Tanks used in temperature control systems, and temperature control systems

Abstract

To provide a tank which is used in a temperature control system and achieves space saving and improvement of maintainability.SOLUTION: A tank is used in a temperature control system, accommodates a refrigerant used for temperature control, and includes: a container body having an opening and configured to accommodate the refrigerant; a lid portion covering the opening, the lid portion including a pump housing portion recessed toward an inner side of the container body and including a through hole communicating with an inside of the container body, and at least one inflow port into which the refrigerant flows from a refrigerant circuit included in the temperature control system; and a pump housed in the pump housing portion and configured to draw the refrigerant accommodated in the container body through the through hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tank used in a temperature regulation system, and to the temperature regulation system. [Background technology]

[0002] A known technology for cooling a battery and an inverter in a vehicle is to supply a refrigerant (cooling medium) cooled by a radiator to the inverter and the battery to exchange heat. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a temperature adjustment system that includes a tank for storing the refrigerant and two circulation paths for circulating the refrigerant to the inverter and the battery, respectively, and uses a pump to supply the refrigerant from the tank to either of the two circulation paths. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-58241 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not describe the detailed structures of the pump and tank, and there is room for improvement in terms of saving space for the pump and tank and improving maintainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tank for use in a temperature adjustment system and for containing a refrigerant for temperature adjustment, the tank including: a container body having an opening and containing the refrigerant; a lid covering the opening, the lid including a pump housing recessed toward the inside of the container body and having a through hole communicating with the interior of the container body, and at least one inlet port through which the refrigerant flows from a refrigerant circuit of the temperature adjustment system; and a pump housed in the pump housing and configured to draw up the refrigerant contained in the container body via the through hole. In this tank, the pump is accommodated in the pump accommodation portion provided in the lid, which reduces the space required for installation of the tank and pump compared to a configuration in which the pump is located outside the tank. Also, the pump accommodation portion has a through-hole, which makes it easy to supply refrigerant to the container body by removing the pump. (2) In the tank of the above embodiment, the pump accommodating portion may have a threaded portion that threads into a thread formed on the outer surface of the pump, and the pump may engage with the pump accommodating portion by the threaded portion threading into the threaded portion. With this type of tank, the threads formed on the outer surface of the pump mesh with the threads on the pump housing, allowing the pump to be more securely engaged with the tank compared to a configuration in which no threads or threads are provided. (3) In the tank of the above embodiment, the tank may further include a refrigerant heating device attached to the lid portion, which heats the refrigerant sucked up by the pump and sends the refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit. In this tank, the refrigerant heating device is attached to the lid, which reduces the loss of thermal energy from the refrigerant passing through the piping compared to a configuration in which the refrigerant heating device is connected to the outside of the tank via piping. Also, the space required for installing the cooling / heating device can be reduced. (4) In the tank of the above embodiment, the lid portion may further have a first tank flow path on the surface facing the container body portion, and the first tank flow path may connect the pump and the refrigerant heating device, and supply the refrigerant sucked up by the pump to the refrigerant heating device. In this configuration of tank, the first tank flow path connecting the pump and the refrigerant heating device is provided in the lid portion, so that the loss of thermal energy of the refrigerant due to passing through the piping can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the flow path connecting the pump and the refrigerant heating device is located outside the tank. (5) In the tank of the above embodiment, the refrigerant circuit has a first flow path connecting the refrigerant heating device and a heated device that is heated by the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device, a first refrigerant cooling device that cools the refrigerant and supplies the refrigerant to the cooled device, and a second flow path connecting the tank, and the lid portion further has a second tank flow path on the surface facing the container body portion, and the second tank flow path connects the first tank flow path and the second flow path and supplies the refrigerant sucked up by the pump to the second flow path, and the tank may have a first valve attached to the lid portion for circulating the refrigerant sucked up from the pump and supplied to the first tank flow path to at least one of the refrigerant heating device and the second tank flow path. In this tank, the first valve allows the refrigerant to flow through at least one of the refrigerant heating device and the second tank flow path, so that the refrigerant can be supplied to both the refrigerant heating device and the first refrigerant cooling device. In addition, because the first valve is attached to the lid, the space required for installing the first valve can be made smaller than in a configuration in which the first valve is provided outside the tank. (6) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a temperature adjustment system including the tank of the above embodiment, wherein the refrigerant circuit includes a third flow path connecting the device to be heated and the inflow port, a fourth flow path connecting the first refrigerant cooling device and the device to be cooled, a fifth flow path connecting the device to be cooled and the inflow port, a sixth flow path connecting a second refrigerant cooling device that cools the refrigerant and supplies the refrigerant to the device to be temperature controlled and the tank, a seventh flow path connecting the second refrigerant cooling device and the device to be temperature controlled, an eighth flow path connecting the device to be temperature controlled and the inflow port, and a bypass flow path connecting the first flow path and the seventh flow path or the device to be temperature controlled. and a second valve provided at a connection point between the first flow path and the bypass flow path, for circulating the refrigerant supplied to the first flow path to at least one of the heated device and the bypass flow path, the lid portion further having a third tank flow path on the surface facing the container body portion, the third tank flow path connecting the first tank flow path and the sixth flow path and supplying the refrigerant pumped up by the pump to the sixth flow path, and the first valve circulating the refrigerant pumped up from the pump and supplied to the first tank flow path to at least one of the refrigerant heating device, the second tank flow path and the third tank flow path. In this temperature adjustment system, the bypass flow path is connected to the seventh flow path or the temperature-controlled device, and the second valve supplies refrigerant to at least one of the heated device and the bypass flow path, so that refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device can be supplied to the temperature-controlled device and the heated device. Also, the first valve circulates refrigerant through at least one of the refrigerant heating device, the second tank flow path, and the third tank flow path, so that refrigerant can be supplied to the refrigerant heating device, the first refrigerant cooling device, and the second refrigerant cooling device. (7) In the temperature adjustment system of the above embodiment, the temperature adjustment system is mounted on a vehicle and used, the heated device is used as part of an air conditioning device for the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the temperature adjustment system further includes a control device, which may have an air conditioning operation state information acquisition unit that acquires air conditioning operation state information indicating the operating state of the air conditioning device, a vehicle state information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle state information indicating the state of the vehicle, an outside temperature acquisition unit that acquires the outside temperature of the vehicle, and a valve control unit that controls at least one of the first valve and the second valve depending on the state indicated by at least one of the acquired air conditioning operation state information, the acquired vehicle state information, and the acquired outside temperature. According to this type of temperature adjustment system, the valve control unit controls at least one of the first valve and the second valve according to the state indicated by at least one of the air conditioning operation state information, the vehicle state information, and the outside air temperature, so that the temperature of each of the heated device, the cooled device, and the temperature-adjusted device can be appropriately adjusted according to at least one of the air conditioning operation state, the vehicle state, and the outside air temperature. The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than a temperature adjustment system and a tank, such as a method for controlling the opening and closing of a valve in a temperature adjustment system, a computer program for implementing such a control method, a storage medium storing such a computer program, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a temperature adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tank according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a flow path forming plate. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first valve. [Figure 6]6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3, showing a state in which an actuator and a first valve are attached. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3 with the pump attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a temperature adjustment system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment: A1. Temperature Control System 300 Configuration: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a temperature adjustment system 300 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The white arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the direction of refrigerant flow. The temperature adjustment system 300 is used to adjust the temperature of a device to be temperature-adjusted by heat exchange between the cooled or heated refrigerant and the device. The temperature adjustment system 300 is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle (Battery Electric Vehicle, BEV). The temperature adjustment system 300 of this embodiment adjusts the temperatures of a heated device 60, a cooled device 81, and a temperature-adjusted device 82 using a temperature-adjustment refrigerant contained in a single tank 100.

[0009] The temperature adjustment system 300 includes a tank 100, a pump 20, a refrigerant heating device 30, a heated device 60, a first refrigerant cooling device 71, a second refrigerant cooling device 72, a cooled device 81, a temperature-adjusted device 82, and a refrigerant circuit 200.

[0010] The tank 100 is a container that stores a refrigerant. A detailed configuration of the tank 100 will be described later. The pump 20 is attached to the lid 11 of the tank 100 and supplies the refrigerant stored in the tank 100 to a first tank flow path 91. A detailed configuration of the pump 20 will be described later. The first tank flow path 91 is a flow path provided in the lid 11 of the tank 100 and circulates the refrigerant to the refrigerant heating device 30. The first tank flow path 91 is connected to a second tank flow path 92 and a third tank flow path 93, which will be described later. The refrigerant supplied to the first tank flow path 91 is circulated to at least one of the refrigerant heating device 30, the second tank flow path 92, and the third tank flow path 93 by a first valve 41. A detailed configuration of the first valve 41 will be described later.

[0011] The refrigerant heating device 30 is attached to the lid 11 of the tank 100, similar to the pump 20, and heats and delivers the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the refrigerant heating device 30 is a coolant heater. Note that the refrigerant heating device 30 is not limited to a coolant heater and may be any device capable of heating a refrigerant. The heated device 60 is heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device 30. In this embodiment, the heated device 60 is a heater core used as part of an air conditioning system for a vehicle passenger compartment. Note that the heated device 60 is not limited to a heater core and may be any device that can be heated by the heated refrigerant. The first refrigerant cooling device 71 cools the refrigerant and supplies it to the cooled device 81. The second refrigerant cooling device 72 cools the refrigerant and supplies it to the temperature-controlled device 82. In this embodiment, the first refrigerant cooling device 71 and the second refrigerant cooling device 72 are radiators. The first refrigerant cooling device 71 and the second refrigerant cooling device 72 are not limited to radiators and may be any device capable of cooling a refrigerant. The cooled device 81 is cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant cooled by the first refrigerant cooling device 71. In this embodiment, the cooled device 81 is a motor and an inverter. The cooled device 81 is not limited to a motor and an inverter and may be any device that can be cooled by a cooled refrigerant. The temperature-controlled device 82 is heated by exchanging heat with the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device 30 and cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant cooled by the second refrigerant cooling device 72. In this embodiment, the temperature-controlled device 82 is a battery and a converter. The temperature-controlled device 82 is not limited to a battery and a converter and may be any device that can be cooled by a cooled refrigerant and heated by a heated refrigerant.

[0012] The refrigerant circuit 200 is a flow path that circulates refrigerant between the tank 100, the refrigerant heating device 30, the heated device 60, the first refrigerant cooling device 71, the second refrigerant cooling device 72, the cooled device 81, and the temperature-controlled device 82.

[0013] The refrigerant circuit 200 includes a first flow path 51, a second flow path 52, a third flow path 53, a fourth flow path 54, a fifth flow path 55, a sixth flow path 56, a seventh flow path 57, an eighth flow path 58, a bypass flow path 94, and a second valve 42. Each of the first to eighth flow paths 51 to 58 and the bypass flow path 94 is made of a member through which a refrigerant can flow. Such a member is, for example, a rubber hose pipe, a nylon tube, or the like.

[0014] The first flow path 51 connects the refrigerant heating device 30 and the device to be heated 60. The third flow path 53 connects the device to be heated 60 and an inlet port 21 provided in the tank 100. The inlet port 21 is provided in the lid portion 11 of the tank 100 and is configured to be connectable to each flow path. The second flow path 52 connects the second tank flow path 92 and the first refrigerant cooling device 71. The second tank flow path 92 is a flow path provided in the lid portion 11 of the tank 100 and connects the first tank flow path 91 and the second flow path 52. The fourth flow path 54 connects the first refrigerant cooling device 71 and the device to be cooled 81. The fifth flow path 55 connects the device to be cooled 81 and the inlet port 21. The sixth flow path 56 connects the third tank flow path 93 and the second refrigerant cooling device 72. The third tank flow path 93 is a flow path provided in the lid portion 11 of the tank 100, and connects the first tank flow path 91 and the sixth flow path 56. The seventh flow path 57 connects the second refrigerant cooling device 72 and the temperature-controlled device 82. The eighth flow path 58 connects the temperature-controlled device 82 and the inlet port 21.

[0015] The bypass flow path 94 connects the first flow path 51 and the seventh flow path 57. A second valve 42 is provided at a connection point P between the bypass flow path 94 and the first flow path 51. The second valve 42 The refrigerant supplied to the first flow path 51 is circulated through at least one of the bypass flow path 94 and the heated device 60. That is, the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device 30 exchanges heat with at least one of the heated device 60 and the temperature-adjusted device 82.

[0016] A2. Tank 100 consists of: Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a tank 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes are shown in Fig. 2. Hereinafter, the +Z direction will also be referred to as "up" and the -Z direction will also be referred to as "down." The X, Y, and Z axes in Fig. 2 correspond to the X, Y, and Z axes in other drawings.

[0017] The tank 100 is a container that contains a refrigerant and is used in the temperature adjustment system 300. The tank 100 includes a container body 10 and a lid 11.

[0018] The container body 10 is configured to be able to store a refrigerant. The container body 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening at the top. The container body 10 is made of, for example, polypropylene (PP) or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFPP).

[0019] The lid 11 covers the opening of the container body 10. The lid 11 has a generally flat plate shape. Like the container body 10, the lid 11 is made of PP, GFRP, or the like. The lid 11 includes a pump housing 12 that houses the pump 20, a refrigerant heating device mounting portion 29 that mounts the refrigerant heating device 30, an actuator mounting portion 31 that mounts the actuator 40, and an inlet port 21 that is configured to connect to each flow path of the refrigerant circuit 200. The pump housing 12 has an opening at the top and is a recess facing inward of the container body 10. A threaded portion 35 is provided at the top of the side wall surface 15 of the pump housing 12. The threaded portion 35 is configured to be able to threadably engage with a screw 89 provided on the pump 20, which will be described later. The inlet port 21 is a generally cylindrical member that opens in the vertical direction. At least one inlet port 21 is provided. The refrigerant can flow inside and outside the tank 100 via the inlet port 21.

[0020] 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of the lid part 11. The back side of the lid part 11 refers to the side of the container body part 10 when the lid part 11 covers the container body part 10. The lid part 11 further includes a first tank flow path forming part 17, a second tank flow path forming part 18, a third tank flow path forming part 19, and a first valve accommodating part 27.

[0021] The bottom surface 13 of the pump housing 12 has a first through hole 14 that communicates with the inside of the container body 10. The refrigerant contained in the container body 10 is sucked up into the pump 20 through the first through hole 14. A second through hole 16 is provided in a side wall surface 15 of the pump housing 12. The second through hole 16 is connected to a first tank flow path 91, and the refrigerant sucked up by the pump 20 is supplied to the first tank flow path 91 through the second through hole 16. The first through hole 14 may be provided in the side wall surface 15 instead of or in addition to the bottom surface 13.

[0022] The first tank flow path forming portion 17, the second tank flow path forming portion 18, and the third tank flow path forming portion 19 are grooves formed on the back surface of the lid portion 11. One end of the first tank flow path forming portion 17 is connected to the first outlet port 24. One end of the second tank flow path forming portion 18 is connected to the second outlet port 25. One end of the third tank flow path forming portion 19 is connected to the third outlet port 26. The first outlet port 24 is an opening configured to be connectable to a refrigerant inlet (not shown) of the refrigerant warming device 30. The second outlet port 25 is a substantially cylindrical member having an opening in the vertical direction and connected to the second flow path 52. The third outlet port 26 is a substantially cylindrical member having an opening in the vertical direction and connected to the sixth flow path 56.

[0023] The first valve accommodating portion 27 accommodates the first valve 41. The first valve accommodating portion 27 is provided on the back side of the actuator mounting portion 31 in the lid portion 11. The first valve accommodating portion 27 has a cylindrical shape with an opening facing the container body portion 10. The first valve accommodating portion 27 has a third through-hole 28 into which the shaft portion 7 of the first valve 41 is inserted.

[0024] 4 is a plan view showing the flow path forming plate 22. In a plan view, the flow path forming plate 22 is a flat member having a shape imitating the first tank flow path forming portion 17, the second tank flow path forming portion 18, the third tank flow path forming portion 19, and the first valve accommodating portion 27. The flow path forming plate 22 covers the first tank flow path forming portion 17, the second tank flow path forming portion 18, the third tank flow path forming portion 19, and the first valve accommodating portion 27 from below and is fixed thereto by thermal welding or the like, thereby forming a first tank flow path 91, a second tank flow path 92, and a third tank flow path 93. That is, the first tank flow path 91 is an area defined by the first tank flow path forming portion 17 and the flow path forming plate 22, the second tank flow path 92 is an area defined by the second tank flow path forming portion 18, a part of the first valve accommodating portion 27, and the flow path forming plate 22, and the third tank flow path 93 is an area defined by the third tank flow path forming portion 19, a part of the first valve accommodating portion 27, and the flow path forming plate 22.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the first valve 41. The first valve 41 includes a valve body 8 and a shaft 7. The valve body 8 is a hollow cylindrical member that opens downward. Three valve through-holes 43 are provided on the side of the valve body 8. The shaft 7 is a cylindrical member that shares the same central axis C as the valve body 8. The diameter of the shaft 7 is smaller than the diameter of the valve body 8.

[0026] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3 with the actuator 40 and the first valve 41 attached. The actuator 40 is a device that rotates the shaft portion 7 of the first valve 41 around the central axis C. By aligning the positions of the valve through-holes 43 with the positions of the first to third tank flow paths 91 to 93 through this rotation, the refrigerant in the first tank flow path 91 can be diverted to the second tank flow path 92 and the third tank flow path 93, and the flow rate of the diverted refrigerant can be adjusted according to the amount of rotation.

[0027] 7 is a perspective view showing the pump 20. The pump 20 draws up the refrigerant contained in the container body 10 through an intake port 90 provided at the bottom, and supplies the refrigerant to a first tank flow path 91. The pump 20 is housed in a pump housing 12 formed in the lid 11. In this embodiment, the pump 20 is a centrifugal water pump. The pump 20 has a handle 83, a connector 84, a housing 85, an upper flange 86, a lower flange 87, and a discharge port 88.

[0028] The handle 83 is a roughly cylindrical member configured to be grippable. The connector 84 is attached to the handle 83, and is connected to a wiring member for supplying power to the pump 20. The housing 85 is a roughly cylindrical member that houses the motor 75 and the impeller 76 therein. The discharge port 88 is an opening through which the refrigerant sucked up by the pump 20 is discharged to the outside of the pump 20. The discharge port 88 is provided on the side surface of the housing 85.

[0029] The upper flange 86 is a generally disc-shaped member provided on the upper part of the housing 85. The lower flange 87 is a generally disc-shaped member provided on the lower part of the housing 85. The diameters of the upper flange 86 and the lower flange 87 are larger than the diameter of the housing 85. The upper flange 86 and the lower flange 87 have generally the same central axis. The central axes of the upper flange 86 and the lower flange 87 are offset from the central axis of the housing 85. A thread 89 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper flange 86 to thread with the threaded portion 35 of the pump housing 12. Therefore, by fitting the pump 20 into the pump housing 12 and rotating it by holding the handle 83, the pump 20 and the lid 11 become integrated. At this time, the lower flange 87 contacts the bottom surface 13 of the pump housing portion 12 , and the upper flange 86 seals the opening of the pump housing portion 12 .

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3 with pump 20 attached. Arrows in FIG. 8 indicate the flow of refrigerant drawn up by pump 20. Motor 75 is shown in a simplified form in FIG. 8. When power is supplied to pump 20 via connector 84, motor 75 operates to rotate impeller 76, and refrigerant is drawn into pump 20 through suction port 90 of pump 20. The drawn-up refrigerant is discharged to the outside of pump 20 through discharge port 88. The discharged refrigerant passes through an area defined by the side surface of housing 85, upper flange 86, lower flange 87, and side wall surface 15 of pump accommodating portion 12, and is supplied to first tank flow path 91 through second through-hole 16.

[0031] According to the temperature adjustment system 300 of the first embodiment described above, a single pump 20 is used to pump up the refrigerant contained in a single tank 100 to adjust the temperatures of three devices: the heated device 60, the cooled device 81, and the temperature-adjusted device 82. This allows for space-saving of the temperature adjustment system 300 compared to a configuration requiring one pump and one tank for each device to be temperature-adjusted. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the temperature adjustment system 300 can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the tank 100 of the first embodiment described above, the pump 20 is attached to the lid portion 11 of the tank 100, so the space required to install the tank 100 and the pump 20 can be made smaller compared to a configuration in which the pump is provided outside the tank.

[0033] Furthermore, since the pump 20 is threadedly engaged with the pump housing portion 12, maintenance can be easily performed by rotating the handle 83 and removing the pump 20.

[0034] Furthermore, since the first through-hole 14 is provided in the bottom surface 13 of the pump housing portion 12, the refrigerant can be replenished through the first through-hole 14 by removing the pump 20. That is, the pump 20 can serve as a cap for the lid portion 11. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a cap is provided separately from the pump 20, the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the temperature adjustment system 300.

[0035] Furthermore, since the screw 89 formed on the outer surface of the pump 20 threads into the screw portion 35 of the pump housing portion 12, the pump 20 can be more securely engaged with the tank 100 compared to a configuration in which the screw 89 and the screw portion 35 are not provided.

[0036] Furthermore, because the refrigerant heating device 30 is attached to the lid 11, the temperature change of the refrigerant is reduced and thermal efficiency is improved compared to a configuration in which the tank and the refrigerant heating device are connected by piping. Specifically, the loss of thermal energy of the refrigerant due to passing through the piping can be suppressed. Furthermore, the space required for installing the refrigerant heating device 30 can be reduced.

[0037] Furthermore, since the first valve 41 is attached to the lid portion 11, the space required to install the first valve 41 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the first valve 41 is located outside the tank 100.

[0038] Furthermore, since the axes of the upper flange 86 and the lower flange 87 of the pump 20 and the housing 85 are offset from each other, the pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing through the area defined by the upper flange 86, the lower flange 87 and the side wall surface 15 of the pump accommodating section 12 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which these axes are approximately the same.

[0039] In addition, the refrigerant discharged from the pump 20 flows through the area defined by the upper flange 86, the lower flange 87, and the side wall surface 15 of the pump accommodating section 12, so the loss of thermal energy of the refrigerant due to passing through the piping can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the refrigerant is supplied from the pump to the refrigerant heating device through piping.

[0040] B. Second embodiment: 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of a temperature adjustment system 301 of the second embodiment. The temperature adjustment system 301 of the second embodiment differs from the temperature adjustment system 301 of the first embodiment in that it further includes a control device 400. The other configurations of the temperature adjustment system 300 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the temperature adjustment system 300 of the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] The control device 400 controls the operation of each part of the temperature adjustment system 301. The control device 400 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU and a storage unit, which are connected to each other via an internal bus. The control device 400 functions as an air conditioning operation state information acquisition unit 401, a vehicle state information acquisition unit 402, an outside air temperature acquisition unit 403, and a valve control unit 404 by executing a control program pre-stored in the storage unit.

[0042] The air conditioning operation state information acquisition unit 401 acquires air conditioning operation state information. In this embodiment, the air conditioning operation state information is information that indicates the operation state of the air conditioner (air conditioning) device in the vehicle equipped with the temperature adjustment system 301. The operation state of the air conditioner is, for example, in cooling operation, in heating operation, or not operating. The air conditioning operation state information acquisition unit 401 transmits the acquired air conditioning operation state information to the valve control unit 404.

[0043] The vehicle state information acquisition unit 402 acquires vehicle state information. In this embodiment, the vehicle state information is information indicating the state of the vehicle in which the temperature adjustment system 301 is installed. The vehicle state may be, for example, stopped, starting, running at low to medium speed, running at high speed, or charging the battery. Running at low to medium speed means, for example, that the vehicle is running at a speed of less than 80 km / h. Running at high speed means, for example, that the vehicle is running at a speed of 80 km / h or more. The vehicle state information acquisition unit 402 transmits the acquired vehicle state information to the valve control unit 404.

[0044] The outside air temperature acquisition unit 403 acquires the outside air temperature. In this embodiment, the outside air temperature is the outside air temperature around the vehicle in which the temperature adjustment system 301 is installed. The outside air temperature acquisition unit 403 transmits the acquired outside air temperature to the valve control unit 404.

[0045] The valve control unit 404 controls at least one of the first valve 41 and the second valve 42 according to the state indicated by at least one of the air conditioning operation state information, the vehicle state information, and the outside air temperature.

[0046] For example, when the air conditioning operation information indicates that the vehicle is not in operation, the vehicle state information indicates that the vehicle is starting, and the outside air temperature is a normal temperature (e.g., 10°C to 30°C) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 to direct the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 to the refrigerant heating device 30, and controls the second valve 42 to direct the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 to the bypass flow path 94. Through this control, the refrigerant heated by the coolant heater, which is the refrigerant heating device 30, is supplied to the battery, which is the temperature-controlled device 82. In this way, the temperature of the battery is adjusted to a temperature appropriate for starting (e.g., 20°C to 30°C).

[0047] Furthermore, for example, when the air conditioning operation state information indicates that the vehicle is in heating operation, the vehicle state information indicates that the vehicle is starting, and the outside air temperature is relatively low (for example, 10°C or lower) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 to allow the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 to flow to the refrigerant heating device 30, and controls the second valve 42 to allow the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 to flow to the bypass flow path 94 and the heated device 60. Through this control, the refrigerant heated by the coolant heater, which is the refrigerant heating device 30, is supplied to the battery, which is the temperature-adjusted device 82, and the heater core, which is the heated device 60. In this way, the temperature of the battery is adjusted to a temperature appropriate for starting (for example, 20°C to 30°C), and the heater core is heated.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, when the air conditioning operation state information indicates that the vehicle is in heating operation, the vehicle state information indicates that the vehicle is in low-to-medium speed operation, and the outside air temperature is relatively low (for example, 10°C or lower) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 to allow the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 to flow to the refrigerant heating device 30, and controls the second valve 42 to allow the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 to flow to the heated device 60. Through this control, the refrigerant heated by the coolant heater, which is the refrigerant heating device 30, is supplied to the heater core, which is the heated device 60. In this way, the heater core is heated.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, when the air conditioning operation information indicates that the vehicle is in heating operation, the vehicle status information indicates that the vehicle is traveling at high speed, and the outside air temperature is relatively low (for example, 10°C or below) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the refrigerant heating device 30, the second tank flow path 92, and the third tank flow path 93, and controls the second valve 42 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 flows to the heated device 60. Through this control, the refrigerant is supplied to the radiators, which are the first refrigerant cooling device 71 and the second refrigerant cooling device 72, and the refrigerant cooled by the radiators is supplied to the inverter, which is the cooled device 81, and the battery, which is the temperature-adjusted device 82. Through this control, the refrigerant heated by the coolant heater, which is the refrigerant heating device 30, is supplied to the heater core, which is the heated device 60. In this way, the battery, which generates heat when power is supplied for air conditioning operation, and the inverter, which generates heat when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds, are cooled, and the heater core is heated.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, when the air conditioning operation information indicates that the vehicle is in cooling operation, the vehicle state information indicates that the vehicle is traveling at high speed, and the outside air temperature is relatively high (for example, 30°C or higher) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the second tank flow path 92 and the third tank flow path 93. Through this control, the refrigerant is supplied to the radiators which are the first refrigerant cooling device 71 and the second refrigerant cooling device 72, and the refrigerant cooled by the radiators is supplied to the inverter which is the cooled device 81 and the battery which is the temperature-controlled device 82. In this way, the battery which generates heat when supplied with power for air conditioning operation and the inverter which generates heat when traveling at high speed are cooled.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, when the air conditioning operation information indicates that the vehicle is not in operation, the vehicle state information indicates that the vehicle is traveling at high speed, and the outside air temperature is a normal temperature (for example, 10°C to 30°C) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the second tank flow path 92. Through this control, the refrigerant is supplied to the radiator, which is the first refrigerant cooling device 71, and the refrigerant cooled by the radiator is supplied to the inverter, which is the cooled device 81. In this way, the inverter, which generates heat when traveling at high speed, is cooled.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, when the air conditioning operation information indicates that the vehicle is not in operation, the vehicle state information indicates that charging is in progress, and the outside air temperature is a normal temperature (for example, 10°C to 30°C) is transmitted to the valve control unit 404, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows into the sixth flow path 56. Through this control, the refrigerant is supplied to the radiator, which is the second refrigerant cooling device 72, and the refrigerant cooled by the radiator is supplied to the battery, which is the temperature-controlled device 82. In this way, the battery, which generates heat due to charging, is cooled.

[0053] The above-described control of the first valve 41 and the second valve 42 by the valve control unit 404 is merely an example. That is, when the heated device 60 requires heating, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the refrigerant heating device 30, and controls the second valve 42 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 flows to the heated device 60. When the temperature-adjusted device 82 requires heating, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the refrigerant heating device 30, and controls the second valve 42 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 flows to the bypass flow path 94. When the cooled device 81 requires cooling, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the second tank flow path 92. When the temperature-controlled device 82 requires cooling, the valve control unit 404 controls the first valve 41 so that the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 flows to the third tank flow path 93. The valve control unit 404 may control both the first valve 41 and the second valve 42. The first valve 41 may cause the refrigerant flowing through the first tank flow path 91 to flow to two or more of the refrigerant heating device 30, the second tank flow path 92, and the third tank flow path 93. The second valve 42 may cause the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path 51 to flow to both the heated device 60 and the bypass flow path 94. Whether cooling or heating of the heated device 60, the cooled device 81, and the temperature-controlled device 82 is required may be determined by the valve control unit 404 according to at least one of the air conditioning operation state information, the driving state information, and the outside air temperature.

[0054] The temperature adjustment system 301 of the second embodiment described above provides the same effects as the temperature adjustment system 300 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the temperature adjustment system 301 of the second embodiment, the valve control unit 404 controls at least one of the first valve 41 and the second valve 42 according to at least one of the air conditioning operation state information, the driving state information, and the outside air temperature, and therefore it is possible to appropriately adjust the temperatures of the heated device 60, the cooled device 81, and the temperature-adjusted device 82 according to at least one of the air conditioning operation state, the vehicle state, and the outside air temperature.

[0055] C. Other Embodiments: (C1) In each embodiment, the temperature adjustment systems 300, 301 have been described as including a refrigerant heating device 30, a heated device 60, a first refrigerant cooling device 71, a cooled device 81, a second refrigerant cooling device 72, and a temperature-controlled device 82, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The temperature adjustment systems 300, 301 may have a configuration in which the first refrigerant cooling device 71, the cooled device 81, the second tank flow path 92, the second flow path 52, the fourth flow path 54, and the fifth flow path 55 are removed from the temperature adjustment systems 300, 301 of each embodiment. The temperature adjustment systems 300, 301 may also have a configuration in which the second refrigerant cooling device 72, the temperature-controlled device 82, the third tank flow path 93, the sixth flow path 56, the seventh flow path 57, and the eighth flow path 58 are removed from the temperature adjustment systems 300, 301 of each embodiment. Even with this configuration, the temperature of either the cooled device 81 or the temperature-adjusted device 82 and the heated device 60 can be adjusted using one tank 100 and one pump 20.

[0056] (C2) In each embodiment, the pump 20 and the pump housing 12 are threadedly engaged with each other, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The pump 20 and the pump housing 12 may be engaged with each other in any shape.

[0057] (C3) In each embodiment, the bypass flow path 94 is connected to the seventh flow path 57, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The bypass flow path 94 may be directly connected to the temperature-controlled device 82. Even with this configuration, the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device 30 can be supplied to the temperature-controlled device 82.

[0058] (C4) In each embodiment, the temperature adjustment systems 300 and 301 are described as being installed in an electric vehicle, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The temperature adjustment systems 300 and 301 may be installed in any mobile object or any fixedly installed device that includes equipment that requires heating and cooling.

[0059] (C5) In each embodiment, the first valve 41 and the second valve 42 may be valves of any configuration as long as they are capable of dividing the refrigerant flowing through the flow path.

[0060] (C6) In each embodiment, the refrigerant may be cooled by configuring second flow path 52, fourth flow path 54, sixth flow path 56, and seventh flow path 57 as piping made up of heat pipes or piping provided with heat sinks. In such a configuration, the piping made up of heat pipes or the piping provided with heat sinks corresponds to first refrigerant cooling device 71 or second refrigerant cooling device 72 of the present disclosure.

[0061] (C7) In each embodiment, the first to third tank flow paths 91 to 93 are provided on the back side of the lid portion 11, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The first to third tank flow paths 91 to 93 may be provided on the front side of the lid portion 11.

[0062] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 7...shaft portion, 8...valve main body portion, 10...container main body portion, 11...lid portion, 12...pump accommodating portion, 13...bottom surface, 14...first through hole, 15...side wall surface, 16...second through hole, 17...first tank flow path forming portion, 18...second tank flow path forming portion, 19...third tank flow path forming portion, 20...pump, 21...inlet port, 22...flow path forming plate, 24...first outlet port, 25...second outlet port, 26...third outlet port, 27...first valve accommodating portion, 28...third through hole, 29...refrigerant heating device mounting portion, 30...refrigerant heating device, 31...actuator mounting portion, 35...thread portion, 40...actuator, 41...first valve, 42...second valve, 43...valve through hole, 51...first flow path, 52...second flow path, 53...third flow path, 54...fourth flow path , 55...5th flow path, 56...6th flow path, 57...7th flow path, 58...8th flow path, 60...heated device, 71...first refrigerant cooling device, 72...second refrigerant cooling device, 75...motor, 76...impeller, 81...cooled device, 82...temperature-controlled device, 83...handle, 84...connector, 85...housing, 86...upper flange, 87...lower flange, 88...discharge port, 89...screw, 90...suction port, 91...first tank flow path, 92...second tank flow path, 93...third tank flow path, 94...bypass flow path, 100...tank, 200...refrigerant circuit, 300, 301...temperature adjustment system, 400...control device, 401...air conditioning operation status information acquisition unit, 402...vehicle status information acquisition unit, 403...outside temperature acquisition unit, 404...valve control unit, C...center axis, P...connection point

Claims

1. A tank used in a temperature control system, which stores a refrigerant for temperature control, a container body portion having an opening and containing the refrigerant; A lid portion that covers the opening, a pump accommodating portion recessed toward the inside of the container body portion and having a through hole communicating with the inside of the container body portion; at least one inlet port into which the refrigerant flows from a refrigerant circuit of the temperature adjustment system; a lid portion having a pump accommodated in the pump accommodating portion and configured to suck up the refrigerant accommodated in the container main body portion through the through hole; A tank equipped with:

2. 2. The tank according to claim 1, the pump housing portion has a threaded portion that is threadedly engaged with a thread formed on an outer surface of the pump, The pump is engaged with the pump housing portion by the screw threadedly engaging with the threaded portion.

3. The tank according to claim 1 or 2, The tank further includes a refrigerant heating device attached to the lid portion, which heats the refrigerant pumped up by the pump and sends the refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit.

4. 4. The tank according to claim 3, the lid portion further includes a first tank flow path on a surface facing the container body portion, The first tank flow path connects the pump and the refrigerant heating device and supplies the refrigerant pumped by the pump to the refrigerant heating device.

5. 5. The tank according to claim 4, The refrigerant circuit includes: a first flow path connecting the refrigerant heating device and a heated device that is heated by the refrigerant heated by the refrigerant heating device; a second flow path connecting the tank to a first refrigerant cooling device that cools the refrigerant and supplies the refrigerant to a cooled device; and The lid portion further includes a second tank flow path on a surface facing the container body portion, the second tank flow path connects the first tank flow path and the second flow path and supplies the refrigerant pumped by the pump to the second flow path; The tank has a first valve attached to the lid portion, which allows the refrigerant pumped up by the pump and supplied to the first tank flow path to flow to at least one of the refrigerant heating device and the second tank flow path. tank.

6. A temperature regulation system comprising the tank of claim 5, The refrigerant circuit includes: a third flow path connecting the heated device and the inlet port; a fourth flow path connecting the first refrigerant cooling device and the cooled device; a fifth flow path connecting the cooled device and the inlet port; a sixth flow path connecting the tank to a second refrigerant cooling device that cools the refrigerant and supplies the refrigerant to a temperature-controlled device; a seventh flow path connecting the second refrigerant cooling device and the temperature-controlled device; an eighth flow path connecting the temperature-controlled device and the inlet port; a bypass flow path connecting the first flow path to the seventh flow path or the temperature-controlled device; a second valve provided at a connection point between the first flow path and the bypass flow path, the second valve allowing the refrigerant supplied to the first flow path to flow through at least one of the heated device and the bypass flow path; and the lid portion further has a third tank flow path on a surface facing the container body portion, the third tank flow path connects the first tank flow path and the sixth flow path and supplies the refrigerant pumped by the pump to the sixth flow path; the first valve allows the refrigerant pumped up from the pump and supplied to the first tank flow path to flow through at least one of the refrigerant heating device, the second tank flow path, and the third tank flow path. Temperature regulation system.

7. 7. The temperature adjustment system according to claim 6, The temperature adjustment system is mounted on a vehicle, the heated device is used as part of an air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of the vehicle; The temperature adjustment system further includes a control device, The control device an air conditioning operation status information acquisition unit that acquires air conditioning operation status information indicating the operation status of the air conditioner; a vehicle state information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle state information indicating the state of the vehicle; an outside temperature acquisition unit that acquires an outside temperature of the vehicle; a valve control unit that controls at least one of the first valve and the second valve in accordance with a state indicated by at least one of the acquired air conditioning operation state information, the acquired vehicle state information, and the acquired outside air temperature; A temperature control system having:

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