each independent circuit, and any one of the temperature control object heat exchangers is provided for each independent circuit.

[0027] In FIG. 5, the heat medium that exits pump P1 forms a first independent circuit that returns to pump P1 via flow path 101, which passes through refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 of refrigerant circuit 1U, heater core 51, flow path 110, switching valve V1, and flow path 111.

[0028] Also, the heat medium that exits pump P2 forms a second independent circuit that returns to pump P2 via flow path 102, which passes through refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 of refrigerant circuit 1U, switching valve V1, flow path 112, tank 6, flow path 120, switching valve V2, flow path 121, heat exchanger 60 for temperature control object, flow path 130, switching valve V3, flow path 132, switching valve V4, flow path 141, confluence part 161A, flow path 123, switching valve V2, flow path 122, external heat exchanger 5, flow path 133, switching valve V3, flow path 131, switching valve V5, flow path 150 (heat exchangers 63, 61, 62 for temperature control object), and confluence part 150A.

[0029] Furthermore, the heat medium that exits pump P3 forms a third independent circuit that returns to pump P3 via flow path 103, which passes through refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 of refrigerant circuit 1U, switching valve V6, flow path 160, cooler core 52, flow path 140, and switching valve V4, flow path 142.

[0030] The refrigerant circuit 1U in FIG. 1 will be described. The refrigerant circuit 1U includes a compressor 10 that compresses refrigerant and a refrigerant circulation flow path that condenses, expands, and evaporates the refrigerant that exits compressor 10 and returns it to compressor 10.

[0031] In refrigerant circuit 1U, refrigerant heat medium heat exchange part 11 provided downstream of compressor 10, refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 provided downstream of that, and refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 provided upstream of compressor 10 are heat exchangers where the heat medium and refrigerant in heat medium circuit 100 exchange heat. At least one refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger is provided in each of the independent circuits of heat medium circuit 100 described above.

[0032] The refrigerant circuit 1U includes three heat exchangers (refrigerant - heat medium heat exchangers 11, 12, and 13) in the illustrated example, but may further include four or more heat exchangers as needed. The refrigerant circuit 1U selects two or more of at least three heat exchangers, and causes a part of the selected heat exchangers to function as a condenser and the other part to function as an evaporator.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 1, by opening and closing the on - off valves 31V and 32V to selectively open and close the bypass refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32, the above - mentioned selection of heat exchangers is performed. The heat exchanger closer to the compressor 10 on the downstream side of the compressor 10 functions as a condenser, and the heat exchanger farther from the compressor 10 on the downstream side of the compressor 10 functions as an evaporator.

[0034] In FIG. 1, the refrigerant circuit 1U includes a refrigerant flow path 20 having one end connected to the outlet of the compressor 10 and the other end connected to the inlet of the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 11, a refrigerant flow path 21 having one end connected to the outlet of the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 11 and the other end connected to the inlet of the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 12, a refrigerant flow path 22 having one end connected to the outlet of the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 12 and the other end connected to the inlet of the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 13, and a refrigerant flow path 23 having one end connected to the outlet of the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section and the other end connected to the inlet of the compressor 10.

[0035] Also, the refrigerant circuit 1U includes pressure - reducing sections 14A and 14B. The pressure - reducing sections 14A and 14B reduce the high - pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 to a predetermined pressure. In the example of FIG. 1, the pressure - reducing section 14A is provided in the refrigerant flow path 21 between the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 11 and the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 12, and the pressure - reducing section 14B is provided in the refrigerant flow path 22 between the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 12 and the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchange section 13. The pressure - reducing section 14A and the pressure - reducing section 14B can be adjusted individually, and by arbitrarily adjusting from the fully - open state to the fully - closed state, the compressed refrigerant can be brought to a decompressed state to a predetermined pressure.

[0036] In the refrigerant circuit 1U of FIG. 1, the bypass refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 are provided so as to be selectively bypassable around either the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 or the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13. In the illustrated example, the bypass refrigerant flow path 31 can bypass the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12, and the bypass refrigerant flow path 32 can bypass the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13.

[0037] For the bypass refrigerant flow path 31, a branch portion 31A is provided in the refrigerant flow path 21, and a confluence portion 31B is provided in the refrigerant flow path 22. The branch portion 31A is provided upstream of the pressure reducing portion 14A, and the confluence portion 31B is provided upstream of the pressure reducing portion 14B.

[0038] For the bypass refrigerant flow path 32, a branch portion 32A is provided in the refrigerant flow path 22, and a confluence portion 32B is provided in the refrigerant flow path 23. The branch portion 32A is provided upstream of the confluence portion 31B of the bypass refrigerant flow path 31. Thereby, the confluence portion 31B of the bypass refrigerant flow path 31 is provided between the branch portion 32A of the bypass refrigerant flow path 32 and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13.

[0039] Further, the branch portion 32A of the bypass refrigerant flow path 32 is provided upstream of the pressure reducing portion 14B and upstream of the confluence portion 31B of the bypass refrigerant flow path 31, and a backflow prevention means (for example, a check valve) 15 is provided between the branch portion 32A of the bypass refrigerant flow path 32 and the confluence portion 31B of the bypass refrigerant flow path 31.

[0040] Such a refrigerant circuit 1U can generate heat media in various temperature ranges as a heat source of the heat medium circuit 100 by controlling the compressor 10, the pressure reducing portions 14A and 14B, and the on-off valves 31V and 32V by the refrigerant circuit control device 1A as shown in FIG. 6. Further, by combining with the switching of the flow path switching device 100A of the heat medium circuit 100 described above, an abnormal operation mode and various operation modes described later can be executed. Further, the refrigerant circuit 1U can accommodate the refrigerant circulation flow path including the bypass refrigerant flow paths 31 and 32 in the unit U shown by the one-dot chain line in the figure, and a compact unitized refrigerant circuit 1U can be obtained.

[0041] In such a heat medium temperature control system 1, when a system abnormality occurs, the flow path switching device 100A enters the default state, and the heat medium circuit 100 forms a series flow path 100T as shown in FIG. 1. When the series flow path 100T is formed, for example, even if a malfunction occurs in any one of the pumps P1, P2, and P3, if one of the pumps P1, P2, and P3 operates, the temperature-controlled heat medium can be circulated through the series flow path 100T, and the necessary temperature control can be performed on the temperature control target that is serially connected by the series flow path 100T.

[0042] In the operation mode at the time of system abnormality when the flow path switching device 100A enters the default state, when the refrigerant circuit 1U is operating, the refrigerant circuit 1U selects the operation modes shown in FIGS. 7(a) to (d) under the control of the refrigerant circuit control device 1A, and the indoor air conditioner 50 can perform a cooling operation (abnormal operation mode 1) and a heating operation (abnormal operation mode 2) by switching the air supply flow path as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and (b).

[0043] In the cooling operation (abnormal operation mode 1), in the refrigerant circuit 1U, the operation modes shown in FIGS. 7(a), (b), and (c) are executed, and the indoor air conditioner 50 shuts off the air supply flow path passing through the heater core 51 as shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0044] In the operation mode shown in FIG. 7(a), as shown in FIG. 1, the on-off valves 31V and 32V are closed, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12 function as condensers, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator. At this time, as shown in the figure, when two-stage decompression is performed by the decompression part 14A and the decompression part 14B, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12 dissipate heat from the refrigerant step by step. However, the decompression part 14A may be fully opened, heat dissipation may be performed by the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12, and one-stage decompression may be performed by the decompression part 14B so that the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator.

[0045] 7(b), the on-off valve 31V is opened (the on-off valve 32V is closed) to allow the refrigerant to flow through the bypass refrigerant flow path 31 that bypasses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12, causing the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 to function as a condenser and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 to function as an evaporator. The pressure reduction at this time is a one-stage pressure reduction in the pressure reduction section 14B.

[0046] 7(c), the on-off valves 31V, 32V are both opened to allow the refrigerant to flow through the bypass refrigerant passages 31, 32, so that the refrigerant flows in parallel through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 12, 13, causing the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 to function as a condenser, and causing the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 12, 13 to function in parallel as evaporators. The pressure reduction at this time is a one-stage reduction in pressure reduction units 14A, 14B.

[0047] The serial flow path 100T in the heat medium circuit 100 passes the heat medium through the external heat exchanger 5 where the heat medium exchanges heat with the outside air, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functioning as an evaporator, the cooler core 52, and the heat exchangers 60, 63, 61, and 62 for the object to be temperature adjusted in that order.

[0048] According to this, the heat medium heated by passing through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 or the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat dissipation side dissipates heat to the outside in the external heat exchanger 5, and then enters the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11. Then, the low-temperature heat medium having absorbed heat in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functioning as an evaporator is sent to the cooler core 52 via the flow path 103, the switching valve V6, and the flow path 160, and is subjected to heat exchange with the indoor air in the indoor air-conditioning device 50 for cooling.

[0049] In addition, the heat medium leaving the cooler core 52 flows through flow path 150, which passes through flow path 140, switching valve V4, flow path 141, junction 161A, flow path 123, switching valve V2, flow path 121, heat exchanger 60 for the temperature control object, flow path 130, switching valve V3, flow path 131, switching valve V5, and heat exchangers 63, 61, and 62 for the temperature control object, and is used to cool (control temperature) the temperature control object (battery, power control unit, inverter, motor, etc.).

[0050] At this time, the heat medium flows through the flow path 102 and the flow path 101, and is heated by the heat radiation in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 that function as condensers, and is sent to the heater core 51. However, as shown in Fig. 8(a), in the indoor air conditioner 50, by closing the air mix door 53 provided on the upstream side of the air flow path of the heater core 51, the heating of the air during cooling by the heater core 51 can be suppressed. Also, by adjusting the opening degree of the air mix door 53, the cooling temperature can be adjusted. The heat medium that has exited the heater core 51 is, as described above, radiated heat at the external heat exchanger 5 and then sent to the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 which is an evaporator.

[0051] On the other hand, for the heating operation (abnormal operation mode 2), in the refrigerant circuit 1U, the operation modes shown in Figs. 7(b), (c), and (d) are executed, and the indoor air conditioner 50 shuts off the air flow path that passes only through the cooler core 52 and flows into the vehicle interior, as shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0052] In the operation mode shown in Fig. 7(d) in the refrigerant circuit 1U, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 functions as a condenser, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 function as evaporators. At this time, as shown in the figure, when two-stage decompression is performed by the decompression section 14A and the decompression section 14B, stepwise heat absorption occurs in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13. However, the decompression section 14B can be fully opened, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 can be made to function as a condenser, one-stage decompression can be performed by the decompression section 14A, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 can be made to function as evaporators. The operation modes shown in Figs. 7(b) and (c) are as described above.

[0053] The series circuit 100T of the heat medium circuit 100 passes the heat medium through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 functioning as a condenser, the heater core 51, and the external heat exchanger 5 in this order. The heat medium heated by heat radiation in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 functioning as a condenser is sent to the heater core 51 through the flow path 101, and is used for heating by exchanging heat with the indoor air in the indoor air conditioner 50. The heat medium that has been radiated heat in the external heat exchanger 5 and then absorbed heat in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 is sent to the cooler core 52. The refrigerant circuit 1U absorbs heat stepwise in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13, and the series flow path 100T on the inlet side of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 is provided with the external heat exchanger 5, and the series flow path 100T on the inlet side of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 is provided with the heat exchangers 60, 63, 61, and 62 for the object to be temperature-controlled.

[0054] As a result, the heat of the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the outside air in the external heat exchanger 5 can be absorbed by the refrigerant in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13, and the heat of the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the temperature control object in the heat exchangers for temperature control objects 60, 63, 61, and 62 can be absorbed by the refrigerant in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12. In this way, heat is generated by the operation of the refrigerant circuit 1U, and the heat medium to be sent to the heater core 51 is heated in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11, thereby performing heating operation.

[0055] At this time, the heat medium that has exited the heater core 51 and exchanged heat in the external heat exchanger 5 flows into the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functioning as an evaporator, so the temperature of the heat medium exiting the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 can be made relatively higher than in a circuit in which the heat medium does not flow in the order of the heater core 51, the external heat exchanger 5, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13, as shown in Fig. 5. This makes it possible to prevent the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the cooler core 52 from decreasing too much, thereby suppressing the effect on comfort during heating.

[0056] In addition, since the heat medium that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchangers 60, 63, 61, and 62 for the temperature control object flows into the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchanger 12, the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchanger 12 can function as an evaporator, and it becomes possible to switch to the operation modes of the refrigerant circuit as shown in FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d). Also, by switching to the operation modes of the refrigerant circuit shown in FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d), the amount of heat absorption by the refrigerant in the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchanger 13 is less than that in the operation mode of FIG. 7(b). Therefore, compared to FIG. 7(b), in the operation modes of FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d), it is possible to suppress the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the cooler core 52 from dropping too much, and it is possible to suppress the influence on the comfort during heating.

[0057] Note that by stopping the blower fan (not shown) that blows outside air to the external heat exchanger 5 or closing the radiator shutter (not shown), it is possible to suppress the heat exchange between the heat medium and the outside air in the external heat exchanger 5. According to this, the warm heat medium that has exited the heater core 51 can be directly sent to the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchanger 13 which is an evaporator. Also by this, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the heat medium sent from the refrigerant - heat medium heat exchanger 13 to the cooler core 52 from becoming too low. In this case, however, the blowing temperature during the heating operation can be made higher than when the heat medium and the outside air are heat - exchanged in the external heat exchanger 5.

[0058] At this time, the air mix door 53 in the room air conditioner 50 is switched so that all the air flow passes through the heater core 51 as shown in FIG. 8(b). Also, the adjustment of the heating temperature can be performed by providing an auxiliary heat source 7 with adjustable temperature on the inlet side of the heater core 51 (for example, on the upstream side of the pump P1, etc.).

[0059] As an operation mode in the event of a system abnormality when the flow path switching device 100A is in the default state, when the refrigerant circuit 1U does not operate (such as a failure of the compressor 10), the appropriate operation mode is realized by the circulation of the heat medium in the series flow path 100T.

[0060] One of the operating modes at that time (abnormal operation mode 3) can perform heating operation and battery heating on the premise that an auxiliary heat source 7 with adjustable temperature is provided on the inlet side of the heater core 51 in the series flow path 100T (for example, on the upstream side of the pump P1, etc.).

[0061] At that time, the temperature of the heat medium circulating in the series flow path 100T is set to 60°C at the outlet of the heater core 51 by heat dissipation at the heater core 51, to 50°C at the outlet of the external heat exchanger 5 by heat dissipation at the external heat exchanger 5 provided on the downstream side of the heater core 51, and to 40°C at the outlet of the cooler core 52 by heat dissipation at the cooler core 52 provided on the downstream side of the external heat exchanger 5. Thereby, while performing the heating operation at the heater core 51, the temperature of the heat medium at the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature control object for the battery provided on the downstream side of the cooler core 52 can be lowered to a temperature range suitable for battery heating.

[0062] Another operating mode (abnormal operation mode 4) when the refrigerant circuit 1U does not operate is heat dissipation of the temperature control object (such as battery, power control unit, inverter, motor, etc.) by circulation of the heat medium in the series flow path 100T. In this case, the auxiliary heat source 7 is not used (operation stopped), and heat dissipation of the temperature control object is performed by the external heat exchanger 5 provided in the series flow path 100T. At this time, by stopping the air supply of the room air conditioner 50, heat release into the room can be suppressed.

[0063] The table shown in Fig. 9 summarizes the abnormal operation modes and operation modes of the heat medium temperature control system 1. "a" in the table indicates that the switching valves V1 to V6 are in the default state, and "b" indicates that the switching valves V1 to V6 are in a non-default state.

[0064] Regarding the abnormal operation modes 1 to 4 in which all of the switching valves V1 to V6 in the flow path switching device 100A of the heat medium circuit 100 are in the default state, as described above, the heat medium temperature control system 1 can execute the operation modes 1 to 13 shown in the table by appropriately controlling the flow path switching device 100A and the refrigerant circuit control device 1A.

[0065] For the heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 1, by setting the switching valve V3 to a non-default state and the other switching valves V1, V2, V4 to V6 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P3 and an independent circuit with the pumps P1 and P2 connected in series are formed.

[0066] For the refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 1, both the on-off valves 31V and 32V are closed, the pressure reduction amounts of the pressure reduction sections 14A and 14B are adjusted as appropriate, the pressure reduction section 14A is substantially fully open, and the desired pressure reduction is performed at the pressure reduction section 14B. In this refrigerant circuit 1U, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12 function as condensers (heat dissipation side), and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator (heat absorption side).

[0067] In operation mode 1, in the independent circuit of the pump P3 in the heat medium circuit 100, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side, the cooler core 52, and the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature-controlled object of the battery are provided, and indoor cooling and battery cooling are performed. Also, in the independent circuit of the pumps P1 and P2 in the heat medium circuit 100, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12 on the heat dissipation side, the heater core 51, the tank 6, the external heat exchanger 5, and the heat exchangers 63, 61, and 62 for the temperature-controlled object are provided, and the heat dissipation destinations are dispersed in heat storage in the tank 6, external air release in the external heat exchanger 5, and temperature control in the heat exchangers 63, 61, and 62 for the temperature-controlled object, etc. According to this, by dispersing and dissipating the heat absorption due to actively performing indoor cooling and battery cooling at various locations, efficient heat utilization becomes possible.

[0068] For the heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 2, by setting the switching valves V3 and V4 to non-default states and the other switching valves V1, V2, V5, and V6 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P3 and an independent circuit with the pumps P1 and P2 connected in series are formed. The refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 2 is the same as that in operation mode 1. The difference from operation mode 1 is that the cooling of the battery is stopped and the indoor air conditioner 50 is operated in the cooling mode.

[0069] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 3, by setting the switching valves V3 and V6 to non-default states and the other switching valves V1, V2, V4, and V5 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P3 and an independent circuit with the pumps P1 and P2 in series are formed. The refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 3 is the same as in operation modes 1 and 2. Operation mode 3 stops the cooling operation of the indoor air conditioner 50 in operation mode 1 and actively cools the battery. In the independent circuit of the pump P3, only the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side and the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature-controlled object of the battery are provided.

[0070] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 4, by setting the switching valves V1 and V3 to non-default states and the other switching valves V2, V4 to V6 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P1, an independent circuit including the pump P2, and an independent circuit including the pump P3 are formed. The refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 4 is the same as in operation modes 1 to 3, but the decompression of the decompression parts 14A and 14B is performed step by step by the decompression part 14A and the decompression part 14B.

[0071] In this heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 4, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and the heater core 51 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P1, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat dissipation side, the tank 6, the external heat exchanger 5, and the heat exchangers 63, 61, and 62 for the temperature-controlled object are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P2, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side, the cooler core 52, and the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature-controlled object of the battery are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P3.

[0072] Operation mode 4 is an operation mode for performing dehumidifying cooling (heat dissipation temperature control). Similar to operation mode 1, while cooling the battery during the cooling operation of the indoor air conditioner 50 in the independent circuit on the heat absorption side, dehumidification is performed by providing the heater core 51 in the independent circuit on the heat dissipation side. In this operation mode 4, while performing cooling and dehumidification and battery cooling on the heat absorption side, on the heat dissipation side, air conditioning to the target blowing temperature is performed with the high-temperature heat medium flowing through the independent circuit of the pump P1, and temperature control of each part can be performed with the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the independent circuit of the pump P2.

[0073] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 5, by setting the switching valves V1, V3, V4 to non-default states and the switching valves V2, V5, V6 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P1, an independent circuit including the pump P2, and an independent circuit including the pump P3 are formed. In the refrigerant circuit 1U of operation mode 5, both the on-off valves 31V and 32V are opened, and the refrigerant flows from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11, the bypass refrigerant flow path 31, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 back to the compressor 10 (bypassing the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12), forming a first-system refrigerant circuit, and from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12, and the bypass refrigerant flow path 32 back to the compressor 10 (bypassing the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13), forming a second-system refrigerant circuit.

[0074] In the refrigerant circuit 1U of operation mode 5, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 functions as a condenser (heat dissipation side), the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 functions as an evaporator (heat absorption side) in the second-system refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator (heat absorption side) in the first-system refrigerant circuit.

[0075] In the heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 5, the heat dissipation-side refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 and the heater core 51 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P1, the heat absorption-side refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12, the tank 6, the external heat exchanger 5, and the heat exchangers 63, 61, 62 for the temperature-controlled object are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P2, and the heat absorption-side refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 and the cooler core 52 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P3.

[0076] This operation mode 5 is an operation mode for performing dehumidifying heating (heat absorption temperature control). The heating operation is performed by limiting the heat medium flowing through the heat dissipation-side refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 to flow through the heater core 51. The heat absorption side is divided into an independent circuit having the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and an independent circuit having the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13, and the heat required for the heating operation is absorbed from various places. In addition, by providing the cooler core 51 alone in the independent circuit having the heat absorption-side refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13, the dehumidification inside the vehicle cabin is effectively performed.

[0077] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 6, by setting the switching valves V1, V2, V5, V6 to non-default states and the other switching valves V3, V4 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P1, an independent circuit including the pump P2, and an independent circuit including the pump P3 are formed. In the refrigerant circuit 1U of operation mode 6, both the on-off valves 31V and 32V are closed. Similar to operation mode 4, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12 are used as condensers (heat dissipation sides), the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 is used as an evaporator (heat absorption side), and the pressure reduction amounts of the pressure reduction parts 14A and 14B are adjusted to perform stepwise heat dissipation with the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12.

[0078] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 6, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and the heater core 51 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P1, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat dissipation side, the tank 6, and the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature control object are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P2, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side and the external heat exchanger 5 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P3.

[0079] This operation mode 6 is an operation mode that performs outdoor air heat absorption and heats (warms up) the battery while performing heating operation of the indoor air conditioner 50. The high-temperature hot water flowing through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side is made to flow through the heater core 51 to perform the heating operation of the indoor air conditioner 50, and the relatively low-temperature hot water flowing through the other refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat dissipation side is made to flow through the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature control object to heat the battery. According to this, by generating heat media in different temperature zones by the refrigerant circuit 1U, heating and battery heating can be performed at a desired temperature with high thermal efficiency.

[0080] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 7 forms an independent circuit including pump P1, an independent circuit including pump P2, and an independent circuit including pump P3 by setting switching valves V1, V2, and V6 to non-default states and other switching valves V3, V4, and V5 to default states. The refrigerant circuit 1 in operation mode 7 forms a circuit that returns from compressor 10 via refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11, bypass refrigerant flow path 31, and refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 (bypassing refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12) by opening on-off valve 31V, closing on-off valve 32V, and closing pressure reducing section 14A.

[0081] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 7 is provided with refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and heater core 51 in the independent circuit including pump P1, refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 that does not exchange heat with refrigerant, tank 6, and heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, and 63 for temperature control objects in the independent circuit including pump P2, and refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side and external heat exchanger 5 in the independent circuit including pump P3.

[0082] This operation mode 7 is an operation mode that performs outdoor air heat absorption, heats indoor air conditioner 50, and stores and discards heat of temperature control objects such as batteries. While performing the heating operation of indoor air conditioner 50 by outdoor air heat absorption, the heat medium flowing through heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, and 63 for temperature control objects is separated from refrigerant circuit 1U to form a circuit, and tank 6 for heat storage or waste heat is provided in that circuit. According to this, heat of temperature control objects such as batteries can be efficiently stored and discarded.

[0083] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 8 forms an independent circuit including pump P1, an independent circuit including pump P2, and an independent circuit including pump P3 by setting switching valves V1, V2, and V6 to non-default states and other switching valves V3, V4, and V5 to default states. The refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 8 forms a first system refrigerant circuit that bypasses refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and a second system refrigerant circuit that bypasses refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 by opening on-off valves 31V and 32V, similar to operation mode 5.

[0084] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 8 is provided with a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and a heater core 51 in an independent circuit including a pump P1, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat absorption side, a tank 6, and heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, 63 for temperature-controlled objects in an independent circuit including a pump P2, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side and an external heat exchanger 5 in an independent circuit including a pump P3.

[0085] Operation mode 8 is an operation mode in which outdoor air heat absorption is performed, the indoor air conditioner 50 is heated, and the heat storage of temperature-controlled objects such as a battery is utilized. The refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat absorption side absorbs the heat stored in temperature-controlled objects such as the tank 6 and the battery in operation mode 6 described above, and together with the outdoor air heat absorption, secures the heat required for heating.

[0086] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 9 forms an independent circuit including a pump P1 and an independent circuit including a pump P2 by setting the switching valves V1 and V2 to a non-default state and the other switching valves V3 to V6 to the default state. Here, the pump P3 is stopped. The refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 9 configures a refrigerant circuit that bypasses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 by closing the on-off valve 31V, opening the on-off valve 32V, and closing the pressure reducing section 14B. At this time, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 is disconnected from the refrigerant circuit 1, and the flow path 103 passing through the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 and the flow path for flowing the heat medium to the cooler core 52 are in a non-use state.

[0087] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 9 is provided with a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and a heater core 51 in an independent circuit including a pump P1, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat absorption side, a tank 6, and heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, 63 for temperature-controlled objects in an independent circuit including a pump P2.

[0088] This operation mode 9 is an operation mode in which the indoor air conditioner 50 is heated by utilizing heat storage. The refrigerant circuit 1U performs a heating operation by absorbing the heat stored in temperature-controlled objects such as the tank 6 and the battery in operation mode 6 in an independent circuit having the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat absorption side.

[0089] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 10, by setting the switching valves V1, V3, V5, V6 to non-default states and the other switching valves V2, V4 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P1, an independent circuit including the pump P2, and an independent circuit including the pump P3 are formed. In the refrigerant circuit 1U of operation mode 10, similar to operation mode 4 etc., both the on-off valves 31V and 32V are closed, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers 11 and 12 function as condensers (heat dissipation side), and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator (heat absorption side).

[0090] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 10, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and the heater core 51 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P1, the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat dissipation side, the tank 6, and the external heat exchanger 5 are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P2, and the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side and the heat exchanger 60 for the temperature-controlled object of the battery are provided in the independent circuit including the pump P3.

[0091] This operation mode 10 is an operation mode for performing defrosting heating during vehicle stop by using heat storage. The heat stored in the battery is absorbed by the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 to operate the refrigerant circuit 1U, and the heat medium heated by the heat released by the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and the heat stored in the tank 6 is flowed through the external heat exchanger 5 to perform defrosting of the external heat exchanger 5.

[0092] In the heat medium circuit 100 of operation mode 11, by setting the switching valves V1, V3, V6 to non-default states and the other switching valves V2, V4, V5 to default states, an independent circuit including the pump P1, an independent circuit including the pump P2, and an independent circuit including the pump P3 are formed. Operation mode 11 is an operation mode for performing defrosting heating during driving by using heat storage, and is the same as operation mode 10 except for the switching state of the switching valve V5. In this operation mode 11, the heat of the temperature-controlled object (such as inverter, motor, power control unit, etc.) generated during operation, the heat dissipation of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12, and the heat storage of the tank 6 are used for defrosting of the external heat exchanger 5.

[0093] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 12 forms an independent circuit including pump P1 and an independent circuit including pump P2 by setting switching valves V1, V2, V5 to non-default states and other switching valves V3, V4, V6 to default states, and stops pump P3.

[0094] In operation mode 12, while heating the indoor air conditioner 50, the battery is heated by absorbing the heat of the auxiliary heat source 7 to operate the refrigerant circuit 1U. This operation mode 12 is the same as operation mode 9 except for the switching of switching valve V5.

[0095] In operation mode 12, the heat added by the auxiliary heat source 7 is absorbed by the refrigerant in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12, and in the heat exchanger 60 for the object to be temperature-controlled, the battery is heated by the heat added by the auxiliary heat source 7 and the heat accumulated in the tank 6. At this time, since the temperature of the heat medium used for battery heating can be appropriately adjusted by the calorific value of the auxiliary heat source 7, it can be adjusted to a temperature range different from the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the independent circuit having the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side, and battery heating becomes possible while performing heating operation at an appropriate temperature.

[0096] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 13 forms an independent circuit including pump P1, an independent circuit including pump P2, and an independent circuit including pump P3 by setting switching valves V1, V2, V4 to non-default states and other switching valves V3, V5, V6 to default states. The refrigerant circuit 1U in operation mode 13 is the same as operation mode 8, and by opening both on-off valves 31V and 32V, it constitutes a first-system refrigerant circuit that bypasses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 and a second-system refrigerant circuit that bypasses the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13.

[0097] The heat medium circuit 100 in operation mode 13 is provided with a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 11 on the heat dissipation side and a heater core 51 in an independent circuit including a pump P1, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 on the heat absorption side, an auxiliary heat source 7, a tank 6, and heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, 63 for temperature-controlled objects in an independent circuit including a pump P2, and a refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 on the heat absorption side and a cooler core 52 in an independent circuit including a pump P3.

[0098] In operation mode 13, while adding the heat of the auxiliary heat source 7, the heating operation of the in-vehicle air conditioner 50 is performed by the operation of the refrigerant circuit 1U that absorbs the heat in the vehicle interior and the waste heat / heat storage of the temperature-controlled object. In operation mode 13, in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 13 that functions as the evaporator of the first system, the heat in the vehicle interior recovered via the cooler core 52 is absorbed by the refrigerant, and in the refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger 12 that functions as the evaporator in the refrigerant circuit of the second system, the heat added by the auxiliary heat source 7, the heat storage in the tank 6, and the stored waste heat of the temperature-controlled object such as the battery are absorbed by the refrigerant.

[0099] As described above, in the heat medium temperature control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the heat medium circuit 100 forms a series flow path 100T connecting the pumps P1, P2, P3 and a plurality of temperature-controlled heat exchangers (heater core 51, cooler core 52, external heat exchanger 5, heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, 63 for temperature-controlled objects, etc.) in the event of a system abnormality, even if there is a system abnormality, the heat medium temperature-controlled in the entire series flow path 100T of the heat medium circuit 100 can be circulated, and the desired temperature control can be performed for many temperature-controlled objects connected to the series flow path 100T.

[0100] And since the series flow path 100T is formed in the default state when the flow path switching device 100A is de-energized, when the flow path switching device 100A is de-energized in the event of a system abnormality, the above-described series flow path 100T can be automatically formed, enabling the realization of fail-safe.

[0101] In addition, the heat medium circuit 100 forms a plurality of independent circuits by means of a flow path switching device 100A, and each independent circuit is provided with pumps (P1, P2, P3) and temperature control target heat exchangers (heater core 51, cooler core 52, external heat exchanger 5, heat exchangers 60, 61, 62, 63 for temperature control target objects, etc.). Therefore, the heat medium can flow in different temperature zones for each independent circuit, and the temperature of the temperature control target can be managed in a plurality of temperature zones.

[0102] Moreover, the heat medium temperature control system 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 1U having a plurality of refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers (11, 12, 13) as a heat source, and at least one refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger (11, 12, 13) is provided in each of the aforementioned independent circuits. According to this, the temperature zone of the heat medium flowing through the independent circuit can be appropriately set by the heat absorption and release function of each refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger (11, 12, 13).

[0103] In particular, the refrigerant circuit 1U selects two or more of at least three refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers, and uses a part of the selected refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger as a condenser and the other part as an evaporator, so that various operation modes of the aforementioned refrigerant circuit 1U can be realized. Thereby, by adding switching of the air supply flow path in the indoor air conditioner 50 to the series flow path 100T having the heater core 51 and the cooler core 52 in the indoor air conditioner 50, it is possible to switch between heating operation and cooling operation even in the event of a system abnormality.

[0104] At this time, in the heat medium temperature control system 1, the series flow path 100T allows the heat medium to flow in the order of an external heat exchanger 5 where the heat medium exchanges heat with the outside air, an evaporator which is one of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers, a cooler core 52 which is one of the temperature control target heat exchangers, and heat exchangers (60, 61, 62, 63) for temperature control target objects which are other temperature control target heat exchangers.

[0105] During cooling, since the required temperature of the cooler core 52 is lower than the required temperatures of the heat exchangers (60, 61, 62, 63) for the temperature-controlled object, by flowing the heat medium in the order of the external heat exchanger 5, the evaporator, the cooler core 52, and the heat exchangers (60, 61, 62, 63) for the temperature-controlled object, even when the series flow path 100T is formed during the cooling operation, after the heat of the heat medium is dissipated by the external heat exchanger 5, the heat medium can be cooled by the evaporator. Therefore, while suppressing the influence on the comfort of the cooling operation, the temperature-controlled object can be cooled, and it becomes possible to avoid situations such as vehicle stoppage.

[0106] Also, in the heat medium temperature control system 1, the series flow path 100T is arranged such that the heat medium flows in the order of the condenser, which is one of the refrigerant heat medium heat exchangers, the heater core 51, which is one of the temperature-controlled heat exchangers, and the external heat exchanger 5. According to this, by flowing the heat medium in the order of the condenser, the heater core 51, and the external heat exchanger 5, heat is dissipated by the heater core 51 during heating, and during cooling, heat exchange at the heater core 51 can be suppressed by the air mix door 53 or the like, and heat can be dissipated by the external heat exchanger 5.

[0107] At that time, on the downstream side of the outside air heat exchanger 5, as described above, since the heat medium flows in the order of the external heat exchanger 5, the evaporator, the cooler core 52, and the heat exchangers (60, 61, 62, 63) for the temperature-controlled object, the heat medium that has exchanged heat at the condenser during cooling flows to the evaporator after being dissipated by the external heat exchanger 5, so it no longer flows directly to the evaporator, and the influence during the air conditioning operation can be suppressed. Also, for the heat exchangers (60, 61, 62, 63) for the temperature-controlled object provided on the downstream side of the external heat exchanger 5, the heat medium heated by the condenser no longer flows directly, so it is possible to prevent the heat medium in a high temperature range such as that used by the heater core 52 from flowing to the heat exchangers (60, 61, 62, 63) for the temperature-controlled object, and prevent the temperature of the temperature-controlled object from becoming too high.

[0108] Furthermore, during heating, since the heat medium discharged from the heater core 52 can flow through the external heat exchanger 5 and the evaporator in that order, it becomes possible to use the heat of the heat medium discharged from the heater core 52 as a heat source for defrosting the external heat exchanger 5 and the evaporator.

[0109] And, since the heat medium temperature control system 1 is provided with the auxiliary heat source 7 for heating the heat medium on the inlet side of the heater core 52 in the series flow path 100T as needed, this auxiliary heat source 7 can be used as the temperature control heat source in abnormal heating operation, the heat source for heating in the case of non-operation of the refrigerant circuit 1U, and the heat source for battery heating. Also, as described above, it can be used for heat addition when using the heat of the heat medium discharged from the heater core 52 as the heat source for defrosting the external heat exchanger 5 and the evaporator.

[0110] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Also, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in the purpose and configuration of the above-described embodiments, the techniques of each other can be diverted and combined.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0111] 1: Heat medium temperature control system, 1U: Refrigerant circuit, 1A: Refrigerant circuit control device, 31, 32: Bypass refrigerant flow path, 5: External heat exchanger, 6: Tank, 7: Auxiliary heat source, 10: Compressor, 11, 12, 13: Refrigerant heat medium heat exchanger, 14A, 14B: Pressure reducing section, 15: Backflow prevention means, 20, 21, 22, 23: Refrigerant flow path, 31A, 32A: Branch section, 31B, 32B: Confluence section, 31V, 32V: On-off valve, 50: Room air conditioner, 51: Heater core, 52: Cooler core, 60, 61, 62, 63: Heat exchanger for temperature control object, 100: Heat medium circuit, 100A: Flow path switching device, 100T: Series flow path, 101, 102, 103, 110, 111, 112, 120, 121, 122, 123, 130, 131, 132, 133, 140, 141, 142, 150, 151, 160, 161: Flow path, 150A, 160A, 161A: Confluence section, 200: Control device, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6: Switching valves, U: Unit, P1, P2, P3: Pumps

Claims

1. A heat medium temperature control system comprising a heat medium circuit for circulating a heat medium whose temperature is controlled by heat exchange with a heat source, the heat medium circuit comprising a pump for pumping the heat medium and a plurality of heat exchange devices for the object to be temperature-controlled that effect heat exchange with the object to be temperature-controlled, wherein the heat medium circuit comprises a flow path switching device, wherein the heat medium circuit forms a plurality of independent circuits by means of the flow path switching device, and for each of the independent circuits, the pump and the heat exchange device for the object to be temperature-controlled are provided, wherein the heat medium temperature control system comprises a refrigerant circuit having a plurality of refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers, and at least one of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers is provided in each of the independent circuits, wherein the heat medium circuit forms a series flow path connecting the pump and the plurality of heat exchange devices for the object to be temperature-controlled in the event of a system abnormality, wherein the series flow path allows the heat medium to flow in the order of an external heat exchanger in which the heat medium exchanges heat with the outside air, an evaporator which is one of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers, a cooler core of an indoor air conditioner which is one of the heat exchange devices for the object to be temperature-controlled, and a heat exchanger for the object to be temperature-controlled which is another of the heat exchange devices for the object to be temperature-controlled. A heat medium temperature control system characterized by this.

2. The heat medium temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the series flow path is formed in a non-energized state of the flow path switching device.

3. The series flow path is characterized in that the heat medium flows in the order of a condenser which is one of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers, a heater core of an indoor air conditioner which is one of the heat exchange devices for the object to be temperature-controlled, and the external heat exchanger. A heat medium temperature control system according to claim 1.

4. The series flow path is characterized in that an auxiliary heat source for heating the heat medium is provided on the inlet side of the heater core. A heat medium temperature control system according to claim 3.

5. The refrigerant circuit is characterized in that two or more of at least three or more of the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers are selected, and a part of the selected refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers is used as a condenser and the other part as an evaporator. A heat medium temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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