Battery temperature control system and vehicle thermal management system

Abstract

To provide a battery temperature control system capable of controlling temperatures of a plurality of battery cells and an external heat medium and also reducing temperature variance among the plurality of battery cells.SOLUTION: A first refrigerant circuit 1 has a first compressor 10, a battery heat exchanger 11, a fixed diaphragm 12, a first refrigerant / cooling water heat exchanger 4, a first expansion valve 13, and an outside air heat exchanger 14 connected in this order through a first refrigerant flow passage 15. The first refrigerant circuit 1 is brought under switching control over a circulation path switch part 16 by a control part 6 to operate in a battery cooling mode for cooling a plurality of battery cells, a battery warming-up mode for heating the plurality of battery cells, a cooling water heating battery temperature leveling mode for heating cooling water and also leveling temperatures of the plurality of battery cells, or a heat medium cooling battery temperature leveling mode for cooling the cooling water and also leveling the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery temperature control system and a vehicle thermal management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles that run primarily on electricity, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are equipped with lithium-ion secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries, or the like as power storage devices that store the power to be supplied to the driving motor.

[0003] Batteries generate heat during charging and discharging, and prolonged high-temperature conditions accelerate deterioration. On the other hand, if the battery becomes too cold, battery output decreases. For this reason, a battery temperature control system that can appropriately adjust the battery temperature by cooling or heating the battery is required.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional battery temperature control system. This battery temperature control system is installed in vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and adjusts the temperature of on-board batteries such as secondary batteries. This battery temperature control system includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, an outdoor unit, a first expansion valve, a battery heat exchanger, a second expansion valve, and an indoor unit are connected in this order by a refrigerant flow path.

[0005] The compressor compresses the refrigerant and circulates it within the circuit. The outdoor unit exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air. The first and second expansion valves reduce the pressure of the refrigerant depending on the degree of throttling. The battery heat exchange unit exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the on-board battery. The indoor unit exchanges heat between the refrigerant and indoor air supplied to the vehicle cabin.

[0006] The refrigerant circuit in the battery temperature control system further includes a direction switching unit that switches the circulation direction of the refrigerant circulating within the circuit, and the operation of the first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the direction switching unit in the refrigerant circuit is controlled by a control unit.

[0007] In this battery temperature control system, the control unit controls the direction switching unit to switch the circulation direction of the refrigerant circulating within the circuit, and adjusts the opening of the first and second expansion valves, making it possible to cool and heat the vehicle cabin and to cool and heat the onboard battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-192968 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Generally, a battery is composed of multiple battery cells. To prevent deterioration in battery life and performance, it is necessary to uniformly regulate the temperature of the multiple battery cells.

[0010] However, in the conventional battery temperature control system, the battery is cooled or heated by a refrigerant that circulates within a circuit and flows through a battery heat exchanger, which makes it easy for temperature variations to occur among multiple battery cells.

[0011] In other words, the cooling or heating capacity of the refrigerant decreases as it exchanges heat with the battery cells. Therefore, the cooling or heating capacity of the refrigerant flowing through the battery heat exchange section decreases toward the downstream side of the refrigerant flow. As a result, temperature variations are likely to occur between the battery cells that exchange heat with the refrigerant on the upstream side of the refrigerant flow and the battery cells that exchange heat with the refrigerant on the downstream side of the refrigerant flow.

[0012] On the other hand, if the temperature of an external heat medium can also be adjusted using the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit in the battery temperature adjustment system, it would be convenient to be able to adjust the temperature of an object other than the battery using that heat medium.

[0013] Furthermore, in battery-powered vehicles, it would be advantageous if the interior of the vehicle could be heated effectively even when the outside temperature is low, particularly in cold regions.

[0014] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and the technical problem to be solved is to provide a battery temperature control system that is capable of adjusting the temperature of multiple battery cells and an external heat medium, and that can reduce temperature variations among multiple battery cells.

[0015] Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thermal management system for a vehicle that can adjust the temperature of multiple battery cells installed in the vehicle, reduce temperature variations between the multiple battery cells, and effectively heat the interior of the vehicle even when the outside temperature is low in cold regions, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] A battery temperature control system of the present invention includes a first refrigerant circuit having a first compressor that compresses a first refrigerant drawn in from an intake port and discharges the compressed first refrigerant from a discharge port, a battery heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant and a plurality of battery cells, a heat medium heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant and an external heat medium, an outside air heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant and outside air, a first throttling section that reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant flowing toward the battery heat exchanger or the heat medium heat exchanger, and a second throttling section that reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant flowing toward the heat medium heat exchanger or the outside air heat exchanger, the first refrigerant circuit further includes a circulation path switching unit that switches between a first circulation path that connects the first compressor, the battery heat exchanger, the first throttling unit, the heat medium heat exchanger, the second throttling unit, the outside-air heat exchanger, and the first compressor in this order and a second circulation path that connects the first compressor, the heat medium heat exchanger, the second throttling unit, the outside-air heat exchanger, and the first compressor in this order, and that switches the circulation direction of the first refrigerant in the first circulation path and the second circulation path; the first refrigerant circuit is provided with an independent flow path that is independent from the second circulation flow path when switched to the second circulation flow path and includes the battery heat exchanger and the first throttle portion, the battery temperature adjustment system includes a control unit that controls operation of the first compressor and the circulation path switching unit, the first refrigerant circuit is controlled by the control unit to operate in a battery cooling mode that cools the plurality of battery cells, a battery warming mode that heats the plurality of battery cells, and a heat medium heating and battery temperature equalization mode that heats the heat medium and equalizes the temperature of the plurality of battery cells; In the battery cooling mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the first circulation flow path, and the circulation direction is switched so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the outside air heat exchanger, In the battery warm-up mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the first circulation flow path, and the circulation direction is switched so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the battery heat exchanger, In the heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the second circulation flow path and the independent flow path, and switches the circulation direction so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor is directed toward the heat medium heat exchanger.

[0017] In the battery temperature control system of the present invention, the control unit that controls the operation of the first refrigerant circuit switches the circulation path switching unit, thereby switching the first refrigerant circuit between the first circulation flow path, the second circulation flow path, and an independent flow path.

[0018] In the first circulation flow path, the first compressor, the battery heat exchanger, the first throttle section, the heat medium heat exchanger, the second throttle section, the outside air heat exchanger, and the first compressor are connected in this order. In this specification, the "throttle section" includes both a fixed throttle with a constant opening and a variable throttle with a variable opening, and an example of a variable throttle is an electronic expansion valve whose valve opening can be adjusted in the range of 0% to 100%.

[0019] The second circulation flow path is connected in this order to the first compressor, the heat medium heat exchanger, the second throttle unit, the outside air heat exchanger, and the first compressor. The independent flow path is independent from the second circulation flow path and includes the battery heat exchanger and the first throttle unit.

[0020] The circulation direction of the first refrigerant in the first circulation flow path and the second circulation flow path can be switched by the control unit performing switching control on the circulation path switching unit.

[0021] In the battery heat exchanger, heat is exchanged between the first refrigerant circulating through the first circulation flow path and the plurality of battery cells, and heat is exchanged between the first refrigerant present in the independent flow path and the plurality of battery cells.In the heat medium heat exchanger, heat is exchanged between the first refrigerant circulating through the first circulation flow path or the second circulation flow path and an external heat medium.

[0022] The first refrigerant circuit operates in a battery cooling mode, a battery warming mode, and a heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode under the control of the control unit.

[0023] In the battery cooling mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the first circulation path and switches the circulation direction of the first circulation path so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the outdoor air heat exchanger. As a result, in the first circulation path, the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor dissipates heat to the outdoor air in the outdoor air heat exchanger, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant is decompressed in the second throttling unit and / or the first throttling unit and absorbs heat from the multiple battery cells in the battery heat exchanger, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit. As a result, the multiple battery cells are cooled. When the first refrigerant is decompressed in the second throttling unit and a heat medium flows through the heat medium heat exchanger, the first refrigerant may absorb heat from the heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger.

[0024] In the battery warm-up mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the first circulation path and switches the circulation direction of the first circulation path so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the battery heat exchanger. As a result, in the first circulation path, the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor dissipates heat to the battery cells in the battery heat exchanger, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit. As a result, the battery cells are heated. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant is decompressed in the first throttling unit and / or the second throttling unit, and absorbs heat from the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit. When the first refrigerant is decompressed in the first throttling unit and a heat medium flows through the heat medium heat exchanger, the first refrigerant may absorb heat from the heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger.

[0025] In the heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit switches between the second circulation path and the independent path, and also switches the circulation direction in the second circulation path so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the heat medium heat exchanger. In this way, in the second circulation path, the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor dissipates heat to an external heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit. As a result, the external heat medium is heated. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant is decompressed by the second throttle unit and absorbs heat from the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit. In the independent path, the first refrigerant present in the independent path exchanges heat with multiple battery cells in the battery heat exchanger, thereby cooling or heating the battery cells according to the temperature difference between the first refrigerant and the battery cells, and achieving temperature equalization among the multiple battery cells.

[0026] In this way, when the first refrigerant circuit is switched to the first circulation flow path, heat exchange between the first refrigerant circulating through the first circulation flow path and flowing through the battery heat exchanger and each battery cell can cool or heat each battery cell depending on the temperature difference between the first refrigerant and each battery cell.

[0027] Furthermore, if the first refrigerant circuit is switched to the second circulation flow path and the independent flow path, the heat medium can be heated according to the temperature difference between the first refrigerant and the heat medium by heat exchange between the first refrigerant circulating through the second circulation flow path and flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger and an external heat medium.

[0028] At the same time as the heat medium is heated by the first refrigerant circulating through this second circulation flow path, the first refrigerant present in the independent flow path exchanges heat with multiple battery cells within the battery heat exchanger, thereby cooling or heating the battery cells depending on the temperature difference between the first refrigerant and each battery cell.

[0029] The first refrigerant present in this independent flow path does not circulate in one direction within the independent flow path, but can move back and forth within the independent flow path, repeatedly exchanging heat with each battery cell within the battery heat exchanger. As a result, the first refrigerant present in the independent flow path and each battery cell reach approximately the same temperature, enabling the temperature of the multiple battery cells to be equalized. In this specification, "equalizing the temperature" includes not only the multiple battery cells reaching the exact same temperature, but also the multiple battery cells reaching as close to the same temperature as possible.

[0030] Therefore, the battery temperature adjustment system of the present invention is capable of adjusting the temperatures of a plurality of battery cells and an external heat medium, and is also capable of reducing temperature variations among a plurality of battery cells.

[0031] The first refrigerant circuit preferably operates in a battery temperature equalization mode to equalize the temperatures of the battery cells. In the battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the second circulation path and the independent path, and the first compressor is stopped.

[0032] Even in this case, the first refrigerant present in the independent flow paths can cool or heat the multiple battery cells, and can also equalize the temperature of the multiple battery cells.

[0033] The first refrigerant circuit preferably operates in a heat medium-cooled battery temperature equalization mode in which the heat medium is cooled and the temperature of the battery cells is equalized. In the heat medium-cooled battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit switches between the second circulation path and the independent path, and switches the circulation direction so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor is directed toward the outside-air heat exchanger.

[0034] As a result, in the second circulation flow path, the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor dissipates heat to the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit, and the first refrigerant, which has been decompressed by the second throttle section after heat dissipation, absorbs heat from an external heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit. As a result, the external heat medium is cooled. Furthermore, in the independent flow path, the first refrigerant present in the independent flow path exchanges heat with multiple battery cells in the battery heat exchanger, thereby cooling or heating the battery cells according to the temperature difference between the first refrigerant and the battery cells, and achieving uniform temperature distribution among the multiple battery cells.

[0035] The circulation path switching unit preferably includes a direction switching unit for switching the circulation direction and a flow path switching unit. The direction switching unit preferably includes a first four-way valve or a first on-off valve group. The flow path switching unit preferably includes a second four-way valve or a second on-off valve group.

[0036] The first four-way valve of the direction switching unit switches between a first connection state in which the intake port is connected to the flow path switching unit and the discharge port is connected to the outside air heat exchanger, and a second connection state in which the intake port is connected to the outside air heat exchanger and the discharge port is connected to the flow path switching unit.

[0037] The first on-off valve group of the direction switching unit consists of a first on-off valve, a second on-off valve, a third on-off valve, and a fourth on-off valve. The first on-off valve is provided in a first connection path connecting the intake port and the flow path switching unit. The second on-off valve is provided in a second connection path connecting the discharge port and the outdoor air heat exchanger. The third on-off valve is provided in a third connection path connecting the intake port and the outdoor air heat exchanger. The fourth on-off valve is provided in a fourth connection path connecting the discharge port and the flow path switching unit.

[0038] The second four-way valve of the flow path switching unit switches between a third connection state that connects the direction switching unit to the battery heat exchanger and the first throttling unit to the heat medium heat exchanger, and a fourth connection state that connects the direction switching unit to the heat medium heat exchanger.

[0039] The second on-off valve group of the flow path switching unit consists of a fifth on-off valve, a sixth on-off valve, a seventh on-off valve, and an eighth on-off valve. The fifth on-off valve is provided in a fifth connection line connecting the direction switching unit and the battery heat exchanger. The sixth on-off valve is provided in a sixth connection line connecting the first throttle unit and the heat medium heat exchanger. The seventh on-off valve is provided in a seventh connection line connecting a first connection part located between the direction switching unit and the fifth on-off valve in the fifth connection line and a second connection part located between the sixth on-off valve and the heat medium heat exchanger in the sixth connection line. The eighth on-off valve is provided in an eighth connection line connecting a third connection part located between the fifth on-off valve and the battery heat exchanger in the fifth connection line and a fourth connection part located between the first throttle unit and the sixth on-off valve in the sixth connection line.

[0040] In this case, the circulation direction of the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor can be switched by switching the flow path in the first four-way valve and by switching the opening and closing of the first to fourth on-off valves in the first on-off valve group. Also, the circulation path can be switched between the first circulation path, the second circulation path, and the independent path by switching the flow path in the second four-way valve and by switching the opening and closing of the fifth to eighth on-off valves in the second on-off valve group.

[0041] It is preferable that the battery heat exchanger and the first throttling section are connected by the second four-way valve in the fourth connection state, or that the fifth and sixth on-off valves in the second on-off valve group are closed and the seventh and eighth on-off valves are open, so that the independent flow path is a closed loop in which the battery heat exchanger, the first throttling section, and the battery heat exchanger are connected in this order.

[0042] Because the independent flow paths are endless closed loops, the flow path is not interrupted midway and the refrigerant flow is not blocked. This allows the first refrigerant to easily move back and forth within the independent flow paths, which is advantageous for equalizing the temperature of multiple battery cells. In this specification, "closed loop" means an endless loop.

[0043] The vehicle thermal management system of the present invention comprises: the battery temperature control system of the present invention; a coolant circuit that has a pump that pressure-feeds the coolant as the heat medium and cools an on-vehicle heat-generating element; a second refrigerant circuit for air-conditioning the interior of the vehicle cabin, the second refrigerant circuit including: a second compressor that draws in a second refrigerant, compresses the drawn second refrigerant, and discharges the compressed second refrigerant; an interior air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second refrigerant and interior air supplied to the vehicle cabin; and a third throttle unit that reduces the pressure of the second refrigerant; a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger as the heat medium heat exchanger incorporated in the first refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit, which exchanges heat between the first refrigerant and the coolant; a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger incorporated in the second refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit for exchanging heat between the second refrigerant and the coolant; the plurality of battery cells are vehicle-mounted batteries, the control unit controls the operation of the coolant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit, the first refrigerant circuit, the coolant circuit, and the second refrigerant circuit are controlled by the control unit to operate in a two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode that heats the vehicle interior and equalizes the temperature of the plurality of battery cells; In the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit operates in the heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode.

[0044] The vehicle thermal management system of the present invention includes the battery temperature control system of the present invention, and is therefore capable of heating and cooling multiple battery cells mounted on the vehicle and reducing temperature variations among the multiple battery cells.

[0045] The vehicle thermal management system also includes a coolant circuit that circulates a coolant as a heat medium in the battery temperature control system, and a second refrigerant circuit that circulates a second refrigerant to air-condition the vehicle interior. The vehicle thermal management system also includes a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger as a heat medium heat exchanger in the battery temperature control system that exchanges heat between the first refrigerant and the coolant, and a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second refrigerant and the coolant. A control unit in the battery temperature control system controls the operation of the first refrigerant circuit and also controls the operation of the coolant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit. In this specification, "coolant" includes not only water-based coolants such as long-life coolant (LLC), which is a cooling water for vehicles, but also oil-based coolants.

[0046] The first refrigerant circuit, the coolant circuit, and the second refrigerant circuit are controlled by the control unit to operate in a two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, which heats the vehicle interior and equalizes the temperature of multiple battery cells serving as an on-board battery. In this two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit operates in a heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode, and the coolant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit operate as follows: In this specification, the term "on-board battery" refers to a battery mounted on a vehicle, and includes secondary batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries that serve as power storage devices for storing power to be supplied to the traction motor, as well as other batteries.

[0047] The first refrigerant circuit, which adjusts the temperature of multiple battery cells as an on-board battery, operates in a heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode, which heats the coolant as a heat medium and equalizes the temperature of the multiple battery cells.

[0048] That is, the first refrigerant circuit is switched to the second circulation flow path and the independent flow path, and the circulation direction of the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor is switched so that it flows toward the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger serving as a heat medium heat exchanger. Therefore, in the second circulation flow path, the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor dissipates heat to the coolant in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger serving as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit, and after heat dissipation, the first refrigerant is decompressed by the second throttle section and absorbs heat from outside air in the outside air heat exchanger serving as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit.

[0049] In a coolant circuit that cools an on-board heat-generating element, the coolant circulating within the circuit absorbs heat from the first refrigerant in a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger, absorbs heat from the on-board heat-generating element, and releases heat to the second refrigerant in a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger. In this specification, "on-board heat-generating element" refers to a heat-generating element other than the multiple battery cells whose temperature is regulated by the battery heat exchanger, and examples include batteries other than the multiple battery cells whose temperature is regulated by the battery heat exchanger, and electrical components such as the vehicle's traction motor and PCU.

[0050] In the second refrigerant circuit that conditions the vehicle interior, the second refrigerant absorbs heat from the coolant in the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger, which functions as the evaporator of the second refrigerant circuit. After absorbing heat from the coolant, the second refrigerant is compressed in the second compressor to reach a higher temperature, and then dissipates heat into the passenger compartment air in the interior air heat exchanger, which functions as the condenser of the second refrigerant circuit, thereby heating the vehicle interior. After dissipating heat, the second refrigerant is decompressed in the third throttle section and introduced into the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger.

[0051] In this way, in the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit absorbs heat from the outside air, and the coolant circuit absorbs heat from the on-board heat-generating element. By compressing the refrigerant twice in the two refrigerant circuits, the second refrigerant in the second refrigerant circuit can be effectively heated to a high temperature. Therefore, even when the outside temperature is low in cold regions, the second refrigerant circuit can effectively heat the vehicle interior according to the heating capacity of the first refrigerant circuit and the heating capacity of the second refrigerant circuit.

[0052] On the other hand, in this two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, in the first refrigerant circuit, heat exchange between the first refrigerant present in the independent flow path and the multiple battery cells can heat or cool the multiple battery cells and equalize the temperature of the multiple battery cells.

[0053] Therefore, this vehicle thermal management system can cool or heat the multiple battery cells according to the cooling or heating capacity of the first refrigerant circuit, and can evenly distribute the temperatures of the multiple battery cells.

[0054] Therefore, this vehicle thermal management system makes it possible to adjust the temperature of multiple battery cells installed in the vehicle, reduce temperature variations between multiple battery cells, and effectively heat the vehicle interior even when the outside temperature is low in cold regions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0055] According to the battery temperature adjustment system of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the temperatures of a plurality of battery cells and an external heat medium, and it is also possible to reduce temperature variations among the plurality of battery cells.

[0056] Furthermore, the vehicle thermal management system of the present invention is capable of heating and cooling multiple battery cells, reducing temperature variations among multiple battery cells, and effectively heating the interior of the vehicle even when the outside temperature is low in cold regions, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0057] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram conceptually showing a vehicle thermal management system including a battery temperature adjustment system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram that schematically shows the overall configuration of a vehicle thermal management system that includes the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a battery cooling mode in a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a battery warm-up coolant cooling mode in a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a coolant heating battery temperature equalization mode in a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a coolant-cooled battery temperature equalization mode in a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode in a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the first embodiment, and explains the vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram that schematically shows the overall configuration of a vehicle thermal management system that includes a battery temperature adjustment system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] First and second embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A vehicle thermal management system equipped with a battery temperature regulation system according to the first and second embodiments is mounted on a battery-equipped vehicle that obtains driving force for traveling from an electric motor. Examples of battery-equipped vehicles include electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The vehicle thermal management system equipped with the battery temperature regulation system according to the first and second embodiments performs air conditioning within the vehicle cabin, as well as temperature regulation of the on-board battery and on-board heating elements and temperature equalization of the on-board battery.

[0059] The on-board battery has multiple battery cells. The multiple battery cells constitute a power storage device for supplying power to the traction motor. Each battery cell is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The on-board heat generating element is, for example, an electrical component such as a motor or PCU.

[0060] Example 1 As conceptually shown in the system configuration diagram of Fig. 1, the vehicle thermal management system equipped with this battery temperature control system includes a first refrigerant circuit 1, a coolant circuit 2, a second refrigerant circuit 3, a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, and a control unit 6. The coolant circuit 2 is an example of a coolant circuit of the present invention. The first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 is an example of a heat medium heat exchanger of the present invention.

[0061] The first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 is incorporated in both the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the coolant circuit 2, and connects the first refrigerant circuit 1 to the coolant circuit 2. The second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5 is incorporated in both the coolant circuit 2 and the second refrigerant circuit 3, and connects the coolant circuit 2 to the second refrigerant circuit 3.

[0062] The first refrigerant circuit 1 regulates the temperature of the multiple battery cells by heat exchange between the first refrigerant R1 circulating within the circuit and the multiple battery cells. The first refrigerant circuit 1 also regulates the temperature of the coolant L by heat exchange between the first refrigerant R1 circulating within the circuit and the coolant L in the coolant circuit 2. The coolant L is an example of a coolant serving as a heat medium in the present invention. In this embodiment, the coolant L is LLC. The first refrigerant circuit 1 also equalizes the temperature of the multiple battery cells by heat exchange between the first refrigerant R1 and the multiple battery cells.

[0063] The battery temperature adjustment system of this embodiment is configured by the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the control unit 6. The control unit 6 controls the operation of the first refrigerant circuit 1, as well as the operation of the coolant circuit 2 and the second refrigerant circuit 3.

[0064] The first refrigerant circuit 1 includes a first compressor 10, a battery heat exchanger 11, a fixed throttle 12, a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, a first expansion valve 13, and an outside air heat exchanger 14. The first compressor 10, the battery heat exchanger 11, the fixed throttle 12, the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, the first expansion valve 13, and the outside air heat exchanger 14 are connected in this order by a first refrigerant flow path 15. The fixed throttle 12 is an example of a first throttle section of the present invention. The first expansion valve 13 is an example of a second throttle section of the present invention.

[0065] The first compressor 10 compresses the first refrigerant R1 drawn in through the suction port 10a and discharges it from the discharge port 10b. The first compressor 10 circulates the first refrigerant R1 through a first refrigerant flow path 15. The battery heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat between the first refrigerant R1 and multiple battery cells. The first refrigerant flow path 15 is connected to a temperature adjustment flow path adjacent to the multiple battery cells. In the battery heat exchanger 11, the first refrigerant R1 circulating through this temperature adjustment flow path exchanges heat with the multiple battery cells, thereby adjusting the temperature of the multiple battery cells. The fixed throttle 12 reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant R1 according to its throttle opening. The first expansion valve 13 is an electronic expansion valve whose valve opening can be adjusted within a range of 0% to 100%. The valve opening of the first expansion valve 13 is controlled by the control unit 6. The first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between the first refrigerant R1 circulating through the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the coolant L circulating through the coolant circuit 2. The outside air heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat between the first refrigerant R1 and outside air.

[0066] The first refrigerant circuit 1 includes a circulation path switching unit 16. The circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 between a first circulation path 17 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a second circulation path 18, and an independent path 19 (see FIGS. 5 to 8). The first circulation path 17 includes a first compressor 10, a battery heat exchanger 11, a fixed throttle 12, a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, a first expansion valve 13, and an outside air heat exchanger 14. The first circulation path 17 includes the first compressor 10, the battery heat exchanger 11, the fixed throttle 12, the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, the first expansion valve 13, the outside air heat exchanger 14, and the first compressor 10, connected in this order. The second circulation path 18 includes the first compressor 10, the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, the first expansion valve 13, and the outside air heat exchanger 14. In the second circulation flow path 18, the first compressor 10, the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, the first expansion valve 13, the outside air heat exchanger 14, and the first compressor 10 are connected in this order. The independent flow path 19 is independent from the second circulation flow path 18, and is provided with the battery heat exchanger 11 and the fixed throttle 12.

[0067] 2, the circulation path switching unit 16 has a four-way valve 20 as a direction switching unit and an on-off valve group 21 as a flow path switching unit. The four-way valve 20 corresponds to the first four-way valve of the present invention. The on-off valve group 21 corresponds to the second on-off valve group of the present invention.

[0068] The four-way valve 20 switches the circulation direction of the first refrigerant R1, i.e., the circulation direction of the first refrigerant R1 in the first circulation flow path 17 and the second circulation flow path 18. Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches between a first circulation direction in which the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the battery heat exchanger 11 and a second circulation direction in which the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the outside-air heat exchanger 14.

[0069] The four-way valve 20 switches between a first connection state and a second connection state. In the first connection state of the four-way valve 20, the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 is connected to an on-off valve 21a (described later) of the on-off valve group 21, and the discharge port 10b of the first compressor 10 is connected to the outside-air heat exchanger 14 (see FIGS. 3, 6, and 8). In the second connection state of the four-way valve 20, the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 is connected to the outside-air heat exchanger 14, and the discharge port 10b of the first compressor 10 is connected to an on-off valve 21a (described later) of the on-off valve group 21 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 7). The four-way valve 20 is switched between the first connection state and the second connection state under the control of the control unit 6.

[0070] The on-off valve group 21 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 between the first circulation flow path 17, the second circulation flow path 18, and the independent flow path 19. The on-off valve group 21 has four on-off valves 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d. The on-off switching of the on-off valves 21a to 21d is controlled by the control unit 6. The on-off valve 21a corresponds to the fifth on-off valve of the present invention. The on-off valve 21b corresponds to the sixth on-off valve of the present invention. The on-off valve 21c corresponds to the seventh on-off valve of the present invention. The on-off valve 21d corresponds to the eighth on-off valve of the present invention.

[0071] The on-off valve 21a is provided in a connection path 22a connecting the four-way valve 20 and the battery heat exchanger 11. The on-off valve 21b is provided in a connection path 22b connecting the fixed throttle 12 and the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. The on-off valve 21c is provided in a connection path 22c connecting a first connection part 23a located between the four-way valve 20 and the on-off valve 21a in the connection path 22a and a second connection part 23b located between the on-off valve 21b and the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 in the connection path 22b. The on-off valve 21d is provided in a connection path 22d connecting a third connection part 23c located between the on-off valve 21a and the battery heat exchanger 11 in the connection path 22a and a fourth connection part 23d located between the fixed throttle 12 and the on-off valve 21b in the connection path 22b. The connection path 22a corresponds to a fifth connection path according to the present invention. The connection path 22b corresponds to the sixth connection path of the present invention, the connection path 22c corresponds to the seventh connection path of the present invention, and the connection path 22d corresponds to the eighth connection path of the present invention.

[0072] The coolant circuit 2 includes a first water pump 30, a second water pump 31, an electrical component 32, a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, a first three-way valve 33, a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, a second three-way valve 34, and a radiator 35. The first water pump 30 and the second water pump 31 are controlled by a control unit 6 to circulate the coolant L within the circuit. The direction of circulation of the coolant L within the coolant circuit 2 is counterclockwise in FIG. 1. The second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5 is an example of a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger of the present invention. The first water pump 30 and the second water pump 31 are examples of pumps of the present invention. The electrical component 32 is an example of an on-vehicle heating element of the present invention.

[0073] The coolant circuit 2 has a first flow path 36, a second flow path 37, a third flow path 38, a first bypass flow path 39, and a second bypass flow path 40. The first flow path 36 and the second flow path 37 are connected in parallel to the third flow path 38. The first flow path 36 is provided with a first water pump 30 and an electric component 32. The second flow path 37 is provided with a second water pump 31 and a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5. The third flow path 38 is provided with a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and a radiator 35. The first flow path 36 is connected to a cooling flow path built into or adjacent to the electric component 32, and the electric component 32 is cooled by the coolant L flowing through this cooling flow path in the electric component 32.

[0074] The first bypass flow path 39 bypasses the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. The first three-way valve 33 switches the coolant L flowing through the third flow path 38 between the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 side and the first bypass flow path 39 side. The second bypass flow path 40 bypasses the radiator 35. The second three-way valve 34 switches the coolant L flowing through the third flow path 38 between the radiator 35 and the second bypass flow path 39. The first three-way valve 33 and the second three-way valve 34 are controlled by the control unit 6.

[0075] In the coolant circuit 2, when the first water pump 30 is operated, the coolant L flows in the following order: electrical component 32, first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 or first bypass flow path 39, radiator 35 or second bypass flow path 40; and when the second water pump 31 is operated, the coolant L flows in the following order: second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 or first bypass flow path 39, radiator 35 or second bypass flow path 40.

[0076] The coolant circuit 2 adjusts the temperature of the electric components 32 by heat exchange between the coolant L circulating in the circuit and the electric components 32. The coolant circuit 2 absorbs heat from the outside air to heat the coolant L, and releases heat to the outside air to cool the coolant L, by heat exchange between the coolant L circulating in the circuit and the outside air in the radiator 35. A cooling fan (not shown) that blows outside air to the radiator 35 is provided near the radiator 35. Note that when the coolant L passes through the second bypass flow path 40, the radiator 35 stops functioning. Even when the coolant L passes through the radiator 35, if the cooling fan is stopped, the coolant L does not substantially exchange heat with the outside air.

[0077] The second refrigerant circuit 3 performs air conditioning for the vehicle cabin by exchanging heat between the second refrigerant R2 circulating within the circuit and the interior air sent into the vehicle cabin. The second refrigerant circuit 3 also exchanges heat between the second refrigerant R2 circulating within the circuit and the coolant L in the coolant circuit 2, absorbing heat from the coolant L to cool it, or releasing heat to the coolant L to heat it.

[0078] The second refrigerant circuit 3 includes a second compressor 50, an inside air heater 51, a second expansion valve 52, a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, a third expansion valve 53, and an inside air cooler 54. The second compressor 50, the inside air heater 51, the second expansion valve 52, the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, the third expansion valve 53, and the inside air cooler 54 are connected in this order by a second refrigerant flow path 55. The second expansion valve 52 is an example of a third throttling portion of the present invention. The inside air heater 51 is an example of an inside air heat exchanger of the present invention.

[0079] The second compressor 50 is controlled by the control unit 6 to compress the second refrigerant R2 and circulate it through the second refrigerant flow path 55. The second refrigerant R2 circulates in the second refrigerant circuit 3 counterclockwise in FIG. 1. That is, the second refrigerant R2 compressed by the second compressor 50 flows toward the inside air heater 51.

[0080] The second expansion valve 52 and the third expansion valve 53 are both electronic expansion valves whose valve opening degree can be adjusted between 0% and 100%. The valve opening degrees of the second expansion valve 52 and the third expansion valve 53 are controlled by the control unit 6.

[0081] The second refrigerant circuit 3 has a third bypass flow path 56 and a fourth bypass flow path 57. The third bypass flow path 56 bypasses the inside air heater 51, and the fourth bypass flow path 57 bypasses the inside air cooler 54. A heater on-off valve 58 is provided in the third bypass flow path 56, and a cooler on-off valve 59 is provided in the fourth bypass flow path 57. The opening and closing of the heater on-off valve 58 and the cooler on-off valve 59 is controlled by the control unit 6.

[0082] The second refrigerant R2 flowing through the second refrigerant flow path 55 flows toward the inside air heater 51 when the heater on-off valve 58 is closed and the second expansion valve 52 is open, and flows toward the third bypass flow path 56 when the heater on-off valve 58 is open and the second expansion valve 52 is fully closed. Furthermore, the second refrigerant R2 flowing through the second refrigerant flow path 55 flows toward the inside air cooler 54 when the cooler on-off valve 59 is closed and the third expansion valve 53 is open, and flows toward the fourth bypass flow path 57 when the cooler on-off valve 59 is open and the third expansion valve 53 is fully closed.

[0083] The interior air heater 51 exchanges heat between the second refrigerant R2 and room air sent into the vehicle cabin by a blower fan (not shown). When the interior air heater 51 functions as a condenser of the second refrigerant circuit 3, the second refrigerant R2 dissipates heat to the room air in the interior air heater 51. The room air heated by heat exchange with the second refrigerant R2 is sent into the vehicle cabin by a blower fan (not shown) and used to heat the vehicle cabin. When the second refrigerant R2 passes through the third bypass flow path 56, the function of the interior air heater 51 stops.

[0084] The inside air cooler 54 exchanges heat between the second refrigerant R2 and room air sent into the vehicle cabin by a blower fan (not shown). When the inside air cooler 54 functions as an evaporator of the second refrigerant circuit 3, the second refrigerant R2 absorbs heat from the room air in the inside air cooler 54. The room air cooled by heat exchange with the second refrigerant R2 is sent into the vehicle cabin by a blower fan (not shown) and used to cool the vehicle cabin. When the second refrigerant R2 passes through the fourth bypass flow path 57, the function of the inside air cooler 54 stops.

[0085] The control unit 6 is composed of an electronic control device, and controls the operations of the first refrigerant circuit 1, the coolant circuit 2, and the second refrigerant circuit 3.

[0086] The control unit 6 controls the operation of the first compressor 10, the four-way valve 20, the on-off valve group 21, and the first expansion valve 13 in the first refrigerant circuit 1. The control unit 6 controls the operation of the first water pump 30, the second water pump 31, the first three-way valve 33, the second three-way valve 34, and the cooling fan (not shown) in the coolant circuit 2. The control unit 6 controls the operation of the second compressor 50, the second expansion valve 52, the third expansion valve 53, the heater on-off valve 58, the cooler on-off valve 59, and the blower fan (not shown) in the second refrigerant circuit 3.

[0087] The operation of a vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature control system having the above configuration will be described below.

[0088] (Battery cooling mode) 3, the first refrigerant circuit 1 operates in the battery cooling mode under the control of the control unit 6. In the battery cooling mode, the first refrigerant circuit 1 dissipates heat into the outside air and cools the multiple battery cells.

[0089] In the first refrigerant circuit 1 in the battery cooling mode, the circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the first circulation flow path 17, and switches the circulation direction in the first circulation flow path 17 to the second circulation direction so that the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14.

[0090] Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches to the first connection state, connecting the intake port 10a to the on-off valve 21a and connecting the discharge port 10b to the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 switches to the second circulation direction toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. In addition, the on-off valve group 21 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the first circulation flow path 17. That is, the on-off valves 21a and 21b are opened, and the on-off valves 21c and 21d are closed.

[0091] Further, under the control of the control unit 6, the valve opening degree of the first expansion valve 13 is set to 100%, and the first expansion valve 13 is set to a fully open state.

[0092] As a result, in the first circulation flow path 17, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 and discharged from the discharge port 10b flows through the four-way valve 20 toward the outside-air heat exchanger 14, where it dissipates heat to the outside air in the outside-air heat exchanger 14, which functions as a condenser for the first refrigerant circuit 1. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant R1 passes through the first expansion valve 13 and the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and also passes through the on-off valve 21b, and is then depressurized by the fixed throttle 12. The first refrigerant R1, whose pressure has been reduced by the fixed throttle 12, absorbs heat from the multiple battery cells in the battery heat exchanger 11, which functions as an evaporator for the first refrigerant circuit 1. As a result, the multiple battery cells are cooled. The first refrigerant R1, which has absorbed heat from the on-board battery in the battery heat exchanger 11, passes through the on-off valve 21a and is then introduced into the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 via the four-way valve 20.

[0093] In this way, the first refrigerant circuit 1 operating independently can effectively cool a plurality of battery cells according to the cooling capacity of the first refrigerant circuit 1.

[0094] (Battery warm-up cooling water mode) 4, the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the coolant circuit 2 operate in a battery warming / coolant cooling mode under the control of the control unit 6. In the battery warming / coolant cooling mode, the first refrigerant circuit 1 absorbs heat from the outside air, warms up the multiple battery cells, and cools the coolant L.

[0095] In the first refrigerant circuit 1 in the battery warm-up coolant cooling mode, the circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the first circulation flow path 17, and switches the circulation direction in the first circulation flow path 17 to the first circulation direction so that the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the battery heat exchanger 11.

[0096] Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches to the second connection state, connecting the intake port 10a to the outside-air heat exchanger 14 and connecting the discharge port 10b to the on-off valve 21a. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 switches to a first circulation direction toward the on-off valve 21a, which serves as a flow path switching unit. The on-off valve group 21 also switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the first circulation flow path 17. That is, the on-off valves 21a and 21b are opened, and the on-off valves 21d and 21d are closed.

[0097] As a result, in the first circulation flow path 17, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 and discharged from the discharge port 10b flows through the four-way valve 20 toward the battery heat exchanger 11, where it dissipates heat to multiple battery cells in the battery heat exchanger 11, which functions as a condenser for the first refrigerant circuit 1. As a result, the multiple battery cells are heated. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant R1 is decompressed by the fixed throttle 12 and absorbs heat from the coolant L in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, which functions as an evaporator for the first refrigerant circuit 1. After absorbing heat, the first refrigerant R1 passes through the first expansion valve 13 and the outside air heat exchanger 14, and is then introduced into the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 via the four-way valve 20.

[0098] When the first refrigerant R1 passes through the first expansion valve 13, the first refrigerant R1 is depressurized depending on the valve opening degree of the first expansion valve 13, and the depressurized first refrigerant R1 can absorb heat from the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 14.

[0099] In this way, the first refrigerant circuit 1 can warm up a plurality of battery cells according to the heating capacity of the first refrigerant circuit 1, and can also cool the coolant L.

[0100] In the coolant circuit 2 in the battery warm-up coolant cooling mode, the first water pump 30 and a cooling fan (not shown) are operated under the control of the control unit 6, and the first three-way valve 33 and the second three-way valve 34 are switched so that the coolant L passes through the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and the radiator 35.

[0101] As a result, in the coolant circuit 2, the coolant L pumped by the first water pump 30 cools the electric components 32. The coolant L heated by the electric components 32 exchanges heat with the first refrigerant R1 in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, dissipating heat to the first refrigerant R1, and also dissipates heat to the outside air in the radiator 35. As a result, the coolant L is cooled. This increases the cooling effect of the coolant L on the electric components 32.

[0102] If it is not necessary or desired to cool the coolant L with the first refrigerant R1 in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, the first three-way valve 33 in the coolant circuit 2 can be switched to allow the coolant L to flow through the first bypass flow path 39, or an electronic expansion valve can be used as the first throttling section in the first refrigerant circuit 1 instead of the fixed throttle 12, and the expansion valve can be fully opened. In this case, the operating mode of the first refrigerant circuit 1 becomes a battery warm-up mode that warms up multiple battery cells without cooling the coolant L.

[0103] (Coolant heating battery temperature equalization mode) 5, the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the coolant circuit 2 operate in a coolant heating and battery temperature equalization mode under the control of the control unit 6. In the coolant heating and battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit 1 heats the coolant L while equalizing the temperature of the multiple battery cells.

[0104] In the first refrigerant circuit 1 in the coolant heating battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19, and switches the circulation direction in the second circulation flow path 18 to the first circulation direction so that the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4.

[0105] Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches to the second connection state, connecting the intake port 10a to the outside-air heat exchanger 14 and connecting the discharge port 10b to the on-off valve 21a. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 switches to the first circulation direction toward the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. In addition, the on-off valve group 21 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19. That is, the on-off valves 21a and 21b are closed, and the on-off valves 21c and 21d are opened.

[0106] Further, under the control of the control unit 6, the first expansion valve 13 is set to a predetermined open state.

[0107] As a result, in the second circulation flow path 18, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 and discharged from the discharge port 10b flows through the four-way valve 20 toward the on-off valve 21c, and after passing through the on-off valve 21c, dissipates heat to the coolant L in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit 1. As a result, the coolant L is heated. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant R1 is decompressed by the first expansion valve 13 and absorbs heat from outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 14, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit 1. The first refrigerant R1 after absorbing heat is introduced into the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 via the four-way valve 20.

[0108] Furthermore, in the independent flow paths 19, the first refrigerant R1 does not circulate in one direction within the independent flow paths 19, but can move back and forth within the independent flow paths 19, during which time it can repeatedly exchange heat with each battery cell within the battery heat exchanger 11. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 present in the independent flow paths 19 and each battery cell have approximately the same temperature, enabling the temperature of multiple battery cells to be uniform. Furthermore, the battery cells can be cooled or heated depending on the temperature difference between the first refrigerant R1 and the battery cells.

[0109] In particular, the on-off valve 21d is open in the independent flow path 19, and the independent flow path 19 is a closed loop that is connected in this order to the battery heat exchanger 11, the fixed throttle 12, the on-off valve 21d, and the battery heat exchanger 11. This prevents the flow path from being interrupted midway within the independent flow path 19, thereby preventing the refrigerant flow from being blocked. This makes it easier for the first refrigerant R1 to move back and forth within the independent flow path 19, which is advantageous for equalizing the temperature of multiple battery cells.

[0110] In the coolant circuit 2 in the coolant heating battery temperature equalization mode, the control unit 6 controls the first water pump 30 to operate and the first three-way valve 33 to switch so that the coolant L passes through the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. Also, the control unit 6 controls the cooling fan (not shown) to stop or the second three-way valve 34 to switch so that the coolant L passes through the second bypass flow path 40.

[0111] As a result, in the coolant circuit 2, the coolant L circulating within the circuit exchanges heat with the first refrigerant R1 in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and absorbs heat from the first refrigerant R1. As a result, the coolant L is heated. This allows the coolant L to heat the electric components 32.

[0112] When the outside air temperature is higher than the coolant L circulating in the coolant circuit 2, the second three-way valve 34 may be switched so that the coolant L passes through the radiator 35, and a cooling fan (not shown) may be operated. This causes the coolant L to absorb heat from the outside air in the radiator 35.

[0113] (Coolant-cooled battery temperature equalization mode) 6, the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the coolant circuit 2 operate in a coolant-cooled battery temperature equalization mode under the control of the control unit 6. In the coolant-cooled battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit 1 equalizes the temperature of multiple battery cells while cooling the coolant L.

[0114] In the first refrigerant circuit 1 in the coolant-cooled battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19, and switches the circulation direction in the second circulation flow path 18 to the second circulation direction so that the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14.

[0115] Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches to the first connection state, connecting the intake port 10a to the on-off valve 21a and connecting the discharge port 10b to the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 switches to the second circulation direction toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. In addition, the on-off valve group 21 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19. That is, the on-off valves 21a and 21b are closed, and the on-off valves 21c and 21d are open.

[0116] Further, under the control of the control unit 6, the first expansion valve 13 is set to a predetermined open state.

[0117] As a result, in the second circulation flow path 18, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 and discharged from the discharge port 10b flows through the four-way valve 20 to the outside air heat exchanger 14, where it dissipates heat to the outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 14, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit 1. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant R1 is decompressed by the first expansion valve 13 and absorbs heat from the coolant L in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit 1. As a result, the coolant L is cooled. After absorbing heat, the first refrigerant R1 passes through the on-off valve 21c and is introduced into the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 via the four-way valve 20.

[0118] Furthermore, in the independent flow paths 19, the first refrigerant R1 does not circulate in one direction within the independent flow paths 19, but can move back and forth within the independent flow paths 19, during which time it can repeatedly exchange heat with each battery cell within the battery heat exchanger 11. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 present in the independent flow paths 19 and each battery cell have approximately the same temperature, enabling the temperature of multiple battery cells to be uniform. Furthermore, the battery cells can be cooled or heated depending on the temperature difference between the first refrigerant R1 and the battery cells.

[0119] In particular, the on-off valve 21d is open in the independent flow path 19, and the independent flow path 19 is a closed loop that is connected in this order to the battery heat exchanger 11, the fixed throttle 12, the on-off valve 21d, and the battery heat exchanger 11. This prevents the flow path from being interrupted midway within the independent flow path 19, thereby preventing the refrigerant flow from being blocked. This makes it easier for the first refrigerant R1 to move back and forth within the independent flow path 19, which is advantageous for equalizing the temperature of multiple battery cells.

[0120] In the coolant circuit 2 in the coolant-cooled battery temperature equalization mode, the first water pump 30 and a cooling fan (not shown) are operated under the control of the control unit 6, and the first three-way valve 33 and the second three-way valve 34 are switched so that the coolant L passes through the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and the radiator 35.

[0121] As a result, in the coolant circuit 2, the coolant L circulating within the circuit exchanges heat with the first refrigerant R1 in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, dissipating heat to the first refrigerant R1, and also dissipating heat to the outside air in the radiator 35. As a result, the coolant L is cooled. This allows the coolant L to effectively cool the electrical components 32.

[0122] (Battery temperature equalization mode) In the coolant heating battery temperature equalization mode shown in FIG. 5 or the coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode shown in FIG. 6, if the first compressor 10 is stopped, the operation mode of the first refrigerant circuit 1 becomes the battery temperature equalization mode.

[0123] In the first refrigerant circuit 1, if the first compressor 10 is stopped, the first refrigerant R1 does not circulate through the second circulation flow path 18, and heat exchange does not occur between the first refrigerant R1 and the coolant L in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. Even in this case, in the independent flow path 19, the first refrigerant R1 present in the independent flow path 19 can cool or heat the multiple battery cells and equalize the temperature of the multiple battery cells.

[0124] (Two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode) 7, the first refrigerant circuit 1, the coolant circuit 2, and the second refrigerant circuit 3 operate in a two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode under the control of the control unit 6. In the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the second refrigerant circuit 3, which conditions the air inside the vehicle cabin, operates to heat the vehicle cabin, and the first refrigerant circuit 1, which adjusts the temperatures of multiple battery cells, operates to equalize the temperatures of the multiple battery cells and heat the coolant L in the coolant circuit 2.

[0125] In the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit 1 operates in the same manner as in the coolant heating battery temperature equalization mode.

[0126] That is, in the first refrigerant circuit 1 in the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19.

[0127] Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches to the second connection state, connecting the intake port 10a to the outside air heat exchanger 14 and connecting the discharge port 10b to the on-off valve 21a. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 switches to the first circulation direction toward the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4.

[0128] Additionally, the on-off valve group 21 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19. That is, the on-off valves 21a and 21b are closed, and the on-off valves 21c and 21d are open.

[0129] Further, under the control of the control unit 6, the first expansion valve 13 is set to a predetermined open state.

[0130] As a result, in the second circulation flow path 18, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 and discharged from the discharge port 10b flows through the four-way valve 20 toward the on-off valve 21c, and after passing through the on-off valve 21c, dissipates heat to the coolant L in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, which functions as a condenser of the first refrigerant circuit 1. As a result, the coolant L is heated. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant R1 is decompressed by the first expansion valve 13 and absorbs heat from outside air in the outside air heat exchanger 14, which functions as an evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit 1. The first refrigerant R1 after absorbing heat is introduced into the suction port 10a of the first compressor 10 via the four-way valve 20.

[0131] Furthermore, in the independent flow paths 19, the first refrigerant R1 flows back and forth within the independent flow paths 19, allowing repeated heat exchange between each battery cell and the first refrigerant R1 within the battery heat exchanger 11. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 in the independent flow paths 19 and each battery cell have approximately the same temperature, allowing the temperature of multiple battery cells to be uniform. Furthermore, the battery cells can be cooled or heated depending on the temperature difference between the first refrigerant R1 and the battery cells.

[0132] In the coolant circuit 2 in the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the first water pump 30 and the second water pump 31 are operated under the control of the control unit 6, and the first three-way valve 33 is switched so that the coolant L passes through the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. Also, under the control of the control unit 6, the cooling fan (not shown) is stopped, or the second three-way valve 34 is switched so that the coolant L passes through the second bypass flow path 40.

[0133] As a result, in the coolant circuit 2, the coolant L circulating within the circuit exchanges heat with the first refrigerant R1 in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4, absorbing heat from the first refrigerant R1, and also cools the electric components 32, absorbing heat from the electric components 32. As a result, the coolant L is heated. The coolant L heated by the first refrigerant R1 and the electric components 32 dissipates heat to the second refrigerant R2 in the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5.

[0134] When the outside air temperature is higher than the coolant L circulating in the coolant circuit 2, the second three-way valve 34 may be switched so that the coolant L passes through the radiator 35, and a cooling fan (not shown) may be operated. This causes the coolant L to absorb heat from the outside air in the radiator 35.

[0135] In the second refrigerant circuit 3 in the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the control unit 6 controls the heater on-off valve 58 to be closed and the second expansion valve 52 to be in a predetermined open state, and also controls the cooler on-off valve 59 to be open and the third expansion valve 53 to be fully closed.

[0136] As a result, the second refrigerant R2 compressed by the second compressor 50 is introduced into the interior air heater 51. The interior air heater 51 functions as a condenser for the first refrigerant circuit 1, and the second refrigerant R2 dissipates heat to the interior air in the interior air heater 51. The heated interior air is used to heat the vehicle cabin. The second refrigerant R2 after dissipating heat is depressurized by the second expansion valve 52 and introduced into the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5. The second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5 functions as an evaporator for the second refrigerant circuit 3, and the second refrigerant R2 absorbs heat from the coolant L in the coolant circuit 2 in the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5. The second refrigerant R2 after absorbing heat is introduced into the second compressor 50 through the fourth bypass flow path 57.

[0137] In this way, in the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the heat sources are the air heat absorbed from the outside air in the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the exhaust heat of the electric components 32 absorbed from the electric components 32 in the coolant circuit 2, and the refrigerant is compressed twice in the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the second refrigerant circuit 3, so that the second refrigerant R2 in the second refrigerant circuit 3 can be effectively heated to a high temperature. Therefore, even when the outside temperature is low in cold regions, the second refrigerant circuit 3 can effectively heat the vehicle interior according to the heating capacity of the first refrigerant circuit 1 and the heating capacity of the second refrigerant circuit 3.

[0138] On the other hand, in this two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, in the first refrigerant circuit 1, heat exchange between the first refrigerant R1 present in the independent flow path 19 and the multiple battery cells can heat or cool the multiple battery cells and equalize the temperatures of the multiple battery cells.

[0139] Therefore, this vehicle thermal management system can cool or heat a plurality of battery cells according to the cooling or heating capacity of the first refrigerant circuit 1, and can evenly distribute the temperature of the plurality of battery cells.

[0140] Therefore, this vehicle thermal management system makes it possible to adjust the temperature of multiple battery cells installed in the vehicle, reduce temperature variations between multiple battery cells, and effectively heat the vehicle interior even when the outside temperature is low in cold regions.

[0141] (Vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode) As shown in FIG. 8, the first refrigerant circuit 1, the coolant circuit 2, and the second refrigerant circuit 3 operate in a vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode.

[0142] In the vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit 1 operates in the same manner as in the coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode.

[0143] That is, in the first refrigerant circuit 1 in the vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit 16 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19.

[0144] Specifically, the four-way valve 20 switches to the first connection state, connecting the intake port 10a to the on-off valve 21a and connecting the discharge port 10b to the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 switches to the second circulation direction toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14.

[0145] Additionally, the on-off valve group 21 switches the first refrigerant flow path 15 to the second circulation flow path 18 and the independent flow path 19. That is, the on-off valves 21a and 21b are closed, and the on-off valves 21c and 21d are open.

[0146] Further, under the control of the control unit 6, the first expansion valve 13 is set to a predetermined open state.

[0147] As a result, in the second circulation flow path 18, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 and discharged from the discharge port 10b flows through the four-way valve 20 to the outside air heat exchanger 14, where it dissipates heat to the outside air. After dissipating heat, the first refrigerant R1 is depressurized by the first expansion valve 13, and then absorbs heat from the coolant L in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4. As a result, the coolant L is cooled. After absorbing heat, the first refrigerant R1 passes through the on-off valve 21c and is introduced into the suction port 10a of the compressor 10 through the four-way valve 20.

[0148] Furthermore, in the independent flow paths 19, the first refrigerant R1 flows back and forth within the independent flow paths 19, allowing repeated heat exchange between each battery cell and the first refrigerant R1 within the battery heat exchanger 11. As a result, the first refrigerant R1 in the independent flow paths 19 and each battery cell have approximately the same temperature, allowing the temperature of multiple battery cells to be uniform. Furthermore, the battery cells can be cooled or heated depending on the temperature difference between the first refrigerant R1 and the battery cells.

[0149] In the coolant circuit 2 in the vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode, the first water pump 30, the second water pump 31, and a cooling fan (not shown) are operated under the control of the control unit 6, and the first three-way valve 33 and the second three-way valve 34 are switched so that the coolant L passes through the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and the radiator 35.

[0150] As a result, in the coolant circuit 2, the coolant L circulating within the circuit absorbs heat from the second refrigerant R2 in the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, exchanges heat with the first refrigerant R1 in the first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 4 and releases heat to the first refrigerant R1, and also releases heat to the outside air in the radiator 35. As a result, the coolant L is cooled. This makes it possible to prevent the coolant L from becoming excessively hot.

[0151] In the second refrigerant circuit 3 in the vehicle interior cooling coolant cooling battery temperature equalization mode, the control unit 6 controls the heater opening / closing valve 58 to be in an open state, the second expansion valve 52 to be in a fully closed state, the cooler opening / closing valve 59 to be in a closed state, and the third expansion valve 53 to be in a predetermined open state.

[0152] As a result, the second refrigerant R2 compressed by the second compressor 50 passes through the heater on-off valve 58 and is then introduced into the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5. In the second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger 5, which functions as a condenser of the second refrigerant circuit 3, the second refrigerant R2 dissipates heat to the coolant L. After dissipating heat, the second refrigerant R2 is depressurized by the third expansion valve 53 and then absorbs heat from the indoor air in the interior air cooler 54, which also functions as a condenser of the second refrigerant circuit 3. As a result, the indoor air is cooled and the vehicle cabin is cooled. The second refrigerant R2 after absorbing heat is introduced into the second compressor 50.

[0153] Example 2 As shown in FIG. 9, in the vehicle thermal management system including the battery temperature adjustment system of the second embodiment, the configuration of the circulation path switching unit 16 in the first refrigerant circuit 1 is changed.

[0154] The circulation path switching unit 16 in the second embodiment has, as a direction switching unit, an on-off valve group 24 instead of the four-way valve 20 in the first embodiment. The on-off valve group 24 corresponds to the first on-off valve group of the present invention.

[0155] The on-off valve group 24 switches the circulation direction of the first refrigerant R1, i.e., the circulation direction of the first refrigerant R1 in the first circulation flow path 17 and the second circulation flow path 18. Specifically, the on-off valve group 24 switches between a first circulation direction in which the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the on-off valve 21a, which serves as a flow path switching unit, and a second circulation direction in which the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14.

[0156] The on-off valve group 24 has four on-off valves 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. The on-off switching of the on-off valves 24a to 24d is controlled by the control unit 6. The on-off valve 24a corresponds to the first on-off valve of the present invention. The on-off valve 24b corresponds to the second on-off valve of the present invention. The on-off valve 24c corresponds to the third on-off valve of the present invention. The on-off valve 24d corresponds to the fourth on-off valve of the present invention.

[0157] The on-off valve 24a is provided in a connection path 25a connecting the suction port 10a of the compressor 10 and the on-off valve 21a of the on-off valve group 21 serving as a flow path switching unit. The on-off valve 24b is provided in a connection path 25b connecting the discharge port 10b of the compressor 10 and the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. The on-off valve 24c is provided in a connection path 25c connecting the suction port 10a of the compressor 10 and the outdoor air heat exchanger 14. The on-off valve 24d is provided in a connection path 25d connecting the discharge port 10b of the compressor 10 and the on-off valve 21a of the on-off valve group 21 serving as a flow path switching unit. The connection path 25a corresponds to the first connection path of the present invention. The connection path 25b corresponds to the second connection path of the present invention. The connection path 25c corresponds to the third connection path of the present invention. The connection path 25d corresponds to the fourth connection path of the present invention.

[0158] By closing the on-off valves 24a and 24b and opening the on-off valves 24c and 24d, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows in a first circulation direction toward the on-off valve 24a of the on-off valve group 24 serving as a flow path switching unit. On the other hand, by opening the on-off valves 24a and 24b and closing the on-off valves 24c and 24d, the first refrigerant R1 compressed by the first compressor 10 flows in a second circulation direction toward the outdoor air heat exchanger 14.

[0159] Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the vehicle thermal management system including this battery temperature regulation system also achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0160] The present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 and 2, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 and 2, and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0161] For example, in Example 1, four-way valve 20 is used as the direction switching unit, and on-off valve group 21 is used as the flow path switching unit. Furthermore, in Example 2, on-off valve group 25 is used as the direction switching unit, and on-off valve group 21 is used as the flow path switching unit. The present invention is not limited to these, and for example, an on-off valve group may be used as the direction switching unit, and a four-way valve may be used as the flow path switching unit, or four-way valves may be used in both the direction switching unit and the flow path switching unit.

[0162] In Examples 1 and 2, the independent flow path 19 of the first refrigerant circuit 1 is an endless annular closed loop, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by closing the on-off valve 21d of the on-off valve group 21 serving as a flow path switching unit, the flow of refrigerant in the independent flow path 19 may be blocked by this closed on-off valve 21d.

[0163] In the first refrigerant circuit 1, an electronic expansion valve whose valve opening is adjustable in the range of 0% to 100% may be used as the first throttle section instead of the fixed throttle 12 in the first embodiment.

[0164] In the second refrigerant circuit 3, a three-way valve may be provided on the inlet side of the third bypass flow path 56 instead of the heater on-off valve 58, and similarly, a three-way valve may be provided on the inlet side of the fourth bypass flow path 57 instead of the cooler on-off valve 59. [Industrial Applicability]

[0165] The battery temperature control system of the present invention can be used in battery-equipped vehicles as well as buildings, etc. Furthermore, the vehicle thermal management system of the present invention can be used in battery-equipped vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 1...1st refrigerant circuit 2…Cooling water circuit (cooling liquid circuit) 3…Second refrigerant circuit 4…1st refrigerant / cooling water heat exchanger (1st refrigerant / cooling liquid heat exchanger) 5…Second refrigerant / cooling water heat exchanger (second refrigerant / cooling liquid heat exchanger) 6...Control unit 10...First compressor 11...Battery heat exchanger 12...Fixed throttle (first throttle section) 13...First expansion valve (second throttle section) 14...Outside air heat exchanger 15...First refrigerant flow path 16...Circulation path switching section 17...First circulation channel 18...Second circulation channel 19...Independent flow path 20...Four-way valve (first four-way valve as a direction switching unit) 21... On-off valve group (second on-off valve group as a flow path switching unit) 21a to 21d...Shut-off valves (5th to 8th shut-off valves) 22a-22d...Connecting roads (5th to 8th connecting roads) 23a to 23d...Connection parts (1st to 4th connection parts) 24...Open / close valve group (first open / close valve group as a direction switching unit) 24a to 24d: On-off valves (first to fourth on-off valves) 25a to 25d...Connections (1st to 4th connection paths) 30...First water pump (pump) 31...Second water pump (pump) 32...Electrical parts (in-vehicle heating elements) 50...Second compressor 51...Interior air heater (interior air heat exchanger) 52...Second expansion valve (third throttle section)

Claims

1. a first refrigerant circuit including: a first compressor that compresses a first refrigerant drawn in through a suction port and discharges the compressed first refrigerant from a discharge port; a battery heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant and a plurality of battery cells; a heat medium heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant and an external heat medium; an outside air heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the first refrigerant and outside air; a first throttle unit that reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant flowing toward the battery heat exchanger or the heat medium heat exchanger; and a second throttle unit that reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant flowing toward the heat medium heat exchanger or the outside air heat exchanger, the first refrigerant circuit further includes a circulation path switching unit that switches between a first circulation path that connects the first compressor, the battery heat exchanger, the first throttling unit, the heat medium heat exchanger, the second throttling unit, the outside-air heat exchanger, and the first compressor in this order and a second circulation path that connects the first compressor, the heat medium heat exchanger, the second throttling unit, the outside-air heat exchanger, and the first compressor in this order, and that switches the circulation direction of the first refrigerant in the first circulation path and the second circulation path; a battery temperature control system including an independent flow path that is independent from the second circulation flow path when the first refrigerant circuit is switched to the second circulation flow path and includes the battery heat exchanger and the first throttle portion, the battery temperature adjustment system includes a control unit that controls operation of the first compressor and the circulation path switching unit, the first refrigerant circuit is controlled by the control unit to operate in a battery cooling mode that cools the plurality of battery cells, a battery warming mode that heats the plurality of battery cells, and a heat medium heating and battery temperature equalization mode that heats the heat medium and equalizes the temperature of the plurality of battery cells; In the battery cooling mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the first circulation flow path, and the circulation direction is switched so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the outside-air heat exchanger, In the battery warm-up mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the first circulation flow path, and the circulation direction is switched so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the battery heat exchanger, a heat transfer medium heating battery temperature equalization mode, wherein the circulation path switching unit switches between the second circulation path and the independent path, and the circulation direction is switched so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor is directed toward the heat transfer medium heat exchanger.

2. the first refrigerant circuit operates in a battery temperature equalization mode to equalize temperatures of the plurality of battery cells; The battery temperature control system according to claim 1 , wherein in the battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the second circulation path and the independent path, and the first compressor is stopped.

3. the first refrigerant circuit operates in a heat medium cooling battery temperature equalization mode in which the first refrigerant circuit cools the heat medium and equalizes the temperature of the plurality of battery cells; 2. The battery temperature control system of claim 1, wherein in the heat medium cooling battery temperature equalization mode, the circulation path switching unit switches to the second circulation flow path and the independent flow path, and the circulation direction is switched so that the first refrigerant compressed by the first compressor flows toward the outside air heat exchanger.

4. The circulation path switching unit has a direction switching unit that switches the circulation direction and a flow path switching unit, the direction switching unit has a first four-way valve that switches between a first connection state that connects the intake port to the flow path switching unit and connects the discharge port to the outside-air heat exchanger and a second connection state that connects the intake port to the outside-air heat exchanger and connects the discharge port to the flow path switching unit, or a first on-off valve group that includes a first on-off valve provided in a first connection path that connects the intake port to the flow path switching unit, a second on-off valve provided in a second connection path that connects the discharge port to the outside-air heat exchanger, a third on-off valve provided in a third connection path that connects the intake port to the outside-air heat exchanger, and a fourth on-off valve provided in a fourth connection path that connects the discharge port to the flow path switching unit, The flow path switching unit is a second four-way valve that switches between a third connection state that connects the direction switching unit and the battery heat exchanger and also connects the first throttle unit and the heat medium heat exchanger, and a fourth connection state that connects the direction switching unit and the heat medium heat exchanger, or a fifth on-off valve provided in a fifth connection path that connects the direction switching unit and the battery heat exchanger, a sixth on-off valve provided in a sixth connection path that connects the first throttle unit and the heat medium heat exchanger, and a sixth on-off valve provided in a sixth connection path that connects the direction switching unit and the fifth on-off valve in the fifth connection path.

2. The battery temperature control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a seventh opening / closing valve provided in a seventh connection path connecting a first connection portion located between the sixth opening / closing valve and the heat medium heat exchanger in the sixth connection path and a second connection portion located between the sixth opening / closing valve and the heat medium heat exchanger in the sixth connection path; and an eighth opening / closing valve provided in an eighth connection path connecting a third connection portion located between the fifth opening / closing valve and the battery heat exchanger in the fifth connection path and a fourth connection portion located between the first throttling portion and the sixth opening / closing valve in the sixth connection path.

5. the battery heat exchanger and the first throttle portion are connected by the second four-way valve in the fourth connection state, or the fifth on-off valve and the sixth on-off valve in the second on-off valve group are closed and the seventh on-off valve and the eighth on-off valve are open, The battery temperature control system according to claim 4 , wherein the independent flow path is a closed loop in which the battery heat exchanger, the first throttle portion, and the battery heat exchanger are connected in this order.

6. The battery temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a coolant circuit that has a pump that pressure-feeds the coolant as the heat medium and cools an on-vehicle heat-generating element; a second refrigerant circuit for air-conditioning the vehicle interior, the second refrigerant circuit including: a second compressor that draws in a second refrigerant, compresses the drawn second refrigerant, and discharges the compressed second refrigerant; an interior air heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the second refrigerant and interior air supplied into the vehicle interior; and a third throttle unit that reduces the pressure of the second refrigerant; a first refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger as the heat medium heat exchanger incorporated in the first refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit, which exchanges heat between the first refrigerant and the coolant; a second refrigerant / coolant heat exchanger incorporated in the second refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit for exchanging heat between the second refrigerant and the coolant; the plurality of battery cells are vehicle-mounted batteries, the control unit controls the operation of the coolant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit, the first refrigerant circuit, the coolant circuit, and the second refrigerant circuit are controlled by the control unit to operate in a two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode that heats the vehicle interior and equalizes the temperature of the plurality of battery cells; In the two-stage heat pump battery temperature equalization mode, the first refrigerant circuit operates in the heat medium heating battery temperature equalization mode.

Images