Temperature control device, temperature control method, and temperature control program

Abstract

To provide a temperature adjustment device capable of obtaining a desired heat generation amount while maintaining an output of a rotary electric machine, a temperature adjustment method, and a temperature adjustment program.SOLUTION: A temperature adjustment device 10 comprises: a rotary electric machine 20 of a polyphase AC type having a five-phase stator winding 21; an inverter 30; a control device 50 that controls the inverter 30; and a coolant path 40. By adjusting a temperature of a cooling water flowing in the coolant path 40, a temperature of a power storage battery 12 thermally connected to the coolant path 40 is adjusted. The control device 50 comprises: a switch control part that executes a switching control of the inverter, and inputs a phase current into the stator winding 21 in each phase; and a temperature control part that inputs a temperature rising request and adjusts a temperature of the cooling water. The control device 50 stops an input of any one of phase currents in the case of determining a temperature rising of the cooling water, and inputs the remaining four-phase currents to drive the rotary electric machine 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature control device, a temperature control method, and a temperature control program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a temperature control device is known that intentionally increases the power loss in an inverter connected to a motor and uses the heat generated by the power loss to raise the temperature of a battery (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the temperature control device of Patent Document 1, in order to ensure the heat for raising the temperature of the battery, the gate voltage applied to the switching element to be turned on is lowered to increase the conduction loss of the switching element of the inverter.

[0005] However, if the gate voltage is lowered too much, although the calorific value increases, it becomes difficult to flow a desired phase current, and there is a problem that the motor torque decreases or a sufficient motor speed cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the gate voltage is not lowered, there may be a case where a sufficient calorific value cannot be obtained.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a temperature control device, a temperature control method, and a temperature control program that can obtain a desired calorific value while maintaining the output of a rotating electric machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A temperature control device that solves the above problems comprises a multiphase AC rotating electric machine having an armature winding, an inverter electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device for controlling the inverter, and a refrigerant passage thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage. The control device is A switch control unit that performs switching control of the inverter to input phase current to the armature windings of each phase, The system includes a temperature control unit that receives a temperature increase request and adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant, When the temperature control unit determines that the temperature of the refrigerant should be increased, the switch control unit stops the input of the phase current to one or more phases of the armature winding, and inputs the phase current to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding, thereby driving the rotating electric machine.

[0008] In the above configuration, stopping the phase current of any one phase increases power loss and heat generation. Furthermore, if the phase current of any one phase is stopped, the remaining phase current needs to be increased to maintain the output of the rotating electric machine. In this case, the desired heat generation can be achieved by increasing the heat output without the need for electric heaters or similar devices.

[0009] A temperature control method for solving the above problem is a temperature control method implemented by the control device of a temperature control device comprising: a multiphase AC rotating electric machine having an armature winding; an inverter electrically connected to the armature winding; a control device for controlling the inverter; and a refrigerant passage thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage. A switch control step is performed to control the switching of the inverter and input the phase current to the armature winding of each phase, The system includes a temperature control step of inputting a temperature increase request and adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant, In the switch control step, if it is determined in the temperature control step to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding is stopped, and the phase current is input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding to drive the rotating electric machine.

[0010] In the above configuration, if the phase current of any one phase is stopped, power loss increases and heat generation increases. Also, if the phase current of any one phase is stopped, the remaining phase current needs to be increased in order to maintain the output of the rotating electric machine. In this case, even without providing an electric heater or the like, the desired amount of heat can be obtained by increasing the amount of heat generated. A temperature control program for solving the above problem is a temperature control program implemented by the control device of a temperature control device comprising: a multiphase AC rotating electric machine having an armature winding; an inverter electrically connected to the armature winding; a control device for controlling the inverter; and a refrigerant passage thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage. A switch control step is performed to control the switching of the inverter and input the phase current to the armature winding of each phase, The system includes a temperature control step of inputting a temperature increase request and adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant, In the switch control step, if it is determined in the temperature control step to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding is stopped, and the phase current is input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding to drive the rotating electric machine. In the above configuration, if the phase current of any one phase is stopped, power loss increases and heat generation increases. Also, if the phase current of any one phase is stopped, the remaining phase current needs to be increased in order to maintain the output of the rotating electric machine. In this case, even without providing an electric heater or the like, the desired amount of heat can be obtained by increasing the amount of heat generated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of a temperature control device. [Figure 2] Diagram showing the configuration of a rotating electric machine and an inverter. [Figure 3] A block diagram illustrating the current feedback control process. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the switch control process. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating PWM control. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the temperature control process. [Figure 7] (a) is a diagram showing the current waveform of the phase current under normal conditions, and (b) is a diagram showing the current waveform of the phase current when the phase current is stopped. [Figure 8] A diagram showing a rotating magnetic field. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the timing for changing the current in each phase and stopping it. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the phase current and torque when the phase current of one phase is stopped. [Figure 11] A diagram showing the current waveform of the phase current in another example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes embodiments of the temperature control device, temperature control method, and temperature control program according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the temperature control device, temperature control method, and temperature control program according to the present invention are applied to a vehicle (for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle). In the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature control device 10 includes a rotating electrical machine 20, an inverter 30, a refrigerant passage 40 that is thermally connected to the inverter 30 and the rotating electrical machine 20, and a control device 50 that controls the inverter 30. The refrigerant passage 40 is also thermally connected to a storage battery 12 that is a DC power source. In the present embodiment, the storage battery 12 is a member to be temperature-controlled.

[0014] The storage battery 12 is, for example, a battery pack, and the terminal voltage of the storage battery 12 is, for example, several hundreds of volts. The storage battery 12 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating electrical machine 20 is a multi-phase AC synchronous motor having a five-phase armature winding, and includes a stator winding 21 as an armature winding of each phase connected in a star configuration. In the present embodiment, the phases are U, V, W, X, and Y. The stator windings 21 of each phase are arranged with a phase shift of 72° in electrical angle. The rotating electrical machine 20 of the present embodiment is a permanent magnet synchronous motor having a permanent magnet as a field pole in a rotor 22.

[0016] The rotating electrical machine 20 is an in-vehicle main machine, and the rotor 22 is capable of power transmission to a driving wheel of a vehicle not shown. Torque generated when the rotating electrical machine 20 functions as an electric motor is transmitted from the rotor 22 to the driving wheel. Thereby, the driving wheel is rotationally driven. Note that the rotating electrical machine 20 may be an in-wheel motor provided integrally with a wheel of the vehicle, or may be a so-called on-board motor provided in a vehicle body of the vehicle.

[0017] The inverter 30 includes five series-connected bodies of an upper arm switch Sp and a lower arm switch Sn. In the present embodiment, each switch Sp, Sn is a voltage-controlled semiconductor switching element, specifically an IGBT. Therefore, the high-potential side terminal of each switch Sp, Sn is a collector, and the low-potential side terminal is an emitter. Freewheel diodes Dp, Dn are connected in antiparallel to each switch Sp, Sn.

[0018] In each phase, the first end of the stator winding 21 is connected to the emitter of the upper arm switch Sp and the collector of the lower arm switch Sn. The second ends of the stator windings 21 for each phase are connected at the neutral point. In this embodiment, the number of turns of the stator windings 21 for each phase is set to be the same.

[0019] The collectors of the upper arm switches Sp of each phase are connected to the positive terminals of the battery 12 by the positive busbar Lp. The emitters of the lower arm switches Sn of each phase are connected to the negative terminals of the battery 12 by the negative busbar Ln. A smoothing capacitor 31 is provided between the positive busbar Lp and the negative busbar Ln. The smoothing capacitor 31 may be built into the inverter 30 or provided outside the inverter 30.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerant passage 40 is formed so that cooling water, which acts as a refrigerant, circulates through it, and the battery 12, the rotating electric machine 20, and the inverter 30 are thermally connected to it. In the refrigerant passage 40, the inverter 30, the rotating electric machine 20, and the battery 12 are arranged in series in this order. Note that the configuration of the refrigerant passage 40 and the arrangement order of its components can be changed as desired. For example, the battery 12 and the inverter 30 may be arranged in parallel, or they may be arranged in the order of inverter 30, battery 12, and rotating electric machine 20.

[0021] The refrigerant passage 40 also includes a pump 41 that generates the flow of cooling water and a heat exchanger 42. The pump 24 controls the flow of cooling water (water pressure, direction, etc.) so that the cooling water circulates through the refrigerant passage 40 between the storage battery 12, the rotating electric machine 20, and the inverter 30. The pump 41 is located upstream of the inverter 30. The pump 41 is controlled based on commands from an external device that controls the flow and temperature of the cooling water, but it may also be controlled based on commands from the control device 50.

[0022] The heat exchanger 42 is envisioned to be, for example, a chiller or radiator, and is used to cool the cooling water. As shown in Figure 1, a bypass path 43 is provided in parallel with the passage 42a where the heat exchanger 42 is located in the refrigerant passage 40. A three-way valve 44 is provided at the point where the passage 42a where the heat exchanger 42 is located and the bypass path 43 are connected, and the flow rate to the passage 42a and the flow rate to the bypass path 43 are adjustable. The heat exchanger 42 and the three-way valve 44 are controlled based on commands from an external device that controls the flow of cooling water, but they may also be controlled based on commands from the control device 50.

[0023] As mentioned above, the placement of the pump 41 and heat exchanger 42, and the configuration of the refrigerant passage 40, including passage 42a and bypass passage 43, can be arbitrarily changed. However, it is desirable that the refrigerant passage 40 be configured and the components arranged so that the cooling water that has passed through the inverter 30 and rotating electric machine 20 can pass through the storage battery 12 without passing through the heat exchanger 42.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the temperature control device 10 is equipped with a current sensor 32, a voltage sensor 33, a rotation angle sensor 34, and the like. The current sensor 32 detects the current flowing through the stator windings 21 of each phase. The voltage sensor 33 detects the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor 31 as the power supply voltage Vdc. The rotation angle sensor 34 is, for example, a resolver and detects the rotation angle of the rotor 22 (specifically, the electrical angle θ). The detected values ​​of each sensor 32 to 34 are input to the control device 50.

[0025] The control device 50 is mainly composed of a microcontroller 50a, which includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The functions provided by the microcontroller 50a can be provided by software recorded in a physical memory device and the computer that executes it, by software only, by hardware only, or by a combination thereof. For example, if the microcontroller 50a is provided by electronic circuits which are hardware, it can be provided by digital circuits including a large number of logic circuits, or by analog circuits. For example, the microcontroller 50a executes a program stored in a non-transitory tangible storage medium which serves as its own storage unit. When the program is executed, the method corresponding to the program is executed, and the function corresponding to the program is realized. The storage unit is, for example, non-volatile memory. The program stored in the storage unit can be updated, for example, via a network such as the Internet.

[0026] The control device 50 receives a torque command value (requested torque) from a higher-level control device (such as an ECU that performs driving control) not shown. The control device 50 controls the switching of each switch Sp and Sn that make up the inverter 30 in order to control the torque of the rotating electric machine 20 to the received torque command value. In each phase, the upper arm switch Sp and the lower arm switch Sn are turned on alternately with a dead time in between.

[0027] Next, an example of torque control of the rotating electric machine 20 performed by the control device 50 will be explained using Figure 3. In the example shown in Figure 3, current feedback control is performed to control the phase currents of each of the U, V, W, X, and Y phases as torque control. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the current feedback control process. Note that torque feedback control may be performed instead of current feedback control.

[0028] In Figure 3, the current command value setting unit 51 uses a torque-dq map to set the current command values ​​for the d axis and the q axis based on the torque command value (motorization torque command value or regenerative torque command value) for the rotating electric machine 20 and the electrical angular velocity ω obtained by differentiating the electrical angle θ with respect to time. The regenerative torque command value is, for example, the regenerative torque command value when the rotating electric machine 20 is used as a power source for a vehicle.

[0029] The dq conversion unit 52 converts the current detection values ​​(five phase currents) from the current sensors 32 provided for each phase into d-axis current and q-axis current, which are components of a two-dimensional orthogonal rotating coordinate system with the field direction as the d-axis.

[0030] The d-axis current feedback control unit 53 calculates the d-axis command voltage as an manipulated variable for feedback control of the d-axis current to the d-axis current command value. Similarly, the q-axis current feedback control unit 54 calculates the q-axis command voltage as an manipulated variable for feedback control of the q-axis current to the q-axis current command value. In each of these feedback control units 53 and 54, the command voltage is calculated using the PI feedback method based on the deviation of the d-axis current and q-axis current from the current command value.

[0031] The 5-phase conversion unit 55 converts the command voltages of the d-axis and q-axis into command voltages of the U-phase, V-phase, W-phase, X-phase, and Y-phase. The above-mentioned units 51 to 55 are feedback control units that perform feedback control of the fundamental wave current based on dq conversion theory, and the command voltages of the U-phase, V-phase, W-phase, X-phase, and Y-phase are the feedback control values. In this embodiment, the command voltages of the U-phase, V-phase, W-phase, X-phase, and Y-phase have sinusoidal waveforms with a phase difference of 72° in electrical angle. The above-mentioned units 51 to 55 are realized by the control device 50 executing a program.

[0032] The signal generation unit 56 performs switch control processing to generate drive signals GU for the upper and lower arm switches Sp and Sn of each phase by 5-phase modulation based on the command voltages of the U-phase, V-phase, W-phase, X-phase, and Y-phase and the power supply voltage Vdc. The switch control processing will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 4. In the following explanation, the U-phase may be used as an example, but the same applies to the other phases. The switch control processing is performed by the control device 50 (microcontroller 50a) as the signal generation unit 56. In other words, the control device 50 executes a predetermined program to realize the function of the signal generation unit 56.

[0033] The control device 50 calculates the normalized command voltage for each phase based on the command voltage and power supply voltage Vdc for each phase (step S101). Then, the control device 50 generates the normalized command voltage for each phase as a modulated signal S1 and performs PWM control based on the modulated signal S1 and the carrier signal Sig (step S102).

[0034] In other words, as shown in Figure 5, the control device 50 calculates the PWM signal for each phase based on a comparison of the magnitudes of the modulated signal S1 (= normalized command voltage) and the carrier signal Sig. Figure 5 shows an example in the U phase, that is, an example of the modulated signal S1 based on the normalized command voltage Vu of the U phase. The control device 50 generates the drive signals GU for the upper and lower arm switches Sp and Sn of each phase based on the PWM signals of each phase and the logic inverted signals of the PWM signals of each phase. In other words, the control device 50 generates the drive signal GUH for the upper arm switch Sp of each phase and the drive signal GUL for the lower arm switch Sn of each phase. Figure 5 shows the transition of the carrier signal Sig, etc., over a period of 180 degrees in electrical angle.

[0035] The control device 50 outputs the generated drive signals GU for each phase to the gates of the upper and lower arm switches Sp and Sn for each phase via drivers. In this way, PWM control is performed as switching control of the inverter 30, and the PWM voltage waveform (output waveform) is input to the stator winding 21. As a result, the phase voltage is input to the stator winding 21 of each phase, and the phase current flows.

[0036] Furthermore, the control period of the control device 50 is sufficiently shorter than the period of the carrier signal Sig. Also, the carrier signal Sig in this embodiment is a carrier wave, and is a triangular wave signal with equal rising and falling speeds.

[0037] Incidentally, the battery 12's charge and discharge performance deteriorates at low temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the battery 12 when starting the vehicle in winter. In this case, it is conceivable to use an electric heater to raise the temperature. However, installing an electric heater is costly, and it also complicates the structure and increases the vehicle's weight.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, the storage battery 12 is heated using the heat generated by the rotating electric machine 20 and the inverter 30. Since it is difficult to obtain sufficient heat with a normal drive method, the control method has been devised to increase the amount of heat generated. The temperature control process performed to heat the storage battery 12 will be described below with reference to Figure 6. By performing this temperature control process, the temperature control method is realized. Furthermore, the control device 50 that performs this temperature control process functions as both a switch control unit and a temperature control unit.

[0039] This temperature control process is performed by the control device 50 when the vehicle is started (when the ignition switch or start switch is turned on), etc. It may also be performed when the ambient temperature or battery temperature is below a certain threshold.

[0040] When the temperature control process is started, the control device 50 determines whether or not it is necessary to raise the temperature of the cooling water (step S201). For example, the control device 50 determines whether or not it is necessary to raise the temperature of the cooling water based on whether or not it has received a temperature increase request signal requesting that it raise the temperature of the cooling water. This temperature increase request signal is a signal input from an external device such as a BMU (Battery Management Unit) (not shown) or a battery monitoring device. Specifically, the external device detects the temperature of the storage battery 12, and if the battery temperature is below a threshold battery temperature, it outputs a temperature increase request signal to the control device 50.

[0041] The control device 50 may also detect the temperature of the storage battery 12 and determine whether the battery temperature is below a threshold to determine whether it is necessary to raise the temperature of the cooling water. Alternatively, the control device 50 may detect the temperature of the cooling water and determine whether the temperature is below a threshold to determine whether it is necessary to raise the temperature of the cooling water. Alternatively, the control device 50 may detect the temperature of the inverter 30 or the rotating electric machine 20 and determine whether the detected temperatures are below their respective thresholds to determine whether it is necessary to raise the temperature of the cooling water.

[0042] If the result of step S201 is negative, the control device 50 terminates the temperature control process. On the other hand, if the result of step S201 is positive, the control device 50 determines the phase of the stator winding 21 whose input of phase current will be intentionally stopped (step S202). The phase of the stator winding 21 whose input of phase current will be stopped is determined to be changed at predetermined change timings in a predetermined order. In step S202, the phase whose input will be stopped first is determined in a predetermined order. In this embodiment, it is determined that the phases will be changed in the order of U phase, V phase, W phase, X phase, and Y phase. In this case, the U phase is determined to be the stator winding 21 whose phase current will be stopped first.

[0043] Next, the control device 50 determines a normalized command voltage (voltage command value) to instruct the phase currents (and phase voltages) to be input to the remaining four phase stator windings 21 (step S203). In step S203, the control device 50 determines the phase of the phase currents input to each phase stator winding 21 that has been determined to receive phase currents, so as not to stop the input of phase currents and so as to make the rotating magnetic field formed by the remaining four phase stator windings 21 circular in shape.

[0044] Specifically, among the four stator windings 21 into which phase currents are to be input, the phase currents (and phase voltages) to be input to the remaining four stator windings 21 are determined such that the phase current (and phase voltage) to be input to the stator winding 21 of the phase that is one electrical angle ahead of the phase into which the input is to be stopped is retarded, and the phase current (and phase voltage) to be input to the stator winding 21 of the phase that is one electrical angle behind the phase into which the input is to be stopped is advanced.

[0045] For example, when the stator windings 21 are arranged in the order of U-phase, V-phase, W-phase, X-phase, and Y-phase, as shown in Figure 7(b), when the input to the W-phase is stopped, the phase of the phase currents to be input to the remaining stator windings 21 is determined such that the phase current of the V-phase is retarded by 36° and the phase current of the X-phase is advanced by 36°. Figure 7(a) shows the phases of each phase current when phase current is input to all phases, and Figure 7(b) shows the phases of the remaining phase currents when the input of phase current to the W-phase is stopped.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 8, if the input of phase current to any of the stator windings 21 is stopped, the rotating magnetic field decreases, and the torque (output) of the rotating electric machine 20 decreases. Therefore, in order to maintain the torque, the amplitude of the phase current input to the stator windings 21 that are not stopped is increased.

[0047] Then, the control device 50 determines the normalized command voltage (voltage command value) for each phase so as to input the phase current (and phase voltage) whose phase and amplitude have been determined as described above.

[0048] This normalized command voltage may be determined, for example, by map calculation or by computation. When determined by map calculation, a map is prepared for each parameter of the phase to be stopped, output torque, and rotational speed, and the normalized command voltage for each phase can be determined by referring to the map based on the phase to be stopped, output torque, and rotational speed.

[0049] Then, the control device 50 generates a modulation signal S1 based on the normalized command voltage of each identified phase, and performs PWM control based on the modulation signal S1 and the carrier signal Sig, in the same manner as in step S102 (step S204). As a result, PWM control as switching control of the inverter 30 is performed, and the PWM voltage waveform (output waveform) is input to the stator winding 21. Therefore, the phase voltage determined in step S203 is input to the four phase stator windings 21 that are not stopped, and phase current flows.

[0050] Subsequently, the control device 50 determines whether the heating has finished (step S205). In step S205, the determination is made, for example, based on whether the input of the heating request signal has stopped. For example, if the inverter 30 or the rotating electric machine 20 is at or above the desired temperature, step S205 may be determined to be positive. Alternatively, the temperature of the storage battery 12 may be detected, and if the battery temperature is at or above a predetermined battery temperature, step S205 may be determined to be positive. Alternatively, the temperature of the cooling water may be detected, and if it is at or above a predetermined cooling water temperature, step S205 may be determined to be positive. Alternatively, if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of heating, step S205 may be determined to be positive. Alternatively, if a stop signal instructing the cessation of heating is input from an external device, step S205 may be determined to be positive. Steps S201 and S205 realize the temperature control step.

[0051] If the result of step S205 is positive, the control device 50 terminates the temperature control process. After the temperature control process is completed, the normal switch control process (Figure 4) is executed.

[0052] On the other hand, if the result of step S205 is negative (i.e., the heating has not finished), the control device 50 determines whether a predetermined change timing has been reached (step S206). For example, in step S206, the control device 50 may determine that a predetermined change timing has been reached if a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the processing (PWM control) in step S204. Alternatively, for example, the control device 50 may determine that a predetermined change timing has been reached if the temperature of any of the stator windings 21 exceeds the threshold for the stator windings 21. Alternatively, for example, the control device 50 may determine that a predetermined change timing has been reached if the temperature of any of the switches Sp and Sn exceeds the threshold for each switch Sp and Sn. Furthermore, multiple determinations may be combined. The switch control steps are realized by steps S202, S203, S204, S206, and S207.

[0053] If the result of step S206 is negative, the control device 50 performs the process of step S205 again after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed. On the other hand, if the result of step S206 is positive, the control device 50 changes the phase of the stator winding 21 that stops the input of the phase current (step S207). That is, the phase to be stopped is changed so that there is no bias in the heat-generating stator winding 21 and switches Sp,Sn. In step S207, as shown in Figure 9, the phase to which the input is stopped first is changed according to a predetermined order. In this embodiment, it is decided that the phases will be changed in the order of U phase, V phase, W phase, X phase, and Y phase. For example, if the U phase was stopped, it will be changed to the V phase. After performing the process of step S207, the control device 50 performs the processes from step S203 onwards again.

[0054] In step S207, the order of the changes may be arbitrarily altered. Also, for example, if it is determined that the temperature of the stator winding 21 or switches Sp,Sn of a predetermined phase is above a threshold, and step S207 is affirmed, the input of phase current to that phase may be stopped.

[0055] According to the temperature control process described above, as shown in Figure 8, even if the input of the phase voltage to any one phase of the stator winding 21 is stopped, it is possible to make the rotating magnetic field formed by the remaining four phases of the stator winding 21 circular. Note that Figure 8 is a schematic representation, and in reality, some irregularities (torque ripple) will be formed. However, the torque ripple is within an acceptable range. Specifically, the torque ripple is set to stay within a range of 10% or less. In other words, if the average torque is 100 Nm, the torque is set to stay within the range of 95 Nm to 100 Nm.

[0056] Furthermore, in the temperature control process, the phase current of the phases that are not stopped is increased, so the rotating magnetic field formed at this time is of a similar magnitude to the rotating magnetic field (shown by the solid line) when phase current is input to the 5-phase stator winding 21.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, it can be seen that the torque of the rotating electric machine 20 can be controlled even if the input of phase current to one phase of the stator winding 21 is stopped. Note that by stopping the input of phase current to one phase of the stator winding 21, the phase current of the other phases is increased, so it is expected that an equivalent torque output and equivalent rotational speed can be obtained. However, the torque ripple will increase.

[0058] By adopting the temperature control device, temperature control method, and temperature control program of the above embodiment, the following excellent effects can be achieved.

[0059] (1) When the control device 50 determines that it will raise the temperature of the cooling water, it stops the input of phase current to one of the stator windings 21 and inputs phase current to the remaining four stator windings 21 to drive the rotating electric machine 20. This increases power loss and increases the amount of heat generated. At this time, in order to achieve the same output (torque and rotational speed) as when the windings are not stopped, it is necessary to increase the phase current input to the remaining four stator windings 21. Therefore, the amount of heat generated can be increased.

[0060] Furthermore, when the control device 50 stops the input of phase current to any one phase of the stator winding 21, it changes the phase of the phase current input to the remaining four phases of the stator winding 21. This allows the output of the rotating electric machine 20 to be maintained while suppressing torque ripple by the remaining phase currents, even if the phase current of any one phase is stopped.

[0061] (2) A voltage command value is set that specifies the phase of the phase current input to each phase stator winding 21 that does not interrupt the input of phase current, so that the rotating magnetic field formed by the stator winding 21 that does not interrupt the input of phase current is circular. As a result, the output of the rotating electric machine 20 can be maintained with the remaining phase current while suppressing torque ripple.

[0062] (3) The voltage command value is determined by referring to a map based on the phase to be stopped, the required torque, and the rotational speed. This reduces the processing load required for how to adjust the phase when the phase current of one phase is stopped.

[0063] (4) When the control device 50 stops the input of any one phase current, it retards the phase of the phase current of the phase that is one electrical angle ahead of the phase that is stopped, and advances the phase of the phase current of the phase that is one electrical angle after the phase that is stopped, among the stator windings 21 whose input is not stopped. This makes it possible to make the rotating magnetic field closer to a circular shape by simply changing the control content.

[0064] (5) The control device 50 changes the phase to which the input of the phase current is stopped at a predetermined timing. This makes it possible to heat the stator windings 21 and switches Sp and Sn of each phase almost evenly.

[0065] (Other embodiments) The following describes some modified versions of the temperature control device 10 in the above embodiment.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the phase of the phase current of the phase immediately preceding the phase in which the phase current input is stopped is retarded, while the phase of the phase current of the phase immediately following is advanced. As an alternative, the phases of the phase currents of the phases immediately preceding and two phases preceding the phase in which the phase current input is stopped may be retarded, while the phases of the phase currents of the phases immediately following and two phases following the phase in which the phase current input is stopped may be advanced, so that the phases of the phase currents input to the remaining four phases of the stator winding 21 are equally spaced. In this case, the angle by which the phase is advanced or retarded may be changed for each phase.

[0067] In other words, as long as the rotating magnetic field formed by the remaining stator winding 21 approaches a circular shape, the way in which the phase is advanced or retarded can be arbitrarily changed.

[0068] In the above embodiment, a rotating electric machine 20 having 5 phase stator windings 21 was used, but it is not necessary to limit it to 5 phases, and a rotating electric machine 20 having 5 or more integer phase stator windings 21 may be used. In other words, a rotating electric machine 20 having n phases (where n is an integer of 5 or more) stator windings 21 may be used. In this case, as mentioned above, the phase of the phase current of the phase immediately preceding the phase in which the input of the phase current is to be stopped should be retarded, and the phase of the phase current of the phase immediately following should be advanced. For example, when there are 7 phase stator windings 21 in the order of U phase, V phase, W phase, X phase, Y phase, Z phase, and A phase in terms of electrical angle, to stop the input of the X phase current, as shown in Figure 11, the phase current should be input so that the W phase is retarded by 14.5° and the Y phase is advanced by 14.5°.

[0069] Furthermore, as described above, in order to ensure that the phases of the phase currents input to the remaining 6 phases of the stator winding 21 are equally spaced, the phase of the phase current of the phase 1 to 3 phases prior to the phase in which the input of the phase current is stopped may be retarded, while the phase of the phase current of the phase 1 to 3 phases after it may be advanced.

[0070] In each of the above embodiments, if the rotating electric machine 20 can be driven by inputting three or more phase currents, the input of two or more phase currents may be stopped. In that case, the phases of each phase current should be controlled so that the rotating magnetic field formed by the stator windings 21 to which the phase currents are input becomes circular. For example, the phases should be controlled so that the phases of the phase currents that are not stopped are equally spaced.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the control device 50 has the functions of a switch control unit and a temperature control unit, but the functions of a switch control unit and a temperature control unit may be realized separately by multiple control devices.

[0072] The control unit and its method described herein may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and its method described herein may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor by one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and its method described herein may be implemented by one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by the computer on a computer-readable non-transitional tangible recording medium.

[0073] The following describes the characteristic configurations extracted from each of the embodiments described above. [Configuration 1] A temperature control device (10) comprising a multiphase AC rotating electric machine (20) having an armature winding (21), an inverter (30) electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device (50) for controlling the inverter, and a refrigerant passage (40) thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member (12) thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, The control device is A switch control unit that performs switching control of the inverter to input phase current to the armature windings of each phase, The system includes a temperature control unit that receives a temperature increase request and adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant, The switch control unit is a temperature control device that, when the temperature control unit determines to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, stops the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding, and allows the phase current to be input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding, thereby driving the rotating electric machine. [Configuration 2] The temperature control device according to Configuration 1, wherein the switch control unit increases the remaining phase current and changes the phase of the phase current when it stops the input of the phase current of any one or more phases. [Configuration 3] A temperature control device according to configuration 1 or 2, in which a voltage command value is set that specifies the phase of the phase current input to each phase of the armature winding, which does not stop the input of the phase current, so that the rotating magnetic field formed by the armature winding, which does not stop the input of the phase current, is circular in shape. [Structure 4] The temperature control device according to configuration 3, wherein the voltage command value is determined by referring to a map based on the phase to be stopped, the required torque, and the rotational speed. [Composition 5] The temperature control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein when the switch control unit stops the input of the phase current of any one or more phases, it retards the phase of the phase current of the phase that is one electrical angle before the phase to be stopped and advances the phase of the phase current of the phase that is one electrical angle after the phase to be stopped among the armature windings that do not stop the input of the phase current. [Composition 6] The temperature control device according to one of the configurations 1 to 5, wherein the switch control unit changes the phase from which the input of the phase current is stopped at a predetermined change timing when stopping the input of the phase current of any one or more phases. [Composition 7] A temperature control method performed by the control device of a temperature control device (10), comprising a multiphase AC rotating electric machine (20) having an armature winding (21), an inverter (30) electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device (50) for controlling the inverter, and a refrigerant passage (40) thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member (12) thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, A switch control step is performed to control the switching of the inverter and input the phase current to the armature winding of each phase, The system includes a temperature control step of inputting a temperature increase request and adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant, A temperature control method comprising the switch control step, in which, if it is determined in the temperature control step to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding is stopped, and the phase current is input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding to drive the rotating electric machine. [Structure 8] A temperature control program implemented by the control device of a temperature control device (10), which includes a multiphase AC rotating electric machine (20) having an armature winding (21), an inverter (30) electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device (50) that controls the inverter, and a refrigerant passage (40) thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member (12) thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, A switch control step is performed to control the switching of the inverter and input the phase current to the armature winding of each phase, The system includes a temperature control step of inputting a temperature increase request and adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant, In the switch control step, if it is determined in the temperature control step to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, the temperature control program stops the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding, and allows the phase current to be input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding, thereby driving the rotating electric machine. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10...Control device, 12...Battery, 20...Rotating electric machine, 21...Stator winding, 30...Inverter, 40...Refrigerant passage, 50...Control device.

Claims

1. A temperature control device (10) comprising a multiphase AC rotating electric machine (20) having an armature winding (21), an inverter (30) electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device (50) for controlling the inverter, and a refrigerant passage (40) thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member (12) thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, The control device is A switch control unit that performs switching control of the inverter to input phase current to the armature windings of each phase, The system includes a temperature control unit that receives a temperature increase request and adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant, The switch control unit is a temperature control device that, when the temperature control unit determines to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, stops the input of the phase current to one or more phases of the armature winding, and allows the phase current to be input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding, thereby driving the rotating electric machine.

2. The temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the switch control unit increases the remaining phase current and changes the phase of the phase current when it stops the input of the phase current of any one or more phases.

3. The temperature control device according to claim 2, wherein a voltage command value is set that specifies the phase of the phase current input to each phase of the armature winding that does not stop the input of the phase current, such that the rotating magnetic field formed by the armature winding that does not stop the input of the phase current is circular in shape.

4. The temperature control device according to claim 3, wherein the voltage command value is determined by referring to a map based on the phase to be stopped, the required torque and the rotational speed.

5. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the switch control unit, when stopping the input of the phase current of any one or more phases, retards the phase of the phase current of the phase that is one electrical angle before the phase to be stopped, and advances the phase of the phase current of the phase that is one electrical angle after the phase to be stopped, among the armature windings that do not stop the input of the phase current.

6. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the switch control unit changes the phase from which the input of the phase current is stopped at a predetermined change timing when stopping the input of the phase current of any one or more phases.

7. A temperature control method performed by the control device of a temperature control device (10), comprising a multiphase AC rotating electric machine (20) having an armature winding (21), an inverter (30) electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device (50) for controlling the inverter, and a refrigerant passage (40) thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member (12) thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, A switch control step is performed to control the switching of the inverter and input the phase current to the armature winding of each phase, The system includes a temperature control step of inputting a temperature increase request and adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant, A temperature control method in which, in the switch control step, if it is determined in the temperature control step to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding is stopped, and the phase current is input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding to drive the rotating electric machine.

8. A temperature control program implemented by the control device of a temperature control device (10), which includes a multiphase AC rotating electric machine (20) having an armature winding (21), an inverter (30) electrically connected to the armature winding, a control device (50) that controls the inverter, and a refrigerant passage (40) thermally connected to at least one of the inverter and the rotating electric machine, wherein the temperature of a target member (12) thermally connected to the refrigerant passage is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage, A switch control step is performed to control the switching of the inverter and input the phase current to the armature winding of each phase, The system includes a temperature control step of inputting a temperature increase request and adjusting the temperature of the refrigerant, In the switch control step, if it is determined in the temperature control step to raise the temperature of the refrigerant, the temperature control program stops the input of the phase current to any one or more phases of the armature winding, and allows the phase current to be input to the remaining three or more phases of the armature winding, thereby driving the rotating electric machine.

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