Switching device and thermal management system
A switching device with a single drive unit and a gear ratio of 2 or more for five-way switching units simplifies thermal management systems by enabling multiple modes without additional drive units, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermal management systems require multiple drive units for each flow path switching unit to increase the number of switchable modes, leading to increased complexity and cost.
A switching device comprising a first and second five-way switching unit driven by a single drive unit with a gear ratio of 2 or more, allowing multiple modes of operation without the need for multiple drive units.
Enables a greater number of switchable modes with a single drive unit, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining efficient thermal management.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a switching device and a thermal management system.
Background Art
[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-154767 discloses a thermal management system including a first thermal circuit including a battery, a PCU, etc., a second thermal circuit mainly having a function of cooling the air in the passenger compartment, and a third thermal circuit mainly having a function of warming the air in the passenger compartment. Each circuit is provided with a switching valve for switching the flow path.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In a thermal management circuit as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-154767, by providing a plurality of flow path switching units (such as switching valves), the thermal management circuit can be driven in a plurality of modes. In order to increase the number of switchable modes, it is conceivable to drive a plurality of flow path switching units independently, but in that case, the same number of drive units (such as motors) as the number of flow path switching units is required.
[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a switching device and a thermal management system capable of ensuring the number of switchable modes with a single drive unit.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] A switching device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a switching device that can be provided in a thermal management circuit and comprises a first five-way switching unit, a second five-way switching unit, and a drive unit for driving the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit, wherein the first five-way switching unit includes a first switching plate, the second five-way switching unit includes a second switching plate, and the drive unit has a first gear section capable of driving the first switching plate, a second gear section capable of driving the second switching plate, and a drive section for driving the first gear section and the second gear section, and the gear ratio of the first gear section to the second gear section is 2 or more.
[0007] A thermal management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a thermal management system provided in an electrical device, comprising: a switching device; a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel through which a heat transfer medium can flow; an energy storage device that performs heat exchange with the heat transfer medium flowing through the first channel; a drive device that performs heat exchange with the heat transfer medium flowing through the second channel and supplies driving force to the electrical device; a radiator provided in the third channel; and a chiller provided in the fourth channel, wherein the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit in the switching device are capable of switching the connection state of the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a switching device and a thermal management system that can ensure a number of modes that can be switched with a single drive unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a thermal management circuit including a switching device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic representation of the switching device. [Figure 3]Figure 3(A) is a schematic diagram showing the first mode of the thermal management circuit. Figure 3(B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first five-way switching unit in the first mode. Figure 3(C) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second five-way switching unit in the first mode. [Figure 4] Figure 4(A) is a schematic diagram showing the second mode of the thermal management circuit. Figure 4(B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first five-way switching unit in the second mode. Figure 4(C) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second five-way switching unit in the second mode. [Figure 5] Figure 5(A) is a schematic diagram showing the third mode of the thermal management circuit. Figure 5(B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first five-way switching unit in the third mode. Figure 5(C) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second five-way switching unit in the third mode. [Figure 6] Figure 6(A) is a schematic diagram showing the fourth mode of the thermal management circuit. Figure 6(B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first five-way switching unit in the fourth mode. Figure 6(C) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second five-way switching unit in the fourth mode. [Figure 7] Figure 7(A) is a schematic diagram showing the fifth mode of the thermal management circuit. Figure 7(B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first five-way switching unit in the fifth mode. Figure 7(C) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second five-way switching unit in the fifth mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated.
[0011] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a thermal management circuit including a switching device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. This thermal management circuit 1 is preferably applied to electrical equipment. An example of electrical equipment is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery 173 for driving. An electric vehicle is, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). An electric vehicle may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). However, the application of the thermal management circuit 1 in the present disclosure is not limited to vehicles.
[0012] <Overall Structure>
[0013] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a thermal management circuit. The thermal management circuit 1 is configured to allow a heat transfer medium (such as water) to flow through it. The thermal management circuit 1 includes, for example, a high-temperature circuit 110, a radiator 120, a low-temperature circuit 130, a condenser 140, a refrigeration cycle 150, a chiller 160, a battery circuit 170, and a switching device 200.
[0014] The high-temperature circuit 110 includes a water pump (W / P) 111, an electric heater 112, a three-way valve 113, a heater core 114, a reservoir tank (R / T) 115, a flow path 110a connecting the water pump 111, electric heater 112, three-way valve 113, reservoir tank 115 and water pump 111 in that order, a flow path 110b connecting the three-way valve 113, heater core 114 and reservoir tank 115 in that order, and a heat transfer medium (water, etc.) not shown.
[0015] The water pump 111 sends the heat transfer medium that has flowed out of the reservoir tank 115 to the electric heater 112. The electric heater 112 heats the heat transfer medium. The heater core 114 heats the air supplied to the passenger compartment (not shown) of the electric vehicle with the heat transfer medium. The reservoir tank 115 maintains the pressure and volume of the heat transfer medium in the high-temperature circuit 110 by storing a portion of the heat transfer medium in the high-temperature circuit 110.
[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the high-temperature circuit 110 is equipped with a high-temperature radiator 121 and a condenser 140. The high-temperature radiator 121 is located in the flow path 110a downstream of the three-way valve 113 and upstream of the reservoir tank 115. The high-temperature radiator 121 exchanges heat between the heat transfer medium and the outside air. The condenser 140 is located in the flow path 110a downstream of the water pump 111 and upstream of the electric heater 112. The condenser 140 exchanges heat between the heat transfer medium and the working medium in the refrigeration cycle 150 (water or a medium with a lower boiling point than water, etc.).
[0017] The three-way valve 113 switches the flow path of the heat transfer medium so that the heat transfer medium flows through at least one of the first path and the second path. The first path is a path in which the heat transfer medium circulates in the order of water pump 111 - condenser 140 - electric heater 112 - three-way valve 113 - high-temperature radiator 121 - reservoir tank 115 - water pump 111. The second path is a path in which the heat transfer medium circulates in the order of water pump 111 - condenser 140 - electric heater 112 - three-way valve 113 - heater core 114 - reservoir tank 115 - water pump 111.
[0018] The low-temperature circuit 130 includes, for example, a water pump 131, an electricity supply unit (ESU), a power control unit (PCU) 133, an oil cooler (O / C) 134, a transaxle 135, a reservoir tank 136, circulation channels 130a and 130b that connect the water pump 131, the ESU 132, the PCU 133, the oil cooler 134, and the reservoir tank 136 in this order, and a heat transfer medium (such as water), not shown in the figure.
[0019] The water pump 131 sends the heat transfer medium flowing out of the reservoir tank 136 to the ESU 132. The ESU 132 controls charging and discharging of the battery 173. The PCU 133 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 173 into AC power and supplies the AC power to a motor (not shown) built into the transaxle 135. The oil cooler 134 circulates the lubricating oil of the motor using an electric oil pump (not shown). The oil cooler 134 cools the lubricating oil by exchanging heat between the heat transfer medium flowing through the circulation channel and the lubricating oil. Thereby, the transaxle 135 is cooled. The ESU 132, the PCU 133, and the oil cooler 134 are cooled by the heat transfer medium flowing through the circulation channel. The reservoir tank 136 maintains the pressure and amount of the heat transfer medium in the low-temperature circuit 130 by storing a part of the heat transfer medium in the low-temperature circuit 130.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a low-temperature radiator 122 is provided in the low-temperature circuit 130. The low-temperature radiator 122 is provided at a portion on the downstream side of the oil cooler 134 and on the upstream side of the reservoir tank 136 in the circulation channels 130a and 130b. The low-temperature radiator 122 is disposed near the high-temperature radiator 121. The heat transfer medium flowing through the low-temperature radiator 122 exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium flowing through the high-temperature radiator 121. As shown in FIG. 1, the high-temperature radiator 121 and the low-temperature radiator 122 constitute a single radiator 120. That is, the radiator 120 is connected (i.e., shared) to both the high-temperature circuit 110 and the low-temperature circuit 130.
[0021] The refrigeration cycle 150 is connected to the condenser 140 and the chiller 160. The refrigeration cycle 150 includes a compressor 151, an expansion valve 152, an evaporator 153, an evaporation pressure regulator (EPR) 154, an expansion valve 155, and a working fluid (such as water or a fluid with a lower boiling point than water) not shown.
[0022] The compressor 151 compresses the working medium. The condenser 140 condenses the working medium by exchanging heat between the gaseous working medium discharged from the compressor 151 and the heat transfer medium flowing through the high-temperature circuit 110. The expansion valves 152 and 155 expand the working medium that has flowed out of the condenser 140. The evaporator 153 evaporates the working medium by exchanging heat between the working medium that has flowed out of the expansion valve 152 and the air supplied to the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle. The evaporation pressure regulating valve 154 adjusts the pressure of the working medium that has flowed out of the evaporator 153. The chiller 160 evaporates the working medium by exchanging heat between the working medium that has flowed out of the expansion valve 155 and the heat transfer medium flowing through the battery circuit 170. The gaseous working medium that has flowed out of the evaporation pressure regulating valve 154 and the chiller 160 flows into the compressor 151.
[0023] The battery circuit 170 includes, for example, a water pump 171, an electric heater 172, a battery 173, and circulation channels 170a and 170b that connect the water pump 171, electric heater 172, and battery 173 in that order. Note that the battery 173 is an example of an "energy storage device" in this disclosure.
[0024] A water pump 171 circulates a heat transfer medium within a battery circuit 170. An electric heater 172 heats the heat transfer medium circulating through the circulation path. A battery 173 supplies power for driving to a motor built into the transaxle. The battery 173 may be heated using the electric heater 172 or cooled using the chiller 160.
[0025] As shown in Figure 1, a chiller 160 is connected to the battery circuit 170. The chiller 160 is connected to the downstream side of the water pump 171 and the upstream side of the electric heater 172 in the circulation channels 170a and 170b. The chiller 160 cools the heat transfer medium circulating in the battery circuit 170 by exchanging heat between the working medium circulating in the refrigeration cycle 150 and the heat transfer medium circulating in the battery circuit 170.
[0026] The switching device 200 is connected to the low-temperature circuit 130 and the battery circuit 170. The switching device 200 includes a first five-way switching section 210, a second five-way switching section 220, a connecting flow path 200a, and a drive unit 230.
[0027] The first five-way switching unit 210 has five ports P1 to P5. The second five-way switching unit 220 has five ports P6 to P10. In this embodiment, the first five-way switching unit 210 and the second five-way switching unit 220 are each composed of five-way valves.
[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the first five-way switching unit 210 is connected to the portion of the circulation path in the low-temperature circuit 130 that is downstream of the oil cooler 134 and upstream of the low-temperature radiator 122, and to the portion of the circulation path in the battery circuit 170 that is downstream of the chiller 160 and upstream of the electric heater 172. The second five-way switching unit 220 is connected to the portion of the circulation path in the low-temperature circuit 130 that is downstream of the low-temperature radiator 122 and upstream of the reservoir tank 136, and to the portion of the circulation path in the battery circuit 170 that is downstream of the battery 173 and upstream of the water pump 171.
[0029] Each of the five-way switching units 210 and 220 is connected to the low-temperature circuit 130 and the battery circuit 170, so that the circulation path in the low-temperature circuit 130 is divided into two paths: a path 130a that connects the first five-way switching unit 210, the low-temperature radiator 122 and the second five-way switching unit 220 in that order, and a path 130b that connects the second five-way switching unit 220, the reservoir tank 136, the water pump 131, the ESU 132, the PCU 133, the oil cooler 134 and the first five-way switching unit 210 in that order. The path 130b is in thermal contact with the ESU 132, the PCU 133 and the oil cooler 134. Note that path 130a is an example of the "third path" in this disclosure, and path 130b is an example of the "second path" in this disclosure.
[0030] Each of the five-way switching units 210 and 220 is connected to the low-temperature circuit 130 and the battery circuit 170. As a result, the circulation path in the battery circuit 170 is divided into two paths: a path 170a that connects the second five-way switching unit 220, the water pump 171, the chiller 160, and the first five-way switching unit 210 in that order, and a path 170b that connects the first five-way switching unit 210, the electric heater 172, the battery 173, and the second five-way switching unit 220 in that order. The path 170b is in thermal contact with the battery 173. The path 170a is an example of the "fourth path" in this disclosure, and the path 170b is an example of the "first path" in this disclosure.
[0031] The switching device 200 can switch the connection state of the flow path 170b (first flow path), flow path 130b (second flow path), flow path 130a (third flow path), and flow path 170a (fourth flow path).
[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematicly showing the switching device. As shown in Figure 2, the first five-way switching unit 210 has a bottom body 212, a top body 214, and a first switching plate 216.
[0033] The bottom body 212 has three spaces S2, S3, and S5, and has a shape that opens upwards to these three spaces S2, S3, and S5. Specifically, the bottom body 212 has a bottom wall 212a, an outer peripheral wall 212b, an inner peripheral wall 212c, and a partition wall 212d.
[0034] The bottom wall 212a is formed in a disc shape. An insertion hole is formed in the center of the bottom wall 212a for inserting the first shaft (not shown).
[0035] The outer periphery wall 212b rises from the periphery of the bottom wall 212a. The outer periphery wall 212b is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second port P2, the third port P3, and the fifth port P5 are connected to the outer periphery wall 212b.
[0036] The inner circumferential wall 212c rises from the portion of the bottom wall 212a surrounding the insertion hole. The inner circumferential wall 212c is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first shaft is inserted inside the inner circumferential wall 212c.
[0037] The partition wall 212d divides the space between the outer perimeter wall 212b and the inner perimeter wall 212c into three spaces: the second space S2, the third space S3, and the fifth space S5. The second space S2 is connected to the second port P2. The third space S3 is connected to the third port P3. The fifth space S5 is connected to the fifth port P5. The second space S2, the third space S3, and the fifth space S5 are arranged so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction of the outer perimeter wall 212b.
[0038] The top body 214 has two spaces S1 and S4, and a shape that opens these two spaces S1 and S4 downwards. Specifically, the top body 214 has a top wall 214a, an outer peripheral wall 214b, an inner peripheral wall 214c, and a partition wall 214d.
[0039] The top wall 214a is formed in a disc shape. An insertion hole h14 for inserting the first shaft is formed in the center of the top wall 214a.
[0040] The outer periphery wall 214b extends downward from the periphery of the top wall 214a. The outer periphery wall 214b is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first port P1 and the fourth port P4 are connected to the outer periphery wall 214b.
[0041] The inner circumferential wall 214c extends downward from the portion of the top wall 214a surrounding the insertion hole h14. The inner circumferential wall 214c is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first shaft is inserted inside the inner circumferential wall 214c.
[0042] The partition wall 214d divides the space between the outer perimeter wall 214b and the inner perimeter wall 214c into two spaces, namely, a first space S1 and a fourth space S4. The first space S1 is the space connected to the first port P1. The fourth space S4 is the space connected to the fourth port P4. The fourth space S4 is located inside the first space S1 in the radial direction of the outer perimeter wall 214b.
[0043] The first switching plate 216 switches the connection state of the first port P1 to the fifth port P5. The first switching plate 216 is positioned between the bottom body 212 and the top body 214. The first switching plate 216 is formed in a disc shape. In the center of the first switching plate 216, there is a shaft connection portion 216a connected to the first shaft so as to rotate together with the first shaft when the first shaft is inserted through it. The first switching plate 216 is driven by the drive unit 230 via the first shaft. A groove 216b for releasing pressure is formed on the lower surface of the first switching plate 216.
[0044] The first switching plate 216 has a first communication opening h1 and a fourth communication opening h4. The first communication opening h1 is located in the first switching plate 216 at a position that connects to the first space S1. The fourth communication opening h4 is located in the first switching plate 216 at a position that connects to the fourth space S4. The phase difference between the first communication opening h1 and the fourth communication opening h4 is set to 210 degrees.
[0045] The second five-way switching unit 220 includes a bottom body 222, a top body 224, and a second switching plate 226.
[0046] The bottom body 222 has six spaces S6, S6a, S8, S8a, S10, and S10a, and has a shape that opens upwards to these six spaces S6, S6a, S8, S8a, S10, and S10a. The structure of the bottom body 222 is similar to that of the bottom body 212. Specifically, the shape of the partition wall 222d of the bottom body 222 is different from the shape of the partition wall 212d of the bottom body 212. The partition wall 222d divides the space between the outer perimeter wall 222b and the inner perimeter wall 222c into six spaces, namely the sixth space S6, the tenth opposing space S10a, the eighth space S8, the sixth opposing space S6a, the tenth space S10, and the eighth opposing space S8a. More specifically, the partition wall 222d partitions the space between the outer wall 222b and the inner wall 222c such that the sixth space S6, the tenth opposing space S10a, the eighth space S8, the sixth opposing space S6a, the tenth space S10, and the eighth opposing space S8a are arranged in this order in the circumferential direction. The sixth opposing space S6a faces the sixth space S6 across the second shaft (not shown). The eighth opposing space S8a faces the eighth space S8 across the second shaft. The tenth opposing space S10a faces the tenth space S10 across the second shaft. The central angle of the sixth space S6 is set to three times the central angle of the sixth opposing space S6a. This is also true for the eighth space S8 and the tenth space S10.
[0047] The outer perimeter wall 222b is connected to the sixth port P6, which is connected to the sixth space S6; the eighth port P8, which is connected to the eighth space S8; and the tenth port P10, which is connected to the tenth space S10.
[0048] The top body 224 has two spaces S7 and S9, and is shaped to open downwards to these two spaces S7 and S9. The structure of the top body 224 is the same as that of the top body 214. The outer perimeter wall 224b is connected to the seventh port P7, which is connected to the seventh space S7, and the ninth port P9, which is connected to the ninth space S9.
[0049] The second switching plate 226 switches the connection state of the 6th port P6 to the 10th port P10. The structure of the second switching plate 226 is similar to that of the first switching plate 216. The second switching plate 226 has a shaft connection portion 226a, a groove 226b for releasing pressure, a pair of 7th communication ports h7, and a 9th communication port h9.
[0050] Each seventh communication port h7 is formed in the second switching plate 226 at a position that connects to the seventh space S7. The phase difference between a pair of seventh communication ports h7 is set to 180 degrees. In the example shown in Figure 2, one seventh communication port h7 connects the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the other seventh communication port h7 connects the seventh space S7 and the eighth opposing space S8a. In this case, the eighth space S8 and the eighth opposing space S8a are connected to each other via the seventh space S7, so the seventh space S7, the eighth space S8, and the eighth opposing space S8a form a single space. Therefore, the heat transfer medium that flows in from the eighth port P8 flows out from the seventh port P7. The ninth communication port h9 is formed in the second switching plate 226 at a position that connects to the ninth space S9. The phase difference between each seventh communication port h7 and the ninth communication port h9 is set to 90 degrees.
[0051] The connecting flow path 200a connects the second port P2 and the sixth port P6. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the heat transfer medium flows from the second port P2 to the sixth port P6.
[0052] The drive unit 230 drives the first five-way switching unit 210 and the second five-way switching unit 220. The drive unit 230 includes a first gear unit 232, a second gear unit 234, and a single drive unit 236.
[0053] The first gear section 232 is capable of driving the first switching plate 216. The first gear section 232 is meshed with the first shaft. In other words, the first gear section 232 is capable of driving the first switching plate 216 via the first shaft.
[0054] The second gear section 234 is capable of driving the second switching plate 226. The second gear section 234 meshes with the second shaft. In other words, the second gear section 234 is capable of driving the second switching plate 226 via the second shaft. The gear ratio of the first gear section 232 to the second gear section 234 is 2 or more. In this embodiment, the gear ratio is set to 2.
[0055] The drive unit 236 drives the first gear unit 232 and the second gear unit 234. The drive unit 236 can be, for example, a motor. When the drive unit 236 is driven, the first gear unit 232 and the second gear unit 234 are driven synchronously as a whole. In this embodiment, since the gear ratio is set to 2, when the first shaft and the first switching plate 216 rotate by a predetermined angle due to the drive of the drive unit 236, the second shaft and the second switching plate 226 rotate by twice that angle.
[0056] <Mode> Next, we will describe the multiple modes in the thermal management circuit 1 that are formed by switching the switching device 200. The switching of the switching device 200 (driving the drive unit 236) is performed by a control unit (ECU, etc.) not shown.
[0057] [Mode 1] Figure 3 schematically shows the first mode of the thermal management circuit 1, including the switching device 200. Note that the drive unit 230 is omitted from the illustration in Figure 3. This is also the case in Figures 4 and beyond.
[0058] As shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(C), in the first mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the fifth space S5. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the sixth space S6.
[0059] In this state, the heat transfer medium that flows from the first port P1 into the first space S1 flows out from the second port P2 via the first communication port h1 and the second space S2. The heat transfer medium that flows out from the second port P2 flows through the connecting flow path 200a into the sixth space S6 from the sixth port P6, and flows out from the ninth port P9 via the ninth communication port h9 and the ninth space S9. The heat transfer medium that flows out from the ninth port P9 exchanges heat with the working medium flowing through the chiller 160 if the refrigeration cycle 150 is in operation, and then flows toward the fourth port P4. The heat transfer medium that flows from the fourth port P4 into the fourth space S4 flows out from the fifth port P5 via the fourth communication port h4 and the fifth space S5. The heat transfer medium that flows out from the fifth port P5 flows toward the eighth port P8 via the low-temperature radiator 122. The heat transfer medium that flows from the 8th port P8 into the 8th space S8 flows out from the 7th port P7 via the 7th communication port h7 and the 7th space S7.
[0060] In other words, in the first mode, as shown in Figure 3(A), a circuit is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through the flow path 130b, the connecting flow path 200a, the flow path 170a, and the flow path 130a in that order, and the flow path 170b (battery 173) is disconnected from that circuit.
[0061] [Functions of Mode 1] In the first mode, waste heat from the PCU 133, etc., and heat generated by the PCU 133, etc. (generated heat) by reducing the operating efficiency of the PCU 133, etc., can be used to heat the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, since the battery 173 is disconnected from the above circuit, cooling of the battery 173 by the heat transfer medium flowing through the above circuit is suppressed, for example, during the heating of the battery 173, including self-heating of the battery 173. The excess heat generated by the PCU 133, etc., is released to the outside air by the low-temperature radiator 122. Furthermore, it is also possible to supply the heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122 to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump).
[0062] [Second Mode] Figure 4 schematically shows the second mode of the thermal management circuit 1, including the switching device 200. As shown in Figures 4(A) to (C), in the second mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the fifth space S5. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the sixth space S6, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the eighth space S8.
[0063] In the second mode, as shown in Figure 4(A), a first circuit 21 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through the flow path 130b and the connecting flow path 200a in that order, and a second circuit 22 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through the flow path 170a and the flow path 130a in that order, while the flow path 170b (battery 173) is disconnected from the first circuit 21 and the second circuit 22.
[0064] Furthermore, the first circuit 21 and the second circuit 22 are connected by a groove 216b. This connection allows the pressure in the first circuit 21 and the pressure in the second circuit 22 to be equalized without the heat transfer medium passing through the groove 216b.
[0065] [Functions of the second mode] In the second mode, in the first circuit 21, waste heat from the PCU 133 and other components is stored in the heat transfer medium, while in the second circuit 22, the heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122 can be supplied to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump). Furthermore, during the heating of the battery 173, including its own self-heating, the cooling of the battery 173 by the heat transfer medium is suppressed.
[0066] [Third Mode] Figure 5 schematically shows the third mode of the thermal management circuit 1, including the switching device 200. As shown in Figures 5(A) to (C), in the third mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the fifth space S5, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the second space S2. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the sixth space S6.
[0067] In the third mode, as shown in Figure 5(A), a first circuit 31 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through flow paths 130a and 130b in that order, and a second circuit 32 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through flow path 170a and the connecting flow path 200a in that order, while flow path 170b (battery 173) is disconnected from the first circuit 31 and the second circuit 32.
[0068] [Functions of the 3rd mode] In the third mode, in the first circuit 31, waste heat from the PCU 133 and other components is released by the low-temperature radiator 122, and cooling of the battery 173 by the heat transfer medium is suppressed during the heating of the battery 173, including its own self-heating. In the third mode, the water pump 171 may be stopped.
[0069] [Mode 4] Figure 6 schematically shows the fourth mode of the thermal management circuit 1, including the switching device 200. As shown in Figures 5(A) to (C), in the third mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the third space S3, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the second space S2. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the tenth space S10, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the sixth space S6.
[0070] In the fourth mode, as shown in Figure 6(A), a first circuit 41 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through flow path 130b and flow path 170b in that order, and a second circuit 42 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through flow path 170a and connecting flow path 200a in that order, while flow path 130a (low-temperature radiator 122) is disconnected from the first circuit 41 and the second circuit 42.
[0071] [Functions of Mode 4] In the fourth mode, in the first circuit 41, waste heat from the PCU 133 and other components is used to raise the temperature of the battery 173, and the release of waste heat from the PCU 133 and other components through the low-temperature radiator 122 is suppressed. In the fourth mode, the water pump 171 may be stopped.
[0072] [5th Mode] Figure 7 schematically shows the fifth mode of the thermal management circuit 1, including the switching device 200. As shown in Figures 7(A) to (C), in the fifth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the third space S3. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the sixth space S6, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the tenth space S10.
[0073] In the fifth mode, as shown in Figure 7(A), a first circuit 51 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through the flow path 130b and the connecting flow path 200a in that order, and a second circuit 52 is formed in which the heat transfer medium circulates through the flow path 170a and the flow path 170b in that order, while the flow path 130a (low-temperature radiator 122) is disconnected from the first circuit 51 and the second circuit 52.
[0074] [Functions of Mode 5] In the fifth mode, in the first circuit 51, waste heat from the PCU 133 and other components is stored in the heat transfer medium, while in the second circuit 52, heat generated by the battery 173 is released by the chiller 160. In addition, heat dissipation from the low-temperature radiator 122 is suppressed.
[0075] [Other modes] Although not shown in the diagram, the switching device 200 can also switch the thermal management circuit 1 to a mode different from the above modes. Examples of such modes include the following:
[0076] [Mode 6] In the sixth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the fifth space S5, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the third space S3. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the tenth space S10.
[0077] [Functions of Mode 6] In the sixth mode, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 is released by the low-temperature radiator 122, and heat generated by the battery 173 is released by the chiller 160.
[0078] [Mode 7] In the seventh mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the second space S2, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the third space S3. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the tenth space S10, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the sixth space S6.
[0079] [Functions of Mode 7] In the seventh mode, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 and heat generated by the battery 173 is released by the chiller 160. Also, when the refrigeration cycle 150 is not operating, the waste heat from the PCU 133 can be used to raise the temperature of the battery 173.
[0080] [Mode 8] In the eighth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the third space S3, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the fifth space S5. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the tenth space S10, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the eighth space S8.
[0081] [Functions of Mode 8] In the eighth mode, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 can be used to raise the temperature of the battery 173. Additionally, heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122 can be supplied to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump).
[0082] [Mode 9] In the ninth mode, the first communication port h1 in the first switching plate 216 connects the first space S1 and the third space S3, and the fourth communication port h4 connects the fourth space S4 and the fifth space S5. In addition, the seventh communication port h7 in the second switching plate 226 connects the seventh space S7 and the eighth space S8, and the ninth communication port h9 connects the ninth space S9 and the tenth space S10.
[0083] [Functions of Mode 9] In mode 9, for example, waste heat from the PCU 133 and heat generated by the battery 173 are released by the chiller 160 and the low-temperature radiator 122. It is also possible to supply the heat recovered by the low-temperature radiator 122, waste heat from the PCU 133 and heat generated by the battery 173 to the chiller 160 (outside air heat pump).
[0084] As described above, in the switching device 200 of this embodiment, the gear ratio of the first gear section 232 to the second gear section 234 is 2, which increases the number of phase combinations of each switching plate 216, 226. Therefore, a number of modes that can be switched with a single drive unit 236 is ensured.
[0085] The switching device 200 may also have a first five-way switching section 210 and a second five-way switching section 220 provided within a single housing. In this case, the connecting flow path 200a may be formed by a groove or flow path provided within the housing.
[0086] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following embodiments.
[0087] [Aspect 1] A switching device that can be installed in a thermal management circuit, The first five-way switching section, The second five-way switching section, The system comprises a drive unit that drives the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit, The first five-way switching section includes a first switching plate, The second five-way switching section includes a second switching plate, The aforementioned drive unit is A first gear unit capable of driving the first switching plate, A second gear section capable of driving the second switching plate, It has a drive unit that drives the first gear section and the second gear section, A switching device in which the gear ratio of the first gear section to the second gear section is 2 or more.
[0088] In this switching device, the gear ratio of the first gear section to the second gear section is greater than 2, which increases the number of phase combinations for each switching plate. Therefore, a number of modes that can be switched with a single drive unit (motor, etc.) is ensured.
[0089] [Aspect 2] A thermal management system installed in electrical equipment, The switching device described in Embodiment 1, A first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel through which a heat transfer medium can flow, A power storage device that performs heat exchange with the heat transfer medium flowing through the first channel, A drive device that exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium flowing through the second channel and supplies driving force to the electrical equipment, A radiator provided in the third flow path, The system comprises a chiller provided in the fourth flow path, A thermal management system in which the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit in the switching device are capable of switching the connection state of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.
[0090] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0091] 1 Thermal management circuit, 110 High temperature circuit, 120 Radiator, 121 High temperature radiator, 122 Low temperature radiator, 130 Low temperature circuit, 132 SPU, 133 PCU, 134 Oil cooler, 140 Condenser, 150 Refrigeration cycle, 160 Chiller, 170 Battery circuit, 173 Battery, 200 Switching device, 210 First five-way switching unit, 212 Bottom body, 214 Top body, 216 First switching plate, 220 Second five-way switching unit, 222 Bottom body, 224 Top body, 226 Second switching plate, 230 Drive unit, 232 First gear unit, 234 Second gear unit, 236 Drive unit, P1~P10 Ports, S1~S10 Space.
Claims
1. A switching device that can be installed in a thermal management circuit, The first five-way switching section, The second five-way switching section, The system comprises a drive unit that drives the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit, The first five-way switching unit includes a first switching plate, The second five-way switching section includes a second switching plate, The aforementioned drive unit is A first gear unit capable of driving the first switching plate, A second gear unit capable of driving the second switching plate, It has a drive unit that drives the first gear section and the second gear section, The gear ratio of the first gear section to the second gear section is 2 or more. The first five-way switching unit is, A first bottom body having three spaces and a shape that opens these three spaces upward, It further includes a first top body having two spaces and a shape that opens these two spaces downwards, The first switching plate is positioned between the first bottom body and the first top body and is formed in the shape of a disc. The first switching plate is provided with a plurality of first communication openings located at positions that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the first switching plate. Each of the first communication openings connects one of the three spaces in the first bottom body to one of the two spaces in the first top body. The second five-way switching unit is, A second bottom body having six spaces and a shape that opens these six spaces upwards, It further includes a second top body having two spaces and a shape that opens these two spaces downwards, The second switching plate is positioned between the second bottom body and the second top body and is formed in a disc shape. The second switching plate is provided with a plurality of second communication openings located at positions that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the second switching plate. Each of the second communication ports connects one of the six spaces in the second bottom body to one of the two spaces in the second top body, in a switching device.
2. A thermal management system installed in electrical equipment, The switching device according to claim 1, A first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel through which a heat transfer medium can flow, A power storage device that performs heat exchange with the heat transfer medium flowing through the first channel, A drive device that exchanges heat with the heat transfer medium flowing through the second channel and supplies driving force to the electrical equipment, A radiator provided in the third flow path, The system comprises a chiller provided in the fourth flow path, A thermal management system in which the first five-way switching unit and the second five-way switching unit in the switching device are capable of switching the connection state of the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path.