Thermal management system

Abstract

To provide a thermal management system capable of facilitating a structure and control of a heat pump cycle, and making a plurality of different temperature zones through a heat medium circuit.SOLUTION: A thermal management system 1 comprises: a heat pump cycle 10; a low temperature side heat medium circuit 20; and a control unit. The heat pump cycle 10 comprises: a compressor 11; a water refrigerant heat exchanger 12; an expansion valve 13; and a chiller 14. The low temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is configured so that, a heat medium cooled by the chiller is circuilated, and has: an air cooling circuit; a battery temperature adjusting circuit; a coupling part; and a flow rate adjusting part. The coupling part connects the air cooling circuit and the battery temperature adjusting circuit so that the heat medium can flow into and can flow out. The control unit controls actuation of the flow rate adjusting part so that, a temperature zone of the heat medium flowing in the air cooling circuit is different from that of the heat medium flowing in the battery temperature adjusting circuit, for adjusting a flow rate of the heat medium in the coupling part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat management system that manages a plurality of temperature control targets that require different temperature ranges by means of a heat pump cycle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technology related to a heat management system for the purpose of air conditioning, battery cooling, etc., the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, in a heat pump cycle, two evaporators, an air conditioner evaporator and a chiller, are connected in parallel, and the cooling capacity of the heat pump cycle is configured to be distributed to the cooling use of the air conditioner supply air and the cooling use of the heat medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a heat management system, when there is an evaporator that is not used among a plurality of evaporators, in order to avoid system failures due to refrigerant and oil pooling, functional components such as oil recovery control and check valves need to be added, which is assumed to lead to increased control complexity and cost.

[0005] When, as in Patent Document 1, a heat use such as air conditioning or battery cooling is associated with each of a plurality of evaporators, it is assumed that the temperature ranges required for each evaporator are different. In a plurality of evaporators arranged in parallel in a heat pump cycle, if different temperature ranges are to be created, it is necessary to increase the superheat of the chiller and deteriorate the efficiency, or to perform intermittent operation while ensuring the refrigerant flow rate necessary for oil return. Further, in such complicated control in a heat pump cycle, since a phase change of the refrigerant intervenes, it has been difficult to accurately create a desired temperature range in each evaporator.

[0006] And as a heat management system, it is also conceivable to use a heat medium circuit in which a heat medium cooled by a chiller circulates to cope with heat uses such as air conditioning and battery cooling. However, since there is only one temperature range of the cold heat created by the chiller, if it is adjusted to meet one of the requirements, it is impossible to respond to the other requirement, and it has been difficult to cope with the temperature ranges related to a plurality of uses.

[0007] In view of the above points, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a heat management system that simplifies the configuration and control of a heat pump cycle and can create a plurality of different temperature ranges through a heat medium circuit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A heat management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a heat pump cycle (10), a low-temperature side heat medium circuit (20, 20x, 20y), and a control unit (70). The heat pump cycle includes a compressor (11), a condenser (12), a decompression unit (13, 13a, 13b), and chillers (14, 15, 16). The compressor compresses and discharges the refrigerant. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor. The decompression unit decompresses the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser. The chiller evaporates the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant decompressed by the decompression unit and the heat medium.

[0009] In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit, the heat medium cooled by the chiller circulates. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes a first circuit (20a, 20d), a second circuit (20b, 20c), a connecting portion (21), and a flow rate adjusting portion (22). The first circuit has a first heat exchange portion (25, 34), and is configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the chiller and the first heat exchange portion. The first heat exchange portion cools the first temperature adjustment target by heat exchange between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the first temperature adjustment target associated with a predetermined first temperature range.

[0010] The second circuit includes a second heat exchange portion (26, 28, 34) and heat medium pumps (30, 31, 32), and is configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the second heat exchange portion and the heat medium pumps. The second heat exchange portion causes heat exchange between the second temperature adjustment target associated with a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range and the heat medium cooled by the chiller. The heat medium pumps pump the heat medium so as to flow through the second heat exchange portion.

[0011] The connecting portion connects the first circuit and the second circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. The flow rate adjusting portion adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the second circuit at the connecting portion. The control portion controls the operation of the flow rate adjusting portion so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit is different from the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium at the connecting portion. In a first aspect of the present disclosure, the first temperature adjustment target is the blown air supplied to the air-conditioned space, and the first heat exchange unit is a cooler core (25) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the blown air to cool the blown air. The second temperature adjustment target is the heat-generating device (27) that generates heat during operation, and the second heat exchange unit is a heat exchanger for equipment (26, 28) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the heat-generating device to adjust the temperature of the heat-generating device. In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the first temperature adjustment target is the outside air, and the first heat exchange unit is an outside air heat exchanger (34) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the outside air. The second temperature adjustment target is the heat-generating device (27) that generates heat during operation, and the second heat exchange unit is a heat exchanger for equipment (26, 28) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the heat-generating device to adjust the temperature of the heat-generating device. In a third aspect of the present disclosure, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit has a third circuit (20b), a low-temperature side connection part (23), and a low-temperature side flow rate adjustment part (24). The third circuit has a third heat exchange part (26) and a low-temperature side pump (31), and the heat medium is configured to be circulable through the third heat exchange part and the low-temperature side pump. The third heat exchange part exchanges heat between the third temperature adjustment target associated with a third temperature zone higher than the first temperature zone and the heat medium cooled by the chiller. The low-temperature side pump pumps the heat medium so as to flow through the third heat exchange part. The low-temperature side connection part connects the first circuit and the third circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. The low-temperature side flow rate adjustment part adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the third circuit at the low-temperature side connection part. The control unit controls the operation of the low-temperature side flow rate adjustment part so that the temperature zone of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit approaches the first temperature zone and the temperature zone of the heat medium flowing through the third circuit approaches the third temperature zone, and causes a part of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit to flow into the third circuit through the low-temperature side connection part. In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is a high-temperature side heat medium circuit (40) in which a heat medium heated by the heat of the refrigerant radiated by the condenser circulates. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit has a heater core (41) and a high-temperature side pump (43), and the heat medium is configured to be circulable through the heater core and the high-temperature side pump, and also has a high-temperature side connection part (45) and a high-temperature side flow rate adjustment part (46).The heater core exchanges heat between a heat medium heated by the heat of a refrigerant and blown air supplied to the space to be air-conditioned, and heats the blown air. The high-temperature side pump pumps the heat medium to the heater core. The high-temperature side connection part connects the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the second circuit of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. The high-temperature side flow rate adjustment part adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the second circuit at the high-temperature side connection part. The control part controls the operation of the high-temperature side flow rate adjustment part so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit approaches the second temperature range, and causes a part of the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit to flow into the second circuit through the high-temperature side connection part.

[0012] According to the heat management system, by controlling the operation of the flow rate adjusting portion and adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the connecting portion, it is possible to adjust the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit to be different using the heat medium cooled by one chiller. Thereby, the heat management system can distribute the cooling capacity realized by one chiller to the first heat exchange portion and the second heat exchange portion according to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the connecting portion, and can realize the distribution of the cooling capacity in a simpler control mode than in the case of distribution by a vapor compression refrigeration cycle or the like. That is, the heat management system can create a plurality of different temperature ranges by utilizing the cold heat generated by one chiller through the heat medium circuit.

[0013] Note that the reference signs in parentheses for each means described in this column and the claims indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to those described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, other embodiments described previously can be applied to other parts of the configuration. Not only combinations of parts explicitly shown to be combinable in each embodiment, but also partial combinations of embodiments are possible without particular hindrance to the combination.

[0016] (First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment in the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle, which is a vehicle that obtains driving force for traveling from an electric motor. The heat management system 1 has an in-vehicle device temperature control function that performs air conditioning in the vehicle interior, which is the air conditioning target space, and adjusts the temperature of the battery 27 and cools in-vehicle devices in the electric vehicle. That is, the heat management system 1 can also be said to be an air conditioner with an in-vehicle device temperature control function.

[0017] The battery 27 is a secondary battery that stores electric power supplied to in-vehicle devices such as an electric motor, and is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The battery 27 is a so-called assembled battery formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells and electrically connecting these battery cells in series or in parallel.

[0018] For this type of battery, input / output is restricted at low temperatures, and the output tends to decrease at high temperatures. Therefore, the temperature of the battery needs to be maintained within an appropriate temperature range (in this embodiment, 5°C or higher and 55°C or lower) in which the charge / discharge capacity of the battery can be fully utilized.

[0019] Furthermore, in this type of battery 27, the higher the temperature of the battery 27, the more likely the deterioration of the cells constituting the battery 27 progresses. In other words, by maintaining the temperature of the battery 27 at a certain low temperature, the progress of the deterioration of the battery 27 can be suppressed. Therefore, in the heat management system 1, the battery 27 can be cooled by the cold heat generated by the heat pump cycle 10.

[0020] In addition, in the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment, as an example of heat generating devices that generate heat during operation, an inverter, a motor generator, a transaxle device, etc. are mounted. The inverter is a power conversion unit that converts direct current into alternating current. The motor generator outputs a driving force for traveling when supplied with power and generates regenerative power during deceleration, etc. The transaxle device is a device that integrates a transmission and a final gear differential gear (differential gear).

[0021] The heat management system 1 is configured to recover the waste heat generated in the heat generating devices by using the heat pump cycle 10 in order to effectively utilize the waste heat generated during the operation of these heat generating devices.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a heat pump cycle 10, a low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, a high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, an indoor air-conditioning unit 60, a control device 70, etc. The heat pump cycle 10 can cool or heat the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 or the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 by heat exchange with the refrigerant.

[0023] The heat pump cycle 10 includes, as component devices, a compressor 11, a water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and a chiller 14. In the heat pump cycle 10, an HFO-based refrigerant (specifically, R1234yf) is adopted as the refrigerant. The heat pump cycle 10 constitutes a vapor compression subcritical refrigeration cycle in which the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 does not exceed the critical pressure of the refrigerant. Refrigerant oil (specifically, PAG oil) for lubricating the compressor 11 is mixed into the refrigerant. A part of the refrigerant oil circulates in the cycle together with the refrigerant.

[0024] In the heat pump cycle 10, the compressor 11 sucks in and compresses the refrigerant and then discharges it. The compressor 11 is disposed in a drive device chamber on the front side of the passenger compartment. The drive device chamber forms a space in which at least a part of a drive device (for example, an electric motor) for outputting driving force for traveling is disposed.

[0025] The compressor 11 is an electric compressor that rotationally drives a fixed displacement type compression mechanism with a fixed discharge capacity by an electric motor. The rotation speed (i.e., refrigerant discharge capacity) of the compressor 11 is controlled by a control signal output from a control device 70 described later.

[0026] The refrigerant inlet side of the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 11. The water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12 has a refrigerant passage 12a through which the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows, and a heat medium passage 12b through which a heat medium circulating in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 flows.

[0027] Then, the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12 is a heat exchanger for heating the heat medium with the heat of the high-pressure refrigerant by exchanging heat between the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 12a and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 12b. Further, the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12 corresponds to an example of a condenser because it condenses the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 12a by heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 12b.

[0028] An expansion valve 13 is connected to the outlet of the refrigerant passage 12a of the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12. The expansion valve 13 is a pressure-reducing section that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the refrigerant passage 12a of the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12 and adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out to the downstream side. The expansion valve 13 is an electric variable throttle mechanism having a valve body configured to be able to change the throttle opening degree and an electric actuator (specifically, a stepping motor) for displacing the valve body. The operation of the expansion valve 13 is controlled by a control signal (specifically, a control pulse) output from the control device 70.

[0029] And, the inlet side of the refrigerant passage 14a of the chiller 14 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the expansion valve 13. The chiller 14 has a refrigerant passage 14a through which the low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 13 flows, and a heat medium passage 14b through which the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 flows. And, the chiller 14 is an evaporation section that exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 14a and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 14b, evaporates the low-pressure refrigerant, and exhibits an endothermic effect. The suction port side of the compressor 11 is connected to the outlet side of the refrigerant passage 14a in the chiller 14.

[0030] That is, the heat pump cycle 10 according to the first embodiment is a refrigeration cycle in which the compressor 11, the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12, the expansion valve 13, and the chiller 14 are connected, and a simple configuration can be realized.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 in the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is a heat medium circulation circuit in which the heat medium cooled by the chiller 14 circulates. As the heat medium, a solution containing ethylene glycol, dimethylpolysiloxane, or nanofluid, an antifreeze liquid, etc. can be adopted.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 is configured by connecting a cooler core 25, a heat exchanger for battery 26, a heat exchanger for equipment 28, first to fourth low-temperature side pumps 29 to 32, a first outside air heat exchanger 33, a second outside air heat exchanger 34, etc. by heat medium flow paths.

[0033] Further, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 has an air cooling circuit 20a, a battery temperature control circuit 20b, an equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d as a circulation circuit capable of independently circulating the heat medium cooled by the chiller 14. The configurations of these circulation circuits will be described later. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 according to the first embodiment is configured by connecting between these air cooling circuit 20a, battery temperature control circuit 20b, equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and outside air heat absorption circuit 20d with a heat medium flow path so that the heat medium can flow in and out.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, the discharge port side of the first low-temperature side pump 29 is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium passage 14b in the chiller 14. The first low-temperature side pump 29 is a heat medium pump that sucks and discharges the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. For example, an electric water pump can be adopted. The first low-temperature side pump 29 pumps the heat medium toward the inlet side of the heat medium passage 14b in the chiller 14.

[0035] And, the first inlet / outlet 35a of the four-way valve 35 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium passage 14b in the chiller 14. The four-way valve 35 is a flow rate adjustment valve having four heat medium inlets / outlets of the first inlet / outlet 35a to the fourth inlet / outlet 35d. The four-way valve 35 adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing out from the other inlets / outlets with respect to the heat medium flowing in from any one of the first inlet / outlet 35a to the fourth inlet / outlet 35d.

[0036] Further, the four-way valve 35 can switch the flow path configuration of the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the first inlet / outlet 35a to the fourth inlet / outlet 35d. Therefore, the four-way valve 35 also functions as a flow path switching unit.

[0037] The suction port side of the second low-temperature side pump 30 is connected to the second inflow / outflow port 35b of the four-way valve 35. And the heat medium outlet side of the cooler core 25 is connected to the third inflow / outflow port 35c of the four-way valve 35 via a later-described eighth connection part 50h.

[0038] The second low-temperature side pump 30 is a heat medium pump that sucks and discharges the heat medium flowing out from the second inflow / outflow port 35b of the four-way valve 35, and can adopt the same configuration as the first low-temperature side pump 29. The second low-temperature side pump 30 pumps the heat medium toward the heat medium inlet side of the cooler core 25.

[0039] The cooler core 25 is a cooling heat exchange part that exchanges heat between the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the blown air supplied to the passenger compartment which is the air-conditioning target space, and cools the blown air. The cooler core 25 is arranged inside a later-described interior air-conditioning unit 60, and absorbs heat from the blown air blown into the passenger compartment by the heat medium.

[0040] And the fourth inflow / outflow port 36d side of the first five-way valve 36 is connected to the fourth inflow / outflow port 35d of the four-way valve 35. The first five-way valve 36 is a flow rate adjustment valve having first to fifth inflow / outflow ports 36a to 36e. The first five-way valve 36 adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing out from the second inflow / outflow port 36b, the third inflow / outflow port 36c, and the fifth inflow / outflow port 36e with respect to the heat medium flowing in from the first inflow / outflow port 36a or the fourth inflow / outflow port 36d. The first five-way valve 36 can be formed, for example, by combining a plurality of three-way flow rate adjustment valves.

[0041] The heat medium inlet side of the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is connected to the third inflow / outflow port 36c of the first five-way valve 36. The second outside air heat exchanger 34 is an outside air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the heat medium flowing out from the third inflow / outflow port 36c of the first five-way valve 36 and the outside air outside the passenger compartment.

[0042] When the temperature of the heat medium is lower than the outside air temperature, the second outside air heat exchanger 34 functions as a heat absorber that absorbs the heat of the outside air into the heat medium. When the temperature of the heat medium is higher than the outside air temperature, the second outside air heat exchanger 34 functions as a radiator that radiates the heat of the heat medium to the outside air. The heat medium outlet of the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is connected to the suction port side of the first low-temperature side pump 29 via a sixth connection portion 50f, a seventh connection portion 50g, and a fourth connection portion 50d, which will be described later.

[0043] The heat medium outlet side of the electric heater 42 is connected to the first inflow / outflow port 36a of the first five-way valve 36. And the heat medium inlet side of the heater core 41 is connected to the second inflow / outflow port 36b of the first five-way valve 36.

[0044] And a first connection portion 50a is connected to the fifth inflow / outflow port 36e of the first five-way valve 36. The first connection portion 50a is formed in a three-way joint shape having three inflow / outflow ports that communicate with each other. As the first connection portion 50a, a joint member formed by joining a plurality of pipes, or a joint member formed by providing a plurality of refrigerant passages in a metal block or a resin block can be employed.

[0045] As described above, one of the inflow / outflow ports of the first connection portion 50a is connected to the fifth inflow / outflow port 36e of the first five-way valve 36. And the suction port side of the third low-temperature side pump 31 is connected to the other inflow / outflow port of the first connection portion 50a via a second connection portion 50b. The suction port side of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 is connected to another inflow / outflow port of the first connection portion 50a via a third connection portion 50c.

[0046] Here, the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment has second connection portions 50b to eighth connection portions 50h. The configurations of the second connection portions 50b to eighth connection portions 50h are the same as that of the first connection portion 50a, and are formed in a three-way joint shape having three inflow / outflow ports that communicate with each other.

[0047] The third low-temperature side pump 31 is a heat medium pump that sucks in and discharges the heat medium that has flowed through the second connection part 50b, and can adopt the same configuration as the first low-temperature side pump 29. The heat medium inlet side of the heat exchanger 26 for batteries is connected to the discharge port of the third low-temperature side pump 31. Therefore, the third low-temperature side pump 31 pumps the heat medium toward the heat medium inlet side of the heat exchanger 26 for batteries.

[0048] The heat exchanger 26 for batteries is a heat exchanger for adjusting the temperature of the battery 27 by heat-exchanging the heat medium that has flowed through the second connection part 50b and the battery cells that constitute the battery 27. Inside the heat exchanger 26 for batteries, a heat medium passage in which a plurality of passages are connected in parallel is formed. Thereby, the heat medium passage of the heat exchanger 26 for batteries is formed so as to be able to uniformly absorb the exhaust heat of the battery 27 from the entire area of the battery 27. In other words, the heat medium passage of the heat exchanger 26 for batteries is formed so as to uniformly absorb the heat possessed by all the battery cells and uniformly cool all the battery cells. The second inflow / outflow port 37b of the second five-way valve 37 is connected to the heat medium outlet side in the heat exchanger 26 for batteries.

[0049] Since the battery 27 generates heat during operation (i.e., during charging and discharging), it corresponds to an example of a heat-generating device. Therefore, the heat exchanger 26 for batteries corresponds to an example of a heat exchanger for devices because it heat-exchanges the heat medium and the heat-generating device.

[0050] Incidentally, the heat exchanger 26 for batteries may be formed by arranging a heat medium passage between the battery cells arranged in a stacked manner. Also, the heat exchanger 26 for batteries may be integrally formed with the battery 27. For example, it may be integrally formed with the battery 27 by providing a heat medium passage in a dedicated case that houses the battery cells arranged in a stacked manner.

[0051] The fourth low-temperature side pump 32 is a heat medium pump that sucks in and discharges the heat medium flowing out from the third connection part 50c, and can adopt the same configuration as the first low-temperature side pump 29. The heat medium inlet side of the equipment heat exchanger 28 is connected to the discharge port of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32. Therefore, the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 pumps the heat medium toward the heat medium inlet side of the equipment heat exchanger 28.

[0052] The equipment heat exchanger 28 is a heat exchanger that is mounted on an electric vehicle and exchanges heat between a heat-generating device that generates heat during operation and the heat medium flowing through the third connection part 50c. As described above, examples of the heat-generating device in the present embodiment include an inverter, a motor generator, and a transaxle device.

[0053] The equipment heat exchanger 28 is configured by forming a heat medium passage through which the heat medium flowing out from the third connection part 50c flows, inside a housing part or a case part that forms the outer shell of the heat-generating devices such as an inverter, a motor generator, and a transaxle device. Thereby, when passing through the heat medium passage formed in the housing part or the like, the heat medium exchanges heat with each heat-generating device, and the exhaust heat generated in the heat-generating device can be recovered by the heat medium. The heat medium outlet of the equipment heat exchanger 28 is connected to the fifth inlet / outlet 37e side of the second five-way valve 37.

[0054] Here, the second five-way valve 37 is a flow rate adjustment valve having first to fifth inlets / outlets 37a to 37e. The second five-way valve 37 adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing out from the first inlet / outlet 37a, the third inlet / outlet 37c, and the fourth inlet / outlet 37d with respect to the heat medium flowing in from the second inlet / outlet 37b or the fifth inlet / outlet 37e. Similar to the first five-way valve 36, the second five-way valve 37 can be formed, for example, by combining a plurality of three-way flow rate adjustment valves. The suction port side of the first low-temperature side pump 29 is connected to the third inlet / outlet 37c of the second five-way valve 37 via the fourth connection part 50d.

[0055] And, the suction port side of the third low-temperature side pump 31 is connected to the first inlet / outlet 37a of the second five-way valve 37 via the second connection part 50b. Therefore, in the heat management system 1, the heat medium can be circulated via the third low-temperature side pump 31, the heat exchanger 26 for battery, and the second five-way valve 37, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be configured.

[0056] Also, the heat medium inlet side of the first outside air heat exchanger 33 is connected to the fourth inlet / outlet 37d of the second five-way valve 37. The first outside air heat exchanger 33 is an outside air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the heat medium flowing out from the fourth inlet / outlet 37d of the second five-way valve 37 and the outside air. Therefore, the first outside air heat exchanger 33 can dissipate the heat of the heat medium flowing out from the fourth inlet / outlet 37d to the outside air.

[0057] The suction port side of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 is connected to the heat medium outlet of the first outside air heat exchanger 33 via the third connection part 50c. Therefore, according to the heat management system 1, the heat medium can be circulated via the fourth low-temperature side pump 32, the heat exchanger 28 for equipment, and the second five-way valve 37, and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can be configured.

[0058] Subsequently, the configuration of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 in the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 is a heat medium circulation circuit in which the heat medium heated by the water-cooled heat exchanger 12 circulates.

[0059] The discharge port of the high-temperature side pump 43 is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium passage 14b in the water-cooled heat exchanger 12. The high-temperature side pump 43 is a heat medium pump that sucks and discharges the heat medium flowing out from the third connection part 50c, and the same configuration as the first low-temperature side pump 29 or the like can be adopted. Therefore, the high-temperature side pump 43 pumps the heat medium toward the inlet side of the heat medium passage 12b in the water-cooled heat exchanger 12.

[0060] Then, on the outlet side of the heat medium passage 14b in the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12, the heat medium inlet side of the electric heater 42 is connected. The electric heater 42 has a heat medium passage through which the heat medium flowing out from the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12 circulates, and is a heating unit that heats the heat medium passing through the heat medium passage.

[0061] In the present embodiment, as the electric heater 42, a PTC heater having a PTC element that generates heat when power is supplied is adopted. The calorific value of the electric heater 42 is controlled by the control voltage output from the control device 70. On the heat medium outlet side of the electric heater 42, the first inflow / outlet 36a of the first five-way valve 36 is connected.

[0062] Then, on the second inflow / outlet 36b of the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium inlet side of the heater core 41 is connected. The heater core 41 is disposed in the indoor air-conditioning unit 60, and is a heat exchange unit for heating that exchanges heat between the heat medium flowing out from the second inflow / outlet 36b and the blown air supplied into the vehicle interior. In the heater core 41, the heat possessed by the heat medium is radiated to the blown air to heat the blown air. On the heat medium outlet of the heater core 41, the suction port side of the high-temperature side pump 43 is connected via the fifth connection portion 50e.

[0063] Here, in the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment, in the heat medium circuit, first connection portions 50a to eighth connection portions 50h in the shape of a three-way joint are arranged. The connection destinations of each of the first connection portion 50a to the eighth connection portion 50h will be described.

[0064] First, one of the inflow / outlets in the first connection portion 50a is connected to the fifth inflow / outlet 36e of the first five-way valve 36. The other of the inflow / outlets in the first connection portion 50a is connected to one of the inflow / outlets in the second connection portion 50b. And another inflow / outlet in the first connection portion 50a is connected to one of the inflow / outlets in the third connection portion 50c.

[0065] Next, as described above, one of the inlet / outlet ports in the second connection part 50b is connected to the other of the inlet / outlet ports in the first connection part 50a. The other of the inlet / outlet ports in the second connection part 50b is connected to the suction port side of the third low-temperature side pump 31. Another inlet / outlet port in the second connection part 50b is connected to the first inlet / outlet port 37a of the second five-way valve 37.

[0066] Then, as described above, one of the inlet / outlet ports in the third connection part 50c is connected to another inlet / outlet port in the first connection part 50a. The other of the inlet / outlet ports in the third connection part 50c is connected to the suction port side of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32. Another inlet / outlet port in the third connection part 50c is connected to the fourth inlet / outlet port 37d of the second five-way valve 37.

[0067] Subsequently, one of the inlet / outlet ports in the fourth connection part 50d is connected to the third inlet / outlet port 37c of the second five-way valve 37. The other of the inlet / outlet ports in the fourth connection part 50d is connected to the other of the inlet / outlet ports in the seventh connection part 50g. Another inlet / outlet port in the fourth connection part 50d is connected to the suction port side of the first low-temperature side pump 29.

[0068] Then, one of the inlet / outlet ports in the fifth connection part 50e is connected to the heat medium outlet side of the heater core 41. The other of the inlet / outlet ports in the fifth connection part 50e is connected to the suction port side of the high-temperature side pump 43. Another inlet / outlet port in the fifth connection part 50e is connected to another inlet / outlet port in the sixth connection part 50f.

[0069] Also, one of the inlet / outlet ports in the sixth connection part 50f is connected to the heat medium outlet side of the second outside air heat exchanger 34. The other of the inlet / outlet ports in the sixth connection part 50f is connected to one of the inlet / outlet ports in the seventh connection part 50g. Another inlet / outlet port in the sixth connection part 50f is connected to another inlet / outlet port in the fifth connection part 50e as described above.

[0070] Next, one of the inflow / outflow ports in the seventh connection part 50g is connected to the other of the inflow / outflow ports in the sixth connection part 50f as described above. The other of the inflow / outflow ports in the seventh connection part 50g is connected to the other of the inflow / outflow ports in the fourth connection part 50d. Another inflow / outflow port in the seventh connection part 50g is connected to another inflow / outflow port in the eighth connection part 50h.

[0071] Then, one of the inflow / outflow ports in the eighth connection part 50h is connected to the heat medium outlet side of the cooler core 25. The other of the inflow / outflow ports in the eighth connection part 50h is connected to the third inflow / outflow port 35c of the four-way valve 35. Another inflow / outflow port in the eighth connection part 50h is connected to another inflow / outflow port in the seventh connection part 50g as described above.

[0072] Next, the in-vehicle air conditioner unit 60 that constitutes the heat management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The in-vehicle air conditioner unit 60 is for blowing out the blown air whose temperature has been adjusted by the heat pump cycle 10 into the vehicle interior. The in-vehicle air conditioner unit 60 is disposed inside the instrument panel at the foremost part of the vehicle interior.

[0073] The in-vehicle air conditioner unit 60 houses a blower 62, a cooler core 25, a heater core 41, etc. inside an air passage formed inside a casing 61 that forms its outer shell. The casing 61 forms an air passage for the blown air to be blown into the vehicle interior. The casing 61 is made of a resin (for example, polypropylene) having a certain degree of elasticity and excellent strength.

[0074] An inside / outside air switching device 63 is disposed on the most upstream side of the blown air flow in the casing 61. The inside / outside air switching device 63 switches and introduces inside air (vehicle interior air) and outside air (vehicle exterior air) into the casing 61.

[0075] The inside / outside air switching device 63 continuously adjusts the opening areas of the inside air inlet for introducing inside air into the casing 61 and the outside air inlet for introducing outside air, by means of an inside / outside air switching door, to change the introduction ratio between the introduced air volume of the inside air and the introduced air volume of the outside air. The inside / outside air switching door is driven by an electric actuator for the inside / outside air switching door. The operation of this electric actuator is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 70.

[0076] A blower 62 is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow of the inside / outside air switching device 63. The blower 62 blows the air inhaled through the inside / outside air switching device 63 toward the vehicle interior. The blower 62 is an electric blower that drives a centrifugal multi-blade fan with an electric motor. The rotation speed (i.e., the blowing capacity) of the blower 62 is controlled by a control voltage output from the control device 70.

[0077] On the downstream side of the air flow of the blower 62, a cooler core 25 and a heater core 41 are arranged in this order with respect to the air flow. That is, the cooler core 25 is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow compared to the heater core 41.

[0078] In the casing 61, a cold air bypass passage 65 is provided for the air flowing through the cooler core 25 to flow around the heater core 41. Also, an air mix door 64 is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow of the cooler core 25 in the casing 61 and on the upstream side of the air flow of the heater core 41.

[0079] The air mix door 64 is an air volume ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the air volume ratio between the air volume of the air passing through the heater core 41 side and the air volume of the air passing through the cold air bypass passage 65 among the air flowing through the cooler core 25. The air mix door 64 is driven by an electric actuator for the air mix door. The operation of this electric actuator is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 70.

[0080] A mixing space is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow of the heater core 41 and the cold air bypass passage 65 inside the casing 61. The mixing space is a space for mixing the air flow blown by the heater core 41 and the air flow blown without being heated through the cold air bypass passage 65.

[0081] And, at the downstream part of the air flow of the casing 61, an opening hole is arranged for blowing out the air flow mixed in the mixing space (i.e., the air-conditioning air) into the vehicle interior which is the space to be air-conditioned. As this opening hole, a face opening hole, a foot opening hole, and a defroster opening hole (none of which are shown in the figure) are provided.

[0082] The face opening hole is an opening hole for blowing out the air-conditioning air toward the upper body of the passengers in the vehicle interior. The foot opening hole is an opening hole for blowing out the air-conditioning air toward the feet of the passengers. The defroster opening hole is an opening hole for blowing out the air-conditioning air toward the inner surface of the front window glass of the vehicle.

[0083] These face opening hole, foot opening hole, and defroster opening hole are respectively connected to a face air outlet, a foot air outlet, and a defroster air outlet (none of which are shown in the figure) provided in the vehicle interior through ducts forming air passages.

[0084] Therefore, by adjusting the air volume ratio between the air volume passing through the heater core 41 and the air volume passing through the cold air bypass passage 65 by the air mix door 64, the temperature of the air-conditioning air mixed in the mixing space is adjusted. And the temperature of the air flow (air-conditioning air) blown out from each air outlet into the vehicle interior is adjusted.

[0085] Also, on the upstream side of the air flow of the face opening hole, foot opening hole, and defroster opening hole, a face door, a foot door, and a defroster door (none of which are shown in the figure) are respectively arranged. The face door adjusts the opening area of the face opening hole. The foot door adjusts the opening area of the foot opening hole. The defroster door adjusts the opening area of the defroster opening hole.

[0086] These face doors, foot doors, and defroster doors constitute an outlet mode switching device for switching the outlet mode. These doors are connected to an electric actuator for driving the outlet mode door via a link mechanism or the like and are rotated in conjunction with each other. The operation of this electric actuator is also controlled by a control signal output from the control device 70.

[0087] Specific examples of the outlet modes switched by the outlet mode switching device include the face mode, the bi-level mode, the foot mode, etc. The face mode is an outlet mode in which the face outlet is fully opened and air is blown from the face outlet toward the upper body of the vehicle interior occupants.

[0088] The bi-level mode is an outlet mode in which both the face outlet and the foot outlet are opened to blow air toward the upper body and feet of the vehicle interior occupants. The foot mode is an outlet mode in which the foot outlet is fully opened and the defroster outlet is opened only slightly, and air is mainly blown from the foot outlet.

[0089] Furthermore, by manually operating the outlet mode switching switch provided on the operation panel 71 by the occupant, it is also possible to switch to the defroster mode. The defroster mode is an outlet mode in which the defroster outlet is fully opened and air is blown from the defroster outlet onto the inner surface of the front window glass.

[0090] Next, the outline of the electric control unit of the thermal management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The control device 70 is composed of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. and its peripheral circuits. The control device 70 performs various calculations and processes based on the air conditioning control program stored in the ROM and controls the operations of various controlled devices connected to the output side. The control device 70 corresponds to an example of a control unit.

[0091] The various controlled devices include the compressor 11 and the expansion valve 13. Furthermore, the various controlled devices include the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, the second five-way valve 37, the first to fourth low-temperature side pumps 29 to 32, the high-temperature side pump 43, the electric heater 42, the blower 62, the inside / outside air switching device 63, the air mix door 64, and the like.

[0092] And, as shown in FIG. 3, various control sensors are connected to the input side of the control device 70. The control sensors include an inside air temperature sensor 72a, an outside air temperature sensor 72b, a solar radiation sensor 72c, a high-pressure sensor 72d, a chiller pressure sensor 72e, and a chiller temperature sensor 72f. Also, the control sensors include an air-conditioning air temperature sensor 72g, a device temperature sensor 72h, and a battery temperature sensor 72i.

[0093] The inside air temperature sensor 72a is an inside air temperature detection unit that detects the inside air temperature Tr, which is the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. The outside air temperature sensor 72b is an outside air temperature detection unit that detects the outside air temperature Tam, which is the temperature outside the vehicle. The solar radiation sensor 72c is a solar radiation amount detection unit that detects the amount of solar radiation As irradiated into the vehicle cabin.

[0094] The high-pressure sensor 72d is a high-pressure detection unit that detects the high-pressure Pd, which is the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11. The chiller pressure sensor 72e is a refrigerant pressure detection unit that detects the refrigerant evaporation pressure in the refrigerant passage 14a of the chiller 14. Specifically, the chiller pressure sensor 72e detects the pressure of the refrigerant on the outlet side in the refrigerant passage 14a of the chiller 14.

[0095] The chiller temperature sensor 72f is a chiller side refrigerant temperature detection unit that detects the refrigerant evaporation temperature in the refrigerant passage 14a of the chiller 14. Specifically, the chiller temperature sensor 72f detects the temperature of the refrigerant on the outlet side in the refrigerant passage 14a of the chiller 14. And the air-conditioning air temperature sensor 72g is an air-conditioning air temperature detection unit that detects the blown air temperature TAV blown from the mixing space into the vehicle cabin.

[0096] The device temperature sensor 72h is a device temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of an inverter or the like mounted as a heat-generating device. The device temperature sensor 72h has a plurality of temperature detection units and can detect the device temperature of each of the inverter, the motor generator, and the transaxle device.

[0097] The battery temperature sensor 72i is a battery temperature detection unit that detects the battery temperature TB, which is the temperature of the battery 27. The battery temperature sensor 72i has a plurality of temperature detection units and detects the temperatures at a plurality of locations of the battery 27. Therefore, the control device 70 can also detect the temperature difference between each part of the battery 27. Furthermore, as the battery temperature TB, the average value of the detection values of a plurality of temperature sensors is adopted.

[0098] Also, on the input side of the control device 70, a plurality of heat medium temperature sensors are connected to detect the temperature of the heat medium in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40. The plurality of heat medium temperature sensors include the first heat medium temperature sensor 73a to the sixth heat medium temperature sensor 73f.

[0099] The first heat medium temperature sensor 73a is arranged at the outlet portion of the heat medium passage 14b in the chiller 14 and detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the chiller 14. The second heat medium temperature sensor 73b is arranged at the inlet portion of the cooler core 25 and detects the temperature of the heat medium passing through the cooler core 25.

[0100] The third heat medium temperature sensor 73c is arranged at the inlet portion of the heat medium passage in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 and detects the temperature of the heat medium passing through the second outside air heat exchanger 34. The fourth heat medium temperature sensor 73d is arranged at the inlet portion of the heat medium passage in the heat exchanger unit 26 for the battery and detects the temperature of the heat medium passing through the heat exchanger unit 26 for the battery.

[0101] The fifth heat medium temperature sensor 73e is arranged at the inlet portion in the heat medium passage of the heat exchanger 28 for equipment, and detects the temperature of the heat medium passing through the heat medium passage 28a of the heat exchanger 28 for equipment. The sixth heat medium temperature sensor 73f is arranged at the heat medium inlet portion of the heater core 41, and detects the temperature of the heat medium passing through the heater core 41.

[0102] The heat management system 1 refers to the detection results of the first to sixth heat medium temperature sensors 73a to 73f, and controls the heat pump cycle 10, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40.

[0103] Furthermore, an operation panel 71 arranged near the instrument panel at the front part of the vehicle interior is connected to the input side of the control device 70. Operation signals from various operation switches provided on this operation panel 71 are input to the control device 70.

[0104] Specific examples of the various operation switches provided on the operation panel 71 include an auto switch, an air conditioner switch, an air volume setting switch, a temperature setting switch, etc. The auto switch is an operation switch for setting or canceling the automatic control operation of the heat pump cycle 10.

[0105] The air conditioner switch is an operation switch for requesting cooling of the blown air by the cooler core 25. The air volume setting switch is an operation switch operated when manually setting the air volume of the blower 62. The temperature setting switch is an operation switch for setting the target temperature Tset in the vehicle interior.

[0106] The control device 70 of the present embodiment is integrally configured with a control unit that controls various controlled devices connected to its output side. Therefore, the configuration (i.e., hardware and software) for controlling the operation of each controlled device constitutes a control unit that controls the operation of each controlled device.

[0107] For example, among the control devices 70, the configuration for controlling the refrigerant discharge capacity (e.g., rotational speed) of the compressor 11 in the heat pump cycle 10 corresponds to the compressor control unit 70a. In the first embodiment, the compressor control unit 70a controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 according to the total heating capacity required for the heat pump cycle 10 as the heat management system 1.

[0108] Also, among the control devices 70, the configuration for controlling the pressure reduction amount (i.e., the throttle opening degree of the expansion valve 13) in the expansion valve 13 of the heat pump cycle 10 corresponds to the pressure reduction control unit 70b. In the first embodiment, the pressure reduction control unit 70b controls the pressure reduction amount of the expansion valve 13 according to the total cooling capacity required for the heat pump cycle 10 as the heat management system 1.

[0109] And, among the control devices 70, the configuration for controlling the operations of the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, and the second five-way valve 37 to adjust the flow rate of the heat medium in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 constitutes the flow rate control unit 70c. The flow rate control unit 70c adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium distributed by the four-way valve 35 or the like according to the required capacity based on each function such as cooling of the blown air, temperature adjustment of the battery 27, recovery of exhaust heat from the heat generating equipment, and heat absorption from the outside air.

[0110] Also, among the control devices 70, the configuration for controlling the heat medium pumping capacity in the first low-temperature side pumps 29 to the fourth low-temperature side pumps 32 and the high-temperature side pump 43 constitutes the pumping capacity control unit 70d. The pumping capacity control unit 70d controls the heat medium pumping capacity in the first low-temperature side pumps 29 or the like respectively according to the requirements related to each function realized by the heat management system 1.

[0111] As described above, in the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment, in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, circulation circuits such as the air cooling circuit 20a, the battery temperature adjustment circuit 20b, the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d can be configured.

[0112] The air cooling circuit 20a is a circulation circuit configured such that a heat medium can circulate to cool the blown air sent to the air-conditioned space by heat exchange with the heat medium cooled by the chiller 14. When the air cooling circuit 20a is configured, the heat medium flows in the order of the first low-temperature side pump 29, the heat medium passage 14b of the chiller 14, the four-way valve 35, the second low-temperature side pump 30, and the cooler core 25. Subsequently, the heat medium flows in the order of the eighth connection part 50h, the seventh connection part 50g, the fourth connection part 50d, and the first low-temperature side pump 29 and circulates.

[0113] And the battery temperature control circuit 20b is a circulation circuit configured such that a heat medium can circulate to adjust the temperature of the battery 27 mounted on the electric vehicle by heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. When the battery temperature control circuit 20b is configured, the heat medium flows in the order of the third low-temperature side pump 31, the heat exchanger for battery 26, the second five-way valve 37, the second connection part 50b, and the third low-temperature side pump 31 and circulates.

[0114] Also, the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c is a circulation circuit configured such that a heat medium can circulate to recover the waste heat generated in the in-vehicle equipment by heat exchange with the heat medium circulating in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. When the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c is configured, the heat medium flows in the order of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32, the heat exchanger for equipment 28, the second five-way valve 37, the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the third connection part 50c, and the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 and circulates.

[0115] The outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is a circuit configured such that a heat medium can circulate to absorb heat from the outside air outside the vehicle compartment of the electric vehicle by heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. When the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is configured, the heat medium flows in the order of the first low-temperature side pump 29, the heat medium passage 14b of the chiller 14, the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, and the second outside air heat exchanger 34. Then, the heat medium flows in the order of the sixth connection part 50f, the seventh connection part 50g, the fourth connection part 50d, and the first low-temperature side pump 29 and circulates.

[0116] Moreover, in the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, a circulation circuit called the air heating circuit 40a can be configured. The air heating circuit 40a is a circulation circuit for cooling the blown air sent to the air-conditioned space by heat exchange with the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40. When the air heating circuit 40a is configured, it flows in the order of the high-temperature side pump 43, the heat medium passage 12b of the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12, the electric heater 42, the first five-way valve 36, the heater core 41, the fifth connection part 50e, and the high-temperature side pump 43 and circulates.

[0117] In the heat management system 1, by controlling the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, and the second five-way valve 37, a part of the heat medium flowing through any of the air cooling circuit 20a, the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d can be made to flow in and out of other circulation circuits.

[0118] Thereby, since the temperature ranges of the heat medium flowing through each circulation circuit can be made different, the heat management system 1 can create a plurality of different temperature ranges of the heat medium according to the uses of each circulation circuit by using the heat medium cooled by one chiller 14.

[0119] The operation mode of the heat management system 1 that creates a plurality of different temperature ranges with one chiller 14 by adjusting the flow regulation of the heat medium flowing in and out between the plurality of circulation circuits will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0120] Note that, in the plurality of circulation circuits, a state in which each independently circulates the heat medium is called an independent circulation state, and a state in which the flow in and out of the heat medium is permitted between the plurality of circulation circuits is called a circuit cooperation state.

[0121] As an example of the operation mode in which a plurality of circulation circuits are cooperated to create a plurality of different temperature ranges with one chiller 14, a cooling and battery cooling mode can be cited. The cooling and battery cooling mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0122] When cooling the battery 27, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the heat exchanger 26 for the battery is lower than the temperature range of the heat medium required to cool the blown air by the cooler core 25 during cooling. Therefore, in the cooling and battery cooling mode, the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 and the pressure reduction amount of the expansion valve 13 are determined so as to satisfy the cooling capacity required by the cooler core 25.

[0123] In the cooling and battery cooling mode, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the heat exchanger 26 for the battery corresponds to the first temperature range, and the temperature range of the heat medium required by the cooler core 25 corresponds to the second temperature range. At this time, the battery 27 whose temperature is adjusted by the heat exchanger 26 for the battery corresponds to the first temperature adjustment target, and the blown air cooled by the cooler core 25 corresponds to the second temperature adjustment target.

[0124] In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 in the cooling and battery cooling mode, as a circulation circuit, an air cooling circuit 20a and a battery temperature control circuit 20b are configured. In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 in the cooling and battery cooling mode, the independent circulation state and the circuit cooperation state can be switched between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. In the independent circulation state, the heat medium circulates independently in the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b respectively. In the circuit cooperation state, a part of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b flows into the other circulation circuit respectively, and the circulation of the heat medium continues.

[0125] In the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling mode, first, the first low-temperature side pump 29 and the second low-temperature side pump 30 exert a predetermined pressure feeding capacity. For the four-way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the first inflow / outflow port 35a is controlled to flow out from the second inflow / outflow port 35b. Thereby, the air cooling circuit 20a is configured.

[0126] In the air cooling circuit 20a, the heat medium flows in the order of the first low-temperature side pump 29, the heat medium passage 14b of the chiller 14, the first inflow / outflow port 35a of the four-way valve 35, and the third inflow / outflow port 35c. Thereafter, the heat medium flows in the order of the second low-temperature side pump 30, the cooler core 25, the eighth connection part 50h, the ninth connection part 50i, and the fourth connection part 50d and circulates.

[0127] Then, in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes, the third low-temperature side pump 31 exhibits a predetermined pumping capacity. And for the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium flowing in from the second inflow / outflow port 37b is controlled to flow out from the first inflow / outflow port 37a. Thereby, the battery temperature control circuit 20b is configured.

[0128] In the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the heat medium circulates in the order of the third low-temperature side pump 31, the heat exchanger for battery 26, the second inflow / outflow port 37b of the second five-way valve 37, the first inflow / outflow port 37a of the second five-way valve 37, the second connection part 50b, and the third low-temperature side pump 31. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, in the cooling and battery cooling modes, the air cooling circuit 20a corresponds to the first circuit, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b corresponds to the second circuit.

[0129] In the air cooling circuit 20a in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes, by the operation control of the heat pump cycle 10, the cooling capacity of the chiller 14 is controlled to correspond to the target blowing temperature related to the cooling operation. Therefore, the temperature range of the heat medium passing through the chiller 14 is adjusted to be a temperature range determined corresponding to the target blowing temperature.

[0130] On the other hand, in the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat medium circulates through the heat exchanger for battery 26 by the third low-temperature side pump 31. The heat medium of the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the independent circulation state exchanges heat with the battery 27 when passing through the heat exchanger for battery 26, so the temperature of the heat medium will rise. That is, in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes, the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature control circuit 20b becomes higher than the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the air cooling circuit 20a.

[0131] And it can be said that the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes is an operation state that increases the temperature difference between the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the air cooling circuit 20a and the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0132] Here, in the air conditioning and battery cooling mode, by controlling the operation of the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, and the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium can flow in and out between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the circuit connection state in the air conditioning and battery cooling mode can be switched.

[0133] Specifically, for the four-way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 35a is distributed to the flow flowing out from the second inlet / outlet 35b and the flow flowing out from the fourth inlet / outlet 35d. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the second inlet / outlet 35b side to the flow rate of the heat medium on the fourth inlet / outlet 35d side is determined according to the difference between the target battery temperature determined for the battery 27 and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0134] Also, for the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inlet / outlet 36d flows out from the fifth inlet / outlet 36e, and the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 36a is controlled to flow out from the third inlet / outlet 36c.

[0135] And for the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium flowing in from the second inlet / outlet 37b is distributed to the flow flowing out from the first inlet / outlet 37a and the flow flowing out from the third inlet / outlet 37c. The ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the first inlet / outlet 37a side to the flow rate of the heat medium at the third inlet / outlet 37c is interlocked with the flow rate ratio on the four-way valve 35 side.

[0136] In the air conditioning and battery cooling mode, by controlling the four-way valve 35 and the first five-way valve 36 in this way, a part of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can flow into the battery temperature control circuit 20b via the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, the first connection part 50a, and the second connection part 50b. Also, by controlling the second five-way valve 37, a part of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can flow into the air cooling circuit 20a via the second five-way valve 37 and the fourth connection part 50d.

[0137] That is, in the cooling and battery cooling modes, the heat medium flow path connecting the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, the first connection part 50a, and the second connection part 50b is connected so that the heat medium can flow in and out of the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. Similarly, the heat medium flow path connecting the second five-way valve 37 and the fourth connection part 50d also connects between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. Therefore, in this case, the heat medium flow path connecting the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, the first connection part 50a, the second connection part 50b, the heat medium flow path connecting the second five-way valve 37 and the fourth connection part 50d corresponds to the connection part 21. Also, the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, and the second five-way valve 37 correspond to the flow rate adjustment part 22.

[0138] As described above, in the air cooling circuit 20a, since the heat medium circulates through the chiller 14 and the cooler core 25, it is cooled to a predetermined target temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the chiller 14.

[0139] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the air cooling circuit 20a to the battery temperature control circuit 20b increases through the connection part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be lowered. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a. In other words, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be brought closer to the temperature range corresponding to the target blowing temperature related to the cooling operation, and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be brought closer to the temperature range determined based on the appropriate temperature range of the battery 27.

[0140] Regarding the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 in the cooling and battery cooling modes, the high-temperature side pump 43 is made to exhibit a predetermined pressure boosting capacity. Therefore, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the high-temperature side pump 43, the heat medium passage 12b of the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12, the electric heater 42, the first five-way valve 36, the second outside air heat exchanger 34, and the high-temperature side pump 43. Thereby, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the heat pumped up by the heat pump cycle 10 can be radiated to the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34.

[0141] In this way, in the cooling and battery cooling modes, by switching between the independent circulation state and the circuit cooperation state, and adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, temperature ranges suitable for cooling and battery cooling can be created by a single chiller 14 respectively.

[0142] Next, as another example of an operation mode in which a plurality of circulation circuits are coordinated to create different temperature ranges with a single chiller 14, the dehumidifying heating and outside air heat absorption mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0143] In the dehumidifying heating and outside air heat absorption mode, the temperature range of the heat medium required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is lower than the temperature range of the heat medium required for dehumidifying the blown air by the cooler core 25 during dehumidifying heating. Therefore, in the dehumidifying heating and outside air heat absorption mode, the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 and the pressure reduction amount of the expansion valve 13 are determined so as to satisfy the cooling capacity required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34.

[0144] In the dehumidifying heating and outside air heat absorption mode, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature range, and the temperature range of the heat medium required by the cooler core 25 corresponds to the second temperature range. And the outside air absorbed by heat at the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature adjustment target, and the blown air cooled by the cooler core 25 corresponds to the second temperature adjustment target.

[0145] In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 of the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, as a circulation circuit, it has an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and an air cooling circuit 20a, and can be switched between an independent circulation state and a circuit cooperation state between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a. In the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, and the air cooling circuit 20a corresponds to the second circuit.

[0146] In the independent circulation state in the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, first, the first low-temperature side pump 29 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. For the four-way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 35a is controlled to flow out from the fourth inlet / outlet 35d. For the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inlet / outlet 36d is controlled to flow out from the third inlet / outlet 37c, and the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 36a is controlled to flow out from the second inlet / outlet 36b. Thereby, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is configured.

[0147] In the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the heat medium flows in the order of the first low-temperature side pump 29, the heat medium passage 14b of the chiller 14, the first inlet / outlet 35a of the four-way valve 35, the fourth inlet / outlet 35d, the fourth inlet / outlet 36d of the first five-way valve 36, and the third inlet / outlet 36c. Thereafter, the heat medium flows to the second outside air heat exchanger 34, the sixth connection part 50f, the seventh connection part 50g, and the first low-temperature side pump 29 and circulates.

[0148] Then, in the independent circulation state in the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, further, the second low-temperature side pump 30 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Also, for the four-way valve 35, further, the heat medium flowing in from the third inlet / outlet 35c is controlled to flow out from the second inlet / outlet 35b. Thereby, in the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, the air cooling circuit 20a is configured.

[0149] In the air cooling circuit 20a in this case, the heat medium circulates in the order of the second low-temperature side pump 30, the cooler core 25, the eighth connection part 50h, the third inflow / outflow port 35c of the four-way valve 35, the second inflow / outflow port 35b, and the second low-temperature side pump 30. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode, the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, and the air cooling circuit 20a corresponds to the second circuit.

[0150] In the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d in the independent circulation state in the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode, the cooling capacity of the chiller 14 is adjusted by the operation control of the heat pump cycle 10 so that the temperature of the heat medium in the second outdoor air heat exchanger 34 becomes lower than the outdoor air temperature. Therefore, the temperature range of the heat medium passing through the second outdoor air heat exchanger 34 is adjusted to a predetermined temperature range determined to be lower than the outdoor air temperature.

[0151] And in the air cooling circuit 20a in the independent circulation state in the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode, as shown in FIG. 8, the heat medium circulates through the cooler core 25 by the second low-temperature side pump 30. In the air cooling circuit 20a in the independent circulation state of the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode, the heat medium circulates through the cooler core 25 without passing through the chiller 14. Therefore, in the independent circulation state of the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode, the temperature range of the heat medium related to the air cooling circuit 20a becomes higher than the temperature range of the heat medium related to the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0152] Also in the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode, by controlling the operation of the four-way valve 35, the heat medium can flow in and out between the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, it is possible to switch to the circuit cooperation state in the dehumidifying heating / outdoor air heat absorption mode.

[0153] Specifically, for the four-way valve 35 in the dehumidifying heating and outdoor air heat absorption mode, the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 35a is distributed to the flow flowing out from the second inlet / outlet 35b and the flow flowing out from the fourth inlet / outlet 35d. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the second inlet / outlet 35b side to the flow rate of the heat medium on the fourth inlet / outlet 35d side is determined according to the difference between the target cooling capacity required for dehumidifying heating and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the cooler core 25.

[0154] Thereby, in the dehumidifying heating and outdoor air heat absorption mode, by controlling the operation of the four-way valve 35 as described above, a part of the heat medium flowing through the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d can flow into the air cooling circuit 20a via the four-way valve 35. At this time, a part of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a flows into the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d via the heat medium flow path connecting the eighth connection part 50h and the seventh connection part 50g.

[0155] That is, in the dehumidifying heating and outdoor air heat absorption mode, the heat medium flow path connecting the first inlet / outlet 35a and the second inlet / outlet 35b in the four-way valve 35 and the heat medium flow path connecting the eighth connection part 50h and the seventh connection part 50g correspond to the connecting part 21. Also, the four-way valve 35 corresponds to the flow rate adjustment part 22.

[0156] As described above, in the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d in the dehumidifying heating and outdoor air heat absorption mode, since the heat medium absorbs heat from the outdoor air in the second outdoor air heat exchanger 34, it is cooled to a target temperature lower than the outdoor air temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the chiller 14.

[0157] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d to the air cooling circuit 20a increases via the connecting part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be lowered. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing between the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0158] In other words, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d can be brought closer to the target value of the temperature range determined according to the outside air temperature, and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be brought closer to the temperature range corresponding to the target blow-out temperature related to the dehumidifying and heating operation.

[0159] Then, regarding the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 in the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, the high-temperature side pump 43 exhibits a predetermined pressure-feeding capacity. Therefore, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the high-temperature side pump 43, the heat medium passage 12b of the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12, the electric heater 42, the first five-way valve 36, the heater core 41, and the high-temperature side pump 43.

[0160] Thereby, the blown air dehumidified by the cooler core 25 is heated by the heat pumped up by the heat pump cycle 10 and the heat generated by the electric heater 42 in the heater core 41, and is supplied into the vehicle interior. That is, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, an air heating circuit 40a that heats the blown air by the heat possessed by the heat medium is configured.

[0161] Incidentally, in FIG. 7, the heat medium of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 flows and circulates in the order of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32, the equipment heat exchange section 28, the fifth inflow / outflow port 37e of the second five-way valve 37, the fourth inflow / outflow port 37d, the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the third connection section 50c, and the fourth low-temperature side pump 32.

[0162] According to this aspect, in the equipment heat exchange section 28, since the heat medium heated by the exhaust heat of the in-vehicle equipment circulates via the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the exhaust heat of the in-vehicle equipment can be radiated to the outside air.

[0163] In the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, by switching between the independent circulation state and the circuit cooperation state, and adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, temperature ranges suitable for dehumidifying and heating and outside air heat absorption can be created by a single chiller 14 respectively.

[0164] Next, as another example of an operation mode in which a plurality of circulation circuits are coordinated to create different temperature zones using a single chiller 14, the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0165] In the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the temperature range of the heat medium required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is lower than the temperature range of the heat medium required when recovering the exhaust heat of in-vehicle equipment by the equipment heat exchange section 28. Therefore, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 and the pressure reduction amount of the expansion valve 13 are determined so as to satisfy the cooling capacity required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34.

[0166] In the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature zone, and the temperature range of the heat medium required by the equipment heat exchange section 28 corresponds to the second temperature zone. Also, the outside air absorbed by heat at the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature adjustment target, and the in-vehicle equipment cooled by the equipment heat exchange section 28 corresponds to the second temperature adjustment target.

[0167] In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, as a circulation circuit, it has an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and an equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and can be switched between an independent circulation state and a circuit cooperation state between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c. In the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c corresponds to the second circuit.

[0168] In the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, first, the first low-temperature side pump 29 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Regarding the four-way valve 35, it is controlled such that the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 35a flows out from the fourth inlet / outlet 35d.

[0169] Regarding the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inlet / outlet 36d is controlled to flow out from the third inlet / outlet 37c, and the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 36a is controlled to flow out from the second inlet / outlet 36b. As a result, similar to the dehumidifying heating and outside air heat absorption mode, an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is configured. The description of the configuration of the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is omitted.

[0170] And in the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, further, the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Also, regarding the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium flowing in from the fifth inlet / outlet 37e is controlled to flow out from the fourth inlet / outlet 37d. Thereby, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, an equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c is configured.

[0171] In the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c in this case, the heat medium flows in the order of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32, the equipment heat exchanger 28, the fifth inlet / outlet 37e of the second five-way valve 37, the fourth inlet / outlet 37d, the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the third connection part 50c, and the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 and circulates. Therefore, in the independent circulation state of the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the temperature range of the heat medium related to the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c becomes higher than the temperature range of the heat medium related to the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0172] According to the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, in the equipment heat exchanger 28, since the heat medium heated by the exhaust heat of the in-vehicle equipment circulates via the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the exhaust heat of the in-vehicle equipment can be radiated to the outside air. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c corresponds to the second circuit.

[0173] In the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the cooling capacity of the chiller 14 is adjusted by the operation control of the heat pump cycle 10 so that the heat medium temperature in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 becomes lower than the outside air temperature. On the other hand, in-vehicle equipment shows a temperature higher than the outside air temperature due to exhaust heat. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can recover the exhaust heat of the in-vehicle equipment at a temperature higher than that of the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0174] In the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, by controlling the operation of the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium can flow in and out between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, it is possible to switch to the circuit cooperation state in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode.

[0175] Specifically, for the first five-way valve 36 in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inlet / outlet 36d is distributed to the flow flowing out from the third inlet / outlet 36c and the flow flowing out from the fifth inlet / outlet 36e. At this time, the ratio of the flow rates of the heat medium on the third inlet / outlet 36c side and the fifth inlet / outlet 36e side is determined according to the target value of the heat absorption amount in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchange section 28 for equipment. The target value of the heat absorption amount in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is determined based on the relationship with the outside air temperature, and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchange section 28 for equipment is determined based on the temperature of the in-vehicle equipment.

[0176] Also, for the second five-way valve 37 in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the heat medium flowing in from the fifth inlet / outlet 37e is distributed to the flow flowing out from the fourth inlet / outlet 37d and the flow flowing out from the third inlet / outlet 37c. The ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the fourth inlet / outlet 37d side to the flow rate of the heat medium at the third inlet / outlet 37c is interlocked with the flow rate ratio on the first five-way valve 36 side.

[0177] Thus, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, by controlling the operations of the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37 as described above, a part of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d can be made to flow into the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c via the first five-way valve 36. Further, the heat management system 1 can make a part of the heat medium flowing through the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c flow into the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d via the second five-way valve 37.

[0178] That is, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the heat medium flow path connecting the fifth inflow / outlet 36e of the first five-way valve 36, the first connection part 50a, and the third connection part 50c, and the heat medium flow path connecting the third inflow / outlet 37c of the second five-way valve 37 and the fourth connection part 50d correspond to the connection part 21. Also, the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37 correspond to the flow rate adjustment part 22.

[0179] As described above, in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the heat medium absorbs heat from the outside air in the second outside air heat exchanger 34, and thus is cooled to a target temperature lower than the outside air temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the chiller 14.

[0180] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d to the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c increases via the connection part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can be decreased. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0181] In other words, it is possible to make the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d approach the target value of the temperature range determined according to the outside air temperature, and at the same time, make the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c approach the temperature range determined based on the temperature of the in-vehicle equipment.

[0182] Then, regarding the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the high-temperature side pump 43 is made to exhibit a predetermined pressure boosting capacity. Also, the first five-way valve 36 is controlled so that the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 36a flows out from the second inlet / outlet 36b. Therefore, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the heat medium flows in the order of the high-temperature side pump 43, the heat medium passage 12b of the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12, the electric heater 42, the first five-way valve 36, the heater core 41, and the high-temperature side pump 43 and circulates, and the air heating circuit 40a is configured.

[0183] As a result, the blower air supplied into the vehicle interior is heated by the exhaust heat of in-vehicle equipment pumped up by the heat pump cycle 10 and the heat generated by the electric heater 42 in the heater core 41. That is, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, it is possible to realize a heating operation using the outside air and the exhaust heat of in-vehicle equipment as heat sources.

[0184] In the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, it is possible to create appropriate temperature zones for outside air heat absorption and in-vehicle equipment exhaust heat recovery with a single chiller 14 respectively.

[0185] Next, as another example of an operation mode in which a plurality of circulation circuits are coordinated to create different temperature zones with a single chiller 14, the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

[0186] In the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the temperature zone of the heat medium required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is lower than the temperature zone of the heat medium required when cooling the battery 27 in the heat exchange section 26 for the battery. Therefore, in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 and the pressure reduction amount of the expansion valve 13 are determined so as to satisfy the cooling capacity required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34.

[0187] In the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature range, and the temperature range of the heat medium required by the heat exchange section 26 for the battery corresponds to the second temperature range. Also, the outside air absorbed by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature adjustment target, and the battery 27 whose temperature is adjusted by the heat exchange section 26 for the battery corresponds to the second temperature adjustment target.

[0188] In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, as a circulation circuit, it has an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and a battery temperature control circuit 20b, and can be switched between an independent circulation state and a circuit cooperation state between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. In the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b corresponds to the second circuit.

[0189] In the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, first, the first low-temperature side pump 29 and the second low-temperature side pump 30 are made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Regarding the four-way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the first inflow / outflow port 35a is controlled to flow out from the fourth inflow / outflow port 35d.

[0190] Regarding the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inflow / outflow port 36d flows out from the third inflow / outflow port 37c, and the heat medium flowing in from the first inflow / outflow port 36a flows out from the second inflow / outflow port 36b. Thereby, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is constituted.

[0191] Then, in the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, further, the third low-temperature side pump 31 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Also, regarding the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium flowing in from the second inflow / outflow port 37b is controlled to flow out from the first inflow / outflow port 37a. Thereby, in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the battery temperature control circuit 20b is constituted.

[0192] In the battery temperature control circuit 20b in this case, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the third low-temperature side pump 31, the battery heat exchanger 26, the second inflow / outlet 37b of the second five-way valve 37, the first inflow / outlet 37a, the second connection part 50b, and the third low-temperature side pump 31. Therefore, in the independent circulation state of the outside air heat absorption / battery cooling mode, heat exchange with the battery 27 is performed in the battery heat exchanger 26, so the temperature range of the heat medium related to the battery temperature control circuit 20b becomes higher than the temperature range of the heat medium related to the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, in the outside air heat absorption / battery cooling mode, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b corresponds to the second circuit.

[0193] In the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption / battery cooling mode, the cooling capacity of the chiller 14 is adjusted by the operation control of the heat pump cycle 10 so that the temperature of the heat medium in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 becomes lower than the outside air temperature. On the other hand, the battery 27 shows a temperature higher than the outside air temperature with charging and discharging. For this reason, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can cool the battery 27 at a temperature higher than that of the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d. For this reason, the temperature range of the heat medium passing through the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is adjusted to a predetermined temperature range determined to be lower than the outside air temperature.

[0194] In the outside air heat absorption / battery cooling mode, by controlling the operation of the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium can flow in and out between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, it is possible to switch to the circuit cooperation state in the outside air heat absorption / battery cooling mode.

[0195] Specifically, regarding the first five-way valve 36 in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inlet / outlet 36d is distributed to the flow flowing out from the third inlet / outlet 36c and the flow flowing out from the fifth inlet / outlet 36e. At this time, the ratio of the flow rates of the heat medium on the third inlet / outlet 36c side and the fifth inlet / outlet 36e side is determined according to the target value of the heat absorption amount in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchange section 26 for the battery. The target value of the heat absorption amount in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is determined based on the relationship with the outside air temperature, and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchange section 26 for the battery is determined from the temperature of the battery 27.

[0196] Also, regarding the second five-way valve 37 in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the heat medium flowing in from the second inlet / outlet 37b is distributed to the flow flowing out from the first inlet / outlet 37a and the flow flowing out from the third inlet / outlet 37c. The ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the first inlet / outlet 37a side and the flow rate of the heat medium on the third inlet / outlet 37c is interlocked with the flow rate ratio on the first five-way valve 36 side.

[0197] Thereby, in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, by controlling the operation of the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37 as described above, a part of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d can be made to flow into the battery temperature control circuit 20b via the first five-way valve 36. Also, the heat management system 1 can make a part of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b flow into the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d via the second five-way valve 37.

[0198] That is, in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the heat medium flow path connecting the fifth inlet / outlet 36e of the first five-way valve 36, the first connection part 50a, and the second connection part 50b, and the heat medium flow path connecting the third inlet / outlet 37c of the second five-way valve 37 and the fourth connection part 50d correspond to the connection part 21. Also, the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37 correspond to the flow rate adjustment part 22.

[0199] As described above, in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, since the heat medium absorbs heat from the outside air in the second outside air heat exchanger 34, it is cooled to a target temperature lower than the outside air temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the chiller 14.

[0200] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d to the battery temperature control circuit 20b increases through the connection part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be decreased. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0201] In other words, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d can be made closer to the target value of the temperature range determined according to the outside air temperature, and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be made closer to the temperature range determined based on the appropriate temperature range of the battery 27.

[0202] And, for the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 in the outside air heat absorption - battery cooling mode, the high-temperature side pump 43 is made to exhibit a predetermined pressure feeding capacity. Also, the first five-way valve 36 is controlled such that the heat medium flowing in from the first inflow / outflow port 36a flows out from the second inflow / outflow port 36b. Therefore, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40, the air heating circuit 40a is configured.

[0203] Thereby, the blown air supplied into the vehicle interior is heated in the heater core 41 by the heat generated in the battery 27 pumped up by the heat pump cycle 10 and the heat generated by the electric heater 42. That is, in the outside air heat absorption - battery cooling mode, a heating operation can be realized by using the outside air and the heat generated by the battery due to charge and discharge as heat sources.

[0204] In the outside air heat absorption - battery cooling mode, by switching between the independent circulation state and the circuit cooperation state, and adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, temperature ranges suitable for outside air heat absorption and cooling of the battery 27 can be created by a single chiller 14 respectively.

[0205] In the above example of the operation mode, the operation mode of creating two different temperature zones with one chiller 14 by coordinating two circulation circuits was described. However, the heat management system 1 can adopt other modes. Here, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 20, an example of a three-circuit coordination mode of creating three different temperature zones with one chiller 14 by coordinating three circulation circuits will be described.

[0206] In the three-circuit coordination mode shown in FIG. 16, as the three circulation circuits, there are an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, an air cooling circuit 20a, and a battery temperature control circuit 20b, and between these three circulation circuits, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium are enabled.

[0207] In this case, the temperature range of the heat medium required for heat absorption from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is lower than the temperature range of the heat medium required when cooling the blown air by the cooler core 25 during the cooling operation. At the same time, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is lower than the temperature range of the heat medium required when cooling the battery 27 by the battery heat exchange section 26. Therefore, in the three-circuit coordination mode, the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 and the pressure reduction amount of the expansion valve 13 are determined so as to satisfy the cooling capacity required for outside air heat absorption by the second outside air heat exchanger 34.

[0208] And in the three-circuit coordination mode, four states can be created according to the independent and coordinated modes of the three circulation circuits of the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. In the three-circuit coordination mode in this case, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first circuit, the air cooling circuit 20a corresponds to the second circuit, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b corresponds to the third circuit.

[0209] Therefore, the second outside air heat exchanger 34 in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d corresponds to the first heat exchange part, and the cooler core 25 in the air cooling circuit 20a corresponds to the second heat exchange part. And the battery heat exchange part 26 in the battery temperature control circuit 20b corresponds to the third heat exchange part. Also, the temperature range of the heat medium required by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature range, and the temperature range of the heat medium required by the cooler core 25 corresponds to the second temperature range. And the temperature range of the heat medium required by the battery heat exchange part 26 corresponds to the third temperature range.

[0210] Furthermore, in the three-circuit cooperation mode, the outside air absorbed by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 corresponds to the first temperature adjustment target, and the blowing air cooled by the cooler core 25 corresponds to the second temperature adjustment target. And the battery 27 whose temperature is adjusted by the battery heat exchange part 26 corresponds to the third temperature adjustment target.

[0211] The state in which the heat medium circulates independently in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b is called the independent circulation state in the three-circuit cooperation mode. Also, the state in which the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a are cooperated and the heat medium circulates independently in the battery temperature control circuit 20b is an example of the two-circuit cooperation state in the three-circuit cooperation mode. And the state in which the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b are cooperated and the heat medium circulates independently in the air cooling circuit 20a is another example of the two-circuit cooperation state in the three-circuit cooperation mode. The state in which the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b are cooperated is called the three-circuit cooperation state in the three-circuit cooperation mode.

[0212] In the independent circulation state of the three-circuit cooperation mode, first, the first low-temperature side pump 29 is made to exhibit a predetermined pressure feeding capacity. For the four-way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the first inflow / outflow port 35a is controlled to flow out from the fourth inflow / outflow port 35d. For the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inflow / outflow port 36d is controlled to flow out from the third inflow / outflow port 37c. Thereby, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is configured.

[0213] Furthermore, the second low-temperature side pump 30 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Also, for the four-way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the third inlet / outlet 35c is controlled to flow out from the second inlet / outlet 35b. Thereby, the air cooling circuit 20a is configured.

[0214] Then, the third low-temperature side pump 31 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. For the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium flowing in from the second inlet / outlet 37b is controlled to flow out from the first inlet / outlet 37a. Thereby, the battery temperature control circuit 20b is configured.

[0215] In this way, by controlling the operation of each component device of the heat management system 1, as shown in FIG. 17, an independent circulation state is configured in which the heat medium circulates independently in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0216] The two-circuit cooperation state in the three-circuit cooperation mode means a state in which, among the three circulation circuits, the heat medium flows in and out in two circulation circuits to cooperate, and the heat medium circulates independently in the remaining one circulation circuit.

[0217] In the three-circuit cooperation mode by the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the circulation circuits are cooperated by the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, and an independent state of the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be realized.

[0218] Therefore, the two-circuit cooperation state by the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a shown in FIG. 18 can be said to be a modified example of the above-described dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, and in the dehumidifying and heating / outside air heat absorption mode, it is a state in which the heat medium is circulated independently by the battery temperature control circuit 20b. For this reason, a detailed description of the two-circuit cooperation state related to the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a in the three-circuit cooperation mode is omitted.

[0219] Further, in the three - circuit cooperation mode of the heat management system 1, the cooperation of the circulation circuit is achieved by the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, and the air cooling circuit 20a can be in an independent state.

[0220] That is, the two - circuit cooperation state of the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b shown in FIG. 19 can be said to be a modification example of the above - described outside - air heat absorption - battery cooling mode. In the outside - air heat absorption - battery cooling mode, it is a state where the heat medium is circulated independently in the air cooling circuit 20a. Therefore, regarding the two - circuit cooperation state of the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the three - circuit cooperation mode, a detailed description will be omitted again.

[0221] And in the three - circuit cooperation state of the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, and the inflow and outflow of the heat medium in the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b are controlled.

[0222] The inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a are realized by controlling the operation of the four - way valve 35. For the four - way valve 35, the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 35a is distributed to the flow flowing out from the second inlet / outlet 35b and the flow flowing out from the fourth inlet / outlet 35d. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the second inlet / outlet 35b side to the flow rate of the heat medium on the fourth inlet / outlet 35d side is determined according to the difference between the target cooling capacity required for cooling the blown air and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the cooler core 25.

[0223] Regarding the cooperation between the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, the heat medium flow path connecting the first inlet / outlet 35a and the second inlet / outlet 35b in the four - way valve 35, and the heat medium flow path connecting the eighth connection part 50h and the seventh connection part 50g correspond to the connection part 21. Also, the four - way valve 35 corresponds to the flow rate adjustment part 22.

[0224] In the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in this case, since the heat medium absorbs heat from the outside air in the second outside air heat exchanger 34, it is cooled to a target temperature lower than the outside air temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the chiller 14. Further, in the air cooling circuit 20a, in order to cool the blown air to achieve dehumidifying heating or cooling, the temperature range of the heat medium in the air cooling circuit 20a is controlled so as to be a target value higher than the temperature range on the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d side.

[0225] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d to the air cooling circuit 20a increases via the connection part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be decreased. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0226] And, in the three-circuit cooperation mode, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b are realized by controlling the operations of the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37. Regarding the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the fourth inflow / outflow port 36d is distributed to the flow flowing out from the third inflow / outflow port 36c and the flow flowing out from the fifth inflow / outflow port 36e.

[0227] At this time, the ratio of the flow rates of the heat medium on the third inflow / outflow port 36c side and the fifth inflow / outflow port 36e side is determined according to the target value of the heat absorption amount in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchange part 26 for the battery. The target value of the heat absorption amount in the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is determined from the relationship with the outside air temperature, and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchange part 26 for the battery is determined from the temperature of the battery 27.

[0228] Regarding the second five-way valve 37, the heat medium flowing in from the second inflow / outflow port 37b is distributed to the flow flowing out from the first inflow / outflow port 37a and the flow flowing out from the third inflow / outflow port 37c. The ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium on the first inflow / outflow port 37a side and the flow rate of the heat medium on the third inflow / outflow port 37c is interlocked with the flow rate ratio on the first five-way valve 36 side.

[0229] Regarding the cooperation between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the heat medium flow path connecting the fifth inflow / outflow port 36e, the first connection part 50a, and the second connection part 50b of the first five-way valve 36 corresponds to an example of the low-temperature side connection part 23. Similarly, the heat medium flow path connecting the third inflow / outflow port 37c and the fourth connection part 50d of the second five-way valve 37 corresponds to an example of the low-temperature side connection part 23. Further, the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37 correspond to the low-temperature side flow rate adjustment part 24.

[0230] In the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in this case, since the heat medium absorbs heat from the outside air in the second outside air heat exchanger 34, it is cooled to a target temperature lower than the outside air temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the chiller 14. Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d to the battery temperature control circuit 20b increases through the low-temperature side connection part 23, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be decreased.

[0231] That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0232] And, in the three-circuit cooperation mode, if the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the air cooling circuit 20a, which is the second circuit, and the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature control circuit 20b, which is the third circuit, are higher than the temperature range of the heat medium related to the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, which is the first circuit, they can be adjusted as appropriate. Regarding the temperature range of the heat medium related to the air cooling circuit 20a and the temperature range of the heat medium related to the battery temperature control circuit 20b, if it is higher than the temperature range of the heat medium related to the battery temperature control circuit 20b, they can be adjusted to different temperature ranges.

[0233] That is, according to the heat management system 1, by executing the three-circuit cooperation mode shown in FIG. 20, the temperature ranges of the heat media in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted to different temperature ranges by one chiller 14 respectively.

[0234] As described above, according to the heat management system 1 according to the first embodiment, it has a heat pump cycle 10 and a low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, a plurality of circulation circuits such as an air cooling circuit 20a and a battery temperature control circuit 20b can be configured. And the heat management system 1 controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit 22 to adjust the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the connection part 21 that connects the circulation circuits, so that the heat medium cooled by one chiller 14 can be used to adjust the temperature zones of the heat medium in the plurality of circulation circuits to be different.

[0235] Thereby, the heat management system 1 can distribute the cooling capacity realized by one chiller 14 to the heat exchange parts (the cooler core 25 and the heat exchange part 26 for the battery) in different circulation circuits according to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the connection part 21. That is, the heat management system 1 can realize the distribution of the cooling capacity in a control mode simpler than that in the case of distribution by a vapor compression refrigeration cycle or the like, and can create a plurality of different temperature zones by utilizing the cold heat generated by one chiller 14 through the heat medium circuit.

[0236] Moreover, when the heat management system 1 controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit 22 to make a part of the heat medium flowing through one circulation circuit flow into the other circulation circuit through the connection part 21, it adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium. Thereby, the temperature zones of the heat medium in each of one circulation circuit and the other circulation circuit can be made closer to the target values of the temperature zones respectively determined for them.

[0237] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in the cooling and battery cooling mode, the heat management system 1 cools the blown air supplied into the vehicle interior with the cooler core 25 arranged in the air cooling circuit 20a. At the same time, the heat management system 1 can cool the battery 27, which is an example of a heat generating device, with the heat exchange part 26 for the battery arranged in the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0238] Therefore, the thermal management system 1 can create a temperature range of the heat medium suitable for cooling the passenger compartment and a temperature range of the heat medium suitable for cooling the battery 27 by controlling the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b using a single chiller 14.

[0239] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode, the thermal management system 1 can absorb heat from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 of the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d. At the same time, the thermal management system 1 can recover the exhaust heat of in-vehicle equipment, which is a heat generating device, by the equipment heat exchange unit 28 arranged in the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c.

[0240] Therefore, the thermal management system 1 can control the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c to create a temperature range of the heat medium suitable for outside air heat absorption and a temperature range of the heat medium suitable for recovering the exhaust heat generated in the in-vehicle equipment.

[0241] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, in the outside air heat absorption and battery cooling mode, the thermal management system 1 can absorb heat from the outside air by the second outside air heat exchanger 34 of the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d. At the same time, the thermal management system 1 can absorb heat from the battery 27, which is a heat generating device, by the battery heat exchange unit 26 of the battery temperature control circuit 20b to cool the battery 27.

[0242] Therefore, the thermal management system 1 can create a temperature range of the heat medium suitable for outside air heat absorption and a temperature range of the heat medium suitable for cooling the battery 27 by controlling the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b using a single chiller 14.

[0243] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, in the three - circuit cooperation mode, the heat management system 1 can control the inflow and outflow of the heat medium among the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d, the air cooling circuit 20a, and the equipment waste - heat recovery circuit 20c. That is, the heat management system 1 can appropriately perform the heat absorption from the outside air in the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d, the cooling of the blown air in the air cooling circuit 20a, and the temperature adjustment of the battery 27 in the battery temperature control circuit 20b, respectively.

[0244] Therefore, the heat management system 1 can use one chiller 14 to control the inflow and outflow of the heat medium in the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the air cooling circuit 20a, and control the inflow and outflow of the heat medium in the outside - air heat absorption circuit 20d and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. Thereby, the heat management system 1 can create the temperature range of the heat medium suitable for outside - air heat absorption, the temperature range of the heat medium suitable for the cooling operation, and the temperature range of the heat medium suitable for the cooling of the battery 27, respectively.

[0245] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment different from the above - described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the low - temperature - side heat medium circuit 20 and the high - temperature - side heat medium circuit 40 are different from those of the above - described embodiment. Since the other basic configurations and the like are the same as those of the above - described embodiment, the repeated description will be omitted.

[0246] First, the configuration of the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 21. In the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment, in order to cooperate the air heating circuit 40a of the high - temperature - side heat medium circuit 40 and the battery temperature control circuit 20b of the low - temperature - side heat medium circuit 20, the configurations of the low - temperature - side heat medium circuit 20 and the high - temperature - side heat medium circuit 40 are different from those of the first embodiment. Since the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the repeated description will be omitted.

[0247] In the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment, a high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is disposed between the second inflow / outflow port 36b of the first five-way valve 36 and the heat medium inlet side of the heater core 41. The high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 has one inflow port and two outflow ports, and is an electric three-way flow rate adjustment valve capable of continuously adjusting the cross-sectional area ratio of the two outflow ports.

[0248] The inflow port of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to the second inflow / outflow port 36b of the first five-way valve 36, and one of the outflow ports of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to the heat medium inlet side of the heater core 41. As shown in FIG. 21, the other of the outflow ports of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to a ninth connection portion 50i disposed in the battery temperature control circuit 20b of the low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20.

[0249] Similar to the first connection portion 50a to the eighth connection portion 50h described above, the ninth connection portion 50i is formed in a three-way joint shape having three inflow / outflow ports communicating with each other. One of the inflow / outflow ports of the ninth connection portion 50i is connected to the second connection portion 50b. And the suction port side of the third low-temperature-side pump 31 is connected to the other of the inflow / outflow ports of the ninth connection portion 50i. The other side of the outflow port of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to another inflow / outflow port of the ninth connection portion 50i.

[0250] Note that the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment further has a tenth connection portion 50j and an eleventh connection portion 50k formed in a three-way joint shape similar to the ninth connection portion 50i.

[0251] As shown in FIG. 21, a tenth connection portion 50j is disposed between the heat medium outlet of the battery heat exchanger 26 and the second inflow / outflow port 37b of the second five-way valve 37. That is, the heat medium outlet side of the battery heat exchanger 26 is connected to one of the inflow / outflow ports of the tenth connection portion 50j, and the second inflow / outflow port 37b of the second five-way valve 37 is connected to the other of the inflow / outflow ports of the tenth connection portion 50j.

[0252] And at the other inlet / outlet of the tenth connection part 50j, an eleventh connection part 50k located between the fifth connection part 50e and the suction port of the high-temperature side pump 43 is connected. To one of the inlet / outlets of the eleventh connection part 50k, the inlet / outlet of the fifth connection part 50e is connected, and to the other of the inlet / outlets of the eleventh connection part 50k, the suction port side of the high-temperature side pump 43 is connected. The other inlet / outlet in the eleventh connection part 50k is connected to the other inlet / outlet in the tenth connection part 50j.

[0253] In the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment, a heating and battery warming mode can be realized as an operation mode in which a part of the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 is made to flow into the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 to cooperate the two.

[0254] The heating and battery warming mode in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. In the heat management system 1 in the heating and battery warming mode, an air heating circuit 40a for heating the blown air supplied into the vehicle interior and a battery temperature control circuit 20b for adjusting the temperature of the battery 27 are formed.

[0255] And in the heating and battery warming mode, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the air heating circuit 40a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b are allowed, and it can be switched between an independent circulation state and a circuit cooperation state. In the heating and battery warming mode, the air heating circuit 40a corresponds to a part of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit, and the battery temperature control circuit 20b corresponds to the second circuit.

[0256] In the independent circulation state of the heating and battery warming mode, the high-temperature side pump 43 is made to exhibit a predetermined pumping capacity. Regarding the first five-way valve 36, the heat medium flowing in from the first inlet / outlet 36a is controlled to flow out from the second inlet / outlet 36b. The high-temperature side three-way valve 44 is controlled to let all the heat medium flowing out from the second inlet / outlet 36b of the first five-way valve 36 flow out to the heater core 41 side.

[0257] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, in the independent circulation state of the heating and battery warming mode, an air heating circuit 40a is formed. In the air heating circuit 40a, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the high-temperature side pump 43, the heat medium passage 12b of the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12, the electric heater 42, the first five-way valve 36, the high-temperature side three-way valve 44, the heater core 41, the fifth connection part 50e, the eleventh connection part 50k, and the high-temperature side pump 43.

[0258] As a result, in the heater core 41, since the heat medium heated by the heat generated in the electric heater 42 and the heat of the refrigerant in the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12 flows in, the blown air can be heated by the heat of the heat medium.

[0259] Then, in the independent circulation state of the heating and battery warming mode, the third low-temperature side pump 31 is made to exhibit a predetermined pressure feeding capacity. Regarding the second five-way valve 37, at least, it is controlled so that the heat medium flowing in from the second inflow / outflow port 37b flows out from the first inflow / outflow port 37a. Thereby, the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the heating and battery warming mode is configured.

[0260] In the battery temperature control circuit 20b in this case, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the third low-temperature side pump 31, the heat exchange part 26 for battery, the tenth connection part 50j, the second inflow / outflow port 37b of the second five-way valve 37, the first inflow / outflow port 37a, the second connection part 50b, the ninth connection part 50i, and the third low-temperature side pump 31.

[0261] In the independent circulation state of the heating and battery warming mode, in the air heating circuit 40a, the heat medium is heated in the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12 and the electric heater 42, and in the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the heat medium is heated by heat exchange with the battery 27 in the heat exchange part 26 for battery. Since the heat medium in the air heating circuit 40a is heated for heating operation, it shows a higher temperature range than the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0262] Even in the heating and battery warming modes, by controlling the operation of the high-temperature three-way valve 44, the heat medium can flow in and out between the air heating circuit 40a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the air heating circuit 40a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the circuit cooperation state in the heating and battery warming modes can be switched.

[0263] Specifically, in the heating and battery warming modes, for the high-temperature three-way valve 44, the heat medium flowing in from the first five-way valve 36 side is distributed to the flow flowing out to the heater core 41 side and the flow flowing out to the battery temperature control circuit 20b side via the ninth connection portion 50i. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium to the heater core 41 side to the flow rate of the heat medium to the battery temperature control circuit 20b side is determined according to the heating capacity for warming the battery 27 in the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0264] Thereby, in the heating and battery warming modes, by controlling the operation of the high-temperature three-way valve 44 as described above, a part of the heat medium flowing through the air heating circuit 40a can be made to flow into the battery temperature control circuit 20b via the high-temperature three-way valve 44. Therefore, when the temperature of the battery 27 is lower than the appropriate temperature range due to environmental factors such as low outside air temperature, the battery 27 can be warmed by allowing the heat medium to flow from the air heating circuit 40a into the battery temperature control circuit 20b and using the heat pumped up by the heat pump cycle 10 or the like.

[0265] That is, in the heating and battery warming modes, the heat medium flow path connecting the other side of the outlet of the high-temperature three-way valve 44 and the ninth connection portion 50i and the heat medium flow path connecting the tenth connection portion 50j and the eleventh connection portion 50k correspond to the high-temperature connection portion 45. Also, the high-temperature three-way valve 44 corresponds to the high-temperature flow rate adjustment portion 46.

[0266] As described above, in the air heating circuit 40a in the heating / battery warming mode, the heat medium is heated by the heat generated by the heat pump cycle 10 or the electric heater 42 in order to heat the blown air by the heater core 41. Therefore, the temperature range of the heat medium in the air heating circuit 40a shows a higher temperature range than the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0267] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the air heating circuit 40a to the battery temperature control circuit 20b increases through the high-temperature side connection part 45, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be increased. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing between the air heating circuit 40a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted to a temperature range suitable for warming up the battery 27.

[0268] As described above, according to the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment, as in the heating / battery warming mode, a part of the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 can flow into and out of the circulation circuit formed in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20. Thereby, the temperature range of the heat medium in the circulation circuit of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20 can be adjusted by using the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40.

[0269] The heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described first embodiment except that a configuration corresponding to the high-temperature side connection part 45 and the high-temperature side flow rate adjustment part 46 is added. Therefore, the heat management system 1 according to the second embodiment can produce the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0270] (Third Embodiment) Subsequently, a third embodiment different from the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 28. In the third embodiment, the configurations of the heat pump cycle 10, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20, and the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 40 are different from those of the above-described embodiments. Also, the same or equivalent parts as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0271] As shown in FIG. 24, in the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, the heat pump cycle 10 includes a compressor 11, a water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12, a first expansion valve 13a, a second expansion valve 13b, a first chiller 15, a second chiller 16, and an evaporation pressure regulating valve 17. In the third embodiment, as the heat pump cycle 10, a two-chiller system having two chillers is configured.

[0272] In the heat pump cycle 10 in the third embodiment, since the compressor 11 and the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. And on the refrigerant outlet side of the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12, the first expansion valve 13a and the first chiller 15, and the second expansion valve 13b and the second chiller 16 are connected in parallel.

[0273] The first expansion valve 13a is a pressure-reducing part that reduces the pressure of a part of the refrigerant flowing out from the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12. The second expansion valve 13b is a pressure-reducing part that reduces the pressure of the remaining part of the refrigerant flowing out from the water-cooled refrigerant heat exchanger 12. In either the first expansion valve 13a or the second expansion valve 13b, an electric expansion valve can be employed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0274] In addition, as the first expansion valve 13a and the second expansion valve 13b, an expansion valve having a fully open function for allowing the refrigerant to flow without exerting a pressure-reducing action and a fully closed function for blocking the flow of the refrigerant may be employed. Also, an on-off valve for opening and closing the refrigerant flow path may be arranged on the upstream side of each of the first expansion valve 13a and the second expansion valve 13b.

[0275] And to the refrigerant outlet of the first expansion valve 13a, the refrigerant passage 15a of the first chiller 15 is connected. The first chiller 15 has a refrigerant passage 15a through which the low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve 13a flows, and a heat medium passage 15b through which the heat medium flowing in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x circulates. The first chiller 15 is an evaporation part that exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 15a and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 15b to exert an endothermic action.

[0276] On one hand, a refrigerant passage 16a of a second chiller 16 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the second expansion valve 13b. The second chiller 16 has a refrigerant passage 16a through which a low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the second expansion valve 13b flows, and a heat medium passage 16b through which a heat medium circulating in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y flows. The second chiller 16 is an evaporation unit that exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 16a and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage 16b to exhibit an endothermic effect.

[0277] An evaporation pressure regulating valve 17 is connected to the outlet side of the refrigerant passage 15a in the first chiller 15. The evaporation pressure regulating valve 17 maintains the refrigerant evaporation temperature in the first chiller 15 at or above a frosting suppression temperature (1 °C in this embodiment) capable of suppressing frosting of the first chiller 15. The evaporation pressure regulating valve 17 is composed of a mechanical mechanism that increases the valve opening degree as the refrigerant pressure on the outlet side of the first chiller 15 increases.

[0278] The suction port side of the compressor 11 is connected to the outlet of the evaporation pressure regulating valve 17. A refrigerant flow path is connected between the outlet of the evaporation pressure regulating valve 17 and the suction port of the compressor 11 so that the refrigerant flowing out from the heat medium passage 16b of the second chiller 16 converges.

[0279] In the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, as a heat medium circuit in which the heat medium cooled by the first chiller 15 circulates, it has a first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x. The first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x has a heat medium passage 15b of the first chiller 15, a cooler core 25, a heat exchanger for battery 26, a first low-temperature side pump 29, a second low-temperature side pump 30, and a first low-temperature side three-way valve 38.

[0280] As shown in FIG. 25 and the like, the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x has an air cooling circuit 20a and a battery temperature control circuit 20b. The air cooling circuit 20a of the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x is configured such that the heat medium circulates through the first chiller 15 and the cooler core 25. The battery temperature control circuit 20b of the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x is configured such that the heat medium circulates through the second low-temperature side pump 30 and the heat exchanger for battery 26.

[0281] In the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x, a first low-temperature side pump 29 is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium passage 15b in the first chiller 15. Further, a first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 as a flow rate adjustment unit 22 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium passage 15b in the first chiller 15. The first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 is an electric three-way flow rate adjustment valve having one inlet and two outlets, and capable of continuously adjusting the cross-sectional area ratio of the two outlets.

[0282] The inlet of the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium passage 15b of the first chiller 15, and one of the outlets of the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 is connected to the heat medium inlet side of the cooler core 25. And the other of the outlets of the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 is connected to the suction port side of the second low-temperature side pump 30 via the 12th connection part 50l. The heat medium outlet side of the cooler core 25 is connected to the suction port side of the first low-temperature side pump 29 via the 14th connection part 50n.

[0283] And the discharge port of the second low-temperature side pump 30 is connected to the heat medium inlet side of the heat exchanger for battery 26. The heat exchanger for battery 26 has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment. The heat medium outlet side of the heat exchanger for battery 26 is connected to the suction port side of the second low-temperature side pump 30 via the 13th connection part 50m and the 12th connection part 50l.

[0284] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x, the heat medium flows in the order of the first low-temperature side pump 29, the heat medium passage 15b of the first chiller 15, the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38, the cooler core 25, the 14th connection part 50n, and the first low-temperature side pump 29 and circulates. Thereby, the air cooling circuit 20a in the third embodiment is configured. The air cooling circuit 20a in the third embodiment corresponds to the first circuit in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x.

[0285] Further, in the first low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20x, the heat medium flows in the order of the second low-temperature-side pump 30, the heat exchanger for battery 26, the 13th connection part 50m, the 12th connection part 50l, and the second low-temperature-side pump 30 and circulates. Thereby, the battery temperature control circuit 20b according to the third embodiment is configured. The battery temperature control circuit 20b in the third embodiment corresponds to the second circuit in the first low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20x.

[0286] As described above, the 12th connection part 50l to the 14th connection part 50n are arranged in the first low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20x. The 12th connection part 50l to the 14th connection part 50n are formed in a three-way joint shape in the same manner as the above-described first connection part 50a to the 11th connection part 50k.

[0287] Of the 12th connection part 50l, on the two inlets and outlets, the suction port side of the second low-temperature-side pump 30 and the other side of the inlet and outlet in the 13th connection part 50m are respectively connected. To the other inlet and outlet in the 12th connection part 50l, the other side of the outlet in the first low-temperature-side three-way valve 38 is connected. Thereby, through the heat medium passage connecting the first low-temperature-side three-way valve 38 and the 12th connection part 50l, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be realized.

[0288] And, on the two inlets and outlets in the 13th connection part 50m, the heat medium outlet side of the heat exchanger for battery 26 and the other inlet and outlet in the 12th connection part 50l are respectively connected. To the other inlet and outlet in the 13th connection part 50m, the other inlet and outlet in the 14th connection part 50n is connected.

[0289] Further, on the two inlets and outlets in the 14th connection part 50n, the heat medium outlet side of the cooler core 25 and the suction port side of the first low-temperature-side pump 29 are respectively connected. To the other inlet and outlet in the 14th connection part 50n, the other inlet and outlet in the 13th connection part 50m is connected as described above. Thereby, through the heat medium passage connecting the 13th connection part 50m and the 14th connection part 50n, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be realized.

[0290] Therefore, in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x, the heat medium passage connecting the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 and the first 12th connection part 50l and the heat medium passage connecting the 13th connection part 50m and the 14th connection part 50n correspond to the connection part 21 in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x. Further, the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38 corresponds to the flow rate adjustment part 22 in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x.

[0291] Further, in the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, as a heat medium circuit in which the heat medium cooled by the second chiller 16 circulates, it has a second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y. The second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y has a heat medium passage 16b of the second chiller 16, a heat exchanger for equipment 28, a third low-temperature side pump 31, a fourth low-temperature side pump 32, a first outside air heat exchanger 33, and a second low-temperature side three-way valve 39.

[0292] As shown in FIG. 27 and the like, the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y has an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and an equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c. The outside air heat absorption circuit 20d of the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y is configured such that the heat medium circulates through the second chiller 16 and the first outside air heat exchanger 33. The equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c of the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y is configured such that the heat medium circulates through the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 and the heat exchanger for equipment 28.

[0293] In the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, a third low-temperature side pump 31 is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium passage 16b in the second chiller 16. Further, a second low-temperature side three-way valve 39 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium passage 16b in the second chiller 16. The second low-temperature side three-way valve 39 is an electric three-way flow rate adjustment valve similar to the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38.

[0294] The inlet of the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium passage 16b of the second chiller 16. One of the outlets of the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39 is connected to the heat medium inlet side of the first outdoor heat exchanger 33. And the other of the outlets of the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39 is connected to the suction port side of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 via the 15th connection part 50o. The heat medium outlet side of the first outdoor heat exchanger 33 is connected to the suction port side of the third low-temperature side pump 31 via the 17th connection part 50q.

[0295] And the discharge port of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium passage 28a in the heat exchanger 28 for equipment. The heat exchanger 28 for equipment has the same configuration as that in the above-described embodiment. The outlet of the heat medium passage 28a in the heat exchanger 28 for equipment is connected to the suction port side of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 via the 16th connection part 50p and the 15th connection part 50o.

[0296] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the third low-temperature side pump 31, the heat medium passage 16b of the second chiller 16, the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39, the first outdoor heat exchanger 33, the 17th connection part 50q, and the third low-temperature side pump 31. Thereby, the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d in the third embodiment is configured. The outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d according to the third embodiment corresponds to the first circuit in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y.

[0297] Also, in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, the heat medium flows and circulates in the order of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32, the heat medium passage 28a of the heat exchanger 28 for equipment, the 16th connection part 50p, the 15th connection part 50o, and the fourth low-temperature side pump 32. Thereby, the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c in the third embodiment is configured. The equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c according to the third embodiment corresponds to the second circuit in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y.

[0298] And in the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y, the 15th connection part 50o to the 17th connection part 50q are arranged. The 15th connection part 50o to the 17th connection part 50q are formed in a three-way joint shape, similar to the above-mentioned 1st connection part 50a to the 14th connection part 50n.

[0299] Among the two inlets and outlets of the 15th connection part 50o, the suction port side of the fourth low-temperature-side pump 32 and the other side of the inlet and outlet in the 16th connection part 50p are respectively connected. To the other inlet and outlet of the 15th connection part 50o, the other of the outlets in the second low-temperature-side three-way valve 39 is connected. Thereby, through the heat medium passage connecting the second low-temperature-side three-way valve 39 and the 15th connection part 50o, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can be realized.

[0300] Also, to the two inlets and outlets in the 16th connection part 50p, the outlet side of the heat medium passage 28a in the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c and the other inlet and outlet in the 15th connection part 50o are respectively connected. To the other inlet and outlet of the 16th connection part 50p, the other inlet and outlet side in the 17th connection part 50q is connected.

[0301] And to the two inlets and outlets in the 17th connection part 50q, the heat medium outlet side of the first outside air heat exchanger 33 and the suction port side of the third low-temperature-side pump 31 are respectively connected. To the other inlet and outlet of the 17th connection part 50q, as described above, the other inlet and outlet in the 16th connection part 50p is connected. Thereby, through the heat medium passage connecting the 16th connection part 50p and the 17th connection part 50q, the inflow and outflow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can be realized.

[0302] Therefore, in the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y, the heat medium passage connecting the second low-temperature-side three-way valve 39 and the 15th connection part 50o and the heat medium passage connecting the 16th connection part 50p and the 17th connection part 50q correspond to the connection part 21 in the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y. Also, the second low-temperature-side three-way valve 39 corresponds to the flow rate adjustment part 22 in the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y.

[0303] Next, the configuration of the high-temperature-side heat medium circuit 40 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 23. In the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, the high-temperature-side heat medium circuit 40 includes a heater core 41, an electric heater 42, a high-temperature-side pump 43, a high-temperature-side three-way valve 44, and a second outside air heat exchanger 34, and is configured to circulate the heat medium that has passed through the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12.

[0304] The discharge port of the high-temperature-side pump 43 is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium passage 12b in the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12. Also, the heat medium inlet side of the electric heater 42 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium passage 12b in the water-cooled medium heat exchanger 12. The configurations of the high-temperature-side pump 43 and the electric heater 42 are the same as those in the above-described embodiments.

[0305] The high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to the heat medium outlet side of the electric heater 42. The high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is an electric three-way flow rate adjustment valve, the same as in the above-described embodiments. As described above, the heat medium outlet side of the electric heater 42 is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44. One of the outlets of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to the heat medium inlet side of the heater core 41, and the other of the outlets of the high-temperature-side three-way valve 44 is connected to the heat medium inlet side of the second outside air heat exchanger 34.

[0306] And, on the heat medium outlet side in the heater core 41, it is connected to the suction port side of the high-temperature side pump 43 via the fifth connection part 50e. Also, the heat medium outlet side of the second outside air heat exchanger 34 is connected to one of the inflow / outlet ports that constitute the fifth connection part 50e. Therefore, the heat medium flowing out from the second outside air heat exchanger 34 can merge with the heat medium flowing out from the heater core 41 and be sucked into the suction port of the high-temperature side pump 43.

[0307] Note that the configurations of the indoor air conditioning unit 60 and the control device 70 in the third embodiment are the same as those in the above-described embodiments, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted again.

[0308] As described above, the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment has, as the low-temperature side heat medium circuit, a first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x and a second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, and the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x and the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y each have a plurality of circulation circuits.

[0309] Therefore, in each of the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x and the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, it is possible to realize an operation mode in which a plurality of circulation circuits are coordinated to create a plurality of different temperature zones with one chiller.

[0310] First, regarding the operation mode in which a plurality of different temperature zones are created with one first chiller 15 in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. Since the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x has an air cooling circuit 20a and a battery temperature control circuit 20b, the operation mode in this case can include a cooling / battery cooling mode.

[0311] Also in the cooling / battery cooling mode according to the third embodiment, the heat management system 1 can switch the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b between an independent circulation state and a circuit cooperation state, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiments.

[0312] In the independent circulation state of the cooling and battery cooling modes according to the third embodiment, the first low-temperature side pump 29 exhibits a predetermined pumping capacity. Regarding the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38, it is controlled to communicate the inflow / outflow ports on the first chiller 15 side with the inflow / outflow ports on the cooler core 25 side and close the inflow / outflow ports on the 12th connection part 50l side. Thereby, the air cooling circuit 20a is configured.

[0313] Therefore, in the air cooling circuit 20a in the third embodiment, the heat medium circulates in the order of the first low-temperature side pump 29, the first chiller 15, the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38, the cooler core 25, the 14th connection part 50n, and the first low-temperature side pump 29.

[0314] Also, in the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the second low-temperature side pump 30 exhibits a predetermined pumping capacity. Thereby, in the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the third embodiment, the heat medium circulates in the order of the second low-temperature side pump 30, the heat exchanger for battery 26, the 13th connection part 50m, the 12th connection part 50l, and the second low-temperature side pump 30.

[0315] In the air cooling circuit 20a in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes according to the third embodiment, by the operation control of the heat pump cycle 10, the cooling capacity of the first chiller 15 is controlled to correspond to the target blowing temperature related to the cooling operation. Therefore, the temperature range of the heat medium passing through the first chiller 15 is adjusted to be the temperature range determined corresponding to the target blowing temperature.

[0316] On the other hand, in the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes, as shown in FIG. 25, the heat medium circulates through the heat exchanger for battery 26 by the third low-temperature side pump 31. The heat medium in the battery temperature control circuit 20b in the independent circulation state rises in temperature when exchanging heat with the battery 27 when passing through the heat exchanger for battery 26. That is, in the independent circulation state in the cooling and battery cooling modes, the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the battery temperature control circuit 20b is higher than the temperature range of the heat medium circulating in the air cooling circuit 20a.

[0317] In the cooling and battery cooling mode according to the third embodiment, by controlling the operation of the first low-temperature three-way valve 38, the heat medium can flow in and out between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b. As shown in FIG. 26, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the circuit connection state in the cooling and battery cooling mode can be switched.

[0318] Specifically, for the first low-temperature three-way valve 38, the heat medium flowing in from the first chiller 15 side is distributed to the flow flowing to the cooler core 25 side and the flow flowing to the 12th connection part 50l side. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the cooler core 25 side to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the 12th connection part 50l side is determined according to the difference between the target battery temperature determined for the battery 27 and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b.

[0319] In the cooling and battery cooling mode according to the third embodiment, by controlling the operation of the first low-temperature three-way valve 38 in this way, a part of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can flow into the battery temperature control circuit 20b through the first low-temperature three-way valve 38 and the 12th connection part 50l.

[0320] As described above, in the air cooling circuit 20a according to the third embodiment, since the heat medium circulates through the first chiller 15 and the cooler core 25, it is cooled to a predetermined target temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the first chiller 15.

[0321] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the air cooling circuit 20a to the battery temperature control circuit 20b increases through the connection part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be reduced. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a. In other words, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the air cooling circuit 20a can be brought closer to the temperature range corresponding to the target blowing temperature related to the cooling operation, and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be brought closer to the temperature range determined based on the appropriate temperature range of the battery 27.

[0322] In the cooling and battery cooling mode according to the third embodiment, in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b, temperature ranges suitable for cooling and battery cooling can be created by a single first chiller 15 respectively.

[0323] Next, regarding the operation mode of creating a plurality of different temperature ranges with a single second chiller 16 in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. Since the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y has an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and an equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, the operation mode in this case can include an outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode.

[0324] Also in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode according to the third embodiment, the heat management system 1 can switch between an independent circulation state and a circuit cooperation state for the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c in the same manner as in the above-described embodiments.

[0325] In the independent circulation state of the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode according to the third embodiment, the third low-temperature side pump 31 exhibits a predetermined pumping capacity. For the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39, it is controlled to communicate the inflow / outflow ports on the second chiller 16 side and the inflow / outflow ports on the first outside air heat exchanger 33 side, and to close the inflow / outflow ports on the 15th connection part 50o side. Thereby, the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d is configured.

[0326] Therefore, in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in the third embodiment, the heat medium circulates in the order of the third low-temperature side pump 31, the second chiller 16, the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39, the first outside air heat exchanger 33, the 17th connection part 50q, and the third low-temperature side pump 31.

[0327] Also, in the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, the fourth low-temperature side pump 32 exhibits a predetermined pumping capacity. Thereby, in the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c in the third embodiment, the heat medium circulates in the order of the fourth low-temperature side pump 32, the equipment heat exchange part 28, the 16th connection part 50p, the 15th connection part 50o, and the fourth low-temperature side pump 32.

[0328] In the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d in the independent circulation state in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode according to the third embodiment, in order to absorb heat from the outside air into the heat medium, the cooling capacity of the chiller 14 is adjusted so that the heat medium temperature in the first outside air heat exchanger 33 is lower than the outside air temperature. On the other hand, the in-vehicle equipment shows a temperature higher than the outside air temperature due to exhaust heat. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c can recover the exhaust heat of the in-vehicle equipment at a temperature higher than that of the heat medium in the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d.

[0329] And in the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode according to the third embodiment, by controlling the operation of the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39, the heat medium can flow in and out between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c. As shown in FIG. 28, by allowing the heat medium to flow in and out between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, it is possible to switch to the circuit cooperation state of the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode.

[0330] Specifically, for the second low-temperature three-way valve 39, the heat medium flowing in from the second chiller 16 side is distributed into the flow flowing to the first outdoor heat exchanger 33 side and the flow flowing to the 15th connection part 50o side. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the first outdoor heat exchanger 33 side to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the 15th connection part 50o side is determined according to the target value of the heat absorption amount in the first outdoor heat exchanger 33 and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchanger section 28 for equipment. The target value of the heat absorption amount in the first outdoor heat exchanger 33 is determined based on the relationship with the outdoor temperature, and the target value of the heat absorption amount in the heat exchanger section 28 for equipment is determined from the temperature of the in-vehicle equipment.

[0331] In the outdoor air heat absorption and equipment waste heat recovery mode according to the third embodiment, by controlling the operation of the second low-temperature three-way valve 39, a part of the heat medium flowing through the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d can be made to flow into the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c via the second low-temperature three-way valve 39 and the 15th connection part 50o.

[0332] As described above, in the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d according to the third embodiment, since the heat medium circulates through the second chiller 16 and the first outdoor heat exchanger 33, it is cooled to a predetermined target temperature by the heat absorption action of the refrigerant in the second chiller 16.

[0333] Therefore, if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d to the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c increases via the connection part 21, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c can be lowered. That is, by adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c can be adjusted to a desired temperature range higher than the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d. In other words, the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the outdoor air heat absorption circuit 20d can be made closer to the target value of the temperature range determined according to the outdoor temperature, and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the equipment waste heat recovery circuit 20c can be made closer to the temperature range determined based on the temperature of the in-vehicle equipment.

[0334] In the outside air heat absorption and equipment exhaust heat recovery mode according to the third embodiment, in the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y, the flow rate of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c is adjusted. Thereby, the heat management system 1 can create temperature zones suitable for heat absorption from the outside air and exhaust heat recovery of in-vehicle equipment respectively by one second chiller 16.

[0335] And according to the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x including the first chiller 15 and the second low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20y including the second chiller 16 can be controlled in parallel. Therefore, the heat management system 1 can individually adjust the temperature zones of the heat medium in each of the air cooling circuit 20a, the battery temperature control circuit 20b, the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d to appropriate temperature zones.

[0336] As described above, as shown in FIG. 24, the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment has, as components of the heat pump cycle 10, a first expansion valve 13a, a second expansion valve 13b, a first chiller 15, and a second chiller 16. And the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x including the first chiller 15 has the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b as circulation circuits.

[0337] Therefore, according to the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x, the flow of the heat medium between the air cooling circuit 20a and the battery temperature control circuit 20b can be adjusted. Thereby, the heat management system 1 can create the temperature zones of the heat medium related to the air cooling circuit 20a and the temperature zone of the heat medium related to the battery temperature control circuit 20b respectively by using the first chiller 15 in the first low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20x.

[0338] Moreover, in the heat management system 1 according to the third embodiment, the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y has an outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and an equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c as circulation circuits. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the heat management system 1 can adjust the flow of the heat medium between the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c in the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y. Thereby, the heat management system 1 can create appropriate temperature ranges for the heat medium related to the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d and the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c in the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 20y using the second chiller 16, respectively.

[0339] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as follows without departing from the gist of the present invention. Also, the means disclosed in each of the above embodiments may be appropriately combined within the practicable range.

[0340] (a) In the above-described embodiments, the first circuit and the second circuit in the low-temperature-side heat medium circuit are exemplified, but the first circuit and the second circuit are not limited to the configurations of the exemplified circulation circuits. The first circuit in the low-temperature-side heat medium circuit only needs to be configured such that the heat medium circulates through a first heat exchange unit that exchanges heat between the chiller, the heat medium, and the heat exchange target, and may include other constituent devices.

[0341] Moreover, the second circuit in the low-temperature-side heat medium circuit only needs to be configured such that the heat medium circulates through a second heat exchange unit that is arranged at a position different from the first heat exchange unit and exchanges heat between the heat medium and the heat exchange target, and may include other constituent devices. The heat exchange targets in the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit do not necessarily have to be different types of heat exchange targets such as blown air and a battery, and various heat exchange targets can be adopted.

[0342] (b) Further, in the above-described embodiment, regarding the inflow and outflow of the heat medium in the circulation circuit as the first circuit and the circulation circuit as the second circuit, the flow rate adjustment unit 22 adjusts the flow rate ratio between the flow rate of the heat medium circulating in the first circuit and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the second circuit via the connection portion 21. The control mode of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the second circuit is not limited to this mode. For example, regarding the first circuit and the second circuit, it is also possible to adjust the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit by using the temporal ratio regarding the period of operating in the independent circulation state and the period of being in the circuit cooperation state.

[0343] (c) And, in the above-described first embodiment, as the three-circuit cooperation mode, the configuration of cooperating the air cooling circuit 20a, the battery temperature control circuit 20b, and the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d has been described, but it is not limited to this mode. For example, as another configuration example of the three-circuit cooperation mode, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the air cooling circuit 20a, the equipment exhaust heat recovery circuit 20c, and the outside air heat absorption circuit 20d are cooperated.

[0344] (d) Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the flow rate adjustment unit 22, the low-temperature side flow rate adjustment unit 24, and the high-temperature side flow rate adjustment unit 46, the four-way valve 35, the first five-way valve 36, the second five-way valve 37, the first low-temperature side three-way valve 38, the second low-temperature side three-way valve 39, and the high-temperature side three-way valve 44 are adopted. However, the flow rate adjustment unit 22, the low-temperature side flow rate adjustment unit 24, and the high-temperature side flow rate adjustment unit 46 are not limited to the configuration using these multi-way valves. For example, the flow rate adjustment unit 22 or the like may be configured by combining a plurality of valves such as on-off valves. Also, a configuration corresponding to the first five-way valve 36 and the second five-way valve 37 may be realized by combining a plurality of three-way valves.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0345] 1 Thermal management system 10 Heat pump cycle 14 Chiller 20 Low-temperature side heat medium circuit 20a Air cooling circuit 20b Battery temperature control circuit 21 Connection portion 22 Flow adjustment unit 70 Control device

Claims

1. A heat pump cycle (10) comprising: a compressor (11) that compresses and discharges a refrigerant; a condenser (12) that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; a pressure reducing section (13, 13a, 13b) that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser; and a chiller (14, 15, 16) that evaporates the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant depressurized by the pressure reducing section and a heat medium. A low-temperature side heat medium circuit (20, 20x, 20y) through which the heat medium cooled by the chiller circulates. A control unit (70). The low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes: A first heat exchange section (25, 34) that cools a first temperature adjustment target associated with a predetermined first temperature range by exchanging heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the first temperature adjustment target, and a first circuit (20a, 20d) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the chiller and the first heat exchange section. A second heat exchange section (26, 28, 34) that exchanges heat between a second temperature adjustment target associated with a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range and the heat medium cooled by the chiller, and a heat medium pump (30, 31, 32) that pumps the heat medium to flow through the second heat exchange section. A second circuit (20b, 20c) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the second heat exchange section and the heat medium pump. A connecting section (21) that connects the first circuit and the second circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. A flow rate adjustment section (22) that adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the second circuit at the connecting section. The control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment section so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit is different from the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium at the connecting section. The first temperature adjustment target is the blown air supplied to the air-conditioned space. The first heat exchange section is a cooler core (25) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the blown air to cool the blown air. The second temperature adjustment target is a heat generating device (27) that generates heat during operation. The second heat exchange section is a heat exchange section for equipment (26, 28) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the heat generating device to adjust the temperature of the heat generating device, which is a heat management system.

2. A heat pump cycle (10) having a compressor (11) that compresses and discharges a refrigerant, a condenser (12) that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a pressure reducing section (13, 13a, 13b) that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser, and a chiller (14, 15, 16) that evaporates the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant decompressed by the pressure reducing section and a heat medium. A low-temperature side heat medium circuit (20, 20x, 20y) through which the heat medium cooled by the chiller circulates. And a control section (70). The low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes: A first heat exchange section (25, 34) that cools a first temperature adjustment target associated with a predetermined first temperature range by heat exchange between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the first temperature adjustment target, and a first circuit (20a, 20d) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the chiller and the first heat exchange section. A second heat exchange section (26, 28, 34) that exchanges heat between a second temperature adjustment target associated with a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range and the heat medium cooled by the chiller, and a heat medium pump (30, 31, 32) that pumps the heat medium so as to flow through the second heat exchange section. A second circuit (20b, 20c) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the second heat exchange section and the heat medium pump. A connecting section (21) that connects the first circuit and the second circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. At the connecting section, a flow rate adjustment section (22) that adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the second circuit. The control section controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment section so that the temperature ranges of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit and the heat medium flowing through the second circuit are different, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium at the connecting section. The first temperature adjustment target is the outside air. The first heat exchange section is an outside air heat exchanger (34) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the outside air. The second temperature adjustment target is a heat generating device (27) that generates heat during operation. The second heat exchange section is a heat management system that is a device heat exchange section (26, 28) that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the chiller and the heat generating device to adjust the temperature of the heat generating device.

3. A heat pump cycle (10) comprising a compressor (11) that compresses and discharges a refrigerant, a condenser (12) that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a decompression section (13, 13a, 13b) that decompresses the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser, and a chiller (14, 15, 16) that evaporates the refrigerant by heat-exchanging the refrigerant decompressed by the decompression section with a heat medium. A low-temperature side heat medium circuit (20, 20x, 20y) through which the heat medium cooled by the chiller circulates. A control unit (70). The low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes: A first heat exchange section (25, 34) that cools a first temperature adjustment target associated with a predetermined first temperature range by heat-exchanging the heat medium cooled by the chiller with the first temperature adjustment target, and a first circuit (20a, 20d) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the chiller and the first heat exchange section. A second heat exchange section (26, 28, 34) that heat-exchanges a second temperature adjustment target associated with a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range with the heat medium cooled by the chiller, and a heat medium pump (30, 31, 32) that pumps the heat medium so as to flow through the second heat exchange section. A second circuit (20b, 20c) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the second heat exchange section and the heat medium pump. A connecting section (21) that connects the first circuit and the second circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. At the connecting section, a flow rate adjustment section (22) that adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the second circuit. The control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment section so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit is different from the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium at the connecting section. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit includes: A third heat exchange section (26) that heat-exchanges a third temperature adjustment target associated with a third temperature range higher than the first temperature range with the heat medium cooled by the chiller, and a low-temperature side pump (31) that pumps the heat medium so as to flow through the third heat exchange section. A third circuit (20b) configured such that the heat medium can circulate through the third heat exchange section and the low-temperature side pump. A low-temperature side connecting section (23) that connects the first circuit and the third circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. At the low-temperature side connection part, there is a low-temperature side flow rate adjustment part (24) for adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the third circuit. The control part controls the operation of the low-temperature side flow rate adjustment part so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit approaches the first temperature range and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the third circuit approaches the third temperature range, and makes a part of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit flow into the third circuit via the low-temperature side connection part. A heat management system.

4. A heat pump cycle (10) having a compressor (11) for compressing and discharging a refrigerant, a condenser (12) for condensing the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a decompression part (13, 13a, 13b) for decompressing the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser, and a chiller (14, 15, 16) for evaporating the refrigerant by heat-exchanging the refrigerant decompressed by the decompression part with a heat medium. A low-temperature side heat medium circuit (20, 20x, 20y) through which the heat medium cooled by the chiller circulates. It has a control part (70). The low-temperature side heat medium circuit is It has a first heat exchange part (25, 34) for cooling the first temperature adjustment target by heat-exchanging the heat medium cooled by the chiller with the first temperature adjustment target associated with a predetermined first temperature range, and a first circuit (20a, 20d) in which the heat medium is configured to be circulable through the chiller and the first heat exchange part. A second heat exchange part (26, 28, 34) for heat-exchanging the second temperature adjustment target associated with a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range with the heat medium cooled by the chiller, and a heat medium pump (30, 31, 32) for pumping the heat medium so as to flow through the second heat exchange part. It has a second circuit (20b, 20c) in which the heat medium is configured to be circulable through the second heat exchange part and the heat medium pump. A connection part (21) for connecting the first circuit and the second circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out. At the connection part, there is a flow rate adjustment part (22) for adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the first circuit and the second circuit. The control part controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment part so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit is different from the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium at the connection part. It has a high-temperature side heat medium circuit (40) through which the heat medium heated by the heat of the refrigerant radiated by the condenser circulates. The high-temperature-side heat medium circuit includes a heater core (41) that exchanges heat between the heat medium heated by the heat of the refrigerant and the blown air supplied to the space to be air-conditioned to heat the blown air, and a high-temperature-side pump (43) that pumps the heat medium to the heater core. The heat medium is configured to be circulable through the heater core and the high-temperature-side pump, and a high-temperature-side connection part (45) that connects the high-temperature-side heat medium circuit and the second circuit of the low-temperature-side heat medium circuit so that the heat medium can flow in and out, and a high-temperature-side flow rate adjustment part (46) that adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing in and out between the high-temperature-side heat medium circuit and the second circuit at the high-temperature-side connection part. The control unit controls the operation of the high-temperature-side flow rate adjustment part so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit approaches the second temperature range, and allows a part of the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature-side heat medium circuit to flow into the second circuit through the high-temperature-side connection part, which is a heat management system.

5. The heat management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment part so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit approaches the first temperature range and the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit approaches the second temperature range, and allows a part of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit to flow into the second circuit through the connection part.

6. The decompression part includes a first decompression part (13a) that decompresses the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser, and a second decompression part (13b) that is connected in parallel with the first decompression part and decompresses the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser. The chiller includes a first chiller (15) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant decompressed by the first decompression part and the heat medium to evaporate the refrigerant, and a second chiller (16) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant decompressed by the second decompression part and the heat medium to evaporate the refrigerant. A first low-temperature-side heat medium circuit (20x) through which the heat medium cooled by the first chiller circulates, and a second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit (20y) through which the heat medium cooled by the second chiller circulates. At least one of the first low-temperature-side heat medium circuit and the second low-temperature-side heat medium circuit has the first circuit, the second circuit, the connection part, and the flow rate adjustment part. The heat management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the flow rate adjustment unit so that the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the first circuit is different from the temperature range of the heat medium flowing through the second circuit, and adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium at the connection part.

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