Automotive battery temperature control device

Abstract

To provide a battery temperature control device of a vehicle that can appropriately control the temperature of a battery of the vehicle in which warming-up and exhaust heat recovery are difficult according to the state of the battery.SOLUTION: A battery temperature control device of a vehicle according to the present invention includes: a temperature control circuit 4 in which a refrigerant for controlling the temperature of a battery 2 circulates; a compressor / expander 12 in which a working medium with a lower boiling point than the refrigerant circulates and which selectively compresses / expands the working medium; a first heat exchanger 13 which performs heat exchange between the working medium and the ambient air; an expansion valve 14 which expands / decompresses the working medium; and a Rankine cycle circuit 5 which has a second heat exchanger 33 that performs heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the temperature control circuit 4. The battery temperature control device controls the temperature of the battery 2 by controlling the heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33 by controlling the compressor / expander 12 and the flow of the working medium depending on the state of the battery 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery temperature control device for an automobile that controls the temperature of a battery mounted in the automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, batteries installed in automobiles have the characteristic that their efficiency drops significantly when their temperature is lower than the optimum temperature range, while their deterioration is likely to progress when their temperature is higher than the optimum temperature range. Therefore, it is preferable to control the battery temperature within the optimum temperature range by appropriately warming or cooling the battery. In the case of electric vehicles, which are equipped with many batteries, including a large battery for driving the motor, battery temperature control is particularly necessary.

[0003] A known heat cycle system configured to warm up and recover waste heat from a vehicle engine is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. This system includes a cooling circuit through which coolant circulates to cool and warm up the engine, and a Rankine cycle circuit through which an organic medium circulates to exchange heat with the coolant in the cooling circuit. In the cooling circuit, the coolant flows sequentially through an evaporator, the engine, a heat exchanger with the engine's exhaust gas, and another evaporator. Meanwhile, the Rankine cycle circuit has the evaporator, an expander, and a condenser in that order in one direction.

[0004] In this heat cycle system, in warm-up mode for warming up the engine, the organic medium is circulated through the condenser, expander, and evaporator in that order, and energy is supplied to the expander, which operates as a compressor to compress and heat the organic medium before supplying it to the evaporator. As a result, the coolant in the cooling circuit is heated through heat exchange with the organic medium in the evaporator, heat exchange with outside air in the condenser, and heat exchange with exhaust gas in the heat exchanger, thereby warming up the engine. On the other hand, in waste heat recovery mode for recovering waste heat from the engine after warm-up, the organic medium is circulated through the evaporator, expander, and condenser in that order. As a result, the organic medium heated in the evaporator mainly by engine waste heat is decompressed in the expander, and the thermal energy of the organic medium is recovered as mechanical energy in the expander. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-85876 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the above-mentioned conventional heat cycle system is used to warm up or recover waste heat from an automobile battery instead of an engine, the following problems arise. For example, compared to an engine, the waste heat temperature of a battery is significantly lower and the thermal energy is smaller, making it difficult to ensure a pressure difference sufficient to drive the expander and preventing effective waste heat recovery. Furthermore, when warming up at extremely low temperatures, an engine can utilize the large amount of waste heat generated when it starts, whereas a battery cannot warm up effectively because the amount of waste heat is small.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a battery temperature control device for an automobile that can appropriately control the temperature of an automobile battery, which is difficult to warm up and recover waste heat, according to the battery's condition, thereby contributing to improving energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve this object, the invention of claim 1 is a battery temperature control device for an automobile that controls the temperature of a battery 2 mounted on an automobile, characterized in that it comprises a temperature control circuit 4 through which a refrigerant for controlling the temperature of the battery 2 circulates, a compressor / expander 12 through which a working medium (organic medium) having a lower boiling point than the refrigerant circulates and which selectively compresses / expands the working medium, a first heat exchanger 13 that performs heat exchange between the working medium and outside air, an expansion valve 14 that expands and decompresses the working medium, and a Rankine cycle circuit 5 having a second heat exchanger 33 that performs heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant of the temperature control circuit 4, and a battery temperature control means (ECU 6 in an embodiment (hereinafter the same in this paragraph)) that controls the temperature of the battery 2 by controlling the flow of the compressor / expander 12 and the working medium according to the state of the battery 2, thereby controlling the heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33.

[0009] According to this configuration, the compressor / expander and the flow of the working medium in the Rankine cycle circuit are controlled according to the battery state. For example, when warming up a battery in a low-temperature state, the compressor / expander is operated as a compressor, and the working medium is circulated through the expansion valve, the first heat exchanger, the compressor / expander, and the second heat exchanger in that order. As a result, the working medium is expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, heated by outside air in the first heat exchanger, compressed and heated by the compressor / expander, and then heat-exchanged with refrigerant in the temperature control circuit in the second heat exchanger. This heats the refrigerant and warms up the battery.

[0010] Furthermore, for example, when cooling a battery in a high temperature state, the compressor / expander is operated as an expander, and the working medium is circulated through the compressor / expander, the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger in that order. As a result, the working medium is expanded and cooled in the compressor / expander, cooled by outside air in the first heat exchanger, and then heat-exchanged with a refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. This cools the refrigerant, and thus the battery.

[0011] As described above, by controlling the flow of the compressor / expander and the working medium according to the state of the battery, and by controlling the heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, the temperature of the battery can be appropriately controlled, and the battery can be appropriately warmed and cooled.

[0012] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the automobile battery temperature control device according to claim 1 further comprises an outside air temperature detection means (outside air temperature sensor 41) for detecting the outside air temperature TEX and a battery temperature detection means (battery temperature sensor 42) for detecting the battery temperature TBAT, and the battery temperature control means controls the battery temperature according to the detected outside air temperature TEX and battery temperature TBAT (Fig. 3).

[0013] According to this configuration, the battery temperature is controlled in accordance with the detected outside air temperature and battery temperature, thereby making it possible to appropriately control the battery temperature while reflecting the actual outside air temperature and battery temperature.

[0014] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 2, the battery temperature control means includes warm-up control means (Figs. 4 and 5(a)) that, when the outside air temperature TEX is low and the battery temperature TBAT is low, expands and decompresses the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by the expansion valve 14, evaporates it by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, heats it by compression by the compressor / expander 12, and then heats the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, thereby warming up the battery 2.

[0015] With this configuration, when the outside air temperature is low and the battery temperature is low, the working medium in the Rankine cycle circuit is expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, evaporated by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, compressed and heated by the compressor / expander, and then heated by heat exchange between the working medium and refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby warming up the battery.As described above, when the outside air temperature is low and the battery temperature is low, the working medium is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander, and then heat exchanged with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby making it possible to effectively warm up the battery with the heated refrigerant.

[0016] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the automobile battery temperature control device of claim 2, the battery temperature control means has a cooling control means (Figures 4 and 5(b)) that, when the outside air temperature TEX is high and the battery temperature TBAT is high, heats the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by compressing it with the compressor / expander 12, cools it by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, expands and decompresses it with the expansion valve 14, and then cools the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, thereby cooling the battery 2.

[0017] With this configuration, when the outside air temperature is high and the battery temperature is high, the working medium in the Rankine cycle circuit is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby cooling the battery.As described above, when the outside air temperature is high and the battery temperature is high, the working medium is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, and then heat exchanged with refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby effectively cooling the battery.

[0018] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the automobile battery temperature control device of claim 2, the Rankine cycle circuit 5 further has a pump (first pump 15) provided in a bypass flow path (third flow path 11c) that bypasses the expansion valve 14, for sending the working medium from the first heat exchanger 13 side to the second heat exchanger 33 side, and the battery temperature control means has a cooling control means (Figures 4 and 5(c)) that switches the flow path of the working medium to the bypass flow path side and operates the pump when the outside air temperature TEX is low and the battery temperature TBAT is high, and reduces the pressure and temperature of the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by expanding it in a compressor / expander, cools it by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, and then cools the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, thereby cooling the battery 2.

[0019] According to this configuration, when the outside air temperature is low and the battery temperature is high, the working medium is pumped through the Rankine cycle circuit, while being decompressed and cooled by expansion in the compressor / expander, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby cooling the battery. As described above, when the outside air temperature is low and the battery temperature is high, the working medium is cooled with outside air in the first heat exchanger, further cooled by expansion in the compressor / expander, and then heat exchanged with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby effectively cooling the battery. In addition, the thermal energy (waste heat) of the organic medium decompressed and cooled in the compressor / expander can be effectively recovered as mechanical energy in the compressor / expander.

[0020] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the automobile battery temperature control device described in claim 2, the temperature control circuit 52 has a third heat exchanger 54 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air for the air conditioning system, and further includes an operation mode determination means (ECU6) for determining whether the operation mode of the air conditioning system is a heating mode for heating the passenger compartment or a cooling mode for cooling the passenger compartment, and the battery temperature control means controls the battery temperature in accordance with the determined operation mode of the air conditioning system in addition to the outside air temperature TEX and the battery temperature TBAT.

[0021] In this configuration, the temperature control circuit has a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air for the air conditioner. The battery temperature control means controls the battery temperature according to the detected outside air temperature and battery temperature as well as the operating mode of the air conditioner. This allows the battery temperature to be appropriately controlled to reflect the actual outside air temperature and battery temperature and to match the operating mode of the air conditioner.

[0022] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the automotive battery temperature control device of claim 6, the battery temperature control means expands and decompresses the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by the expansion valve 14 when the outside air temperature TEX is low and the operating mode of the air conditioner is in the heating mode, heats it by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, increases its temperature by compression by the compressor / expander 12, heats the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, and then causes the heated refrigerant to exchange heat with air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger 54, and has a temperature control means (Figures 7 and 8) that controls the battery temperature by the refrigerant.

[0023] With this configuration, when the outside air temperature is low and the air conditioner is operating in heating mode, the working medium in the Rankine cycle circuit is expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, heated by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, compressed and heated by the compressor / expander, and then heated by heat exchange between the working medium and refrigerant in the second heat exchanger.The heated refrigerant then exchanges heat with air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger, thereby appropriately heating the air for the air conditioner in heating mode and appropriately controlling the battery temperature using the refrigerant.

[0024] The invention according to claim 8 is the automotive battery temperature control device according to claim 6, wherein the Rankine cycle circuit 5 further includes a pump (first pump 15) provided in a bypass flow path (third flow path 11c) that bypasses the expansion valve 14, for sending the working medium from the first heat exchanger 13 side to the second heat exchanger 33 side, and the temperature control circuit 52 further includes flow path switching valves (first to third switching valves 55 to 57) that switch the flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 33 to either the battery 2 side or the third heat exchanger 54 side, or both, and the battery temperature control means controls the battery temperature to be higher when the outside air temperature TEX is low and the battery temperature TBAT is high. When the air conditioning system is in a stop mode in which neither heating nor cooling of the passenger compartment is performed, the flow path of the working medium is switched to the bypass flow path, the pump is operated, the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 is reduced in pressure and cooled by expansion in the compressor / expander, and cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, and then the refrigerant is cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, and the cooled refrigerant is caused to flow only into the battery 2 by a flow path switching valve, thereby cooling the battery 2 (Figs. 7 and 9(a)).

[0025] According to this configuration, when the outside air temperature is low, the battery temperature is high, and the air conditioning system is in a stop mode in which neither heating nor cooling of the vehicle cabin is performed, the working medium is pumped through the Rankine cycle circuit, while being decompressed and cooled by expansion in the compressor / expander. The working medium is then cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant is then cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. The flow path switching valve then directs the cooled refrigerant only to the battery, rather than to the third heat exchanger in the stop mode, thereby maximizing battery cooling. Furthermore, the thermal energy (waste heat) of the organic medium decompressed and cooled in the compressor / expander can be effectively recovered as mechanical energy in the compressor / expander.

[0026] The invention according to claim 9 is the automotive battery temperature control device according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control circuit 52 further has flow path switching valves (first to third switching valves 55 to 57) for switching the flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 33 to either or both of the battery 2 side and the third heat exchanger 54 side, and the battery temperature control means raises the temperature of the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by compressing it with the compressor / expander, and controls the working medium to be circulated through the first heat exchanger 54 when the outside air temperature TEX is high, the battery temperature TBAT is low, and the operation mode of the air conditioner is in the cooling mode. The refrigerant is cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the second heat exchanger 13, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve 14, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33. The flow path switching valve causes the cooled refrigerant to flow sequentially into the third heat exchanger 54 and the battery 2, whereby the air for the air conditioner is cooled and the refrigerant is heated by heat exchange with the air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger 54, and the heated refrigerant is used to warm up the battery 2 (Figures 7 and 9(b)).

[0027] According to this configuration, when the outside air temperature is high, the battery temperature is low, and the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, the working fluid in the Rankine cycle circuit is heated by compression using the compressor / expander, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working fluid and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. The flow path switching valve then causes the refrigerant to flow sequentially into the third heat exchanger and the battery. This allows the air for the air conditioner in cooling mode to be appropriately cooled by heat exchange between the cooled refrigerant and the air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger. Furthermore, the refrigerant heated by this heat exchange can be used to appropriately warm up the battery.

[0028] The invention according to claim 10 is the temperature control device for a battery of an automobile according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control circuit 52 further has flow path switching valves (first to third switching valves 55 to 57) for switching the flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 33 to either one or both of the battery 2 side and the third heat exchanger 54 side, and the battery temperature control means is configured to change the working medium circulating in the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by compressing it with the compressor / expander 12 when the outside air temperature TEX is high, the battery temperature TBAT is high, and the operation mode of the air conditioner is the cooling mode. The cooling control means (FIGS. 7 and 10(a)) is characterized in that the air for the air conditioner is heated by the cooling valve 14, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve 14, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, and the cooled refrigerant is caused to flow in parallel into the third heat exchanger 54 and the battery 2 by the flow path switching valve, thereby cooling the air for the air conditioner by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 54 and cooling the battery 2 with the refrigerant.

[0029] According to this configuration, when the outside air temperature is high, the battery temperature is high, and the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, the working fluid in the Rankine cycle circuit is heated by compression using the compressor / expander, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working fluid and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. The flow path switching valve then causes the refrigerant to flow in parallel into the third heat exchanger and the battery. This allows the air for the air conditioner in cooling mode to be appropriately cooled by heat exchange between the cooled refrigerant and the air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger. Furthermore, by flowing the cooled refrigerant directly into the battery, the battery can be appropriately cooled.

[0030] The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that, in the automotive battery temperature control device of claim 6, the temperature control circuit 52 further has flow path switching valves (first to third switching valves 55 to 57) that switch the flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 33 to either the battery 2 side or the third heat exchanger 54 side, or both, and the battery temperature control means has cooling control means (Figures 7 and 10(b)) that, when the outside air temperature TEX is high, the battery temperature TBAT is within a predetermined optimum temperature range, and the air conditioner is operating in the cooling mode, compresses the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit 5 by the compressor / expander 12, cools it by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, expands and decompresses it by the expansion valve 14, and then cools the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33, and allows the cooled refrigerant to flow only into the third heat exchanger 54 by the flow path switching valve, thereby cooling the air for the air conditioner by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 54.

[0031] With this configuration, when the outside air temperature is high, the battery temperature is within a predetermined optimum temperature range, and the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, the working medium in the Rankine cycle circuit is heated by compression using the compressor / expander, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanded and decompressed by the expansion valve, and then cooled by heat exchange between the working medium and refrigerant in the second heat exchanger. The flow path switching valve then allows the cooled refrigerant to flow only into the third heat exchanger. As a result, the air for the air conditioner in cooling mode is appropriately cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger, and the refrigerant is prevented from flowing into the battery, thereby maintaining the battery temperature within the optimum temperature range.

[0032] The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that, in the automobile battery temperature control device described in any of claims 1 to 11, the temperature control circuit 4, 52 further has a heater 3 for heating the refrigerant upstream of the battery 2, and the battery temperature control means further controls the heater 3 to control the temperature of the battery 2.

[0033] According to this configuration, for example, when the outside air temperature is extremely low, the heater can be operated to warm up the battery more quickly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery temperature control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the battery temperature control device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart showing a battery temperature control process executed by the control device of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a table showing control modes of the battery temperature control device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature control device in each control mode of FIG. 4. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery temperature control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a table showing control modes of the battery temperature control device of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature control device in three control modes among the control modes in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature control device in two control modes different from that in FIG. 8, among the control modes in FIG. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the battery temperature control device in two control modes different from those in FIGS. 8 and 9 among the control modes in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a battery temperature control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the battery temperature control device 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle (not shown) powered by a battery 2, and warms or cools the battery 2 and controls its temperature within a predetermined optimum temperature range from the viewpoint of battery efficiency and suppression of deterioration. The difference between (a) and (b) in the figure is that the former has a heater 3 for raising the temperature of the battery 2, while the latter does not have the heater 3. The following description will be given for the case of (a) having the heater 3.

[0036] The battery temperature control device 1 includes a temperature control circuit 4 through which a refrigerant for controlling the temperature of the battery 2 circulates, a Rankine cycle circuit 5 through which an organic medium as a working medium circulates and which constitutes a Rankine cycle, and an ECU (electronic control unit) 6 (see FIG. 2) that controls the temperature control circuit 4 and the Rankine cycle circuit 5. The refrigerant is, for example, an automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and the organic medium used has a lower boiling point and specific heat than the refrigerant.

[0037] The temperature control circuit 4 is composed of a circular refrigerant flow path 31 through which the refrigerant circulates, and a second pump 32, a second heat exchanger 33, a heater 3, and a battery 2, which are arranged in this order along the refrigerant flow path 31. The second pump 32 is, for example, an electric pump, and circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path 31 in the above-mentioned order, i.e., from the second pump 32 to the second heat exchanger 33, the heater 3, the battery 2, and then back to the second pump 32 (in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1). The operation of the second pump 32 is controlled by the ECU 6.

[0038] An organic medium flow path 11 (described later) of the Rankine cycle circuit 5 passes through the second heat exchanger 33, and the second heat exchanger 33 exchanges heat between the organic medium flowing through the Rankine cycle circuit 5 and the refrigerant flowing through the temperature control circuit 4. Therefore, when the temperature of the refrigerant is relatively low compared to the temperature of the organic medium, the refrigerant is heated and the organic medium is cooled at the same time. Conversely, when the temperature of the refrigerant is high compared to the temperature of the organic medium, the refrigerant is cooled and the organic medium is heated at the same time.

[0039] The heater 3 is configured as, for example, an electric heater, and temporarily operates at extremely low temperatures, for example, to heat the refrigerant, thereby assisting in warming up the battery 2. The operation of the heater 3 is controlled by the ECU 6.

[0040] The Rankine cycle circuit 5 includes an annular organic medium flow path 11 through which the organic medium circulates, and the second heat exchanger 33, a compressor / expander 12, and a first heat exchanger 13, which are arranged in this order along the organic medium flow path 11. The organic medium flow path 11 is further configured with first to third flow paths 11a to 11c connected in parallel between the first heat exchanger 13 and the second heat exchanger 33. The first to third flow paths 11a to 11c are each provided with a first expansion valve 14a, a second expansion valve 14b (collectively referred to as "expansion valves 14"), and a first pump 15. The operation of the first and second expansion valves 14a and 14b and the first pump 15 is controlled by the ECU 6.

[0041] The compressor / expander 12 is connected to the motor generator 17 and a battery (not shown) and selectively operates as a compressor or an expander. Specifically, the compressor / expander 12 functions as a compressor when it is driven to rotate by power supplied to the motor generator 17. During forward rotation, the organic medium flows in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "forward direction"), compresses and heats the organic medium from the second heat exchanger 33 side, and then sends it to the first heat exchanger 13 side (see FIG. 5(b)). On the other hand, during reverse rotation of the compressor / expander 12, the organic medium flows in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "reverse direction"), compresses and heats the organic medium from the first heat exchanger 13 side, and then sends it to the second heat exchanger 33 side (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0042] Furthermore, when the supply of power to the motor generator 17 is stopped and the first pump 15 is operating, the compressor / expander 12 functions as an expander, and reduces the pressure and temperature of the organic medium flowing in the forward direction from the second heat exchanger 33 side by expanding it, and then supplies it to the first heat exchanger 13 side (see FIG. 5(c)). At this time, the thermal energy of the organic medium is converted into mechanical energy of the compressor / expander 12, and this mechanical energy is further used to generate electricity in the motor generator 17, which is regenerated as electrical energy and charged into the battery.

[0043] The first and second expansion valves 14a and 14b are configured as throttle valves that allow the organic medium to flow in only one direction. Specifically, the first expansion valve 14a only allows the organic medium to flow in the reverse direction from the second heat exchanger 33 side to the first heat exchanger 13 side, and expands and reduces the pressure of the organic medium depending on its opening before supplying it to the first heat exchanger 13 side. Conversely, the second expansion valve 14b only allows the organic medium to flow in the forward direction from the first heat exchanger 13 side to the second heat exchanger 33 side, and reduces the pressure of the organic medium depending on its opening before supplying it to the second heat exchanger 33 side. The openings of the first and second expansion valves 14a and 14b are controlled by control signals from the ECU 6 to any opening from fully closed to fully open.

[0044] The first pump 15, under the control of the ECU 6, pumps the organic medium in the forward direction from the first heat exchanger 13 side to the second heat exchanger 33 side.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the ECU 6 receives a detection signal representing the outside air temperature TEX from the outside air temperature sensor 41, and receives a detection signal representing the battery temperature TBAT from the battery temperature sensor .

[0046] The ECU 6 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an I / O interface (none of which are shown), etc. The ECU 6 determines the control mode of the battery temperature control device 1 according to the outside air temperature TEX and the battery temperature TBAT detected by the temperature sensors 41 and 42, and controls the various devices described above according to the determined control mode to control the battery temperature.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows this battery temperature control process. This process is executed repeatedly, for example, at a predetermined cycle. First, in step 1 (shown as "S1"; the same applies below), the state of the outside air temperature is determined. In this determination, for example, when the detected outside air temperature TEX is lower than a first predetermined temperature corresponding to the threshold for an extremely low temperature state, the outside air temperature is determined to be in an "extremely low" state; when it is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature and equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature corresponding to the threshold for a low temperature state, the outside air temperature is determined to be in a "low" state; and when it is higher than the second predetermined temperature, the outside air temperature is determined to be in a "high" state.

[0048] Next, in step 2, a determination is made as to the warming / cooling mode of the battery 2. In this determination, for example, when the detected battery temperature TBAT is lower than a predetermined optimum temperature range of the battery 2 (for example, 35 to 40°C), a warming mode for warming up the battery 2 is selected, when the detected battery temperature TBAT is higher than the optimum temperature range, a cooling mode for cooling the battery 2 is selected, and when the temperature is within the optimum temperature range, a neutral mode for neither warming nor cooling the battery 2 is selected.

[0049] Next, in step 3, the control mode of the battery temperature control device 1 is determined according to the state of the outside air temperature determined as described above and the warming / cooling mode of the battery 2. Then, in step 4, various devices are controlled according to the determined control mode, and the processing of FIG. 3 is terminated.

[0050] Next, the control mode determined in step 3 above and the control executed in step 4 in accordance with the determined control mode will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0051] Mode 1 As shown in Fig. 4, when the outside air temperature is extremely low and the battery 2 is in the warm-up mode, mode 1 is selected as the control mode. In mode 1, since the outside air temperature is extremely low, the heater 3 is turned on, and on the Rankine cycle circuit 5 side, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the first pump 15 is stopped and the compressor / expander 12 is used as a compressor to circulate the organic medium in the reverse direction (counterclockwise in Fig. 5).

[0052] As a result, the organic medium is expanded and decompressed by the first expansion valve 14a, which makes it easier for heat to enter the organic medium, and the organic medium evaporates through heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13. After being compressed and heated in the compressor / expander 12, the refrigerant is heated through heat exchange between the organic medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33. The heated refrigerant then circulates through the refrigerant circuit 31 and is supplied to the battery 2, thereby effectively warming up the battery 2.

[0053] Mode 2 When the outside air temperature is low and the battery 2 is in the warm-up mode, mode 2 is selected. Mode 2 differs from mode 1 only in that the heater 3 is turned off, and other operations are the same as mode 1.

[0054] Mode 3 When the outside air temperature is high and the battery 2 is in the cooling mode, mode 3 is selected. In mode 3, the heater 3 is turned off, the first pump 15 is stopped, and the compressor / expander 12 is used as a compressor to circulate the organic medium in the forward direction (clockwise in FIG. 5) as shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0055] As a result, the organic medium is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander 12, dissipates heat by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, and then is expanded and decompressed in the second expansion valve 14b to lower its boiling point.Then, the refrigerant is cooled by heat exchange between the organic medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33.The cooled refrigerant is then supplied to the battery 2, thereby enabling the battery 2 to be cooled effectively.

[0056] Mode 4 When the outside air temperature is low and the battery 2 is in the cooling mode, mode 4 is selected. In mode 4, the heater 3 is turned off, the first and second expansion valves 14a and 14b are controlled to be fully closed as shown in Fig. 5(c), the first pump 15 is operated, and the compressor / expander 12 is used as an expander to circulate the organic medium in the forward direction.

[0057] As a result, the organic medium is decompressed and cooled in the compressor / expander 12, and is cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, after which the refrigerant is cooled by heat exchange between the organic medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33. The cooled refrigerant is then supplied to the battery 2, thereby effectively cooling the battery 2. Furthermore, the thermal energy (waste heat) of the organic medium whose pressure has been decompressed and whose temperature has been decreased in the compressor / expander 12 is converted into mechanical energy of the compressor / expander 12, and further used to generate electricity in the motor generator 17, thereby effectively recovering it as electrical energy.

[0058] Next, a battery temperature control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), in the second embodiment, a battery temperature control device 51 has a third heat exchanger 54 for air conditioning.

[0059] 6(a) includes a Rankine cycle circuit 5 having the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and a temperature control circuit 52. As in the first embodiment, the temperature control circuit 52 includes a refrigerant flow path 53 provided with a heater 3, a battery 2, a second pump 32, and a second heat exchanger 33. The temperature control circuit 52 also includes an air-conditioning refrigerant flow path 53a connected to the refrigerant flow path 53 so as to bypass the heater 3 and the battery 2, and a third heat exchanger 54 for air conditioning is provided in the air-conditioning refrigerant flow path 53a.

[0060] The third heat exchanger 54 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the air-conditioning refrigerant flow path 53a and the air for the air conditioning device. A first switching valve 55 is provided at the connection between the refrigerant flow path 53 and the air-conditioning refrigerant flow path 53a to switch the flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 33 side to one or both of the battery 2 side and the third heat exchanger 54 side.

[0061] A communication passage 53b is connected between the refrigerant passage 53 immediately upstream of the heater 3 and the air-conditioning refrigerant passage 53a immediately downstream of the third heat exchanger 54. A second switching valve 56 is provided at the connection between the refrigerant passage 53 and the communication passage 53b for switching the refrigerant passage to the battery 2 between the refrigerant passage 53 side (second heat exchanger 33 side) and the communication passage 53b side (third heat exchanger 54 side). A third switching valve 57 is provided at the connection between the air-conditioning refrigerant passage 53a and the communication passage 53b for switching the refrigerant passage from the third heat exchanger 54 side between the communication passage 53b side (battery 2 side) and the refrigerant passage 53 side (second pump 32 side). Although not shown, the first to third switching valves 55 to 57 are electrically connected to the ECU 6, and their operations are controlled by the ECU 6.

[0062] In addition, compared to the device 51 in Figure 6(a), the battery temperature control device 51 in Figure 6(b) does not have an air conditioning refrigerant flow path 53a, and instead has a third heat exchanger 54 for air conditioning arranged in series upstream of the heater 3 in the refrigerant flow path 53.

[0063] Hereinafter, a battery temperature control executed for the battery temperature control device 51 shown in Fig. 6(a) will be described. In this case, the ECU 6 determines the control mode of the battery temperature control device 51 as shown in Fig. 7 according to the outside air temperature state and the warming / cooling mode of the battery 2 determined by the same method as in the first embodiment, and the operating mode of the air conditioner that is set separately, and executes battery temperature control as shown in Figs. 8 to 10 according to the control mode.

[0064] Mode 1 As shown in Fig. 7, when the outside air temperature is extremely low, the battery 2 is in the warm-up mode, and the air conditioner is in the heating mode, mode 1' is selected as the control mode. In mode 1', as in mode 1 of the first embodiment, the outside air temperature is extremely low, so the heater 3 is turned on. In addition, as shown in Fig. 8, on the Rankine cycle circuit 5 side, the first pump 15 is stopped and the compressor / expander 12 is used as a compressor to circulate the organic medium in the reverse direction. As a result, the organic medium is expanded and decompressed by the first expansion valve 14a, evaporates through heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander 12, and then the refrigerant is heated through heat exchange between the organic medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33.

[0065] On the other hand, on the temperature control circuit 52 side, the first switching valve 55 is switched to the third heat exchanger 54 side, the second switching valve 56 is switched to the third heat exchanger 54 side, and the third switching valve 57 is switched to the battery 2 side. As a result, the refrigerant heated in the second heat exchanger 33 is transferred to the third heat exchanger 54. The air is heated by heat exchange with the warm air for the air conditioner in heating mode, and is further heated by the heater 3 before being supplied to the battery 2. As a result, the battery 2 can be warmed up quickly.

[0066] Mode 2 When the outside temperature is low, the battery 2 is in warm-up mode, and the air conditioner is in heating mode, mode 2' is selected. Mode 2' differs from mode 1' only in that the heater 3 is turned off; other operations are the same as mode 1'.

[0067] Mode 3 Mode 3' is selected when the outside air temperature is low, the battery 2 is in cooling mode, and the air conditioner is in heating mode. The operation of this mode 3' is the same as mode 2' described above, and the organic medium is expanded and decompressed by the first expansion valve 14a, heated by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, compressed and heated by the compressor / expander 12, and then heat exchanged with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33. In this mode 3', unlike mode 2', the battery 2 is in cooling mode, and the battery temperature TBAT is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the air for the air conditioner, so the battery 2 can be effectively cooled by the refrigerant.

[0068] Mode 4 Mode 4' is selected when the outside air temperature is low, the battery 2 is in cooling mode, and the air conditioner is in a stop mode that neither heats nor cools. In Mode 4', the heater 3 is turned off, and the operation of the Rankine cycle circuit 5 is the same as Mode 4 in the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the first and second expansion valves 14a and 14b are controlled to be fully closed, the first pump 15 is operated, and the compressor / expander 12 is used as an expander to circulate the organic medium in the forward direction. As a result, the organic medium is depressurized and cooled by the compressor / expander 12, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, and then cooled by heat exchange between the organic medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33. In addition, the thermal energy (waste heat) of the organic medium depressurized and cooled by the compressor / expander 12 is converted into mechanical energy for the compressor / expander 12 and further utilized for power generation by the motor-generator 17, thereby effectively recovering the waste heat as electrical energy.

[0069] On the other hand, on the temperature control circuit 52 side, both the first switching valve 55 and the second switching valve 56 are switched to the side of the battery 2. As a result, the cooled refrigerant does not flow into the third heat exchanger 54, which is in the stop mode, but flows only into the battery 2, thereby making it possible to cool the battery 2 to the maximum extent.

[0070] Mode 5' Mode 5' is selected when the outside air temperature is high, the battery 2 is in the warm-up mode, and the air conditioner is in the cooling mode. In Mode 5', the heater 3 is turned off or on, and the operation of the Rankine cycle circuit 5 is the same as Mode 3 in the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the first pump 15 is stopped, the compressor / expander 12 is used as a compressor, and the organic medium is circulated in the forward direction.

[0071] As a result, the organic medium is compressed and heated by the compressor, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, expanded and decompressed in the second expansion valve 14b to lower its boiling point, and then the refrigerant is cooled by heat exchange between the organic medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33.

[0072] On the other hand, on the temperature control circuit 52 side, the first switching valve 55 and the second switching valve 56 are both switched to the third heat exchanger 54 side, and the third switching valve 57 is switched to the battery 2 side. As a result, the refrigerant cooled in the second heat exchanger 33 flows sequentially into the third heat exchanger 54 and the battery 2. As a result, the air for the air conditioner in cooling mode can be appropriately cooled by heat exchange with the cooled refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 54. In addition, the refrigerant heated by this heat exchange can appropriately warm up the battery 2.

[0073] Mode 6' Mode 6' is selected when the outside air temperature is high, the battery 2 is in the cooling mode, and the air conditioner is in the cooling mode. In mode 6', the heater 3 is turned off, and the operation of the Rankine cycle circuit 5 is the same as in mode 5'. As shown in FIG. 10(a), the compressor / expander 12 is used as a compressor to circulate the organic medium in the forward direction. As a result, the organic medium is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander 12, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, expanded and decompressed by the second expansion valve 14b to lower its boiling point, and then cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33.

[0074] On the other hand, on the temperature control circuit 52 side, the first switching valve 55 is switched to both the battery 2 side and the third heat exchanger 54 side, the second switching valve 56 is switched to the second heat exchanger 33 side, and the third switching valve 57 is switched to the second pump 32 side. As a result, the refrigerant cooled in the second heat exchanger 33 flows in parallel into the third heat exchanger 54 and the battery 2. As a result, the air for the air conditioner in cooling mode can be appropriately cooled by heat exchange with the cooled refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 54. In addition, by directly flowing the cooled refrigerant into the battery 2, the battery 2 can be appropriately cooled.

[0075] Mode 7' Mode 7' is selected when the outside air temperature is high, the battery 2 is in a neutral mode in which it is neither warmed nor cooled, and the air conditioner is in a cooling mode. In mode 7', the heater 3 is turned off, and the operation of the Rankine cycle circuit 5 is the same as in mode 5'. As shown in FIG. 10(b), the compressor / expander 12 is used as a compressor to circulate the organic medium in the forward direction. As a result, the organic medium is compressed and heated by the compressor / expander 12, cooled by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger 13, expanded and decompressed by the second expansion valve 14b to lower its boiling point, and then cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 33.

[0076] Meanwhile, on the temperature control circuit 52 side, the first switching valve 55 is switched to the third heat exchanger 54 side, and the third switching valve 57 is switched to the second pump 32 side. As a result, the refrigerant cooled in the second heat exchanger 33 flows only into the third heat exchanger 54. As a result, the air for the air conditioner in cooling mode is appropriately cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 54, and the flow of refrigerant into the battery 2 is prevented, so that the battery temperature in the neutral mode can be maintained within an appropriate temperature range.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the battery temperature control device of the second embodiment has been described mainly with reference to the type shown in Fig. 6(a) in which the third heat exchanger 54 for the air conditioner is arranged in parallel with the battery 2, but the type shown in Fig. 6(b) in which the third heat exchanger 54 for the air conditioner is arranged in series with the battery 2 is also within the scope of the present invention. With this configuration, it is possible to realize operations when the control modes are modes 1' to 3' and mode 5' described above.

[0078] In addition, in the embodiment, the heater 3 is used except for the battery temperature control device shown in Figure 1(b), but it goes without saying that the heater 3 may be omitted if the battery can be sufficiently warmed up using other devices alone when the outside air temperature is extremely low.

[0079] Furthermore, although the embodiment is an example mainly targeting batteries installed in electric vehicles, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to temperature control of batteries installed in gasoline vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc.

[0080] Furthermore, the specific configurations and numerical values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples, and the detailed configurations can be changed within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 Battery temperature control device 2 Battery 3 Heater 4 Temperature control circuit 5 Rankine cycle circuit 6 ECU (battery temperature control means, driving mode determination means) 11c Third flow path (bypass flow path) 12 Compressor / Expander 13 1st heat exchanger 14a First expansion valve (expansion valve) 14b Second expansion valve (expansion valve) 15 First Pump (Pump) 33 Second heat exchanger 54 Third heat exchanger 41 Outside air temperature sensor (outside air temperature detection means) 42 Battery temperature sensor (battery temperature detection means) 52 Temperature control circuit 55 First switching valve (flow path switching valve) 56 Second switching valve (flow path switching valve) 57 Third switching valve (flow path switching valve) TEX Outside temperature TBAT Battery Temperature

Claims

1. A battery temperature control device for an automobile that controls the temperature of a battery mounted in an automobile, a temperature control circuit through which a refrigerant circulates to control the temperature of the battery; a Rankine cycle circuit including a compressor / expander through which a working medium having a boiling point lower than that of the refrigerant circulates and which selectively compresses or expands the working medium, a first heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the working medium and outside air, an expansion valve which expands and decompresses the working medium, and a second heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the working medium and a refrigerant in the temperature control circuit; a battery temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the battery by controlling the flow of the compressor / expander and the working medium in accordance with the state of the battery, thereby controlling the heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger; A battery temperature control device for an automobile, comprising:

2. an outside air temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of outside air; a battery temperature detection means for detecting the battery temperature, 2. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein said battery temperature control means controls said battery temperature in accordance with said detected outside air temperature and battery temperature.

3. The battery temperature control means 3. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 2, further comprising a warm-up control means for warming up the battery by expanding and decompressing the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by the expansion valve, evaporating the working medium by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger, compressing the working medium by the compressor / expander, and then heating the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger when the outside air temperature is low and the battery temperature is low.

4. The battery temperature control means 3. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 2, further comprising a cooling control means for cooling the battery by, when the outside air temperature is high and the battery temperature is high, increasing the temperature of the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by compression using the compressor / expander, cooling the working medium by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanding and decompressing the working medium by the expansion valve, and then cooling the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger.

5. the Rankine cycle circuit further includes a pump provided in a bypass flow path that bypasses the expansion valve, for delivering the working medium from the first heat exchanger side to the second heat exchanger side; The battery temperature control means 3. The automotive battery temperature control device according to claim 2, further comprising a cooling control means for, when the outside air temperature is low and the battery temperature is high, switching the flow path of the working medium to the bypass flow path, operating the pump, and reducing the pressure and temperature of the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by expansion in the compressor / expander, cooling the working medium by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, and then cooling the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, thereby cooling the battery.

6. the temperature control circuit has a third heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air for an air conditioner; The vehicle interior temperature sensor further includes an operation mode determination unit that determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner is a heating mode for heating the vehicle interior or a cooling mode for cooling the vehicle interior, 3. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the battery temperature control means controls the battery temperature in accordance with the determined operating mode of the air conditioner in addition to the outside air temperature and the battery temperature.

7. The battery temperature control means 7. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 6, further comprising a temperature control means for controlling the battery temperature by the refrigerant, when the outside air temperature is low and the operating mode of the air conditioner is the heating mode, expanding and decompressing the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by the expansion valve, heating the working medium by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger, compressing the working medium by the compressor / expander, heating the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, and then exchanging heat between the heated refrigerant and air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger.

8. the Rankine cycle circuit further includes a pump provided in a bypass flow path that bypasses the expansion valve, for delivering the working medium from the first heat exchanger side to the second heat exchanger side; the temperature control circuit further includes a flow path switching valve that switches a flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to either one or both of the battery side and the third heat exchanger side; The battery temperature control means 7. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 6, further comprising: a cooling control means for switching the flow path of the working medium to the bypass flow path side, operating the pump, and reducing the pressure and temperature of the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by expansion in the compressor / expander, cooling the working medium by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, and then cooling the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, and causing the cooled refrigerant to flow only into the battery by the flow path switching valve, thereby cooling the battery.

9. the temperature control circuit further includes a flow path switching valve that switches a flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to either one or both of the battery side and the third heat exchanger side; The battery temperature control means 7. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 6, further comprising: warm-up control means for, when the outside air temperature is high, the battery temperature is low, and the air conditioner is in the cooling mode, compressing the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by the compressor / expander, cooling the working medium by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanding and decompressing the working medium by the expansion valve, and then cooling the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger; and causing the cooled refrigerant to flow sequentially into the third heat exchanger and the battery by the flow path switching valve, thereby cooling the air for the air conditioner and heating the refrigerant by heat exchange with the air for the air conditioner in the third heat exchanger, and warming up the battery by the heated refrigerant.

10. the temperature control circuit further includes a flow path switching valve that switches a flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to either one or both of the battery side and the third heat exchanger side; The battery temperature control means 7. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 6, further comprising: a cooling control means for, when the outside air temperature is high, the battery temperature is high, and the air conditioner is in the cooling mode, compressing the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by the compressor / expander, cooling the working medium by heat exchange with the outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanding and decompressing the working medium by the expansion valve, and then cooling the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger; and causing the cooled refrigerant to flow in parallel into the third heat exchanger and the battery by the flow path switching valve, thereby cooling the air for the air conditioner by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger and cooling the battery by the refrigerant.

11. the temperature control circuit further includes a flow path switching valve that switches a flow path of the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to either one or both of the battery side and the third heat exchanger side; The battery temperature control means When the outside air temperature is high, the battery temperature is within a predetermined optimum temperature range, and the operation mode of the air conditioner is the cooling mode, 7. The battery temperature control device for an automobile according to claim 6, further comprising a cooling control means for heating the working medium circulating through the Rankine cycle circuit by compression by the compressor / expander, cooling the working medium by heat exchange with outside air in the first heat exchanger, expanding and decompressing the working medium by the expansion valve, and then cooling the refrigerant by heat exchange between the working medium and the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger, and cooling the air for the air conditioning device by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the third heat exchanger by allowing the cooled refrigerant to flow only into the third heat exchanger via the flow path switching valve.

12. the temperature control circuit further includes a heater located upstream of the battery for heating the refrigerant; 12. The automotive battery temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the battery temperature control means further controls the heater to control the temperature of the battery.

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