Heat pump temperature control device

Abstract

To make it possible to adjust temperature by changing the temperature of a heat medium in accordance with the thermal load situation of a temperature adjustment object without complicating the structure of a heat medium circuit.SOLUTION: A temperature adjustment device includes a compressor, a first heat exchange part functioning as a radiator, a decompression device, and a second heat exchange part functioning as a heat sink. The temperature adjustment device has a refrigerant circuit which circulates coolant discharged by the compressor in the first heat exchange part, the decompression device, and the second heat exchange part in this order, a heat medium circuit on a high temperature side where a heat medium heat exchanging with coolant in the first heat exchange part circulates, and a heat medium circuit on a low temperature side where the heat medium exchanging heat with the coolant in the second heat medium circuit circulates, and adjusts the temperature of a plurality of temperature adjustment objects via the heat medium. The first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part are provided with a plurality of heat exchange elements. The heat medium circuit has a switch part which is capable of switching a serial mode in which the heat medium continuously passes the heat exchange element selected from a plurality of heat exchange elements and exchanges heat with the temperature adjustment objects, and a parallel mode in which the heat medium individually passes the heat exchange elements and exchanges heat with the temperature adjustment objects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump temperature control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a temperature control device that uses the heat radiation and heat absorption of a heat pump to adjust the temperature of an object via a heat medium circuit (for example, a water circuit) (see Patent Document 1 below). According to this conventional technology, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger serving as a heat radiation part, an expansion valve, and a water-refrigerant heat exchanger serving as a heat absorption part are provided in a refrigerant circuit that circulates refrigerant discharged from a compressor, and the heat medium in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit is heated via the heat radiation part, and the heat medium in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit is cooled via the heat absorption part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-40429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the temperature control device described above, when one water-refrigerant heat exchanger is provided in each of the heat radiation section and the heat absorption section, the temperature of the heat medium in the high-temperature heat medium circuit and the low-temperature heat medium circuit is the same. To generate heat medium in various temperature ranges in such a temperature control device according to the thermal load status of the object to be temperature-controlled, high-temperature heat medium and low-temperature heat medium are mixed in an appropriate ratio, or heat is exchanged between the high-temperature heat medium circuit and the low-temperature heat medium circuit. However, mixing the high-temperature heat medium and the low-temperature heat medium or exchanging heat between the high-temperature heat medium circuit and the low-temperature heat medium circuit requires a complex circuit configuration, and there is a problem in that the high-temperature heat medium temperature and the low-temperature heat medium temperature cannot be adjusted independently.

[0005] To address this issue, it is possible to change the temperature of the heat medium by adjusting the output of the temperature control device. However, if the flow rate of the heat medium circuit is not changed when the output of the refrigerant circuit is adjusted, temperature tracking performance deteriorates. Attempting to improve temperature tracking performance by reducing the flow rate of the heat medium circuit reduces heat exchange efficiency and worsens the energy consumption efficiency (COP: Coefficient of Performance). For this reason, adjusting the output of the temperature control device has the problem of not being able to diversify the temperature of the heat medium while efficiently operating the temperature control device.

[0006] The present invention addresses these problems by enabling temperature control by changing the temperature of the heat medium in accordance with the heat load of the object to be temperature controlled without complicating the configuration of the heat medium circuit, by enabling the heat medium temperatures of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit to be adjusted independently, and by enabling temperature control in various temperature ranges while efficiently operating the temperature control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve such problems, the present invention has the following configuration. a high-temperature side heat medium circuit through which the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange unit circulates, and a low-temperature side heat medium circuit through which the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchange unit circulates, and the temperature of a plurality of temperature control targets is controlled via the heat medium; wherein the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit each include a plurality of heat exchange elements, and the heat medium circuit has a switching unit that can switch between a series mode in which the heat medium passes through selected heat exchange elements from the plurality of heat exchange elements in succession to exchange heat with the temperature control targets, and a parallel mode in which the heat medium passes through the heat exchange elements individually to exchange heat with the temperature control targets. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] A heat pump type temperature control device with these characteristics can change the temperature of the heat medium by switching between series mode and parallel mode, so it can control the temperature by changing the temperature of the heat medium according to the heat load situation of the object to be temperature controlled without complicating the configuration of the heat medium circuit.

[0009] In addition, by switching between series mode and parallel mode in the high-temperature and low-temperature heat medium circuits, the temperatures of the heat medium in the high-temperature and low-temperature heat medium circuits can be adjusted independently. Also, since the temperature of the heat medium can be changed without adjusting the output of the refrigerant circuit or the heat medium circuit, it is possible to control the temperature in various temperature ranges while operating the temperature control device efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heat pump temperature adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram of the series and parallel modes of the heat transfer medium circuit ((a) is the series mode, (b) is the parallel mode). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first heat exchange section or a second heat exchange section. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a temperature adjustment device for an electric vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode A of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode A′ of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode B of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode C of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode C′ of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode D of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 11]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode E of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode F of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature adjustment mode F′ of the temperature adjustment device shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting the heat exchange amounts of a plurality of heat exchange elements in the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control device for a temperature adjustment device for an electric vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote parts with the same functions, and duplicated descriptions in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a heat pump temperature regulator (hereinafter referred to as a temperature regulator) 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 2 and a heat medium circuit 3.

[0013] The refrigerant circuit 2 includes a compressor 10, a first heat exchange unit 11, a pressure reduction device 12, and a second heat exchange unit 13, and constitutes a heat pump. In the refrigerant circuit 2, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 circulates through the first heat exchange unit 11, the pressure reduction device 12, and the second heat exchange unit 13 in that order. The first heat exchange unit 11 functions as a radiator where the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 10 releases heat. The second heat exchange unit 13 functions as a heat absorber where the low-temperature refrigerant decompressed by the pressure reduction device 12 absorbs heat.

[0014] The heat medium circuit 3 circulates a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 2. The heat medium circuit 3 has a high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A where the heat medium exchanges heat with a high-temperature refrigerant in a first heat exchange section 11, and a low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B where the heat medium exchanges heat with a low-temperature refrigerant in a second heat exchange section 13.

[0015] The first heat exchange section 11 includes a plurality of heat exchange elements 11A and 11B, and the second heat exchange section 13 includes a plurality of heat exchange elements 13A and 13B. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the first heat exchange section 11 and the second heat exchange section 13 each include two heat exchange elements 11A and 11B (13A and 13B), but this is not limited thereto and each may include three or more heat exchange elements. The heat exchange elements 11A and 11B (13A and 13B) are refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers in which the refrigerant and heat medium passing therethrough exchange heat with each other.

[0016] The heat medium circuit 3 adjusts the temperature of a plurality of temperature adjustment targets M1 to M4 using a heat medium circulated by a pump P. To this end, the heat medium circuit 3 has a plurality of heat exchange units T1 to T4. In the illustrated example, the heat exchange units T1 and T2 are provided in the high-temperature heat medium circuit 3A to heat the temperature adjustment targets M1 and M2, and the heat exchange units T3 and T4 are provided in the low-temperature heat medium circuit 3B to cool the temperature adjustment targets M3 and M4. The plurality of heat exchange elements 11A and 11B (13A and 13B) are provided corresponding to the plurality of temperature adjustment targets M1 to M4.

[0017] The heat medium circuit 3 includes a switching unit 4 that switches between a series mode and a parallel mode. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the switching unit 4 is configured by on-off valves V1, V2, V3, V4, V4', V5, V6, V7, V8, and V8' in the heat medium flow path.

[0018] Fig. 2 shows the switching state between the series mode and the parallel mode in the heat medium circuit 3. Fig. 2 illustrates only the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A, but similar switching is also possible in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B.

[0019] 2(a), the series mode is a circuit state in which the heat medium passes successively through a plurality of heat exchange elements 11B, 11A to exchange heat with the temperature adjustment target M1 or the temperature adjustment target M2. While Fig. 2 shows an example in which two heat exchange elements 11A, 11B are provided, in the case where there are three or more heat exchange elements, the series mode is a circuit state in which the heat medium passes successively through selected heat exchange elements to exchange heat with the temperature adjustment target.

[0020] 2(a), by closing the on-off valves V1 and V2 and opening the on-off valves V3, V4, and V4', the heat medium discharged from the pump P passes through the heat exchange element 11B and the heat exchange element 11A in succession, and then through the heat exchange units T1 and T2 for the temperature adjustment target. At this time, by passing through the heat exchange element 11B and the heat exchange element 11A in succession, the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit 3A exchanges heat with the high-temperature refrigerant over a longer flow path, and becomes a higher-temperature heat medium. The on-off valves V4 and V4' are on-off valves that allow the heat medium passing through the heat exchange elements 11B and 11A in succession to flow selectively to the heat exchange section T1 and the heat exchange section T2. ​​By closing the on-off valve V4' and opening the on-off valve V4, the heat medium will selectively pass through the heat exchange section T1, and by opening the on-off valve V4' and closing the on-off valve V4, the heat medium will selectively pass through the heat exchange section T2.

[0021] The heat exchanger T1 and the heat exchanger T2 are selected based on whether or not there is a heating request for each of the temperature control targets M1 and M2. This selection prevents the heat medium from flowing to the temperature control targets that do not require heating, allowing the high-temperature heat medium to flow efficiently to the temperature control targets that require heating, thereby increasing the heating efficiency of the temperature control targets that require heating.

[0022] In contrast, in the parallel mode, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the heat medium passes through a plurality of heat exchange elements 11A or 11B individually to exchange heat with the temperature adjustment target M1 or M2. In the heat medium circuit 3A shown in Fig. 2(b), by opening the on-off valves V1, V2, and V4' and closing the on-off valves V3 and V4, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 11A passes through the heat exchange section T2 for the temperature adjustment target, and the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 11B passes through the heat exchange section T1 for the temperature adjustment target. In this case, the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit 3A passes through the heat exchange element 11A or 11B individually to exchange heat with the refrigerant, and therefore becomes a high-temperature heat medium with a temperature range lower than that in the series mode. In this case, too, by closing the on-off valve V4' and opening the on-off valve V1, the heat medium will selectively pass through the heat exchange section T1, and by opening the on-off valve V4' and closing the on-off valve V1, the heat medium will selectively pass through the heat exchange section T2.

[0023] Similarly, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B can be switched between series mode and parallel mode. In series mode, by closing the on-off valves V5 and V6 and opening the on-off valves V7, V8, and V8', the heat medium discharged from the pump P passes through the heat exchange elements 13A and 13B in succession and then through the heat exchange sections T3 and T4 for the temperature control target. As a result, in series mode, the heat medium passes through the heat exchange elements 13A and 13B to become a lower-temperature heat medium. In parallel mode, by opening the on-off valves V5, V6, and V8' and closing the on-off valves V7 and V8, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13A passes through the heat exchange section T3 for the temperature control target, and the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13B passes through the heat exchange section T4 for the temperature control target. As a result, in parallel mode, the low-temperature heat medium has a higher temperature range than in series mode. The on-off valve V8' in the heat medium circuit 3B has the function of selecting the heat exchange units T3 and T4, similar to the on-off valve V4' in the heat medium circuit 3A.

[0024] The selection of heat exchanger T3 and heat exchanger T4 here is made depending on whether or not there is a cooling request for each of temperature control targets M3 and M4. By preventing the heat medium from flowing to temperature control targets that do not require cooling through this selection, it is possible to efficiently flow a low-temperature heat medium to temperature control targets that require cooling, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the temperature control targets that require cooling.

[0025] As described above, the temperature control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of which is the first heat exchange unit 11 having a heat dissipation function and the second heat exchange unit 13 having a heat absorption function, in the refrigerant circuit 2, and enables switching between the series mode and parallel mode described above in the heat medium circuit that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange unit 11 and the second heat exchange unit 13. This allows the temperature control device 1 to diversify the temperature range of the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit 3 depending on the number of heat exchange elements, and can perform the desired temperature control by matching the heat medium of the appropriate temperature range to temperature control targets with different thermal load conditions.

[0026] The temperature adjustment device 1 can diversify the temperature range of the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit 3 by switching between the series mode and parallel mode described above, without adjusting the output of the temperature adjustment device 1 (adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor 10 or the flow rate of the pump P). This makes it possible to generate heat medium in a variety of temperature ranges through efficient device operation, without incurring deterioration in temperature tracking ability or energy consumption efficiency that accompanies output adjustment.

[0027] The temperature adjustment device 1 generates heat medium in a variety of temperature ranges without mixing the heat medium in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A with the heat medium in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B, or mutually exchanging heat between the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B. This prevents the circuit configuration of the heat medium circuit 3 from becoming complicated. Furthermore, by setting the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B to switch between series mode and parallel mode, respectively, the heat medium temperature of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A and the heat medium temperature of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B can be adjusted independently.

[0028] Switching to the serial mode is performed, for example, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A when the target temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat with the temperature control targets M1 and M2 is higher than the temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat in one heat exchange element (11A or 11B) in the first heat exchange section 11, and in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B when the target temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat with the temperature control targets M3 and M4 is lower than the temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat in one heat exchange element (13A or 13B) in the second heat exchange section 13. Here, one heat exchange element refers to a single unit that constitutes one continuous heat medium flow path, and does not include a switching section (branching means, flow path switching means, etc.).

[0029] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the first heat exchange section 11 (similar to the second heat exchange section 13). In this example, the first heat exchange section 11 is configured as a heat exchange module in which multiple heat exchange elements are housed in one case.

[0030] 3, the first heat exchange section 11 has a plurality of heat medium flow paths 101, 102 formed inside a case 100, a refrigerant flow path 110 whose outer surface is in contact with the heat medium formed inside the heat medium flow path 101, and a refrigerant flow path 111 whose outer surface is in contact with the heat medium formed inside the heat medium flow path 102. The refrigerant flows from outside the case 100 to the refrigerant flow path 110 inside the heat medium flow path 101, flows from the refrigerant flow path 110 to the refrigerant flow path 111 inside the heat medium flow path 102, and then flows from the refrigerant flow path 111 to the outside of the case 100. In this example, a plurality of heat exchange elements 11A, 11B having refrigerant flow paths 110, 111 are formed corresponding to the plurality of heat medium flow paths 101, 102 inside the case 100.

[0031] As described above, by making one or both of the first heat exchange section 11 and the second heat exchange section 13 into a heat exchange module in which multiple heat exchange elements are housed in a single case 100, the configuration of the temperature control device 1 can be made compact.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a specific configuration example of the temperature adjustment device 1. The temperature adjustment device 1 shown in Fig. 4 is a vehicle temperature adjustment device and can be used as a thermal management system for an electric vehicle. The heat medium circuit 3 of the temperature adjustment device 1 shown in Fig. 4 includes heat exchangers T01 to T07 for the temperature adjustment target, as well as an external heat exchanger T10 that exchanges heat with outside air. Here, the heat exchangers T01 to T07 for the temperature adjustment target are, for example, heat exchangers T01 and T02 for individual air conditioners M01 and M02 installed on seats in the vehicle interior, heat exchanger T03 for adjusting the temperature of a vehicle component M03 (e.g., an inverter), heat exchanger T04 for adjusting the temperature of a vehicle component M04 (e.g., a motor), heat exchanger T05 for adjusting the temperature of a battery M05, and heat exchangers T06 and T07 for the interior air conditioner M06.

[0033] 4 includes a compressor 10, a first heat exchange section 11, a pressure reducing device 12, and a second heat exchange section 13. The first heat exchange section 11, which functions as a heat radiator, includes three heat exchange elements 11A, 11B, and 11C, and the second heat exchange section 13, which functions as a heat absorber, includes four heat exchange elements 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D. In the figure, the flow of the refrigerant is indicated by thick double lines with arrows.

[0034] The switching unit 4 of the heat medium circuit 3 in Fig. 4 is composed of three-way valves V01 to V14, on-off valves V20 to V25, and a three-way valve V30 with a flow control function. By switching this switching unit 4, the temperature adjustment device 1 shown in Fig. 4 can selectively execute various temperature adjustment modes shown below. In Figs. 5 to 13, the black painted valves of the switching unit 4 indicate a closed state, and the white painted valves indicate an open state. In addition, the thick black line with an arrow in the figures indicates the heat medium circuit 3A through which the high-temperature heat medium flows, and the thick gray line with an arrow in the figures indicates the heat medium circuit 3B through which the low-temperature heat medium flows. The thin dashed line with an arrow in the figures indicates the heat medium flow path that is not in use.

[0035] 5, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A circulates a high-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, the heat exchangers T06 and T07 of the indoor air conditioner M06, and the heat exchanger T05 for temperature regulation of the battery M05, thereby performing heating operations of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02 and the indoor air conditioner M06 (e.g., an HVAC unit) and heating the battery M05. In this case, a heating device such as an ECH (Electron Cyclotron Heating) may be provided in the heat medium circuit 3A at an appropriate position (in the illustrated example, the outlet-side flow path of the heat exchange element 11B) as needed to supplementarily heat the high-temperature heat medium.

[0036] In the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A in temperature control mode A, the heat medium passing individually through the heat exchange element 11A passes through heat exchange units T01 and T02 in parallel mode to perform heating operations for the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, the heat medium passing individually through the heat exchange element 11B passes through heat exchange units T06 and T07 in parallel mode to perform heating operations for the indoor air conditioner M06, and the heat medium passing individually through the heat exchange element 11C passes through heat exchange unit T05 in parallel mode to heat the battery M05.

[0037] In addition, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B in temperature adjustment mode A flows a low-temperature heat medium through heat exchange units T03 and T04 for adjusting the temperatures of vehicle components M03 and M04, such as the inverter and motor, and through an external heat exchanger T10 that exchanges heat with outside air. In temperature adjustment mode A, the heat medium that passes individually through heat exchange element 13A in parallel mode passes through external heat exchanger T10 to absorb heat from the outside air, and the heat medium that passes continuously through heat exchange elements 13B and 13C in series mode passes through heat exchange units T03 and T04 to cool vehicle components M03 and M04, such as the inverter and motor, while absorbing (recovering) the exhaust heat from the vehicle components M03 and M04.

[0038] In temperature adjustment mode A, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows in parallel mode to the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, the heat exchangers T06 and T07 of the indoor air conditioner M06, and the heat exchanger T05 for temperature adjustment of the battery M05. This makes it possible to diversify the temperature range of the heat medium supplied to each temperature adjustment target according to the heat exchange amount of each of the heat exchange elements 11A, 11B, and 11C.

[0039] Furthermore, in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B in temperature adjustment mode A, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange elements 13B and 13C in succession passes through the heat exchange units T03 and T04, thereby being able to cool the vehicle parts M03 and M04 with a heat medium in a sufficiently low temperature range. Furthermore, the amount of heat absorbed in the heat exchange units T03 and T04 by the heat medium passing through the heat exchange elements 13B and 13C in series mode can be made larger than the amount of heat absorbed in the external heat exchanger T10 by the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13A in parallel mode, so exhaust heat recovery and heat absorption can be performed effectively when the outside air temperature is low.

[0040] 6, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02 and the heat exchanger T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05, thereby heating the battery M05 while performing heating operations of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02. Also, the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T03 and T04 for adjusting the temperature of the vehicle components M03 and M04 and the external heat exchanger T10, thereby cooling the vehicle components M03 and M04 (recovering and absorbing exhaust heat) while absorbing heat from the outside air.

[0041] In the heat medium circuit 3A in temperature adjustment mode A', the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 11B in series mode passes continuously through the heat exchange element 11A, so that the higher-temperature heat medium passes through the heat exchange units T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02. In addition, in parallel mode, the heat medium passes individually through the heat exchange element 11C, so that the relatively low-temperature heat medium passes through the heat exchange unit T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05. Thus, in temperature adjustment mode A', the selection of series mode or parallel mode sets different temperature ranges for the heat medium flowing through the heat exchange units T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02 and the heat exchange unit T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05. The low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B in temperature adjustment mode A' is the same as the external heat medium circuit 3B in temperature adjustment mode A.

[0042] In temperature control mode B shown in FIG. 7, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium to the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, the heat exchanger T05 for controlling the temperature of the battery M05, and the heat exchanger T06 which functions as a heater core of the interior air conditioner M06 and heats the air, while the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium to the heat exchangers T03 and T04 for controlling the temperature of the vehicle parts M03 and M04, the heat exchanger T07 which functions as a cooler core of the interior air conditioner M06 and cools the air, and the external heat exchanger T10.

[0043] In temperature adjustment mode B, the heat medium passing individually through heat exchange element 11A in parallel mode passes through heat exchange units T01 and T02 to perform heating operations of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, and the heat medium passing individually through heat exchange element 11C in parallel mode passes through heat exchange unit T05 to heat the battery M05. Also, in temperature adjustment mode B, the indoor air conditioner M06 performs dehumidification operations by flowing a high-temperature heat medium passing individually through heat exchange element 11B in parallel mode to heat exchange unit T06, which serves as the heater core of the indoor air conditioner M06, and flowing a low-temperature heat medium passing individually through heat exchange element 13B in parallel mode to heat exchange unit T07, which serves as the cooler core of the indoor air conditioner M06.

[0044] Furthermore, in temperature control mode B, the heat medium that passes individually through heat exchange element 13C in parallel mode passes through heat exchange sections T03 and T04 for temperature control of vehicle parts M03 and M04, and the heat medium that passes individually through heat exchange element 13A in parallel mode passes through external heat exchanger T10, thereby cooling vehicle parts M03 and M04 (recovering exhaust heat and absorbing heat) while absorbing heat from the outside air.

[0045] In temperature adjustment mode C shown in FIG. 8, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium to the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02 and the heat exchangers T06 and T07 of the indoor air conditioner M06, while the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium to the heat exchangers T03 and T04 for adjusting the temperatures of the vehicle components M03 and M04, the heat exchanger T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05, and the external heat exchanger T10.

[0046] In temperature control mode C, the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 11A individually in parallel mode passes through heat exchange units T01 and T02 to perform heating operations on the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, and the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 11C and heat exchange element 11B in series in series passes through heat exchange units T06 and T07 to perform heating operations on the indoor air conditioner M06. Also, in temperature control mode C, the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 13D individually in parallel mode passes through heat exchange unit T05 to cool the battery M05, and the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 13B and heat exchange element 13C in series in series passes through heat exchange units T03 and T04 to cool the vehicle parts M03 and M04 (exhaust heat recovery and heat absorption), and the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 13A individually in parallel mode passes through external heat exchanger T10 to absorb outside air heat.

[0047] In the temperature adjustment mode C' shown in FIG. 9, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium through the heat exchanger sections T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, and the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium through the heat exchanger section T05 for temperature adjustment of the battery M05, the heat exchanger sections T03 and T04 for temperature adjustment of the vehicle components M03 and M04, and the external heat exchanger T10, as in the temperature adjustment mode C.

[0048] In temperature adjustment mode C', the heat medium that passes through heat exchange element 11C, heat exchange element 11B, and heat exchange element 11A in series mode passes through heat exchange units T01 and T02, thereby performing heating operation of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02. Here, by passing the heat medium through three heat exchange elements in series, it is possible to generate a heat medium with a higher temperature than the heat medium that passes through heat exchange units T01 and T02 in temperature adjustment mode C. The heat medium circuit 3B in temperature adjustment mode C' is the same as in temperature adjustment mode C.

[0049] In temperature adjustment mode D shown in FIG. 10, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02 and the heat exchanger T06 that serves as the heater core of the indoor air conditioner M06, while the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T03 and T04 for adjusting the temperature of the vehicle parts M03 and M04, the heat exchanger T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05, the heat exchanger T07 that serves as the cooler core of the indoor air conditioner M06, and the external heat exchanger T10.

[0050] In temperature control mode D, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 11A individually in parallel mode passes through the heat exchange units T01 and T02, thereby performing heating operations on the individual air conditioners M01 and M02. Also, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13A individually in parallel mode passes through the external heat exchanger T10 to absorb heat from the outside air, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13C individually in parallel mode passes through the heat exchange units T03 and T04 to cool the vehicle parts M03 and M04 (exhaust heat recovery and heat absorption), and the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13D individually in parallel mode passes through the heat exchange unit T05 to cool the battery M05.

[0051] In addition, in temperature control mode D, the heat medium that passes continuously through heat exchange element 11C and heat exchange element 11B in series mode passes through heat exchange section T06 of the indoor air conditioner M06, and the heat medium that passes individually through heat exchange element 13B in parallel mode passes through heat exchange section T07 of the indoor air conditioner M06, thereby performing dehumidifying and heating operation of the indoor air conditioner M06.

[0052] In temperature control mode E shown in FIG. 11, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium through heat exchangers T03 and T04 for controlling the temperature of vehicle components M03 and M04, the heat exchanger T06 that serves as the heater core of the interior air conditioner M06, and the external heat exchanger T10, while the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium through heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, the heat exchanger T05 for controlling the temperature of the battery M05, and the heat exchanger T07 that serves as the cooler core of the interior air conditioner M06.

[0053] In temperature control mode E, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 11A individually in parallel mode passes through the external heat exchanger T10 to dissipate heat to the outside air. Also, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13C individually in parallel mode passes through the heat exchange units T01 and T02 to perform cooling operations on the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, and the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element 13D individually in parallel mode passes through the heat exchange unit T05 to cool the battery M05.

[0054] In temperature control mode E, the heat medium passing through heat exchange units T03 and T04 for controlling the temperatures of vehicle components M03 and M04 dissipates heat by passing through external heat exchanger T10, and the vehicle components M03 and M04 are cooled by heat dissipation from the outside air. Also, the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 11C and heat exchange element 11B in series in the serial mode passes through heat exchange unit T06 of the indoor air conditioner M06, and the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 13A and heat exchange element 13B in series in the serial mode passes through heat exchange unit T07 of the indoor air conditioner M06, thereby performing dehumidifying operation of the indoor air conditioner M06.

[0055] In the temperature adjustment mode F shown in FIG. 12, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A flows a high-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T03 and T04 for adjusting the temperature of the vehicle components M03 and M04 and the external heat exchanger T10, while the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B flows a low-temperature heat medium through the heat exchangers T01 and T02 of the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, the heat exchanger T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05, and the heat exchangers T06 and T07 of the indoor air conditioner M06.

[0056] In temperature control mode F, the heat medium passing through heat exchange element 11C, heat exchange element 11B, and heat exchange element 11A in series mode passes through external heat exchanger T10, thereby dissipating heat to the outside air, and the heat medium passing through heat exchange sections T03 and T04 passes through external heat exchanger T10, thereby cooling vehicle parts M03 and M04 by dissipating heat to the outside air.

[0057] In addition, in temperature control mode F, the heat medium passing continuously through heat exchange element 13A and heat exchange element 13B in series mode passes through heat exchange sections T07 and T06, thereby cooling the indoor air conditioner M06, the heat medium passing individually through heat exchange element 13C in parallel mode passes through heat exchange sections T01 and T02, thereby cooling the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, and the heat medium passing individually through heat exchange element 13D in parallel mode passes through heat exchange section T05, thereby cooling the battery M05.

[0058] 13, the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A is the same as in the temperature adjustment mode F. In the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B in the temperature adjustment mode F, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange elements 13A, 13B, and 13C in the series mode passes through the heat exchange units T01 and T02 to perform cooling operations on the individual air conditioners M01 and M02, and the heat medium passing individually through the heat exchange element 13D in the parallel mode passes through the heat exchange unit T05 to cool the battery M05.

[0059] In the various temperature control modes described above, in the series mode of the heat medium circuit 3A, a heat medium in a higher temperature range can be produced depending on the number of elements selected from the multiple heat exchange elements 11A, 11B, and 11C, and in the series mode of the heat medium circuit 3B, a heat medium in a lower temperature range can be produced depending on the number of elements selected from the multiple heat exchange elements 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D. Furthermore, in the parallel mode of the heat medium circuit 3A (3B), a heat medium in a variety of temperature ranges can be produced depending on the heat exchange amount of each element in the multiple heat exchange elements 11A, 11B, and 11C (13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D).

[0060] The target temperature of the heat medium flowing to the battery M05 is lower than the target temperature of the heat medium flowing to the individual air conditioners M01, M02 and the indoor air conditioner M06 during heating, and higher than the target temperature of the heat medium flowing to the individual air conditioners M01, M02 and the indoor air conditioner M06 during cooling. For this reason, conventional temperature control devices have required complex circuit configurations and control in order to satisfy both the target temperature of the heat medium for air conditioning and the target temperature of the heat medium for battery temperature control. In contrast, the temperature control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can generate a heat medium corresponding to the target temperatures in the different temperature ranges for air conditioning and battery temperature control, simply by switching between the series mode and parallel mode using the switching unit 4, without complicating the circuit configuration or control.

[0061] At this time, in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A, in the series mode, as in temperature adjustment mode A', for example, the heat medium passing through a heat exchange element (for example, heat exchange element 11B) downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit 2 passes through a heat exchange element (for example, heat exchange element 11A) upstream in the refrigerant circulation direction. Also, in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B, in the series mode, as in temperature adjustment mode A, for example, the heat medium passing through a heat exchange element (for example, heat exchange element 13B) upstream in the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit 2 passes through a heat exchange element (for example, heat exchange element 13C) downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction.

[0062] In the first heat exchange section 11, the refrigerant dissipates heat more easily because the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the heat medium is easier to achieve upstream of the refrigerant. Therefore, in the series mode of the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A, the temperature of the heat medium can be further increased by causing the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction to flow to the heat exchange element upstream in the refrigerant circulation direction.

[0063] In contrast, in the second heat exchange unit 13, the refrigerant temperature is lower downstream of the refrigerant due to pressure loss of the refrigerant, making it easier to achieve a temperature difference with the heat medium. Therefore, in the series mode of the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element upstream in the refrigerant circulation direction can be made to flow to the heat exchange element downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction, thereby further lowering the temperature of the heat medium.

[0064] However, in the case where the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B is configured as a circuit in which superheat is generated at the outlet side of the second heat exchange unit 13, the temperature of the heat medium can be further lowered by having the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction flow to the heat exchange element upstream in the refrigerant circulation direction, and by making the refrigerant and heat medium flow countercurrently in the second heat exchange unit 13. Note that in the heat medium circuit 3B in Fig. 1, the refrigerant and heat medium do not flow countercurrently in the second heat exchange unit 13, but in the circuit in which superheat is generated at the outlet side of the above-mentioned second heat exchange unit 13, the refrigerant leaving the pressure reducing device 12 passes through heat exchange element 13B and heat exchange element 13A before entering the compressor 10, so that the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction flows to the heat exchange element upstream in the refrigerant circulation direction, and the refrigerant and heat medium flow countercurrently.

[0065] The temperature adjustment device 1 shown in Figures 5 to 13 adjusts the temperature of the battery M05 by connecting a heat exchanger T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05 to the heat exchange element (heat exchange element 11C on the high-temperature side, heat exchange element 13D on the low-temperature side) on the most downstream side in the refrigerant circulation direction of the refrigerant circuit 2 in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit 3A or the low-temperature side heat medium circuit 3B, to adjust the temperature of the battery M05.

[0066] In a temperature control device 1 for an electric vehicle, the battery M05, which is one of the temperature control targets, serves as a power source for driving the vehicle. The battery M05, which serves as a power source for driving the vehicle, must be adjusted to an appropriate temperature range (e.g., 10°C to 40°C) to ensure the performance of the battery M05. In particular, if the battery temperature exceeds the appropriate temperature range, the battery M05 will deteriorate, so special care must be taken when heating the battery. In the temperature control device 1 shown in FIGS. 5 to 13, in parallel mode, the heat exchange unit T05 for adjusting the temperature of the battery M05 is connected to the heat exchange element 11C when heating the battery M05. This allows the heat exchange element furthest downstream in the refrigerant circulation direction, which has a relatively low heat exchange capacity, to be used, preventing excessive heating and making it easier to adjust the battery temperature to an appropriate temperature range.

[0067] The multiple heat exchange elements provided in the first heat exchange section 11 or the second heat exchange section 13 of the temperature control device 1 shown in Figures 5 to 13 can be configured to have various heat exchange amounts for each heat exchange element, and by switching between series mode and parallel mode, a wider variety of temperature ranges for the heat medium than in the above-mentioned embodiments can be achieved.

[0068] 14 shows an example of setting the heat exchange amounts of multiple heat exchange elements. In the example shown, in the first heat exchange section 11, the heat exchange amounts of each of the multiple heat exchange elements 11A to 11C are larger as the heat exchange element is located closer to the upstream side in the direction of refrigerant circulation of the refrigerant circuit 2. In addition, in the second heat exchange section 13, the heat exchange amounts of each of the multiple heat exchange elements 13A to 13D are larger as the heat exchange element is located closer to the downstream side in the direction of refrigerant circulation of the refrigerant circuit 2. By setting the heat exchange amounts of the multiple heat exchange elements in this way, it is possible to generate a heat medium in a variety of temperature ranges by switching between series mode and parallel mode.

[0069] The switching between the serial mode and parallel mode and the switching of the switching unit 4 for executing various temperature control modes can be performed by a control device 200 provided in the temperature control device 1, as shown in Fig. 15. The control device 200 of the temperature control device 1 provided in an electric vehicle (EV) is configured as a single ECU connected to various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) that control the EV via an in-vehicle network L. The control device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, an input / output I / F (Interface) 204, an in-vehicle communication I / F (Interface) 205, and the like, and each piece of hardware is connected to one another via a bus 206.

[0070] The CPU 201 executes various programs stored in the ROM 202 to perform switching control of the control device 200. The ROM 202 is a non-volatile memory. For example, the ROM 202 stores programs executed by the CPU 201, data necessary for the CPU 201 to execute the programs, etc. The RAM 203 is a main storage device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). For example, the RAM 203 functions as a work area used by the CPU 201 when executing a program. The input / output I / F 204 is connected to various sensors and monitors installed in the EV, and inputs data to the CPU 201 and outputs data processed by the CPU 201. The in-vehicle communication I / F 205 is connected to an in-vehicle network L to control data transmission and reception with other ECUs installed in the EV.

[0071] The control device 200 executes the aforementioned temperature control mode switching control by a program executed by the CPU 201 when data regarding the thermal load status of the temperature control target or data regarding the operating status of the EV is input via the input / output I / F 204 or the in-vehicle communication I / F 205.

[0072] At this time, the control device 200 determines whether the temperature control target has a heating or cooling request based on data related to the heat load status of the temperature control target or data related to the operating status of the EV, and executes a serial mode in which the heat medium leaving the heat exchange element corresponding to the temperature control target with no request flows to the heat exchange element corresponding to the temperature control target with a request. This eliminates the heat loss caused by flowing the heat medium to the temperature control target with no heating or cooling request, and makes it possible to meet the heating or cooling request of the temperature control target with high efficiency.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purposes, configurations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1: temperature control device, 2: refrigerant circuit, 3, 3A, 3B: heat medium circuit, 4: switching unit, 10: Compressor, 11: First heat exchange section, 12: Pressure reducing device, 13: Second heat exchange section, 11A~11C, 13A~13D: Heat exchange element, T1 to T4, T01 to T07: Heat exchange section, T10: External heat exchanger, P: Pump, V1~V8, V20~V25: On-off valve, V01~V14: Three-way valve, V30: Three-way valve with flow control function, M1 to M4: Temperature control target, M01, M02: Individual air conditioning units, M03, M04: Vehicle parts, M05: Battery, M06: Indoor air conditioning unit, 100: Case, 101, 102: Heat medium flow path, 110, 111: Refrigerant flow path, 200: control device, 201: CPU, 202: ROM, 203: RAM, 204: Input / output I / F, 205: In-vehicle communication I / F, 206: Bus, L: In-vehicle network

Claims

1. a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a first heat exchange unit functioning as a radiator, a pressure reducing device, and a second heat exchange unit functioning as a heat absorber, and circulating a refrigerant discharged from the compressor through the first heat exchange unit, the pressure reducing device, and the second heat exchange unit in this order; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit through which the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange unit circulates, and a low-temperature side heat medium circuit through which the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchange unit circulates, and a temperature control device that controls the temperatures of a plurality of temperature control targets via the heat medium, the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit each include a plurality of heat exchange elements; The heat medium circuit has a switching unit that can switch between a series mode in which the heat medium passes through selected heat exchange elements from the plurality of heat exchange elements in succession to exchange heat with the temperature control target, and a parallel mode in which the heat medium passes through the heat exchange elements individually to exchange heat with the temperature control target, The switching unit is The series mode and the parallel mode are switched depending on the heat load status of the temperature control target, A heat pump type temperature control device characterized by executing the serial mode by determining whether or not there is a heating request for the temperature control targets based on the thermal load status of the multiple temperature control targets, and flowing the heat medium that leaves the heat exchange element corresponding to the temperature control target that does not require heating to the heat exchange element corresponding to the temperature control target that does require heating.

2. A refrigerant circuit comprising a compressor, a first heat exchanger functioning as a radiator, a pressure reducing device, and a second heat exchanger functioning as a heat sink, in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated through the first heat exchanger, the pressure reducing device, and the second heat exchanger in that order; a high-temperature side heat medium circuit through which the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the first heat exchange unit circulates, and a low-temperature side heat medium circuit through which the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchange unit circulates, and a temperature control device that controls the temperatures of a plurality of temperature control targets via the heat medium, the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit each include a plurality of heat exchange elements; The heat medium circuit has a switching unit that can switch between a series mode in which the heat medium passes through selected heat exchange elements from the plurality of heat exchange elements in succession to exchange heat with the temperature control target, and a parallel mode in which the heat medium passes through the heat exchange elements individually to exchange heat with the temperature control target, The switching unit is The series mode and the parallel mode are switched depending on the heat load status of the temperature control target, A heat pump type temperature control device characterized by executing the serial mode by determining whether or not there is a cooling request for the temperature control targets based on the thermal load status of the multiple temperature control targets, and flowing the heat medium that leaves the heat exchange element corresponding to the temperature control target that does not require cooling to the heat exchange element corresponding to the temperature control target that does require cooling.

3. 3. The heat pump type temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the series mode is switched to when the target temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat with the temperature control target in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit is higher than the temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat in one of the heat exchange elements in the first heat exchange section.

4. 3. The heat pump type temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the series mode is switched to when the target temperature of the heat medium exchanging heat with the temperature control target in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit is lower than the temperature of the heat medium exchanged in one of the heat exchange elements in the second heat exchange section.

5. 5. The heat pump type temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit, in the series mode, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element downstream in the circulation direction of the refrigerant passes through the heat exchange element upstream in the circulation direction of the refrigerant.

6. 6. The heat pump type temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein in the low-temperature side heat medium circuit, in the series mode, the heat medium passing through the heat exchange element on the upstream side in the circulation direction of the refrigerant passes through the heat exchange element on the downstream side in the circulation direction of the refrigerant.

7. A heat pump type temperature control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the first heat exchange section, the heat exchange amount of each of the multiple heat exchange elements is larger the more upstream the heat exchange element is in the circulation direction of the refrigerant.

8. A heat pump type temperature control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the second heat exchange section, the heat exchange amount of each of the multiple heat exchange elements is larger the more downstream the heat exchange element is in the circulation direction of the refrigerant.

9. A heat pump type temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one of the temperature control targets is a vehicle drive battery, and a heat exchange unit for controlling the temperature of the vehicle drive battery is connected to the heat exchange element on the most downstream side in the circulation direction of the refrigerant in the high-temperature side heat medium circuit.

10. A heat pump type temperature control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one or both of the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section are composed of a heat exchange module that houses the multiple heat exchange elements in a single case.

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